US5720045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective garment with apertured closed-cell foam liner
Assignee: Lion Group Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1998-02-24
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A protective garment having an outer shell and a thermal liner having a layer of apertured, closed-cell foam material. In a preferred embodiment, the foam material is fire retardant and the layer is bonded to the outer shell, and the garment includes a moisture barrier layer positioned between the foam liner and the wearer of the garment. The closed-cell foam liner is non-moisture absorbent and provides high thermal insulation for its weight and thickness in comparison to prior art thermal liners, so that a relatively thin layer of foam material may be used. Accordingly, the overall weight of the garment is minimized, as is the movement-restricting effect of the liner. The non-absorbency of the foam liner allows the liner to be positioned between the moisture barrier and the outer shell of the garment so that the liner does not restrict flow of perspiration moisture vapor from the wearer to the moisture barrier. The apertures formed in the foam liner promote transport through the liner of moisture vapor from the wearer which passes through the moisture barrier. Such closed-cell foam material may be used both as a continuous thermal barrier extending throughout the garment and/or in selected areas which require additional padding or thermal resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Aldridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:59
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B17/00; A62B17/003; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/08; A41D31/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A protective garment comprising: an outer shell; a first thermal liner positioned within and extending substantially throughout said outer shell; and a second thermal liner in the form of a pad extending through less than said entire garment, said pad having a layer of continuous, apertured, closed-cell foam material and being positioned within said outer shell whereby said pad provides thermal protection yet does not absorb moisture, and said pad includes a multiplicity of apertures therethrough shaped and positioned to allow passage of moisture vapor outwardly from a wearer of said garment through said pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A protective garment comprising: an outer shell; a first thermal liner positioned within and extending substantially throughout said outer shell; and a second thermal liner in the form of a pad extending through less than said entire garment, said pad having a layer of continuous, apertured, closed-cell foam material and being positioned within said outer shell whereby said pad provides thermal protection yet does not absorb moisture, and said pad includes a multiplicity of apertures therethrough shaped and positioned to allow passage of moisture vapor outwardly from a wearer of said garment through said pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The garment of claim 1 wherein said pad is positioned at an area of high movement of said wearer relative to said garment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The garment of claim 2 wherein said area includes elbow and shoulder regions of said garment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A protective garment comprising: an outer shell layer of fire and abrasion resistant material; a moisture barrier layer positioned within said outer shell and having a semipermeable membrane layer which is permeable to moisture vapor; a thermal liner layer having a single layer of apertured, fire-retardant closed-cell foam material said thermal liner layer positioned between said moisture barrier layer and said outer shell; and a plurality of pads of a closed-cell foam material forming areas of increased thermal and compression resistance on selected layers of said garment, said pads extending through less than said entire garment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A protective garment comprising: an outer shell layer of fire and abrasion resistant material; a moisture barrier layer positioned within said outer shell and having a semipermeable membrane layer which is permeable to moisture vapor; a thermal liner layer having a single layer of apertured, fire-retardant closed-cell foam material said thermal liner layer positioned between said moisture barrier layer and said outer shell; and a plurality of pads of a closed-cell foam material forming areas of increased thermal and compression resistance on selected layers of said garment, said pads extending through less than said entire garment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The garment of claim 4 wherein said pads are positioned between said outer shell and said thermal liner layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A protective garment that meets or exceeds firefighter garment standards comprising: an outer shell; a first thermal liner positioned within and extending substantially throughout said outer shell; and a second thermal liner in the form of a pad extending through less than said entire garment, said pad having a layer of continuous, apertured, closed-cell foam material attached to a substrate, a combination of said substrate and foam material being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping or separating when exposed to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes and being positioned within said outer shell, whereby said pad provides thermal protection yet does not absorb moisture, and said pad includes a multiplicity of apertures therethrough shaped and positioned to allow passage of moisture vapor outwardly from a wearer of said garment through said pad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
A protective garment that meets or exceeds firefighter garment standards comprising: an outer shell; a first thermal liner positioned within and extending substantially throughout said outer shell; and a second thermal liner in the form of a pad extending through less than said entire garment, said pad having a layer of continuous, apertured, closed-cell foam material attached to a substrate, a combination of said substrate and foam material being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping or separating when exposed to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes and being positioned within said outer shell, whereby said pad provides thermal protection yet does not absorb moisture, and said pad includes a multiplicity of apertures therethrough shaped and positioned to allow passage of moisture vapor outwardly from a wearer of said garment through said pad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The garment of claim 6 wherein said pad is positioned at an area subjected to relatively high external pressure and increased loading.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The garment of claim 7 wherein said area includes elbow and shoulder regions of said garment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
A protective garment of a type including a pant that meets or exceeds firefighter garment standards comprising: an outer shell layer; a moisture barrier layer positioned within said outer shell and having a semipermeable membrane layer which is permeable to moisture vapor; a thermal liner layer having a single layer of apertured, fire-retardant closed-cell foam material attached to a first substrate, a combination of said first substrate and foam material being being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping and separating when subjected to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes, said thermal liner layer positioned between said moisture barrier layer and said outer shell; and a plurality of pads of a closed-cell foam material attached to a second substrate, a combination of said second substrate and foam material being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping and separating when subjected to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes forming areas of increased thermal and compression resistance on selected layers of said garment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
175 words
A protective garment of a type including a pant that meets or exceeds firefighter garment standards comprising: an outer shell layer; a moisture barrier layer positioned within said outer shell and having a semipermeable membrane layer which is permeable to moisture vapor; a thermal liner layer having a single layer of apertured, fire-retardant closed-cell foam material attached to a first substrate, a combination of said first substrate and foam material being being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping and separating when subjected to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes, said thermal liner layer positioned between said moisture barrier layer and said outer shell; and a plurality of pads of a closed-cell foam material attached to a second substrate, a combination of said second substrate and foam material being sufficiently fire retardant such that said combination resists melting, dripping and separating when subjected to a temperature of 500° F. for at least 5 minutes forming areas of increased thermal and compression resistance on selected layers of said garment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The garment of claim 9 wherein said pads are positioned between said outer shell layer and said thermal liner layer.
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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) | 2001-02-23 | 2001-08-25 | 2002-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-23 | 2005-08-25 | 2006-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-23 | 2009-08-25 | 2010-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |