Abstract:
A garment outer shell and liner system including a garment outer shell and a first liner having first protective properties and having a protruding portion. The system further includes a second liner having second protective properties differing from the first protective properties and having a protruding portion. Each liner is adapted to fit within, and is removably securable to, the outer shell. Each protruding portion is arranged to protrude from the outer shell when the respective liner is secured within the outer shell. At least a portion of the protruding portion of the first liner is a first color so as to indicate the first protective properties, and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the second liner is a second color so as to indicate the second protective properties.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to GB Application No. 0618617.5, filed on Sep. 22, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a protective garment, and more particularly, to a protective garment having a liner. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fire service personnel are required to perform a range of duties which require various clothing requirements which may be e set out in official standards. For example, National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) 1971 sets forth standards for protective firefighting garments (“Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting”), and may focus upon standards relating to flammability, moisture resistance, thermal protection, etc. National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) 1951 sets forth standards for technical rescue garments (“Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Garments”) and may focus upon standards relating to protection from chemical, biological, and/or radioactive dangers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment the present invention is a garment outer shell and liner system which can meet various standards requirements. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a garment outer shell and liner system including a garment outer shell and a first liner having first protective properties and having a protruding portion. The system further includes a second liner having second protective properties differing from the first protective properties and having a protruding portion. Each liner is adapted to fit within, and is removably securable to, the outer shell. Each protruding portion is arranged to protrude from the outer shell when the respective liner is secured within the outer shell. At least a portion of the protruding portion of the first liner is a first color so as to indicate the first protective properties, and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the second liner is a second color so as to indicate the second protective properties. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a jacket outer shell; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a jacket liner for use with the jacket outer shell of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a trousers outer shell; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the trousers outer shell of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a trousers liner for use with the trousers outer shell of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a jacket outer shell  2  which includes a storm flap  4  which covers a fastener (not shown) for closing the outer shell  2 , and which covers the front of a collar  6 . Two bellowed pockets  8  and an angled sleeve pocket  10  are provided on the outer shell  2 . The jacket outer shell  2  may be sold, packaged, or provided with two or more jacket liners  12 , one of which is shown in  FIG. 2 . For simplicity, only one jacket liner  12  is shown in  FIG. 2 , but both jacket liners  12  may have substantially the same size, shape and appearance (except for color or other indicia, as will be described in greater detail below), but the liners  12  may differ in performance/materials characteristics. Each jacket liner  12  may be provided with a closure in the form of cooperating zip portions  14  and  16  or the like, and may also include two sleeve portions  18  and a protruding portion/collar  20 . 
         [0011]    Each jacket liner  12  may have a different color or other visible indicia relative to the other, particularly on the protruding portion/collar  20 . The collar  20  of each jacket liner  12  is designed to protrude above/beyond the collar  6  of the jacket outer shell  2  when the jacket liner  12  is properly positioned inside, and coupled to, the outer shell  2  such that the collar  20  is visible to a viewer (i.e. a non-wearer) of the jacket. In other words, the collar  20  of each jacket liner  12  may have a greater height than the collar  6  of the jacket outer shell  2 . Each liner  12  may have differing protective qualities, and the color or other indicia on the collar  20  may be indicative of the particular protective qualities of that liner  12 . 
         [0012]    For example, in one embodiment a first one of the jacket liners  12  (or part thereof) is colored red and complies with National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) 1971 standards for protective firefighting garments, and/or European Norm standards EN469:1995 Level 2 or EN469:2005 Level 2. In this case the red liner is suitable for use with firefighter garments or dealing with firefighting structural hazards. In this embodiment the second or other jacket liner  12  (or part thereof) may be colored green and complies with N.F.P.A. 1951 standards for technical rescue, and/or standard EN469:2005 Level 1. In this case the green liner is suitable for technical rescue garments or dealing with non-structural hazards. The contents of these N.F.P.A. and EN standards/regulations are entirely incorporated by reference herein. It should be noted that when the shell  2  receives a liner  12  such that the garment that complies with one N.F.P.A/EN standard, the shell  2 /liner  12  may not necessarily comply with another N.F.P.A./EN standard. 
         [0013]    Because the collar  20  of each liner  12  may be brightly colored (i.e. red or green), the collar  20  provides a visual indication of which liner  12  is being worn inside the jacket outer shell  2 . The colored collars  20  therefore provide an important safety advantage, and reduce the risk of a user inadvertently wearing the wrong liner  12  for the particular hazard to be dealt with. For example, a user grabbing a jacket shell  2  can instantaneously determine the nature of the liner  12  therein by recognizing the color or other indicia on the liner  12 . In addition, other individuals working with and around the wearer can identify the nature of the liner  12  in the shell  2 , and inform the wearer if an inappropriate liner  12  is being worn. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment substantially the whole of each jacket liner  12  is of the same color (i.e. red or green) and/or carries the indicia. However, other embodiments are possible in which, for example, only the collar  20  (or part of the collar  20 ) is colored and/or carries the indicia. It will also be appreciated that various other colors besides red and green may be used to distinguish between the two liners  12 . Moreover, besides color, the collars  20  or other portions of the jacket liners  12  can differ by other visual indicia or optical properties, such as patterns, textures, symbols (i.e. a flame, a symbol for radiation, etc.), shading, text, (i.e. the text “1971” or “firefighting”; or “1951” or “technical rescue”, etc.), the use of reflective or fluorescent material, etc. or combinations of these features. 
         [0015]    Moreover, the liners  12  need not necessarily differ by their regulations/classification and can differ by any of a variety of protective qualities, such as thermal protection, moisture protection, flame resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, radiation or biological resistance, etc. For example, a lightweight liner, which is less thermally protective may have a first indicia on its collar  20  (i.e. the text “lightweight”), and a heavier liner that is more thermally protective may have a different, second indicia on its collar  20  (i.e. the text “heavy duty”). Moreover, although in the illustrated embodiment the protruding portion  20  takes the form of the collar, the protruding portion  20  may also or instead protrude at various other locations of the outer shell  2 , such as at the bottom of the shell  2  or the ends of the sleeves. However, forming the protruding portion on/as the collar  20  may be advantageous in that the collar  20  provides a relatively high vantage point which that can be easily seen by a wearer (i.e. by looking in a mirror at the height of the user&#39;s head, which is a common mounting position for mirrors), can be easily seen by others (since it is as a relatively high position), and is not easily obscured (unlike other positions on the jacket which can be obscured by equipment that is being carried, by intervening objects (i.e. vehicles, equipment, etc.)) 
         [0016]    Each jacket liner  2  may be attached to the jacket outer shell  2  by attaching the zip portions  14  and  16  of the jacket liner  12  to concealed zips (not shown) within the jacket outer shell  2 . Each jacket liner  12  can thereby be zipped into the jacket outer shell  2  to make one complete and integrated garment. However, besides zips, any of a wide variety of fastening devices can be used to couple each liner  12  to the outer shell  2 , such as hooks, clasps, snaps, hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material) or the like. In one embodiment, the jacket outer shell  2  and jacket liners  12  only comply to the relevant N.F.P.A or EN standard when they are worn as one complete garment. In addition, any of a number of differing liners, which differing protective properties, may be utilized. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of a trousers outer shell  30 . The trousers outer shell  30  is provided with two bellowed pockets  32  and two knee pads  34 .  FIG. 4  shows the rear of the trousers outer shell  30 . The trousers outer shell  30  may be sold, packaged, or provided with two or more trouser liners  38 , one of which is shown in  FIG. 5 . Two connection portions, such as metal press studs (also known as snaps)  36  are provided at the bottom of the trouser legs for connection with the trouser liners  38 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom of each leg of the trouser liner  38  is provided with a tab portion/protruding portion  40 . A connection portion or metal press stud (or snap)  42  is provided on each tab portion  40  such that each snap  42  can be releasably connected to the press studs  36  shown in  FIG. 4 . However, it should be noted that a variety of fasteners may be utilized to attach each liner  38  to the shell  30 , such as zippers, hooks, clasps, hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material) or the like. 
         [0018]    In the same way that the jacket shell  2  of  FIG. 1  is provided with two or more different liners  12 , the trousers outer shell  30  may also be provided with two or more different trouser liners  38 . For simplicity, only one trouser liner  38  is shown in  FIG. 5  because the two trouser liners  38  may look substantially the same when drawn in black and white. For example, one of the trouser liners  38  (or part thereof, such as the tab  40 ) may be colored red and comply with NFPA 1971 standards. The other trouser liner  38  (or part thereof, such as the tab  40 ) may be colored green and comply with NFPA 1951 standards. Moreover, it should be noted that the trouser liners  38  may utilize various indicia besides color, such as the various indicia described above in the context of the jacket liners  12 . 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated that because the tab portions/protruding portion  40  of the trouser liners  38  are colored red or green, or carry other indicia thereon, they provide an important visual indication of which of the trouser liners  38  is being worn under the trouser outer shell  30 . The interengaging press studs  36  and  42  ensure that the tab portions  40  protrude beyond the bottom of the legs of the outer shell  30  and remain visible at the bottom rear of each leg portion. For example, the press studs  36  and  42  ensure that the trouser liners  38  cannot slide up inside the outer shell  30 , thus ensuring that the tab portions  40  remain visible at all times. 
         [0020]    If desired, the trouser liners  38  may use the same color or indicia scheme as the jacket liners  12 . In this case, for example, using the examples described above, if a green trouser liner  38  and a green jacket liner  12  are used, the wearer knows that NFPA 1971 requirements are complied with. Conversely, if a red trouser liner  38  and a red jacket liner  12  are used, the wearer knows that NFPA 1951 requirements are complied with. If mismatched liners  12 ,  38  are utilized, it may be determined that an inappropriate liner is being used. 
         [0021]    It will be appreciated that the whole of the trouser liners  38  may be colored or carry the indicia, or just the tab portions  40  (or portions of the tab portions  40 ) may be colored or carry the indicia. If desired, the bottom edges and/or top edge of the liners  38  may instead, or in addition, carry the color/indicia and be considered the protruding portions. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, only a single liner  12 ,  38  can be worn in the associated shell  2 ,  30  at a time. Thus, for example, each shell  2 ,  30  be able to carry only a green, or only a red, liner at a time. In this case, each liner  12 ,  38  may only have enough fasteners to secure that liner to the outer shell, or may include fasteners that are incompatible with the fasteners of the other liner, or may include feature that physically prevent both liners from being simultaneously carried on the associated shell. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a shell  2 ,  30  which can carry two (or more) liners  12 ,  38  at a single time, in which case the nature of the liners  12 ,  38  can still be indicated by their protruding portions. For example, each liner may have zipper portions that can cooperate with the zipper portions  14 ,  16  of the other liner. Each liner  12 ,  38  may have cut-outs, or a tiered shape or portions, or the like to allow colored/indicia portions of the underlying liner  12 ,  38  to be visible if they are simultaneously worn. 
         [0023]    The trouser liners  38  are attached to the trousers outer shell  30  by concealed zips (not shown) in the trouser liners  38  and concealed zips (not shown) within the trouser outer shell  30 . Various other attachment structures, such as hooks, clasps, snaps, hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material) or the like may be used to attach the trouser liners  38  to the trousers out shell  30 . The trouser liners  38  are attachable into the trouser outer shell  30  to make one complete, integrated garment. The trouser outer shell  30  and trouser liners  38  may only comply with the relevant N.F.P.A./EN standards when they are worn as one complete garment. 
         [0024]    The outer shells  2  and  30  may be made of or include a variety of materials, including a flame, heat and abrasion resistant material such as a compact weave of aramid fibers and/or polybenzamidazole fibers. Commercially available aramid materials include NOMEX and KEVLAR fibers (both trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours &amp; Co., Inc. of Wilmington, Del.), and commercially available polybenzamidazole fibers include PBI fibers (a trademark of PBI Performance Fabrics of Charlotte, N.C.). Thus, the outer shells  2 ,  30  may be an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, a polybenzamidazole material, a blend of aramid and polybenzamidazole materials, or other appropriate materials. If desired, the outer shells  2 ,  30  may be coated with a polymer, such as a durable, water repellent finish (i.e. a perfluorohydrocarbon finish, such as TEFLON® finish sold by E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del.). 
         [0025]    Alternately, the outer shells  2 ,  30  may be constructed using 205 gr/m 2  thermostable organic polymer material, such as KERMEL® material. The KERMEL® material provides durability and has an excellent tear and tensile strength which is gained by using its “core spun para aramid” technology. The KERMEL® material also has colorfastness and does not readily fade or degrade in natural sunlight. 
         [0026]    The liners  12 / 38  may consist of or include moisture barriers and/or thermal barriers. The moisture barrier of each liner  12 / 38  may be made of or include expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) such as GORE-TEX or CROSSTECH materials (both of which are trademarks of W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del.), polyurethane-based materials, neoprene-based materials, cross-linked polymers, polyamid, or other materials. The moisture barrier may have microscopic openings that permit moisture vapor (such as water vapor) to pass therethrough, but block liquids (such as liquid water) from passing therethrough. 
         [0027]    The moisture barrier may include a membrane layer made of a microporous material that is either hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or somewhere in between. The membrane layer may also be monolithic and may allow moisture vapor transmission therethrough by molecular diffusion. The membrane layer may also be a combination of microporous and monolithic materials (known as a bicomponent moisture barrier), in which the microporous or monolithic materials are layered or intertwined. The membrane layer may be bonded or adhered to a substrate of a flame and heat resistant material to provide structure and protection to the membrane layer. The substrate may be or include aramid fibers similar to the aramid fibers of the outer shell, but may be thinner and lighter in weight. 
         [0028]    If each liner  12 / 38  includes a thermal barrier, the thermal barrier may be made of nearly any suitable material that provides sufficient thermal insulation. In one embodiment, the thermal barrier may include a relatively thick (i.e. between about 1/16″ and about 3/16″) batting, felt or needled non-woven bulk or batting material which can include aramid fiber batting (such as NOMEX batting), aramid needlepunch material, an aramid non-woven material, an aramid blend needlepunch material, an aramid blend batting material, an aramid blend non-woven material, or foam (either open cell or closed cell) materials. The batting may trap air and possess sufficient loft to provide thermal resistance to the garment. The batting is typically quilted to a thermal liner face cloth which can be a weave of a lightweight aramid material. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, in order to provide chemical or other protection, each liner  12 / 38  may be made of or include CHEMPAK® ULTRABARRIER™ sold by W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del., NOMEX® material sold by E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. Each liner  12 / 38  may be made of or include a generally fluid/gas impermeable layer; in one case polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) such as TEFLON® PTFE sold by E.I. DuPont de Nemours of Wilmington, Del. 
         [0030]    The inner liners  12  and  38  may be provided in two types: 1) EN469:1995 &amp; EN 469:2005 Level 2—Structural (i.e., having red collar  20  and/or tab  40 ); and 2) EN 469:2005 Level 1—Non-Structural (i.e. having a green collar  20  and/or tab  40 ). The Level 2 Structural liner ( 12  or  38 ) is constructed using the Crosstech® Airlock® by WL Gore (Airlock was developed by Lion Apparel) quilted onto ISOMEX® ISOAIR with a Nomex® Viscose inner liner. This liner  12 / 38  (when inserted into the outer shell  2 / 30 ) will provide full EN469 protection to the wearer whilst giving the wearer the added benefits of being lightweight, breathable and comfortable. 
         [0031]    The Level 1 Non-Structural liner ( 12  or  38 ) incorporates Crosstech® SR fabric that provides the user with extra protection against blood borne pathogens and body fluids, the elements and common chemicals. This liner (when inserted into the outer material) will offer the wearer full protection that is required by EN 469:2005 Level 1—Non-Structural. 
         [0032]    The jacket outer shell  2  may have the following features: 
         [0033]    KERMEL® HTA, colors: blue-grey, red, 205 gr/m 2    
         [0034]    Ripstop, oil-water repellency treatment 
         [0035]    Additional fireblocker N 21 in stormflap 
         [0036]    Protective storm flap solution with collar extension 
         [0037]    Gusset underarm ensuring upper body movement and complete arm mobility 
         [0038]    Adjustable waist solution 
         [0039]    2 bellowed pockets with pocket flap and tag 
         [0040]    Torch and radio loops on both chests 
         [0041]    Sleeve pocket, angled position for easier access 
         [0042]    Important seams are topstitched 
         [0043]    All stress points are bartacked 
         [0044]    Shoulder reinforcement/double layer of outer+foam 
         [0045]    Elbow reinforcement/double layer of outer+foam 
         [0046]    Arashield coated sleeve ends (Arashield is the brand name for a specially developed Lion Apparel coated Kevlar®) 
         [0047]    Neoprene coated sleeve ends 
         [0048]    Breathable, reflective 50 mm triple trim, 
         [0049]    30 mm Velcro® front closure 
         [0050]    NOMEX® cuff ribbing 
         [0051]    NOMEX® thread used throughout 
         [0052]    The Level 2 Structural jacket liner  12  may be provided with moisture and thermal barriers having the following characteristics: 
         [0053]    Moisture Barrier: CROSSTECH® Airlock 21
       Waterproof, breathable, viral penetration resistant moisture membrane   All seams are fully taped       
 
         [0056]    Thermal Barrier: Quilted composite made of: perforated needle-felt, made of meta- and para-aramid fibres, hydrophobic finishing treatment
       ISO&#39; AIR® ISODRI® WIP 4199-95 gr/m 2      a fabric NOMEX®-Viscose FR, 110 gr/m 2          
 
         [0059]    The Level 1, Non-Structural-structural jacket liner  12  may be provided with moisture and thermal barriers having the following characteristics: 
         [0060]    Moisture Barrier: CROSSTECH® SR 21
       Waterproof, breathable, viral penetration resistant moisture membrane   All seams are fully taped       
 
         [0063]    Thermal Barrier: Laminated composite made of: Non woven aramid E89; and a fabric Aramid/Viscose FR 
         [0064]    The trousers outer shell  30  may have the following features: 
         [0065]    KERMEL® HTA, colors: yellow-gold, 205 gr/m 2    
         [0066]    Ripstop, oil-water repellency treatment 
         [0067]    Knee reinforcement with Arashield+foam (Arashield is the brand name for a coated Kevlar® developed by Lion Apparel, Inc.,) 
         [0068]    Breathable, reflective 50 mm triple trim 
         [0069]    NOMEX® thread used throughout 
         [0070]    Zip fly opening 
         [0071]    Extra comfortable elasticated shoulder braces with quick release buckles 
         [0072]    Brace length adjustable 
         [0073]    Adjustable waist 
         [0074]    Belt loops 
         [0075]    Elasticated center back 
         [0076]    2 bellowed pockets with pocket flap and tag 
         [0077]    Ergonomic design of knee area for more comfort when kneeling 
         [0078]    Zip fly opening with gusset on outside leg for easier access 
         [0079]    Adjustable leg seam 
         [0080]    Important seams are topstitched 
         [0081]    All stress points are bartacked 
         [0082]    The Level 1, Structural trouser liner  38  may be provided with moisture and thermal barriers having the following characteristics: 
         [0083]    Moisture Barrier: CROSSTECH® Airlock 21
       Waterproof, breathable, viral penetration resistant moisture membrane   All seams are fully taped       
 
         [0086]    Thermal Barrier: Quilted composite made of: perforated needle-felt, made of meta- and para-aramid fibres, hydrophobic finishing treatment
       ISO&#39; AIR® ISODRI® WIP 4199-95 gr/m 2      a fabric NOMEX®-Viscose FR, 110 gr/m 2          
 
         [0089]    The Level 2, non-structural trouser liner  38  may be provided with moisture and thermal barriers having the following characteristics: 
         [0090]    Moisture Barrier: CROSSTECH® SR 21
       Waterproof, breathable, viral penetration resistant moisture membrane   All seams are fully taped       
 
         [0093]    Thermal Barrier: Laminated composite made of:
       Non woven aramid E89   a fabric Aramid/Viscose FR       
 
         [0096]    Each layer of the jacket and trousers, and the jacket/trousers as a whole, may meet the National Fire Protection Association (“N.F.P.A.”) 1971 standards for protective firefighting garments (“Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting”), and/or NFPA 1951 standards for technical rescue garments, the contents of both of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein. The NFPA standards specify various minimum requirements for heat and flame resistance, tear strength, protection from liquids and pathogens, etc. For example, in order to meet the NFPA 1971 standards, the outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner must be able to resist igniting, burning, melting, dripping and/or separation at a temperature of 500° F. for at least five minutes. Furthermore, in order to meet the NFPA 1971 standards, all combined layers of the jacket/trousers must provide a thermal protective performance rating of at least thirty-five. 
         [0097]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additional changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.