Abstract:
A suit apparatus constructed from a strong material, such as steel, which is capable of protecting its wearer from projectiles, such as bullets, and including a hydraulic mechanism and a power source, which enables the suit wearer to do mechanical work, such as pushing or lifting heavy objects, using the hydraulic mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention: 
         [0005]    The invention relates generally to electronics and mechanics and more particularly to an improved wearable suit apparatus made of strong material. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    While it appears that attempts were previously made to design ironman like suits, the need for a new, improved and integrated suit apparatus, which enables a suit wearer to, among other things, be protected from projectiles, lift heavy objects, and communicate with others, still exists. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0009]    In one exemplary embodiment a plated suit is combined with an integrated automatic hydraulic system and a power source. Thus, an advantage is that the suit can protect the suit wearer from projectiles such as bullets. Another advantage is that the suit wearer can perform extraordinary mechanical work such as pushing or lifting heavy objects. 
         [0010]    In another exemplary embodiment the suit also incorporates sensors, a computer, a camera and communication means. Thus, an advantage is the ability of the suit wearer to collect information about the surroundings and to process, use or communicate that information to others. 
         [0011]    The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1   a - b  illustrate a front view and a partial back view of the suit, respectively. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the head portion of the suit. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates various stages of the automatic refraction, and locking of the head portion of the suit. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4   a - b  are perspective views of an exemplary chest armor, in locked and unlock position, respectively. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary arc reactor. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary hydraulic mechanism integrated in the suit. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial exploded view of the suit. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8   a - b  illustrate an exemplary leg portion of the suit in locked and unlocked position, respectively. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9   a - b  illustrate an exemplary boot portion of the suit in unlocked and locked position, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
         [0023]    The inventive apparatus is a full body clothing article, constructed of integrated, strong material (e.g., plated boots, plated gloves, plated jacket, etc.) and equipped with sensors to detect body movements, automatic hydraulics mechanism to lift heavy objects, actuators and controllers to bear the weight of an object and at least one power supply. Additional components and functions may be added to the suit, as it will be explained below. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a - b , there is illustrated a new and improved Iron Man Suit apparatus  115 .  FIG. 1   a  is a front view and  FIG. 1   b  is a partial back view of the suit, respectively. The following components of the suit are depicted in  FIGS. 1   a - b : UHF/VHF antenna array  101 , camera platform  102 , suit safety seals  103 , shock mount plate  104 , display panel  105 , plated boots  106 , surplus heat radiator panels  107 , power control panel  108 , forward looking micro pulse radar port  109 , collar assembly cooling access  110 , micro pulse radar port  111 , suit respiration control field  112 , and atmospheric distillation inlet  113 . 
         [0025]    Antennas are generally used for communication. Here, the antenna array  101  may be used, for example, to transmit and receive voice or video signals. It allows the suit wearer to receive and transmit signals from/to, for example, other suit wearers or a command center. 
         [0026]    A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. Here, a camera  102  is integrated into the suit which allows the suit wearer to take images. Such images may have several uses. For example, the images may be used to create a record of the activity of the suit wearer. Such a record may be valuable in, for example, investigating an accident that may have occurred during use of the suit by the wearer. 
         [0027]    The suit safety seals  103  may have button-like functionality and they allow the suit wearer to secure the suit onto the wearer. They are used to better protect the wearer while allowing for better mobility and faster donning The suit safety seals  103  are made of metal or composite materials. 
         [0028]    The shock mount plate  104  is used to mount a power source onto the suit. Such power source may be an arc reactor or a battery pack. The power source supplies power as needed to power different components in the suit. 
         [0029]    The display panel  105  may be used to display various information, which may be useful to the suit wearer. Such information may be related to battery level, time, etc. 
         [0030]    The plated boots  106  may be covered with protective plates or sheets of strong material such as steel. They allow the suit wearer, to some extent, to be protected from injury by blocking various objects from penetrating the boots and injure the suit wearer. As it may be the case with the entire suit, the boots may be only partially plated, in order to reduce the weight of the suit, and thus, facilitate mobility of the wearer. It should be noted, that less plating, while increasing mobility, it also increases the risk of injury to the suit wearer. Thus, a balancing approach has to be instituted, based on the type of missions the suit is designed to be employed for. 
         [0031]    Heat radiators are commonly used to transfer heat energy from one place to another, in which the radiator cools the object by transferring heat energy from the object to the air. The surplus heat radiator panels  107  are used in the suit to transfer heat energy generated by the body of the suit wearer and/or by various components of the suit. The surplus heat radiator panels  107  may be placed at one or more locations on the suit, as needed. 
         [0032]    The power control panel  108  may include a general switch that turns on and off the power to all suit components, and/or separate switches and/or dial meters for each individual component of the suit that needs power in order to function. Thus, the power control panel  108  allows the suit wearer to control the power that is supplied to various components of the suit. 
         [0033]    The forward looking micro pulse radar  109  allows the suit wearer to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of both moving and fixed objects. The determined values of the respective parameters may be displayed on the display panel  105 , and/or communicated to a command center via, for example, satellite communication, and/or audio communicated to the suit wearer directly or indirectly (i.e., from the command center). 
         [0034]    The collar assembly cooling access  110  allows the suit wearer relief from heat generated by his/her body and/or suit components, and from heat accumulated by the suit from the environment. It may include a cooling fan to expedite the cooling process. Cooling accesses may be placed at one or more locations on the suit, as needed. 
         [0035]    The micro pulse radar port  111  may be similar in design and function as the radar used for forward looking micro pulse radar  109  described above. The difference may be that it determines the range, altitude, direction, or speed of both, moving and fixed objects, in opposite direction (e.g., behind or lateral of the suit wearer). Again, the determined values of the respective parameters may be displayed on the display panel  105 , and/or communicated to a command center via, for example, satellite communication, and/or audio communicated to the suit wearer directly or indirectly (i.e., from the command center). 
         [0036]    The suit respiration control field  112  may also be used to cool the suit and the suit wearer. It may include vent(s), air filter(s) and/or cooling fan (s). The atmospheric distillation inlet  113  may work in conjunction with the suit respiration control field  112 , and may also include vent(s), air filter(s) and/or cooling fan (s). It should be appreciated that the suit respiration control field  112  and the atmospheric distillation inlet  113  may be placed in other areas of the suit, as needed for a proper cooling of the suit and suit wearer in the specific work conditions for which the suit is designed. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the head portion of the suit is shown. The following are the components depicted: outer head casing  201 , internal head casing with neural processor  202 , antenna array  203 , sub routine processor  204 , rear head piece  205 , audio processor  206 , transducer array  207 , internal padding  208 , vocal harmonizer  209 , face piece  210 , neck assembly  211 , neck cowl assembly  212 , port suit connection  213 , and suit safety seals  214 . 
         [0038]    The outer head casing  201 , the rear head piece  205 , the face piece  210 , the neck assembly  211  and the neck cowl assembly  212  are used to protect the head, face and neck of the suit wearer from impact injury. They are made of strong materials such as metal or composite materials. 
         [0039]    The internal head casing with neural processor  202 , antenna array  203 , sub routine processor  204 , audio processor  206 , vocal harmonizer  209 , transducer array  207  are all standard components known in the art. They are part of the suit communication system, enabling the suit wearer to communicate with, for example, other suit wearers or a command center. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , various stages of the automatic retraction, and locking of the helmet (i.e., head portion of the suit) are depicted therein. Namely, the unlocked  301 , prior-to-locking  302  and locked  303  positions, respectively, are shown. The automatic retraction of the helmet is controlled by a manual button (not shown in the figure). 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , an exemplary chest armor (i.e., chest portion of the suit) is shown, in locked and unlock position, respectively. The following are the components depicted: locked neck cowl  401 , integrated parts for right rib protection  402 , locked stomach plate  403 , shoulder strap belt  404 , integrated parts for left rib protection  406 , unlocked neck cowl  407 , and unlocked stomach plate  408 . 
         [0042]    The integrated parts for right rib protection  402 , the integrated parts for left rib protection  406 , the neck cowl  401  and the stomach plate  403  are made from strong material like metal or composite material. As is the case with all the other plates of the suit, they are used to protect the suit wearer from blows and other projectile weapons. 
         [0043]    The shoulder strap belt  404  is used to allow the suit wearer to adjust the size of the suit according to the size and comfort of the suit wearer. 
         [0044]    The stomach plate  403  is resizable and can be locked and unlocked. This is allowed by a construction of the stomach plate  403  from smaller plates connected by hinges or similar articulations known in the art. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary arc reactor is shown. The components of a possible construction of a portable arc reactor are depicted, as follows: thermal insulation  501 , cooling tubes  502 , module stack  503 , housing  504 , fin  505 , thermal insulation  506 , mounting interface  507 , heat distribution block  508 , thermoelectric modules  509 , and heat source liner  510 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary automatic hydraulic mechanism is shown, which may be integrated in the suit in order to enable the suit wearer to perform extraordinary mechanical work, such as lifting or pushing heavy objects, which would be otherwise impossible using only the human body&#39;s power. The following components of the automatic hydraulic mechanism are depicted, as follows: sensors  601 , cylinder actuator  603 , valves  604 , cables  605 , and computer  606 . It should be apparent that the hydraulic system would also include hydraulic lines (not shown) and one or more hydraulic pumps (not shown). 
         [0047]    The suit may be configured such that when the suit wearer will attempt to lift a heavy object, one or more sensors  601  will detect the attempt and will also collect information that would help determine or estimate the weight of the object. This information will then be sent to the computer  606 , which will process the information and send a command through cables  605  to cylinder actuator  603  to engage and to produce an adequate hydraulic power. 
         [0048]    The cylinder actuator  603  is a device that converts hydraulic power into useful mechanical work by means of a tight piston moving in a closed cylinder. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a partial exploded view of the suit is depicted. As shown, the suit may be constructed to function as body armor. The plate-based design of the suit permits greater mobility of the wearer while still providing a high degree of protection. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , an exemplary leg portion of the suit in locked and unlocked position, respectively, is shown. Similarly, in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , an exemplary boot portion of the suit in unlocked and locked position, respectively, is shown. 
         [0051]    Again, the inventive apparatus is a full body clothing article, constructed of integrated, strong material (e.g., plated boots, plated gloves, plated jacket, etc.) and equipped with sensors to detect body movements, hydraulics mechanism to lift heavy objects, actuators and controllers to bear the weight of an object and at least one power supply. Additional components and functions may be added to the suit, as explained above. 
         [0052]    It should be understood that sensors may be placed on different sections or components of the suit, as needed. Sensors may be used to detect the movement of the wearer. 
         [0053]    The inventive suit can be used in military applications and logistics. The suit also affords the wearer with protection against directed projectile weapons, at least to a certain extent. 
         [0054]    In addition to providing adequate protection from the projectile weapons, the inventive clothing preferably also provides flame resistance, wear resistance, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and wearer acceptance and comfort. 
         [0055]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0056]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the invention.