Patent Application
20230037727
The present invention relates to a protective garment to be worn on the torso of a wearer, when an individual (Man, Woman, or Minor) is wearing/carrying such as but not limited to heavy apparatus including shoulder straps, suspenders (braces), construction or safety harnesses, shoulder belts, carrying heavy items on their shoulders and or a protective vest to reduce chaffing, perspiration, and heat, so that the wearer can remain reasonably comfortable while wearing the invention. The invention can also be worn as an outer garment. This garment has been designed and structured not only first responders but does not preclude other wearers such as but not limited to construction workers, fisherman, hunters, golf caddies as others carrying heavy items on their shoulders and working outside.
The invention is presented in three versions. The body of the invention is the same as all three versions with Version No. 1 having a standard undershirt collar, Version No. 2 having an elongated turtleneck collar and Version No. 3 having an elongated turtleneck collar with a filter embedded in the collar.
The elongated turtleneck versions provide protection as it acts as a filter from larger inhalable particulates of materials such as sand, dust, ash, smoke particles, air pollution, and construction site materials when worn over the wearer's mouth and nose. Further the fabric covers the back of the neck and ears and protects from cold, heat, UV protection from sun exposure and articles entering the garment from the rear. The size of the turtleneck portion is such that the stretched fabric provides for the fabric to be held in place and creates a fabric seal. The invention may also act as a method to conceal the identity of the individual wearing the device by covering the major portion of the wearer's face. At the base of the turtleneck at the collar line located on the right and left neck and shoulder junction are reinforced half inch opening for access of wired communications devices.
The invention has the following unique characteristics:
1. These such as but not limited to for heavy apparatus including harnesses, shoulder belts, or carrying heavy items on their shoulders and or items including protective vests can be heavy and do not permit much perspiration vapor to escape, and thus can result in overheat, discomfort, and heavy perspiration if worn by the individual for an extended period.
2. The protective garment will minimize chaffing or injury when the individual wears on their torso for such as but not limited to heavy apparatus including harnesses, shoulder belts, carrying heavy items on their shoulders and or protective vest that can be heavy and uncomfortable over time. The specifically engineered ribbing of Vapor Release foam polychloroprene attached to the protective garment may reduce friction and provide a cushion for the worn items.
3. The protective garment unique turtleneck portion can be stretched over the individuals face. Affixed in the front section of the turtleneck in between two layers of the turtleneck's fabric is a perforated polychloroprene or a similar perforated fabric that acts as a filter providing protection from larger inhalable particulates of material such as sand, dust, ash, smoke particles, air pollution, and construction site materials when worn over the wearer's mouth and nose. Further the fabric covers the back of the neck and ears and may provide protection from cold, heat and UV protection from sun exposure. The design also creates a barrier that may protect wearers from having objects such as embers, bullet casings, liquids, small projectiles fall below their garments unto their skin. The protective garment turtleneck may also act as a method to conceal the identity of the individual wearing the device by covering the major portion of the wear's face when fully extended. At the base of the turtleneck at the collar line located on the right and left neck and shoulder junction are reinforced half inch opening for access of wired communications devices.
4. When not utilized as a protective garment the turtleneck portion is folded as to not be conspicuous or reveal its capabilities.
The key objectives are:
1. To provide a straightforward solution with a protective garment made of wicking fabric that channels the body heat out, draws moisture, perspiration and vapor, away from the wearer's torso who is wearing, such as, but not limited to, a protective vest, a heavy apparatus, a harness, straps, or carrying heavy items on their shoulders, can remain reasonably comfortable.
2. To provide comfort to the individual wearing such as but not limited to heavy apparatus including a harness, straps, or carrying heavy items on their shoulders and or a protective vest with a simple, straightforward solution that may reduce chaffing and injury, so that the individual can remain reasonably comfortable while wearing the heavy equipment.
3. To provide an individual with a convertible filtered mask and conceal the identity that is quick to put in place, easy to use and protect the individual so that the individual can remain reasonably comfortable while wearing the protective garment.
According to an aspect of the invention, a protective garment that is worn on their torso beneath such as but not limited to heavy apparatus and or a protective vest, which in one illustrative example is a Tee shirt, and is provided with vertical ribs to create the needed cushion to preventing chaffing beneath heavy apparatus and or a protective vest. The Tee shirt can be made of a woven or knit cloth, typically a jersey material, which can be cotton, cotton blend, or synthetic fiber which has wicking properties so that heat and perspiration vapor can be removed or absorbed. Vertically wing shaped ribs strategically placed from the wearer's torso to create a proper cushioning effect to reduce chaffing.
The material can include silk or part silk to effect wicking of moisture away from the torso. The material may alternatively include cotton or a natural/synthetic blend that has the desired wicking and cooling effect. Colors would be determined as to the use and need of the wearer. Bright and fluoresce colors would be for uses in which visibility is necessary, required and preferred due to safety concerns. Subdued colors may be utilized and dictated by the needs and requirements due to organizational uniformity and tactical considerations.
The protective garment in
The protective garment can be laundered normally and machine-dried, without damage to the Vapor Release foam polychloroprene material or the perforated polychloroprene.
Also, while a standard Tee shirt is shown here to embody the protective garment, it is possible to carry out the principles and concepts of the invention on a variation different protective garment, e.g., a sleeveless variation with or without the turtleneck extension collar, a long-sleeved shirt with or without the turtleneck extension collar, or a turtleneck variation shirt without the padding. In addition, all the variations may include a hood.
This invention has been designed and structured for users such as but not limited to construction workers, fisherman, hunters, golf caddies as others carrying heavy items on their shoulders and working outside. The invention can be worn as an outer garment as well and is not limited to the details as shown in described in the illustrative embodiment which also applies to men, women, and minors. Rather the scope and spirit of this invention can be determined from the appended versions.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63140186 | Jan 2021 | US |
