Patent Application
20160206901
This application relates to trousers, and more particularly, to protective trousers having curved and/or protected extremities, such as sleeves, and a radial inseam.
Protective or hazardous duty garments are used in a variety of industries and settings to protect the wearer from hazardous conditions such as heat, smoke, cold, sharp objects, chemicals, liquids, fumes and the like. Such protective or hazardous duty garments are often used in adverse conditions, such as high heat, exposure to smoke or chemicals and the like. In addition, the wearers of such garments are typically placed under physical strain by carrying heavy gear and equipment. Wearers seek to avoid fatigue to remain mentally sharp and physically ready to carry out tasks.
Protective garments are often constructed from sturdy and stiff materials to provide sufficient protection. However, the stiffness of these materials may prevent the garment from freely moving and flexing. In particular, many existing protective garments require a wearer to somewhat strain against the garment when the user desires to bend the garment (e.g., when the wearer bends an arm or leg).
In addition, protective garments are typically subjected to wear and tear that may reduce the useful life of the garments. Particularly, the joint area of a garment, such as the knee, elbow and shoulder regions of the garment may experience relatively high abrasions and loads. In addition, certain areas (such as the joints) of the garment can be compressed, such as when a wearer crawls on his or her knees, rests on his or her elbows, or carries a load on his or her shoulders. When the garment is compressed in this manner the heat protection of the garment may be reduced. Thus, locating protective pads on the knee, elbow and shoulder areas may provide additional heat protection to the wearer and the garment. Existing protective pads may be made of relatively stiff material. The stiff material may restrict movement of the wearer, in particular the wearer's ability to bend his or her joints, such as the knees, elbows or shoulders, where the pads are located. Additionally, protective pads and the stiff material may contribute to the pads becoming misaligned with the knee of the wearer, for example, when the wearer bends their knee and hence bends the leg of the garment.
In one aspect, protective garments are disclosed that include a lower portion having a pair of extremities each having a knee joint area connected to an upper leg portion by an upper radial seam and connected to a lower leg portion by a lower radial seam. The knee joint area of each extremity also has an inseam insert connected between the upper and lower radial seams.
In another aspect, methods of assembling the protective garments are disclosed. The protective garments include at least one generally tubular extremity. The methods include providing an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, a first piece of material, and an inseam insert. To assemble these pieces, a seam is formed in the first piece of material such that the seam imparts a permanent curvature to the first piece of material. Then, the inseam insert is coupled to the first piece of material to form a first knee joint assembly which is then coupled between the upper leg portion and the lower leg portion.
The following detailed description will illustrate the general principles of the invention, examples of which are additionally illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
Turning now to
The coat 10 may include various layers through its thickness to provide various heat, moisture and abrasion resistant qualities to the coat 10 so that the coat 10 can be used as a protective, hazardous duty, or firefighter garment. For example, the coat 10 may include an outer shell 26, a moisture barrier 28 located inside of and adjacent to the outer shell 26, a thermal liner or barrier 30 located inside of and adjacent to the moisture barrier 28, and an inner liner or face cloth 32 located inside of and adjacent to the thermal liner 30.
The outer shell 26 may be made of or include a variety of materials, including a flame, heat and abrasion resistant material such as a compact weave of aramid fibers and/or polybenzamidazole fibers. Commercially available aramid materials include NOMEX and KEVLAR fibers (both trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Inc. of Wilmington, Del.), and commercially available polybenzamidazole fibers include PBI fibers (a trademark of PBI Performance Fabrics of Charlotte, N.C.). Thus, the outer shell 26 may be an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, a polybenzamidazole material, a blend of aramid and polybenzamidazole materials, or other appropriate materials. If desired, the outer shell 26 may have portions thereof coated with a polymer or coated with a durable, water repellent finish (i.e. a perfluorohydrocarbon finish, such as TEFLON® finish sold by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc. of Wilimington, Del.). In one embodiment, the portions of the outer shell 26 that are coated are high abrasion areas. The materials of the outer shell 26 may have a weight of, for example, between about 6-10 oz/yd2.
The moisture barrier 28 and thermal liner 30 may be generally coextensive with the outer shell 26, or spaced slightly inwardly from the outer edges of the outer shell 26 (i.e., spaced slightly inwardly from the outer ends of the sleeves 24, the collar 34 and from the lower edge of the coat 10) to provide moisture and thermal protection throughout the coat 10. The moisture barrier 28 may include a semi-permeable membrane layer 28a and a substrate 28b. The membrane layer 28a may be generally moisture vapor permeable but generally impermeable to liquid moisture.
The membrane layer 28a may be made of or include expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) such as GORE-TEX or CROSSTECH materials (both of which are trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del.), polyurethane-based materials, neoprene-based materials, cross-linked polymers, polyamide, or other materials. The membrane layer 28a may have microscopic openings that permit moisture vapor (such as water vapor) to pass therethrough, but block liquids (such as water) from passing therethrough. The membrane layer 28a may be made of a microporous material that is either hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or somewhere in between. The membrane layer 28a may also be monolithic and may allow moisture vapor transmission therethrough by molecular diffusion. The membrane layer 28a may also be a combination of microporous and monolithic materials (known as a bicomponent moisture barrier), in which the microporous or monolithic materials are layered or intertwined.
The membrane layer 28a may be bonded or adhered to a substrate 28b of a flame and heat resistant material to provide structure and protection to the membrane layer 28a. The substrate 28b may be or include aramid fibers similar to the aramid fibers of the outer shell 26, but may be thinner and lighter in weight. The substrate 28b may be woven, non-woven, spunlace or other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane layer 28a is located between the outer shell 26 and the substrate 28b. However, the orientation of the moisture barrier 28 may be reversed such that the substrate 28b is located between the outer shell 26 and the membrane layer 28a.
The thermal liner 30 may be made of any suitable material that provides sufficient thermal insulation. In one embodiment, the thermal liner 30 may include a relatively thick (i.e. between about 1/16″- 3/16″) batting, felt or needled non-woven material 30a which can include aramid fiber batting (such as NOMEX batting), aramid needlepunch material, an aramid non-woven material, an aramid blend needlepunch material, an aramid blend batting material, an aramid blend non-woven material, or foam (either open cell or closed cell) materials. The batting 30a may trap air and possess sufficient loft to provide thermal resistance to the coat 10.
The batting 30a is typically quilted to a thermal liner face cloth 30b which can be a weave of a lightweight aramid material. Thus, either the batting 30a alone, or the batting 30a in combination with the thermal liner face cloth 30b, may be considered to constitute the thermal liner 30. In one embodiment, the thermal liner 30 may have a thermal protection performance (“TPP”) of at least about twenty, or of at least about thirty-five. If desired, the thermal liner 30 may be treated with a water-resistant or water-repellent finish. In the illustrated embodiment, the batting 30a is located between the outer shell 26 and the thermal liner face cloth 30b. However, the orientation of the thermal liner 30 may be reversed such that the thermal liner face cloth 30b is located between the outer shell 26 and the batting 30a.
Although the moisture barrier 28 is shown as being located between the outer shell 26 and the thermal liner 30, the positions of the moisture barrier 28 and thermal liner 30 may be reversed such that the thermal liner 30 is located between the outer shell 26 and the moisture barrier 28.
The face cloth 32 may be the innermost layer of the coat 10, located inside the thermal liner 30. The face cloth 32 can provide a comfortable surface for the wearer and protect the thermal liner 30 and/or moisture barrier 28 from abrasion and wear.
Each layer of the coat 10, and the coat 10 as a whole, may meet the National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) 1971 standards for protective firefighting garments (“Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting”), which are entirely incorporated by reference herein. The NFPA standards specify various minimum requirements for heat and flame resistance and tear strength. For example, in order to meet the NFPA standards, the outer shell 26, moisture barrier 28 and thermal liner 30 must be able to resist igniting, burning, melting, dripping and/or separation at a temperature of 500° F. for at least five minutes. Furthermore, in order to meet the NFPA standards, all combined layers of the coat 10 must provide a thermal protective performance rating of at least thirty-five.
As shown in
As best shown in
Next, as shown in
The dart seam 60 is located generally internally to the piece of material 50, and generally does not extend along an outer perimeter thereof. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment the dart seam 60 only joins portions of the piece of material 50 to itself, and does not join the piece of material 50 to any other sleeve sections/pieces of material.
Due to the presence of the dart seams 60, the height of the piece of material 50 is less than its width, which induces a curvature in the piece of material 50. For example, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, as shown in
As shown in
As noted above the dart seams 60 provide a natural curvature to the outer sleeve section 50, and thus to the sleeve 24 as a whole. In addition, the inner sleeve section 66 includes a relatively narrow throat portion 66a to also encourage/allow bending of the sleeve 24 without bunching. In addition, rather than using a dart seam 60, curvature may be provided by using a pleat, such as a standard pleat wherein portions of the material are pulled into an overlapping configuration and joined together. In this case the pleat(s) can replace the dart seam(s) and be located at the same location as the dart seams 60 shown herein. For the purposes of this application the term “seam” as used herein is construed to cover the dart seam 60 described herein, as well as a pleat.
The use of a seam to impart the desired curvature to the sleeves 24 provides a relatively easy and efficient method to form the curved sleeve 24. In particular, because no cutting of fabric or material may be required, the use of a seam may provide for ease of manufacture. In addition, the cutting and removal of fabric or material removes material that can provide heat insulation, flame protection etc., and is thus avoided. Stated differently, the fold of material created by the seam provides additional insulation.
The outer sleeve section 50 may be joined to the inner sleeve section 66 to form an elbow section 50/66. The outer portion of each elbow section 50/66 (i.e. extending along the outside of the elbow) may have a length that is at least about ten percent, or at least about twenty percent, or at least about forty percent longer than the inner portion of that elbow section 50/66 (i.e. extending along the inner crux 66a of the elbow section). Thus, when the sleeve 24 is assembled as described above, the sleeve 24 has an inner length less than an outer length to provide an outside-in curvature, as more clearly shown in
The natural curvature of the sleeves 24 reduces stress upon the user. In particular, when a person is resting, his or her arms typically rest with a slight break at the elbows. Thus the curvature in the sleeves 24 allows the wearer's arms to assume a natural resting position without having to bend the sleeves 24 of the garment 10. In addition, when a user bends his or her arms at the elbow, less work is required to bend the sleeve 24 given that the sleeve 24 is already “pre-bent.” In other words, if the sleeves 24 were to be straight and were to be desired to be bent to an angle of forty-five degrees, a force required to bend the sleeves 24 the full forty-five degrees must be exerted. In contrast, if the sleeves 24 are pre-bent to an angle of fifteen degrees, the user only needs to bend the sleeves 24 thirty degrees which imparts less stress upon the wearer. The reduced stress can be significant in repetitive motion activity, particularly given the weight of the garment 10 and other equipment required to be carried by the wearer, as well as the stiffness of the garment 10.
In addition the dart seam 60 and throat portion 66a reduce bunching of materials. For example, the remainder portions of the sleeve 52 (i.e., the triangular folds 52) are positioned internally. Thus the crux of the elbow thus includes less material than a standard sleeve to eliminate material that can be bunched during elbow movement (i.e., when moving a hand towards the shoulder). Because bunching of material is reduced, freer movement and a greater range of motion are provided.
If desired, only one layer of the garment (i.e. the outer shell 26) may have sleeves 24 with a natural curvature (i.e. an outer sleeve portion 26 with dart seams 60). In this case the moisture barrier 28, thermal liner 30, and face cloth 32 may be formed in the standard manner and may lack any curvature and may be flexible enough to be easily bent. However, if desired one, some, or all of the inner layers 28, 30, 32 may also be made to have a natural curvature (i.e. by forming a dart seam therein). In this case all or the selected ones of the inner layers 28, 30, 32 can be formed using the method described above and shown in
The arrangement described above shown for use with a sleeve 26 may also be utilized in the pant leg 44 of a pair of trousers 40, as shown in
The coat 10 and trousers 40 may be provided with pliable protective pads 68 secured to the outer shell 26 on the sleeves 24/legs 44 to reinforce the elbow/knee regions of the coat 10/trousers 40. Additional pads may be provided at other locations on the garments, such as along or adjacent to joints of the wearer such as shoulders, wrists, hips, etc.
Each pad 68 may be made from a relatively durable and generally stiff material. In one embodiment each pad 68 is made of the same material as the outer shell 26. Thus each pad 68 can be made of the same materials as those listed above for the outer shell 26 material such as an aramid material (i.e. in one case a polymer-coated KEVLAR® aramid material), a blend of aramid materials, a polybenzamidazole material, a blend of aramid and polybenzamidazole materials, or other appropriate materials. The pads 68 could also be made of leather or synthetic leather. The pads 68 can be attached to the garment by a variety of methods, such as stitches, adhesives, bonding, sonic welding, heat welding or the like.
Thus, each pad 68 may be made from a durable and fire-resistant material and may have a stiffness sufficient to absorb impacts and abrasions and provide resistance to wear and tear. Each pad 68 may have a thickness of less than about 1 mm, or greater than about 0.1 mm, or between about 0.3 mm and about 0.6 mm. Each pad 68 may have a TPP factor of at least about 3, or at least about 5, or at least about 10. The material of each pad 68 may be able to resist igniting, burning, melting, dripping and/or separation at a temperature of 500° F. for at least five minutes. If desired, each pad 68 may trap a protective layer, such as foam or the like, between the pad 68 and the outer shell 26 to provide further protection and padding.
As best shown in
Each pad 68 may include a notch or cut-out 76 positioned generally centrally in each longitudinal edge 72. Each notch 76 may be positioned to align with the axis of rotation B or center of pivot (see
With reference to
In the illustrated embodiment the notches 76 are generally semi-oval or generally “V” shaped in front view. These or other similar shapes may provide certain advantages in that the point or tip 78 of the cut-out 76 provides a distinct point or line of bending for the pad 70. However, the notches 76 can be any of a variety of shapes, including but not limited to triangular, rectangular, square, semicircular, etc. The notches 76 may merely provide an area of removed material and provide an area about which the pad 68 is predisposed to bend, or about which bending of the pad 68 is easier.
In addition, the notches 76 need not necessarily be located on the same position along the longitudinal edges 72 of the pad 68. For example, one notch 76 could be located on an upper portion of the longitudinal edge 72, and the other notch 76 could be located on a lower portion of the other longitudinal edge 72 to define an angled fold guide line. Further, if desired the pad 68 may include only a single notch 76.
Each pad 68 may be located only on the outer sleeve section 50, 44b of the associated sleeve 24 or leg 44. This may allow for ease of manufacturing as each pad 68 can be located on the associated outer sleeve section 50, 44b before the outer sleeve section 50, 44b is coupled to the other sections (as shown in
In addition, the pad may have a variety of other shapes or configurations-which allow the pad to bend about the desired axis B. For example, as shown in
The ability of the pads 68 to bend reduces stress upon the wearer, in particular during repetitive movement activity. In addition, the ability of the pads 68 to bend easily allows the sleeves 24 and legs 44 to easily assume their nature curvature shape as outlined above.
Referring now to
The trousers 40′ may have the same construction including the features and/or the materials of the outer shell 26, moisture barrier 28, thermal liner 30 and face cloth 32 as described above and illustrated for the coat 10. In addition, the legs 144, 144′ and inseam 100 as described herein may also take the form of a coveralls, jumpsuits, full-body jumpsuits including a coat and trousers combined into a single garment, bib overalls, and the like.
Still referring to
As shown by the pattern pieces in
Regardless of which feature 60 is present, the periphery of the first piece of material 50 that includes feature 60 is coupled to a side 106 of the inseam insert 104 that extends between the upper and lower radial inseams 148, 150. As shown in
In one embodiment, the first piece of material 50 may include a second feature 60′. The second feature 60′ may be positioned opposite the first feature 60 and as such may be included in the portion of the first piece of material 50 that is coupled to the first side 168 of the second piece of material 66. The features 60, 60′ individually or together define a joint axis 170 in the knee joint area.
In another embodiment, the knee joint area 144b may include a protective pad 68 located on the first piece of material 50 such that the protective pad 68 is predisposed to bend about the joint axis 170. The protective pad 68 may be or include the features as described above including a pair of generally aligned notches 76 formed into opposing edges of the outer periphery of the pad as illustrated in
The present invention provides improvements in protective garments by permitting cost-effective manufacturing of a knee joint area 144b having an inseam insert 104 that permits greater joint flexibility and protection during joint flexing and compression, while decreasing the effort needed to flex joints when wearing the trousers 40′ and providing improved continual alignment of the knee joint area 144b, in particular the knee pad 68, during flexing of the joints. An additional benefit to the wearer is the added comfort of a seamless crotch provided by the crotch strip 100.
The trousers 40′ result from the combination and seaming of patterns shown in
Next, the torso portions 142 of the left and right legs 144, 144′ are permanently fixed together at the front seam 180 below the fly area 182, if one is present, as illustrated in
The inseam 100 may have about a 3 in to about a 5 in wide crotch strip 102 at its widest point and about a 3 in to about a one and a half in wide inseam inserts 104. In another embodiment, the crotch strip 102 and the inseam insert 104 may be wider. For example, the crotch strip 102 may be about a 7 in to about a 5 in wide strip at its widest point and the inseam inserts may be about 3 in to about a 5 in wide. In one embodiment, the inseam inserts 104 may generally gradually taper along the length, in particularly gradually becoming narrower in width toward the lower radial seam 150. The crotch strip 102 may be at its widest in the middle portion thereof and each end of the strip may gradually taper to a narrower width relative to the middle portion as shown in the pattern pieces of
Referring now to
In another embodiment, the inseam 100 may include a pie shaped piece or other shapes for the crotch strip 102 and/or the inseam insert 104.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/984,544, filed Oct. 22, 2013, which was the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2012/024044, filed Feb. 7, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/441,102, filed Feb. 9, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61441102 | Feb 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13984544 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 15086799 | US |
