Patent Publication Number: US-2010115680-A1

Title: Garment Including Electrical Energy Storage Unit

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of garments, including but not limited to utility garments, such as utility vests, and garments that incorporate body armor. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Military and law enforcement personnel often carry battery-operated, portable electronic devices, such as communications equipment, global positioning satellite receivers, laser designators, night vision equipment, flashlights, rangefinders, and the like, while on patrol. Often, personnel carry several, if not many, such portable electronic devices. Batteries for portable electronic devices are either disposed within the devices or exist as dedicated battery packs. Typically, such portable electronic devices and battery packs are attached to belts worn by personnel or are disposed in pouches attached to belts worn by personnel. 
     If a battery of a portable electronic device, whether disposed within the device or existing as a separate battery pack, is struck by enemy fire, the portable electronic device is rendered inoperable. Moreover, such batteries add significant bulk to the devices that are carried by personnel. Conventional, portable electronic batteries and battery packs also add significant single-point weight loads that can be difficult for personnel to carry. 
     Utility garments, such as utility vests, are commonly used to hold equipment and supplies while personnel are working in the field. Conventional utility garments, however, suffer from several problems. For example, pockets of conventional utility garments are not configured to properly hold equipment needed in the field. Moreover, conventional utility garments fail to provide adequate power sources for powering field equipment. Furthermore, it is common for electrical power and communication cables that extend between various pieces of equipment to become entangled while in the field. 
     There are many articles of clothing well known in the art; however, considerable room for improvement remains. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the leftmost significant digit(s) in the reference numerals denote(s) the first figure in which the respective reference numerals appear, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a body armor having a conforming electrical energy storage unit that is operatively associated with a garment; 
         FIG. 2  is a stylized, cross-sectional view of a first illustrative embodiment of the body armor of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a stylized, cross-sectional view of a second illustrative embodiment of the body armor of  FIG. 1 , corresponding to the view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a stylized, side, elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of the body armor of  FIG. 1  having a plurality of electrical energy storage unit sections; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of an electrical connector of the body armor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a stylized, perspective view of illustrative embodiments of body armor used in various locations on a garment; 
         FIG. 7  is a front, perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a utility garment; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear, perspective view of the utility garment embodiment of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a stylized, cross-sectional view of a cable tunnel of the utility garment of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction. 
     The present invention relates to garments, such as utility garments and garments that include body armor. In one embodiment, a body armor having an electrical energy storage unit formed as a layer that substantially conforms to an armor plate. Preferably, the electrical energy storage layer conforms to an outer surface of the armor plate, i.e., the armor plate is disposed between the electrical energy storage layer and a person wearing the body armor when the body armor is in use. The body armor is particularly useful when operatively associated with a garment, such as a vest, that can be worn by a person. Preferably, the electrical energy storage layer comprises a plurality of sections so that, if one of the plurality of sections is damaged, the other sections of the plurality of sections remain operable. Two or more sections of the plurality of sections of the electrical energy storage layer may be electrically coupled, either in parallel or in series. The body armor includes one or more connectors electrically coupled with the electrical energy storage layer and/or with one or more of the sections of the electrical energy storage layer. The electrical connectors provide access to electrical power stored in the electrical energy storage layer. 
     A utility garment, such as a vest, includes a body, a pocket, and an electrical energy storage unit disposed in the pocket. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative embodiment of an armored garment  100  comprising a body armor  101  operatively associated with a garment  103 . In  FIG. 1 , garment  103  takes on the form of a vest. Body armor  101 , however, is also useful with a wide variety of garments other than garment  103 . Moreover, body armor  101  can be operably associated with many different locations on a garment, as is discussed in greater detail herein with regard to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a stylized, cross-sectional view of a first illustrative embodiment of body armor  101 , taken along a line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, body armor  101  comprises an armor plate  201  and an electrical energy storage layer  203  that conforms to armor plate  201 . Preferably, electrical energy storage layer  203  conforms to an outer surface  205  of armor plate  201 . In other words, armor plate  201  is preferably disposed between electrical energy storage layer  203  and a person wearing body armor  101  when body armor  101  is in use, such as with garment  103 . In the illustrated embodiment, a protective layer  207  is disposed about armor plate  201  and electrical energy storage layer  203  to protect electrical energy storage layer  203  and to provide additional comfort for a person wearing body armor  101  when body armor  101  is in use, such as with garment  103 . Preferably, protective layer  207  comprises a textile material. In one embodiment, electrical energy storage layer  203  is adhesively bonded to armor plate  203 , while in an alternative embodiment, electrical energy storage layer  203  is held adjacent armor plate  203  by protective layer  207 . 
     In one embodiment, electrical energy storage layer  203  comprises one or more adjacent rechargeable, lithium ion polymer batteries; however, other types of electrical energy storage units are contemplated by the present invention. Lithium ion polymer batteries are particularly useful in body armor  101  because can be made in thin portions and are not prone to burn when broken or otherwise compromised. Alternatively, electrical energy storage unit  109  may comprise one or more solid state, capacitive, electrical energy storage devices, such as those provided by EEstor, Inc. of Cedar Park, Tex., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,406 to Weir et al., which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Such solid state electrical energy storage devices comprise calcined composition-modified barium titanate coated with aluminum oxide and calcium magnesium aluminosilicate glass. Electrical energy storage unit  203  may alternatively comprise one or more lithium ion batteries, one or more nickel-metal hydride batteries, or the like. 
     Preferably electrical energy storage layer  203  has a thickness T within a range of about 0.5 cm to about 3.0 cm and more preferably within a range of about 0.2 cm to about 2.5 cm. The particular thickness T of electrical energy storage layer  203  depicted in  FIG. 2  is merely exemplary, as other thicknesses T are contemplated by the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , body armor  101  is contoured to better fit a person wearing body armor  101 , such as with garment  103 . Body armor  101 , however, may be substantially planar or exhibit any desired configuration. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a stylized, cross-sectional view of a second, illustrative embodiment of body armor  101 . In the illustrated embodiment, a “self-healing,” polymer layer  301  is disposed between armor plate  201  and electrical energy storage layer  203 , comprising a self-healing polymer such as those produced by the Materials Research Laboratory of the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana, Urbana, Ill. In use, polymer layer  301  at least partially self-heals when punctured or penetrated, such as by a ballistic round. Alternatively, polymer layer  301  is disposed adjacent to armor plate  201  and electrical energy storage layer  203 . Protective layer  207  is disposed about armor plate  201 , polymer layer  301 , and electrical energy storage layer  203 , as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . Other aspects of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  are substantially equivalent to the corresponding aspects of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
     Body armor  101  may comprise a single electrical energy storage layer, such as electrical energy storage layer  203 , which extends over a portion or substantially all of armor plate  201 . Alternatively, a plurality of electrical energy storage layers, such as a plurality of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h  of  FIG. 4 , may be operatively associated with armor plate  201  and conform thereto. While  FIG. 4  depicts a particular number and configuration of electrical energy storage layers, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Rather the particular number and configuration of electrical energy storage layers is implementation specific. 
     The plurality of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h  of  FIG. 4  are arranged such that each of the plurality of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h  are disposed on or adjacent to armor plate  201 . In the illustrated embodiment, some of the plurality of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h  are electrically coupled, while others are not. For example, electrical energy storage layer  401   a  has an electrical connection, represented by lead  403   a  with an electrical connector  105   a , shown in  FIG. 1 , but is not electrically connected to any of electrical energy storage layers  401   b - 401   h . Electrical energy storage layers  401   b - 401   d  are electrically coupled with one another in parallel through a lead  403   b  to an electrical connector  105   b  of  FIG. 1 . Electrical energy storage layers  401   e - 401   h  are electrically coupled with one another in series through leads  403   c - 403   e , and electrical energy storage layer  403   e  is electrically coupled via a lead  403   f  to an electrical connector  105   c  of  FIG. 1 . Other configurations, however, are contemplated by the present invention. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , electrical connectors  105   a - 105   c  provide a way to access electrical power stored in electrical energy storage layer  203  or in one or more of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h . Electrical connectors  105   a - 105   c  also provide electrical ports for recharging electrical energy storage layer  203  or one or more of electrical energy storage layers  401   a - 401   h . While electrical connectors  105   a - 105   c  may have any suitable, desired configuration, and may have different configurations among electrical connectors  105   a - 105   c , one particular configuration is shown in  FIG. 5 . The embodiment of connector  105   a  shown in  FIG. 5  is a push-on, keyed, two-conductor connector. 
     While  FIG. 1  depicts body armor  101  disposed at a front  107  of garment  103 , body armor having conforming electrical energy storage layers may be disposed at many other locations of garment  103 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a body armor  601  is disposed at a back  603  of a garment  605 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , garment  605  takes on the form of a vest. Body armor  607  and  609  are disposed at sides  611  and  613  of garment  605 . Body armor  601 ,  607 , and  609  have constructions such as the constructions depicted in and described relative to  FIGS. 2-4 . It should be noted that one or more body armor, such as body armor  601 ,  607 , and  609 , operatively associated with an article of clothing, such as garment  605 , make up an armored article of clothing  614 . 
     It should be noted that body armor, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 , is also useful when operably associated with other articles of clothing or bodywear. For example, body armor, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 , may be operably associated with helmets, other types of bulletproof vests, lower body armor, and the like. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , an electrical energy storage management system  615  may be operatively associated with body armor, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 , and be disposed within or attached to an article of clothing operatively associated with body armor, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 . Alternatively, body armor, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 , may be operatively associated with an internal or external electrical energy storage layer management system  617 . Electrical energy storage management systems  615  and  617  control the recharging of electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h.    
     Electrical energy storage-operated, portable electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices  619  and  621 , can be electrically coupled with one or more of electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h  via electrical connectors, such as electrical connectors  105   a - 105   c  of  FIG. 1 . Such electrical energy storage-operated, portable electronic devices include, but are not limited to, communications equipment, global positioning satellite receivers, laser designators, night vision equipment, flashlights, rangefinders, and the like. 
     While the primary function of electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h  are to provide electrical power, electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h  also provide ballistic round protection to a person behind electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h  in addition to armor plate  201 . The soft nature of electrical energy storage layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h , relative to armor plate  201 , causes a ballistic round or fragment to spiral upon striking one of layers  203  and  401   a - 401   h , which provides an enhancement to the ballistic resistance of armor plate  201 . 
     A body armor comprises an armor plate, an electrical energy storage layer conforming to a surface of the armor plate, and an electrical connector operably associated with the electrical energy storage layer. 
     An armored article of clothing comprises an article of clothing, an armor plate operably associated with the article of clothing, an electrical energy storage layer conforming to a surface of the armor plate, and an electrical connector operably associated with the electrical energy storage layer. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front, perspective view and  FIG. 8  depicts a rear, perspective view of a utility garment  701 . In the illustrated embodiment, garment  701  takes on the form of a vest. Garment  701  comprises a body  703  that is preferably made from a breathable material, such as nylon mesh. Body  703 , however, may comprise other materials, such as canvas or other textile materials. While garment  701  is depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8  as being sleeveless, the present invention contemplates a garment corresponding to garment  701  but having sleeves for a wearer&#39;s arms. 
     Garment  701  further includes one or more pouches or pockets, such as pockets  705 ,  706 ,  707 ,  801 , and  802  attached to body  703 . One or more of the pockets can be permanently attached to body  703 , for example, by stitching or sewing the one or more pockets to body  703 . Alternatively, one or more of the pockets can be removably attached to body  703 , for example, by one or more hook-and-loop fasteners. In one embodiment, body  703  comprises a textile, non-mesh material to which the one or more pockets are attached. The pockets, such as one or more of pockets  705 ,  706 ,  707 ,  801 , and  802 , may be made from any suitable textile material. In one embodiment, one or more of the pockets is made from a mesh material. 
     While garment  701  may take on many different configurations that are contemplated by the present invention, pockets  705  and  706  of the illustrated embodiment of garment  701  are configured to hold portable video recorders, such as portable video recorder  709 . Pocket  707  is configured in the illustrated embodiment for general use, such as to store spare video recording discs. Pockets  801  and  802  are configured in the illustrated embodiment to hold electrical energy storage units, such as electrical energy storage unit  803 . In one embodiment, one or both electrical energy storage units  803  include lithium or lithium-ion batteries. In other embodiments, one or both electrical energy storage units  803  include one or more solid state, capacitive, electrical energy storage devices, such as those described herein; one or more nickel-metal hydride batteries; or the like 
     Moreover, garment  701  includes an electrical energy storage unit management system, such as electrical energy storage layer management system  617  of  FIG. 6 , which monitors the electrical storage cells in electrical energy storage units  803 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of pockets  705 ,  706 ,  707 ,  801 , and  802  include flap lids  711 ,  712 ,  713 ,  805 , and  806 , respectively, which are retained in a closed position by hook-and-loop fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fastener  715 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, garment  701  includes a shoulder pad  717  disposed at a shoulder  719  of body  703 . Shoulder pad  717  provides cushioning between a shoulder-held video camera (not shown) and a wearer of garment  701 . Shoulder pad  717  may be permanently affixed to body  703  or may be removably affixed to body  703 , such as with one or more hook-and-loop fasteners. In one embodiment, garment  701  includes a second shoulder pad (not shown) corresponding to shoulder pad  719  that is disposed at a shoulder  721  of body  703 . In another embodiment, shoulder pad  717  is configured to be removably attached to either shoulder  719  or  721 , such as by one or more hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     Communication and electrical power cables are incorporated into garment  701 . In the illustrated embodiment, cable  723  extends from portable video recorder  709  in pocket  705  to near a neck  727  of body  703 , and cable  725  extends from electrical energy storage unit  803  to near neck  727 , so that cables  723  and  725  may be electrically connected with a shoulder-held video camera (not shown). Cables  723  and  725  are retained to body  703  by a flexible, cable tunnel  729 . Other cables, such as cable  731  (shown only in  FIG. 7 ), may extend from within body  703  of garment  701  or be otherwise incorporated into garment  701 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a stylized, cross-sectional view of one particular embodiment of cable tunnel  729 . In the illustrated embodiment, cable tunnel  729  comprises a cover  901  attached to body  703  by hook-and-loop fasteners  903  and  905 . Thus, cover  901  may be removed or partially removed from body  703  to install or remove cables  723  and  725  from cable tunnel  729 . Alternatively, cable tunnel  729  may include only one of hook-and-loop fasteners  903  and  905 , such that one side of cover  901  is permanently attached to body  703 . 
     It should be noted that garment  701  may include more than one cable tunnel, such as cable tunnel  729 . The one or more cable tunnels may be disposed at any desired location on body  703 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, garment  701  further includes a zipper  733  for closing body  701  and an adjustable belt  735  to provide additional support for garment  701 . 
     It is also desirable for the embodiments disclosed herein and their equivalents to include an electric charge level indicator, such as a charge level indicator  1001  shown in  FIG. 10  or a charge level indicator  1101  of  FIG. 11 , to indicate the level of electrical charge remaining in electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , respectively), or the like; or in electrical energy storage unit  803  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) or the like. Charge level indicator  1001  indicates a charge level of electrical energy storage unit  109  via a movable needle  1003  positioned over a fixed gage  1005 . Charge level indicator  1101  indicates a charge level of electrical energy storage unit  109  via a plurality of indicator lamps  1103 , such as light emitting diodes. Fewer illuminated lamps  1103  indicate a lower charge level, while a greater number of illuminated lamps  1103  indicate a higher charge level. 
     In certain embodiments, a fuel cell  623 , shown in  FIG. 6 , is provided for recharging electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h , or the like of body armor  101 . In certain embodiments, a fuel cell  807 , shown in  FIG. 8 , is provided for recharging electrical energy storage unit  803 . It should be noted, however, that the present invention contemplates embodiments that include and omit fuel cells  623  and/or  807 . It should also be noted that fuel cells  623  and  807  are merely exemplary of a means for recharging electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h , or the like, and electrical energy storage unit  803  or the like. 
     In certain embodiments, a wireless transmitter  625 , shown in  FIG. 6 , is provided for reporting the health and/or charge condition of electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h , or the like. A wireless receiver  627 , shown in  FIG. 6 , may be provided for receiving instructions to control electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h , or the like, such as turning electrical energy storage layers  203 ,  401   a - 401   h , or the like on, off, etc. In certain embodiments, a wireless transmitter  809 , shown in  FIG. 8 , is provided for reporting the health and/or charge condition of electrical energy storage unit  803 . A wireless receiver  811 , shown in  FIG. 8 , may be provided for receiving instructions to control electrical energy storage unit  803 , such as turning electrical energy storage unit  803  on, off, or the like. 
     Body armor of the present invention, such as body armor  101 ,  601 ,  607 , and  609 , as well as garments incorporating such body armor, provides many unique advantages, including, but not limited to, (1) providing a less-bulky means for powering portable electronic equipment; (2) providing a means for powering portable electronic equipment that has weight distributed about a person&#39;s body; and (3) providing a means for powering portable electronic equipment that also provides enhanced ballistic threat protection. Utility garments of the present invention provide many unique advantages, including, but not limited to, (1) providing an electrical energy storage means integrated with a garment; (2) providing cabling integrated with a garment; and (3) providing cabling integrated with a garment that is easily installed and removed from the garment. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below. It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.