Protective method using reversible garment for military or paramilitary firefighter

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,146,646
App. No.: 10/782,273
Granted: Dec 12, 2006
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Being reversible, a protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility. The shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which the shell of low visibility does not have. When facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears black, or at least dark, in ambient light or displays camouflage. Except that the shell of low visibility does not have any reflective or fluorescent portions, the shells conform to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters. The shells are equal, or at least similar, in basis weights.

Claims (22)

1. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method comprises providing the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker with a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly and wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

wherein, if a tactical situation, in which a need for low visibility overrides a need for high visibility, develops or is expected to develop, the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker wearing the protective garment with the shell of high visibility facing outwardly and with the shell of low visibility facing inwardly is motivated to doff the protective garment, to reverse the protective garment, and to re-don the protective garment with the shell of low visibility facing outwardly and with the shell of high visibility facing inwardly.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein those portions are provided by reflective trim affixed to the shell of high visibility.

3. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method comprises providing the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker with a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears dark in ambient light, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

4. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method comprises providing the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker with a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears black in ambient light, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

5. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method comprises providing the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker with a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility displays camouflage, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the shells are similar in basis weights.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the shells are equal in basis weights.

8. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method is practiced by the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker and comprises wearing a protective garment, which is a coat trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, and wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

9. The method of claim 8 wherein those portions are provided by reflective trim affixed to the shell of high visibility.

10. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method is practiced by the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker and comprises wearing a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears dark in ambient light, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

11. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method is practiced by the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker and comprises wearing a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility appears black in ambient light, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

12. A method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, wherein the method is practiced by the military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker and comprises wearing a protective garment, which is a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, which is reversible, which has a shell of high visibility and a shell of low visibility, and which is wearable with either shell facing outwardly while the other shell faces inwardly, wherein the shell of high visibility has portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both, which portions face outwardly when the protective garment is worn so that the shell of high visibility faces outwardly, wherein, when facing outwardly, the shell of low visibility displays camouflage, each shell conforms to NFPA standards for outer shells of protective garments for firefighters,

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the shells are similar in basis weights.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the shells are equal in basis weights.