GB2055287A - A partial pressure suit - Google Patents

A partial pressure suit Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2055287A
GB2055287A GB7927507A GB7927507A GB2055287A GB 2055287 A GB2055287 A GB 2055287A GB 7927507 A GB7927507 A GB 7927507A GB 7927507 A GB7927507 A GB 7927507A GB 2055287 A GB2055287 A GB 2055287A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
suit
partial pressure
splits
along
tape
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Granted
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GB7927507A
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GB2055287B (en
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to GB7927507A priority Critical patent/GB2055287B/en
Publication of GB2055287A publication Critical patent/GB2055287A/en
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Publication of GB2055287B publication Critical patent/GB2055287B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B17/00—Protective clothing affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents or for use at high altitudes
    • A62B17/008—High-altitude pressure suits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D10/00—Flight suits
    • B64D2010/002—Anti-g suits or garments

Abstract

A partial pressure suit (2) which is made of an elastic fabric and which has a plurality of splits (4) in it, the elastic fabric being made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking, the elastic fabric being substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition, and the sides of the suit defining the splits being held together by substantially flat tapes (6) which are passed through loops (8) attached to the sides of the suit defining the splits whereby repeated suit size adjustments can be effected by operating the tapes to vary the size of the splits. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A partial pressure suit This invention relates to a partial pressure suit.
Partial pressure suits are known for use by cabin crews in aircraft flying at high altitudes.
The partial pressure suits are designed to automatically inflate when a loss of cabin pressure occurs, for example upon failure of the aircraft's pressurization system. These known partial pressure suits are made of a fabric which is not elastic so that it does not easily stretch with various movements of the wearer. This tends to make the suit uncomfortable to wear and it also tends to restrict mobility. Furthermore, the known partial pressure suits are usually designed to be worn with undergarments. Some of the known partial pressure suits are adjustable but these partial pressure suits are only adjustable once when fitting the suit, and usually before inflating it.Further adjustments are not possible and the adjustment means employs lacings which are of a substantially circular cross section and which tend to mark the wearer of a partial pressure suit if it is worn for more than short periods of time.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a partial pressure suit which is intended to be worn next to the skin and which is not subject to the above mentioned disadvantages.
Accordingly, this invention provides a partial pressure suit which is made of an elastic fabric and which has a plurality of splits in it, the elastic fabric being made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking, the elastic fabric being substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition, and the sides of the suit defining the splits being held together by substantially flat tapes which are passed through loops attached to the sides of the suit defining the splits whereby repeated suit size adjustments can be effected by operating the tapes to vary the size of the splits.
Because the fabric employed in the partial pressure suit is elastic, it will be apparent that the elastic fabric will substantially instantaneously return to its unstretched condition when a force causing the stretching is removed. The elastic fabric should also be such that it is substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition. It will be apparent that with considerable wear, the elastic fabric may lose some of its elasticity but it is envisaged that in any unworn partial pressure suit, the elastic fabric will be such that it will return to at least 90 percent of its original size from a stretched condition.
The synthetic elastic material may be an elastomeric material made from polyurethane or polyacrylate yarn (either multi-filament or mono-filament) or a polyamide or polyester material made from textured stretch or hightwist yarns, or a material the yarn of which is a core of rubber or elastomeric filament surrounded by staple fibres. Examples of polyurethane materials that may be employed are those sold under the trade names SPANDEX, LYCRA, SPANZELLE, VYRENE and SPAN DELLE. An example of elastomeric polyacrylate material is that sold under the trade name ANIDEX. Examples of polyamide materials that may be employed are those sold under the trade names AGILON, BANLON, COUR TOLAN, FLUFLON and HELENCA.
One preferred synthetic elastic material is a NYLON-LYCRA material containing 80 percent Nylon and 20 percent Lycra. These relative percentages can be varied to vary the elasticity of the elastic material.
Usually, one end of each tape will be attached to the suit and the other end of the tape will be attached to a ring adjuster member, the tape being able to move with respect to the loops through which it passes in order to enable equalisation of the pressure exerted by the tapes on a wearer of the partial pressure suit when the partial pressure suit if inflated. The tape may be fixed to the suit by stitching and the non-sitched end of the tape may be passed through the loops whilst alternating from one side of a split to the other.
The non-stitched end of the tape may then finally be passed through the ring adjuster member, the ring adjuster member being used to lengthen or shorten the tape at will to correspond to a desired suit tension.
The loops may be made of a metal or a fabric. It may be preferred to employ metal loops since these may facilitate the passage or sliding of the tapes through the loops. Each tape may span from three to six loops.
Each ring adjuster member may operate two adjacent tapes. The ring adjuster members may be D-shaped ring adjuster members.
The splits may be positioned along the legs, thighs, trunk and arms of the suit.
The splits along the legs of the suit are preferably on the inside of the legs of the suit.
The splits along the thighs and trunk of the suit are preferably continuous along both sides of the suit.
The splits along the upper arms of the suit preferably do not extend beyond the elbow position of the arms of the suit. The splits along the lower arms of the suit are preferably on the inside of the arms of the suit.
The partial pressure suit of the present invention will usually include capstans.
The partial pressure suit may include a continuous capstan extending along both sides of the suit, each capstan extending from an ankle portion of the suit along to a neck portion of the suit and along to a wrist portion of the suit.
Each capstan may comprise an inflatable member which is held in position by interdigitated tapes. The capstan will normally be automatically inflated when cabin pressure in the aircraft drops below a predetermined level.
The partial pressure suit may include one or more filler means for filling in body contours in a wearer of the suit.
The filler means may comprise a foam material or an inflatable member.
The partial pressure suit may be such that there are filler means positioned vertically and centrally along a back portion of the suit, and centrally at a breast portion of the suit.
The partial pressure suit may include one or more zip fasteners. The zip fasteners may be positioned at wrist portions, ankle portions, a front portion and a crutch portion of the suit.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a partial pressure suit; Figure 2 is a rear view of the partial pressure suit shown in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a capstan and the tape adjustment means.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a partial pressure suit 2 which is made of an elastic fabric. The elastic fabric is made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking. The elastic fabric is substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched position. A typical synthetic elastic material is a Nylon-Lycra material which is composed of 80 percent Nylon and 20 percent Lycra and which is adapted to return to well over 90 percent of its original size from a stretched condition.
The partial pressure suit 2 has a plurality of splits 4 in it, these splits 4 providing suit size adjustment areas. Substantially flat tapes 6 of Nylon or other suitable material pass through loops 8 which are attached to the sides of the suit 2 defining the splits 4. The loops 8 may be of any shape providing they allow free passage of the tape through them. One end of each tape 4 is attached to the suit 2, for example by stitching, and the other end of each tape 6 is attached to one of the loops 8.
Each tape 6 is able to move with respect to the loops 8 through which it passes in order to enable equalisation of the pressure exerted by the tapes 6 on a wearer of the suit when it is inflated. Thus, as the suit size varies, the tapes 6 can be pulled through their loops 8.
It will be noted that the splits 4 along the sides and trunk of the suit 2 are continuous along both sides of the suit 2. It will also be noticed that the splits along the upper arms of the suit 2 do not extend beyond the elbow position of the arms of the suit 2. The splits in the lower arms of the suit 2 are on the inside of the arms of the suit 2 and the splits along the legs of the suit 2 are also on the inside as illustrated.
Preferably, each tape 6 spans from three or six loops 8. The tapes 6 are maintained in a desired position by double D-ring adjuster members 10. Each member 10 may operate two adjacent tapes 6.
It will be seen from the drawings that the sides of the suit defining the splits 4 are provided with gussets 1 2. The suit 2 is also provided with stitched seams 14.
The suit 2 has a pair of continuous capstans 16, 1 8 extending from an ankle portion of the suit 2, along to a neck portion of the suit 2 and along to a wrist portion of the suit 2 as is illustrated in the drawings. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged part of the capstan 1 6 and it will be seen that the capstan 1 6 comprises an inflatable tube 20 which is held in position with interdigitated tapes 22. The tube 20 is inflated automatically from a compressed air supply (not shown) appropriately connected to the tube 24. The capstan 1 8 is the same as the capstan 1 6 except for the fact that the capstan 1 8 does not have the tube 24.
The suit 2 is provided with zips 26 as illustrated at wrist portions, ankle portions, a front portion and a crutch portion of the suit 2.
The suit 2 is further provided with filler means 28, 30, 32, 34. The filler means comprises foam padding and it is designed to fill in hollows in body contours of a wearer of the suit. As an alternative to employing a foam material, the filler means could be inflatable. The filler means 28 is provided at a breast portion of the suit 2, the filler means 30 is provided at a crutch portion of the suit 2, the filler means 32 is provided vertically and centrally along a back portion of the suit 2 and the filler means 34 is provided adjacent underneath the arms of the suit 2.
Fig. 3 illustrates most clearly that the tapes 6 are substantially flat and that one end of each tape is stitched, for example at the illustrated position 36, to the gussets 1 2.
Obviously, the tapes 6 can be attached to the sides of the suit 2 defining the splits 4 by means other than stitching.
Fig. 2 illustrates a connecting member 38 for connecting the two capstans 16, 18 so that they can both be inflated from the same compressed air source.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention decribed above has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the tapes 6 can be employed in a different configuration than has been illustrated. Also other shapes for the loops 8 and the members 10 can be employed. Other garments may be easily and comfortably worn over the suit 2.
Further, the suit 2 may also have applications for use on the medical field. For example, the suit 2 may advantageously be worn by persons having circulatory disorders, for example those having chronic hyper-tension. Such persons may not need to fully wear the suit and they could, for example, only wear the legs of the suit.
CLAIMS (12 May 1980) 1. A partial pressure suit which is made of an elastic fabric and which has a plurality of splits in it, the elastic fabric being made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking, the elastic fabric being substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition, and the sides of the suit defining the splits being held together by substantially flat tapes which are passed through loops attached to the sides of the suit defining the splits whereby repeated suit size adjustments can be effected by operating the tapes to vary the size of the splits.
2. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 in which the elastic fabric is such that it is returnable to at least 90 percent of its original size from a stretched condition.
3. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is made from polyurethane or polyacrylate yarn.
4. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is made from a polyamide or polyester material made from textured stretch or high-twist yarns.
5. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is a material the yarn of which is a core of rubber or elastomeric filament surrounded by staple fibres.
6. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is a Nylon-Lycra material containing 80 percent Nylon and 20 percent Lycra.
7. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which one end of each tape is attached to the suit and the other end of the tape is attached to a ring adjuster member, the tape being able to move with respect to the loops through which it passes in order to enable equalisation of the pressure exerted by the tapes on a wearer of the partial preessure suit when the partial pressure suit is inflated.
8. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tape is fixed to the suit by stitching and the nonstitched end of the tape is passed through the loops whilst alternating from one side of a split to the other.
9. A partial pressure suit according to claim 8 in which the non-stitched end of the tape is finally passed through the ring adjuster member, the ring adjuster member being used to lengthen or shorten the tape at will to correspond to a desired suit tension.
10. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the loops are made of a metal or a fabric.
11. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which each ring adjuster member is a D-shaped ring adjuster member.
1 2. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the splits are positioned along the legs, thighs, trunk and arms of the suit.
13. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 2 in which the splits along the legs of the suit are on the inside of the legs of the suit, and in which the splits along the thighs and trunk of the suit are continuous along both sides of the suit.
14. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 2 or claim 1 3 in which the splits along the upper arms of the suit do not extend beyond the elbow position of the arms of the suit, and in which the splits along the lower arms of the suit are on the inside of the arms of the suit.
1 5. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including capstans.
16. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 5 including a continuous capstan extending along both sides of the suit, each capstan extending from an ankle portion of the suit along to a neck portion of the suit and along to a wrist portion of the suit.
1 7. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 5 or claim 1 6 in which each capstan comprises an inflatable member which is held in position by interdigitated tapes.
1 8. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more filler means for filling in body contours in a wearer of the suit.
1 9. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 8 in which the filler means comprises a foam material or an inflatable member.
20. A partial pressure suit according to claim 18 or claim 1 9 in which there are filler means positioned vertically and centrally along a back portion of the suit, and centrally at a breast portion of the suit.
21. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more zip fasteners.
22. A partial pressure suit according to claim 21 in which the zip fasteners are positioned at wrist portions, ankle portions, a front portion and crutch portion of the suit.
23. A partial pressure suit substantially as herein described with reference to the accom
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    easily and comfortably worn over the suit 2.
    Further, the suit 2 may also have applications for use on the medical field. For example, the suit 2 may advantageously be worn by persons having circulatory disorders, for example those having chronic hyper-tension. Such persons may not need to fully wear the suit and they could, for example, only wear the legs of the suit.
    CLAIMS (12 May 1980)
    1. A partial pressure suit which is made of an elastic fabric and which has a plurality of splits in it, the elastic fabric being made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking, the elastic fabric being substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition, and the sides of the suit defining the splits being held together by substantially flat tapes which are passed through loops attached to the sides of the suit defining the splits whereby repeated suit size adjustments can be effected by operating the tapes to vary the size of the splits.
    2. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 in which the elastic fabric is such that it is returnable to at least 90 percent of its original size from a stretched condition.
    3. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is made from polyurethane or polyacrylate yarn.
    4. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is made from a polyamide or polyester material made from textured stretch or high-twist yarns.
    5. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is a material the yarn of which is a core of rubber or elastomeric filament surrounded by staple fibres.
    6. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the synthetic elastic material is a Nylon-Lycra material containing 80 percent Nylon and 20 percent Lycra.
    7. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which one end of each tape is attached to the suit and the other end of the tape is attached to a ring adjuster member, the tape being able to move with respect to the loops through which it passes in order to enable equalisation of the pressure exerted by the tapes on a wearer of the partial preessure suit when the partial pressure suit is inflated.
    8. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the tape is fixed to the suit by stitching and the nonstitched end of the tape is passed through the loops whilst alternating from one side of a split to the other.
    9. A partial pressure suit according to claim 8 in which the non-stitched end of the tape is finally passed through the ring adjuster member, the ring adjuster member being used to lengthen or shorten the tape at will to correspond to a desired suit tension.
    10. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the loops are made of a metal or a fabric.
    11. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which each ring adjuster member is a D-shaped ring adjuster member.
    1 2. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims in which the splits are positioned along the legs, thighs, trunk and arms of the suit.
    13. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 2 in which the splits along the legs of the suit are on the inside of the legs of the suit, and in which the splits along the thighs and trunk of the suit are continuous along both sides of the suit.
    14. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 2 or claim 1 3 in which the splits along the upper arms of the suit do not extend beyond the elbow position of the arms of the suit, and in which the splits along the lower arms of the suit are on the inside of the arms of the suit.
    1 5. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including capstans.
    16. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 5 including a continuous capstan extending along both sides of the suit, each capstan extending from an ankle portion of the suit along to a neck portion of the suit and along to a wrist portion of the suit.
    1 7. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 5 or claim 1 6 in which each capstan comprises an inflatable member which is held in position by interdigitated tapes.
    1 8. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more filler means for filling in body contours in a wearer of the suit.
    1 9. A partial pressure suit according to claim 1 8 in which the filler means comprises a foam material or an inflatable member.
    20. A partial pressure suit according to claim 18 or claim 1 9 in which there are filler means positioned vertically and centrally along a back portion of the suit, and centrally at a breast portion of the suit.
    21. A partial pressure suit according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more zip fasteners.
    22. A partial pressure suit according to claim 21 in which the zip fasteners are positioned at wrist portions, ankle portions, a front portion and crutch portion of the suit.
    23. A partial pressure suit substantially as herein described with reference to the accom
    panying drawings.
    CLAIMS (8 July 1980)
    1. A partial pressure suit which is made of a gas-permeable elastic fabric and which has a plurality of splits in it, the elastic fabric being made wholly or partly from synthetic elastic material which stretches from 50 percent to 700 percent beyond its original size before breaking, the elastic fabric being substantially instantaneously and substantially fully returnable to its original size from a stretched condition, and the sides of the suit defining the splits being held together by substantially flat tapes which are passed through loops attached to the sides of the suit defining the splits whereby repeated suit size adjustments can be effected by operating the tapes to vary the size of the splits.
GB7927507A 1979-08-07 1979-08-07 Partial pressure suit Expired GB2055287B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7927507A GB2055287B (en) 1979-08-07 1979-08-07 Partial pressure suit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7927507A GB2055287B (en) 1979-08-07 1979-08-07 Partial pressure suit

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2055287A true GB2055287A (en) 1981-03-04
GB2055287B GB2055287B (en) 1983-03-09

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GB7927507A Expired GB2055287B (en) 1979-08-07 1979-08-07 Partial pressure suit

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4455683A (en) * 1982-03-29 1984-06-26 E.D. Bullard Company Self-adjusting protective garment
WO1989010871A1 (en) * 1988-05-03 1989-11-16 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britanni Protective garments for aircrew
GB2266837A (en) * 1992-05-12 1993-11-17 Multifabs Ltd A survival suit
WO2012066114A1 (en) * 2010-11-19 2012-05-24 G-Nius Ltd. Acceleration protection suit

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4455683A (en) * 1982-03-29 1984-06-26 E.D. Bullard Company Self-adjusting protective garment
WO1989010871A1 (en) * 1988-05-03 1989-11-16 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britanni Protective garments for aircrew
EP0360377A1 (en) * 1988-05-03 1990-03-28 Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Gov. Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Protective garments for aircrew
GB2266837A (en) * 1992-05-12 1993-11-17 Multifabs Ltd A survival suit
GB2266837B (en) * 1992-05-12 1996-05-29 Multifabs Ltd Survival suits
WO2012066114A1 (en) * 2010-11-19 2012-05-24 G-Nius Ltd. Acceleration protection suit
EA022642B1 (en) * 2010-11-19 2016-02-29 Джи-Ниус Лтд. Acceleration protection suit
US9321532B2 (en) 2010-11-19 2016-04-26 G-Nius Ltd. Acceleration protective suit
AU2011331114B2 (en) * 2010-11-19 2016-05-26 G-Nius Holding & Investment Ag Acceleration protection suit

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee