LIGHTWEIGHT LIFE JACKET

Abstract

This life jacket comprises a shell (30) and a thin rubber base (14), said control module (1) having means (50) for attaching the module (1) to a garment (4, 5), the shell (30) containing an electronic circuit (31) including a battery (34) and means for signaling (36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48) the wearer of the garment, the control module (1) further comprising photovoltaic elements (12) arranged on the shell (30)]. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: LIGHTWEIGHT LIFE JACKET FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to life jackets allowing the user to be rescued more easily in the event of critical danger, particularly in mountain or maritime hiking contexts.

[0002] The present invention aims to constitute a jacket which is not exclusively maritime, suitable for various situations, and which in particular minimizes its weight and bulk. CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Life jackets are known that are adapted for rescue in the event of drowning. In order to enable a user to survive a specific drowning incident, these jackets often include sophisticated inflation means that allow the user to float after inflation, to the detriment of any performance of the jacket on other criteria: weight, size, ergonomics outside of the water, variety of functionalities, etc.

[0004] These solutions are therefore cumbersome to implement and unsuitable in situations other than those involving a risk of drowning. In particular, this type of jacket often has nothing in place for dangers other than drowning, against which they are therefore useless or unused, in the absence of current or imminent danger. Above all, these jackets have no means of prevention or rescue for mountain dangers, and they are often only used in the event of imminent or current danger. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a lightweight jacket which will be worn by a hiker exposed to numerous risks and not only drowning, and without an inflation system, thus capable of combining the advantages of simplicity, efficiency and reliability for its implementation, and this for preventive or emergency uses, on a wide variety of activities.

[0006] In view of the above, the subject of the invention is a control module intended to be fixed to a garment, comprising a shell and a thin rubber base, said control module having means for fixing the module to a garment, the shell containing an electronic circuit comprising a battery and means for signaling the wearer of the garment, the control module further comprising photovoltaic elements arranged on the shell.

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[0015] Preferably, some of the signaling means are adapted to enable the wearer of the garment to be made visible by means of lighting. For example, some of the signaling means are adapted to allow the wearer of the garment to be visible by means of reflective self-adhesive backlighting surrounding the shell. Advantageously, the module comprises a button for activating the signaling means arranged on a concave curvature of an outer periphery of the shell, said shell having a general bean shape ergonomically adapted to the hand of a user. According to one embodiment, some of the signaling means comprise a radio, GPS or GSM signal transmitter. In one embodiment, some of the signaling means include a microphone and speaker module. Advantageously, some of the signaling means include an accelerometer configured to detect a falling movement of the control module. The control module may further comprise means for attaching the control module to a garment allowing the base to be attached to the garment by sewing, gluing or clipping. The invention also relates to a life jacket comprising two side panels joined at the rear of the jacket by a rear panel of the jacket, the two side panels comprising two openings for the passage of a user's arms, the two side panels being joined at the front of the jacket by removable closure means at the front of the jacket, the two side panels and the rear panel being internally lined with foam, the jacket further comprising at least one control module according to any one of the preceding claims arranged in a centered position on one of the side panels or on the rear panel. Preferably, the life jacket comprises a liquid dispenser having a flexible waterproof container placed on an inner face of one of the side panels and connected at its outlet to a pipe having a nozzle adapted for dispensing said liquid from the flexible waterproof container. - A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the figures in which: [Fig.l] represents a life jacket in front view; [Fig.2] shows a life jacket in rear view; [Fig.3] represents the interior of a side production of the life jacket; [Fig.4] represents the control module and its components; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] [Fig.l] illustrates a life jacket according to the invention, worn by a user and seen from the front. It comprises two side panels 4.

[0017] As illustrated by [Fig.2], the side panels are joined to the rear of the jacket 4.5 by a rear panel 5 of the jacket 4.5.

[0018] The two side panels 4 comprise two openings for the passage of a user's arms. They are joined to the front of the jacket 4,5 by removable closure means 6 at the front of the jacket 4,5, which are in a known manner constituted for example by clips, a zipper, buttons, etc. depending on the desired style.

[0019] The side panels 4 and rear 5 are internally lined with foam. However, it is a lightweight jacket intended to be worn also during activity, in particular in mountain hiking situations. The jacket 4,5 is therefore particularly compact unlike existing jackets, and does not restrict the user's movements very much. Thus, the lightweight and comfortable jacket is intended to be worn for a long time and in a preventive manner, which makes it possible to warn and protect the user in dangerous situations to which he may be exposed, such as getting lost or injured, regardless of whether these situations actually occur or not.

[0020] Unlike conventional life jackets, this one does not have an inflation system. The jacket is filled with foam and air, to be buoyant in the event of falling into a body of water.

[0021] The mixture of foam combined with air in the panels of the jacket 4.5 provides flotation assistance in the event of the user falling into the water, without the user having to inflate before or at the time of falling into the water.

[0022] The jacket 2 further comprises at least one control module 1.

[0023] The module 1 can be arranged on one of the side panels 4, in a centered position horizontally on said side panel 4. It can also be placed on the rear panel 5, centered horizontally on the user's back.

[0024] As illustrated by Figs 1 and 2, it is of course possible to provide several modules 1, in particular one module on each side panel 4 and one on the back. In addition, these modules are preferably placed high up on the jacket 4, 5, namely close to the shoulders of the user, which facilitates their use and increases their effectiveness when it comes to providing visibility of the user to rescuers and when the user is standing.

[0025] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the jacket 4,5 may include a dispenser 16 of liquid 19 having a flexible waterproof container 18. It may in particular be placed on an inner face of one of the side panels 4, which makes it possible to protect it from the environment, for example to protect it from being pierced by brambles during a hike.

[0026] The distributor 16 is connected, by an outlet of the flexible sealed container 18, to a pipe 20 having an end piece 22 adapted for the distribution of the liquid 19 contained in the flexible sealed container 18.

[0027] This provides both a reserve which can be valuable if the user is lost and dehydrated, and also one which can be easily accessible to the user in different positions, even if he is walking, lying down or immersed in water.

[0028] The jacket may also provide a pocket 24, internal or external, closable or not, allowing food to be stored, for example to prevent a lack of sugar, or to have reserves in case of waiting for help.

[0029] For this purpose, the distributor 16 as well as the module 1 are designed to be perfectly watertight.

[0030] [Fig.4] details the control module 1 intended to be adapted to an item of clothing, in particular to the life jacket.

[0031] The module 1 comprises an outer shell 30 and a thin rubber base 14.

[0032] The rubber base 14 is sewn to the fabric. The use of rubber allows to maintain the flexibility of the 4.5 jacket, making it comfortable to use without compromising the integrity of the modules.

[0033] The shell 30 is preferably also flexible, and comprises, for example, polycarbonate. The total flexibility of the module 1 makes it more comfortable to wear the jacket comprising several modules 1, since the shell 30 and its thin rubber base 14, also flexible, adapt to the movements of the jacket, which frees up the user's freedom of movement.

[0034] The control module 1 has means 50 for fixing the module 1 to a garment 4,5, in particular to the jacket 4,5, but it can be envisaged on other types of garments.

[0035] The control module can be removed and attached to another jacket. This also allows the user to attach the module to their favorite jacket, but also to recover the module 1 in the event of the end of life of the garment alone.

[0036] The fixing means 50 are provided on the rubber base 14. Three techniques are particularly advantageous for fixing the base 14 on the jacket 4,5: clipping, sewing and gluing.

[0037] By clipping, the module 1 can be attached by additional clip-on buttons provided on the module and on the base 14 fixed on the jacket 4,5. The clip-on buttons are for example made of plastic.

[0038] By sewing, the module 1 can be sewn through the thin rubber base 14 so as to be perfectly secured to the jacket 4,5.

[0039] By gluing, the control module can be directly attached to the jacket by an adhesive strip, in particular adhesive on these two faces.

[0040] The shell 30 of the module 1 contains an electronic circuit 31 comprising a battery 34 and signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48 of the user wearing the jacket 4, 5.

[0041] The control module 1 further comprises photovoltaic elements 12 arranged on the shell 30 and adapted to supply electricity to the battery 34.

[0042] Some of the signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48 may be adapted to enable the wearer of the garment 4, 5 to be made visible by lighting means 44, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or a strip of LEDs, in particular red in color, which increases visibility by the human eye.

[0043] The lighting means 44 can also be adapted to allow the user to light his path in the event of a night-time situation, for example if he gets lost in the mountains at nightfall, which avoids him having to bring and carry a torch in his hand for lighting.

[0044] For example, the visibility of the wearer of the garment 4,5 is achieved by means of backlighting 48 with a reflective sticker surrounding the shell 30. In particular, a self-adhesive reflective strip can be provided around the shell 30.

[0045] Advantageously, an activation button 32 on the shell 30, which allows the activation or deactivation of the signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48.

[0046] This module 1 can thus house all the control and communication systems facilitating alerts and the arrival of help.

[0047] The button 32 is advantageously arranged on a concave curvature of an outer periphery of the shell 30. This makes it easier to grip the button 32, of the push-button type, and to activate the functions of the electronic circuit 31.

[0048] The shell 30 may have a general bean shape ergonomically adapted to the hand of a user.

[0049] This is particularly the case for the shells provided at the front of the jacket 4,5, namely provided on the side panels 4, since these are intended to be directly accessible by the user.

[0050] It will be noted that the concavity is more favorably disposed in the direction of the user's shoulder, so that the button 32 of a lateral module is reached and grasped more easily either by the hand opposite the side of this lateral module on the jacket 4,5, and then more particularly more easily activated by the thumb, opposite the other fingers, or by the hand on the same side of the jacket 4,5 as this lateral module, and then more particularly more easily activated by the four fingers of this hand other than the thumb in opposition to the palm of the hand.

[0051] The shape is thus particularly ergonomic due to its accessibility and ease of gripping for any hand of the user as well as a hand of a person other than the user. This ease and time saving are particularly important for critical situations.

[0052] It is of course possible to provide that any module 1 arranged on the jacket 4, 5 in a manner less accessible to the user, in particular any module 1 which would be arranged on the rear panel 5, is coupled by its electronic circuit 31 to the electronic circuit 31 of at least one module comprising an activation button 32, so that the activation of one causes the activation of the other.

[0053] Thus, for example, a rear module and its lighting are provided, connected to the front module by a wire sewn under the jacket, to provide greater visibility to the person in danger.

[0054] According to one embodiment, some of the signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48 comprise a radio, GPS or GSM signal transmitter, 40, 46. It makes it possible to transmit an alert signal to the surrounding area and to notify the emergency services, or to help the emergency services find the user who has become lost.

[0055] In particular, the radio signal transmitter 46 transmits a radio signal on a frequency specific to emergencies. This opens a direct line of communication with the emergency services and thus allows for a faster response time. In the current state of the art, the telemetric communication means of the emergency services are substantially four hundred and six megahertz.

[0056] The radio transmitter may be coupled to a GSM and / or GPS module 40 which connects the jacket to cellular networks, allowing the user to call and communicate with nearby emergency services.

[0057] In one embodiment, some of the signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48 further comprise a microphone and speaker module 36, 38, which thus allows communication between the user and the emergency services. It may further be provided that the microphone and speaker module 36, 38 is capable of emitting an audible signal helping to find the user, or can even emit a set of pre-recorded audio recordings, such as emergency instructions intended to reassure or help the user.

[0058] Advantageously, some of the signaling means 36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48 comprise an accelerometer 42 configured to detect a falling movement of the control module 1.

[0059] The accelerometer 42 detects sudden movements which may signify a accident, such as a fall, and activates emergency mode.

[0060] When inactive, most of the modules are in sleep mode to save power, while the accelerometer 42 is essentially the only one kept active, configured to detect any sudden movement that could signify an accident.

[0061] The emergency mode can be activated by the user via the activation button 32, or by the accelerometer 42.

[0062] The emergency mode must be activated when an accident has been detected. The accelerometer is then the only module that becomes inactive, while the microphone and speaker module 36, 38, the GPS and GSM modules 40, the LED light strips 44, and the radio transmitter 46 at substantially four hundred and six megahertz are activated.

[0063] The authorities are then informed via radio transmitter 46.

[0064] They are also contacted via the GSM / GPS 40 module, allowing the user to communicate directly with the emergency services, and to report their location via a dedicated emergency satellite which receives the data and sends it to the nearest emergency services.

[0065] The LEDs light up to make the user more visible, especially in the dark.

[0066] Thanks to the jacket of the invention, the emergency services locate the user in danger, who has become lost or has suffered an accident, thanks to the coordinates and the lights on the jacket, and the rescue of the user occurs within an average time of forty-five minutes.

Claims

Claims

1. Life jacket (1) comprising two side panels (4) joined at the rear of the jacket (1) by a rear panel (5) of the jacket (1), the two side panels (4) comprising two openings for the passage of the arms of a user, the two side panels (4) being joined at the front of the jacket (1) by removable closure means (6) at the front of the jacket (1), the two side panels (4) and the rear panel (5) being internally lined with foam, the jacket (2) further comprising at least one control module (1), the control module (1) comprising a shell (30) and a thin rubber base (14), said control module (1) having means (50) for fixing the module (1) to a garment (4, 5), the shell (30) containing an electronic circuit (31) comprising a battery (34) and signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) of the wearer of the garment, the control module (1) further comprising photovoltaic elements (12) arranged on the shell (30),characterized in that some of the signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) are adapted to allow visibility of the wearer of the garment (4,5) by means of reflective sticker backlighting means (48) surrounding the shell (30), and in that some of the signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) comprise a radio, GPS or GSM signal transmitter (40, 46), and in that some of the signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) comprise an accelerometer (42) configured to detect a falling movement of the control module (1).,

2. Life jacket (1) comprising a control module (1) according to claim 1, in which some of the signaling means (36, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48) are adapted to allow visibility of the wearer of the garment (4, 5) by lighting means (44).

3. Life jacket (1) comprising a control module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, having an activation button (32) of the signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) arranged on a concave curvature of an outer periphery of the shell (30), said shell (30) having a general bean shape ergonomically adapted to the hand of a user.

4. A life jacket (1) comprising a control module (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein some of the signaling means (36,38,40,44,46,48) comprise a microphone and speaker module (36, 38).

5. Life jacket (1) comprising a control module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing means (50) of the control module (1) on a garment (4,5) allow the fixing by sewing, gluing or clipping of the base (14) on the garment (4,5).

6. Life jacket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispenser (16) of liquid (19) having a flexible waterproof container (18) placed on an inner face of one of the side panels (4) and connected at its outlet to a pipe (20) having a nozzle (22) adapted for the distribution of said liquid (19) from the flexible waterproof container (18).

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