GB2550535B

GB2550535B - Constructing a jacket

Info

Publication number: GB2550535B
Application number: GB1523225.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Bernstein Mark
Original assignee: Wearable Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Wearable Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-31
Filing date: 2015-12-31
Publication date: 2019-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-31
Also published as: GB201523225D0; GB2550535A; CN206443243U

Description

Constructing a jacket

The present invention relates to a method of constructing a jacket. The present invention also relates to an apparatus forming a wearable item.

Jackets and similar wearable items are known, in which a loom for conveying electrical power to devices is secured within seams forming part of the jacket. In this way, the cables are protected, thereby allowing the item to be used in hostile environments and thereafter cleaned using conventional cleaning techniques. Components are made detachable such that these may be removed, leaving the wiring loom in place, for washing and repair etc. A problem with constructing jackets having power and data capabilities is that the manufacturing environments for jackets are generally substantially different from manufacturing environments for constructing electrical components. The manufacturing of items of this type therefore creates a difficulty, in that the available manufacturing facilities are generally incompatible with one of the component sets; namely the fabric set or the electronic component set. This can easily lead to the electrical components becoming unreliable or, alternatively, for the fabric manufacturing elements to become too expensive.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a jacket, as set out in claim 1.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of inserting one or more of said connectors through said fabric base before said configuring step.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jacket, as set out in claim3.

The invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a H-shaped fabric base;

Figure 2 shows the application of a wire loom upon the base identified in Figure 1;

Figure 3 details a connector of the type shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows the deployment of connectors within the fabric base;

Figure 5 shows the application of a fabric cover;

Figure 6 shows a wearable item in use; and

Figure 7 illustrates a jacket embodying the present invention and having an outer shell with a sub-assembly contained therein.

Figure 1 A jacket is constructed in which an active loom portion is combined with a passive shell assembly. To construct the active loom sub-assembly, a substantially H-shaped fabric base 101 is established, as shown in Figure 1. The fabric base 101 may be relatively lightweight and may easily allow holes and openings to be created therein, such that it is possible for connectors to be attached, thereby allowing peripheral equipment to receive power, receive data and transmit data.

Figure 2 A wire loom 201 is fabricated having a battery and a control processor restrained within a housing 202. A plurality of connectors 203 to 219 are provided, along with power conductors connecting the battery to the connectors and at least one data line connecting the control processor to the connectors.

Connectors 203 to 219 allow peripheral devices to be connected to the item of clothing, taking the form of output transducers, such as loudspeakers and illuminating devices, and input transducers, including microphones, sensors and detectors, along with communication devices such as mobile telephones etc.

The H-loom configuration shown in Figure 2 facilitates the application of connectors 203 to 207 for peripherals on the front left of the jacket, with connectors 208 to 210 being for peripherals on the front right of the jacket, connectors 211 to 212 being provided for peripherals around the collar of the jacket, with connectors 213 to 217 being provided for peripherals at the rear of the jacket.

Figure 3

Connector 210 is detailed in Figure 3, connected to a control processor 301 and a battery 302. A first power conductor 303 connects battery 302 to a positive terminal 304 of the connector 210. Similarly, a second power conductor 304 connects a negative terminal 305 to the battery 302. A first data line 306 connects the control processor 301 to a first data terminal 307. Similarly, a second data line 308 connects the control processor 301 to a second data terminal 309.

Similar connections are made to all of the other connectors forming part of the H-loom. In this way, electrically, all of the power supply terminals 304/305 are connected in parallel, such that the full supply voltage is available across these terminals.

The data terminals 307, 309 define a serial bus and serial communication takes place with selected devices using appropriate data packets with addressing structures, as is known in the art.

An outer casing 310 of the connector defines an internal region configured to receive a similarly designed plug, in a manner substantially similar to a press stud. Plugs of this type may in turn provide appropriate interface devices to peripheral equipment, such that many examples of proprietary peripheral equipment may be connected and interfaced using the H-loom.

Figure 4

The arrangement of Figure 2 is shown from underneath in Figure 4. Holes, such as hole 401, have been made in the fabric base, to allow the connectors, such as connector 209, to be available for receiving peripheral equipment.

Figure 5

The H-shaped fabric base 101 is shown in Figure 5, in the same orientation as that shown in Figures 1 and 2. A fabric cover 501 is configured over the loom, to restrain the loom between the fabric base 101 and the fabric cover 501. In an embodiment, the fabric cover 501 is stitched to the fabric base 101, such that the loom wires are then restrained within a conduit defined by the stitching.

Figure 6

Having constructed the H-loom sub-assembly as shown in Figure 5, it is possible to combine this with a passive shell assembly. In an embodiment, the passive shell assembly defines a jacket 601, such as the jacket shown in Figure 6, having illuminating devices 602, 603 that are activated when a cyclist raises an arm in order to indicate an intention to turn, as shown in British patent publication GB 2 521 652, assigned to the present Applicant.

In the example shown in Figure 6, the outer shell of the jacket is constructed from a florescent material to enhance visibility in daylight. Visibility is further enhanced by LED illuminating devices on the front of the jacket that remain permanently energised, in addition to the illuminating devices on the arms of the jacket that illuminate when arms are lifted. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the combining step involves locating the passive shell in an outer position, effectively covering the H-loom of Figure 5.

Figure 7

An embodiment is shown in Figure 7, in which the passive shell includes an outer shell 801 and an inner shell 802 The components are combined such that the loom 101 is located between the inner shell 802 and the outer shell 801. In this way, peripheral connections are made to the outer shell and the loom is protected by the inner shell 802.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a jacket, comprising the steps of: fabricating a wire loom having a battery, a control processor, a plurality of connectors, power conductors connecting said battery to said connectors and at least one data line connecting said control processor to said connectors; arranging said wire loom over a substantially H-shaped fabric base; inserting one or more of said connectors through said fabric base; and configuring a fabric cover over said loom, to restrain said loom between said fabric base and said fabric cover, and to produce an active sub-assembly; defining a passive shell sub-assembly in the form of a jacket, including an outer shell and an inner shell; locating said active sub-assembly between said inner shell and said outer shell; and attaching said active sub-assembly to said active sub-assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is constructed from fluorescent material to enhance visibility in daylight.

3. A jacket, comprising a passive shell sub-assembly substantially defining the shape of an item of clothing with no electrical components; and an active sub-assembly; wherein said active sub-assembly includes: a substantially H-shaped fabric base; a battery and a control processor restrained within said fabric base; a plurality of peripheral connectors extending through said substantially H-shaped fabric base; power conductors connecting said battery to said peripheral connectors; and at least one data line connecting said control processor to said connectors, wherein said power conductors and said at least one data line define a wire loom, covered by a fabric cover; and said passive shell sub-assembly includes: an outer shell material and an inner shell material; and said active sub-assembly is located between said outer shell material and said inner shell material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said outer shell material is a fluorescent material.