This disclosure relates to cold weather gear.
Workers, hunters, hikers, and other individuals are frequently required to be in locations which expose the individuals to extreme weather. In conditions where the individual is exposed to cold weather, the individual frequently needs to don several layers of clothing in order to stay warm. Such layering, while effective, can significantly hinder the ability of the individual to perform tasks. Moreover, layering typically cannot be accomplished for extremities such as the hands and ears. Accordingly, even when wearing gloves, an individual can become uncomfortably and even dangerously cold.
What is needed is cold weather gear which provides warmth without requiring excessive layering of garments.
In accordance with one embodiment, a heated garment system includes a jacket, a wiring circuit embedded within the jacket and configured to generate heat, a battery assembly configured to removably couple with the wiring circuit, the battery assembly including a power button for selectively applying power to the wiring circuit, and a battery holder configured to removably receive the battery assembly.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of operating a heated garment system includes inserting a battery assembly into a battery holder, supporting the battery holder with a jacket, coupling the battery assembly with a wiring circuit embedded in the jacket, applying power to the wiring circuit using a power button of the battery assembly, and generating heat with the wiring circuit.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
The battery assembly 106 is shown in more detail in
The holder 120 includes two latches 128 which receive lips 130 on the battery assembly 106. The lips 130 are located on a resilient flange 132 which is provided with grip portions 134. By compression of the flange 132 at the grip portions 134 the lips 130 are moved out of the latches 128 allowing the battery assembly 106 to be removed from the inner cavity 136 of the holder 120. In the embodiment of
The battery assembly 106 includes a 10.8V Lithium Ion battery, although other batteries are used in other embodiments. The battery assembly 106 provides about 7-8 hours of operation, and the garments themselves are washable and easily removed/donned. The garments can be used wherever warmth is desired using light weight and active garments. Some activities which benefit from the garments disclosed herein include construction, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, etc. Even spectators at outdoor activities can benefit from the disclosed garments. In some embodiments, lighting such as LED lighting is also powered by the battery assembly 106.
The power from the battery assembly 106 supplies a garment circuit 150 which is shown in
In the system MCU U1, the following definitions are used: “P1” is VDD, +5V, MCU power source from U2; “P2” USB LOAD, activate U3 when detects a load connect to USB port; “P3” 12V LOAD, enable DC output controlled by Q1 after “battery check” is correct; “P4” BUTTON, USB enable control switch, turn on USB for 120 minutes each time when button is pushed; “P5” SYSTEM_ON, system power switch, detects the voltage between Vcc and B−, when battery is lower than 8.25V, assign Q2 to shut down the whole system, interact with P3; “P6” NC, status indicator LED, for internal production test; “P7” sharing pin with indicator LED (if any), detect any loading connect to USB port, if yes, enable USB output, if not, then disable, this pin is interactive with P2; “P8” ANT, detect NTC resistance to protect battery; “P9” USB_OVER_L, detect USB current output, if >900 ma, disable USB output, interact with P2; “P10” DC AD, detect input of DC Jack, interact with P11; “P11” DCTEST, detect input of DC Jack, interact with P10; “P12” 12V_OVER_L, detect current of DC output, if >2.0A, disable the DC output through Q1, interact with P3; “P13” ANB, detects the battery low voltage 8.25V, interact with P5; and “P14” VSS.
With the foregoing definitions, the garment circuit 150 is further described with initial reference to
In
In
Additional detail of the circuit 150 is shown in
The heated jacket 100 thus provides the wiring an circuitry to accommodate a variety of electronic devices while providing a heated garment. The heated jacket 100 is also powered by a rechargeable battery. The heated jacket 100 is configured to be technology friendly in other ways.
By way of example,
Accordingly, when the main zipper 170 of the jacket 100 is fully zipped, the inner pocket 160 is effectively isolated from outside of the jacket 100. Wired access to the pocket 160 from outside off the jacket 100 is provided, however, by the eyelet 168. For example, a wired device such as the wired device 172 in
The heated jacket 100 further includes an eyelet 180 shown in
The eyelet 180 is used in much the same manner as the eyelet 168. Thus, when the main zipper 170 of the jacket 100 is fully zipped, the inner pocket 160 is effectively isolated from outside of the jacket 100. Wired access to the pocket 160 from outside off the jacket 100 is provided, however, by the eyelet 180. For example, a wired device such as the wired device 190 in
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/787,098 filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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