Abstract:
An apparel power system and method of using such system is disclosed. The power system provides a source of electrical energy for electrically powered accessories attached or integrated to apparel worn by the user of a vehicle without requiring the use of wires and plugs connections between the user and the vehicle. The vehicle may be a snowmobile, ATV, UTV, motorcycle, watercraft and the like. The electrical power of the vehicle is transferred from the handlebar to a glove or a wearable adaptor. Holding of the handlebar by the user creates a contact allowing electrical energy transfer from the handlebar to the glove which is subsequently transferred from the glove to accessories attached or integrated to an item of clothing such as a coat using embedded wires or overlying connection to provide the apparel with the ability to power various accessories such as heated gloves, heated vest, power visor, visibility lights, cell phone, and the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/236,205, entitled “Apparel Power System and Method of Using the Same”, and filed at the United States Patent Office on Oct. 2, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a system and process to provide electrical power for clothing accessories worn or carried by the user of a vehicle such as a heater. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are presently two groups of personal thermo-regulated apparels. These two groups are active and passive. Active thermo-regulated apparel is designed to maintain the temperature that the user has selected while passive thermo-regulated apparel is not capable of maintaining the selected temperature over time. Currently available products in the active thermo-regulated apparel group are only capable of single applications such as heating or cooling. Current active heating technologies generally incorporate resistive heating. For example, Polartec® has integrated electrically resistive heating technology into a jacket. Similarly, compressive cooling is typically used in most currently available cooling apparel items. 
         [0004]    Passive heating systems are generally chemical reaction heating systems. Likewise, passive cooling systems have included cooling with a phase change material, however, the systems currently available have not provided a system and process for heating and cooling that can be incorporated in wearable apparel for a wide variety of uses. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,294 to Scaringe et al. describes a Micro-Climate Control Vest which contains a phase change material with a solid-to-liquid phase change as a cooling medium. The vest may also have an optional second phase change material layer of ice and an optional outer insulation layer. The inner liner containing the phase change material is divided into individual compartments due to the rigidity of the phase change material in its solid state. Thus, the apparel is rigid and inflexible making it uncomfortable to wear. Another example of apparel incorporating phase change material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,931 to Senee et al. Senee describes a battery powered electric heating device incorporating phase change material such as salt for warming various body parts. The salt serves as a heat storage medium and as a temperature regulator for the resistance heater since it can absorb a lot of heat without rising above its melt temperature. As in many other devices of this nature, the rigidity of the system along with the rigidity of the salt make the system difficult to incorporate into various apparel items. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,158 to Fiedler describes a heating pad for warming body parts that use a supercooled phase change material salt solution for heat storage. The phase change material is liquefied and then can be cooled to room temperature without solidifying. A trigger is used to activate the salt, causing an exothermic crystallization. This device is sold with a cloth or neoprene cover to prevent burns when it is placed against the skin. Furthermore, this system is difficult to incorporate into apparel for heating and cooling the body. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,291 to Vigo et al. describes another method of making fibers with thermal storage properties by filling the core of a hollow fiber with a phase change material or absorbing a phase change material onto the surface of a non-hollow fiber. The phase change materials described include cross-linked polyethylene glycol and plastic crystals that have a solid-to-solid crystalline phase change. These fibers do not allow absorption of enough phase change material into the containment material to be of practical use in heating or cooling. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,671 to Klett et al. describes a closed-cycle cooling and protective apparatus. The apparatus includes a thermal battery cooling source. Unfortunately, this system is rigid and must be completely closed. Furthermore, even a small amount of damage to the system would render the system non-functional making it unsuitable for harsh working conditions. 
         [0009]    Although several heating systems exist, they all require energy. On one hand, battery powered systems require recharging of the battery and may not last for the full duration of long vehicle rides. On the other hand, wired system requires that the apparel be hard wired to the vehicle creating a situation which is not desirable for recreational vehicles. As such, both systems have significant shortcomings when used with recreational vehicle specifically for such vehicle that may be in use for prolonged periods of time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The shortcomings of the prior art are generally mitigated by providing a heated clothing system which provide a source of electrical energy to the apparel worn by the driver or user of a vehicle without the need for a hard wired link between the driver and the vehicle. The vehicle may be a snowmobile, ATV, UTV, motorcycle, watercraft or any like recreational vehicle or motor vehicle where electrically powered apparel or equipment accessories are worn by the driver. As such, the word ‘vehicle’ as used throughout should not be limited to the types of vehicles listed above but should be understood as including any suitable vehicle which the person with the skills in the art would recognize as such. 
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the electrical energy is transferred from the handlebar to the glove upon holding of the handlebar by the user and subsequently from the glove to the apparel thus providing the ability to power a battery embedded in or mounted in or on the apparel. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, the battery may be used to power various accessories such as heated gloves, heated vest, power visor visibility lights, a cell phone, etc . . . So even when hands are not on the handlebars, there is always electrical power in the energy source, typically a battery to power the various accessories. 
         [0013]    An apparel power system comprising a handlebar connector, a glove connector, an apparel having a power storage unit operatively connected to the glove connector and heating module or electrically powered accessories mounted on the apparel or in connection therewith (for example power visor visibility lights). 
         [0014]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of powering apparel accessories is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of:
       a. wearing the apparel;   b. connecting the glove connection elements to the lower extremity of the sleeve of the apparel;   c. activating the switch board for the desired function;   d. placing the at least one hand having the said glove on its corresponding handlebar;   e. substantially aligning the positive and negative glove connectors over the corresponding positive and negative handlebar connection elements.       
 
         [0020]    According to one aspect of the present invention an item of apparel for heating or cooling is disclosed. The apparel comprising a power storage unit, an actuator or switch, a heating or cooling module operatively connected with the power storage unit and an apparel connector electrically connected to the power storage unit. The apparel connector having a positive and negative pole connection configured to interact in an electrically conductive manner with a complementary vehicle connector located on the vehicle handlebar. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heated apparel power system and method of using the same may be used by a variety of users, such as pilot of agricultural machinery, forestry equipment and industrial machinery. Applications of one embodiment of such system may also be useful in the mining industry where the temperature may vary. The miner most often have regular interactions with machinery able to transfer power to the apparel via the user interaction. 
         [0022]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the heated apparel power system is configured to allow an apparel to keep a temperature of about 45 to about 60 degree Celsius for different levels of intensity. The heated apparel power system is also typically suited with a power storage unit having an autonomy of about two hours on a full charge with a use of the heated pad at the minimum intensity level. According to one embodiment, the heated apparel has the ability to power essential apparel props such as coat and/or gloves when relying solely on the power storage unit, that is the contact between the pilot and the vehicle is interrupted. 
         [0023]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the apparel power system is designed to be without any negative impact on the pilot comfort while preferably not harming the esthetic of the components. 
         [0024]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparel power system is compatible with a power supply having about 12 to about 13.8 volts while requesting a power of about 5-15 Amps. 
         [0025]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparel power system may be designed with a power supply having about 24 to about 30 volts while requesting a power of about 3-10 Amps. 
         [0026]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the apparel power system comprises a hand or wearable adaptor that may be worn by the user instead of the glove or may be worn over a glove. The wearable adaptor is an adaptor the user wears on his hand when the user is not wearing gloves. The wearable adaptor may transfer the power from the vehicle handle bar to the apparel or accessories upon contact and thus powers accessories while the gloves are not required. Such an embodiment may be of use on hot weather days on a motorcycle while accessories need to be powered but while the user prefers to ride without the use of gloves. The hand/wearable adaptor is configured to transfer vehicle power to the apparel without the need of hard wiring. The hand adaptor typically transfers power from the contact between the user&#39;s hand and the vehicle handle bar. 
         [0027]    Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an ATV having an exemplary apparel power system installed thereto; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is close up view of the right side handlebar of the ATV of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of handlebar having an exemplary apparel power system installed thereto; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a under plan view of an un-mounted exemplary apparel power system without the stitching; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a under plan view of an exemplary glove compatible with the apparel power system; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a partial top view of an exemplary coat compatible with the apparel power system; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the apparel power system; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the apparel power system; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a partial top view of an exemplary strap embodiment compatible with the apparel power system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]    A novel apparel power system and method of using the same will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment, the system comprises a power source (the vehicle), a vehicle connector (typically attached to the handle bar), a vehicle power to connector interface, an apparel connector, electrical connection means between the apparel connector and a power storage (for example a battery) attached or integrated to the apparel and/or to one or more accessories requiring the power. 
         [0040]    The apparel power system  50  comprises an energy transfer means linking the apparel worn by a user  52  of a vehicle  10  to a power generating source, typically the vehicle&#39;s  10  own energy generation system. The energy transfer occurs through contact of apparel connectors with the vehicle connectors without the need for a hardwired connection. Accordingly, the energy is transferred from the vehicle  10  to the user&#39;s apparel  200 ,  300  through the contact of the apparel connectors generally disposed on the palm and/or finger portion of at least one glove  200  and the corresponding vehicle connectors disposed on the hand receiving surface of the handlebar  82  matching the side of the glove  200  having the connector. Recreational motor vehicles generally require handling of the handlebar during use of the vehicle  10 , therefore the user&#39;s glove  200  is at least in contact with the handlebar  82  of the vehicle  10  during its use and most likely almost always in contact with the handlebar  82 . 
         [0041]    According to one embodiment, now referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the apparel power system  50  has a handlebar connector  100  for transmitting the energy to apparel worn by the user, preferably to the user&#39;s glove  200  (see  FIG. 5 ), a positive pole connection element  130 , a negative pole connection element  140 , a nonconductive intermediate element  150  and a securing element for securely mounting the handlebar connector  100  to the vehicle handlebar  82 . The handlebar connector  100  also referred to as the vehicle connector comprises a wire connection  120  for connecting the vehicle  10  power source, typically the vehicle electrical system or battery (not shown) to the vehicle connector  100 . The wire connection  120  is preferably a two wire  132 ,  142  connection respectively linking the positive pole connection element  130  and the negative pole connection element  140  to their respective positive and negative poles on the vehicle power source. The positive and negative wire connections  132 ,  142  may be secured to the nonconductive intermediate element  150  for preventing movement of the wires and reducing the risk of disconnection. In the present embodiment, the positive pole connection element  130  and negative pole connection element  140  are spaced apart to prevent electrical shortcut resulting from a simultaneous contact on both the positive and the negative connection elements  130 ,  140  and one of the glove connection elements  230 ,  240 . The vehicle positive and negative pole connection elements  130 ,  140  may be made from a conductive material such as copper strips  134 ,  144  having protruding contact portions  136 ,  146  such as conductive material rings being inserted through the nonconductive intermediate element  150 . 
         [0042]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , according to one embodiment, a glove  200  compatible with the present apparel power system is shown. The glove  200  comprises a main glove body  210 , a positive pole and a negative pole glove connector  230 ,  240 , respectively interconnected by a positive and a negative wire connection (not shown) to a positive pole and a negative pole glove connection element  238 ,  248 . The positive pole and negative pole glove connectors  230 ,  240  are disposed on either side of the palm/finger portion of the main glove body  210  in as similar disposition as the positive pole and the negative pole handlebar connection elements  130 ,  140  to maximize likelihood of contact (i) between the positive pole glove connection element  230  and the positive pole handlebar connection element  130  and (ii) the negative pole glove connection element  240  and the negative pole handlebar connection element  140 . The positive and negative wire connections (not shown) are preferably embedded within the main glove body  210  fabric thus shielding the electrical connections from environmental contact and contact with the user&#39;s body. The main glove body  210  is made from non-electrically conductive or insulating material to prevent any electrical shorts between either the positive pole and the negative pole handlebar connection elements  130 ,  140  or the positive pole and the negative pole glove connectors  230 ,  240 . The positive pole and negative pole glove connection elements  238 ,  248  are preferably male or female pressure button elements complementary to female or male pressure button elements located on a jacket or coat  300  arm sleeve  310  of the corresponding hand side of the glove  200  compatible with the apparel power system. 
         [0043]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment, the vehicle user&#39;s coat  300  comprises a power storage unit  360 . The power storage unit  360  comprises an embedded battery (not shown) and an optional visual charging indicator  362 . The power storage unit  360  is preferably operatively connected to an On/Off switch  370  having an optional visual On/Off indicator  372  there beside. Furthermore, the coat  300  arm sleeve  310  comprises positive pole and negative pole coat connection elements  338 ,  348  complementary to positive pole and negative pole glove connection elements  238 ,  248 . The positive pole and negative pole coat connection elements  338 ,  348  are in electrical connection with the switch  370  and the power storage unit  360 . The power storage unit  360  is additionally in connection with various accessories such as heated gloves, heated vest, power visor visibility lights, cell phone, etc. The accessories having a central On/Off switch board or an On/Off switch per accessory. According to one embodiment, the central switch controls power to all equipment and accessories. 
         [0044]    According to one embodiment, the vehicle user&#39;s apparel, such as the user&#39;s coat  300  comprises a plurality of power switches. For example, the first switch may manage the power for the apparel heating system while the second switch manages power to the apparel cooling system or auxiliary accessories such as the user&#39;s mobile phone. Therefore, a user could interrupt the heating system while keeping the auxiliary system ON. This would allow the user to recharge his phone while the apparel heating system is OFF or vice versa. According to other embodiment, the apparel power system may have no switch. An apparel power system without switch may be desired when the power is used for powering accessories that having their own ON/OFF switched or for charging mobile devices such as smart phones. 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment, the gloves  200  may also be heated, in such an embodiment, the wired connection could be connected directly to the heating mechanism of the glove or have the glove  200  heating system in connection with the power storage unit. However, to insure constant current flowing to the heating glove  200 , the heating glove  200  components should be in electrical connection with the power storage unit  360 . Such connection would favor constant heating even without constant contact between the gloves  200  and the handlebar  82  power transfer system. In other words, the power storage unit  360  or battery would be used as an energy buffer during contact interruption between the glove  200  and the handlebar  82 . 
         [0046]    According to one embodiment, both gloves  200  could be provided with embedded wiring as explained herein. In such a case, the apparel could have various configurations. For instance, each glove connection could be connected to a separate power storage unit or to the same power storage unit. 
         [0047]    The method of powering the apparel comprises the steps of wearing the apparel, magnetically securing the glove  200  connection elements  238 ,  248  to the apparel connecting elements  338 ,  348  located on the lower extremity of the coat&#39;s  300  arm  310 , activating the On/Off switch  370  when required, placing the at least one hand having the glove  200  on its corresponding handlebar  82 . Substantially aligning the positive pole and negative pole glove connectors  230 ,  240  with the corresponding positive pole and negative pole vehicle connection elements  130 ,  140 . The connection between the glove  200  connection elements  238 ,  248  and apparel connecting elements  338 ,  348  allows the power to transfer from the glove or wearable adaptor to the apparel or strap. 
         [0048]    The method of installing the system comprise the steps of mounting the wire connection  120  to a vehicle  10  electrical system or power source and securely mounting the handlebar connector  100  to at least one of the handlebars  82  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , according to one embodiment, the apparel power system  550  comprises a power source (the vehicle) wired  502  to the connecting arm  504  (typically a flexible semi rigid arm mounted to the vehicle handle bar), an apparel connector plate  506 , apparel connecting elements  338 ,  348  allowing electrical connection between the apparel connector  506  and a power storage (for example a battery) attached or integrated to the apparel and/or to one or more accessories requiring power. The apparel connector plate  506  comprises a first and a second connecting element  538  and  548 . The first and second connecting elements  538  and  548  are configured to be received by the apparel connectors  338 ,  438  ( FIG. 6 ). In the preferred embodiment, the connecting elements  338 ,  348  and the apparel connectors  538  and  548  are magnetically secured while in contact. The magnetic connection allow the power transfer while providing an easy connection and release once the user releases the vehicle handle bars. Accordingly, upon contact between the apparel connector plate  506  connecting elements  538  and  548  and the apparel connectors  338 ,  348  ( FIG. 6 ), the electrical current is transferred from the vehicle to the apparel for powering apparel accessories. 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the apparel power system  550  transfers electrical power from the vehicle ( FIG. 1 ) to the apparel without the need for hardwire between the apparel and the vehicle ( FIG. 1 ). As such, power is transferred from the vehicle ( FIG. 1 ) to the apparel upon contact. Preferably, the connecting arm  504  is located at an optimal position such that while in use, the user&#39;s arm  512  is in contact with the apparel connector plate  506 . According to one embodiment, the connecting arm  504  extremity  514  is pivotably secured to the apparel connector plate  506  for ease in contact between the apparel connectors  538 ,  548  and the apparel connecting element  338 ,  348 . 
         [0051]    The apparel power system  550  according to one embodiment may be integrated with motocross and handle bar element covering the hand of the user. As such, the handle bar hand cover may have electrical wiring integrated therein with an external connection that enters in contact with an apparel connector when the user is driving the vehicle. Understandably, handle bar hand covers of other vehicles would as well be used for transferring the power from the vehicle to the apparel for powering apparel accessories or devices held therein. 
         [0052]    According to one embodiment, the apparel power system  50 ,  550 ,  650  is configured to transfer power from the vehicle to a user&#39;s device such as a mobile phone held within a pocket of the apparel. As such, a user may recharge his mobile device while riding a power vehicle without the need to have a hard wire between the user and the vehicle. 
         [0053]    According to yet another embodiment, referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the apparel power system  650  comprises a power source (the vehicle), a vehicle connector, typically attached to the handle bar  640  or integrated thereto (not shown), a vehicle power to connector interface (not shown), an apparel connector  606 , apparel connecting element  338 ,  348  ( FIG. 6 ) providing electrical connection between the apparel connector  606  and the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the electrical connection between the vehicle and the apparel connector plate  606  is a body adaptor such as a hand adaptor  630  which is in contact with the vehicle power. The body adaptor  630  comprises a connecting arm  604  and apparel connector plate  606 . The apparel connector plate comprising first and second connectors  638 ,  648  for connecting to the corresponding apparel connecting elements  338 ,  348 . In the preferred embodiment, the connecting elements  338 ,  348  and the apparel connectors  638  and  648  are magnetically secured while in contact. The magnetic connection allow the power transfer while providing an easy connection and release once the user releases the vehicle handle bars. Accordingly, upon contact between the apparel connector plate  606  connecting elements  638  and  648  and the apparel connectors  338 ,  348  ( FIG. 6 ), the electrical current is transferred from the vehicle to the apparel for powering apparel accessories. 
         [0054]    According to one embodiment, the connecting arm  604  apparel end  614  is pivotably secured to the apparel connector plate  606  for ease in contact between the apparel connectors  638 ,  648  and the apparel connecting element  338 ,  348 . The apparel preferably comprises a power storage (for example a battery) attached or integrated to the apparel and/or to one or more accessories requiring the power. 
         [0055]    According to yet another embodiment, referring now to  FIG. 8 , the body adaptor, also referred to wearable adaptor may also comprise an indicator  632 , such as a light, indicating that the contact between the wearable adaptor and the vehicle connector is good and that power is transferred from the vehicle to the apparel or accessories. 
         [0056]    According to another embodiment, the wearable adaptor is a strap that wraps around a portion of the user&#39;s body such as the user&#39;s hand to enter in contact with a vehicle connector. The wearable adaptor may also be hardwired to the apparel. While the wearable adaptor is hardwired to the apparel, there remains no hard wiring between the user and the vehicle, the power is transferred from the contact between the user&#39;s body and wearable adaptor and the vehicle connector. 
         [0057]    According to yet another embodiment, the vehicle power may be transferred to the user&#39;s apparel through another body part. In such an embodiment, the apparel adaptor may be integrated to any portion of the user&#39;s body that is generally in contact with the vehicle. Understandably, the vehicle must as well be suited with a vehicle connector mounted to the vehicle portion which is in contact with the user&#39;s body. For example, the vehicle seat could have a vehicle connector mounted thereon and the user&#39;s apparel having an apparel connection or adaptor located about the user butt, legs or back corresponding to the portion of the body that is in contact with the vehicle connector. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , according to one embodiment, the apparel power system  700  on the user&#39;s apparel such as the connecting element located on the coat&#39;s arm  710 , is a strap that is wore on top or under of any apparel arm  710  or coat  700  arm  710 . According to this embodiment, the apparel strap  720  allow a user to wear a strap and power accessories without the need of procuring a new coat having the power system capabilities. The strap  720  mounts around the vehicle user&#39;s coat  700  or arm and may comprise a power storage unit  760 . The power storage unit  760  comprises an embedded battery (not shown) and an optional visual charging indicator  762 . The power storage unit  760  is preferably operatively connected to an optional On/Off switch  770  having an optional visual On/Off indicator  772  there beside. Furthermore, the coat  700  arm sleeve  710  comprises positive pole and negative pole coat connection elements  738 ,  748  complementary to positive pole and negative pole glove connection elements  238 ,  248 , ( FIG. 5 )  538 ,  548 , ( FIG. 7 )  638 ,  648  ( FIG. 8 ). The positive pole and negative pole strap connection elements  738 ,  748  are in electrical connection with the switch  770  and the power storage unit  760 . The power storage unit  760  is additionally in connection with various accessories such as heated gloves, heated vest, power visor visibility lights, cell phone, etc. The accessories having a central On/Off switch board or an On/Off switch per accessory. The strap  720  may be wore directly on a vehicle user&#39;s arm and wired to the user mobile device for charging or operation while driving the vehicle. 
         [0059]    While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.