SUSPENDERS

Abstract

A pair of suspenders for heavy duty use, as by a firefighter, comprises two elongate strap structures. Each elongate strap structure comprises a single, comparatively wide strap, except for a back portion comprising a pair of comparatively narrow, possibly elastic or resiliently stretchable straps, which are parallel when laid flat and straightened. The straps of the back portion of each strap structure are interwoven with the straps of the back portion of the other strap structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to improvements in a pair of suspenders, particularly but not exclusively in a pair of suspenders designed for heavy duty use, as by a firefighter, by a farmer, by a worker on an oil rig or on a building site, or by a person engaged in hunting or fishing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pair of suspenders for heavy duty use, as by a firefighter, by a farmer, by a worker on an oil rig or on a building site, or by a person engaged in hunting or fishing, is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,573 B1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As exemplified therein, a pair of suspenders comprises two comparatively long straps of a given width. Each of the comparatively long straps has a front portion terminating at a front end and a back portion terminating at a back end. The back portions cross each other.

Moreover, a comparatively short strap having two opposite ends is affixed at each of the opposite ends to the back portion of each of the comparatively long straps so as to define a loop, which has an overall length that is at least several times greater than the given width of the comparatively long straps. One of the straps defining each of the loops passes through the other loop, whereby the loops enable the pair of suspenders, over a range of shoulder-to-shoulder spacings, to conform automatically to the shoulder-to-shoulder spacing of a wearer.

Suspenders of related interest are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,923 and, moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,030,791, No. 4,481,682, No. 4,840,057, Re. 34,094, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,031 B2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a pair of suspenders comprising two elongate strap structures. Each elongate strap structure comprises a single, comparatively wide strap, except for a back portion comprising plural, comparatively narrow, possibly elastic or resiliently stretchable straps, which are parallel when laid flat and straightened. The straps of the back portion of each strap structure are interwoven with the straps of the back portion of the other strap structure.

Preferably, the back portion of each strap structure has a given width and the straps of the back portion of each strap structure have a given length, which is greater than the given width. Preferably, the back portion of each strap structure has just a pair of said straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of suspenders constituting one contemplated embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pair of suspenders of FIG. 1, as spread on a flat surface.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, plan view of a pair of suspenders constituting an alternative embodiment of this invention, as spread on a flat surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair 10 of suspenders for heavy duty use, as by a firefighter, by a farmer, by a worker on an oil rig or on a building site, or by a person engaged in hunting or fishing, comprises two similar, comparatively long strap structures 20, 30. Each strap structure 20, 30, comprises a single, comparatively wide, substantially inelastic strap 22, 32, except that a back portion of each strap structure 20, 30, comprises a pair of comparatively narrow, substantially inelastic straps 40, 50.

A front portion of each strap structure 20, 30, is attached via a wire ring 24, 34, to a short strap 26, 36, to each end of which a wire loop 28, 38, is attached. The back portion of each strap structure 20, 30, is attached via a wire ring 44, 54, to a short strap 46, 56, to each end of which a wire loop 48, 58, is attached. The short straps 26, 36, and the short straps 46, 56, are substantially inelastic. The wire loops 28, 38, and the wire loops 48, 58, coact with buttons on a pair of pants so as to attach the pair 10 of suspenders detachably to the pair of pants.

When laid flat and straightened, the comparatively narrow straps 40, 50, of the back portion of each strap structure 20, 30, are parallel. The comparatively narrow straps 40 of the strap structure 20 and the comparatively narrow straps 50 of the strap structure 30 are interwoven. The back portion of each strap structure 20, 30, has a given width and the comparatively narrow straps of the back portion of each strap structure 20, 30, have a given length, which is greater than the given width. Therefore, the pair 10 of suspenders conforms automatically to the shoulder-to-shoulder spacing of its wearer, whereby the pair 10 of suspenders can be comfortably worn and does not unduly hamper the mobility of its wearer.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair 10′ of suspenders is similar to the pair 10 of suspenders of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that, in the pair 10′ of suspenders, the back portion of each strap structure 20′, 30′, comprises a pair of comparatively narrow, resiliently stretchable or elastic straps 40′, 50″. The comparatively narrow straps 40′ of the strap structure 20′ and the comparatively narrow straps 50′ of the strap structure 30′ are interwoven.

A preferred material for the substantially inelastic straps of the aforesaid embodiments is webbing made from NOMEX™ aramid fiber, which is available commercially from E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. An alternative material for the substantially inelastic straps of the aforesaid embodiments is suitably tanned cowhide leather. A preferred material for the resiliently stretchable or elastic straps of the aforesaid embodiments is cotton-wrapped spandex, which has been treated so as to be flame-resistant.

Claims

1. A pair of suspenders comprising two elongate strap structures, each of which comprises a single, comparatively wide strap, except for a back portion comprising plural, comparatively narrow straps, which are parallel but not disposed one upon another when laid flat and straightened, wherein the straps of the back portion of each strap structure are interwoven with the straps of the back portion of the other strap structure.

2. The pair of suspenders of claim 1, wherein the back portion of each strap structure has a given widths and wherein the straps of the back portion of each strap structure have a given length, which is greater than the given width.

3. The pair of suspenders of claim 1, wherein the back portion of each strap structure has just a pair of said straps.

4. The pair of suspenders of claim 2, wherein the back portion of each strap structure has just a pair of said straps.

5. The pair of suspenders of any preceding claim, wherein the comnparatively narrow straps are elastic or resiliently stretchable.