# US 8,464,367 B1 · Protective apparel for firefighters and emergency responders

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- Number: US 8,464,367 B1
- Document ID: US8464367B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/615,262
- Filed: 2006-12-22
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-23
- Assignees: Globe Holding Company LLC; North Carolina State University
- Applicants: Mark Mordecai; Anthoney Shawn Deaton; Daniel Biron
- Inventors: Mark Mordecai; Anthoney Shawn Deaton; Daniel Biron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464367B1

## CPC

- A43B 3/02: Boots covering the lower leg
- A41D 13/0005: {Joints}
- A43B 3/04: with rubber or elastic insertions or gussets
- A43B 7/12: Special watertight footwear (overshoes A43B3/16)
- A43B 7/34: with protection against heat or cold
- A43B 23/0205: {characterised by the material (material of the lining A43B23/07, material of toe stiffeners or heel stiffeners A43B23/08)}
- A43B 23/022: {with waterproof breathable membranes}
- A43B 23/028: {Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing}
- A43B 23/06: Waterproof legs
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES

## Abstract

A protective apparel system for responders such as firefighters, civil defense, and defense workers is disclosed. Different aspects include a boot with a flange for forming a vapor/liquid tight seal with trousers, trousers that include a resistant barrier cuff for interfacing with a boot, and a resistant barrier liner that includes a gusset providing for expansion of the liner.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A protective apparel system comprising:
trousers including a torso portion and two leg portions, the trousers comprising a resistant barrier layer;
a pair of boots, each boot including an upper and a flange circumscribing the upper, the flange integral to, or attached to, the outer surface of the upper and of higher rigidity than the upper, the flange including a shoulder, wherein the upper extends upwardly from the flange; and
an adjustable cuff formed on the leg portions of the resistant barrier layer, the adjustable cuff constructed and arranged to seal against the shoulder of the flange whereby hazardous substances are substantially prevented from breaching the apparel system.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the flange defines a downward opening cavity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the cuff comprises an elastic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the cuff comprises a drawstring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the resistant barrier layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of urethanes, PTFE, neoprene, natural and synthetic rubber, para-aramid, carbon, polyamides and combinations thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the trousers comply with at least one of NFPA Standards 1951, 1971, 1992, 1999, and 1994.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is removeably attached to a thermal barrier layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The protective trousers of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is permanently attached to a flame resistant outer layer or a thermal barrier layer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The protective trousers of claim 8 wherein the barrier layer is laminated to a flame resistant outer layer or a thermal barrier layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 9)

A method of preventing a responder from being exposed to vapors or liquids by using the apparel system of claim 1, the method comprising:
donning the trousers of claim 9;
donning the boots of claim 9; and
forming a secure boot/cuff interface by securing each resistant barrier cuff to the flange of one of the boots, whereby vapors or liquids are prevented from contacting the responder's skin via a breach in the boot/cuff interface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the flange includes a downward opening cavity and the cuff is secured against the flange via an elastic member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the cuff is adjustable independently of any adjustment of the resistant barrier layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 including a step of reducing the circumference of the cuff whereby the cuff is prevented from being retracted over the flange when the resistant barrier layer is in tension.