Airdapt Inflatable Running Jacket

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,202, filed on Apr. 30, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The embodiments described herein relate generally pertain to clothing suitable for various activities. More specifically, the embodiments herein relate to garments designed to help regulate a user's temperature during outdoor activities such as running.

When people perform outdoor activities, the outside temperature can affect the person's comfort, abilities, and body temperature. People often wear layers of clothing, such as a jacket, to help stay warm and regulate their body temperature. However, as people warm up during the performance of activities, they either start to get too warm or have to remove layers. Removing layers while on a bike ride or a run is very inconvenient.

This disclosure includes an inflatable running jacket.

In some embodiments, the inflatable running jacket is comprised of an inner layer and an outer layer of fabric.

In some embodiments the inner layer and the outer layer are connected via one or more seams. These seams allow excess air to flow from inside the jacket to prevent overinflation. The connection between the inner layer and the outer layer creates an internal space.

In some embodiments an access unit is attached to the inner layer. The access unit can be opened and closed to allow access to the internal space.

In some embodiments the inflatable running jacket has a fan unit that includes the cover, air vent, and air intake. The fan may be configured to attach to the outer layer. A battery unit may also be configured to attach to the outer layer.

In some embodiments a power control unit is electrically connected to the fan unit. The power control unit utilizes a power source to control and power the fan unit.

shows an embodiment of an inflatable running jacketbeing worn. The inflatable running jacketallows users to actively regulate their body temperature without having to sacrifice performance or deal with the inconvenience of removing layers. In some embodiments a fan unitand a power control unitare attached to the inflatable running jacket. The fan unitcan be turned on by the user via the power control unit. When turned on, the fan unitis able to inflate the inflatable running jacketwith heated air, insulating the user from ambient temperatures. The inflatable running jacketcan also be inflated with unheated air allowing the user to regulate the temperature used for insulation.

shows a front view of an embodiment of the inflatable running jacketincluding a fan unitand a power control unit. In some embodiments a fan unitis attached to the outer layer. In some embodiments a fan unitis attached to the inner layer. In some embodiment a fan unitis attached to the back of the outer layer. In some embodiments there are multiple fan unitsattached to the inflatable running jacket.

In some embodiments a power control unitshown inis attached to the stiff textilewhich is embedded in the outer layer. In some embodiments the power control unitis attached to a pocket on the outer layer. In some embodiments the power control unity is located on the sleeve of the outer layer.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, the power control unitis electrically coupled to the fan unit. A wire is used to connect the power control unitto the fan unit. When the user turns on the power control unit, the fan unitwill begin to direct air into the inflatable running jacket.

shows an embodiment in which the inner layerand outer layerare connected in a manner defining the internal space. In some embodiments the inner layerand the outer layerare sewn together with at least one seam.

In some embodiments the seamsare sewn with a high stitch density to restrict the air from flowing out of the internal space. This can be used if the fan unitis lower powered to prevent the underinflation of the inflatable running jacket. In some embodiments the seamsare sewn with a lower stitch density to allow more air to flow out of the internal space. This can be used if the fan unitis higher powered to prevent the overinflation of the inflatable running jacket. In some embodiments the seamsalong the lower part of the inner layerand the outer layerare of a lower stitch density than the other seams. This allows the air to flow out the lower part of the inner layerand outer layer, creating an airflow through the jacket. In some embodiments anti-wicking threads are used for the seamsin order to limit the seams from getting wet. Moisture on the seamscan in some instances further restrict the air from flowing out of the internal space.

The inner layerand outer layercan be made of air impermeable material that prevents air from flowing out of the internal space. In some embodiments, the air impermeable materials prevents air from flowing out of the internal spaceat all places except the seam. Alternatively, the inner layercan be slightly air permeable to allow for some air to flow from the internal spaceonto the user to help maintain and regulate body temperature. The outer layercan also be made of slightly air permeable material to allow air to flow from the inner space. This can help prevent over inflation of the inflatable running jacket.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the inflatable running jackethas an access unit. In some embodiments the access unitis attached to the inner layer. In some embodiments the access unitis attached to the outer layer. The access unitcould be any resealable material, such as a zipper or Velcro. In some embodiments, the access unitallows access to the internal spaceby opening the access unit. Opening the access unit can provide a user access to the fan unitand the power control unitfrom within the internal space. It also allows a user to access the wire(s) connecting the fan unitand the power control unit. In some embodiments, the power control unit, the fan unit, and the wires can be removed from the inflatable running jacketvia the access unit. The power control unit, the fan unit, and the wires can be removed independently or as a whole.

shows an embodiment of the fan unit. In one embodiment the fan unitconsists of a cover, an air vent, and an air intake. The air ventis perpendicular to the inner layerto allow the air flow directly into the internal space. The perpendicular air flow promotes proper inflation of the internal space.

The fan unitpulls ambient air through the air intake, which is located within the cover, and into the internal spacethrough the air vent. The fan unitinflates the internal spaceat a constant rate. The constant rate may be changed to increase or decrease the amount of air flowing into the internal space. The combination of the air flow out of the seamand into the internal spaceis configured to allow the volume internal spaceto be increase when the fan unitis on.

In some configurations the fan unitallows the air from the internal spaceto escape the internal spacethrough the air vent.

In some embodiments the fan unit also includes a heating unit. In some embodiments, the heating unitis a heated coil. In some embodiments, when the fan unitis powered on, the heating unitheats the ambient air brought in through the air intakeas the air moves through the fan unitbefore the air goes into the internal space.

The fan unitis attached to the outer layer. The outer layeris secured between the outer capand the cover. In one embodiment the outer capand the coverare configured to engage via a threaded connection. In one embodiment the outer capand the cover are configured to snap together. In some embodiments the fan unitand the outer capare able to be uncoupled and detached from the outer layer.

In some embodiments the fan unitextends inward from the outer layertowards the inner layer. In some embodiments, the fan unit extends one inch or less towards the inner layer. The minimal depth of the fan unitenhances easier inflation of the inflatable running jacket.

The flexible nature of the inner layerand the outer layerallows for the inflatable running jacketto contort and change shape in response to the users movements. The inflation of the internal spaceby the fan unitdoes not limit the inflatable running jacket's ability to change shape. In some embodiments the seamsof the inflatable running jacketrestrict air from flowing out of the internal spaceeven when the user's movements affect the shape of the internal space. The seamsmay not completely block air from flowing from the internal spaceto outside the running jacket. As the air pressure increases within the internal space, the amount of air that flows through the seamsmay increase. This increase in air pressure may be caused by the user changing the shape of the inner layerand the outer layerby moving. Thus, in some embodiments the air pressure within the internal spacemay remain constant despite the user's movements, at least in part due to the airflow regulation of the seams.

shows an embodiment of the power control unit. The power control unitincludes the power sourceand the control unit. The power sourcecould be a rechargeable USB battery pack or replaceable batteries, for example. The control unitallows the user to toggle the fan on and off by utilizing a button or a switch. In some embodiments the power control unitcontains battery level indicator LEDs to display the charge remaining in the power source.

shows an embodiment of the power control unit. The stiff textileis created partially of a magnetic material. In some embodiments the power control unitmagnetically attaches and detaches from to the stiff textile.

In some embodiments, the inner layeris made of material that allows for air and water to permeate through the inner layer. This allows air or water to be pulled away from the user into the internal spaceto help regulate the body temperature of the user. In some embodiments the inner layerand the outer layerare comprised of the same material.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of the invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.