GB2457486A

GB2457486A - A heated garment

Info

Publication number: GB2457486A
Application number: GB0802789A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Gold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-15
Filing date: 2008-02-15
Publication date: 2009-08-19
Also published as: GB0802789D0

Abstract

A heated garment such as a tabard that has a more than one heating elements detachably attached to the garment via pockets on the garments. Preferably the heating elements are flexible and each element is connected via wires to a rechargeable battery with an on/off switch that are held in separate pockets on the garment. The garment may have hidden channels to allow the wires connecting the heating elements to the batteries. The user has the option of choosing how many elements are used at one time. The batteries and heating element can be completely removed from the garment to allow the garment to be washed. The heating system is modular to allow each part to be replaced separately, if a part is lost or damaged.

Description

InteIIectuaI : roperty Office coo Foe Creativity anc Innovation Application No. (iB08U2789.8 RTM Date:20 June 2008 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of The Patent Office 1 2457486

UK Patent Specification

Battery-heated tabard

Background

This invention relates to a battery-heated tabard.

Battery heated vests often provide unsatisfactory heat, are difficult to wash properly due to the presence of vulnerable heat elements which can often be damaged due to over-washing, inadvertent abuse and repeated opening and closing of fastenings down the centre chest. Sizing can also be difficult in conventional vests as there is no adjustment capability for a snug fit.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a one-piece over-the-head tabard design with side straps for tightening and adjustment. Efficient heat elements powered by rechargeable batteries heat the tabard, with user choices of how many elements are used at any one time and whether they are switched on or off.

Batteries and heat elements are located in pockets within the garment and are completely removable -the tabard can then be washed thoroughly without fear. This invention is therefore a modular design with all parts, batteries and heat elements both removable and replaceable.

Advantages Using powerful batteries, preferably one per heat element, long-lasting heat is guaranteed.

Heat elements and batteries are removable, thus enabling the fabric to be washed with no danger to the elements.

The modular design of this tabard means that the wearer has a choice to use one or more than one heat element at a time. For example, one heat element at the back and one at the front; two at the back and one at the front; one only at the back or front; two only at the back etc. all depending upon how many elements and pockets are available, the number of which may vary by design. Batteries usually incorporate an on/off switch offering users a further choice of heat or no heat per element.

The tabard design means you put the vest on by placing it over your head and vice versa to take it off -there are no zip fasteners down the centre chest but there are Velcro side-straps offering fine-adjustment when tightened. Using Velcro straps means that any one size, such as Medium', in fact offers a range of sizes say Small' to Medium' thus making it more likely that a given size will fit.

Drawings An example of the invention will now be descnbed by referring to the accompanying drawings that represent a particular design with two pockets at the back and one at the front.

It is important to note that this representation is but one of many possible permutations in terms of pocket size, battery size, heat element size, number of heat elements, number of batteries, location of heat elements and batteries, type of cable-channels.

Figure 1 Shows the tabard front with pocket for one heat element and: (1) Stitched channels to guide cables from batteries towards elements. Note the slightly arched cuts to permit jack-plug exit from cable channels.

(2) Rechargeable batteries, three in this example, with on/off switches, each connected to a separate heat element.

(3) Velcro adjustment straps for snug fit.

(4) Flexible heat elements, three in total, each of which fits into a pocket from which it then connects via stitched channels to its respective battery.

Figure 2 Shows the tabard back: (1) Two stitched channels, each leading to one of two heat element pockets.

(2) Two heat element pockets.

(3) Velcro straps Figure 3 Shows a plan view of the one-piece tabard.

Figure 4 Shows a flexible heat element, connected to a wire with jack-plug.

Detailed Description

Fabric Soft fabric is cut and sewn into a one-piece tabard, leaving a wide gap for the head (Fig 3). Allowance is made for pockets and channels to guide the wires, preferably using a combination of stitches and cuts to permit wire channelling (Fig 1: 1.0), battery Ielement entry and exit. Preferably the tabard will be composed of two or more layers of fabric stitched one on top of the other. (See Pockets and Cable Channelling below).

Preferably, the tabard fabric will be soft, for example compared to jacket material, so it will tend to hug the body shape for an increased sense of comfort, more like an undergarment, with the added benefit of holding heat elements close to the body for better heat transmission to the body.

A heavier outer garment, such as a jacket or coat is worn on top of the tabard to trap the heat produced by the tabard. A t-shirt or similar is best worn directly below the tabard so that there is no direct contact between the heat element, albeit inside its tabard pocket, and bare skin.

Pockets and Cable Channelling Pockets and cable channelling will preferably be made using a process of stitches and cuts. Stitching defines a pocket or channel perimeter and prevents movement within the defined pocket or channel area. Cutting permits entry/exit of pocket contents or connecting jack-plug and wire (Fig 1: 1.0). This technique is made possible preferably by using two or more fabric layers for each tabard, cutting through from the top layer to a layer below to achieve a pocket or cable channel.

The construction described in the previous paragraph is the preferred method for this invention due to its inherent economy and simplicity. However this particular invention could be made using other methods of construction, for example sewing additional fabric for pockets and cable channels on top of a single or multi-layered tabard. The invention does not therefore depend upon the method of construction defined in the previous paragraph but benefits from its distinct advantages.

Batteries Preferably, each battery will have an on/off switch therefore each heat element will be independently controllable. Batteries will be rechargeable and will be supplied with a charger.

Functionality The particular representation of this invention as described herein has a potential to Supply heat from three heat elements at one time, each element powered independently. There is a choice of one to three elements, any combination of which can operate at any one time.

The particular representation of this invention as described herein uses three batteries to supply three separate heat elements. However this invention could be constructed using alternative combinations of batteries and heat elements, for example six batteries and six heat elements.

The invention descnbed herein does not depend upon the particular combination of batteries and heat elements portrayed here, however factors to be considered when deciding size and quantity of batteries and heat elements are: -battery longevity (the bigger the battery the longer it lasts before recharging) -heat element dimensions (the larger the element the more power it requires) Other combinations are therefore not only possible but in some instances desirable, for example where targeted heat is required to the kidneys or to help alleviate lower back pain.

Velcro Straps Velcro straps (Fig 1: 3.0), provide the final securing of the heated tabard after pulling the tabard over the head. These straps are sewn onto the tabard outer edges.

This invention could be constructed using an alternative strap system instead of Velcro, for example a strap and buckle combination similar to a belt. The invention does not therefore depend upon the Velcro strap system mentioned herein, but benefits from what is believed to be the most efficient method available for this particular design at this time.

Heat Elements The particular representation of this invention as described herein incorporates three heat elements, each of which is flexible for ease of use. Each heat element has a wire attached, at the other end of which is a jack-plug (Fig.4) that connects to a battery. Each element features a different wire length, depending upon proximity to its dedicated battery. All battery pockets are at the tabard-front and each heat element vanes in distance from its battery. (See Fig I and Fig 2, 4.0, A, B,C).

Heat element flexibility is considered essential because a flexible heat element will adjust to body shape and body movement more readily than a rigid heat element. A flexible heat element is therefore more comfortable and more practical. In this case, heat elements are conductive metal strips encased in thin plastic to create the required flexibility, with an over-all impression of a thin acetate sheet.

The heat elements of this invention could be constructed using alternative methods to those mentioned above, for example using fabric to encase the heat elements rather than thin plastic, thus retaining flexibility in a different way. The invention does not therefore depend upon the aforementioned conductive metal strip encased in plastic, but benefits from what is believed to be the most efficient method available and best way forward at this time.

Modular System This invention is modular. All major parts are removable; heat elements and batteries can be removed, leaving only the tabard. The modular nature of this invention forms part of its uniqueness as an invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A heated tabard in whiLh heat is distributed from heat elements around a tabard garment.
2. A heated tabard according to Claim 1, each heat element being located in a dedicated tabard pocket.
3. A heated tabard according to Claim 1, each heat element preferably being flexible.
4. A heated tabarti according to Claim I whereby heat elements are powered by batteries.
5. A heated tabard according to Claim 4, each battery preferably possessing an on/off switch.
6. A heated tabard according to Claim 4, each battery preferably being rechargeable
7. A heated tabard according to Claim 4, each battery located in a dedicated tabard pocket.
8. A heated tabard according to Claim 1, the tabard fabric incorporating hidden channels into which heat element wires may be inserted and guided towards battery connection.
9. A heated tabard according to Claim 1, which is modular by design, from which batteries and heat elements can be completely removed when required, leaving only the tabard itself.