US20120036623A1

US20120036623A1 - Climate control protective safety vest and associated method

Info

Publication number: US20120036623A1
Application number: US13/211,120
Authority: US
Inventors: Vern Minogue
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-16
Filing date: 2011-08-16
Publication date: 2012-02-16

Abstract

A climate control safety vest preferably includes a vest, impact shields, safety panel and a solar heating and cooling system. The impact shield may preferably be constructed using a lightweight, highly durable material such as Mylar, Kevlar and may preferably be a bright orange color and feature light-reflective strips or panels on the front and back. The vest preferably features a plurality of interior pockets that may be on the front, back and sides to house protective foam shields to protect the user from sharp objects and blunt force trauma. The solar heating and cooling system is connected to cooling fans/heating elements which would allow the user to activate and deactivate the heating and cooling functions of the vest. Such a vest may provide a user with an efficient means of staying comfortable in extreme hot or cold conditions while protecting him from sharp objects and blunt force traumas.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application to Vern Minogue entitled “CLIMATE CONTROL SAFETY VEST AND ASSOCIATED METHOD,” Ser. No. 61/373,985, filed Aug. 16, 2010, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to safety equipment and, snore particularly, to a safety vest.
2. State of the Art
Inventions are always a product of vision and creativity, whether they are world changing inventions like cars or computers, or everyday conveniences like pump hairsprays, cordless tools, or re-sealable soda bottles. Some inventions present us with a product that is entirely new, like a cell phone; and before long, such an invention literally changes the way we live. Other inventions combine two already-existing tools or products into one—a snow-scraper and brush, for example—thus reducing the clutter in our lives, and making (in this example, at least) our daily winter chores a little easier.
Some inventions deal with common problems, as, for example, roll-on deodorants deal with body odors; others—and again the cell phone is a good example—bring us so much convenience that we didn't know we needed them until they came into being. Many, if not most, inventions consist of relatively small but highly effective improvements of existing products or technologies. Inventions come in so many categories that counting them all would be difficult—because you never know what might be invented today. Sometimes necessity, sometimes creativity, is the mother of invention. All we can say for certain is that somewhere, someone is even now combining their own vision, imagination, and creativity to create something that will improve, or even revolutionize our lives.
Most inventions fill a relatively small need or perform a specialized, limited function—but if that need is shared by a sufficient number of consumers, the invention may have a great potential for success. Consider, for example, the millions of men and women who work outside on road crews; as linemen for power, cable, and phone companies; and in assorted other occupations which place them not only out in hot and cold weather but in the vicinity of physical hazards including vehicle traffic. Typically, such workers wear brightly colored, reflective safety vests—but other than being highly visible, the vests actually do little to protect those who wear them, much less designed to enhance his or her comfort in extreme hot and cold conditions.
Accordingly, a need remains for a device in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety equipment and, more particularly, to a climate control safety vest for providing users with an efficient means of staying comfortable in extreme hot or cold conditions while protecting the user from sharp objects and blunt force traumas.
The present invention provides a climate control safety vest that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, versatile in its applications, and designed for providing a user with an efficient means of staying comfortable in extreme hot or cold conditions while protecting the user from sharp objects and blunt force traumas. Such an invention would provide workers with a vest designed to enhance his or her safety, as well as comfort in all weather conditions.
The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vest in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the vest in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the vest in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures listed above. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure.
As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The device of this invention is referred to generally in the Figures and is intended to provide a climate control, protective safety vest. It should be understood that the present invention may be used to comfort and protect many different types of outdoor workers and the like, and should not be limited to the uses described herein.
Referring to the Figures general, a climate control safety vest 10 preferably includes a vest 30; a solar heating and cooling system 40 and removable, impact-absorbing protective panels 35. The vest 30 may be made of a lightweight but highly durable material, such as, for example, Mylar or Kevlar or the like, may consist of one or more bright colors, such as, for example, a bright orange color, and feature light-reflective strips 32 on the front and back.
The vest 30 may further be provided with a plurality of full-length pockets 34, for example, one in back of the vest 30 and two in the front of the vest 30, one each for each of the front panels of the vest 30. These pockets 34 may be configured to accommodate a plurality of panels 35 that comprise dedicated, form-fitting shock panels made of an impact-absorbing cellular foam material, designed to protect the wearer from impacts, sharp objects, and other sources of impact injury. The panel pockets 34 may preferably be closed securely with VELCRO®-equipped flaps. The pockets 34 may be positioned on the exterior or the interior of the vest 30.
Along with its protective foam panel 35, as mentioned above, the rear of the vest 30 would also incorporate a full-length, meshed pocket 34, again equipped with a VELCRO® closure, opening from the top rear of the vest 30 and designed to accommodate another flexible, lightweight panel 37. This removable panel 37 provides similar functions to the protective foam panel 35, but may also be fitted with a plurality of small electric ventilation fans 28, and with a grid of electrically resistant heat-conducting wire 29. The fans 28 can be configured to draw air away from the user or can be configured to draw air toward the user. Additionally, one fan 28 may be configured to draw air away from the user, while another fan 28 may be configured to draw air toward the user. Such a configuration may create an air flow effect within the vest 30 and/or against the user's body. At the top of the panel, a plug 41 would connect the fan/heater panel 37 to a solar-collector/photo-voltaic cell panel 27, comprising one or more photo-voltaic cells, stationed around the outer collar of the vest 30; and a plug 41 on either side of the fan/heater panel 37 would be configured to be connected to two mating plugs 41 coupled to the vest 30, by a hook and loop fastening system or other similar coupling loop, and connected to a similar wire gridwork running through the interior lining of the vest 30. Thus, the pockets 34 are configured to receive the protective foam panel 35, the fan/heater panel 37, or both at the same time. The pockets 34 can also be placed in the side portions of the vest 30, such that the pockets 34 in the side portions can receive the foam panel 35. The pockets 34 may be positioned on the exterior or the interior of the vest 30.
An On/Off and function switch 20 located on the collar of the vest 30 may activate the photo-voltaic panel 27 and the relevant heating or cooling functions. The fans 28 would operate on electrical power generated by the cells located in the solar panel 27, and the heating grid would use the current generated by the cells to heat the interior of the vest 30 via electrical resistance in the wiring of the grid, the wiring heating up in response to the current. The entire vest 30 can be lined with a mesh fabric to maximize ventilation from the cooling fans 28. In addition, the vest 30 may be produced in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes for men and women. The vest 30 may further be configured to have removable, or otherwise detachable, long-sleeves comprising pockets 34 along the length of the sleeves that are configured to receive and accommodate one or more of the panels 35. The long-sleeves may be adhered by zipper, Velcro®, or other known attachment means, and may be removed or attached by the user as desired. The vest 30 may further be configured of a lightweight, breathable material, such as mesh, nylon, polyester, cotton, or other like material, such that the cooling fans 28 may create airflow through the vest 30. Additionally, the pockets 34 may be configured of a lightweight, breathable material, such as mesh, nylon, polyester, cotton, or other like material, such that the cooling fans 28 may create airflow through the vest 30 and the pockets 34.
A solar heating and cooling system 40 comprising solar cells 27, a processor 22, and a user interface 21 is connected to the cooling fans/ heating elements 28, 29 which would allow the user to activate and deactivate the heating and cooling functions of the vest 30. The user interface 21 may include a variety of stand-alone or shared devices that are capable of generating and transmitting a control signal upon receiving a user input.
For example, exemplary user interface devices may include a remote controller employing RE, infra-red, acoustic or cellular technology, for example, as well known in the industry. The user interfaces 20 thus described are intended to represent a broad category of exemplary user interfaces capable of functioning in accordance with the present invention. Of course, the user interfaces 20 may include other components, peripherals and software applications provided they are compatible and capable of cooperating with remaining devices of the present invention. In addition, the user interfaces 20 may include information, documents, data and files needed to provide functionality and enable performance of methodologies in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
The user interface 21 preferably is communicatively coupled to a processor 22 which would analyze the signal and determine which function to activate. The processor 22 may include a microprocessor or other devices capable of being programmed or configured to perform computations and instruction processing in accordance with the invention. Such other devices may include microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), discrete gate logic, and/or other integrated circuits, hardware or firmware in lieu of or in addition to a microprocessor.
Functions and process steps described herein may be performed using programmed computer devices and related hardware, peripherals, equipment and networks. When programmed, the computing devices are configured to perform functions and carry out steps in accordance with principles of the invention. Such programming may comprise operating systems, software applications, software modules, scripts, files, data, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate logic, or other hardware, firmware, or any conventional programmable software, collectively referred to herein as a module.
The processor 22 may preferably be communicatively coupled with a transducer 24 that will serve to use the signal and activate the desired part of the device, which may be fans 28 or a heating source 29. The processor 22 may preferably be connected to the plugs 41 and communicatively coupled to a rechargeable power source 26 and a plurality of photovoltaic cells 27. The rechargeable power source 26 may store the electric power produced by the photovoltaic cells 27.
In use, the climate control safety vest 10 would be simple and straightforward to use. First, the user would insert the foam shields 35 in the pockets 34 of the vest 30. The user would then put on the vest 30 as they would any normal safety vest. The solar panel/cell 27 on the collar of the vest 30 would receive solar rays and transfer that energy to the cooling fans 28 or heating elements 29. If the user becomes hot or cold, he may use the power switch 20 to manually turn on or off the cooling fans 28 or heating elements 29 of the vest 30. The vest 30 may further be configured with a temperature sensor 19 that senses the ambient temperature or body temperature of the user and activates or deactivates, accordingly, the heating and cooling system 40 of the vest 30 in response to the sensed temperature. For example, the temperature sensor 19 may be configured to communicate with the processor 22 to command the processor 22 to operate the cooling fans 28 if the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined upper-limit temperature and to operate the heating elements 29 if the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined lower-limit temperature.
In an alternative embodiment, the device 10 may feature LEDs on its outer surface. The power source 26 would provide power to the LEDs at night to light them up and cause them to flash. This embodiment would be very useful to workers who work at night or in inclement weather conditions. The LEDs would make the workers more visible to drivers, machine operators and other workers.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the Scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A safety vest, the vest comprising:

a vest body, the body having a front portion and a back portion, the vest body being configured to be worn by a user such that the front portion is positioned in front of the user and the back portion is positioned behind the user;

an impact panel releasably coupled to each of the front and back portions;

a rechargeable battery releasably coupled to the vest body;

a cooling device releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery;

a heating device releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery; and

a solar panel releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.

2. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises side portions, the side portions being configured to receive and releasably couple thereto one or more impact panels.

3. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input from the user to operate the cooling and heating devices.

4. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the heating device and the cooling device are integral with one or more impact panels.

5. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises pockets, wherein the pockets are configured to receive and retain one or more impact panels therein.

6. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the impact panel comprises impact-absorbing cellular foam material.

7. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the heating device comprises electric resistance wiring, the wiring being configured within one or more impact panels or within an inner layer of the vest body, the wiring being operatively coupled to the battery.

8. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises one or more electric fans.

9. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises one or more reflective strips.

10. A safety vest, the vest comprising:

a vest body, the vest body having a front portion, a back portion and side portions, the vest body being configured to be worn by a user such that the front portion is positioned in front of the user, the back portion is positioned behind the user, and the side portions are positioned on the respective sides of the user;

exterior pockets positioned on the front, back, and side portions of the vest body;

impact panels configured to be releasably inserted into one or more of the exterior pockets, each of the exterior pockets being configured to retain and secure at least a respective impact panel placed therein, the respective impact panel being of the size and shape of the corresponding exterior pocket;

a rechargeable battery releasably coupled to the vest body;

electric fans integral with one or more of the impact panels, each of the electric fans being operatively coupled to the battery and configured to cool the user when in use;

electric wiring integral with one or more of the impact panels, the wiring being operatively coupled to the battery and configured to warm the user when in use; and

a solar panel releasably coupled to the back portion of the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.

11. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input from the user to operate the electric fans and electric wiring.

12. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises a temperature sensor that senses a temperature and automatically activates the electric fans when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined maximum temperature and automatically activates the electric wiring when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined minimum temperature.

13. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the solar panel is positioned in an upper region of the back portion of the vest body so as to be in direct view of the sun even while the vest is in use by the user.

14. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein electric fans are positioned within multiple impact panels on the back portion of the vest body, such that the electric fans ventilate the back portion of the vest over the user.

15. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein three electric fans are positioned within an impact panel positioned in an upper region of back portion of the vest body over the user's upper back and two electric fans are positioned within an impact panel positioned in a lower region of back portion of the vest body over of the user's lower back, and wherein the electric wiring is positioned within the impact panel positioned in the lower region of the back portion of the vest body over the user's lower back.

16. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body and the pockets are comprised of a lightweight, breathable material, such that the electric fans can push or pull air through the material to ventilate the vest and the user.

17. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises lights releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.