GB2101288A - Safety apparel - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the visibility of its wearer, an article of safety apparel, such as a Sam Browne 1, 2 is provided on its outside with several light emitting diodes 3a, 3b which may be illuminated by a battery electrically connected to the diodes, via wires extending through the interior of the article, and carried in a pocket 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Safety apparel The present invention relates to armbands, belts, belt and shoulder strap combinations (commonly known as Sam Brownes), tabards and other articles of apparel adapted to render the wearer, such as, motor cyclists, bicyclists, horseriders, railway maintenance workers and pedestrians more visible at night or in poor visibility. More particularly, the invention relates to such articles of apparel which include illuminating means.

The invention consists in an article of apparel, such as an armband, belt, a Sam Browne or a tabard, incorporating light emitting diodes.

In most case, the light emitting diodes may be arranged to remain continously alight, when energised. However, alternatively, the diodes may be flashing diodes or the electric circuit including the diodes may also include a flashing unit for causing the diodes to flash.

Conveniently, the article of apparel comprises a holder on the inside for a battery for energising the diodes.

In order to reduce the likelihood of the diodes causing discomfort to a wearer of the article of apparel, padding may be provided at or adjacent the back of the diodes. For example, an inner padded side of the article of apparel may overlie the back of the diodes.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a scrap view, partly in section, of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, showing the light emitting diodes from the rear.

Referring to the drawings, a Sam Browne comprises an adjustable waist belt 1 to which is attached an adjustable shoulder strap 2 incorporating two sets of light emitting diodes 3a and 3b as will be described in detail below.

The shoulder strap 2 is offlatened tubular form and comprises an outer side 4 and an inner side 5 which are joined together along opposite longitudinal edges. Each light emitting diode 3a and 3b is located in and extends through the outer side 4. Both the outer and inner sides 4 and 5 are provided with padding 6, for example foam padding. The padded inner side 5 which overlies the backs of the diodes reduces the likelihood of the diodes causing discomfort to the wearer of the Sam Browne.

The shoulder strap 2 also has a holder 7 on the inside, for example in the form of a pocket-like pouch, for holding a battery (not shown) for energising the diodes.

In one arrangement, the diodes 3a of one set may be connected in series, the diodes 3b of the other set may be connected in a separate series, with the two sets of diodes 3a, 3b being connected in parallel to each other. The diodes may be operated by a single 9 volt battery. The conducting wires 8 in the circuit extend between the outer side 4 and the inner side 5.

The diodes 3a, 3b may be of the kind which remain alight continuously when energised until they are switched off.

The sides 4 and 5 of the shoulder strap 2 may be covered by a layer of waterproof material or may otherwise be rendered waterproof.

The Sam Browne may be worn by, for example a motor cyclist, so that when the diodes are energised the wearer is more visible at night or in bad light. The safety of the wearer is therefore improved.

Whilst a particular embodiment has been described above, it will be understood that various modifications wili be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of having equai numbers of light emitting diodes at the front and the back of the Sam Brown, as shown in Figure 1, different numbers of diodes may be provided. In one alternative arrangement there may be three diodes at the front and four at the back.

1. An article of apparel, such as an armband, belt, Sam Browne or tabard, having light emitting diodes disposed on its outside.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diodes are flashing diodes.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diodes are connected in an electrical circuit including a flashing unit.

4. An article as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, including a pocket or other holder for a battery which is connectable to the diodes for energising the latter.

5. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein padding is provided at and adjacent the back of each diode.

6. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising inner and outer sides secured together at least at or adjacent their edges, said diodes being secured in the outer side and being connected in an electrical circuit by wires extending between the sides.

7. An article as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein the inner and/or outer sides are padded and have water resistant outer surfaces.

8. An article of apparel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Safety apparel The present invention relates to armbands, belts, belt and shoulder strap combinations (commonly known as Sam Brownes), tabards and other articles of apparel adapted to render the wearer, such as, motor cyclists, bicyclists, horseriders, railway maintenance workers and pedestrians more visible at night or in poor visibility. More particularly, the invention relates to such articles of apparel which include illuminating means. The invention consists in an article of apparel, such as an armband, belt, a Sam Browne or a tabard, incorporating light emitting diodes. In most case, the light emitting diodes may be arranged to remain continously alight, when energised. However, alternatively, the diodes may be flashing diodes or the electric circuit including the diodes may also include a flashing unit for causing the diodes to flash. Conveniently, the article of apparel comprises a holder on the inside for a battery for energising the diodes. In order to reduce the likelihood of the diodes causing discomfort to a wearer of the article of apparel, padding may be provided at or adjacent the back of the diodes. For example, an inner padded side of the article of apparel may overlie the back of the diodes. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a scrap view, partly in section, of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, showing the light emitting diodes from the rear. Referring to the drawings, a Sam Browne comprises an adjustable waist belt 1 to which is attached an adjustable shoulder strap 2 incorporating two sets of light emitting diodes 3a and 3b as will be described in detail below. The shoulder strap 2 is offlatened tubular form and comprises an outer side 4 and an inner side 5 which are joined together along opposite longitudinal edges. Each light emitting diode 3a and 3b is located in and extends through the outer side 4. Both the outer and inner sides 4 and 5 are provided with padding 6, for example foam padding. The padded inner side 5 which overlies the backs of the diodes reduces the likelihood of the diodes causing discomfort to the wearer of the Sam Browne. The shoulder strap 2 also has a holder 7 on the inside, for example in the form of a pocket-like pouch, for holding a battery (not shown) for energising the diodes. In one arrangement, the diodes 3a of one set may be connected in series, the diodes 3b of the other set may be connected in a separate series, with the two sets of diodes 3a, 3b being connected in parallel to each other. The diodes may be operated by a single 9 volt battery. The conducting wires 8 in the circuit extend between the outer side 4 and the inner side 5. The diodes 3a, 3b may be of the kind which remain alight continuously when energised until they are switched off. The sides 4 and 5 of the shoulder strap 2 may be covered by a layer of waterproof material or may otherwise be rendered waterproof. The Sam Browne may be worn by, for example a motor cyclist, so that when the diodes are energised the wearer is more visible at night or in bad light. The safety of the wearer is therefore improved. Whilst a particular embodiment has been described above, it will be understood that various modifications wili be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of having equai numbers of light emitting diodes at the front and the back of the Sam Brown, as shown in Figure 1, different numbers of diodes may be provided. In one alternative arrangement there may be three diodes at the front and four at the back. CLAIMS

1. An article of apparel, such as an armband, belt, Sam Browne or tabard, having light emitting diodes disposed on its outside.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diodes are flashing diodes.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diodes are connected in an electrical circuit including a flashing unit.

4. An article as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, including a pocket or other holder for a battery which is connectable to the diodes for energising the latter.

5. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein padding is provided at and adjacent the back of each diode.

6. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising inner and outer sides secured together at least at or adjacent their edges, said diodes being secured in the outer side and being connected in an electrical circuit by wires extending between the sides.

7. An article as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein the inner and/or outer sides are padded and have water resistant outer surfaces.

8. An article of apparel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.