Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a protective suit being CE approved according to European Norm Standards EN 469 : 2005/Al : 2006 and/or US norm NFPA 1971- 2013 to be worn by a wearer during firefighting or similar operations. The present invention also relates to a method for configuring a protective suit for a personal setup of a specific wearer. Background art

Firefighting and similar operations are stressful and dangerous for firefighters. Thus, in order to protect the firefighters during their work, they wear protective suits. Protective suits fulfilling the requirements are known and they have somewhat standard designs. Thus, the known protective suits do not necessarily pay regard to the specific firefighter wearing the protective suit, and they do not for instance take into account the needs of the individual firefighter.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved protective suit which easily may be configured to the specific wearer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective suit which may be adapted to the individual wearer's role in his team.

The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a protective suit being CE approved according to European Norm Standards EN 469: 2005/Al : 2006 and/or US norm NFPA 1971-2013 to be worn by a wearer during firefighting or similar operations, comprising one or more layers providing at least flame- resistant and thermal protection to the protective suit, the protective suit having a front outer face, a back outer face and first and second side outer faces of the first outer fabric layer, the front outer face, the back outer face and the first and second outer side faces all facing away from the wea rer,

wherein at least one of the outer faces comprises at least one attachment facility, said attachment facility comprising a webbing made of flame-resistant material, the webbing having a length and extending substantially in a horizontal direction and/or vertical direction of the outer faces, the webbing being securely fixed to the outer faces by a plurality of substantially vertical connections for the horizontally extending webbings and horizontal connections for the vertical extending webbings, each connection being arranged along the length of the webbing with a mutual distance between them, so that two adjacent connections form a space between them, the outer faces and the webbing. Hereby it is obtained that the wearer may configure the protective suit according to his/her desire and wishes. The protective suit according to the invention takes due account of the many different wearers of the protective suit and their special needs and also their specific role in the team, that is whether the wearer is an on-site commander, a smoke-helmeted fireman etc. By the protective suit according to present invention, a multi-purpose-functional protective suit is obtained.

In one embodiment, the webbing may be securely fixed to the outer faces by at least four connections, thereby providing three spaces along the length of the webbing, the webbing preferably being securely fixed to the outer faces by at least five connections, thereby providing four spaces along the length of the webbing.

Furthermore, the webbing may also be securely fixed to the outer faces by at least six connections, thereby providing five spaces along the length of the webbing.

Further, the distance between the connections may be substantially identical so that the spaces are of substantially the same size.

Also, the connections may be made by means of sewing or gluing or welding the webbing onto the outer surfaces. Moreover, a plurality of attachment facilities may be arranged on the outer faces.

Additionally, a plurality of attachment facilities may be arranged in a group. The group may comprise a first attachment facility and a second attachment facility, the second attachment facility being arranged below the first attachment facility with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, the group may preferably comprise a first attachment facility, a second attachment facility and a third attachment facility, the second attachment facility being arranged below the first attachment facility with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, and the third attachment facility being arranged below the second attachment facility with a second distance between the second attachment facility and the third attachment facility, the group may more preferably comprise a first attachment facility, a second attachment facility, a third attachment facility and a fourth attachment facility, the second attachment facility being arranged below the first attachment facility with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, the third attachment facility being arranged below the second attachment facility with a second distance between the second attachment facility and the third attachment facility, and the fourth attachment facility being arranged below the third attachment facility with a third distance between the third attachment facility and the fourth attachment facility.

Furthermore, the first distance, second distance and third distance may be identical.

Also, a plurality of groups may be arranged in different areas of the outer faces.

The protective suit according to the present invention may further comprise one or more pockets having one or more fastening part(s) being adapted to be inserted into one or more of the spaces.

Moreover, the protective suit according to the present invention may further comprise one or more holders for equipment, the holders having one or more fastening part(s) being adapted to be inserted into one or more of the spaces. Furthermore, the pockets and holders may comprise corresponding attachment facilities on their inner faces facing the outer faces of the protective suit, and at least two straps, the straps having one end being connected to the inner face of the pocket or holder, whereby the straps firstly can be weaved into an attachment facility on the outer face, secondly into an attachment facility on the inner face of the pocket or holder, and then into an attachment facility on the outer face and so on, until the pocket or holder is securely fastened to the attachment facilities of the outer surface. The fastening part may be a hook-shaped element.

In addition, the pocket and/or holder may comprise one or more attachment facilities arranged on the opposite side of the side of the pocket and/or holder facing the outer faces.

Further, the protective suit may be without any securely fastened pockets.

In an embodiment, the outer faces may comprise one or more reflective trim(s), the reflective trim comprising a first strip made of breathable fabric and a plurality of reflective strips being spaced apart on the first strip, so that the first strip maintains its breathability between the reflective strips.

Also, the protective suit may comprise a jacket, the jacket having the front outer face, the back outer face and arm sections, the front outer face being divided into a first section and a second section, the first and second sections being divided by a vertical opening of the jacket, the first section being divided into an upper first subsection and a lower first subsection and the second section being divided into an upper second subsection and a lower second subsection, and wherein at least one of the subsections may comprise one or more attachment facilities or a group of attachment facilities.

Each subsection may comprise a group of attachment facilities.

In addition, at least 10% of the front outer face may be covered with attachment facilities, preferably more than 20% of the front outer face may be covered with attachment facilities, more preferably at least 30% of the front outer face may be covered with attachment facilities. Furthermore, one of the arm sections may comprise one or more attachment facilities.

The back outer face may comprise one or more attachment facilities.

Moreover, the protective suit may comprise trousers having a hip area and two legs, each leg having the front outer face, the back outer face and the first and the second side outer faces, and wherein one or more attachment facilities or a group of attachment facilities may be arranged on one of the side outer faces.

The present invention also relates to a method for configuring a protective suit for a personal setup of a specific wearer, comprising the steps of:

- providing a protective suit according to any of the preceding claims, and

- mounting one or more pockets on the attachment facilities on the outer faces in relation to the specific wearer's needs during firefighting or similar operations.

Said method may comprise the step of mounting one or more holders for equipment on the attachment facilities on the outer faces in relation to the specific wearer's needs during firefighting or similar operations.

In said method, the steps of mounting either the pockets or holders may be repeated until the optimum position of the pockets and/or holders are obtained for the specific wearer. Brief description of the drawings

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which

Fig. 1 shows a jacket of the protective suit according to the present invention in a front view,

Fig. 2 shows the jacket of Fig. 1 with mounted pocket and holder in a front view,

Fig. 3 shows a pair of trousers of the protective suit according to the present invention, Fig. 4 shows another jacket of the protective suit according to the invention in a front view,

Fig. 5 shows the jacket of Fig. 4 in a rear view,

Fig. 6 shows the jacket of Figs. 4 and 5 in a front view, the jacket being mounted with pockets and a holder on the attachments facilities on the front outer face,

Fig. 7 shows another pair of trousers of the protective suit according to the invention in a front view, the trousers being mounted with pockets on the attachment facilities, and

Fig. 8 shows the trousers of Fig. 7 in a rear view, and still with the pockets mounted on the attachment facilities on each leg.

All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested. Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a jacket 2 of the protective suit 1 according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, the jacket 2 is shown from a front side. The protective suit 1 is CE approved according to European Norm Standards EN 469 : 2005/Al : 2006 and/or US Norm NFPA 1971-2013, so that the protective suit 1 provides protection against heat, flames, water and chemicals. This may be obtained by incorporating one layer having several properties per se and/or different layers in the protective suit 1, each layer having different properties so that when worn together, all layers in the protective suit provide the intended protection.

In an embodiment, the protective suit 1 has a first outer fabric layer 3 which is at least made of a flame-resistant material, and a second layer (not shown) providing thermal protection to the protective suit. In another embodiment, the protective suit 1 comprises at least one layer providing at least flame-resistant and thermal protection to the protective suit. Moreover, the protective suit 1 has a front outer face 4, a back outer face (not shown) and first and second side outer faces (not shown) of the first outer fabric layer 3, the front outer face, the back outer face and the first and second outer side faces all facing away from to the wearer (not shown).

According to the inventive idea, at least one outer faces comprises at least one attachment facility 5. The attachment facility 5 comprises a webbing 6 made of flame-resistant material, the webbing 6 having a length and extending substantially in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction of the outer faces. Furthermore, the webbing 6 is securely fixed to the outer faces by a plurality of connections 7, each connection 7 being arranged along the length of the webbing 6 with a mutual distance between them so that two adjacent connections 7 form a space 8 between them, the outer faces 4 and the webbing 6.

The jacket shown in Fig. 1 comprises the front outer face 4, the back outer face (not shown) and arm sections 9. The front outer face 4 is divided into a first section 10 and a second section 11. In Fig. 1, the first section 10 is seen at the left side of the jacket and the second section 11 is seen at the right side of the jacket. The first and second sections 10, 11 are divided by a vertical opening (not shown), the vertical opening in Fig. 1 being hidden behind a flap 12 extending in the entire height of the jacket. Furthermore, the first section 10 is divided into an upper first subsection 13 and a lower first subsection 14, and the second section 11 is divided into an upper second subsection 15 and a lower second subsection 16. The upper first subsection 13 and the upper second subsection 15 are arranged at the chest area of the wearer, and the lower first subsection 14 and the lower second subsection 16 are arranged at the stomach area of the wearer.

In the present configuration of the jacket 2 shown in Fig. 1, each subsection comprises a group 17 of attachment facilities. Each group 17 comprises a first attachment facility 5a, a second attachment facility 5b, a third attachment facility 5c and a fourth attachment facility 5d, the second attachment facility 5b being arranged below the first attachment facility 5a with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, the third attachment facility 5c being arranged below the second attachment facility 5b with a second distance between the second attachment facility and the third attachment facility, and the fourth attachment facility 5d being arranged below the third attachment facility 5c with a third distance between the third attachment facility and the fourth attachment facility. In this embodiment, the first, second and third distances are equal. In addition, the webbing 6 of the attachment facility 5 is, in the present configuration as shown in Fig. 1, securely fixed to the outer face 4 by five connections 7, thereby providing four spaces 8 along the length of the webbing 6. The distances between the connections 7 are substantially identical so that the spaces 8 are of substantially the same size.

In a preferred embodiment, the webbings are sewed onto the outer faces. However, the webbings may also be glued or welded onto the outer faces.

Even though it is preferred that the attachment facility comprises a webbing, it may also comprise a robe or string securely fixed to the outer faces in the same manner as described above.

The configuration of the jacket shown in Fig. 1 is only one example of how the present invention may be carried out. For instance, the webbing may be securely fixed to the outer faces by at least four connections, thereby providing three spaces along the length of the webbing. A different number of connections, and thereby a different number of spaces, may be chosen. In addition, the distance between the connections may vary along the length of the webbing, so that the spaces have different sizes along the length of the webbing.

Also, the group may comprise a different number of attachment facilities, for instance a group may comprise a first attachment facility and a second attachment facility, the second attachment facility being arranged below the first attachment facility with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility. In another embodiment, the group may comprise a first attachment facility, a second attachment facility and a third attachment facility, the second attachment facility being arranged below the first attachment facility with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, and the third attachment facility being arranged below the second attachment facility with a second distance between the second attachment facility and the third attachment facility. Furthermore, only one attachment facility may be arranged in one subsection of the front outer face of the jacket, or one or more attachment facilities may be arranged in one or more of the subsections. Indeed, the jacket may also have a group of attachment facilities in one subsection and another group having a different number of attachment facilities in another subsection.

Furthermore, the outer faces may comprise one or more reflective trim(s) 18, the reflective trim 18 comprising a first strip 19 made of breathable fabric and a plurality of reflective strips 20 being spaced apart on the first strip 19 so that the first strip maintains its breathability between the reflective strips.

Fig. 2 shows the jacket 2 of the protective suit 1 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the jacket 2 has been provided with a pocket 21 in the upper second subsection 15 of the jacket. The pocket comprises four attachment facilities arranged on the opposite side 22 of the side of the pocket facing the outer front face 4 of the jacket.

In the upper first subsection 13 of the jacket 2, a holder 23 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the holder 23 holds a communication device 24. The communication device 24 has an antenna 25 which is positioned in one of the spaces in the uppermost attachment facility of the group 17 of the upper first subsection 13.

Both the pocket 22 and the holder 23 comprise one or more fastening part(s) (not shown). The fastening parts are adapted to be inserted into one or more of the spaces, so that the pocket and holder may be fastened and maintained in the intended position for a specific wearer of the protective suit 1. The pockets and holders may comprise corresponding attachment facilities on their inner faces facing the outer faces of the protective suit, and at least two straps, the straps having one end being connected to the inner face of the pocket or holder, whereby the straps firstly can be weaved into an attachment facility on the outer face, secondly into an attachment facility on the inner face of the pocket or holder, and then into an attachment facility on the outer face and so on, until the pocket or holder is securely fastened to the attachment facilities of the outer surface.

In another embodiment, the fastening parts may be hook-shaped elements for facilitating the mounting of the pocket and/or holder to the attachment facility. Hereby it is obtained that the protective suit is multi-configurable in relation to the specific needs and requirements of a specific wearer.

In Fig. 3, a pair of trousers 26 of the protective suit 1 is shown in a side view. The trousers 26 have a hip area and two legs 27, each leg 27 having the front outer face, the back outer face and the first and the second side outer faces 28. In the trousers 26 shown in Fig. 3, a group 17 of attachment facilities are arranged on the side outer faces 28. The group 17 of attachment facilities are arranged at the thigh area of the wearer. This group 17 also comprises a first attachment facility 5a, a second attachment facility 5b, a third attachment facility 5c and a fourth attachment facility 5d, the second attachment facility 5b being arranged below the first attachment facility 5a with a first distance between the first attachment facility and the second attachment facility, the third attachment facility 5c being arranged below the second attachment facility 5b with a second distance between the second attachment facility and the third attachment facility, and the fourth attachment facility 5d being arranged below the third attachment facility 5c with a third distance between the third attachment facility and the fourth attachment facility. In this embodiment, the first, second and third distances are equal.

Indeed the number of attachment facilities may be different as described above in connection with the jacket.

In Fig. 4, another jacket 2 of the protective suit 1 is shown. The jacket 2 comprises the front outer face 4, the back outer face (not shown in Fig. 4 but shown in Fig. 5) and arm sections 9. The front outer face 4 of this jacket 2 is also divided into a first section 10 and a second section 11. In Fig. 4, the first section 10 is seen at the left side of the jacket and the second section 11 is seen at the right side of the jacket. The first and second sections 10, 11 are divided by a vertical opening (not shown), the vertical opening in Fig. 4 being hidden behind a flap 12 extending in the entire height of the jacket. Furthermore, the first section 10 is divided into an upper first subsection 13 and a lower first subsection 14, and the second section 11 is divided into an upper second subsection 15 and a lower second subsection 16. The upper first subsection 13 and the upper second subsection 15 are arranged at the chest area of the wearer, and the lower first subsection 14 and the lower second subsection 16 are arranged at the stomach area of the wearer. The upper subsections 13, 15 both comprise a group 17 of attachment facilities 5 arranged in the same manner as described above. The lower subsections 14, 16 both comprise another group 17' of attachment facilities 5. The groups 17' comprise four attachment facilities arranged above each other in the same manner as described above in connection with Fig. 1. However, the webbing of the attachment facilities 5 are, in this embodiment, securely fixed to the outer face 4 by six connections, thereby providing five spaces along the length of the webbing. Hereby it is obtained that larger pockets and holders, i.e. wider pockets and holders, may be attached to these stomach areas of the jacket.

As shown in Fig. 4, a large area of the front outer face 4 is arranged with attachment facilities 5, so that the wearer may configure the jacket 2 to his/her demand and wishes. The larger the area having attachment facilities, the more multi-configurable the jacket 2 will be. Preferably at least 10% of the front outer face is covered with attachment facilities 5, more preferably more than 20%. This is moreover obtained with the inventive design of the protective suit 1 and in particular by the attachment facility comprising a webbing made of flame- resistant material, and being securely fixed to the outer faces. A major advantage is furthermore that the use of hook and loop attachments of the outer faces may be avoided.

In addition, both arm sections 9 comprise two attachment facilities 5 arranged above each other. These arm attachment facilities 5 are arranged at the upper arm area. The attachment facilities extend from the front across the side to the back of the outer face of the arm section 9.

In Fig. 5, the jacket 2 of Fig. 4 is shown in a rear view. Vertically extending attachment facilities 5 are arranged on the upper portion of the back outer face 29. A first vertical attachment facility is arranged on the left side and a second vertical attachment facility is arranged on the right side of the back outer face 29. In addition, the attachment facilities 5 on the arm sections 9 are also visible in the rear view.

In Fig. 6, the jacket 2 is now again shown in the front view. The jacket 2 is mounted with a holder 23 at the attachment facilities in the first upper subsection 13 and a pocket in the second upper subsection 15. The configuration of the upper subsections 13, 15 is one design of the jacket. Indeed the pocket may be in the first upper subsection 13 and the holder in the second upper subsection if this fits the wearer better than the shown configuration. The lower subsections 14, 16 both have larger pockets 21 mounted on the attachment facilities. The pockets 21 in the lower subsections 14, 16 furthermore comprise additional attachment facilities 5.

In Figs. 7 and 8, a pair of trousers 26 of the protective suit 1 is shown. In Fig. 7, the trousers 26 are shown in a front view. The pockets 21 are mounted on the attachment facilities (not shown) on the legs of the trousers. In this embodiment, the pockets 21 also comprise additional attachment facilities 5. Fig. 8 shows the trousers 26 in a rear view and in same manner shows the pockets mounted on the attachment facilities.

By the inventive protective suit, a method for configuring a protective suit for a personal setup of a specific wearer is provided. The method comprises the steps of:

- providing a protective suit as described above, and

- mounting one or more pockets on the attachment facilities on the outer faces in relation to the specific wearer's needs during firefighting or similar operations.

In addition, the method may also comprise the step of mounting one or more holders for equipment on the attachment facilities on the outer faces in relation to the specific wearer's needs during firefighting or similar operations. Also, the steps of mounting either the pockets or holders may be repeated until the optimum position of the pockets and/or holders are obtained for the specific wea rer.

Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.