| Hazardous environment protective suit -> Monitor Keywords |
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Hazardous environment protective suitRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Bag Type, Separable, Trousers And OverallsHazardous environment protective suit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060191054, Hazardous environment protective suit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/981,312, filed Nov. 4, 2004; which, in turn, claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/622,545 entitled "ONE SIZE FITS ALL HAZ-MAT SUIT", filed on Oct. 27, 2004, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is directed to apparel and, more specifically, to hazardous environment apparel that may be donned by rescue personnel or other individuals prior to entering or while within a potentially hazardous environment. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] For many years, it has been understood that certain chemicals are hazardous to mammalian life and certain instances require mammals, particularly human beings, to be potentially exposed to such chemicals. Therefore, there developed a need for apparel to be donned by humans to reduce the potential exposure to hazardous chemicals. In response, a protective clothing industry evolved from the development of protective clothing such as pants, shirts, hats/hoods, gloves, masks, shoes, and suits. [0006] Analogous to other forms of clothing, protective clothing can be ordered in one of many sizes to accommodate humans having a particular body shape. In an exemplary instance, a business entity, government body, or other employer has decided to purchase protective suits for its employees. This necessitates the employees providing feedback regarding the size of suit he/she might wear or the employer guesstimating as to the appropriate size and number of suits in a particular size. The latter approach generally involves employers purchasing a range of protective clothing that will result in many unused suits, simply in an attempt by the employer to have a sufficient supply of suits for all employees. For example, a protective suit size "SMALL" will not fit an adult male six feet tall and weighing 300 pounds. Likewise, an "XXXL" suit will be incredibly baggy on a five feet tall female weighing 100 pounds. Thus, there is a need in the industry for a protective suit adaptable to meet the various bodily configurations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is directed to apparel and, more specifically, to hazardous environment apparel that may be donned by rescue personnel or other individuals prior to entering or while within a potentially hazardous environment. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provides adjustable features incorporated into protective clothing such that a purchaser and/or wearer may obtain a "one size fits all" device. The adjustable features may also be labeled to provide guidance to the wearer as to what degree of adjustment is necessary to simulate a particular body shape. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a hazardous environment suit having hook and pile (Velcro) adjustable features positioned at various locations on the arms, legs, and/or torso of the suit. The positioning of the adjustable features is coordinated to allow the hook and pile features to interface and configure the length of the legs, arms, and/or torso areas of the suit approximating a standard small, medium, large, extra large, extra extra large, and extra extra extra large suit. [0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the length/width adjustment fasteners (such as the strips of hook and pile fasteners) are sewn onto a separate strip or tube of moisture barrier material, which is in turn bonded to the moisture barrier material of the suit. Thus, the holes caused by the stitching of the adjustment fasteners to the separate strip or tube do not penetrate the material of the suit itself. [0009] Other novel features that may be included with certain embodiments of the present invention may include color coding the hook and/or pile adjustable features for easy reference enabling a user to quickly conform the suit to a particular size while out of the suit. Other novel features are discussed in the exemplary embodiments of the invention and reference is had to this discussion for a more detailed understanding of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 3 is an exemplary table providing exemplary measurements showing the spacing of the adjustable features to provide an adjustable suit; [0013] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a sleeve portion of the third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass adjustable hazardous environment clothing and, in particular, adjustable hazardous environment protective suits. Hazardous environment clothing and, in particular, adjustable hazardous environment protective suits include any clothing operative to provide a temporary or permanent barrier to liquids identified as being potentially hazardous when humans are exposed thereto. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional features that one of ordinary skill will recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. [0018] Referencing FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary hazardous environment suit 10 has a unibody design (i.e., a jumpsuit) that includes a torso portion 12 having an integrated pair of sleeves 14, 16, an integrated pair of pant legs 18, 20, and may include an integrated hood (not shown). The front of the suit 10 includes one or more fasteners 24 enabling the front of the suit to be opened and closed to facilitate entry into and egress from the suit. Exemplary fasteners 24 for use with the present invention include, without limitation, zippers, hook and pile retainers, and interlocking tube and groove connections. In this exemplary embodiment, the suit includes a recessed zipper 24 running between the neck 26 and the crotch area 28. The recessed portion of the zipper 24 has a fold-over flap 30 of the suit that operates to overlay the zipper when zipped. [0019] Adjustable fasteners 32 are provided on the torso portion 12, sleeves 14, 16, and legs 18, 20. In this exemplary embodiment the adjustable fasteners 32 comprise corresponding hook and pile fasteners. However, those of ordinary skill will understand from the recitation provided herein (for all embodiments) that other fasteners, such as zippers, buttons, buckles, snaps, tube and groove fasteners and the like may be used in lieu of or in addition to hook and pile fasteners. Continue reading about Hazardous environment protective suit... Full patent description for Hazardous environment protective suit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hazardous environment protective suit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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