The present invention relates to a heated garment. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a heated garment comprising a base layer, an armour plate arranged on the base layer, at least a portion of the armour plate being a shear thickening fluid, and a heating element in thermal contact with the armour plate. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a heated garment comprising a base layer and at least one regulated or self regulating heating element in thermal contact with the base layer.

Armoured garments including one or more armour plates are known. They are typically used by for example police officers or by motorcyclists who need impact protection. The armour plate is typically arranged on the outside of the garment.

Armour plating containing a shear thickening fluid is often preferred. Such armour plate is slightly flexible but when struck it hardens (ie its viscosity increases or it becomes solid under the applied stress) almost instantly and absorbs the impact. The pliability of such armour plate increases with temperature. When warm the armour plate is slightly pliable. When cold however the armour plate loses its pliability. This can be a particular problem for garments used by motorcyclists. The garments experience wind chill due to the motion of the motorcycle and even on a warm day the outer armour plating can become cold. If the motorcyclist has an accident and falls off the motorbike the armour plating can cause a circular or oval injury where the edge of the armour plate impacts the body of the motorcyclist.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a heated garment comprising a base layer; at least one armour plate arranged on the base layer, at least a portion of the armour plate being a shear thickening fluid; and. at least one heating element in thermal contact with the armour plate for heating the armour plate.

The heating element heats the armour plate keeping it warm and hence pliable. As it is pliable the armour plate moulds to the body shape of the rider. In an accident the armour plate protects the body of the rider far better than known garments including an armour plate. Because at the moment of impact the armour plate is tightly contoured to the body of the wearer the force of the impact is spread over an extended area of the riders body. In known armoured garment systems the force of the impact is concentrated at the few points where the armour plate touches the wearers body.

Preferably the heated garment further comprises an outer shell layer, the base layer and armour plate being arranged within the shell layer.

Preferably the outer shell layer is breathable.

Preferably the base layer is a wicking layer.

Preferably at least one heating element is connected to or embedded in the armour plate.

Preferably at least one heating element is knitted or woven into the base layer.

Preferably at least one heating element is a self regulating heating element.

Preferably at least one heating element is connected to a temperature controller, the temperature controller being further connected to a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the armour plate, the temperature controller being adapted to regulate the temperature of the heating element in response to the temperature of the temperature sensor. Preferably the heated garment comprises a plurality of heating elements and a plurality of temperature sensors, the heating elements and temperature sensors being connected to the temperature controller, the temperature controller being adapted to determine a temperature map of the garment from the temperatures of the temperature sensors and to regulate the heating elements based on a comparison of the temperature map with stored data.

A further problem addressed by the current invention is cooling of the garment after exercise. During exercise the base layer will absorb moisture from the wearer, wicking it away from the wearers skin. This keeps the wearer relatively cool. At the end of exercise however, this moisture in the base layer evaporates.. This evaporation cools the base layer which in turn causes the body temperature of the wearer to drop. This can cause significant problems for the wearer if his or her body temperature drops too far.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a heated garment comprising a base layer; and, at least one regulated or self regulating heating element in thermal contact with the base layer.

The heated garment according to the invention protects the wearer from sudden drops in temperature of the base layer. If a wearer stops exercising and the temperature of the base layer drops the heating element maintains the temperature of the base layer at a comfortable level. As the base layer dries and its temperature rises the heating element turns back off.

Preferably the heated garment further comprises a breathable outer shell covering the base layer.

Preferably the base layer is a wicking layer. Preferably at least one heating element is woven or knitted into the base layer.

Preferably at least one heating element is a self regulating heating element.

Preferably at least one heating element is a regulated heating element, the heating element being connected to a temperature controller, the temperature controller being further connected to a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the base layer, the temperature controller being adapted to regulate the temperature of the heating element in response to the temperature of the temperature sensor.

Preferably the heated garment comprises a plurality of regulated heating elements connected to the temperature controller and a plurality of temperature sensors connected to the temperature controller, the temperature controller being adapted to determine a temperature map of the garment from the temperature of the temperature sensors and to regulate the heating elements based on a comparison of the temperature map with stored data.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a kit of parts for attachment to a garment comprising at least one armour plate, at least a portion of the armour plate being a shear thickening fluid; and, a heating element in thermal contact with the armour plate for heating the armour plate.

Preferably at least one heating element is a self regulating heating element.

Preferably at least one heating element is connected to a temperature controller, the temperature controller being further connected to a temperature sensor, the temperature controller being adapted to regulate the temperature of the heating element in response to the temperature of the temperature sensor. The present invention will now be described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a heated garment according to the invention in cross section;

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a heated garment according to the invention in schematic plan view; and.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a heated garment according to the invention in perspective view.

Shown in figure 1 is a heated garment 1 according to the invention in cross section. The heated garment 1 comprises a base layer 2, an outer shell layer 3 and an armour plate 4 sandwiched therebetween.

The base layer 2 is typically a wicking layer which wicks liquids away from the skin of the wearer, keeping the wearer dry. The base layer 2 is typically constructed from a synthetic fibre such as a polyester. The outer shell layer 3 is typically a waterproof breathable fabric such a Gore-tex™. The outer shell layer 3 keeps the wearer dry but allows liquid in the base layer 2 to evaporate through the outer shell layer 3 to the surrounding air.

The armour plate 4 is made in whole or part from a shear thickening fluid. A common example of a shear thickening fluid used in armour plate applications is silica particles suspended in polyethylene glycol but the invention is not so limited. The properties of shear thickening fluids are known. When warm and not under stress the shear thickening fluid is able to flow slightly. The armour plate 4 is therefore slightly pliable and can mould to the shape of the wearer. When under stress however, for example from an impact, the shear thickening fluid hardens almost instantly so protecting the wearer. When cold the shear thickening fluid and hence the armour plate 4 loses its pliability. The armour plate 4 could typically be an armour plate 4 covering the elbow, shoulder or knee. Other armour plates 4 are possible.

Adjacent to the armour plate 4 is a heating element 5. The heating element 5 is used to warm the armour plate 4. Without the heating element 5 the armour plate 4 may become cold during use. This is particularly the case if the garment 1 is used to protect a motorcyclist as wind chill due to motion of the motorbike will cool the armour plate 4. When cold the armour plate 4 is not pliable and so will not fit closely to the body. If the motorcyclist has an accident the edge of the armour plate 4 digs in to the motorcyclist leaving an injury which is typically circular or oval in shape. If the armour plate 4 is kept warm however it deforms to closely fit the wearer. Now when there is an impact and the shear thickening fluid solidifies the whole of the armour plate 4 pushes against the motorcyclist spreading the force of the impact over an extended area and so reducing the impact damage to the wearer.

In this embodiment the heating element 5 is a simple resistive element. This is typically powered by a battery such as a lithium polymer or lithium ion battery. If the garment 1 is being used by a motorcyclist then an alternative option would be to plug the heating element 5 into a power socket of the motorcycle. Such heating elements 5 are referred to as spot heating elements 5 as they provide localised heating proximate to the heating element 5, rather than over a distributed area.

The heating element 5 could be in direct contact with the armour plate 4. Alternatively the heating element 5 could be embedded in the armour plate 4.

Alternative types of heating element 5 are possible. In an alternative embodiment the heating element 5 is a distributed heating element 5 which is woven or knitted into the base layer 2. In this embodiment the distributed heating element 5 comprises a plurality of electrically conducting spaced apart threads 6 (typically steel or silver) which act as bus bars, some of which are at earth and the remainder of which are at a different voltage. Extending between the bus bars 6 are heat generating threads 7. Current flowing along these threads 7 between the bus bars 6 generates heat which heats the armour plate 4. A typical example of a heating element 5 woven into a fabric is disclosed in GB2417660.

Use of a distributed heating element 5 woven into a fabric is often to be preferred over use of a simple spot heating element 5. This type of heating element 5 enables uniform heating of the armour plate 4 over an extended area so ensuring the whole of the armour plate 4 is at the correct temperature.

In the above embodiment the armour plate 4 is shown sandwiched between the base layer 2 and outer shell layer 3. In an alternative embodiment the armour plate 4 is inside the base layer 2.

Shown in figure 2 is an alternative embodiment of a heated garment 1 according to the invention. The garment 1 is a top although the invention is not limited to such garments. Alternative garments could by way of example include trousers, gloves or socks. The garment 1 includes a plurality of spaced apart armour plates 4. Arranged adjacent to each armour plate 4 is a heating element S. The heating elements 5 can be spot heating elements 5, distributed heating elements 5 or mixtures of the two. Further arranged proximate to each armour plate 4 is a temperature sensor 8. In this embodiment the temperature sensors 8 are spot temperature sensors which measure temperature at spots proximate to the armour plates 4.

The temperature sensors 8 and heating elements 5 are connected to a temperature controller 9. The temperature controller 9 measures the temperatures of the temperature sensors 8 and regulates the heating elements 5 in response to the measured temperatures. The temperature controller 9 may be programmed to maintain the temperatures of the armour plates 4 at their optimum temperatures. In a more complex embodiment the temperature controller 9 determines a temperature map of the garment 1 from the temperatures of the temperature sensors 8. The wearer can select between various heating modes of the temperature controller 9 to optimise (for example) garment temperature, armour plate temperature, evaporation rate etc. The temperature controller 9 controls the heating elements 8 based on the measured temperatures and stored data (for example curves) associated with the selected heating profile. In addition or as an alternative to spot temperature sensors 8 the garment 1 may also employ distributed temperature sensors 8. Such temperature sensors 8 typically comprise an ohmmeter 10 which measures the resistance between two spaced apart points of the base layer 2. Assuming the base layer 2 is one whose resistance varies with temperature this provides an average temperature reading for the base layer 2 between the two spaced apart points. Use of distributed temperature sensors is particularly useful when developing a temperature map for the garment 1.

In the above embodiment the heating elements 5 are referred to as regulated heating elements 5 as the power supplied to the heating elements 5 is regulated by a temperature controller 9. In an alternative embodiment one or more heating elements 5 is a self regulating heating element 5. A self regulating heating element 5 is one which when connected to a power source automatically holds its temperature at a predetermined value. An example of such a self regulating heating element 5 comprises a plurality of electrically conducting particles such as carbon black suspended in a gel. When the gel is cold the particles are close together and current can flow from one particle to the next so generating heat. As the gel warms it expands to separating the carbon black particles and cutting off the current. The heating element 5 is therefore naturally self regulating holding the temperature constant.

This embodiment is shown with an outer breathable shell layer 3. In alternative embodiments the garment lacks the outer shell layer 3.

Shown in figure 3 is a further embodiment of a heated garment 1 according to the invention. The heated garment 1 comprises a thermally insulating base layer 2 and a breathable outer shell 3. Woven into the base layer 2 is a distributed heating element 5 as described above. The heated garment 1 further comprises a temperature sensor 8 adapted to measure the temperature of the base layer 2. The temperature sensor 8 is a distributed temperature sensor 8 comprising an ohmmeter 10 which measures the electrical resistance between two spaced apart points of the base layer 2. The heating element 5 and the temperature sensor 8 are both connected to a temperature controller 9. The temperature controller 9 measures the temperature of the temperature sensor 9 and regulates the heating element 5 based on this measurement.

tn the previously described embodiments the primary function of the temperature controller 9 was to maintain the temperature of the armour plate 4 at its optimum temperature to reduce impact injury. In this embodiment however the primary function of the temperature controller 9 is to maintain the core temperature of the wearer at a safe level. After a wearer has finished exercising any liquid absorbed by the base layer 2 will evaporate through the breathable outer shell 3. This evaporation reduces the temperature of the base layer 2 and hence the body temperature of the wearer. The temperature controller 9 detects this and heats the base layer 2 so preventing the body temperature of the wearer from dropping to a dangerous level. As the last of fluid is driven off the temperature controller 9 switches off the heating element 5, so preventing the wearer from overheating.

Heating the base layer 2 has a number of other advantages. For example, the heating effect can make it easier to find people wearing the garment 1 by means of an infra-red camera. If a wearer is lost or in trouble outdoors they can switch the garment 1 to an emergency mode. In the emergency mode the garment 1 is heated slightly above the surrounding ambient temperature so that the wearer can be spotted by a helicopter or the like fitted with an infra-red camera.

The majority of the heat provided by the heating elements 5 falls within the far infra-red zone. There is some evidence that this has a wide range of health benefits including accelerated removal of toxins from the body, pain relief, decrease in joint stiffness, reduction in muscle spasms, accelerated healing in soft tissue injury, reduction in inflammation and oedema along with enhancement of white blood cell function.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the heating element 5 is a self regulating heating element. In this embodiment the temperature controller 9 and temperature sensor 8 are not required. The above embodiment is described with reference to one heating element 5 and one temperature sensor 8. In an alternative embodiment the heated garment 1 comprises a plurality of heating elements 5 and temperature sensors 8, each connected to the temperature controller 9. The heating elements 5 can be spot heating elements 5 or distributed heating elements 5 (or mixtures thereof). The temperature sensors 8 can be spot temperature sensors 8 or distributed temperature sensors 8 or mixtures thereof. In this case the temperature controller 9 determines a temperature map of the garment 1 from the readings of the temperature sensors 8 and controls the heating elements 5 based on a comparison of the map with stored data. In addition to the spot and distributed heating elements 5 the heated garment 1 may comprise one or more self regulating heating elements 5.