BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a garment comprising an article of clothing having an inner layer and an outer layer, with thermal transfer elements inside the outer layer indicated with dashed lines, according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the garment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the article of clothing of the garment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the article of clothing of the garment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a thermal transfer element according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a back elevation view of the thermal transfer element of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a thermal pack according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a thermal transfer element according to one embodiment of the invention, before and after a thermal pack is inserted into a pouch.
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a garment comprising an article of clothing having only a first layer, with hidden secured thermal transfer elements indicated with dashed lines, according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the article of clothing of the garment of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a garment comprising a different article of clothing (namely shorts), according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a back elevation view of the garment of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a detachable segment of an article of clothing of a garment according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is front perspective view of the garment of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the inside of an article of clothing comprising an inflatable air bladder, according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the outside of a garment comprising the article of clothing of FIG. 15, shown with the air bladder inflated and thermal transfer elements in place, according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a back perspective view of the garment of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a thermal transfer element held in place inside an article of clothing by a strap and buckle, according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a garment with the thermal transfer element of FIG. 18 secured inside the article of clothing.
FIG. 20 is a back perspective view of the garment of FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a garment 100 for applying a thermal transfer element to the body of a human comprising an article of clothing 1 having a first layer 10, an outer layer 11, a thermal transfer element 4, a first fastener 5A, and a second fastener 5B. The garment 100 is the entire combination; the article of clothing 1 is the piece of clothing to which thermal transfer elements are secured.
An engagement between the first fastener 5A and the second fastener 5B removably and adjustably secures the thermal transfer element 4 to any location 6 on the interior surface 2 of the outer layer 11 of the article of clothing 1. “Removably and adjustably” secured means that the thermal transfer element can be removed without damaging the fasteners or otherwise dismantling the garment, and be reattached in a different location. After attachment, heat transfer takes place between the thermal transfer element 4 and a body part 7 in contact with the location 6 on the article of clothing 1 where the thermal transfer element 4 is secured. The location 6 is “in contact” with the body part 7 even if there are one or more layers of material between the location 6 and the body part 7. In other words, it is not necessary for the location 6 to touch the skin of the body part 7 for the location 6 to “contact” the body part 7, so long as they immediately adjoin each other.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 10 and 11, an interior surface 2 of the article of clothing 1 is any surface of any layer of the article of clothing that faces inwardly toward the wearer. An exterior surface 3 of the article of clothing 1 is any surface of any layer of the article of clothing 1 that faces outwardly away from the wearer.
In an exemplary embodiment, as best illustrated in FIG. 4, the article of clothing 1 has a first layer 10 and an outer layer 11 such that there is room for thermal transfer elements 4 between the layers. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer layer 11 is made from a nylon, polyester, and spandex blend, and the interior surface 2 of the outer layer 11 is brushed to create loop material suitable for a hook and loop fastener. The process of brushing is well known in the art, and is essentially a finishing process for materials, particularly knit or woven fabrics, in which brushes or other devices abrade the material to create a looped or napped surface that is suitable for use in a hook and loop fastener. The first layer 10 may be any flexible material but in an exemplary embodiment is a fine mesh material.
The article of clothing 1 may be made from any flexible material. More specifically, and without limitation, the material may be moisture absorbent, breathable, stretchable, meshed, or any blend or combination thereof. Even more particularly, the material may be a blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex. The material may also be thermoconductive in order to better conduct heat between the thermal transfer element 4 and the body part 7. A thermoconductive material is any material that is a good conductor of heat. The material may also be a thermoreflective material, which is any material that is a good insulator. For example, the outer layer 11 of the article of clothing 1 may comprise a thermoreflective material to help keep heat inside the article of clothing 1. The material may further comprise either the first fastener 5A or the second fastener 5B, meaning that these fasteners may be either an integral part of the material or affixed thereto. For example, one or more surfaces of the article of clothing 1 may be brushed such that it comprises loop material suitable for a hook and loop fastener.
The article of clothing 1 may be of any type including, without limitation, shirts, vests, shorts, pants, bodysuits, skirts, dresses, robes, socks, gloves, or hats. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the article of clothing 1 may be a pair of shorts. It may come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate the body shapes of men, women, and children of all sizes. The article of clothing 1 is worn on the body of a person, and may be worn as any layer of clothing, including as an undergarment or as an over-garment.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the article of clothing 1 snugly fits the body of the wearer such that any thermal transfer element 4 inside the article of clothing 1 is pressed against the body part 7 due to the snug fit of the article of clothing 1. The phrase “snug fit” means that the article of clothing 1 is tight on the wearer's body, having little or no slack in the material. The phrase “pressed against the body part,” means a force exerted on the thermal transfer element 4 that tends to push it toward the body of the wearer. This pressure increases the efficiency of heat transfer by increasing the surface area of the thermal transfer element 4 in contact with the body part 7, because any gaps between the surface of the thermal transfer element 4 and the body part 7 will be eliminated. Furthermore, to be “pressed against a body part,” it is not necessary for the thermal transfer element 4 to touch the skin of the wearer, so long as the body part 7 provides a reactionary force in opposition to the force exerted by the snugly fitting article of clothing 1.
The thermal transfer element 4 is any object that is securable to the article of clothing 1 and is suitable for transferring heat. In some embodiments, the thermal transfer element 4 may simply comprise a thermal pack 9 if the thermal pack 9 is itself securable. However, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, the thermal transfer element 4 comprises a pouch 8 and thermal pack 9, the thermal pack 9 being contained in the pouch 8, the pouch 8 being removably and adjustably securable to the article of clothing 1. The pouch 8 may be made of any suitable material including natural and synthetic textiles, plastics, and rubbers, and it may be made of the same materials that the article of clothing 1 comprises. In an exemplary embodiment, the pouch 8 is approximately six inches by ten inches and has two sides that are sewn together to form a pouch. One side of the pouch 8 may be made of Thinsulate® laminated with variations of tricot, the other side of a mesh material which may be a blend of polyester and spandex. Thinsulate® is the registered trademark name of a material made by 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.) that comprises thin and relatively dense polyolefin microfibers and polyester fibers. The two sides of the pouch 8 may be sewn together along three edges, leaving an opening on the fourth edge. Optionally the pouch 8 is closable on the fourth edge so that the thermal pack 9 may be completely enclosed in the pouch 8, as shown in FIG. 8. The means for clothing the pouch may be zipper, snap, button, or the like, but in an exemplary embodiment is a hook and loop fastener. The pouch 8 also comprises the second fastener 5B, meaning that this fastener may be either an integral part of the pouch 8 or attached thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the second fastener 5B is hook material sewn to the Thinsulate-tricot side of the pouch 8.
The thermal pack 9 is any object suitable for transferring heat including, without limitation, heat packs and cold packs of the type commonly used as hot or cold compresses on injured or sore body parts, whether single-use or reusable. The thermal pack 9 may contain water, ice, gel, chemicals, or any other material, whether solid, liquid, or gas. Examples of some types of thermal packs include, without limitation, the Hot & Cold Flexible Gel Pack (3M, St. Paul, Minn.), Thermo-Pad Heat Packs (Hood Thermo-Pad, Summerlend, BC Canada), and the Hot/Cold Reusable Gel Pack (Accu-Therm, Taipei, Taiwan). The thermal pack 9 is brought to a desired temperature prior to attachment of the thermal transfer element 4 to the article of clothing 1 or, if possible, while the thermal transfer element 4 is attached. The thermal pack 9 may be heated or cooled by any suitable means including, without limitation, convection, conduction, radiation, electrical resistance, and chemical reaction. For example, the thermal pack 9 may be cooled by a refrigerator, freezer, ice water bath, or endothermic chemical reaction. The thermal pack 9 may be heated, for example, by an oven, microwave, hot water bath, or exothermic chemical reaction.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal transfer element 4 is adjustably secured to the interior surface 2 of the outer layer 11 of the article of clothing 1 by the engagement of first fastener 5A and second fastener 5B. As seen in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer element 4 may be removed from an initial location 6 by disengagement of the fasteners, and re-secured in a different location 6A by reengagement of the fasteners. The ability to disengage and reengage the fasteners 5 in a new location 6A makes the location 6 of the thermal transfer element 4 adjustable.
The first fastener 5A may be found anywhere on the article of clothing 1, including anywhere on any interior surface 2 or exterior surface 3 of any layer. In one embodiment, a surface of the article of clothing 1 itself comprises the first fastener 5A, such as where the material is brushed to create loop material suitable for a hook and loop fastener.
The second fastener 5B may be found anywhere on the thermal transfer element 4. In an embodiment where the thermal transfer element 4 comprises a thermal pack 9 contained in a pouch 8, the second fastener 5B may be found anywhere on the pouch 8. In an embodiment where the thermal transfer element 4 is a thermal pack 9, the second fastener 5B is found anywhere on the thermal pack 9. In an exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the thermal pack 9 is contained in a pouch 8 having a second fastener 5B on its back side.
The first fastener 5A and the second fastener 5B are any type of complementary fasteners capable of repeatedly engaging and disengaging with each other, without significantly damaging either fastener or their ability to engage. It is not material which of the pair of complementary fasteners is the first fastener 5A or the second fastener 5B. For example, the first fastener 5A may be loop material and the second fastener 5B may be hook material. Likewise, the first fastener SA may be hook material and the second fastener 5B may be loop material. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, however, the first fastener SA is loop material that covers the interior surface 2 of the outer layer 11 of the article of clothing 1, and the second faster 5B is hook material that is sewn to the back of the pouch 8 of the thermal transfer element 4. Because in this embodiment the first fastener 5A is loop material covering the interior surface 2 of the outer layer 11, the thermal transfer element 4 is adjustable over the interior surface 2 by disengagement and reengagement of the fasteners 5.
In another embodiment of the present invention, best illustrated in FIG. 9, a garment 100 comprises an article of clothing 1 having an interior surface 2 and an exterior surface 3, a thermal transfer element 4, a first fastener 5A and a second fastener 5B. Unlike the previous embodiment, the article of clothing 1, as shown in FIG. 10, does not comprise a first layer plus an outer layer, but instead comprises only a first layer 10. In this embodiment, the thermal transfer element 4 is secured to the interior surface 2 of the first layer 10 of the article of clothing 1. As seen in FIG. 9, the thermal transfer element 4 is drawn with dashed lines to indicate that the thermal transfer element 4 is attached inside the article of clothing 1. The article of clothing 1 may be made from a blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex, and the interior surface 2 of the first layer 10 may be brushed to create loop material suitable for a hook and loop fastener. In another embodiment, the thermal transfer element 4 may be adjustably secured to the exterior surface 3 of the first layer 10 of the article of clothing 1. In this embodiment, the exterior surface 3 of the first layer 10 may be brushed to create loop material suitable for a hook and loop fastener.
In another embodiment of the invention, the article of clothing 1 may comprise a detachable segment 12, such as a detachable sleeve for a shirt as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. An article of clothing 1 may be worn with or without the detachable segment 12. Likewise, the detachable segment 12 may be worn without the rest of an article of clothing 1. The detachable segment 12 comprises the first fastener 5A, meaning that this fastener may be either an integral part of the detachable segment 12 or attached thereto.
In other embodiments of the present invention, best illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 21, a thermal transfer element 4 is pressed against the body of the wearer by the article of clothing 1. In one embodiment, this pressure results from the snug fit of the article of clothing 1 against the body of the wearer. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the pressure provided by the article of clothing 1 is augmented by inflation of an air bladder 15 contained inside the article of clothing 1. The air bladder 15 may be inflated by a one-way or sealable valve 16 for receiving pressurized air, such as by a person blowing into the valve. The air bladder 15 may also be inflated by a small pump built into the air bladder 15. After placing the thermal transfer element 4 in a desired location inside the article of clothing 1, the user inflates the bladder 15, thus providing increased pressure on the thermal transfer element 4 as the interior surface of the air bladder 15 expands toward the wearer.
In another embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 18 to 20, the pressure against the thermal transfer element 4 is augmented by tightening straps 25 connected to buckles 26. After the user places the thermal transfer element 4 in a desired location, the user tightens the straps 25 using the buckles 26, thus providing increased pressure on the thermal transfer element 4. As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the tightentable straps may be cinch cords 35 that run throughout the article of clothing 1. After the user places the thermal transfer element 4 in a desired location, the user pulls on the cinch cord 35, thus providing increased pressure on the thermal transfer element 4.
A method of use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is best understood with reference to FIGS. I to 8 and comprises: selecting a body part 7 to have a thermal pack 9 applied to it, putting on an article of clothing 1, selecting a location 6 on the article of clothing I that contacts the selected body part 7 and has a first fastener SA, bringing a thermal pack 9 to a desired temperature, engaging the first fastener 5A with the second fastener 5B to removably and adjustably secure the thermal pack 9 to the article of clothing 1, and permitting heat to transfer between the thermal pack 9 and the body part 7. The thermal pack 9 may be secured to the article of clothing 1 while the article of clothing 1 is being worn, while it is not being worn, or while it is partially being worn. Heat transfer continues until the thermal pack 9 reaches approximately the same temperature as the body part 7, at which point heat transfer begins to cease. In one embodiment, the second fastener 5B is affixed to the thermal pack 9. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal pack 9 is enclosed in a pouch 8 with the second fastener 5B, preferably hook material, affixed to one side of the pouch 8. Furthermore, the above steps may be repeated in any order to attach a plurality of thermal packs 9 to a plurality of locations 6 contacting a plurality of body parts 7. These plurality of thermal packs 9 may be any combination of hot packs and cold packs.
Another method of use of the present invention, best understood with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, is a method of heating or cooling the body of an athlete while the athlete is engaged in an athletic activity comprising selecting a body part 7 of an athlete to be heated or cooled, selecting a location 6 on the article of clothing 1 that contacts the selected body part 7 when the article of clothing 1 is worn and having a first fastener 5A, bringing a thermal pack 9 to a desired temperature, removably and adjustably securing the thermal pack 9 to the article of clothing 1 so that the thermal pack 9 is contacting the body part 7, and permitting heat to transfer between the body part 7 and the thermal pack 9 while the athlete is engaged in an athletic activity. Because the garment 100 holds the thermal pack 9 in place, the athlete's hands are free to participate in the athletic activity. In one embodiment, the second fastener 5B is affixed to the thermal pack 9. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal pack 9 is enclosed in a pouch 8 with the second fastener 5B, preferably hook material, affixed to one side of the pouch 8. Furthermore, the above steps may be repeated in any order to attach a plurality of thermal packs 9 to a plurality of locations 6 contacting a plurality of body parts 7, so that more heat can be transferred to or from the athlete's body.
Another method of use of the present invention, best understood with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, is a method of performing temperature enhanced physical therapy on a patient comprising selecting a body part 7 that will receive the therapy, putting the article of clothing 1 on the body of the patient, selecting a location 6 on the article of clothing 1 that contacts the selected body part 7 and has a first fastener 5A, bringing a thermal pack 9 to a desired temperature, removably and adjustably securing the thermal pack 9 to the article of clothing 1 by engaging a first fastener 5A and a second fastener 5B, and permitting heat to transfer between the thermal pack 9 and the selected body part 7 while the patient simultaneously receives physical therapy on the selected body part 7. In one embodiment, the second fastener 5B is affixed to the thermal pack 9. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal pack 9 is enclosed in a pouch 8 with the second fastener 5B, preferably hook material, affixed to one side of the pouch 8. Furthermore, the above steps may be repeated in any order to attach a plurality of thermal packs 9 to a plurality of locations 6 contacting a plurality of body parts 7.
A further method of use of the present invention, also best understood by reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, is a method of warming the body of a person in a cold environment, comprising the steps of selecting a body part 7 to be warmed, putting an article of clothing 1 on the body of the person, selecting a location 6 on the article of clothing 1 that contacts the selected body part 7 when the garment is worn and having a first fastener 5A, heating a thermal pack 9 to a desired temperature, removably and adjustably securing the thermal pack 9 to the selected location 6 by engaging first fastener 5A and second fastener 5B, and permitting heat to transfer from the thermal pack 9 to the body part 7 in order to keep the wearer warm in a cold environment. In one embodiment, the second fastener 5B is affixed to the thermal pack 9. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal pack 9 is enclosed in a pouch 8 with the second fastener 5B, preferably hook material, affixed to one side of the pouch 8. Furthermore, the above steps may be repeated in any order to attach a plurality of thermal packs 9 to a plurality of locations 6 contacting a plurality of body parts 7.
It should be understood that various alternative embodiments, not illustrated herein, are covered by the scope of the appended claims. For example, in one alternative the thermal transfer element may be adjustably secured to the exterior surface of the first layer, inside an outer layer. In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the first layer may be a brushed material suitable for use as loop material in a hook and loop fastener.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the thermal transfer element may be adjustably secured to the interior surface of the first layer, whether or not there is also an outer layer. In this embodiment, the interior surface of the first layer may be a brushed material suitable for use as loop material in a hook and loop fastener.
In other alternative embodiments, the first fastener 5A and the second fastener 5B may be various different types of complementary fasteners other than hook and loop fasteners. For example, the fasteners may be metal or plastic snaps, hooks that engage with rivets, pairs of zipper chains engaged by a zipper, a button and buttonhole, or the like.
Various modifications and alterations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. For example, it should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do no necessarily need to be performed in the order they are recited. For example, in certain embodiments, steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying claims should be constructed with these principles in mind.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function or “step for” performing a specified function is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6.
Patent Application
20080040831
