US20140101831A1 - Vest assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A vest assembly is provided for use by a wearer. The vest assembly comprises a vest body, a plurality of communication components disposed within the vest body, an antenna disposed within, or otherwise connected to the vest body, a rechargeable power supply, and a thermoelectric transducer assembly for converting body thermal energy into electrical energy to recharge the power supply and/or power the communication components. The antenna is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of communication components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/653,280, filed Oct. 16, 2012, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
• The present invention relates generally to a protective vest, and more particularly, to a vest assembly having a communication system and a user powered recharging system integrated therein.
• It is well known that individuals participating in high risk activities may employ the use of protective clothing to mitigate injury. For instance, police officers and soldiers may wear bulletproof vests, firefighters and oil rig operators may wear fireproof vests, and people working in extremely cold environments may wear clothing to protect them from the extreme temperatures. Furthermore, because of the risk of injury associated with such high risk activities, it may be desirable to maintain communication with those individuals in order to know their condition, location or status of completing a project. For example, it may be useful to communicate with a soldier patrolling a hostile environment or a fire fighter located in a burning building.
• Communication with individuals located in such extreme conditions is frequently by way of handheld walkie-talkies or telephones carried by the user while performing their activity. However, the individual may lose or damage the communication device in the course of conducting the high risk activity. Furthermore, individuals are oftentimes required to carry other tools or self-defense items, thereby making it very difficult to carry and use the communication device.
• Communications systems used by troops deployed in the field may vary dependent upon the unit involved and other factors. In some cases, the individual soldiers may each be provided with a short range communication unit that allows communication between the soldiers in a unit. In many cases individual soldiers may not have local communication devices, but instead rely upon line of eye sight communications, hand signals, etc. to communicate between the soldiers in the same unit. One or two of the soldiers may carry a long range communication device, such as back pack radios, which allows for longer range communication with headquarters and other assets, such as air support, artillery support, etc. Such long range communication devices may provide the only means of communication between the unit and command/support assets.
• However, walkie-talkies or back pack radios typically utilizes antennas extending well above the height of the soldier, which may allow a potential enemy to distinguish a radio operator from other soldiers. Enemy combatants have been reported to target radio operators, by visually sighting the antenna, and concentrating fire on that soldier in order to impair communications between a group of soldiers and/or other resources, e.g. air support, artillery support, or other support resources. As such, the use of an extended antenna to facilitate radio communication with soldiers in conflict may not only endanger the soldier(s) carrying the antenna, but may also endanger the survival of the entire unit.
• Moreover, communication devices also require a power source, such as a rechargeable battery, to operate. The rechargeable battery allows individuals such as police officers, firefighters, and soldiers to recharge the power source, typically upon returning back to their respective base or station. However, such individuals frequently are in the field for long periods of time thereby making it difficult to recharge the battery when needed. Accordingly, the communication device may lose power at critical times.
• It is also known to use renewable energy sources to recharge the battery when traditional energy sources are unavailable. However, renewable energy sources are less efficient than traditional energy sources, and may require the user to suspend other activities, if possible, to deploy power collectors, such as solar energy collector.
• As is apparent of the foregoing, there exists a need for a portable communication system having an antenna which cooperates with a communication device(s) to facilitate long range communication, without the antenna extending beyond the height of the user carrying the communications unit.
• It is also preferable if the antenna could be integrated into the users protective clothing, so that the user may have fewer separate articles to carry or secure during operations.
• It is also preferable if the power supply for the communication devices could be rechargeable in a simple and convenient manner that permits continued activity by the user during recharging.
• The present invention addresses these and other needs, as will be described in more detail below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A vest assembly is provided for use. The vest assembly comprises a vest body, a plurality of communication components, an antenna, a rechargeable power supply and a thermoelectric transducer assembly for converting body thermal energy into electrical energy for recharging the battery or powering the communication components disposed within or coupled to the vest body.
• The antenna may be disposed within the vest body, or otherwise connected to the vest body.
• In one embodiment the thermoelectric transducer assembly includes at least one thermoelectric transducer disposed in or on the vest body. The thermoelectric transducer(s) may be interwoven throughout the vest body.
• The vest assembly may include an inner garment worn adjacent the wearer, with at least a portion of the thermoelectric transducer assembly being disposed within or on the inner garment. The thermoelectric transducer assembly, or a portion thereof, may be detachably connectable to the power supply, e.g., plug connectable.
• The thermoelectric transducer assembly may comprise one or more thermo-responsive pads disposed on a body portion of the wearer, or in thermal transfer relation with a body portion of the wearer, e.g., disposed on the vest body or the inner garment. The thermo-responsive pad may be operative to generate a power supply recharging signal in response to the wearer's body heat, so as to charge the power supply and/or to power the communication components.
• The thermoelectric transducer assembly may further include a voltage regulating circuit operative to receive and condition the transducer assembly output signal to power levels suitable to recharge the power supply, or power communication components.
• The communication components may include a receiver operative to receive an input signal from a remote transceiver, a decryption device operative to decrypt the input signal, a speaker operative to broadcast a decrypted audio input signal and/or a display operative to display a decrypted text input signal.
• The communication components may further include a physiological sensor operatively linked to the wearer, for generating a physiological sensor output signal independent of a manual input by the wearer.
• A pressure senor may be disposed in or otherwise connected to the vest, for detecting pressure applied to the vest, e.g., as the result of a gunshot, and generating a responsive output signal independent of any input by the wearer.
• A global positioning system (GPS) device may also be disposed in or connected to the vest, operative to generate a GPS output signal indicating the location of the wearer, independent of wearer input. A keypad and microphone may also be provided to output signals generated by the wearer of the vest assembly.
• In one embodiment the communication components further include an encryption device, operative to receive and encrypt signals from at least one of the physiological sensor, the GPS, the keypad and the microphone.
• The vest assembly may further include an output circuit disposed within the vest, operative to communicate the encrypted output signal to a remote transceiver. The remote transceiver may be the same as the transceiver inputting signal into the vest assembly, or may be a separate remote transceiver.
• The vest assembly may be in wireless communication with a remote transceiver(s) that provides input to the vest assembly, and/or receives outputs from the vest assembly.
• The vest assembly may include a flex circuitry formed as a plurality of conductive paths disposed on a flexible substrate. The flex circuitry may be used to connect the various power and communication components, allowing for bending or other displacement of the electrical connections in response to movement of the wearer or other conditions. The flex circuitry thereby mitigates limitations on the motion of the wearer as she/he is performing various tasks and enhances reliability of the various communications, monitoring and recharging systems.
• In various embodiments the vest may be comprised of fire resistant material and/or the bullet proof material, such as Kevlar®, carbonite boron, or other composite material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vest assembly having an antenna disposed within a vest body;
• FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a vest assembly having an alternative antenna disposed within the vest body;
• FIG. 2 is a cutaway plan view showing the vest body and associated exemplary communication components;
• FIG. 3 is a cutaway plan view showing a thermoelectric transducer assembly disposed within or on the vest body;
• FIG. 4 is a cutaway plan view showing an alternate thermoelectric transducer assembly disposed within or on an inner garment adjacent the vest body;
• FIG. 5 is a cutaway plan view showing a thermoelectric transducer assembly disposed within or on an inner layer of the vest body;
• FIG. 6 is a cutaway plan view showing thermo-responsive pads disposed in heat transfer relation with the wearer;
• FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing engagement between the flex circuit and a connector port;
• FIG. 8 is a cutaway side view showing engagement of the flex circuit and a connector port;
• FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic showing the interconnectivity between a thermoelectric transducer, a voltage regulator circuit, and a rechargeable power supply; and
• FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a thermoelectric transducer in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
• Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is shown avest assembly10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thevest assembly10 includes communication components that may be connected to or disposed within an article of clothing, such as avest body12, to allow the wearer to communicate with aremote transceiver36. In this manner, various aspects of the invention simplify communication between a wearer and theremote transceiver36 without unduly endangering the wearer.
• Referring now to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1,1A and2, thevest assembly10 includes avest body12 disposed on a wearer (shown in phantom). However, it is understood that, in its broader aspects, thevest assembly10 may be incorporated into any article of clothing, including, but not limited to, jackets, shirts, etc., which may be worn by security personnel to enable communication between the security teams.
• Thevest body12 shown inFIG. 1 includes a vestouter layer14. The vestouter layer14 may be comprised of a woven fabric material, a fluid-impermeable material, a fire-resistant material, or other materials that may be desirable. Furthermore, the vestouter layer14 may include a color scheme, such as camouflage, as desired by a wearer.
• Thevest body12 preferably includes abullet protection layer68. In one embodiment, thebullet protection layer68 is disposed between theouter layer14 and theinner layer20. Thebullet protection layer68 is configured to mitigate bullet penetration through thevest body12. Thebullet protection layer68 may be constructed out of Kevlar®, carbonite boron, thermal composite material or other bullet resistant materials known by those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that an individual who is located in a hostile environment, for example, a police officer, soldier, medical personnel, or media members may wear thevest body12 with thebullet protection layer68. In another embodiment of the invention, thebullet protection layer68 may be disposed intermediate theinner layer20 and the wearer. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the bullet protection layer may be detachably connectable to the vest and may be not be used in environments where bullet protection is unnecessary.
• In the embodiment as shown inFIG. 1antenna11 is in electrical communication with an external communications device, such as abackpack radio13. However,antenna11 may be disposed within thevest body12, to avoid the need for an external antenna which might otherwise extend above the body of the wearer, and identify the wearer as a radio operator. As described below, theantenna11 may be used in conjunction with communication components integrated within thevest body12.FIG. 1A illustrates anantenna11A having an alternate construction from that ofantenna11 shown atFIG. 1. Where an external communication device is used, theantenna11 may be connected to anoutput port15, which is plug connectable to an external communication device, such asbackpack radio13.
• As shown atFIG. 2, thevest body12 further includes aninner layer20. It is contemplated that the inner layer may be comprised of a woven fabric material, a fire resistant material, or other materials that may be desirable. Theinner layer20 may be worn adjacent the body portion, in heat transfer relation therewith.
• As shown atFIGS. 3 and 4, atransducer assembly100 may be disposed in, or adjacent to, theinner layer20. However it is contemplated that in other embodiments of, such as those shown atFIG. 5 the transducer assembly may be disposed on a separate undershirt or otherinner garment16 worn underneath thevest body12.
• As shown atFIGS. 3-6, thevest assembly10 may further include a rechargeableinternal power supply90 connected to or disposed within thevest body12. It is contemplated that the rechargeableinternal power supply90 be sized and configured to meet the energy demands of equipment incorporated into or otherwise used with the vest. It is contemplated that theinternal power supply90 be configured such that it is capable of being recharged from more than one energy source. It is understood that theinternal power supply90 may be implemented as one unit or may be comprised of several units. It is also understood that theinternal power supply90 may be disposed outside the vest.
• As also shown atFIGS. 3,4, thevest body12 may include athermoelectric transducer assembly100. Thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may include at least one flexiblethermoelectric transducer101, operable to convert the heat generated by the wearer, or the heat generated from another source, into electrical energy. It is contemplated that the electrical energy generated by thetransducer assembly101, i.e. a recharging current generated in response to the wearer's body heat, will be useful to recharge theinternal power supply90.
• As will be apparent to those skilled in the art,thermoelectric transducers101 may each consist of p-type and n-type semiconductors. These p-type and n-type semiconductors form thermocouples when joined by conductors. Several thermocouples or other thermoelectric devices may be connected in series or in parallel to form the thermoelectric transducer. The thermoelectric material used to form a transducer may be bismuth telluride, polarized graphite or any other material that generates electricity in response to exposure to a temperature differential, e.g., utilizing the Seebeck effect.
• In one embodiment, it is contemplated that thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may be disposed within thevest body12, intermediate thebullet protection layer68 and theinner layer20. In this configuration thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 is positioned to generate an electric current from the heat flux generated by the wearer, communicated through theinner layer20. One alternate method of positioning thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 close to the wearer's body is by interweaving a plurality of thermoelectric transducers throughout theinner layer20 as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0025774, by Plissonnier et al. and entitledThermoelectric Means and Fabric-Type Structure Incorporating Such a Means,the contents of which are incorporated here by reference. The plurality ofthermoelectric assembly100 may be constructed of a flexible material including a plurality of the flexible thermoelectric transducers and may be integrated into the woven structure of the fabric, as seen inFIG. 4.
• In other embodiments it is contemplated that thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may alternately be located on a separate inner garment, e.g., an undershirt worn directly over the wearer's body. In another embodiment, the transducer assembly includes transducers directly connected to the user's body, to optimize heat transfer and electric current generation.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment wherein at least a portion of thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 is incorporated intoinner garment16 worn adjacent the wearer's body. It is understood that theinner garment16 may be any article of clothing, including, but not limited to, a jacket, a shirt, pants or shorts, worn beneath thevest body12. In another embodiment, thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may be interwoven into the fabric of theinner garment16, orvest body12, as described above. It is understood that thethermoelectric transducer assembly100, whether or not integrated intoinner garment16, thevest body12, or directly connected to the body of the wearer, may be flexibly formed and detachably connectable (e.g. plug connectable) to thepower supply90.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment wherein thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 is implemented as one or more flexible thermo-responsive grids orpads18 having at least one thermoelectric transducer disposed within. It is contemplated that the thermo-responsive pad18 may be detachably secured to the body of the wearer, or otherwise in heat transfer relation with a body portion of the wearer. The thermo-responsive pad18 may be attached to the wearer with an adhesive. It an alternative embodiment the thermo-responsive pad18 may be attached to wearer by suction cups or any other means in which the thermo-responsive pad18 may be securely attached to and readily removed from the body portion of the wearer.
• Thetransducer assembly100 is operable to generate a power supply recharging current, or output signal, in response to the wearer's body heat. It is further understood that the recharging current or output signal may be used to charge theinternal power supply90, and/or to provide power the communication components or other devices disposed in or associated with the vest. It is also understood that in other embodiments, some combination of the thermoelectric transducer assembly configurations described above, may be used. It is also understood that the transducers and other components of thetransducer assembly100 may be plug connectable to thepower supply90 and/or other communication components disposed within thevest body12.
• As shown atFIG. 2, communication components include areceiver74, operative to receive signals from aremote transceiver36. The communication components may also include anoutput circuit34, operative to transmit an output signal to aremote transceiver36. It is understood thatreceiver74 andoutput circuit34 may be in communication with a commonremote transceiver36 or alternatively, thereceiver74 andoutput circuit34 may be in communication with different remote devices. In this regard, two-way communication between the wearer and theremote transceiver36 or between two different wearers may also be achieved.
• It is contemplated that the communication components may further include adecryption device80 for decrypting voice or data signals received by thevest assembly10 from theremote transceiver36. Thedecryption device80 may be in electrical communication with thereceiver74 such that the input signal received by thereceiver74 may be electrically communicated to and decrypted by thedecryption device80.
• In one embodiment of the invention it is contemplated that the communication components may include a speaker76 and a display78. It is contemplated that thedecryption device80 be in electrical communication with the speaker76 and display78. It is further contemplated that the speaker76 is operative to receive and broadcast an audio signal representative of a received audio signal. Similarly it is contemplated that the display78 is operative to receive and display a visual signal representative of a decrypted text input signal. In one embodiment, the speaker76 and display78 may be surface mounted to the exterior of thevest body12, substantially flush with theouter layer14. Alternatively, thereceiver34 ordecryption device80, may be connectable to an external output component, such as an earpiece, for communicating the received audio signal to the wearer. For instance, a soldier may include earphones integrated into his helmet. As such, the earphones may be connected to thereceiver34 ordecryption device80 to transmit the input signal to the wearer. Such a connection may employ a wired or wireless technology.
• In other implementations the communication components may further include a microphone32, a keypad30, a GPS62, a pressure sensor64 and a physiological sensor66.
• It is contemplated that different ways to enter data into the communication system may be more convenient under different circumstances. For instance, if thevest assembly10 is being worn by a fire fighter holding a fire hose, the wearer may not be able to manually enter data. However, the fire fighter may want to communicate with a central dispatch to provide information as to the status of the fire, or whether additional help is needed. Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention thevest body12 may include a microphone32 operative to generate an audio output signal. The microphone32 may be may be voice-activated to automatically turn on in response to the wearer entering verbal data. It is contemplated that the microphone32 be disposed substantially flush with the vestouter layer14 and may be mounted near the top of thevest body12, near the wearer's mouth.
• Although verbal communications may be preferred in some circumstances, manually entered data may be preferred under alternate conditions. For instance, the wearer may be a soldier quietly conducting a search of enemy territory. Any noise may alert the enemy of the soldier's position. Therefore, one embodiment of the invention includes a communication component configured to allow the wearer to manually enter data into the communication system, such as a keypad30, touch-screen, or other manual interface means. The keypad30 may be operative to generate a keypad output signal upon in response to wearer interaction. The keypad30 may be conveniently positioned on thevest body12, substantially flush with the vestouter layer14, to enable a wearer to manually enter data therein. The keypad30 may simply include basic input options, such as a button that may be pressed to indicate the wearer needs help, or that a mission has been accomplished. In other embodiments, the keypad30 may be more complex to enable more detailed communication.
• Although several embodiments of communication components may be configured to receive manual and/or verbal input from a wearer, other embodiments are configured and/or to generate an output signal independent of any activity by the wearer. For instance, GPS device62 may be disposed within thevest body12 and configured to generate a GPS output signal including the wearer's location. It is intended that the GPS output signal may be generated at set intervals, or may be generated by request from a remote transceiver. It is intended that personnel monitoring the wearer may track the position of the wearer in real-time by receiving the GPS output signal.
• Another communication component by which a signal may be generated independent of any activity by the wearer is a pressure sensor64, operative to monitor pressure applied to thevest assembly10. The pressure sensors64 may be disposed within thevest body12 and may be operable to detect the impact of a bullet or shrapnel against thevest assembly10. In response to detection of a bullet or shrapnel against the vest assembly, a pressure sensor output signal will be generated. That output signal may be communicated to a remote monitoring station, independent of wearer input, to alert the monitors of the wearer's condition. It is contemplated that signals from all communication components capable of gathering data independent of entry by wearer may be communicated to a monitoring station at the time an impact from a bullet or shrapnel is detected by the pressure sensor64. The pressure sensors64 may be disposed within thevest body12, in the front, back, and/or side of the vest assembly in order to sufficiently detect impact by a foreign object, such as a bullet.
• Additionally, another communication component in which a signal may be generated independent of any activity by the wearer is a physiological sensor66, useful for monitoring the physiological condition of the wearer. The physiological sensor66 may monitor the wearer's body temperature, heart rate and other physiological conditions and may generate a physiological sensor output signal in response to the monitored conditions. In this manner, the physiological sensors66 may be operatively linked to the wearer such that the physiological sensor is disposable adjacent or connectable to the wearer. It is contemplated the physiological sensor output signal may be generated at set intervals, or may be generated at the request of a monitoring station.
• In one embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that thevest body12 further includes anencryption device48. It may be desirable to encrypt the signals before they are communicated to theremote transceiver36. For instance, various military applications may require encryption to mitigate reception of the communication by enemy forces. To this end, theencryption device48 may be configured such that it is in electrical communication with the microphone32, the keypad30, the GPS62, the pressure sensor64 and/or the physiological sensor66. It is further contemplated that theencryption device48 be operable to generate an encryption device output signal in response to receipt of at least one of the microphone audio output signal, the keypad output signal, the GPS output signal, the pressure sensor output signal and the physiological sensor output signal.
• It is contemplated that theencryption device48 may be in electrical communication withoutput circuit34 remote transceiver. In this manner it is contemplated that communication components such as the microphone32, the keypad30, the GPS62, the pressure sensor64 and the physiological sensor66 may be encrypted, and communicated to aremote transceiver36 at a monitoring station. It is alternatively understood that an output signal from one or more of the communication components may be in direct communication with theoutput circuit34, the output signal being sent directly to theremote transceiver36 without being encrypted. Similarly, it is understood that thereceiver74 may communicate input signals received from theremote transceiver36 directly to communication components without first being decrypted by thedecryption device80. It is also understood that communication components not now known or not enumerated herein may be integrated into thevest body12 in a similar manner as described above.
• Theoutput circuit34 may include various components readily employed for signal transmission, such as amplifiers, signal converters. It is further contemplated that theoutput circuit34 may employ various wireless signal communication technologies known by those skilled in the art, including but not limited to, RF signals, Bluetooth®, infrared signals, and the like. In one particular embodiment, theoutput circuit34 is a radio system capable of transmitting the information via radio frequency signals. The radio system may be configured to transmit the signals over a broad range of radio frequencies. In another embodiment, theoutput circuit34 utilizes cell phone networks to transmit data to theremote transceiver36. In this manner, theoutput circuit34 may transmit the output signal directly to the cell phone network.
• According to one particular implementation, thereceiver74 and theoutput circuit34 are connectable to various external communication components to facilitate communication between the wearer and the remote location. For example, thevest12 may be connectable to communication component, such as full-sized keyboard to enable more detailed data to be communicated to theremote transceiver36. Alternatively, the external communication component may include an audio or video recorder that may be connected to theoutput circuit34 to enable communication of audio and video data. Likewise, theoutput circuit34 may include an output port connectable to an output circuit element such as a radio, amplifier, cell phone, or other communication element configured to transmit the signal to theremote transceiver36. It is also contemplated that the communication component may be in electrical communication with theencryption device48 prior to communication to theoutput circuit34.
• Thevest assembly10 may also include a signal alarm for alerting the wearer when communication between theoutput circuit34 and theremote transceiver36 is lost. For instance, it is contemplated that communication between theoutput circuit34 and theremote transceiver36 will be short-range communication. Therefore, the signal alarm alerts the wearer when the wearer has traversed beyond the communication range between theoutput circuit34 and theremote transceiver36. The signal alarm may transmit an audio signal or a visual signal (e.g., a light) for alerting the wearer of the loss of communication.
• According to one embodiment, communication between the communication components and thereceiver74 andoutput circuit34 is achieved by way offlex circuitry40, which may be implemented as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8. Theflex circuitry40 may be disposed within thevest body12 and provides a flexible, yet durable communication pathway and facilitates displacement between the communication components in response to movement of the wearer. More specifically, in one embodiment the pressure sensor64, the keypad30, the microphone32, the GPS device63 and the physiological sensor66 are connected to theencryption device48 byflex circuitry40, and similarly theencryption device48 may be connected to theoutput circuit34 byflex circuitry40. Additionally, the speaker76 and the display30 may be connected to thedecryption device80 by flex circuitry and thedecryption device80 may be connected to thereceiver74 byflex circuitry40.
• According to one embodiment, theflex circuitry40 includes a plurality ofconductive strips52 arranged in fixed, parallel, spaced apart relationship with each other. Each of the respectiveconductive strips52 terminates in aflex contact pad53 located at acircuit connection portion42. Eachflex contact pad53 may include an outwardly projecting circuit connection protrusion for facilitating engagement with an external communication component. Theflex circuitry40 may also include aninsulative covering layer54 to electrically insulate the plurality ofconductive strips52. Thecovering layer54 may include a plurality of apertures through which the circuit connection protrusions extend through. In one embodiment, theinsulative covering layer54 is constructed out of a suitable insulating material, such as plastic or plastic-like material, and is transparent or translucent so as to expose the plurality ofconductive strips52 for visual observation and view.
• According to various aspects of the present invention, and referring now toFIG. 8, theantenna11 and/or the communication components may be connected to a respectiveflexible contact substrate28. Theflexible contact substrate28 may include a printed circuit board, or other planar surface. Eachflexible contact substrate28 includes aninput connection element26 for engagement with theflex circuitry40. As shown, theinput connection element26 includes a plurality ofsubstrate contact pads57 aligned in a parallel array. The plurality ofsubstrate contact pads57 are in electrical communication with the communication components connected to theflexible contact substrate28. In the specific embodiment shown inFIG. 3, eachsubstrate contact pad57 is connected to asubstrate lead22. It is contemplated that theflex contact pads53 mate with, and are in alignment with, the plurality ofsubstrate contact pads57 to facilitate communication between the communication components and theflex circuitry40. In this manner, the spacing between adjacent ones of thesubstrate contact pads57 may correspond to the spacing between adjacent ones of theflex contact pads53.
• The engagement between thesubstrate contact pads57 and theflex contact pads53 may be achieve solely by pressure. In this manner, solder may not be required to engage theflex circuitry40 with theflexible contact substrate28. Rather, theflex circuitry40 may simply be pressed against theflexible contact substrate28 for engagement therewith. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 7, apressure distribution element56 is disposed between a biasingelement50 and theflex circuitry40. The biasingelement50 is configured to apply pressure to thepressure distribution element56 which distributes the pressure to theflex circuitry40. In this manner, theflex circuitry40 engages with theflexible contact substrate28.
• Theflexible contact substrate28 may include asubstrate alignment element38 to assist alignment between thesubstrate contact pads57 and theflex contact pads53. Likewise, theflex circuitry40 may include aflex alignment element44 being engageable with thesubstrate alignment element38 for properly aligning theflex circuitry40 with theflexible contact substrate28. In the particular embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, thesubstrate alignment element38 includes a pair of threaded posts, while theflex alignment element44 includes a pair of holes. The posts may be received within the holes to align thesubstrate contact pads57 with theflex contact pads53. Asecurement element60 may be engaged with thesubstrate alignment element38 to secure theflex circuitry40 to theflexible contact substrate28. In addition, thepressure distribution element56 and biasingelement50 includes a pressuredistribution alignment element58 and a biasingalignment element51, respectively, for alignment with theflex circuitry40.
• In another embodiment of the present invention, thesubstrate contact pads57 are not flat as previously described and illustrated. Rather, thesubstrate contact pads57 are raised and include a shaped receptacle or recess for insertably receiving theflex contact pad53. The raisedsubstrate contact pads57 may be frusto-conical in configuration and the recess shape may also be conical so as to be conformal therewith. Conformance in the shape aids in alignment and insertion during assembly and also insures a tight fit without gaps or spaces which might otherwise permit looseness and unwanted disconnection or separation.
• As previously mentioned, several embodiments include engagement between theflex circuitry40 and the communication components independent of a soldered joint. Soldering typically increases the assembly cost and is very labor intensive. In addition, a soldered connection is liable to disconnect or separate when subject to multiple temperature changes, or shock and vibration. Furthermore, the interconnection of the present invention may allow for easier disassembly which may be desirable for purposes of replacement. For a more detailed description of the connection between theflex circuitry40 and theflexible contact substrate28, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,878 entitledPressure Point Contact for Flexible Cable,issued to Balzano, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• According to one embodiment, theflex circuitry40 is folded or contoured into the inner layers of the bullet resistant vest so as to preserve signal integrity and to secure high reliability. It may be desirable to dispose theflex circuitry40 behind thebullet protection layer68 in order to protect theflex circuitry40. Theflex circuitry40 is disposed between thebullet protection layer68 and the vestinner layer20. Therefore, thebullet protection layer68 also protects theflex circuitry40 from being damaged by oncoming bullets. However, it is understood that theflex circuitry40 may be disposed on the outside of thebullet protection layer68 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
• In one embodiment, thetransducer assembly100 and the rechargeableinternal power supply90 are in electrical communication with thecommunication components104. More specifically, thetransducer assembly101 and/or the internal power supply may be in electrical communication with one or more of thereceiver74, thedecryption device80, the speaker76, the display78, the GPS62, the pressure sensor64, the physiological sensor66, the microphone32, the keypad30, theencryption device48 and thecircuit output34. It is understood that the communication components not enumerated herein but known to one of ordinary skill in the art may also be in electrical communication with the internal power supply.
• As shown atFIG. 9, it is contemplated that the thermoelectric transducers comprising thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may be in electrical communication with theinternal power supply90 and the electricity generated by thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may be used to recharge theinternal power supply90, which in turn powers thecommunication components104.
• As stated above it is contemplated that theinternal power supply90 may be charged by several different energy sources. For example, it is contemplated that thevest assembly10 may be connectable to an external power supply. In this manner it is contemplated that the external power supply may charge theinternal power supply90. In one embodiment, the external power supply may be an AC current from a wall outlet. The external power supply may provide theinternal power supply90 with a full charge, and as the charge depletes from theinternal power supply90, thethermoelectric transducer assembly100 may recharge theinternal power supply90 to prolong the operation of the communication components. It is contemplated that theinternal power supply90 may be a long life battery, such as a lithium ion battery. However, it is understood that the internal power supply may take any form in which electrical energy may be stored and recharged.
• In a preferred embodiment,thermoelectric transducer assembly100 may further include avoltage regulator circuit102, as seen inFIG. 9. It is contemplated that thevoltage regulator circuit102 may be in electrical communication with the at least onethermoelectric transducer101, thecommunication components104 and theinternal power supply90. It is further contemplated that thevoltage regulator circuit102 may include a voltage regulator and a converter. It is understood that the voltage regulator may be operable to maintain a constant voltage level. It is also contemplated that the voltage regulator may provide low resistance in one direction and high resistance in the other, allowing electrical current to flow in only one direction. It is further understood that a converter may be used to step up or step down voltage. In this manner the voltage regulator circuit may be operative to condition the transducer assembly recharging output signal to meet the particular requirements of recharging theinternal power supply90 or powering the various communication components.
• Thevest body12 may be comprised of fire resistant material. In this manner, those who are exposed to the threat of fire may employ the use of thevest assembly10 to enable integrated communications within a piece of protective clothing.
• It is contemplated that thecommunication components104 are meant to also include one or more of thereceiver74, thedecryption device80, the speaker76, the display78, the GPS62, the pressure sensor64, the physiological sensor66, the microphone32, the keypad30, theencryption device48 and thecircuit output34. It is to be understood that the communication components may be integrated and distributed throughout the vest and are connected withflex circuitry40. It is further contemplated that communication components not enumerated herein, or not now known may also be incorporated in thevest assembly10 in a similar manner.
• FIG. 10 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of athermoelectric transducer101. The exemplary transducer includes a core103 which may be formed of semiconductor materials, such as polarized graphite composite including a bismuth telluride material. Thecore103 is sandwiched between a hot plate orprimary side107 and a cold plate or asecondary side109.Connectors111,113 are connected to the primary side and the secondary side respectively. Theconnectors111,113 may be serially connected to connectors on adjacent transducers to enhance the collective output of thetransducer assembly100.
• The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims (32)

What is claimed is:

1. A vest assembly for use by a wearer, the vest assembly comprising:

a) a vest body;

b) a plurality of communication components connected to the vest body;

c) a rechargeable power supply connected to the vest body; and

d) a thermoelectric transducer assembly connected to the vest body, the transducer assembly including at least one thermoelectric transducer for converting thermal energy generated by the wearer into an electrical output signal, the thermoelectric transducer assembly being in electrical communication with at least one of the power supply and the communication components.

2. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the transducer output signal is in electrical communication with the power supply, and operative to recharge the rechargeable power supply.

3. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the thermoelectric transducer is in electrical communication with at least one of the communication components, and operative to provide electrical power thereto.

4. The vest assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the rechargeable power supply is disposed within the vest body.

5. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the communication components are disposed within the vest body.

6. The vest assembly ofclaim 4 further comprising an antenna connected to the vest body and in electrical communication with the plurality of communication components.

7. The vest assembly ofclaim 6 wherein the antenna is disposed within the vest body.

8. The vest assembly ofclaim 7 wherein the thermoelectric transducer assembly is disposed within the vest body.

9. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the thermoelectric transducer assembly includes a plurality of flexible thermoelectric transducers interwoven throughout the vest body.

10. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 further including an inner garment disposed intermediate the vest body and the user, wherein the at least one thermoelectric transducer is connected to the inner garment.

11. The vest assembly ofclaim 5 further including an antenna, connected to the vest body and in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of communication components.

12. The vest assembly ofclaim 6 wherein the antenna is disposed within the vest body.

13. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein at least a portion of the thermoelectric transducer assembly is plug connectable to the rechargeable power supply.

14. The vest assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the thermoelectric transducer includes at least one thermo-responsive pad disposed in heat transfer relation with a body portion of the wearer.

15. The vest assembly ofclaim 14 wherein the thermo-responsive pad generates a pad output signal in response to the wearer's body heat, the pad output signal being operative to recharge the rechargeable power supply.

16. The vest assembly ofclaim 14 wherein the thermo-responsive pad generates a pad output signal in response to the wearer's body heat, the pad output signal being operative to provide power to at least one of the communication components.

17. The vest assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the transducer assembly further comprises a voltage regulating circuit in electrical communication with the at least one thermoelectric transducer and the internal power supply, the voltage regulator circuit being operative to condition the transducer output signal to facilitate recharging of the power supply.

18. The vest assembly ofclaim 5 the plurality of communication components includes a pressure sensor connected to the vest body for detecting pressure applied to the vest body and generating a pressure sensor output signal in response thereto, the pressure sensor output signal being generated independent of any input by the wearer.

19. The vest assembly ofclaim 5 wherein the plurality of communication components includes a physiological sensor connectable to the wearer, the physiological sensor being operative to generate a physiological sensor output, signal representative of a physiological condition of the wearer, independent of any input by the wearer.

20. The vest assembly ofclaim 8 further comprising flex circuitry disposed within the vest body for providing electrical communication between the power supply and the plurality of communication components, the flex circuitry including a plurality of conductive paths disposed on a flexible substrate.

21. The vest assembly ofclaim 20 wherein the flex circuitry is bendable in response to movement of the wearer.

22. The vest assembly ofclaim 8 further comprising a bullet protection layer disposed within the vest body and configured to mitigate bullet penetration through the vest body.

23. A vest assembly for use by a wearer, the vest assembly comprising:

a) a vest body;

b) a plurality of communication components connected to the vest body; and

c) an antenna connected to the vest body and in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of communication components.

24. The vest assembly ofclaim 23 further comprising a rechargeable power supply disposed within the vest body.

25. The vest assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the communication components are disposed within the vest body.

26. The vest assembly ofclaim 25 wherein the antenna is disposed within the vest body.

27. The vest assembly ofclaim 23 wherein the antenna is disposed within the vest body.

28. The vest assembly ofclaim 26 the plurality of communication components includes a pressure sensor connected to the vest body for detecting pressure applied to the vest body and generating a pressure sensor output signal in response thereto, the pressure sensor output signal being generated independent of any input by the wearer.

29. The vest assembly ofclaim 26 wherein the plurality of communication components includes a physiological sensor connectable to the wearer, the physiological sensor being operative to generate a physiological sensor output, signal representative of a physiological condition of the wearer, independent of any input by the wearer.

30. The vest assembly ofclaim 28 further comprising flex circuitry disposed within the vest body for providing electrical communication between the power supply and the plurality of communication components, the flex circuitry including a plurality of conductive paths disposed on a flexible substrate.

31. The vest assembly ofclaim 30 wherein the flex circuitry is bendable in response to movement of the wearer.

32. The vest assembly ofclaim 26 further comprising a bullet protection layer disposed within the vest body and configured to mitigate bullet penetration through the vest body.

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