HARNESS WITH OUTER FLAP

Abstract

A waist-encircling harness for holding removable objects is provided. The harness includes a substantially elongated main body having a mid-section with first and second junction ends. A first end section extends from the first junction end of the mid-section, the first end section having a first free end, and a second end section extends from the second junction end of the mid-section, the second end section having a second free end. The first free end and the second free end are removably attachable to each other. The harness further includes an outer flap member having an outer surface with receptacles for retaining the removable objects. The outer flap member includes a junction end flexibly attached to the second junction end of the mid-section, and a free end extending substantially along a length of the elongated main body. The free end of the outer flap member is removably attached to the first end section of the substantially elongated main body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/946,593, filed Jun. 27, 2007, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to generally the field of paintball sport equipment, and in particular, to a harness system for carrying paintballs which allows for quick and efficient access to the paintball pods and paintballs stored thereon, without sacrificing the comfort or mobility of the user.

BACKGROUND

Paintball is a popular action sport generally involving two teams. The object of the game is for either of the teams to capture the opposing team's flag while at the same time eliminating as many of the opposing team's players as possible. Players (also referred to herein as “users”) on each team are armed with paintball markers that shoot spherical gelatin capsules filled with liquid paint or dye commonly referred to as paintballs. These projectiles are stored in paintball loaders, which sit atop the markers and feed the paintballs into the marker. During play of the sport, the players on each team advance towards the opposing team's base in hopes of stealing the opposing team's flag, without being eliminated from the war game. A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hit by a paintball fired from an opposing player's marker. When the paintball hits a player it usually ruptures leaving a “splat” of paint.

Paintball has experienced tremendous growth in technological advancements over the past several years. With the advent of semi-, and fully-automatic markers, firing rates have dramatically increased. As a result, more sophisticated paintball loaders were needed to deliver paintballs at higher feed rates than the original gravity assisted loaders could provide. As a standard paintball loader holds only about 200 paintballs, these new high-speed marker and loader combinations are capable of emptying a full loader in as little as 1 minute of sustained firing. As a result, players must often carry a supplemental supply of paintballs with them during a game from which to refill their loader on the playing field.

In order to accomplish this, harnesses or packs are often utilized by players to hold “pods” (containers filled with paintballs, generally tubular containers with removable lids) full of extra paintballs, and/or other equipment, such as a remotely-located compressed gas tank to power the marker or cleaning devices, such as squeegees. These arrangements provide players with a portable supply of paintballs and other equipment without the need to drastically increase the capacity, and therefore the size, of the loader.

Conventional harnesses consist of a waist-encircling belt or strap with hoops or other compartments designed to retain paintball carrying pods, compressed gas tanks, or other equipment. These conventional harnesses or packs must typically be removed by the player to access the equipment held by the harness, for instance, to reload their marker with the paintball-filled pods. Alternatively, a player may perform a difficult, ungainly, and often time consuming reach around to the rear of the pack to remove the pods or reload the pods into the harness, or have another person remove the pods or reload the pods for them. In the fast-paced sport of paintball, these awkward reloading procedures are extremely inconvenient and time-consuming. Moreover, they often require a player to turn his back and lose site of the playing field, a position that can prove costly in the fast-paced game.

In order to eliminate some of these risks, some harnesses orient the pod-holding compartments on the side of a player, rather than on the player's back. These arrangements eliminate the need for the player to reach completely around to access the paintball pods. However, they impact a player's mobility on the field, as the side positioning often interferes with the movement of a player's arms, as well as their ability to position their bodies, for example, while lying on the ground to obtain an advantageous firing position, or evading incoming fire from an opposing team. For these reasons, a rearward positioning of the storage compartments is preferred.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a harness that allows for quick and easy loading and reloading of pods, while maintaining the mobility of the user. In addition there remains a need for a harness that is comfortable and easy to put on and remove from a player's body.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a waist-encircling harness for holding removable objects, preferably, paintball holding pods. The harness includes a substantially elongated main body having a mid-section with first and second junction ends. A first end section extends from the first junction end of the mid-section, the first end section having a first free end. A second end section extends from the second junction end of the mid-section, the second end section having a second free end. The first free end and the second free end are adapted to be removably attachable to each other. The harness further includes an outer flap member having an outer surface and an inner surface configured to be removably attachable to at least a portion of the mid-section. The outer flap member has at least one receptacle for retaining the at least one paintball sport item on the harness, a junction end hingedly attached to the second junction end of the mid-section, and a free end extending substantially along a length of the elongated main body. The free end of the outer flap member configured to be removably attachable to the first end section of the main body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the midsection further includes padding arranged between the compartment and the portion configured positioned to abut a user's back when worn on the body.

The compartment and receptacles are preferably comprised of flexible elastic, or other suitable expanding materials, in order to accept multiple sizes and configurations of equipment, preferably paintball pods, to be stored therein. The compartments can be lined with a friction enhancing material, such as rubber, to facilitate the securing of the equipment in the receptacle. Various retaining rings, tethers, or other securing means can be attached to the compartment or receptacles, in order to facilitate holding paintball-filled pods, squeegees, or any other equipment needed on the playing field.

The outer flap member may also comprise reinforcing ribs or bars, configured to maintain the structural integrity and supporting function of the compartment and receptacles when the harness is loaded.

The present invention further provides a method for loading and unloading removable objects retained in an outer flap member of a waist-encircling harness. A free end of the outer flap member is detached from an attachment area of the harness. The outer flap member is pivoted away from the attachment area. The removable objects are then accessed. Once the objects have been reinserted, the outer flap member is then reattached by securing the free end of the outer flap to the attachment area of the harness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention shall now be better described with reference to some embodiments thereof, illustrated merely as a non-limiting example in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view (taking the orientation of a user wearing the harness on their body) of the harness of the present invention in a closed configuration with paintball-storing pods inserted therein;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the harness in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the harness in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the harness featuring the free end of the outer flap being lifted away from the main harness;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the harness featuring the securing strap being lifted away from the main harness;

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of the harness featuring the outer flap pulled away from the main harness, hinging at the junction end;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the harness as shown in FIG. 6, with the paintball pods arranged in the outer flap;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the harness showing the receptacles;

FIG. 9 is a view of the present invention is use, wherein a player is detaching the outer flap and moving the pods into position for reloading;

FIG. 10 is a view of the present invention in use, wherein the outer flap has been moved into an open or reloading position;

FIG. 11 is a view of the present invention in use, wherein a player has completed reloading;

FIG. 12 is a view of the present invention wherein a player has begun to swing the outer flap back toward a closed position;

FIGS. 13a and 13b are views of the present invention in use, wherein the player is swinging the outer flap back into a closed position;

FIGS. 14a and 14b are views of the present invention wherein the player is reattaching the outer flap to the harness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Similarly, the terms “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” and “rearward” are from the perspective of a user wearing a harness. Rear or rearward means toward the back-side of the user and forward means toward the front-side of the user. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as A, B, or C, means any individual one of A, B, or C, as well as any combination thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-14, a waist-encircling harness 10 for holding removable objects, e.g. paintball pods 2, is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3, the harness 10 includes a substantially elongated main body 12 having a mid-section 14 with first and second junction ends 16, 18. A first end section 20 extends from and connects to the first junction end 16 of the mid-section 14, the first end section 20 having a first free end 22. A second end section 24 extends from and connects to the second junction end 18 of the mid-section 14, the second end section 24 having a second free end 26. The first end section 20 and the second end section 24 are moveable with respect to the mid-section 14, and function, among other things, as straps to attach the harness 10 to a user's body. The first end section 20 and the second end section 24 may be provided with mating surfaces at any point along their lengths on the outer side of each sections 20, 24, such as hook-and-loop fastener material running along at least one or various portions of the outer side of each sections 20, 24, for removably engaging other portions of the harness 10 as described below.

The first free end 22 and the second free end 26 are removably attachable to each other through the use of, for example, hook and loop fasteners 28. However, it is envisioned that any suitable means, such as snaps or buckles, can be utilized to attach the free ends 22, 26 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The hook and loop fasteners 28 are provided along substantially the entire length of the first and second end sections 20, 24, allowing attachment of the first and second free ends 22, 26 in practically any location along their length. The harness 10 may be constructed from a lightweight, durable material such as, for example, dobby nylon, or KEVLAR™, however, any fabric or elastic material, such as neoprene or materials incorporating neoprene, nylon or lycra, may be used, and the harness 10 is not limited to any particular material. The general elastic nature of the harness ensures a snug fit to the user, limiting slipping without compromising mobility. Moreover, the harness, or portions therefore, are preferably comprised of a breathable, mesh material, adding additional comfort to the user while keeping the weight of the harness as low as possible.

As is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the harness 10 further includes an outer flap member 30, preferably made from a substantially elastic material, having an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 40 with at least one or a plurality of receptacles 34 arranged in the opening 35 formed between the surfaces 32, 40, for retaining paintball pods 2 or other equipment in the harness 10. The outer surface 32 may be comprised of neoprene, or other suitable materials and acts as a protective cover for the pods 2 contained in the receptacles 34. The outer flap member 30 includes a junction end 36 flexibly and/or pivotally attached to, for example, the second junction end 18 of the mid-section 14, and a securing end 38 adapted to extend along a length of the elongated main body 12, and to be removably attached to the main body 12 through fastening elements, such as through hook-and-loop fasteners or other acceptable fastening means, such a buckles, clips, clamps, belts, hooks, etc. The outer flap member 30 may also include reinforcing support ribs or bars 50, configured to maintain the shape of, and support the outer flap member 30 and receptacles 34 both when loaded and unloaded.

A securing strap 37 may be pivotally attached adjacent the junction end 36 and the second end 18. The securing strap 37 preferably includes hook and loop type fastening material to attach the strap 37 along its length to the second end section 24. The securing strap 37 provides several functional benefits including aiding in tightening the harness 10 around a user's body without the need to undo or otherwise decouple the first and second ends 22, 26, as well as providing an additional way to secure equipment and other items to the harness 10. Included on the securing strap 37 are various additional hook and loop fastening portions 39 which can be used to aid in securing the harness to the player, or for securing additional equipment to the harness 10.

It is appreciated that both the securing end 38 and securing strap 37 may function to aid in tightening the harness 10 about a user's body, as each is removably attached to the body, i.e., the first end section 20 and second end section 24 of the harness respectively, as described. Each of the securing end 38 and securing strap 37 can be pulled and attached to the first end section 20 and second end section 24 of the harness respectively at various points along the lengths of the harness, creating various options for attachment and tightening. It is further appreciated that the securing end 38 and securing strap 37 may be provided with at least one or various engaging elements adapted to removably engage the first and second end sections 20, 24, including, but not limited to, hook-and-loop fastening material.

At least a portion of the inner surface 40 of the outer flap member 30 is removably securable to at least a portion of the outer surface 42 of the mid-section 14 of the substantially elongated main body 12, through the use of, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners 44. Such a configuration secures the outer flap member 30 to the mid-section 14 to eliminate bouncing of the pods 2 when the player is running with a full harness 10, yet allows for a quick release of the outer flap member 30 from the mid-section 14 and easy access to the receptacles 34 of the outer flap member 30. One or several rows of material 44 adapted for hook-and-loop fastening of the inner surface 40 of the outer flap member 30 to the outer surface 42 of the mid-section 14 may be provided, creating a greater surface area attaching the outer flap member 30 to the mid-section 14. The outer flap member 30 therefore creates a paintball pod carrying area that is removably attached to the mid-section 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, the receptacles 34 are preferably formed by a webbing 52 comprised of elastic, or other suitably flexible and expandable materials, in order to facilitate the introduction of multiple sizes and configurations of equipment and pods 2 to be stored in the receptacles 34. Moreover, due to the flexible nature of the webbing 52, the outer flap member 30 is collapsible. Specifically, it may be adapted to collapse to provide a slimmer profile when not loaded with pods 2, and may be adapted to expand when loaded with pods 2.

The receptacles 34 are preferably adapted to frictionally hold and grip the pods 2, and hold them in place in the outer flap member 30 on the harness 10 until needed by a user. The receptacles 34 may be formed as pockets, loops, receivers, holders, or any type of receiver capable of holding a paintball pod 2 in place on the harness. The receptacles 34 can be lined with a friction enhancing material, for example a rubber, to aid in securing of the pods 2 in the receptacles 34. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, various retaining rings, tethers, or other securing elements, can be attached to the receptacles 34 or any other surface of the harness 10, in order to hold pods 2, paintball squeegees, or any other equipment needed by a paintball. These rings 48 are preferably formed from a flexible material, such as elastic. The rings 48 can also be used by a user as a gripping point for pulling the outer flap member 30 away from the mid-section 14.

Referring generally to FIG. 2, the mid-section 14 preferably includes padding 46, on an inner side thereof, designed to provide dampening and/or a comfort area between the outer flap 30 and the player's back. This provides an increased comfort level to the user, as the equipment in the receptacles 34 may impact the player while in motion, as well as ensures that the fragile paintballs remain isolated from unnecessary vibration and trauma. In a preferred embodiment, the padding 46 is of a rubberized, gripping and/or padded material on at least a portion of the inner surface of the mid-section 14, so as to prevent the mid-section 14, including the outer flap 30, from slipping on a players back during a game.

When the outer flap member 30 is in a secured position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the securing end 38 of the outer flap member 30 is removably attached to a selected portion of the first end section 20 of the substantially elongated main body 12. In a non-secured position, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the securing end 38 of the outer flap member 30 is detached from the first end section 20 of the main body 12.

As can be seen from the Figures, the outer flap member 30 provides and acts as a moveable and/or pivotable and/or hinged portion of the harness 10 that holds, for example, paintball pods 2, and allows a player access to pods 2 held on their back, without removing the harness 10. This outer flap member 30, which houses all of the pods 2 or empty receptacles 34 that must be filled by pods, can be swung around a user's body without the need for removing the complete harness 10 from a user's body. The use and operation of the harness 10 is described in further detail below.

The operation of the harness when worn by a player is illustrated in FIGS. 9-14b. The harness 10 is initially loaded with paintball pods 2 in the receptacles 34 of the harness 10. All of the flaps and straps of the harness 10 are in a closed position, and the harness is secured to the player's body. At some point, usually during paintball sport play, the pods 2 are depleted of paintballs, and the harness 10 must be reloaded with filled pods 2. As depicted in FIG. 9, a player wearing the harness 10 reaches behind themselves to detach the outer flap member 30 from the main body 12 by pulling the securing end 38, and pivotally swings the outer flap member 30 around its junction end 36 (from the back of the player to his left side as shown in FIG. 9) so that the player can reload pods 2 that have been filled with paintballs into the receptacles 34 of the outer flap member 30 (FIGS. 10 and 11). It is important to note the position of the outer flap 30 when the harness is configured for reloading. Namely, the outer flap 30 has moved from the player's back, to a position adjacent the player's side where it can be more easily reached. This orientation allows for quick and easy reloading. Generally referring to FIG. 12, once this reloading procedure is complete, the player then pivotally swings the outer flap member 30 around his back. As can be seen in FIGS. 13a and 13b, this motion can be accomplished by grabbing the outer flap member 30 with one hand, and transferring it to the other hand while bringing it around one's back. Alternatively, the outer flap member 30 can be swung, in a single motion, without requiring the player to reach behind his/her back to pass the assembly. As shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b, once the outer flap member 30 and the securing end 38 are back into position, the player secures the outer flap member 30 by pulling on the securing end 38, drawing the outer flap member 30 close to his/her body and attaching both the outer flap member 30 and the securing strap 38 to the harness body 12 by means of hook-and-loop fasteners, or any other fasteners.

It should be noted that throughout the steps of detaching the outer flap member 30, reloading or otherwise accessing the receptacles 38, and reattaching the outer flap member 30, the harness 10 has remained securely attached to the player's body by the primary harness ends 20 and 24. This configuration eliminates the disadvantages of having to remove the harness in order to access its contents.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described which should be considered as merely exemplary. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A harness for holding at least one paintball sport item about a person's body, the harness comprising:

a substantially elongated main body comprising: a mid-section having first and second junction ends, a first end section extending from the first junction end of the mid-section, the first end section having a first free end, and a second end section extending from the second junction end of the mid-section, the second end section having a second free end, the first free end and the second free end adapted to be removably attachable to each other; and,

an outer flap member having an outer surface and an inner surface configured to be removably attachable to at least a portion of the mid-section, comprising: at least one receptacle for retaining the at least one paintball sport item on the harness, a junction end hingedly attached to the second junction end of the mid-section, and, a free end extending substantially along a length of the elongated main body, the free end of the outer flap member configured to be removably attachable to the first end section of the main body.

2. The harness of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the outer flap member is removably securable to an outer surface of the mid-section of the substantially elongated main body.

3. The harness of claim 2, further comprising hook and loop fasteners for removably securing the inner surface of the flap to the outer surface of the mid-section of the substantially elongated main body.

4. The harness of claim 1, further comprising hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching the free end of the outer flap to the second end section of the substantially elongated main body.

5. The harness of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer flap member comprises a substantially elastic material.

6. The harness of claim 1, wherein the at least one paintball sport item is a paintball pod.

7. A method for loading and unloading at least one paintball sport item retained in an outer flap member of the harness of claim 1, the method comprising:

detaching a free end of the outer flap member from an attachment area of the harness;

pivoting the outer flap member away from the attachment area;

accessing the removable objects;

pivoting the outer flap toward the attachment area; and

attaching the free end of the outer flap member to the attachment area of the harness.