Cooling garment for use with a bullet proof vest

Abstract

A garment for cooling a human being wearing a protective vest, comprising a sheet of stretchable material with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of ridge-and-channel ribs forming air channels on the inner surface directed generally toward a wearer. The cooling garment further comprises a detachable air exhaust fan and power supply. The garment may have two or more connectable sections. The ribs are connected to the inner surface, and are made of a moisture resistant material, such as polyethylene. The sheet material is stretchable to conform to the body contours to aid in the air flow through the air channels.

1 . A cooling garment for a person wearing a protective vest, comprising: 
 a stretchable fabric body having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of substantially parallel raised ribs forming a plurality of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and air channels on said inner surface directed generally toward a wearer; and    a fan in communication with said air channels for producing exhaust air flow drawing air out of the space between at least two of the parallel ridges forming an air channel.    
   
   
       2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a plurality of connectable front and back sections, each section including a reflective surface material on the outer surface of the garment for reflecting external sources of heat away from the body of the wearer.  
   
   
       3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are intrinsic to the inner surface.  
   
   
       4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the ribs comprise a moisture resistant material, preferably comprised of elongated strips of closed cell foam.  
   
   
       5 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the garment body material comprises a moisture resistant material, preferably a reflective material having a water-resistant surface coating.  
   
   
       6 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the moisture resistant material comprising the ribs is stretchable.  
   
   
       7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fan for creating negative pressure within the air channels formed by the ribs of said garment to produce exhaust air flow includes a power switch and a power plug for an electrical outlet.  
   
   
       8 . The garment of  claim 7  further comprising a portable power source in electrical connection with the fan.  
   
   
       9 . The garment of  claim 7 , further comprising a quick disconnect baffle connected to said fan for quick disconnect of said fan.  
   
   
       10 . An air-cooled garment, comprising: 
 a sheet of moisture resistant material having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of generally moisture resistant ribs forming a plurality of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and air channels on said inner surface directed generally toward a wearer, wherein said alternating ridge-and-channel ribs are adapted for allowing air flow vertically through a top portion and a bottom portion of the garment.    
   
   
       11 . A cooling garment for wearing under a protective vest, comprising: 
 a sheet of material having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of generally parallel raised ribs forming a plurality of alternating elongated, parallel ridges and air channels on said inner surface directed generally toward a wearer; and    means for drawing air out of said garment from said air channels.    
   
   
       12 . The cooling garment of  claim 11 , wherein the sheet of material of said cooling garment enhances the protective qualities of a protective vest under which said cooling garment is worn.  
   
   
       13 . The cooling garment of  claim 11 , wherein the sheet of material is stretchable.  
   
   
       14 . The cooling garment of  claim 11 , wherein the ridge-and-channel ribs are generally flexible and water resistant.  
   
   
       15 . The cooling garment of  claim 11 , further comprising a quick-release for the means for drawing air.