US7926124B2
Active / In Force
US
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Thermal regulating and load bearing inserts for wearable and related items
Assignee: VARILOFT LLC
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Filing: 2009-11-17
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Granted: 2011-04-19
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Expires: 2029-11-17
Abstract
Abstract Three dimensional fabric matrices are provided for insertion into compartments of or attachment to wearable items and padded items, referred to as contact articles. The matrix includes a core that maintains an air space between inner and outer layers to facilitate heat transfer by convection and evaporation, when the enclosure is breathable. When the enclosure restricts air permeation, the air space provides insulation. Embodiments reconfigurable from insulating to breathable include adjustable impermeable sections that releasably cover permeable sections. The matrix also absorbs shocks and distributes stresses to provide padding and cushioning, including reduction of backface signature in ballistic applications. Wearable items containing one or more matrices offer enhanced thermal regulation and shock absorption.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Hunter
- 👤 Whitney R. Hunter
- 👤 Stephen A. Gathings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:16
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H1/00; F41H1/02; A; A45; A45F; A45F3/00; A45F3/04; A45F3/042; B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B32B3/00; B32B3/02; B32B3/04; B32B3/10; B32B3/14; B32B3/26; B32B3/266; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B32B5/024; B32B5/028; B32B5/08; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; A45F2003/045; A45F3/12; A45F2003/122; A45F2003/127; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/50; B32B2307/558; B32B2307/56; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/724; B32B2571/00; B32B2571/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad, said load bearing pad comprising a pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers, each of said plastic fabric layers having peripheral edges; a three dimensional plastic fabric matrix, said matrix comprising a substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, synthetic strand core plastic tubular formations in at least one layer sandwiched between the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers; and a strip of thin flexible material wrapped over and joined to the peripheral edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad, said load bearing pad comprising a pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers, each of said plastic fabric layers having peripheral edges; a three dimensional plastic fabric matrix, said matrix comprising a substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, synthetic strand core plastic tubular formations in at least one layer sandwiched between the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers; and a strip of thin flexible material wrapped over and joined to the peripheral edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , the peripheral edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers being joined together to form an envelope with a compartment containing the three dimensional plastic fabric matrix, and said strip of thin flexible material being wrapped over and joined to the joined edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said peripheral edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers being joined using a joint from the group consisting of a thermal bond, a chemical bond, an ultrasonic weld, and stitching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , wherein the strip of thin flexible material wrapped over and joined to the joined edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers is comprised of a material from the group consisting of fabric, PVC and thermoplastic film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , wherein the strip of thin flexible material wrapped over and joined to the joined edges of the pair of coterminous plastic fabric layers is joined to the edges using a joint from the group consisting of a thermal bond, a chemical bond, an ultrasonic weld, and stitching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches, and said tubular formations being formed from olefin yarns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches, and said tubular formations being formed from olefin yarns, said yarns being about 250 mil thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches, and said tubular formations being formed from olefin yarns, said yarns being about 250 mil thick, and said three dimensional plastic fabric matrix experiencing about 10% compression at a load of 10 to 25 psi, determined in accordance with ASTM D3575.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches, and said tubular formations being formed from olefin yarns, said yarns being about 250 mil thick, and said three dimensional plastic fabric matrix providing an air flow of about 1000 CFM, measured in accordance with ASTM D737.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a garment with a pocket containing the pad, said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers, said pocket being positioned at an area of the garment providing thermal regulation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a garment with a pocket containing the pad, said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers, said pocket being positioned at an area of the garment providing thermal regulation, said fabric layers including a portion of air permeable material to provide breathability.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a garment with a pocket containing the pad, said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers, said pocket being positioned at an area of the garment providing insulation, said fabric layers comprising materials that restrict air permeation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a garment with a pocket containing the pad, said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers, said pocket being positioned at an area of the garment providing cushioning.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a backpack with a back configured to abut a wearer's back, and said load bearing pad being contained within a fabric envelope at the back of the backpack, said fabric envelope including an air permeable material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a backpack with a plurality of shoulder straps configured to support the backpack, each of said shoulder straps having an underside configured to contact a wearer, and said load bearing pad being contained within a fabric envelope attachable to the underside of the shoulder straps, said fabric envelope including an air permeable material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a ballistic vest with an interior surface configured to abut a wearer when worn, and said load bearing pad being contained within a fabric envelope at the interior surface of the ballistic vest, said fabric envelope including an air permeable material, and said load bearing pad configured to reduce the backface signature of the ballistic vest by at least ten percent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a ballistic vest with an interior surface configured to abut a wearer when worn, and said load bearing pad being contained within a fabric envelope at the interior surface of the ballistic vest, said fabric envelope comprising an air permeable material, and said load bearing pad configured to reduce a backface signature of the ballistic vest by at least ten percent; and said core comprising a plurality of substantially vacuous, porous, resilient, load-bearing, plastic tubular formations in at least one layer, each tubular formation in the at least one layer having a diameter at least about 0.2 to 0.75 inches, and said tubular formations being formed from olefin yarns, said yarns being about 250 mil thick.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a seat pad and said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contact article including a load bearing pad according to claim 1 , said contact article being a bedding article and said pocket comprising a plurality of fabric layers.
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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) | 2014-04-18 | 2014-10-18 | 2015-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-04-18 | 2018-10-18 | 2019-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-04-18 | 2022-10-18 | 2023-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |