GB2276528A

GB2276528A - Railmans gaiters

Info

Publication number: GB2276528A
Application number: GB9404517A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hague
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-29
Filing date: 1994-03-09
Publication date: 1994-10-05
Also published as: GB9306474D0; GB9404517D0

Abstract

The gaiter is releasably fastenable about the wearer's leg and comprises electrically insulating material to prevent injury due to electric shock and/or burns from electricity in the event of accidental contact with an electrified rail. The gaiter may comprise an inner, yellow-coloured nylon layer 16, an intermediate layer 15 of electrically-insulating material (preferably red-coloured) and an outer layer 14 of highly visible, orange-coloured nylon or polyurethane-coated waterproof material. Hook-and-loop type fastening strips 21a, b to 24a, b are provided but these may be replaced by slide or zip fasteners covered by a flap of electrically-insulating material. <IMAGE>

Description

RAILMANIS GLAZIER Conveniently the insulating material is resistive, without breakdown to a potential difference in excess of 600v, preferably in excess of 630v ( The UK operational voltage of electrified rail trains), e.g. a potential difference of 1000v. The insulating material may be made from raw natural rubber, raw synthetic rubber, or from a mixture of these, in conjuction with suitable compounding ingredients. Preferably the insulating material meets the electrical tests set out in Appendix B of BS 697: 1986.

Advantageously, to maximize flexibility, the insulating material has a thickness no greater than 1.25mum.

Preferably the insulating material is formed as one layer of a multi-layer structure advantageously laminated to one another. Preferably the (outer) two layers are of dissimilar colours. For example, the outermost layer may comprise a highly visible, orange coloured, nylon or polyurethane coated waterproof material (e.g. of the order of lmm thick), the said insulating material may be provided as an intermediate layer, and an innermost layer may comprise yellow coloured nylon (e.g. of the order of imm thick).

An adaptation of the multi-layered structured mentioned in the previous paragraph but incorporating the same electrical, material and fastening specifications for the gaiter would be to produce the gaiter snith pockets. The electrical insulation layer, instead of being sow between the outer layers could be inserted into the pockets. This would allow easy withdrawal of the electrical insulation layer should the need arise for replacement or testing. Any number of pockets could be incorporated in the gaiter either vertically or horizontally.

Advantageously the gaiter comprises releasable fastening means. The latter may be co-operable hook -and- loop fasteners (such as that known by the Trade Mark VELCRO) and / or a dp fastener. Preferably the gaiter comprised a strap to extend under the wearer's foot (e.g. between sole and heel, i.e. across the foot's under arch) to prevent the gaiter riding up the wearer's leg.

By way of example one embodirnent of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is partly broken away front view of a railman's gaiter according to this invention in opened-out condition.

By way of example one embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is partly broken away front view of a railman's gaiter according to this invention in opened-out condition.

The illustrated protective gaiter 10 comprises a three- layer laminated structure 12 having an outer layer 14 an intermediate layer 15 and an innermost layer 16. The outer layer 14 consists of a highly visible, orange coloured, nylon or polyurethane-coated waterproof material of the order of lmm thick. The innermost layer 16. comprises a yellow coloured nylon material of the order of 1mm thick.The intermediate layer 15 comprises an electrically insulating (preferably red-coloured) material capable of resisting, without breakdown, a potential difference of at least 630v (the UK operational voltage of electrified rail trains), and preferably of the order of a nominal lOOOv The insulating material of intermediate layer 15 may be made from raw natural rubber, raw synthetic rubber, or from a mixture of these, in conjunction with suitable compounding ingredients. Preferably the insulating material meets the electrical tests set out in Appendix B of BS697:1986. Advantageously to maximise flexibility, the insulting material of layer 15 has a thickness no greater than 1.25mm.

The bottom edge of the gaiter is of sinuous shape to permit of its fitting more easily over the wearer's instep and not unduly to impede walking. For wearer's comfort this bottom edge may be covered by a beading 18 of foamed, padded or other readily deformable material. Another, similar beading 19 may be provided at the top edge of the gaiter - again to aid wearer comfort.

The releasable fastening means for the illustrated gaiter 10 comprise four distinct hook-and-loop fastener strip pairs 21a b to 24ate (such as that known by the Trade Mark VELCRO). The upper strip pair 21a, 21b lies adjacent the substantially horizontal upper edge beading 19 of the gaiter, the lower strip pair 23a, 23b lies adjacent to the ankle region of the gaiter and substantially parallel to the upper strip pair, and the intermediate strip pair 223 22b lies substantially mid-way between, and substantially parallel to the upper and lower strip pairs 21ss, 21b and 233 23k.Each of the strips 21g 22a and 23p extends beyond the side edge of the multi-layer structure 12 for fastening engagement of the respective associated other strips 21b 22b and 23b when the gaiter 10 is draped around the wearer's lower leg. Preferably, but not necessarily, each of the strips 21fl, 22a and 23a has hook- like elements for engagement of the loop-like elements of the respectively associated other strips 21h, 22and 23b.

The fourth fastener strip 243 24k has one strip 24a substantially longer than the other strip 24b, and extending downwardly beyond the lower edge 18 of the multi-layer structure 12.

When the gaiter is put on and worn, this strip 24 passes in the manner of a strap, under the arch of the wearers shoe or boot (i.e. between the heel and the sole) and then upwardly for fastening engagement of the associated strip 24b thereby to resist movement of the gaiter upwards of the wearer's leg.

In one particular example, the structure 12 has the following dimensions: a width from side edge to side edge of approximately 42cm; a height of approx. 32cm; the strips 21g 22a and 23a each approximately 8cm long; the strips 21k 22b and 23b each approximately 10cm long; the strip 24a approximately 35cm long.

However it will be appreciated that all these dimensions can be varied.

In a modification of the illustrated gaiter, the VELCRO fastening provided by strip pairs 21, 22 and 23 may be replaced by a slide fastener or zip fastener covered by a flap comprising electrically insulating material, e.g. an extension or selvedge of the side of the structure 12. In another modification, the structure 12 has a boot overflap attached or molded integrally with the leg section, this boot overflap advantageously having an elasticated strap to lip under the wearer's boot or shoe and aid in holding the gaiter in position. In yet another modification the fastening means comprises laces threaded through eyes in the structure 12 and for lacing up the gaiter.

It will be appreciated that the outer layer 14 provides waterproof protection and, due to its colour, renders the wearer more readily visible from a distance.

In still another modification the structure 12 is composed of four layers; an innermost layer 16 (as above-described), covered by an intermediate layer 15 (as above described), and an underlayer - of similar material and thickness to innermost layer 16 - between the intermediate layer 15 and the outermost layer 14 (as above - described). The additional underlayer, being of a different colour to the outermost layer 14, shows when the outer layer is worn away and thus warns the wearer that the gaiter should be replaced.However, although the waterproofing provided by the outermost layer is reduced, the electrical insulating properties provided by the intermediate layer 15 are maintained - at least until the red colour of that intermediate layer is exposed: (a) from the inside - through the innermost layer 16 - or (b) from the outside - through both the orange - coloured outermost layer 14 and the yellow - coloured underlayer between it and the intermediate layer 15.

If the red - coloured intermediate layer 15 becomes visible, the user is thereby warned that the gaiter must be replaced as safety, i.e. protection against electric shock and / or burns, can no longer be guaranteed.

It will be appreciated that other colours may be used for any one or more of the layers (of each embodiment described above) and it is onty preferred, but by no means essential, for any two adjacent layers to be of differing colours.

In an optional construction, the gaiter 10 may be provided with stiffening ribs extending downwardly to reduce any tendency for upper regions of the gaiter to rofl or slip down the leg of the wearer.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art. All such modifications and embodiments are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be deemed limited to the particular embodiment (s) hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.

Claims

This invention relates to protective apparel, particularly to apparel to prevent injury due to electric shock and I or burns from electricity.

It frequently occurs that railmen and other workers on electrified railway track suffer shock and / or burns to the lower part of the leg (e.g. shims and ankles) due to accidental contact with the electrified rail. The applicant considers it desirable to provide protective apparel that can overcome this problem.