"Garment provided with at least one luminescent means"

Abstract

 A garment (1) is provided with at least one luminescent element (8; 108) which can be excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency; the luminescent element (8) is connected for operation to a power supply circuit (20), comprising a source of direct current electrical energy (18) and a switch means (19), by means of an electronic driving circuit (16) capable of controlling the conversion of the said direct current into the said alternating current.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a garment provided with at least one luminescent means. The garment is suitable, in particular, for a motorcyclist.

[0002] The equipment of a motorcyclist comprises a protective helmet and garments, such as coats, jackets, and suits, made from materials suitable for providing protection from the cold and from atmospheric agents and for mitigating, at least partially, the harmful effects of any fall.

[0003] When the motorcyclist rides in conditions of reduced or poor visibility, for example at night or in very heavy rain or snow, the headlights and sidelights constitute an important element in the safety of travel. However, in particularly unfavourable conditions, the headlights, and especially the sidelights, are not clearly visible to the drivers of other vehicles.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to make a rider or a passenger on a motorcycle distinguishable in conditions of poor visibility.

[0005] In the present description and in the claims, the term "luminescent means" denotes a means capable of emitting light not produced by a thermal effect. Preferably, it consists of an electroluminescent, fluorescent, LED, light guide or similar element.

[0006] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a garment provided with a luminescent means which can be excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency, the said luminescent means being connected for operation to a power supply circuit, comprising a source of direct current electrical energy and at least one switch means, by means of an electronic driving circuit capable of controlling the conversion of the said direct current into the said alternating current, characterized in that said electronic driving circuit is also capable of supplying said luminescent means with said alternating current at said predetermined frequency when a square-wave signal has a high value.

[0007] Preferably, the said electronic driving circuit comprises a photoresistor means.

[0008] Advantageously, the said electronic driving circuit also comprises four triggered NAND gates, a first NAND gate having a first input connected to a voltage divider formed by the said photoresistor means and a first resistance, a second input connected to earth through a first capacitor and connected to one of its outputs through a second resistance connected in parallel with a third resistance and a first diode, the said output being connected through a second, inverting, NAND gate to a first input of a third NAND gate, the said third NAND gate having a second input connected to earth through a second capacitor and to one of its outputs through a fourth resistance, the said output being connected through a fourth, inverting, NAND gate, a fifth resistance and a control transistor to a power transistor, the said first NAND gate emitting a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle, the said third NAND gate emitting a signal formed by a train of pulses having the said predetermined frequency to cause the excitation of the said luminescent means when the said square-wave signal has said high value.

[0009] Preferably, the said power supply circuit is connected to a step-up device which, in turn, is connected to the said power transistor and to the said at least one luminescent means.

[0010] Advantageously, the said power supply circuit also comprises a second diode and a third and a fourth capacitor, connected in parallel, capable of stabilizing the supply voltage of the said electronic driving circuit.

[0011] Preferably, the said power supply circuit and the said electronic driving circuit are printed on a board which also carries the said photoresistor means.

[0012] Advantageously, the said luminescent means consists of a flexible electroluminescent lamp.

[0013] Preferably, the said garment is provided with at least one flap having an inner part to which the said flexible electroluminescent lamp is fitted, the said flexible electroluminescent lamp being visible when the said flap is raised.

[0014] Advantageously, the said garment has at least one transparent portion and the said flexible electroluminescent lamp is, located under the said transparent portion.

[0015] Preferably, the said switch is formed by a transistor which can be activated by the closing of at least one press stud.

[0016] Advantageously, the said at least one press stud is formed by discs to which strips connected to conductors are fixed.

[0017] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a garment provided with at least one flexible electroluminescent lamp, which can be excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency, characterized in that said electroluminescent lamp is excited by said alternating current at said predetermined frequency when a square-wave signal has a high value.

[0018] In the garment according to the invention, the luminescent means or plurality of means are illuminated in conditions of poor visibility, making the rider or passenger wearing it clearly visible. Consequently, the users of a motorcycle are in conditions of greater safety, both during travel and in case of a forced stop of the motorcycle, than when they wear conventional garments.

[0019] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be illustrated with reference to embodiments represented by way of example, and without restriction, in the attached figures, in which

Fig. 1 is a front view of a garment provided with a flexible electroluminescent lamps, made according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial front view, on an enlarged scale, of the garment of Fig. 1, in the condition in which a front electroluminescent lamp is visible;

Fig. 4a is a side view of a press stud of the garment of Figs 1-3 and of strips, fixed to the said press stud, for connection to an electrical circuit;

Fig. 4b is a front view of one of the strips of Fig. 4a;

Fig. 5 shows an electroluminescent lamp fitted to the garment of Figs 1-3;

Fig. 6 shows a power supply circuit and an electronic driving circuit of the electroluminescent lamp of the garment of Figs 1-3;

Fig. 7 shows in detail the power supply circuit of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows in detail the electronic circuit of Fig. 6;

Figs 9 and 10 are front and rear views, respectively, of a board which carries the printed circuits of Figs 7 and 8.

[0020] Figs 1-3 show a garment 1 consisting of a jacket, particularly suitable for a motorcyclist, having two front parts 2 and 3, a back 4 and sleeves 5. The two front parts are fastened together by press studs 6 and 66. The front part 2 is provided with a pocket 7 formed from a fabric which allows external light to penetrate. The pocket 7 has a flap 70 provided with double-fastening press studs 71 and 72, which allow the flap 70 to be kept closed (Fig. 1) or open (Fig. 3). Strips 79 and 80 are fixed to the press studs 6, 66 and 72 and connected to conductors 81 and 82 (Figs 4a, 4b); their function will be described subsequently. A flexible electroluminescent lamp 8 (Figs 3, 5), which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is fitted to the inner face of the flap 70. Another flexible electroluminescent lamp 108 (Figs 2, 5), covered by a transparent strip 74, is fitted on the back 4 of the jacket. The lamp 108 could be concealed by an openable flap, provided with double-fastening press studs, like the flap 70. The lamps 8 and 108 are fixed to the material of the flap 70 and of the back 4 of the jacket by means of a suitable adhesive compound such as the adhesive Article 467, Code No. 7953, made by the 3M Company.

[0021] Each of the press studs 6, 66 and 72 is formed by a disc 75 and two discs 76 and 77 which can be joined together (Fig. 4a). The disc 75 is snap-fitted to the joined discs 76 and 77 when the press stud 6, 66 or 72 is fastened. The strip 79 is fixed to the disc 75 and the strip 80 is fixed to the pair of discs 76 and 77. Each of the shaped strips 79 and 80 has a stem in the shape of an eyelet, 179 and 180 respectively (Fig. 4b), and a portion in the shape of a camel's hump, 279 and 280 respectively, connected to the conductors 81 and 82.

[0022] The electroluminescent lamps 8 or 108 (Fig. 5) are made by silk-screen printing. Each lamp 8 or 108 consists of a capacitor in which a phosphorescent substance is inserted between two electrodes to form a "sandwich". Each electroluminescent lamp 8 or 108 comprises a polyester substrate 10, a front electrode 11 formed from a transparent ITO (indium and tin oxide) conductor or from translucent conductive silk-screen printing ink, a layer 12 of phosphor ink (zinc sulphide), of predetermined thickness, capable of emitting phosphorescent light with specified wavelengths, and a silver conductor 13 silk-screen printed along the perimeter of the lamp to improve the uniformity of illumination. Each electroluminescent lamp 8 or 108 also comprises layers of dielectric (insulation), not shown, a rear electrode (formed from silver or carbon inks), not shown, and a protective layer, which again is not shown, to provide electrical insulation and protection from moisture. In the lamp 8 or 108, the layer of phosphor ink and the silver conductor are of rectangular shape. However, these may have the widest variety of configurations and, in particular, may form light spots of various shapes.

[0023] The lamps 8 and 108 can also be formed from other known materials and by other known methods.

[0024] The lamp 8 is provided with two terminals 14 and 15 and the lamp 108 is provided with two terminals 114 and 115, by means of which they are connected to a power supply circuit 20 (Figs 6, 7) and to an electronic driving circuit 16 (Figs 6, 8).

[0025] The circuit 20 (Fig. 7) comprises a source of electrical energy 18, the press studs 6, 66 and 72 and a transistor 19. The source of electrical energy 18 consists of a battery having one positive pole and one negative pole connected to terminals 22 and 23. The terminal 23 is connected to earth at 24 and, through the press studs 6, 66 and 72, to the transistor 19. The transistor 19 is connected between the terminal 22 and a terminal 25 which, in turn, is connected, through a diode 26 and capacitors 29 and 30, arranged in parallel, to a terminal 27 at a stabilized voltage and to the earth 24.

[0026] The electronic circuit 16 (Fig. 8) comprises a photoresistor 17 and four NAND gates 31, 32, 33 and 34, which are triggered, in other words can be operated by a suitable command.

[0027] The photoresistor 17 causes the electroluminescent lamps 8 and 108, located on the front part 2 and on the back 4 of the jacket 1, to light when the external light intensity falls below a predetermined level, as shown in greater detail below.

[0028] The gate 31 has inputs 35 and 36 and an output 37. The input 35 is connected at 38 to a voltage divider formed by the photoresistor 17 and a resistance 39, interposed between the earth 24 and a terminal 40. The terminal 40 is connected to the power supply terminal 27 (Fig. 7). The input 36 is connected to earth 24 through a capacitor 41 and is connected to the output 37 through a resistance 42 arranged in parallel with a resistance 43 and a diode 44. The output 37 is connected to the inputs 45 and 46 of the NAND gate 32. The NAND gate 32 is supplied through the terminal 48 which is connected to the terminal 27 (Fig. 7) and is connected to earth 24. The output 47 of the NAND gate 32 is connected to an input 51 of the NAND gate 33. The NAND gate 33 has an input 50 connected to earth 24 through a capacitor 49 and to an output 52 through a resistance 53. In turn, the output 52 is connected to inputs 54 and 55 of the NAND gate 34. The NAND gate 34 has an output 56 connected through a resistance 57 to a transistor 58 which controls a power transistor 59. The transistor 59 is connected to a step-up device (transformer or autotransformer) 60 and to the earth 24. The step-up device 60 has a terminal 61 connected to the terminal 25 (Fig. 7) and to the terminals 14 and 114 of the electroluminescent lamps 8 and 108. The step-up device 60 has the function of supplying the high voltage required for the correct operation of the electroluminescent lamps 8 and 108.

[0029] The circuits 16 and 20 are printed on a board 62 (Figs 6, 9, 10) which also carries the switch 19, the photoresistor 17 and the terminals 22 and 23 for connection to the battery 18. The board 62 is fitted inside the pocket 7, whose fabric allows light to penetrate for the activation of the photoresistor 17.

[0030] When the jacket 1 is put on, the flap 70 is raised and the press stud 72 is closed on to the disc 76. When the jacket has been put on, the press studs 6 and 66 are fastened. When the press studs 6, 66 and 72 are fastened, the base of the transistor 19 is connected to earth and the transistor 19 becomes conducting. The electronic circuit 16 is turned on and is ready for operation. If the intensity of the external light is greater than the set value, the photoresistor 17 assumes a lower ohmic (resistance) value, such that the input 35 of the gate 31 is held at the low logical level.

[0031] Since the input 36 of the NAND gate 31 is at the low logical level (0), its output 37 is at the high logical level (1). The output 37 remains at the high logical level even when the input 36 changes to the high logical level (1). Consequently, the inputs 45 and 46 of the NAND gate 32 are at the high logical level (1) and its output 47 is at the low logical level (0). The input 51 of the NAND gate 33 is at the low logical level (0) and its input 50 is also at the low logical level (0), and therefore its output 52 is at the high logical level (1). The output 52 remains at the high logical level even when the input 50 changes to the high logical level (1). The inputs 54 and 55 of the NAND gate 34 are at the high logical level (1) and its output 56 is at the low logical level (0). The transistors 58 and 59 are non-conducting, and therefore no current flows through the transformer 60.

[0032] When the external light intensity level falls to the set value of the photoresistor 17, the resistance of the photoresistor 17 increases until the voltage value at the input 35 of the NAND gate is brought to the high level (approximately 2/3 of the supply voltage of the battery 18). The input 36 is also at the high level, since the output 37, in the preceding condition, was at the high level, and the capacitor 41 was charged through the resistance 42. The output 37 is at the low logical level. At this point the capacitor 41 is discharged to the output 37 through the resistance 43 and the diode 44 with the time constant

, where r1 is the value of the resistance 43 and c1 is the capacitance of the capacitor 41. After the interval determined by this time constant, the input 36 of the NAND gate 31 is at the low logical level (approximately 1/3 of the supply voltage) and therefore the output 37 switches to the high logical level. At this point the capacitor 41 begins to be charged through the resistance 42, over a period which is approximately 10 times the discharge period.

[0033] While the photoresistor 17 keeps the input 35 at the high logical level, a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle (frequency F1), which, in each period, takes a high value for an interval equal to one tenth of the interval for which the signal takes a low value, is present at the output 37 of the NAND gate 31. The NAND gate 31 thus acts as an oscillator with a frequency F1 in the range from approximately 1 to 1.5 Hz.

[0034] The NAND gate 32 has the sole function of acting as an inverter, in other words of inverting the logical level of the output 37 of the NAND gate 31.

[0035] The NAND gate 33 is an oscillator, similar to the NAND gate 31, which controls the step-up device 60. The NAND 33 has a frequency F2 in the range from approximately 2 to 4 kHz (according to the characteristics of the step-up device 60) and a symmetrical cycle. The NAND gate 33 is activated when the input 51 is at the high logical level. It therefore has at its output 52 a signal formed by a train of pulses having the frequency F2 in each interval in which the square wave having the frequency F1, generated by the NAND gate 31, takes the high level.

[0036] The pulses present at the output 52 of the NAND gate 33 are inverted by the NAND gate 34 and, through the resistance 57, trigger the transistor 58 which controls the transistor 59. The transistor 59, in turn, controls the operation of the transformer 60 which supplies on its secondary winding the voltage required for driving the electroluminescent lamp 8 through the terminals 14 and 15, and for driving the electroluminescent lamp 108 through the terminals 114 and 115. The application of alternating current voltage between the electrodes of the lamps 8 and 108 generates a variable electrical field within the phosphor, which becomes a light source.

[0037] The lamps 8 and 108 are supplied with alternating current, at the frequency F2 of the pulsed signal generated by the NAND gate 33, for the period in which the square-wave signal generated by the NAND gate 31 remains at the high level. The lamps 8 and 108 are not supplied during the period in which the square-wave signal generated by the NAND gate 31 remains at the low level. However, the light emitted by the lamps 8 and 108 are remains visible continuously, owing to the phenomenon of persistence of the image in the retina of the human eye.

[0038] The oscillator 31 therefore generates a square wave with an asymmetric duty cycle such that it provides a high visibility of the lamp together with minimum battery consumption.

[0039] The electroluminescent lamps 8 and 108 can be replaced or supplemented with one or more LEDs located on the front or on the back of the jacket in order to achieve a particularly pleasing effect (e.g. for a pattern on the jacket).

[0040] The battery 18 is, for example, a 3 V or 9 V battery. The voltage of the battery 18 has a value lower than the acceptable reverse voltage for the transistors 58 and 59, which must in any case withstand relatively high voltages (excess currents generated by the inductance of the transformer 60).

[0041] The diode 26 has the function of protecting the electronic circuit 16, except for the power section (transistors 58 and 59), from reversals of polarity. Thus the connection of a diode in series with the power supply is avoided and this enables efficiency to be improved and allows a smaller diode to be used, with consequent reduction of cost.

[0042] The capacitors 28 and 29 have the function of stabilizing the supply voltage of the electronic circuit 16.

[0043] The photoresistor 17 is set in such a way that the external light filtering through the fabric of the pocket 7 is sufficient to operate it, and has a hysteresis to avoid uncertainty of operation when the light is at the limit of the set range. The photoresistor 17 has an adequate spectrum of sensitivity and a response speed of more than 50 Hz. With this arrangement, when the environment in which the jacket is used is illuminated with artificial light modulated at 50 Hz, a pulsed voltage is present at the input 35 of the NAND gate 31 and activates the circuit. Thus an economical system for recognizing artificial light is provided, so that the jacket can also be used in tunnels and in enclosed illuminated environments.

[0044] The transformer 60 can be formed by a diode-capacitor circuit (diode pump).

[0045] The electronic circuit 16 is, for example, a C-MOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) CD 4093.

[0046] The use of circuits printed on the board 62 has the advantage of reducing the dimensions, improving the robustness and making assembly simple and rapid. Additionally, the board 62 is suitable for being incorporated in a resin envelope, by combined pressing or other methods, in order to make the whole assembly more secure and easier to handle.

[0047] A particular mode of flashing can be used to enable the product to be recognized at first sight: for example, the flashing could be such that it forms a letter of the Morse code alphabet, to identify the product immediately (a kind of optical jingle).

Claims

1. Garment (1) provided with a luminescent means (8; 108) which can be excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency, the said luminescent means (8; 108) being connected for operation to a power supply circuit (20), comprising a source of direct current electrical energy (18) and at least one switch means (19), by means of an electronic driving circuit (16) capable of controlling the conversion of the said direct current into the said alternating current, characterized in that said electronic driving circuit (16) is also capable of supplying said luminescent means (8; 108) with said alternating current at said predetermined frequency when a square-wave signal has a high value.

2. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said electronic driving circuit (16) comprises a photoresistor means (17).

3. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said electronic driving circuit (16) also comprises four triggered NAND gates (31, 32, 33, 34), a first NAND gate (31) having a first input (35) connected to a voltage divider formed by the said photoresistor means (17) and a first resistance (39), a second input (36) connected to earth (24) through a first capacitor (41) and connected to one of its outputs (37) through a second resistance (42) connected in parallel with a third resistance (43) and a first diode (44), the said output (37) being connected through a second, inverting, NAND gate (32) to a first input (51) of a third NAND gate (33), the said third NAND gate (33) having a second input (50) connected to earth (24) through a second capacitor (49) and to one of its outputs (52) through a fourth resistance (53), the said output (52) being connected through a fourth, inverting, NAND gate (34), a fifth resistance (57) and a control transistor (58) to a power transistor (59), the said first NAND gate (31) emitting a square-wave signal with an asymmetric cycle, the said third NAND gate (33) emitting a signal formed by a train of pulses having the said predetermined frequency to cause the excitation of the said at least one luminescent means (8; 108) when the said square-wave signal has said high value.

4. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the said power supply circuit (20) is connected to a step-up device (60) which, in turn, is connected to the said power transistor (59) and to the said at least one luminescent means (8; 108).

5. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said power supply circuit (20) also comprises a second diode (26) and a third and a fourth capacitor (29, 30), connected in parallel, capable of stabilizing the supply voltage of the said electronic driving circuit (16).

6. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said power supply circuit (20) and the said electronic driving circuit (16) are printed on a board (62) which also carries the said photoresistor means (17).

7. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least one luminescent means (8; 108) consists of a flexible electroluminescent lamp.

8. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 7, characterized in that it is provided with at least one flap (70) having an inner part to which the said flexible electroluminescent lamp (8) is fitted, the said flexible electroluminescent lamp (8) being visible when the said flap (70) is raised.

9. Garment (1) according to Claims 1 and 7, characterized in that it has at least one transparent portion (74), the said flexible electroluminescent lamp (108) being located under the said transparent portion.

10. Garment (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said switch means (19) is formed by a transistor which can be activated by the fastening of at least one press stud (6; 66; 72).

11. Garment (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the said at least one press stud (6; 66; 72) is formed by discs (75, 76, 77) to which are fixed strips (79, 80) connected to conductors (81, 82).

12. Garment (1) provided with at least one flexible electroluminescent lamp (8; 108), which can be excited by alternating current at a predetermined frequency, characterized in that said electroluminescent lamp (8; 108) is excited by said alternating current at said predetermined frequency when a square-wave signal has a high value.

Drawing