Patent GB-967457-A (GB)
Title: Omni-environment inflatable suit for high altitude flight
Inventor: KRUPP CARROLL PETER
IPC: A43B3/02
Filed: 1960-11-02
Abstract: 967,457. Inflatable flying suits; top boots. B. F. GOODRICH CO. Nov. 2, 1960, No. 37692/60. Headings A3B and A3V. [Also in Division A5] An inflatable protective suit has a torso portion made from a flexible laminated structure including an inner layer of flexible textile fabric which is substantially inextensible in one direction longitudinally of the torso portion but which has appreciably greater extensibility in a direction circumferentially of the torso portion, and an outer layer of flexible textile fabric which is substantially inextensible in both its lengthwise and crosswise directions, and a continuous gas-impervious layer of elastomeric material between said inner and outer fabric layers and adhered to each layer. The inner wall 39 comprises ribbed knit stockinette fabric with the ribs extending longitudinally of the torso and coated on its outer surface with rubber &c., while the outer wall 42 comprises square woven textile fabric coated on both faces with rubber &c. The walls are banded together in the upper, middle and lower back region of the torso portion, and longitudinal and circumferential bands 46, 47 consisting of fabric cords covered by an extruded rubber strip are attached to the outer wall. Similar dual-walled constructions and bands are provided in the upper arm portions 78, gauntlets 84 thigh portion 103 and boots 115. At the waist region the outer wall is divided, the two edges being adjustably connected by lacing 57, and the inner wall behind the lacing is of bellows-like extensible contruction. The lower front portion 58 of the outer wall is detachably joined to the inner wall and the leg coverings by a sliding clasp fastener 59 and a vertical fly opening with a sliding clasp fastener 62 is provided in the lower front portion of the inner wall 39. The upper arm portions 78 are rotatably connected to the shoulders of the torso portion. Corrugated joint members 33, 31, 35, 37 are provided in the upper arm, elbow, thigh and knee regions, the members 33, 31 also being rotatably connected together. The outer wall of the gauntlet 84 is adjustably connected to the elbow joint 31 by lacing 99. The suit has an entrance opening closable by a sliding clasp fastener 61 extending from above the lacing 57 at one side, vertically up the front of the suit, round the back of the neck and correspondingly down the other side of the front. Boots. The boots 115, Fig. 9 are of dual walled construction comprising an inner lining 116 of rubberized cotton stockinette fabric and an outer covering 121 of squarewoven nylon fabric without a rubber coating, the covering being adhesively secured to the coating only in the shoe-shaped part 117 and at the back of the boot along a narrow vertical zone. The outer covering has a longitudinal slit closable by a sliding clasp fastener 122. An arch support 118 and a flexible laterally jointed wooden inner sole 119 are adhesively secured to the inner and outer sides respectively of the lining 116. The boot is completed by a rubber sole and heel 120. The outer covering 121 is adjustably connected to the knee joint 37 by lacing 127. Helmet. The helmet consists of an outer spherical portion and an inner hood and diaphragm. The outer portion is of laminated stockinette and square-woven fabric and rubber construction with a transparent plastic visor 129. An opening closable by a sliding clasp fastener 137 extends from one side of the back of the head, round the front of the neck to the other side of the back of the head. The inner hood 140 is stretchable and has an integral annular diaphragm (not shown) for separating the interior of the helmet from the rest of the suit. The hood is bounded by a resilient sealing strip 143 and has a rear longitudinal opening with a sliding clasp fastener 144. The ear portions 173 of the hood may be cut away and replaced by a thinner rubberized woven fabric allowing improved sound transmission. Three small conduits 155-157 with upturned nozzles 160-162 are supplied with oxygen which is directed along the visor to prevent fogging. Specifications 679,586, 954,987, and 954,988 are referred to.