Harness For Holding The Distal End Of A Pant Leg In Place

Abstract

A harness for holding the distal end of a pant leg about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants is disclosed herein. The harness includes an elongate first strap, an elongate second strap, and a pair of releasable fasteners. The first strap has two ends, and the second strap has two ends joined to the first strap respectively proximate the two ends of the first strap. The fasteners are respectively located at the two ends of the first strap. In this configuration, the first strap is adapted for fitting about the sole of a foot of the person, and the second strap is adapted for fitting about the heel of the foot. The fasteners are adapted for being attached to the distal end of the pant leg so as to hold the distal end of the pant leg in place about the person's ankle region.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/975,322, which was filed on Sep. 26, 2007 and also entitled “A Harness for Holding the Distal End of a Pant Leg in Place.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to stirrups for being slipped around human feet. The present invention more particularly relates to pant stirrups for holding the distal ends of pant legs in place while a person engages in an activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When riding a motorcycle along a road, a person will often experience the ends of his pant legs being blown from his ankles and lifted up toward his knees because of wind turbulence. As a result, the lower portion of the person's legs may become largely exposed. Such leg exposure, however, can be quite uncomfortable for a person, especially when riding in cold weather. Furthermore, such exposure can also be undesirable when riding on roads with loose rocks and debris thereon. In such instances, the rocks and debris will often be kicked up off the road by leading vehicles. As a consequence, the loose rocks and debris will frequently strike a following rider's bare legs and hence inflict some measure of discomfort or pain thereto.

To remedy the problem of leg exposure, some motorcycle riders attempt to cinch and tie the ends of their pant legs about their legs with ankle bands so as to hold the distal ends of the pant legs at their ankles when riding. Other riders, however, instead wear boots on their feet while riding so that they can tuck and hold the ends of their pant legs in their boots. Though such attempts to prevent leg exposure while riding are somewhat successful, riders still must often stop at the roadside so as to re-tie or re-tuck the ends of their pant legs about their ankles before continuing their rides.

To alternatively remedy the problem of exposure, still other riders opt to wear special pants equipped with foot-receiving stirrups at the distal ends of the pants' legs. Though wearing such pant stirrups is often successful in preventing leg exposure while riding, a rider will often experience foot discomfort if the stirrups are particularly worn over his feet and inside his shoes. If, on the other hand, the rider wears the pant stirrups both over his feet and over his shoes, the stirrups are then prone to sliding across the bottoms of the shoes and consequently off both the rider's feet and shoes altogether. Furthermore, if a rider chooses to wear such pant stirrups for riding, the rider is then often relegated to wearing compatible pants and shoes from a very limited range of biker fashion styles. As a result, the rider is thereby effectively prevented from wearing pants and shoes available from a broad range of stylish biker couture.

In view of the above, there is a present need in the art for an apparatus, a contrivance, or a device that will both securely and comfortably hold the ends of pant legs at a motorcycle rider's ankles while he rides down the road. Such a device will preferably be adapted so that it can be compatibly worn with many various different types and styles of long pants and/or shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a harness for holding the distal end of a pant leg about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants. In one embodiment, the harness includes an elongate first strap (i.e., a stirrup-type strap), an elongate second strap (a heel or spur-type strap), and a pair of releasable fasteners. The first strap has two ends, and the second strap has two ends joined to the first strap so that the two ends of the second strap are respectively proximate the two ends of the first strap. The fasteners are respectively located at the two ends of the first strap. In this configuration, the first strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the sole of a foot of the person, and the second strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the heel of the foot. The fasteners are adapted for being releasably attached to the distal end of the pant leg so as to releasably hold the distal end of the pant leg in place about the person's ankle region.

Furthermore, it is believed that various alternative embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the detailed description of the best mode(s) contemplated for practicing the invention, as set forth hereinbelow, is reviewed in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described hereinbelow, by way of example, with reference to the following drawing figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a harness according to the present invention. As shown, the harness includes an elongate stirrup-type strap, an elongate heel or spur-type strap with its two ends joined to the stirrup strap, and two fasteners respectively located at the two ends of the stirrup strap.

FIG. 1B illustrates a reverse plan view of the harness depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of one of the fasteners depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in FIG. 2A, the one fastener includes two jaws, which are depicted in a closed position.

FIG. 2B illustrates another side view of the fastener depicted in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the jaws of the fastener are in an open (i.e., released) position for thereby receiving the end of a pant leg.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a person riding a motorcycle. As shown, the person is wearing the harness of FIGS. 1A and 1B over his boot so as to hold the end of his pant leg about his ankle region while riding.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the harness in FIGS. 1A and 1B wrapped about the sole and heel of a person's boot while also being fastened to the distal end of the person's pant leg.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional front view of the harness wrapped about a person's boot as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back (or rear) view of the harness' spur-type strap wrapped about the heel of a person's boot. As shown in this embodiment, the spur-type strap alternatively includes a buckle for thereby adjusting the length and fit of the strap about the boot's heel.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the harness according to the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the harness' stirrup-type strap alternatively includes a hooks-and-loops fastener for thereby adjusting the length and fit of the strap about the sole of a boot.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial front view of the harness depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial side view of yet another embodiment of the harness according to the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the harness' stirrup-type strap alternatively includes a hook-and-grommets fastener for thereby adjusting the length and fit of the strap about the sole of a boot.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial front view of the harness depicted in FIG. 9.

LIST OF PARTS AND FEATURES

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a list of parts and features highlighted with alphanumeric designations in FIGS. 1 through 10 is set forth hereinbelow.

• 11A harness (for holding the distal end of a pant leg in place)
• 11B harness (having adjustable strap with buckle)
• 11C harness (having adjustable strap with hooks-and-loops fastener)
• 11D harness (having adjustable strap with hook-and-grommets fastener)
• 12A elongate stirrup-type strap (preferably resilient, elastic, or fitted)
• 12B adjustable stirrup-type strap (with hooks-and-loops fastener)
• 12C adjustable stirrup-type strap (with hook-and-grommets fastener)
• 13L left end (of stirrup strap)
• 13R right end (of stirrup strap)
• 14A elongate heel or spur-type strap (preferably resilient, elastic, or fitted)
• 14B adjustable heel or spur-type strap (with buckle)
• 15L left end (of spur strap)
• 15R right end (of spur strap)
• 16L left attachment area (of spur strap to stirrup strap)
• 16R right attachment area (of spur strap to stirrup strap)
• 17L releasable left fastener
• 17R releasable right fastener
• 18 cam lever mechanism (for opening and closing jaws of fastener)
• 19 biased hinge (of fastener)
• 20U upper jaw (of fastener)
• 20L lower jaw (of fastener)
• 21U upper clamp pad (of fastener)
• 21L lower clamp pad (of fastener)
• 22 recess(es) (defined in upper clamp pad)
• 23 protrusion(s) or teeth (defined on lower clamp pad)
• 24 tack (of fastener)
• 25 hole (defined in lower clamp pad and jaw for receiving tack)
• 26 shoe (for example, a boot)
• 27 heel (of shoe or boot)
• 28 toe (of shoe or boot)
• 29 sole (of shoe or boot)
• 30 motorcycle (or motor bike)
• 31 human person (wearing pants)
• 32 human leg (of person wearing pants)
• 33 pair of long pants
• 34 pant leg (of pair of long pants)
• 35 distal end (of pant leg)
• 36 buckle or buckling mechanism (for adjusting length of spur strap)
• 37 hooks-and-loops fastener (for adjusting length of stirrup strap)
• 38 hook-and-grommets fastener (for adjusting length of stirrup strap)
• 39 hook (of hook-and-grommets fastener)
• 40 grommet(s) (of hook-and-grommets fastener)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate various views of multiple embodiments of a harness 11 according to the present invention. In general, the harness 11 may be worn over a foot or shoe so as to hold the distal end of a pant leg in place about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a first embodiment 11A of the harness 11 is shown. As depicted, the harness 11A includes an elongate first strap 12A (i.e., a stirrup-type strap), an elongate second strap 14A (a heel or spur-type strap), and a pair of releasable fasteners 17L and 17R. The first strap 12A has two ends 13L and 13R, and the second strap 14A has two ends 15L and 15R. The ends 15L and 15R of the second strap 14A are joined to the first strap 12A in attachment areas 16L and 16R so that the two ends 15L and 15R of the second strap 14A are respectively proximate the two ends 13L and 13R of the first strap 12A. The fasteners 17L and 17R are respectively located at the two ends 13L and 13R of the first strap 12A.

In such a configuration, the first strap 12A is adapted for substantially fitting about the sole of a person's foot or shoe, and the second strap 14A is adapted for substantially fitting about the heel of the person's foot or shoe. The first strap 12A and the second strap 14A may each be resilient and comprise, for example, an elastic type of material. Optionally, the first strap 12A and the second strap 14A may also include means for adjusting their respective lengths. Any such length adjusting means may include one or more contrivances such as, for example, a button, a snap fastener, a buckle, a hooks-and-loops fastener, or a hook-and-grommets fastener. In having any one or more of such features, the first strap 12A and the second strap 14A can thereby be closely or snugly fitted about a person's foot or shoe.

For a person's use, the fasteners 17L and 17R are adapted for being releasably attached to the distal end of a pant leg so as to releasably hold the end of the pant leg in place about the person's ankle region. In general, each of the harness' fasteners 17L and 17R may be of any known, conventional type of fastener that is utile for being attached to clothing. For example, each of the fasteners 17L and 17R may include one or more contrivances such as a button, a clasp, a hooks-and-loops fastener, or a snap fastener. In other possible embodiments, the fasteners 17L and 17R may optionally be of the type of fasteners disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,408, which was issued to Sal Herman on Feb. 20, 1990, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An updated version of one of these fasteners is depicted, for example, as fastener 17 in FIGS. 2A and 2B of the present invention disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fastener 17 includes an upper jaw 20U, a lower jaw 20L, a hinge 19, and a cam lever mechanism 18. The hinge 19 pivotally joins the two jaws 20U and 20L together and is adapted so as to generally bias the jaws 20U and 20L apart into an open (i.e., released) position. The cam lever mechanism 18 is operable against the upper jaw 20U so as to releasably close the jaws 20U and 20L together. Given such a configuration, a person can manipulatively operate the cam lever mechanism 18 so as to selectively close and fasten the two jaws 20U and 20L about the distal end 35 of a pant leg 34. In addition, the person can alternatively manipulate the cam lever mechanism 18 so as to selectively open the two jaws 20U and 20L apart and thereby release the pant leg 34 from the fastener 17.

To help ensure that the end 35 of the pant leg 34 does not slip free from the fastener's jaws 20U and 20L when closed together, the two jaws 20U and 20L respectively include an upper clamp pad 21U and a lower clamp pad 21L with one or more complementarily aligned recesses 22 and protrusions 23 defined therein. To even further help ensure that the pant leg 34 does not slip free, one of the jaws' clamp pads 21U or 21L may optionally include a tack 24 with a pointed end, while the other one (i.e., pad) may include a hole 25 for receiving the pointed end of the tack 24 when the jaws 20U and 20L are closed together. In this optional configuration, the tack 24 pierces through the fabric of the pant leg 34 when the fastener's jaws 20U and 20L are closed together, thereby securing the pant leg 34 within the fastener 17.

In FIG. 3, a person 31 is depicted riding a motorcycle 30. As shown, the person 31 is wearing the harness 11A over his boot 26 so as to hold an end of his pants 33 in place about his right ankle while riding. When used in this manner, the harness 11A helps prevent the end of the rider's pant leg from being blown and lifted up toward his knee by wind turbulence.

In FIG. 4, a side view of the harness 11A is shown. As depicted, the harness 11A is wrapped about the sole 29 and heel 27 of a person's boot 26 while also being fastened to the distal end 35 of the person's pant leg 34. In FIG. 5, a sectional front view of the harness 11A wrapped about the boot 26 is alternatively shown.

In FIG. 6, a second embodiment 11B of the harness 11 is partially shown. As depicted, the harness 11B includes a spur-type strap 14B with an adjustable buckle 36 that is wrapped about the heel 27 of a person's boot 26. In this embodiment, the buckle 36 serves as means for selectively adjusting the length and fit of the strap 14B about the boot's heel 27.

In FIG. 7, a third embodiment 11C of the harness 11 is shown. As depicted, the harness 11C includes a stirrup-type strap 12B with an adjustable hooks-and-loops fastener 37 that is wrapped about the sole 29 of a person's boot 26. In this embodiment, the hooks-and-loops fastener 37 serves as means for selectively adjusting the length and fit of the strap 12B about the boot's sole 29. In FIG. 8, a partial front view of the harness 11C is alternatively illustrated.

In FIG. 9, a fourth embodiment 11D of the harness 11 is partially shown. As depicted, the harness 11D includes a stirrup-type strap 12C with an adjustable hook-and-grommets fastener 38 that is wrapped about the sole 29 of a person's boot 26. In this embodiment, the hook-and-grommets fastener 38 serves as means for selectively adjusting the length and fit of the strap 12C about the boot's sole 29. In FIG. 10, a partial front view of the harness 11D is alternatively shown.

In sum, the harness 11 according to the present invention can be comfortably worn over a foot or shoe so as to securely hold the distal end of a pant leg in place about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants. In view of such, the harness 11 is highly suited for better enabling a person to participate in recreational activities such as, for example, riding a motorcycle (or motorbike), mountain biking, riding a horse, skydiving (or parachuting), hang gliding, paragliding, parasailing, base jumping, rock climbing, or others. In addition to being useful in such recreational activities, the harness 11 is also suitable for wear and use at many building, construction, and manufacturing work sites.

Furthermore, though the harness 11 disclosed hereinabove is only shown in FIGS. 3-10 as being worn on the outside of a person's shoe or boot, it is to be understood that the harness 11 may alternatively be worn directly on a person's foot and inside a shoe. When the harness 11 is properly worn in either of these ways, the harness' spur-type strap 14 helps ensure that the stirrup-type strap 12 does not unexpectedly slide off the sole of a person's foot or boot.

Lastly, because the harness 11 can be worn either over or inside a person's shoe and also be attached to the pant leg of most any pair of long pants, the harness 11 can thus be compatibly worn with many different types and styles of various shoes and pants.

While the present invention has been described in what are presently considered to be its most practical and preferred embodiments or implementations, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed hereinabove. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent configurations included within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereinbelow, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and configurations as are permitted under the law.

Claims

1. A harness for holding the distal end of a pant leg about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants, said harness comprising:

an elongate first strap having two ends;

an elongate second strap having two ends joined to said first strap so that said two ends of said second strap are respectively proximate said two ends of said first strap; and

a pair of releasable fasteners respectively located at said two ends of said first strap;

wherein said first strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the sole of a foot of said person, said second strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the heel of said foot, and said fasteners are adapted for being releasably attached to said distal end of said pant leg so as to releasably hold said distal end of said pant leg in place about said ankle region of said person.

2. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said first strap is resilient.

3. A harness according to claim 2, wherein said first strap comprises elastic material.

4. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said first strap includes means for selectively adjusting its length.

5. A harness according to claim 4, wherein said length adjusting means includes at least one contrivance selected from the group consisting of a button, a snap fastener, a buckle, a hooks-and-loops fastener, and a hook-and-grommets fastener.

6. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said second strap is resilient.

7. A harness according to claim 6, wherein said second strap comprises elastic material.

8. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said second strap includes means for selectively adjusting its length.

9. A harness according to claim 8, wherein said length adjusting means includes at least one contrivance selected from the group consisting of a button, a snap fastener, a buckle, a hooks-and-loops fastener, and a hook-and-grommets fastener.

10. A harness according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fasteners includes a contrivance selected from the group consisting of a button, a clasp, a hooks-and-loops fastener, and a snap fastener.

11. A harness according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fasteners includes two jaws that are pivotally joined together by a hinge.

12. A harness according to claim 11, wherein one of said two jaws includes a tack having a pointed end, and the other one of said two jaws includes a hole for receiving said pointed end of said tack whenever said two jaws are closed together.

13. A harness according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fasteners includes:

two jaws;

a hinge pivotally joining said two jaws together; and

a cam lever mechanism;

wherein said hinge is adapted so as to bias said two jaws open, and said cam lever mechanism is operable against one of said two jaws so as to releasably close said two jaws together;

whereby said person is able to manipulatively operate said cam lever mechanism so as to selectively close and fasten said two jaws about said distal end of said pant leg.

14. A harness according to claim 13, wherein one of said two jaws includes a tack having a pointed end, and the other one of said two jaws includes a hole for receiving said pointed end of said tack whenever said two jaws are closed together.

15. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said first strap, said second strap, and said fasteners are all adapted so that said harness can be worn on said foot and also inside a shoe that is on said foot.

16. A harness according to claim 1, wherein said first strap, said second strap, and said fasteners are all adapted so that said harness can be worn over a shoe that is on said foot.

17. A harness according to claim 16, wherein said shoe is a boot.

18. A harness for holding the distal end of a pant leg about the ankle region of a person who is wearing long pants, said harness comprising:

an elongate stirrup-type strap having two ends;

an elongate spur-type strap having two ends joined to said stirrup-type strap so that said two ends of said spur-type strap are respectively proximate said two ends of said stirrup-type strap; and

a pair of releasable fasteners respectively located at said two ends of said stirrup-type strap.

19. A harness according to claim 18, wherein said stirrup-type strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the sole of a foot of said person, said spur-type strap is adapted for substantially fitting about the heel of said foot, and said fasteners are adapted for being releasably attached to said distal end of said pant leg so as to releasably hold said distal end of said pant leg in place about said ankle region of said person.

20. A harness according to claim 18, wherein each of said fasteners includes:

two jaws;

a hinge pivotally joining said two jaws together; and

a cam lever mechanism;

wherein said hinge is adapted so as to bias said two jaws open, and said cam lever mechanism is operable against one of said two jaws so as to releasably close said two jaws together;

whereby said person is able to manipulatively operate said cam lever mechanism so as to selectively close and fasten said two jaws about said distal end of said pant leg.