Abstract:
An electrically conductive apron and a removable ground strap worn as an electric stun device misuse countermeasure made from metal coated fabrics, that effectively short circuits the electric stun device to itself and/or to an electrically ground floor when the stun voltage is applied to the electrically conductive apron. The electrically conductive apron is lightweight, does not decrease mobility, readily concealable, can be worn under or over street clothes, has an option of padding elements and is easily manufactured.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/516,683, filed Mar. 21, 2011 entitled “ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE APRON AND ACCESSORY TO PROTECT AGAINST ELECTRIC STUN DEVICE MISUSE” which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119 (e). 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to protective garments and, more particularly, to a garment in the form of an electrically conductive apron and accessory that protects the user&#39;s torso by disrupting the effectiveness and functionality of electric stun devices used in criminal and terrorist activities which can be worn under or over street clothes, as the user prefers. 
         [0005]    Electric stun devices have evolved with several methods for the delivery of a high voltage discharge to an intended target. Some of these methods include direct contact probes on the enclosure of the hand-held power supply for a direct contact method. Another method employs an auxiliary source propelled projectile with all elements of the power supply contained within the projectile. Yet another method utilizes electrically conductive liquids forcibly expelled from the hand-held power supply to deliver an immobilizing electric charge to a target. The most current and commercially available delivery system is that of dual compressed air propelled projectiles as the high voltage electrodes with attached wires to the hand-held power supply. The leading end of each electrode-projectile is fitted with a barbed wire to penetrate the surface of, and secure itself to a target. This two tethered electrode-projectile method is the system incorporated in the TAZER® device. With the announcement that TAZER® devices are now available to the general public, the need for suitable countermeasures in the form of protective garments and accessories be made available stems from the same reasons why TAZER® devices and other electric stun devices were originally developed. These reasons generally amount to the circumvention of criminal activity and to subdue the criminal. The following U.S. Patents disclose electric stun devices and the method of electric charge delivery of each are cited. U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,538 entitled “ARREST DEVICE” issued on Aug. 11, 1970 to Kunio Shimizu discloses a delivery system that incorporates a single compressed air propelled projectile with two embedded electrodes and attached wires to the hand-held power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,463 entitled “WEAPON FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE” issued on Apr. 9, 1974 to John H. Cover and U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,538 entitled “POWER SUPPLY FOR WEAPON FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE” issued on Feb. 24, 1981 to John H. Cover each disclose delivery systems each using one or two electrode-projectiles or a net, tethered with a sufficient number of separate wires to the hand-held power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,140 entitled “ELECTRONIC DEFENSIVE WEAPON” issued on Aug. 18, 1987 to John Hammes discloses a delivery system that employs the direct contact method previously described. U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,366 entitled “ELECTRICAL STUN GUNS AND ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE LIQUIDS” issued Apr. 7, 1992 to Gregory Battochi discloses a delivery system that dispenses charged electrically conductive liquids from the hand-held power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,501 entitled “LONG RANGE ELECTRICAL STUN GUN” issued on Dec. 5, 1995 to James P. Claypool discloses a delivery system which uses a wire-less projectile with self-contained electronics to convert a received laser beam into a stun voltage. U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,867 entitled “IMMOBILIZATION WEAPON” issued on Aug. 5, 1997 to John H. Murray discloses a dual delivery system with the choice of the direct contact method or the two tethered electrode-projectile method. U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,199 entitled “WEAPON FOR IMMOBILIZATION AND CAPTURE” issued on Nov. 3, 1998 to James McNulty Jr. et at discloses a delivery system that employs a modified two tethered electrode-projectile method. U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,806 entitled “NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE FOR DELIVERING AN ELECTRIC SHOCK TO A LIVING TARGET” issued Oct. 5, 1999 to Peter G. Coakley et al discloses a delivery system that employs an auxiliary source propelled projectile with all elements of the power supply contained within the projectile. U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,073 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A TWO PROJECTILE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE WEAPON” issued Jun. 10, 2003 to James McNulty Jr. et at discloses the use of a modified two electrode-projectile delivery system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,412 B2 entitled “HAND-HELD STUN GUN FOR INCAPACITATING A HUMAN TARGET” issued on Oct. 21, 2003 to Patrick W. Smith discloses a delivery system that employs the two tethered electrode-projectile method. In addition to the reasons for the need of such devices stated in the aforementioned patents, the increasing activity of international terrorists and the increased accessibility to stun devices present a potentially serious problem to law enforcement agencies as well as to the general public. It is also noted that the alleged misuse of such devices by law enforcement officers and security guards have been reported by the news media on numerous occasions. 
         [0006]    All of the electric stun devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents incorporate some form of electric and/or electronic circuitry which, if short-circuited, will disable the device by reducing the high voltage charge to a low or zero voltage. If these electric stun devices are operated with a short-circuit condition for a prolonged period of time, it is most likely that the electrical and/or electronic circuitry would be damaged and render the device useless until it is completely disassembled and repaired. Various puncture resistant garments, which are electrically conductive, are generally rigid shields worn external of clothing and are constructed of bulky, inflexible metals such as titanium or other extremely hard metal alloys. A more detailed analysis of these metallic vests and garments can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,193 entitled “COMBINED PUNCTURE RESISTANT AND BALLISTIC RESISTANT PROTECTIVE GARMENT” issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Thomas E. Bachner Jr. The disadvantages of the garments described in the “Background of the Invention” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,193 are due to the bulk and rigidity of such externally worn metallic vests. The primary disadvantages are that they are uncomfortable to wear, decrease mobility, cause fatigue and are not readily concealable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrically conductive apron and accessory which protects the user&#39;s torso against the misuse of most of the multitude of available electric stun devices by short circuiting the high voltage probes and/or the electrode-projectiles of the electric stun device power supply across each other, causing the effects of the electric stun device to be negligible. It is another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically conductive apron and accessory which protects the user&#39;s torso against the aforementioned misuse by providing an alternate circuit path for directing the stun current to an appropriate electrical ground, thus causing the effects of the electric stun device to be negligible. It is yet another object that an electrically conductive apron and accessory of the present invention is lightweight and flexible as not to decrease the mobility of the wearer. It is still another object that an electrically conductive apron and accessory of the present invention is readily concealable while worn. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention in its details and of fabrication and arrangement of materials will be seen from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when considered with the drawings and from the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a first embodiment of the present invention comprising an electrically conductive apron and a removable ground strap; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of the first embodiment of the present invention with a removable ground strap attached to an electrically conductive apron using a fastener as a means of attachment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a second embodiment of the present invention comprising an electrically conductive apron and a removable ground strap; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is view of the second embodiment of the present invention with a removable ground strap attached to an electrically conductive apron using a fastener as a means of attachment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a view of an electrically conductive apron of the first embodiment of the present invention comprising at least two layers of a metalized fabric forming a pocket; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a view of an electrically conductive apron of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 5A  with a padded element comprising at least one layer of resilient material inserted into a pocket formed by two layers a metalized fabric. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention has the primary objective of providing an effective protection against the debilitating effects of electric stun devices. The present invention accomplishes this in one of two ways. The first way is by providing an electrical short circuit current path between the two electrodes of an electric stun device using either the direct contact method or the two tethered electrode-projectile method when in contact with the present invention. The short circuit current path will effectively nullify the debilitating effects of the electric stun device. If the electric stun device is operated in contact with the present invention for a significant period of time, the electric stun device may be damaged and become inoperable. The second way is by providing an electrical short circuit current path between one electrode-projectile of an electric stun device using the two tethered electrode-projectile method and to a floor that is a good electrical ground. The surface of the Earth, or a metal surface grounded to the Earth are suitable floors. 
         [0015]    Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. All drawings are of an approximate proportion and approximate scale. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is the first embodiment of the present invention of which two components are illustrated. The components of the present invention illustrated are an electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) and a removable ground strap ( 2 ). Each of the components in all embodiments of the present invention comprises at least one layer of a metal coated fabric. The electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises at least two layers of a metal coated fabric. Metal coated fabrics are readily available from companies such as Swift Textile Metalizing LLC of Bloomfield, Conn. The base fabrics offered by such companies include continuous loop, knit, nonwoven point bonded, rip stop, and the like which are well known to those skilled in the art. The metal coatings that are commonly available are nickel and/or silver however, other metal coatings that include copper and gold are available. The electrical resistance of these metal coated fabrics range from 0.1 ohm per square inch of metal coated fabric to 2.0 ohm per square inch of metal coated fabric for the samples reviewed. The ohm per square inch standard of measurement is derived from measuring the electrical resistance across two opposite sides of a one inch square piece of metal coated fabric. Use of an ohmmeter for measuring electrical resistance is well known to those skilled in the art. A nonwoven point bonded fabric coated with nickel/silver with an electrical resistance of 0.1 ohm per one square inch of metal coated fabric was selected for the first prototype of the present invention. The electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises at least two layers of metal coated fabric that are joined together at the edges of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) in a manner such that adjacent layers of the metal coated fabric are free to move relative to each other.  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate a pocket ( 8 ) that is formed by this freedom of movement and will be discussed in greater detail in the  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  descriptions. In more detail, referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , a metal snap fastener ( 3 ) is shown at a plurality of locations. The metal snap fasteners ( 3 ) serve as a means of attaching the removable ground strap ( 2 ) and as a means of closure for pocket ( 8 ). The number of locations of the metal snap fastener ( 3 ) is not limited to the number of locations depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . The metal snap fastener ( 3 ) of this type is hammered or pressed directly onto the metal coated fabric assuring a good electrical connection between the components of the present invention. The pattern and size of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) is determined by the user&#39;s requirements. The first embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 1  illustrates a pattern of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) that covers either the front or the back of the user&#39;s torso. The pattern would be enlarged to accommodate both the front and the back of the torso, simultaneously and is discussed in greater detail in the  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  descriptions. Each component of the present invention can be sewn or adhesively bonded into the desired patterns or the like. Such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art. Electrical continuity throughout the surfaces of each component must be established and confirmed with an ohmmeter. A tie string pair ( 4 A), a tie string pair ( 4 B) and a tie string pair ( 4 C) are illustrated at a plurality of locations on the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to secure the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to the neck and to the torso of the body in the same manner as kitchen aprons commonly available a most retail stores. The tie string pair ( 4 A) is for securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the present invention around the neck. The tie string pair ( 4 B) is for securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the present invention around the upper torso. The tie string pair ( 4 C) is for securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the present invention around the lower torso. A tie string pair ( 4 D) and a tie string pair ( 4 E) are illustrated at a plurality of locations on the removable ground strap ( 2 ). The tie string pair ( 4 D) and the tie string pair ( 4 E) are for securing the removable ground strap ( 2 ) to the leg of the user. In other embodiments of the present invention, tie string pairs can be replaced by adjustable straps or other methods of placing the present invention into service such as securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to the clothing normally worn by the user, known as street clothes. The methods of securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to the street clothing may be temporary or permanent and include such methods as buttons, hook and eye type fasteners, hook and loop type fasteners, pins, snaps, Velcro strips and the like. A particular method of securing the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to street clothes may be used exclusively or in combinations with one or more methods. Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a view of the first embodiment of the present invention with the removable ground strap ( 2 ) affixed to the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) with at least one metal snap fastener ( 3 ). The electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) is shown as if conforming to the torso of a user. The function of the removable ground strap ( 2 ) is to direct the electric charge from a electric stun device to a good electrical ground. The removable ground strap must be long enough to extend from the point of attachment to the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) to the point where the other end comes in contact with the surface of a floor ( 5 ), being a good electrical ground. If the removable ground strap is in contact with a floor ( 5 ) made of asphalt, concrete, tiling, wood or any other insulating material, the required good electrical ground would not be established. In the case of the floor ( 5 ) being the Earth or a metal surface that has been grounded to a good electrical ground, a path for electric current would be established. The tie string pair ( 4 D) and the tie string pair ( 4 E) enable the user to secure the removable ground strap ( 2 ) to the leg. Tie string pair ( 4 A) is shown in a position relative to the head and neck of a user. Since the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) is shown as if conforming to the torso of a user, tie string pair ( 4 B) and tie string pair ( 4 C) are obscured from view. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. An electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) is an enlarged pattern of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) protects the front and the back of the user&#39;s torso. The removable ground strap ( 2 ) is the same in as in the  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  descriptions of the first embodiment. The electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises at least two layers of the metal coated fabric as disclosed in the discussion for  FIG. 1 . The construction methods for the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) are the same the same as the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) disclosed in the discussion for  FIG. 1 . A neck opening ( 7 ) is provided to insert the head of the user for placement around the neck and on the shoulders of the user replacing the tie string pair ( 4 A). A tie string pair ( 4 F), a tie string pair ( 4 G), a tie string pair ( 4 H) and a tie string pair ( 4 J) are illustrated at a plurality of locations on the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) to secure the sides of the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) to fit the torso of the body in the same manner as painter&#39;s aprons available in most retail stores. The tie string pair ( 4 H) secures the top of one side of the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ). The tie string pair ( 4 F) secures the bottom of the one side the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ). The tie string pair ( 4 J) secures the top of the other side of the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ). The tie string pair ( 4 G) secures the bottom of the other side of the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ). 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a view of the second embodiment of the present invention with the removable ground strap ( 2 ) affixed to the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) with at least one metal snap fastener ( 3 ). The electrically conductive apron ( 6 ) is shown as if conforming to the torso of a user. The neck opening ( 7 ), tie string pair ( 4 F) and tie string pair ( 4 H) are shown at proper orientations. Tie string pair ( 4 G) and tie string pair ( 4 J) are obscured from view. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is view from the bottom of the first embodiment of the present invention comprising at least two layers of the aforementioned metal coated fabric forming a pocket ( 8 ). The layers are joined together at the edges in a manner such that adjacent layers of metal coated fabric are free to move relative to each other and have electrical continuity between each other. A seam ( 9 ) on each side of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ) is shown. The method of bonding is selected from the group including adhesive application and sewing. This freedom of movement will allow pockets to be formed. The opening of the pocket is shown at the bottom of the electrically conductive apron ( 1 ), but may be on either side or top of either embodiment. Metal snap fasteners ( 3 ) are arranged along the opening of the pocket for closure of the pocket. Other methods of closure may be substituted and are well known to those skilled in the art. The second embodiment of the present invention comprises at least two layers of metal coated fabric, with pocket formation on the back as well as the front of the electrically conductive apron ( 6 ). 
         [0021]      FIG. 5B  depicts a view of  FIG. 5A  with a padded element ( 10 ) inserted in the pocket ( 8 ). The padded element ( 10 ) is either permanently bonded within the pocket ( 10 ) or selectively removable from the pocket ( 8 ). The padded element ( 10 ) is not intended to stop the electrode-projectile of an electric stun device, but to absorb some of the kinetic energy of the electrode-projectile motion. Each padded element ( 10 ) is preferably manufactured from at least one layer of resilient material, such as foams, including molded dual density foam, Buna-n, ECH, EVA, gum, neoprene, polyurethane, silicon and Viton® foams. The resilience of a material includes the ability to return to its original shape after compression or recovery from compression. Ratings for the recovery from compression are generalized as fair, good and excellent. Buna-n foam has a general rating of fair. EVA, neoprene, polyurethane, silicon and Viton® foams have a general rating of good. ECH and gum foams have a general rating of excellent. The firmness of a foam is the amount of pressure required to compress the foam to a given percentage (% deflection) of its thickness and is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The higher the psi value, the firmer the foam. A higher psi value also indicates a greater density or mass per cubic unit of measurement. 
         [0022]    The ratings for firmness are very soft (0 to 2 psi), extra soft (2 psi to 5 psi), soft (5 psi to 9 psi), firm (9 psi to 13 psi), extra firm (13 psi to 17 psi) and very firm (17 psi and up). These factors of firmness and resilience are important in the selection of the material for the padded element ( 10 ) for added protection against an electric stun device using the two tethered electrode-projectile method. When any padded element ( 10 ) is comprised of at least two layers of resilient material, the layers are bonded together at the edges of the padded element ( 10 ) in a manner such that the adjacent layers of the resilient material are free to move relative to each other. This fabrication technique of the padded element ( 10 ) aids in redirecting some of the kinetic energy of a electrode-projectile of an electric stun device. The method of bonding includes adhesive application, ultrasonic bonding or any other method suitable for the bonding of the resilient material selected for the manufacture of the padded element ( 10 ). 
         [0023]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the vast amount of protection, the ease of concealment, the relative comfort and minimal decrease of mobility provided while the present invention is in use and the relative ease which the present invention may be manufactured. 
         [0024]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.