Self-luminous colter

Abstract

Over-garment (2) for the safety and / or functional identification of a user (B) during a fire service or other rescue operation, with a textile part (4) having a neck recess (6) for attachment to the neck (N) of the user (B), with active illuminants (26) for active light emission, which are arranged on an upper side (32) of the textile part (4), with a power supply device (10) for supplying power to the active lighting means (26) and with a control device (22) for controlling the operation of the active lighting means (26), characterized in that the power supply device (10) is held adjacent to an edge (8) of the neck recess (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wrap-around garment according to the preamble of claim 1, which is particularly suitable for identifying the respective user during a fire service or other rescue operation, such as for improved visibility or to identify a user's function. This wrap-around garment comprises a textile part with a neck cutout, active illuminants for active light emission, which are arranged on an upper side of the textile part, a power supply device for supplying power to the active illuminants, and an electronic control device for controlling the operation of the active illuminants. The control device can serve, in particular, to switch the active illuminants on and off and to control the light intensity or color.In addition, the control device can be connected via cable or wirelessly to a control actuator, such as a switch and / or a control app of a mobile device.

[0002] US 2019 / 0384556 A1 discloses a reflective vest featuring active lighting in the form of self-illuminating strips. To power the strips, the reflective vest has a breast pocket containing a battery connected to the strips.

[0003] Furthermore, over-the-head garments in the form of armbands are known, which are attached to the outside of a firefighter's jacket around the neck and shoulders of the wearer. The armbands serve, for example, to identify the wearer's function during an operation and, for this purpose, are available in different colors.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known self-illuminating overgarments is that the components required to operate the active lamps can be a nuisance during certain types of firefighting operations. Particularly in operations where a user must wear a harness system, such as an oxygen device or an equipment backpack, over the actual safety clothing and the attached overgarment, the power supply unit and / or the control unit are often pressed against the user's body. This can cause pressure sores on the user or cause jamming, making it difficult to put on or take off the harness system. Furthermore, the pressure buildup can lead to unintentional activation or deactivation of the active lamps or damage to the power supply or control unit.

[0005] The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned in the case of over-garments according to the invention and to ensure a high level of wearing comfort regardless of the type of use.

[0006] This object is achieved by a wrap-around garment having the features of claim 1. The power supply device is held adjacent to an edge of the neck recess, i.e., no more than 3 cm away from it or directly against it. As a result, the power supply device is positioned in an area of ​​the wrap-around garment that is so close to the neck recess that it is kept free on the outside of the wrap-around garment when a conventional carrying strap system, such as, in particular, an oxygen device or an equipment backpack, is put on. This prevents the power supply device from becoming trapped between the put-on carrying strap system and the user's body, and thus being pressed against the user's body.In this way, painful pressure points in the area of ​​the power supply device or damage to it can be avoided when wearing a carrying strap system.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the power supply device is held in a neck area of ​​the textile part, which extends no further than 10 cm from the edge of the neck recess on the user's neck. As a result, the power supply device is positioned such that it extends completely into a recess area between two carrying straps of the carrying harness system, which is arranged and kept free at the user's neck when donned. In this way, trouble-free donning and wearing of a carrying harness system, such as in particular an oxygen device or an equipment backpack, on the outside of the textile part can be ensured.

[0008] It is advantageous if the power supply device is accommodated in a pocket located at the neck recess on the underside of the textile part. This accommodates the power supply device in such a way that it is covered and protected from the outside by the textile part and is held securely and in a stable position by the pocket.

[0009] Advantageously, at least the bag is made of a flame-retardant material, such as in particular a fabric made of natural and / or synthetic flame-retardant fibers, which for example contains at least (fiber) portions of a meta-aramid and / or para-aramid and / or other inherently flame-retardant, aromatic polymer fibers and / or flame-retardant polyester fibers and / or flame-retardant cotton fibers and / or flame-retardant cellulose fibers and / or flame-retardant modacrylic fibers and / or flame-retardant glass fibers or corresponding fabrics or blended fabrics with portions of the fibers mentioned, whereby the power supply device can be protected against exposure to flames.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the textile part is designed in the shape of a vest or halter, and the neck cutout is U-shaped. This allows the textile part to be quickly slipped over the user's neck or removed again after insertion, allowing it to be used very flexibly as an optional additional functional garment.

[0011] Advantageously, the textile part has fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, zippers, or other known and suitable fasteners, which can be used for external attachment to the neck of a firefighter's jacket. This allows the over-garment to be particularly securely attached in a preferred position to the user's actual protective clothing, for example, to ensure good visibility and / or identification of the user.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the active illuminants have at least one light guide attached to the upper side of the textile part, which can be illuminated by a light source. This allows light to be emitted over a relatively long length using simple means.

[0013] Preferably, different colors of the active illuminants can be set via the control device, whereby one of several colors can be selected, each of which is assigned to a predetermined function of the user. Alternatively or in addition to a color identification of the textile part, the function identification can also be carried out via the emitted color of the active illuminants. In this way, not only improved visibility but also the user's function is more easily recognizable, especially when used in poor lighting conditions.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the light source is formed by at least one LED that can be switched by means of the control device, whereby the linear light emission can be generated with relatively low energy consumption. Depending on the capacity of the power supply device, the light emission can thus be maintained over a relatively long operating time.

[0015] In addition, it is advantageous if the control device is also held adjacent to the edge of the neck recess, which also prevents the control device or its holder from causing pressure points or damage when a carrying strap system is attached externally.

[0016] Preferably, the control device and a connection between it and the power supply device, such as a cable or a direct connection, are arranged on the underside of the textile part. In this way, the entire arrangement required to generate active light emission can be accommodated in such a way that it is covered and protected from the outside by the textile part.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the entire textile part consists of a flame-retardant material, such as in particular a fabric made of natural and / or synthetic flame-retardant fibers, which for example contains at least (fiber) portions of a meta-aramid and / or para-aramid and / or other inherently flame-retardant, aromatic polymer fibers and / or flame-retardant polyester fibers and / or flame-retardant cotton fibers and / or flame-retardant cellulose fibers and / or flame-retardant modacrylic fibers and / or flame-retardant glass fibers or corresponding fabrics or blended fabrics with portions of the fibers mentioned, whereby the over-garment not only improves the visibility of the user but also.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control device is connected to a control actuator in the form of a push button, which is attached to the top of the textile part and is also located adjacent to the edge of the neck recess. Positioning the control actuator adjacent to the neck recess ensures that the neck recess cannot be activated or damaged by the carrier system when putting on and wearing it. Mounting it on the top of the textile part also ensures that the control actuator is easily accessible for operation.

[0019] It is pointed out that all features of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons.

[0020] The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a view of an underside of a wrap-around garment, Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment of the over-garment with a power supply device which is designed as a structural unit with a control device, Fig. 3 shows a further alternative embodiment of the over-garment with a control device which is designed as a structural unit with a light source. Fig. 4 a front view of a firefighter's jacket with the overcoat and additional carrying strap system attached and Fig. 5 a back of the firefighter jacket Fig. 4.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a wrap-around garment 2 in the exemplary form of a collar for fire service and / or rescue operations. Alternatively, the wrap-around garment 2 can also be designed, for example, in the form of a safety vest, i.e., with sleeve openings (not shown). In any case, the wrap-around garment 2 has a textile part 4, which can in particular be made of a flame-retardant material and which forms a neck recess 6 delimited by a substantially U-shaped edge 8.

[0022] The over-the-head garment 2 has a power supply device 10 attached to an underside 12 of the textile part 4. For this purpose, a pocket 14 is attached to the underside 12, which is preferably also made of a flame-retardant material. The pocket 14 can, for example, be made of the same material as the rest of the textile part 4. In any case, the power supply device 10 is held adjacent to the edge 8 of the neck recess 6, i.e., no more than 3 cm from the edge 8. Furthermore, the power supply device 10 extends entirely within a neck area 16, shown in dash-dotted lines, which extends no further than 10 cm from the edge 8.

[0023] The power supply device 10 has a housing 20 in which a battery pack 18 and a control device 22 are accommodated. These are connected via an electrical connection 24 to active lighting means 26, which, for example, have a light source 28 that serves to illuminate a light guide 30 that is held on an upper side 32 of the textile part 4. The light source 28 can be formed, for example, by one or more LEDs that can be attached to the upper side 32 in any desired manner, such as by sewing, gluing, or by being arranged in a receptacle. As an alternative to the light guide 30, the active lighting means 26 can also be formed by a chain of lighting means, such as LEDs (not shown). The battery pack 18 can have at least one accumulator or, alternatively, at least one non-rechargeable battery.

[0024] The electrical connection 24 can, as shown, be formed by a cabling 34, which is held in particular on the underside 12 of the textile part 4. The cabling 34 can preferably be accommodated in a textile tunnel 36, which extends at least partially between the power supply device 10 and the active lighting means 22.

[0025] Alternatively, the electrical connection 24 can also be formed by a direct connection 38. In this case, the power supply device 10 and the light source 28 can form a structural unit, which is, for example, accommodated entirely in the housing 20 and from which the light guide 30 extends directly (see Fig. 2). The direct electrical connection 38 can be formed, for example, by a plug-in or soldered connection.

[0026] In a further alternative embodiment, the light source 28 and the control device 22 can form a structural unit, which in turn is held separately from the power supply device 10 on the textile part 4 (see Fig. 3), which in this case essentially consists of the housing 20 with the battery pack 18 accommodated therein.

[0027] Irrespective of the embodiment, preferably both the power supply device 10, the control device 22 and the light source 28 are arranged adjacent to the edge 8 of the neck recess 6.

[0028] In any case, the light guide 30 extends over a considerable length on the upper side 32 of the textile part 4. It is curved several times and extends, for example, as shown, along an outer edge 40 of the textile part 4. The light guide 30 can be accommodated, for example, in sections or over its entire length, in a translucent receiving casing 42. Alternatively or additionally, the light guide 30 can also be fixed to the textile part 4 at specific points, for example via several receiving clamps (not shown).

[0029] To actuate the control device 22 or the light source 28, a control actuator 44 can also be provided on the upper side 32, which is designed, for example, as a pressure switch and sewn into the textile part 4. The control actuator 44 is electrically connected to the control device 22 via a cable and is also arranged adjacent to the edge 8 of the neck recess. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 22 can also have a receiving part, such as a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or infrared receiving device, by means of which control commands can be received that are sent via a control app of a mobile computer terminal (not shown).

[0030] In a further alternative embodiment, the control actuation 44 can also be formed by a pressure switch or other handle which is held on the housing 20, so that the power supply device 10 and the control actuation 44 and optionally also the control device 22 and / or the light source 28 form a structural unit which can be fastened at any location adjacent to the edge 8 of the neck recess 6 in order to allow the user unhindered access.

[0031] As can be seen from the Fig. 1 to 3, the over-garment 2 also has connecting means 46 on the textile part 4, which are formed, for example, by hook-and-loop fasteners, button fasteners, or zippers. These serve to fasten the over-garment 2 to an outer side 48 of a protective jacket 50, such as, in particular, a firefighter's jacket according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The over-garment 2 can be fastened to a neck N of a user B by means of the connecting means 46.

[0032] In this intended fastening position of the safety garment 2 on the protective jacket 50, the neck area 16 of the textile part 4 with the power supply device 10 held therein is according to Fig. 5 is positioned such that it remains free even when a carrying strap system 52 is additionally attached or worn on the outer side 48 of the protective jacket 50, such as a carrying strap system 52 of an oxygen device 54 or an equipment backpack (not shown). This prevents the power supply device 10 from being pressed against the body of the user B by the carrying strap system 52, thereby causing pressure points or damage.

[0033] Furthermore, the switch 44 and the light source 28 are also kept free from the carrying strap system 52 due to their positioning adjacent to the edge 8, so that they too cannot be pressed against the user and thus damaged or accidentally activated / deactivated.

[0034] The light guide 30 extends over the textile part 4 in such a way that it cannot be covered by the carrying strap system 52, at least over larger sections, and can therefore also be used for active light emission and thus for better identification of the user B during operations with an oxygen device 54 attached.

[0035] It is pointed out that all elements and features of the various embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2019 / 0384556 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Over-garment (2) for the safety and / or functional identification of a user (B) during a fire service or other rescue operation, with a textile part (4) having a neck recess (6) for attachment to the neck (N) of the user (B), with active illuminants (26) for active light emission, which are arranged on an upper side (32) of the textile part (4), with a power supply device (10) for supplying power to the active lighting means (26) and with a control device (22) for controlling the operation of the active lighting means (26), characterized by that the power supply device (10) is held adjacent to an edge (8) of the neck recess (6). [2] Overgarment according to claim 1, characterized by that the power supply device (10) is held in a neck region (16) of the textile part (4). [3] Overgarment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the power supply device (10) is accommodated in a pocket (14) arranged on the neck recess (6) on an underside (12) of the textile part (4). [4] Overgarment according to claim 3, characterized by that the bag (14) is made of a flame-retardant material. [5] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the textile part (4) is made in the shape of a vest or a collar and the neck recess (6) is U-shaped. [6] Overgarment according to claim 5, characterized by that the textile part (4) has connecting means (46) for external fastening to the neck (N) of a firefighter's jacket (50). [7] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the active illuminating means (26) have at least one light guide (30) held on the upper side (32) of the textile part (4), which can be acted upon by a light source (28). [8] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that different colours of the active illuminants (26) can be set via the control device (22). [9] Overgarment according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the light source (28) is formed by at least one LED. [10] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that in addition the control device (22) is held adjacent to the edge (8) of the neck recess (6). [11] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the control device (22) and an electrical connection (24) are arranged on the underside (12) of the textile part (4). [12] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the entire textile part (4) is made of a flame-retardant material. [13] Overgarment according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the control device (22) is connected to a control actuator (44) attached to the upper side (32) of the textile part (4), which is also arranged adjacent to the edge (8) of the neck recess (6).

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