GB2078093A - Protective suits - Google Patents

Abstract

A light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents-particularly for non-military personnel-the suit comprising integral leg, trunk, arm and hood portions and being formed of non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heat-reflecting outer surface, suitably aluminised polyvinylchloride. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protective suits This invention relates to protective suits.

The protective suits which are presently supplied to military personell for protection against nuclear blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents are heavy, cumbersome and expensive to manufacture.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved protective suit which is light-weight and inexpensive.

Accordingly, the present invention consists in a light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents, the suit comprising integral leg, trunk, arm and hood portions and being formed of non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heat-reflecting outer surface.

Advantageously, the suit is formed of aluminised polyvinylchloride.

When used in conjunction with boots, gloves and a conventional respirator, the suit according to this invention will provide significant protection against airborne toxic or corrosive agents and, because of its heat reflecting outer surface, will withstand reasonably high blast temperatures without allowing the body temperature of the wearer to rise to a dangerous levei. Because the suit is inexpensive to manufacture it can be distributed in large numbers to both military and non-military personnel and can be regarded as disposable.

Tests have shown that, contrary to what might be expected, the wearer of a suit according to this invention will not perspire at a rate high enough to risk dehydration, assuming no over-exertion. The suit is therefore ideal for non-military personnel who will be sheltering in the event of circumstances calling for wearing of the suit.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a sketch view of a protective suit according to the invention.

The suit shown generally at 10 is tormed of 200 gauge aluminised polyvinylchloride and consists of integral leg 12, trunk 14, arm 16 and hood 18 portions. Where necessary seams are formed by heat sealing. The leg and arm portions, 12 and 16 respectively, are formed with inwardly turned and elasticated cuffs 20 which ensure a tight fit around the ankles and wrists. The hood 18 is provided with a pull cord 22 which extends around the facial opening.

At the front of the suit, an opening extends from the neck to the crotch. One of the edges of the suit at this opening is provided with a first mating strip 24 of a sliding clasp fastener and - at a short distance from the edge - a first strip 26 of a "burr type" fastener. The second edge of the opening is turned inwardly to provide a flap 28, this flap carrying the scond mating strip 30 of the sliding clasp fastener aid the second strip 32 of the "burr type" fastener.

In this way, when the suit is closed, the burr fastener protects and conceals the sliding clasp fastener.

Underneath the arms of the suit there are provided small circular patches 34 of carton impregnated cloth, approximately 10cm in diameter. These patches are porous and eliminate the potentially dangerous "bellows" effect whereby rapid upward movement of the arms would cause a drop in pressure substantially increasing the risk of possibly toxic gases entering the suit through the cuffs or ankles. The carbon integrated cloth acts of course as a filter and is indeed the same material from which conventional protective suits are manufactured.

Using vacuum packing techniques, the suit can be compressed to a very small size for distribution purposes, the resulting package weighing only a few ounces.

It will be appreciated that this invention has been described by way of example only and numerous modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the gauge of the aluminised polyvinylchloride can be varied and the range 100 to 500 gauge is felt to be particularly suitable. Alternatively, aluminised nylon material can be employed or indeed any-non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heatreflecting outer surface.

1. A light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents, the suit comprising integral leg, trunk, arm and hood portions and being formed of non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heat-reflecting outer surface.

2. A suit according to Claim 1, wherein the suit is formed of aluminised polyvinylchloride.

3. A light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Protective suits This invention relates to protective suits. The protective suits which are presently supplied to military personell for protection against nuclear blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents are heavy, cumbersome and expensive to manufacture. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved protective suit which is light-weight and inexpensive. Accordingly, the present invention consists in a light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents, the suit comprising integral leg, trunk, arm and hood portions and being formed of non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heat-reflecting outer surface. Advantageously, the suit is formed of aluminised polyvinylchloride. When used in conjunction with boots, gloves and a conventional respirator, the suit according to this invention will provide significant protection against airborne toxic or corrosive agents and, because of its heat reflecting outer surface, will withstand reasonably high blast temperatures without allowing the body temperature of the wearer to rise to a dangerous levei. Because the suit is inexpensive to manufacture it can be distributed in large numbers to both military and non-military personnel and can be regarded as disposable. Tests have shown that, contrary to what might be expected, the wearer of a suit according to this invention will not perspire at a rate high enough to risk dehydration, assuming no over-exertion. The suit is therefore ideal for non-military personnel who will be sheltering in the event of circumstances calling for wearing of the suit. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a sketch view of a protective suit according to the invention. The suit shown generally at 10 is tormed of 200 gauge aluminised polyvinylchloride and consists of integral leg 12, trunk 14, arm 16 and hood 18 portions. Where necessary seams are formed by heat sealing. The leg and arm portions, 12 and 16 respectively, are formed with inwardly turned and elasticated cuffs 20 which ensure a tight fit around the ankles and wrists. The hood 18 is provided with a pull cord 22 which extends around the facial opening. At the front of the suit, an opening extends from the neck to the crotch. One of the edges of the suit at this opening is provided with a first mating strip 24 of a sliding clasp fastener and - at a short distance from the edge - a first strip 26 of a "burr type" fastener. The second edge of the opening is turned inwardly to provide a flap 28, this flap carrying the scond mating strip 30 of the sliding clasp fastener aid the second strip 32 of the "burr type" fastener. In this way, when the suit is closed, the burr fastener protects and conceals the sliding clasp fastener. Underneath the arms of the suit there are provided small circular patches 34 of carton impregnated cloth, approximately 10cm in diameter. These patches are porous and eliminate the potentially dangerous "bellows" effect whereby rapid upward movement of the arms would cause a drop in pressure substantially increasing the risk of possibly toxic gases entering the suit through the cuffs or ankles. The carbon integrated cloth acts of course as a filter and is indeed the same material from which conventional protective suits are manufactured. Using vacuum packing techniques, the suit can be compressed to a very small size for distribution purposes, the resulting package weighing only a few ounces. It will be appreciated that this invention has been described by way of example only and numerous modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the gauge of the aluminised polyvinylchloride can be varied and the range 100 to 500 gauge is felt to be particularly suitable. Alternatively, aluminised nylon material can be employed or indeed any-non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heatreflecting outer surface. CLAIMS

1. A light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents, the suit comprising integral leg, trunk, arm and hood portions and being formed of non-porous flexible plastics material having a metallized, heat-reflecting outer surface.

2. A suit according to Claim 1, wherein the suit is formed of aluminised polyvinylchloride.

3. A light-weight protective suit adapted to afford a degree of protection against explosive blasts and airborne toxic or corrosive agents constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.