US4922552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Firefighter's garments having enhanced flexibility and minimum weight
Assignee: Norcross Safety Products LLC
•
Filing: 1989-05-01
•
Granted: 1990-05-08
•
Expires: 2009-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A firefighter's garment which includes a layer of protective material in which the layer of protective material is provided with a major portion which has a high degree of thermal protective properties. The layer of protective material also has sections which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties. The protions of the layer of protective material which have a high degree of thermal protective properties are positioned at locations which require maximum thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties are located at positions which require less thermal protection. The portions of the layer of protective material which have a lesser degree of thermal protective properties also have greater flexibility and less bulk and less weight. Thus, the possibility of stress upon the firefighter is not effectively decreased when firefighter body posture during firefighting and the role of the protective equipment is considered.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Grilliot
- 👤 Mary I. Grilliot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:17
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/0002; A62; A62B; A62B17/00; A62B17/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A firefighter's garment for protection of a firefighter during fire fighting activity and to create minimum stress within the firefighter during firefighting activity, the firefighter's garment comprising an outer shell of flexible abrasion resistant and flame resistant material, a layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material enclosed by the outer shell, the layer of flexible high temperature insulation material including a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material having given thermal insulation qualities, the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material also including a second portion of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, the second portion of flexible high temperature insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material having lesser thermal insulation qualities than the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A firefighter's garment for protection of a firefighter during fire fighting activity and to create minimum stress within the firefighter during firefighting activity, the firefighter's garment comprising an outer shell of flexible abrasion resistant and flame resistant material, a layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material enclosed by the outer shell, the layer of flexible high temperature insulation material including a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material having given thermal insulation qualities, the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material also including a second portion of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, the second portion of flexible high temperature insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material having lesser thermal insulation qualities than the first portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 in which the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material has a minor part which is subject to extreme bending, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is within the minor part of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 in which the garment comprises a firefighter's coat provided with a sleeve having an elbow region, the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material being within the elbow region of the sleeve of the coat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 in which the garment comprises a firefighter's coat having a body region and a sleeve, the coat having a juncture region in which the sleeve is joined to the body region, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is adjacent the juncture region of the coat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 which comprises trousers having a pair of leg sections, each of the leg sections having a knee area, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is within each knee area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 which comprises trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts, there being juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is within the juncture region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The firefighter's garment of claim 1 which comprises trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts, there being a plurality of juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is within the juncture regions, each of the leg parts also having a knee region, and in which the second portion of the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is also within the knee region of each of the leg parts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the firefighter's garment being adapted to be worn by a firefighter who wears another element of firefighting apparel, the layer of insulation material having a part which is covered by another element of firefighting apparel, and in which the second portion of the layer of insulation material is covered by a part of the other element of firefighting apparel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the firefighter's garment being adapted to be worn by a firefighter who wears another element of firefighting apparel, the layer of insulation material having a part which is covered by another element of firefighting apparel, and in which the second portion of the layer of insulation material is covered by a part of the other element of firefighting apparel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the garment being adapted for wear by a firefighter who also wears a pair of boots, and in which the garment comprises trousers having lower leg regions which are covered by the boots which are worn by the firefighter, and in which the second portion of the layer of insulation material is within the lower leg regions of the trousers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the garment being adapted for wear by a firefighter who also wears a pair of boots, and in which the garment comprises trousers having lower leg regions which are covered by the boots which are worn by the firefighter, and in which the second portion of the layer of insulation material is within the lower leg regions of the trousers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the layer of insulation material including a third portion, the third portion being of an insulation material which is less bulky and more flexible than the first portion of the layer of insulation material and in which the third portion has bulk and flexibility characteristics different from the bulk and flexibility characteristics of the second portion of the layer of insulation material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of insulation material in which the layer includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of insulation material also including a second portion of insulation material, the second portion of insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of insulation material, the layer of insulation material including a third portion, the third portion being of an insulation material which is less bulky and more flexible than the first portion of the layer of insulation material and in which the third portion has bulk and flexibility characteristics different from the bulk and flexibility characteristics of the second portion of the layer of insulation material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment being worn by a firefighter who wears another element of firefighting apparel, the layer of thermal insulation material having a part which is covered by the other element of firefighting apparel, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is covered by a part of the other element of firefighting apparel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment being worn by a firefighter who wears another element of firefighting apparel, the layer of thermal insulation material having a part which is covered by the other element of firefighting apparel, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is covered by a part of the other element of firefighting apparel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment comprising a firefighter's coat provided with a sleeve having an elbow region, the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material being within the elbow region of the sleeve of the firefighter's coat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment comprising a firefighter's coat provided with a sleeve having an elbow region, the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material being within the elbow region of the sleeve of the firefighter's coat.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
140 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment comprising a firefighter's coat having a body region and a sleeve, the firefighter's coat having a juncture region in which the sleeve is joined to the body region, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture region of the firefighter's coat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment comprising a firefighter's coat having a body region and a sleeve, the firefighter's coat having a juncture region in which the sleeve is joined to the body region, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture region of the firefighter's coat.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a pair of leg sections, each of the leg sections having a knee area, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within each knee area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a pair of leg sections, each of the leg sections having a knee area, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within each knee area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
136 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts; there being juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture region.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
136 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts; there being juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment being adapted to be worn by a firefighter who also wears a pair of boots, and in which the garment comprises trousers having lower leg regions which are covered by the boots which are worn by a firefighter, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the lower leg regions of the firefighter's trousers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the garment being adapted to be worn by a firefighter who also wears a pair of boots, and in which the garment comprises trousers having lower leg regions which are covered by the boots which are worn by a firefighter, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the lower leg regions of the firefighter's trousers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
174 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts, there being a plurality of juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture regions, each of the leg parts also having a knee region, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is also within the knee region of each of the leg parts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
174 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the firefighter's garment comprising trousers having a torso part and a pair of leg parts, there being a plurality of juncture regions at which the leg parts are joined to the torso part, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is within the juncture regions, each of the leg parts also having a knee region, and in which the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material is also within the knee region of each of the leg parts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
168 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the layer of thermal insulation material including a third portion, the third portion of the layer of thermal insulation material being of a thermal insulation material which is less bulky and more flexible than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material and in which the third portion of the layer of thermal insulation material has bulk and flexibility characteristics different from the bulk and flexibility characteristics of the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
168 words
A firefighter's garment which comprises a layer of thermal insulation material in which the layer of thermal insulation material includes a first portion which is relatively bulky and which has limited flexibility, the layer of thermal insulation material also including a second portion of thermal insulation material, the second portion of thermal insulation material being less bulky in character and having greater flexibility than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material, and a layer of abrasion resistant material covering the layer of thermal insulation material, the layer of thermal insulation material including a third portion, the third portion of the layer of thermal insulation material being of a thermal insulation material which is less bulky and more flexible than the first portion of the layer of thermal insulation material and in which the third portion of the layer of thermal insulation material has bulk and flexibility characteristics different from the bulk and flexibility characteristics of the second portion of the layer of thermal insulation material.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing a firefighter's garment for protection of a firefighter while the firefighter is engaged in fire fighting activity comprising providing a layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material in which the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is relatively bulky and limited in flexibility, inserting sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material into the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material in which the sections are less bulky and have greater flexibility than the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, forming the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material including the sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material into the form of a garment, whereby the garment has portions of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material which are relatively bulky and of limited flexibility and whereby the garment has sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material which are less bulky and which have greater flexibility than said portions of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, and covering the garment with a layer of flexible abrasion resistant and high temperature flame resistant material.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
185 words
The method of producing a firefighter's garment for protection of a firefighter while the firefighter is engaged in fire fighting activity comprising providing a layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material in which the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material is relatively bulky and limited in flexibility, inserting sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material into the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material in which the sections are less bulky and have greater flexibility than the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, forming the layer of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material including the sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material into the form of a garment, whereby the garment has portions of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material which are relatively bulky and of limited flexibility and whereby the garment has sections of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material which are less bulky and which have greater flexibility than said portions of flexible high temperature thermal insulation material, and covering the garment with a layer of flexible abrasion resistant and high temperature flame resistant material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |