GB2420078A

GB2420078A - Tanning quilt incorporating light emitting diodes

Info

Publication number: GB2420078A
Application number: GB0423278A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erryn James Deane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-19
Filing date: 2004-10-19
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Also published as: GB0423278D0

Abstract

A skin tanning quilt 2 comprises a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) 12 emitting ultraviolet light of varying intensity. The mains or battery powered LED's 12 may be arranged within a number of parallel transparent tubes 9 held in sleeves 8 formed on the quilt 2. The tubes are connected by wires 11. A control unit ["A", Fig. 2] may include a timer switch 5 to allow a user to sleep whilst tanning. The quilt may be washable and have a reflective lining.

Description

- 2420078 Fluorescent_Quilt ____ ______________ ______________ This

invention relates to a device for tanning a person.

People particularly in colder climates go abroad or use tanning products and services hoping improve their personal appearance and aesthetics.

When people use conventional tanning solutions the effects can be short term, lasting for maybe 2 weeks. l'hey can even he dangerous and infringe on individuals privacy, as they may have to go to a public place and allow others to know of their actions.

Conventional tanning solutions also tend to be immediate therefore friends of that person whom sought out the tanning solution would notice the immediate effect and question, once again infringing on privacy. Conventional tanning solutions can he uncomlorlahie, time consuming. far too intense and if the individual is using a public version it would have had others utilizing it, therefore being unhygienic.

To overcome these difficulties the present invention proposes to tan the individual gradually during their sleeping period using a tanning quilt.

The quilt tanning means is preferably provided by a number of ultraviolet light emitting diodes set into a number of flexible waterproof tubes, which may be slid into the sleeves ol the quilt. A reflective material between the tubes and the quilt will preferably be used so that the light emitted is maxirnised.

A battery unit that is rechargeable may power the quill and/or mains powered if required, through use ola mains adaptor unit. The quilt may also be set into a sleep' function, where an adjustable timing unit may be used by the individual meaning the quilt will power on' only after the adjusted period of lime, therefore allowing that person to sleep.

Advantages of the proposed invention would preferably he: * The individLial would he tanned gradually.

* [he individual could use it in a private environment.

* The individual has the choice of having sole use of the invention, if this choice were made it would overcome the problems related to hygiene.

* The invention has a very low intensity therefore lowering the risk of skin cell damage.

* The product is waterproof and washable once again relating to hygiene.

* The invention is compactable therefore can he stored, large space would not be required, unlike present products.

The invention will now he described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows an aerial view including the general layout of the various components, which make up the quilt.

Figure 2 Shows an outer three-dimensional view of the controlling unit (A) .

Figure 3 Shows au aerial cut through section of a tube and sleeve (B).

Figure 4 Shows a side cut through section of the quilt including the different layers, tubes and their positioning.

Figure 5 Shows an aerial cut through section of the control unit (B) and the proposed layout inside.

Figure 6 Shows a three-dimensional sub sectioned view at the end of the quilt.

Figure 7 Shows an aerial view of a single sized alternative.

Figure 8 Shows an aerial view of an alternative invention where there is double the quantity of tubes.

Figure 9 Shows a three-dimensional view of an alternative control unit, where no battery is used.

Figure 10 Shows a three-dimensional outer view of an alternative to the control unit, where there is an intensity selector switch.

Figure 1 displays the preferable layout of the quilt where, A, is the control unit (see figure 2), attached to the main embodiment of the quilt with Velcro, therefore making it detachable for ease when washing. B is the tube means, which are in a lined position down the quilt inserted into the sleeves (see figure 3, 4 and 6). 2, is the main embodiment of the quilt of which everything is attached. The wires, which connect the tubes to one another, are labelled 4 on this diagram.

In figure 2, the preferable layout of the control unit A is shown by use of a 3d diagram. Where, I is a large illuminated push switch fbr ease of location and use. 3 is an example Velcro attachment, these will he positioned around the control unit where necessary and the corresponding Velcro attachments on the quilt so that the control unit may be removed when washing. The sleep time selector 5 will allow the user to define the required amount of time until the quilt activates, utilizing a potentiometer in the form of a slide switch selector, the time may be adjusted from 0-60 minutes.

The power adaptor input, 6, is used for plugging the quilt into the mains by use of a 4.5-volt power adaptor. This is used ftr charging the batteries, 20, or for directly powering the quilt bypassing the batteries by use of the converter/charger circuit 19, (see figure 5). The power output of the control unit 17 is terminated with a connector.

Connector 18, which is directly linked to the quilt, means attaches to the control unit's output. The outer casing of the control unit, 25, is to be made of plastic in two halves preferably, which are joined together by screws 7.

In figure 3. the proposed layout of a tube and sleeve is shown by an aerial cut through subsection (B), where 8 is the outside of the sleeve sewn to the main of the quilt. 9 is the transparent flexible tithe wall which the ultraviolet means will he inserted, comprising of the wires, 11, connecting the UV LED's in parallel to one another, the wires are reinftrced at the base of the LED's by set hot glue, strengthening the connections and assisting the quilt with being more waterproof and durable.

In figure 4, a side cut through section of the quilt is shown with the different layers.

Where, 13 is the quilt itself. 14, is a reflective material sewn to entirety the quilt, this helps the light shone by the LED's to he maximised reflecting it onto the user. 15, is the semi transparent sleeve material sewn to the entirety of the quilt at points 8 which the tubing is inserted.

In figure 5, an aerial inside view of the control unit is displayed where 6 is the adaptor input attached to, 1 9, the recharge and power circuit, allowing to either recharge the batteries or if the push switch is depressed and the mains attachedbypass the batteries and directly power the quilt. The slide potentiometer is attached to a 555 timer circuit via various wiring, 11, which attach all the components within the control unit to one another as necessary including the batteries, 20, and are finally wired to the external connector 17.

In figure 6, a 3d view at the end of the quilt is displayed where 2 is the quilt itself, 16 is the very bottom edge ol the quilt, the sleeve material, 15, sewn at points, 8, contains the tubes connected together by the wires, 11. These tubes can be easily inserted to the open end of the sleeves, 23. and the tubes are terminated, 24, by preferably set hot glue to insure they are watertight.

In figure 7, an aerial view of an alternative quilt is show, this could possibly be utilized as an economy version in single size, the components to create this would be similar to the fore mentioned.

In figure 8, an aerial view of an alternate quilt is shown; where there is double the quantity of tithes once again the components to this quilt would preferably be as fore mentioned. This alternative would oiler a more even tan. The amount of tubes in the proposed invention may he varied dependant on various factors.

In figure 9. an alternative 3d view of the control unit is displayed where the batteries have been removed and the unit downsized. l'his would make it lighter and smaller.

All the components would remain the same as the fore mentioned control unit (figure 2 and 5) although the layout would he altered, as displayed.

In figure 10, an alternate 3d view of the control unit is displayed, although an extra slide potentiometer. 26, has been attached to unable the current passing into the UV means to he altered therefbre altering the intensity of the tubes. The components in this control unit would preferably remain the same as in the fore mentioned figure 2 and 5. * -4-

Claims

Claims _____ _____ I. A tanning qLult
2. A low intensity tanning quilt
3.

A tanning quill with variable intensity
4. An ultraviolet quilt
5. A quilt utilizing LED's
6. A machine washable tanning device
7. A tanning quilt with a timing device
8. A rechargeable tanning quilt
9. A battery operated tanning quilt
10. A mains powered tanning quilt
11. A fold away tanning quilt
12. Can be custoniized to tanning or non tanning quilt
13. A hypoallergenic tanning quilt
14. A tanning quilt utilizing removable tubing
15. A tanning quilt with detachable control unit
16. A tanning quilt using a reflective material lining