QUICK RELEASE ATTACHMENT AND DETACHMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system comprising a protective outer garment including a shirt with an attached loop fastening material, a bib apron without neck straps, and a quick release attachment and detachment device fastened to the garment, wherein the device includes hook fastening material, wherein the device is configured to couple the bib apron to the shirt.

Description

FIELD

The disclosure relates to an apron or bib apron.

BACKGROUND

An apron is an outer protective garment configured to protect the wearer or the wearer's clothing from the wearer's environment. Aprons may be used by individuals under several circumstances. Chefs tend to wear aprons while cooking in the kitchen. Homemakers tend to wear aprons while cleaning. Surgeons tend to wear aprons while working in operating rooms. Mechanics tend to wear aprons while working in industrial settings.

Several types of aprons are known. Waist aprons cover the wearer's body from the waist down. Bib aprons cover the wearer's upper body and typically cover the wearer's entire body. Other types of aprons include pinafore, cobbler apron, as well as aprons which covers the wearer's arms or sleeves.

Most bib aprons are held in place by strips of cloth. The strips of cloth are designed to be tied on the back of the neck of the wearer or on the backside of the waist of the wearer. One strip of cloth is designed to hang around the neck that is either adjustable/fixed and the other strips of cloth tied on the backside of the waist of the wearer for fit. Other bib aprons are held in place by shoulder straps. Shoulder straps may criss-cross on the back of the wearer. Strips of cloth supported by the neck of the wearer or shoulder straps which surround the neck of the wearer may impede neck movement of the wearer. Neck strap bib aprons may also ensnare the wearer if the apron is caught on something. Neck straps are known to endanger the wearer in the event that the apron is caught on a moving object, machinery or anything hanging out in a workplace environment.

The weight of a traditional bib apron pulls on the neck, by its design. This pulling has been known to cause neck, back and feet problems over a period of time if not addressed.

SUMMARY

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system allows a wearer to quickly and easily attach or remove a bib apron without the need for a neck strap to hold the bib part of the apron up. The removal of neck straps saves the time and effort to tie or untie the neck straps or to have another helper tie or untie the neck straps. The removal of neck straps promotes safety, form, mobility and function while permitting ease of attachment and detachment. The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment mechanism is what makes this product function like a traditional bib apron. It allows for a quick-release if pulled, snagged or hung on anything making injuries less likely to happen in the event of an accident. This system is beneficial to all individuals including wearers who are frequently transitioning between a workplace environment where the apron is needed and a presentation environment where the apron is not used.

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system also allows the wearer to have a bib apron without the continual pull of the weight of the apron on the neck of the wearer.

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system also allows the wearer to quickly and easily put on or remove their shirt because the system does not inhibit the opening or closing of the placket of the shirt.

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system also allows the wearer to wash their shirt without causing damage to other washed items. The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system also allows the wearer to wash the apron or QRAD device without causing damage to other washed items.

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment system also allows the wearer's shirt to show a display when the apron is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) system illustrating the attachment and detachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1AA is a front view of a chef coat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 BB is a front view of another configuration of the chef coat of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a T-shirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a front view of a polo shirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a front view of a button down shirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a front view of an apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a back view of the apron of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a magnified back view of the apron of FIG. 3A highlighting an aspect of the Quick Release Attachment and Detachment mechanism (“QRAD”).

FIG. 4B is a magnified back view of the apron of FIG. 3A highlighting an aspect of the Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) system.

FIG. 5A is a back view of the QRAD of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the QRAD of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6A is a front view of an advertising strip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a back view of the advertising strip of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a front view of a polo shirt of FIG. 2B with the advertising strip of FIG. 6A.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. All distance and length measurements are exemplary. Several alternative distance and length measurements are envisioned.

FIG. 1A illustrates the Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B illustrates the attachment and detachment mechanism of the QRAD system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) system 10 includes several major components. First, QRAD system 10 includes shirt 12 with loop fastening material 13 of attachment 14 fastened to shirt 12. As shown in FIGS. 1A-2C, attachment 14 is located adjacent to chest 15 of wearer 17. Second, QRAD system 10 includes apron 16 with QRAD device 18.

Attachment 14 may include multiple parts or multiple attachments 14 (such as a plurality of attachments) may be fastened to different areas of shirt 12 in order to accommodate an opening of shirt 12. In FIGS. 1AA and 1BB, shirt 12 is illustrated as a double breasted chef coat (also known as a chef jacket). In this embodiment, first attachment 20 may be fastened to a first lateral side 22 of body 24 of shirt 12. For this example, first lateral side 22 is described as the left side from the perspective of wearer 17. A portion of first attachment 20 may be fastened to left flap 26 of shirt 12.

Similarly, second attachment 27 may be fastened to second lateral side 28 of body 24 of shirt 12. For this example, second lateral side 28 is described as the right side from the perspective of wearer 17. A portion of second attachment 27 may be fastened to right flap 30 of shirt 12.

In an alternative embodiment, an interior surface of either left flap 26 or right flap 30 may include the corresponding hook fastening material (not shown). Under this exemplary embodiment, when either flap overlaps the other flap, hook fastening material fastens to exposed loop fastening material 13 of either first or second attachment 27.

It is envisioned that attachment 14 may be designed to different lengths and widths. All length and width measurements are exemplary. In one exemplary embodiment, attachment 14 is within the range of approximately one inch (1″) to approximately nine inches (9″) in length. This length is measured laterally from one lateral side (for example first lateral side 22 of wearer 17) to the other lateral side (for example second lateral side 28 of wearer 17). In one exemplary embodiment, attachment 14 is approximately one inch (1″) in width. This width is measured perpendicular to the length.

Attachment 14 may be located at a specified distance from top 32 of either flap 26 or flap 30 of chef coat 34. Top 32 is alternatively described as placket 36 where placket 36 is an opening in the upper portion of shirt 12 which allows wearer 17 to easily put on or remove shirt 12. As an additional alternative description, attachment 14 may be located on shirt 12 at a specified distance from shirt collar 38.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1AA and 1BB, attachment 14 is located approximately four inches (4″) from top 32 of flap 26 or flap 30 of chef coat 34. Placement of attachment 14 on shirt 12 is made based on the following factors: style of shirt, type of shirt, and shirt configured to gender of wearer 17.

In FIG. 2A, shirt 12 is illustrated as a T-shirt. In this embodiment, attachment 14 is fastened to body 24 of shirt 12. Attachment 14 is centered on body 24 and is located adjacent to chest 15 of wearer 17. It is envisioned that attachment 14 may be located in relation to the opening of shirt 12.

In FIG. 2B, shirt 12 is illustrated as a polo shirt. In this embodiment, attachment 14 may be fastened to body 24 of shirt 12 adjacent to placket 36. In an alternative embodiment, first portion 40 of attachment 14 may be fastened to flap 26 or first lateral side 22 of shirt 12 while second portion 42 of attachment 14 may be fastened to body 24 of shirt 12.

In FIG. 2C, shirt 12 is illustrated as a button down shirt (also described as an oxford button up). In this embodiment, first portion 40 of attachment 14 may be fastened to flap 26 or first lateral side 22 of shirt 12 while second portion 42 of attachment 14 may be fastened to body 24 of shirt 12. In an alternative embodiment, multiple attachments 14 may be fastened to opposing sides of shirt 12 in order to accommodate opening of shirt 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2C, several configurations of attachment 14 are attached to shirt 12 without hindering or obstructing opening of shirt 12. Attachment 14 is preferably made of loop fastening material 13 instead of hook fastening material. Loop fastening material 13 is easily washable without scratching or attaching to other washed items. It is also envisioned that, as an alternative, attachment 14 may be made of hook fastening material and that a cover (not shown) made of loop fastening material 13 would be used to prevent washing problems.

Attachment 14 is configured to attach to and support apron 16 (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Apron 16 is defined as a bib apron since apron 16 covers the wearer's upper body. Apron 16 includes waist straps 44 which tie around waist 46 of wearer similar to a traditional apron. However apron 16 differs from a traditional bib apron. Apron 16 does not include neck straps. Without neck straps, embodiments of the present disclosure reduce the potential for injury. Instead of including neck straps, apron 16 utilizes Quick Release Attachment and Detachment (“QRAD”) device 18.

As shown in FIG. 3B, QRAD device 18 is attached to back side 47 of apron 16. Hook fastening material 48 on QRAD device 18 is configured to attach to loop fastening material 13 of attachment 14 on shirt 12. Fastening hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18 to loop fastening material 13 of attachment 14 supports apron 16. Under this configuration, apron 16 is supported without the use of neck straps. Apron 16 covers and protects wearer's upper body and clothing without the use of neck straps.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, apron 16 includes quick release handle tabs 50. It is envisioned that quick release handle tabs 50 may form a loop or handle tabs 50 may be an additional loop of material of apron 16. In operation, wearer 17 grabs quick release handle tabs 50 in order to release apron 16 from attachment 14. Wearer 17 grabs quick release handle tabs 50 and peels apron 16 away from shirt 12. FIG. 1B illustrates a partially peeled and partially attached apron 16 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

All length and width measurements are exemplary. In one exemplary embodiment, quick release handle tab 50 is approximately one inch (1″) in length. This length is measured laterally from one lateral side (for example first lateral side 22 of wearer 17) to the other lateral side (for example second lateral side 28 of wearer 17). In one exemplary embodiment, quick release handle tab 50 is approximately one inch (1″) in width. This width is measured perpendicular to the length.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show QRAD device 18 in detail. In FIG. 4A, QRAD device 18 is shown in an open configuration. Hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18 is configured to attach to loop fastening material 13 of attachment 14 or loop fastening material 52 on QRAD device 18. Loop fastening material 52 on QRAD device 18 is shown hanging beneath hook fastening material 48.

In FIG. 4B, QRAD device 18 is shown in a closed configuration. Apron 16 includes hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18. QRAD device 18 also includes loop fastening material 52 in order to attach to hook fastening material 48. In this closed configuration, hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18 and loop fastening material 52 of QRAD device 18 are attached together. When apron 16 is being washed, loop fastening material 52 is used to cover hook fastening material 48 so apron 16 is easily washable without scratching or attaching to other washed items. When apron 16 is not in use, loop fastening material 52 of QRAD device 18 may be used to cover hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18 to prevent apron 16 from attaching to other items.

FIG. 4B also illustrates twill tape hanging hook 54. In one embodiment, hanging hook 54 is fastened to top portion 56 of apron 16 and QRAD device 18 is sewn to top portion 56 of apron by sewing over hanging hook 54. In alternative embodiments, hanging hook 54 is fastened to one of apron 16 or QRAD device 18.

All length and width measurements are exemplary. In one exemplary embodiment, hanging hook 54 is approximately two and three-quarters inches (2.75″) in length. This length is measured parallel (along the same orientation) to the width measurements of QRAD device 18.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, QRAD device 18 is comprised of flip cover 58, hook fastening material 48 and loop fastening material 52. Flip cover 58 may be comprised of any material, such as plastic or cloth. In one illustrative embodiment, flip cover 58 is comprised of cloth. In this illustrative embodiment, cloth has been folded over and sewn to increase strength and inhibit shredded edges. Flip cover 58 is used as a frame portion for attaching hook fastening material 48 and loop fastening material 52.

Flip cover 58 may be crafted to meet desired specifications for QRAD device 18. For example, flip cover 58 may be designed to different lengths and widths. All length and width measurements are exemplary. In one exemplary embodiment, flip cover 58 is approximately nine and one-half inches (9.5″) in length. This length is measured to match orientation with the length measurement for attachment 14 (FIGS. 1A-2C). In one exemplary embodiment, flip cover 58 is approximately three and one-half inches (3.5″) in width. This width is measured perpendicular to the length.

Flip cover 58 is configured in length to attach to apron 16. Flip cover 58 can be sewn to the inside top portion of apron 16 as illustrated in the embodiments of FIG. 3B, 4A, or 4B. Flip cover 58 is preferably fastened between quick release handle tabs 50 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B).

It is envisioned that hook fastening material 48 and/or loop fastening material 52 may be designed to different lengths and widths. All length and width measurements are exemplary. In one exemplary embodiment, hook fastening material 48 and loop fastening material 52 are each within the range of approximately one inch (1″) to approximately nine inches (9″) in length. This length is measured to correspond to attachment 14 (FIGS. 1A-2C) as well as to correspond with each other. In one exemplary embodiment, each of hook fastening material 48 and loop fastening material 52 are approximately one inch (1″) in width. This width is measured perpendicular to the length.

When QRAD device 18 is being washed, loop fastening material 52 is used to cover hook fastening material 48 so QRAD device 18 is easily washable without scratching or attaching to other washed items. When QRAD device 18 is not in use, loop fastening material 52 of QRAD device 18 may be used to cover hook fastening material 48 of QRAD device 18 to prevent QRAD device 18 from attaching to other items.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate advertising strip 60. FIG. 6C illustrates shirt 12 with advertising strip 60. When apron 16 is not in use, shirt 12 including attachment 14 with loop fastening material 13 provides a unique opportunity for the wearer 17 to display words, phrases, symbols or designs, company name, logo, image or slogan. Front side 62 of advertising strip 60 provides a surface for display. Back side 64 of advertising strip 60 includes hook fastening material 66 configured to attach to loop fastening material 13 of attachment 14.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

Claims

1. A protective garment system comprising:

a shirt including an attachment including loop fastening material,

a bib apron excluding neck straps, and

a quick release attachment and detachment device fastened to the back side of the apron, wherein the device includes hook fastening material configured to attach to the loop fastening material of the shirt.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the shirt is a double breasted chef coat.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the double breasted chef coat includes a plurality of attachments, wherein the plurality of attachments includes a first attachment located on one side of the double breasted chef coat and a second attachment located on another side of the double breasted chef coat.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second attachments include loop fastening material.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment is located on the body of the shirt and adjacent to the chest of a wearer of the shirt.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment is approximately nine inches in length as measured laterally and wherein the attachment is approximately one inch in width as measured perpendicular to length.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment is located adjacent to and directly below a placket of the shirt.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the apron includes quick release handle tabs located near the top of the apron.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the device further includes a flip cover and loop fastening material attached to the flip cover, wherein the hook fastening material of the device is attached to the flip cover.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the loop fastening material of the device is configured to attach to the hook fastening material of the device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein either the apron or the device includes a hanging hook.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising an advertising strip including hook fastener material, wherein the advertising strip is configured to couple to the loop fastener material of shirt.

13. A protective garment system comprising:

a shirt including an attachment including loop fastening material and

a bib apron including hook fastening material configured to attach to the loop fastening material of the shirt, wherein the bib apron includes a handle tab configured to separate hook fastening material of the bib apron from the loop fastening material of the shirt.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the handle tab is configured to be grabbed by a wearer.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the handle tab forms a loop.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising a QRAD device attached to the bib apron.