Harness vest with portable safety and illumination lighting

A harness vest carries a lighting system for safety and utility. The vest includes holsters for light modules on front and back shoulder pads. The light modules may be removable or fixed LED strips attached to the front and back shoulder pads. Each lighting module is removable and is controlled by on/off buttons and front-mounted control panels for separate use as portable, personal, lighting devices. Modules are magnetic and may be removable from the harness best and attached to other surfaces for illuminating a work area. The user controls brightness, mode (such as strobe, strobe frequency), and color. The vest can be added to a reflector cover as part of a 5-point breakaway reflector vest.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to safety and utility apparel and, in particular, to vests carrying lighting.

BACKGROUND

Many of our day-to-day activities are uneventful. We go to work and sit at our desk doing our daily duties, answering a few phone calls, emails, and sorting through paper work before rushing out in time to pick up dinner and the kids on the way home. As the day draws to an end, so does the daylight and the skies darken. Headlights crowd the highway and brake lights march into the horizon. Road Crews flood the widened shoulders and narrowed lanes. A police officer, working a roadside accident, navigates traffic around the debris and wreckage. Fire Fighters work to rescue a woman and child from a vehicle while emergency medical service personnel are attempting to revive another. After all of the victims are stable and on their way to the hospital, a tow truck arrives. The operator gets out, sweeps up the broken pieces, and connects the wreckage to his rollback to drag it up onto the flatbed. All of these events are happening in a hostile environment where moving cars, distracted drivers, and low lighting are a recipe for disaster. Not being seen, as well as not having lighting to perform the task at hand exposes these first responders to elevated risk. The officer working the traffic accident may not be visible in the darkness by an oncoming car; the emergency medical technician is having trouble finding a vein to start intravenous fluids while holding a flashlight between neck and shoulder; fire fighters do not have enough light to see what is trapping a victim in the vehicle; and a tow truck operator is having difficulty seeing to hook up the wrecked vehicle to the pull wench. If he turns on the bright lights in order to see the rollback, he may blind approaching drivers that are trying to navigate around the wreckage, while flashing lights from police cars add to the confusion and make it difficult to perceive detail.

There are other examples. There are various solutions for the problem of seeing in low or no light, ranging from flashlights, lanterns, and floodlights for roadside work, to light-emitting diodes attached to a headband. All of these are useful but are not readily adaptable to every circumstance.

SUMMARY

According to its major aspects and briefly described, the present device is a harness vest carrying a portable lighting system for safety and utility lighting. In one embodiment, the present invention is a harness-like vest with holsters that carry light modules and or LED strips. The LED strips and light modules are controllable so that the mode of illumination—steady bright light or flashing light—can be selected by the user. The LED strips or light modules in the holsters on the back of the vest may be used to provide safety lighting for the wearer. Those on the front may also provide both safety lighting as well as utility lighting, that is, lighting for tasks being performed by the wearer.

The vest is harness-like, that is, it is made to be brief and ride high on the wearer's chest, covering just the shoulders of the upper torso, and be just sufficient in size to hold the modules or LED strips, but not so large as to provide extensive body coverage so that the vest interferes with other gear carried or worn by the user (such as body armor worn by police). The configuration of the vest also allows the user to have use of its lighting for hands-free operation.

Each module is removable, that is, it is releasable from the vest and has magnets inside that can be used to stick the LED module on any metal surface such as, for example, the inside of the hood of a car engine compartment, and be easily removable after use, without damaging the metal surface or the module.

The light produced by the LED strips and modules may be selected and controlled by the user in a number of different ways. The front lighting source is an ultra-bright, white LED system that is intended to be used as for hands-free task lighting, or alternatively, as a signaling strobe. LED strips on the back of the vest come in several colors: red, blue, green, yellow, and orange. LEDs strips for the modules may have the ability to change colors. Both LED strips and modules worn on the back of the harness vest may be used in continuous mode or as signaling strobe mode. The brightness, the mode (i.e., continuous mode or strobe mode), and the frequency of flashes in strobe may be controlled by the wearer of the present harness vest either by control buttons on the light module or by pressing a control button carried elsewhere on the vest. LED strips, which are fixed to the vest and, unlike the modules themselves, are not removable, are only controlled from the control panel and an on/off button on the front of the vest.

An example of the present vest suitable for police vest may have utility white LEDs on the front, and blue LEDs on the back that strobe at a moderate frequency. The white LEDs on the front can illuminate a suspect or be used to inspect a license and vehicle registration. The flashing blue lighting on the back can warn others that police (as suggested by the color blue) are at work and that others should stay clear.

Another example of the present vest is an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) worker's vest for use in assisting accident victims. The front of the vest may have white LEDs in a brightest setting to illuminate the victim, for example, for finding a vein to use for starting an intravenous blood transfusion. The vest carries red LEDs on the back of the vest to warn others of the presence of EMS workers. The LEDs may be waterproof or carried within a button that provides a waterproof housing that holds the LED so that they are clearly visible.

These and other features and their advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of safety and utility lighting, from a careful reading of the Detailed Description, accompanied by the following drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, a harness vest10is made of a serviceable material such as nylon fabric that can resist stress in the environment of use. Vest10has four segments: two front shoulder pads14and two back shoulder pads18, shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B. Shoulder pads14,18, are “holster”-shaped and spread out so that the upper portion of vest10, as shown, including both back shoulder pads18, ride on the upper back and shoulders of the wearer, and the lower portion of vest10, including both front shoulder pads14, ride on the upper chest and shoulders of the wearer, with the head of the wearer between both the upper and lower portions and left and right portions. For added strength and to prevent fraying, piping may be applied to the perimeter of shoulder pads14,18. For comfort, padding and felt are added to the wearer-contacting surfaces of shoulder pads14,18, respectively.

Vest10is a harness-type, that is, shoulder pads14,18are shaped to be brief and straps are used hold them in position on the body. Shoulder pads14,18, are mounted high on the chest so as to cover only the upper torso and preferably being limited to both front and back of the shoulders of the wearer so as not to interfere with other gear or the clothing of the user. Significantly, shoulder movement is a better indication of human body movement. Accordingly, having light sources on the shoulders not only suggests that an object is illuminated but, when the wearer moves, suggests a moving human being.

Two shoulder adjustment links22enable the wearer to connect together front and back shoulder pads14,18to fit the wearer. Links22attach to front and back shoulder pads14,18, in any of a variety of ways, including hook and loop fasteners, such as those sold under the trademark VELCRO by Velcro Industries B.V., which are preferred because they adjust readily in two dimensions and a range of angles.

Back shoulder pads18are connected together by a ring connector30. Rear and front shoulder pads14,18, are connected using two side adjustment straps34that are connected to shoulder pads14,18, using any convenient fastener, such as quick-release connectors38that snap together, as best seen inFIG. 1B. Quick-release connectors46,38, respectively, are located on the front of each of shoulder pads14and to each rear shoulder pads18and that attach to underarm straps34or to molly/backpack straps with quick-release connectors38. A quick-release connector38and molly/backpack strap500as shown inFIG. 8can replace underarm strap34to allow the LED vest10to be strapped to a molly/backpack system (webbing system on bullet proof vest with or without bulletproof plates) or to the straps on a typical backpack. Molly/backpack strap500has hook-and-loop fasteners510(also shown inFIG. 8) that allow the strap to be secured to itself to attach to Molly web or backpack straps. Side adjustment straps34run under the arms of the user to connect the front and back of vest10. Front straps42are located on the front of vest10to connect front shoulder pads14together. Front straps42are adjustable and have a quick-release connector38with its two parts shown separated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, to secure vest10across the chest of user.

Front and back shoulder pads14,18carry holsters50for holding a removable light module54with one LED strip52. Each LED strip52has 4 LEDs, and is made of plastic and riveted to the vest10from the inside. Holsters50are curved (as best seen inFIG. 3B) to better conform to the shoulder of the user. Inside each LED strip52there is a metal heat sink. Holster50has metal surface inside for a magnet98to seat a removable module54into holster50, as best seen inFIG. 4B. Magnet98enables module54to be removed from holster50and applied temporarily to any suitable, metal surface for shining the LEDs onto a work area.

Two holsters50are mounted to the back of vest10, one on each back shoulder pad18and positioned at an angle with respect to each other, that is, with the tops of holsters50closer to each other. Light modules54held by holsters50or LED strips52that are located on back pads18are generally used for safety purposes, that is, to provide light signals to alert others that they are approaching the wearer of vest10rather than to provide utility lighting for the wearer. LEDs66(see in particularFIG. 4A) in each of these light modules54may also be used to convey information about the wearer's function. For example, the color of the LED module54may be selected to indicate the type of wearer, such as blue for police and red for fire fighters and yellow for EMS personnel. Yellow is also useful color for pedestrians and green may be used by hunters. LED strips52are a single color and cannot change color from their original color (which is selected at the time of manufacturing). LEDs in LED strips52or modules54may be waterproof or housed in a waterproof holder so that vest10would be wearable in wet weather and be washable.

Two holsters50are mounted to the front of vest10on front shoulder pads14. Holsters50may be oriented vertically and the color of the light modules54carried by holsters50may be selected for utility lighting, or, alternatively, LED strips52may be oriented vertically on shoulder pads14for utility lighting. Utility lighting for LED strips52may be white LEDs65but may alternatively be blue LEDs67to preserve night vision while providing a level of light above ambient light.

Light modules54may be rectangular and made of a plastic such as engineering grade nylon or carbon fiber. Light modules54may carry plural LEDs66.

Control of light modules54located on the shoulder pads18is provided by control pad64, located on front right pad14(as seen onFIG. 1A). Control of LED strips52is located on shoulder pads18but may also be provided by control pad68, located on front right pad14(as seen onFIG. 1B). Control of modules54on the front shoulder pads14is provided by control pad60, located on front left shoulder pad14(as seen onFIG. 1A). Finally, control of LED strips52is located on front shoulder pads14and may be controlled by control pad62, located on front left shoulder pad14(as seen onFIG. 1B).

Control pad60and64controls modules54with a dimming button74, strobe select/constant light76, and color change78, respectively as seen inFIG. 5A. Pressing color select button78carried by modules54enables the user to change the color of the LEDs by selecting white LEDs65to emit white light (task lighting), or selecting RGB LEDs67to emit other colors (red, green, blue, yellow, and or orange). Control pads62,68control LED strips52using buttons for dimming82, strobe operation84, and constant lighting button86(but not color change) as seen inFIG. 5B.

The control buttons on the front of LED modules54have the same functions as the buttons on control pads60,64, that is, a dimming button74, a strobe select/constant light76, and color change button78. When modules54are removed from holsters50, function buttons74,76, and78, on module54are operative on the lights of LED modules54, but when modules54are reinstalled in holsters50, buttons74,76,78, on control pads60,64control the LEDs of LED modules54.

Button92and96, located on opposing front shoulder pads14, are in electrical communication with control pads60,62,64,68. The wearer of vest10may activate button92to change the mode of modules54on the front shoulder pads14, and activate button94to change the modules54on the back shoulder pads18. Similarly, press button93to change the mode of LED strips52on the front to shoulder pads14and button94to change the mode of LED light strips52on back shoulder pads18.

Battery packs100are located on the high shoulder area of back pads18to provide on/off buttons92,93,94,96and control pads60,62,64,68, with electricity to operate modules54and LED strips52. Battery packs100have a universal service bus (USB) charging/control port102used to recharge the system when rechargeable batteries are used. A suitable charger may be similar to a cellphone charger. Charging of the full system, including modules54, can be achieved by plugging the charger into battery pack100using charging port102.

A battery enclosure106is provided inside of light module54along with lighting electrical circuitry and another charging/control port110, located on the back of light module54for recharging the rechargeable battery (if rechargeable batteries are inserted in battery compartment106) and to relay communication between control pads60,64to light module54.

Port110connects to charging/control plug114located on the inside of holster50(as seen inFIG. 3A) when module54is seated in holster50. A battery in battery compartment106allows module54to be removed from vest10and used under its own power battery power for an extended time. For example, a fire fighter may remove a module and set it to red in strobe mode, placing it on the ground to simulate a road flare. When removed, module54may be charged directly though its charging/control plug.

Strobe/continuous lighting button76on control pad60,64(FIG. 5B) enables LEDs66on modules54to operate in strobe mode and controls the duration and type of flash, ranging from a short flash, a long flash, fading flash, and constant light.

Strobe button84on control pad68(FIG. 5A) enables LED strips52to operate in strobe mode and controls the duration and type of flash, ranging from a short flash, a long flash, and fading flash.

Dimmer buttons74and82(FIG. 5A, 5B) controls the brightness of LEDs66on modules54and LED strips52, respectively. This operation is available when the modules54or LED strips52are in strobe or constant lighting mode.

Color change button78(FIG. 5B) on control pad64controls selecting the color emitted by modules54.

Constant lighting button86(FIG. 5A) on control pad68controls placing LED strips52into a constant lighting mode.

Modules54, LED strips52mounted on the front of vest10are typically used for task lighting (white LEDs65). Flood lighting produced by modules54or LED strips52makes it possible to see hands-free, but is not limited to just task lighting. Strobing of LED strips52or modules54may be selected or color change may be selected on the modules54of the vest10for safety strobes and for making a person visible to others. All holsters50are compatible with all modules54and can be changed out at will.

Five-point vest400and reflector cover300are shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B. The reflector covers306,305,308,307(seeFIGS. 6A and 6B) wrap around the individual shoulder pads14,18, of vest10(front right, front left, back right and back left) with Velcro370,380(FIG. 6B) to secure the covers in place. Encasing each shoulder pad14,18, and camouflaging the pads with the 5-point breakaway reflector vest400.

Velcro320shown onFIG. 6Aattach to over shoulder straps22shown onFIG. 1Bto secure front and rear shoulder pads14,18, on vest10. Velcro330(FIG. 6A) attach to battery pack100to secure covers307,308to LED vest10back panels. The covers300are made of the same material as the reflector vest400and adds more reflective material to the LED vest, which replaces the reflective material that the LED vest10covers when attached to the 5-point reflector vest400.

The reflector covers300and 5-point vest400have hook and loop fasteners360,390(FIG. 6B) that when the LED vest10is inside it's reflector covers300attaches to the LED vest10to the 5-point vest400. The hook and loop fasteners360,370,390on the bottom side of reflector cover300as shown inFIG. 6B(attaching points between reflector covers300and the 5-point vest400). The hook fasteners attach the loop fasteners410(FIG. 7D) located on the back of the 5-point vest400in a upside V formation with their closest point in the middle and high up near the neck. The back hook and loop fasteners410are wide and long strips giving more strength of attachment to the rear pads. The front covers have two small hook and loop fastener pads360(FIG. 6B) that attach to the upper chest of the 5-point vest400Velcro420(FIG. 7C) thereby giving the front shoulder pads420less strength of attachment. The rear hook and loop fasteners410have much more strength of attachment ensuring that in the event of the 5-point vest being snagged and a potential dragging action, the LED vest10will disconnect from the front of the 5-point vest400and will remain attached to the back panel of the 5-point vest, for true 5-point breakaway action.

The rear reflector covers307,308(FIGS. 6A and 6B) ensure the rear quick releases38(FIG. 1B). This ensures that the LED vest10cannot be attached to the underarm adjustment straps34(FIGS. 1A and 1B) or any other strap or strapping that would restrict operation of the 5-point breakaway action of vest10and 5-point vest400.

Each reflector cover305,306,307,308has a plastic window310(FIG. 6A) that lines up over top of the LED strips52on its pad. This plastic window310allows the light from the LED strip52to pass through the cover uninhibited.

Modules54or LED strips52mounted to back shoulder pads18are typically used for locating others or safety purposes. These modules54, LED strips52, can be set on strobe or constant light mode to provide a signal beacon to others that someone is ahead, either to warn the others to stay clear or to help them locate the wearer.

Making individuals visible in dangerous settings where visibility is poor is a feature of the present invention. Unlike reflector vests that need light to reflect light, light modules54and LED strips52emit light that can be easily seen at a distance. Police, EMS personnel, fire fighters, and road crews are visible with vest10as they perform their duties at road side. They also have use of hands-free task lighting and can reposition the light modules of the harness vest to a position where the light falls on the work area.

Those skilled in the art of service lighting and portable lighting will readily appreciate that many modifications and substitutions may be made to the foregoing preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.