Abstract:
An article of clothing includes a garment body and a heater coupled to the garment body. A battery holder defines a cavity. A rechargeable battery pack is configured for use with at least one of a power tool and a sensing device. The rechargeable battery pack is slidably received within the cavity and detachably coupled to the battery holder by a latching arrangement. A controller selectively provides power from the rechargeable battery pack to the heater. A user input member for selecting a mode of the controller is coupled to the garment body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/258,714, filed Nov. 6, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to garments, and in particular, to an electrically heated jacket for providing heat to a user wearing the jacket. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Garments, especially outwear such as jackets and parkas, may be insulated to protect a user from the cold. Insulated jackets rely on the user&#39;s own body heat to keep the user warm. If the insulation is too thin, the user may be cold. If the insulation is too thick, the user may overheat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the invention provides an article of clothing. The article of clothing includes a garment body and a heater coupled to the garment body. A battery holder defines a cavity. A rechargeable battery pack is configured for use with at least one of a power tool and a sensing device. The rechargeable battery pack is slidably received within the cavity and detachably coupled to the battery holder by a latching arrangement. A controller selectively provides power from the rechargeable battery pack to the heater. A user input member for selecting a mode of the controller is coupled to the garment body. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of operating a garment heated by an electric heater, powered by a battery pack received by a battery holder, and controlled by a controller via a control input. The method comprises actuating the control input to cause the electric heater to enter a pre-heat mode and maintaining the electric heater in a pre-heat mode for a first time period. The electric heater is automatically switched to a first thermal setting at the end of the first time period. The electric heater is selectively switched to a second thermal setting by actuating the control input. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an article of clothing. The article of clothing includes a garment body and a heater coupled to the garment body. A battery holder defines a cavity. The battery holder is disposed within the garment body and electrically coupled to the heater. A rechargeable battery pack is slidably received within the cavity and detachably coupled to the battery holder by a latching arrangement. A user input member is coupled to the garment body. A controller selectively provides power from the rechargeable battery pack to the heater in response to control signals from the user input member. The controller causes the heater to enter a pre-heat mode in response to a first signal from the user input member and maintains the heater in the pre-heat mode for a first time period. The controller automatically switches the heater to a first thermal setting at the end of the first time period, and selectively switches the heater to a second thermal setting in response to a second signal from the user input member. 
         [0007]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a jacket according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the jacket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a rear compartment of the jacket of  FIG. 2 , and taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a battery holder according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a battery pack for use with the battery holder of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the battery pack of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an electrical block diagram for the jacket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an image of a heated jacket including a heating module according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the heated jacket including the heating module of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a portion the heating module of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the heating module of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a display for positioning in an aperture of the heating module of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of tools and devices usable with the battery pack of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a heated jacket  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The jacket  10  may be constructed in various sizes to fit a variety of users. The jacket  10  includes typical jacket features such as a torso body  12 , arms  14 , a collar  16 , and front pockets  18 . A front surface  20  of the jacket  10  includes a control input. In the illustrated embodiment, the control input is a button  22  that may be actuated by user. As explained in greater detail below, the button  22  includes a display portion  24  to indicate a status of the heated jacket  10 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in cutaway portions of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the jacket  10  includes a heater array  26 . The heater array  26  is disposed in both a left portion  28  and a right portion  30  of the torso body  12 . In some embodiments, the heater array  26  may extend into the arms  14  and/or collar  16 . In other embodiments the jacket may include a first heater array and second heater array arranged as an upper module and a lower module, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater array  26  is controlled via the button  22  shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, multiple heater arrays may be controlled individually via a single control input or multiple control inputs. The heating array  26  may include resistive heating coils formed of carbon fibers, high density carbon fibers, or other heating devices. The heated jacket  10  is capable of maintaining a temperature of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, although in further embodiments lower or greater temperatures are possible depending upon the heat source. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the heated jacket  10  includes a compartment  32  located on a lower portion of the back torso body. The compartment  32  houses an electrical component, such as a battery pack and battery holder. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the compartment  32  includes a zipper  34 , providing selective access by a user to the compartment  32  in order to access the battery pack and other electrical components.  FIG. 4  illustrates one example of a battery holder  36 . The battery holder  36  is configured to receive a battery pack  38 , such as the battery pack illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the battery pack  38  is a lithium-based, rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack  38  is removably and interchangeably connected to the battery holder  36  to provide power to the jacket  10  during operation and to facilitate recharging of the battery pack  38  when not in use. In some embodiments, the battery pack  38  may be used with other types of cordless, battery-powered tools or devices.  FIG. 13 , discussed below, illustrates exemplary tools and devices with which the battery pack  38  may be used. The battery pack  38  also may be used with other power tools or sensing devices not specifically discussed herein. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the battery pack  38  includes a casing  40 , an outer housing  42  coupled to the casing  40 , and a plurality of battery cells  44  positioned within the casing  40 . The casing  40  is shaped and sized to fit within a cavity  46  of the battery holder  36  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or alternatively, in a power tool or non-motorized sensing device to connect the battery pack  38  to the tool or device. The casing  40  includes an end cap  48  to substantially enclose the battery cells  44  within the casing  40 . The illustrated end cap  48  includes two power terminals  50  configured to mate with corresponding power terminals  60  ( FIG. 7 ) extending within the cavity  46  of the battery holder  36 . In other embodiments, the end cap  48  may also include sense or communication terminals that are configured to mate with corresponding terminals within the battery holder or a tool. The outer housing  42  includes a latching arrangement  52  for positively engaging the battery pack  38  with the battery holder  36 . The latching arrangement  52  includes latching tabs  54  and resilient actuating portions  56 . The latching tabs  54  are configured to engage corresponding recesses within the cavity  46  of the battery holder  36 . The resilient actuating portions  56  are coupled to the latching tabs  54  and are configured for a user to selectively disengage the latching tabs  54  from the battery holder  36 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the battery pack  38  includes three battery cells  44  positioned within the casing  40  and electrically coupled to the terminals  50 . The battery cells provide operational power (e.g., DC power) to the jacket  10  or other device. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cells  44  are arranged in series, and each battery cell has a nominal voltage of approximately four-volts (4.0V), such that the battery pack  38  has a nominal voltage of approximately twelve-volts (12V). The cells  44  also have a capacity rating of approximately 1.4 Ah. In other embodiments, the battery pack  38  may include more or fewer battery cells  44 , and the cells  44  can be arranged in series, parallel, or a serial and parallel combination. For example, the battery pack  38  can include a total of six battery cells in a parallel arrangement of two sets of three series-connected cells. The series-parallel combination of battery cells creates a battery pack having a nominal voltage of approximately 12V and a capacity rating of approximately 2.8 Ah. In other embodiments, the battery cells  44  may have different nominal voltages, such as, for example, 3.6V, 3.8V, 4.2V, etc., and/or may have different capacity ratings, such as, for example, 1.2 Ah, 1.3 Ah, 2.0 Ah, 2.4 Ah, 2.6 Ah, 3.0 Ah, etc. In other embodiments, the battery pack  38  can have a different nominal voltage, such as, for example, 10.8V, 14.4V, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cells  44  are lithium-ion battery cells having a chemistry of, for example, lithium-cobalt (Li—Co), lithium-manganese (Li—Mn), or Li—Mn spinel. In other embodiments, the battery cells  44  may have other suitable lithium or lithium-based chemistries. 
         [0028]    The heated jacket  10  includes control circuitry for the heater array  26  and battery pack  38 .  FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the heated jacket  10 . A battery controller  58  receives electricity from the battery pack  38  via battery terminals  60  (disposed within the battery holder  36 ). The battery controller  58  may be configured to monitor a state of charge of the battery pack  38  and, if necessary, shutdown the heater array  26 . 
         [0029]    A heater controller  62  receives inputs from the control button  22  and selectively powers the heater array  26  depending upon the selected thermal output. The display portion  24  is selectively illuminated based upon the selected thermal output setting. The heater controller  62  may be configured to monitor a plurality of conditions of the jacket  10  including, but not limited to, an amount of current drawn by the heater array  26 . The controllers  58 ,  62  are, for example, microprocessors, microcontrollers, or the like, and are configured to communicate with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery controller  58  provides information to the heater controller  62  related to a battery pack temperature or voltage level. The heater controller  62  and the battery controller  58  also include low voltage monitors and state-of-charge monitors. The monitors are used to determine whether the battery pack  38  is experiencing a low voltage condition, which may prevent proper operation of the heater array  26 , or if the battery pack  38  is in a state-of-charge that makes the battery pack  38  susceptible to being damaged. If such a low voltage condition or state-of-charge exists, the heater array  26  is shut down or the battery pack  38  is otherwise prevented from further discharging current to prevent the battery pack from becoming further depleted. 
         [0030]    The heated jacket  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be operated as follows. To turn on the heated jacket  10 , a user presses and holds the control button  22  for a first period (e.g., three seconds). When first turned on, the heater controller  62  causes the heated jacket  10  to enter pre-heat mode. The heated jacket  10  remains in a pre-heat mode for a period (e.g., five minutes) and then the heater controller  62  switches the heater array  26  to a medium thermal output setting. The user may adjust the thermal output setting by actuating the control button  22 . Each press of the control button  22  will cycle the heater controller  62  through one of a sequence of thermal output settings (e.g., low, medium, high). In order to turn off the heated jacket  10  (or de-energize the heater array  26 ), the user presses and holds the control button  22  for a third period (e.g., three seconds). 
         [0031]    As mentioned previously, the control button  22  includes an illuminated display portion  24  to indicate a status of the heaters. The display portion may be, for example, one or more LEDs. In the pre-heat mode, the display portion  24  flashes red. At a low thermal output setting, the display portion  24  glows blue. At a medium thermal output setting, the display portion  24  glows white. At a high thermal output setting, the display portion glows red. Other embodiments may use various other colors or light patterns to indicate thermal output settings. Still other embodiments may indicate a state of charge of the battery pack  38 . 
         [0032]    Various modifications of the control method or sequence are possible. For example, in other embodiments, the user may select a desired temperature rather than a thermal output setting. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates a heated jacket  110  according to another embodiment of the invention. The heated jacket  110  may be constructed in various sizes to fit a variety of users.  FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a heating module  164 , which is coupled to an outside surface of the jacket  110  by way of a strap  166 . Alternatively, the heating module  164  may be coupled to an inner surface of the jacket  110  or disposed inside of an inner pocket of the jacket  110 . 
         [0034]    The heating module  164  includes a battery pack holder  136  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) and a battery pack  38  ( FIG. 5 ). The heating module  164  is electrically coupled to one or more heating coils (not shown) positioned within the jacket  110  to heat the jacket and provide heat to a user wearing the jacket. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple heating coils are employed and positioned in various locations, or zones, within the jacket. For example, separate heating coils may be positioned in an upper torso area and a lower torso area, and may be separately controllable by the user. In further embodiments, a single heating coil may be used, or the heating coils may be positioned at other locations within the jacket, (e.g., the back, arms, etc.). 
         [0035]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the battery holder  136  of the heating module  164  in greater detail. With reference to  FIG. 11 , the battery holder  136  includes an aperture  168  for receiving an end of a cord (not shown), the cord being connected to the one or more heating coils and including a male connector terminal. A female connector (not shown) is positioned within the battery holder  136  adjacent the aperture  168  to receive the male connector and form an electrical connection between the heating coils and the battery pack  38 . The battery holder  136  also includes a hook  170  for securing the cord disposed between the connector and the jacket  110 . 
         [0036]    With further reference to  FIG. 10 , the battery holder  136  includes a housing portion  172  for electrical components, including a circuit board (not shown). The housing portion  172  includes a first button  174 , a second button  176  and a display  178 . The first button  174  and the second button  176  are capable of communicating with the electrical components. In the illustrated embodiment, the first button  174  is pressed by a user to increase the temperature of the heating coils, and the second button  176  is pressed by a user for lowering the temperature of the heating coils. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the display  178  is a seven segment display for representing a heating level indicative of the temperature of the heating coils. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , the battery holder  136  includes a power indicator  182 , such as a light emitting diode (LED) that displays to the user when lit that the battery is connected, the heating coils are on, or the like. A portion of the battery holder  136  defines a battery cavity  184  for receiving the battery pack  38  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0038]    In other embodiments, the battery holder  136  includes an on/off switch (such as the control button  22  discussed above), a fuel gauge that displays the amount of battery power remaining, and a user interface including heat zone controls to individually control the heating coils if multiple heating coils are employed. 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  illustrates exemplary power tools and sensing devices with which the battery pack  38  may be usable. The battery pack  38  may be usable with power tools such as a drill  202 , a pipe cutter  204 , an impact driver  206 , and a reciprocating saw  208 . The battery pack  38  may also be usable with non-motorized sensing devices such as a visual inspection camera  212 , an infrared sensor  214  (such as a thermometer or thermal imaging camera), a clamp-type multimeter  216 , and a wall scanner  218  (such as a “stud finder”). 
         [0040]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.