Partial Garment Lift/Quick-Access System

Abstract

A partial garment lift/quick-access system for installation in an upper body garment for wearers who have a need for immediate and unobstructed access to the waist/belt line to retrieve essential items. The quick-access system allows the wearer to immediately expose an item at the waist/belt line, for complete and unobstructed access by pulling a simple cord at the chest pocket. This act produces a curtain-like affect at the bottom hem of the garment; assisting the wearer to make rapid hand-to-item contact while keeping the hem of the garment suspended for the duration of the required activity. The pull cord may be installed on one or both sides of the shirt system to allow for the most efficient access by the wearer. The quick-access system can be installed in various types of upper body garments such as, but not limited to, short or long sleeved shirts, vests, pullovers, and jackets. The upper body garments can be produced in different sizes, colors, fabric styles, and patterns to allow the wearer to wear the garment in any environment or for any occasion.

Description

This application emanates from a previous provisional filing; 61/097,468, filed on Sep. 17, 2008

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a quick-access system which, after installation in an upper body garment, allows for immediate and unobstructed access to the wearer's waist/belt line while the garment is moved upwards and away.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is primarily designed for licensed concealed carry permit holders who carry a concealed firearm in a hip-holster, but can also be used by others who have a need for quick, unobstructed access to essential items such as, but not limited to, a taser/stun gun, or pepper spray worn at the waist/belt line.

Concealed or discreet carry garments in the past have included shirts with 1) breakaway side vents or false bottom buttons held in place with hidden magnets, allowing the shirt to be swept up and back for access to items at the waist, or 2) various hidden pockets to allow for concealed storage of items. These shirts have provided concealed or discreet access to essential items at the waistline or other areas, however access is not unobstructed as the clothing is not completely removed from the subject area for the entire duration access is required. Past shirts have only allowed for 1) brushing or sweeping the shirt hem aside by the hand, only to have the shirt quickly move back over the accessed area by gravity and obstructing the activity; or 2) causing delays in quick retrieval by having to stick you hand in a concealed pocket, often snagging, tugging and pulling while retrieving the item.

An extensive search of other concealed or discreet carry garments did not disclose any other patent that directly anticipates the quick, complete, and unobstructed access feature of this invention. Consequently, a need has been discovered for providing an improved system to overcome the problems cited above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed at providing licensed concealed carry permit holders with immediate and unobstructed access to essential, concealed items at the waist/belt line, for the duration of a required activity. Unobstructed access is gained through the use of the novel pull cord system that is installed on the inside front of an upper body garment. Once engaged, the pull cord system produces a curtain-like affect of the bottom hem of the garment and keeps the bottom hem suspended for the duration of the required activity. The wearer can discreetly carry essential items at their waist/belt line with the ability to use the quick-access system to attain immediate and unobstructed access. The quick-access system can be installed on one or both sides of the garment, which allows wearers to efficiently access the side of choice. This quick-access system can be installed in various types of upper body garments such as, but not limited to, short or long-sleeved shirts, jackets, vests, pullovers, and blouses.

The quick-access system is engaged when a wearer pulls the pull tab on the outside of the garment. This tab is secured to the garment in a convenient location at the outer chest pocket level. The tab is attached to a pull cord that is affixed to the inside of the garment and covered with a fabric housing. The fabric housing is made of a similar material as the main garment and ensures that the pull cord is contained and able to move freely when engaged, and does not get caught on anything between the wearer's body and the system. At the other end of the system the pull cord is attached to the inside, side hem seam of the garment, where the weapon, or other essential item, is holstered. When the pull cord is pulled, the side of the garment is lifted in a curtain-like affect; exposing the essential item underneath. The engaged pull cord remains firmly in place; keeping the hem line of the garment in a raised position until manually pulled back down to the normal length.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a wearer with the ability to attain immediate and unobstructed access to the wearer's waist/belt line for the duration of the required activity.

It is a further object of the invention to be installed in various upper body garments made of modern, attractive materials and patterns. This will allow the user to wear the garment in any environment or for any occasion.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a wearer with the option of having the access-system installed on one or both sides of the garment.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front view of the closed short-sleeved shirt, and detailed view of outside pull tab assembly at chest pocket.

FIG. 2 is an inside shirt view of the pull tab assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, a detailed description of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

A short-sleeved, collared, button-down, casual shirt is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, FIG. 1. FIG. 1 also details the outer pull tab assembly. The shirt 1 is formed of material which is durable and comfortable, such as 100 percent cotton, a cotton/polyester blend or other such materials. The shirt in this figure includes front chest pockets with flaps, generally made of the same material, however pockets are not required. The shirt has an open (loose) hem line. A pull tab 2 extends below the bottom of the outer chest pocket flap, when the pocket flap is closed.

Underneath the pocket flap 3, the pull tab 2, made of a durable material such as, but not limited to, canvas, cloth, ribbon, plastic, rubber or any other such material, is attached to the outside of the garment at the chest pocket level in a manner that allows for the pull tab 2 to be easily and securely grasped by the fingers. The pull tab remains visible from the bottom of the closed chest pocket flap. The front portion of a Velcro® fastener 4 is attached to the bottom of the pull tab 2. The back portion of a Velcro® fastener 5 is attached under the length of the outer pocket flap 3 of the garment, to secure the pull tab 2 to the garment during non use at the desired location under the pocket flap 3. While a Velcro® fastener is described herein, the fastener can be made of other materials, such as, but not limited to, a snap or any attachment device that secures the pull tab while not in use but still allows it to be quickly detached.

A durable metal, double-sided grommet 6 at least the same size as the pull cord or larger is installed at the top, inside corner of the outer chest pocket and is securely affixed to the inside of the garment FIG. 2, numeral 7. The double-sided grommet provides a stationary, durable hole through which a pull cord 8 is run. A reinforced backing material 9 is affixed to the inside of the garment where the back of the grommet is secured. The reinforced backing material provides additional stability and durability to the garment; minimizing the stress to the grommet area during deployment of the quick-access system. The reinforced backing material can be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic, patch swatch, or any material that is strong enough to maintain functionality after repetitive use.

A durable nylon pull cord 8 is securely sewn to the top of the pull tab 2 and is inserted through the outer metal grommet 6, to the inside of the garment. While a durable nylon pull cord is described herein, a pull cord can be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, fabric, fishing line, metal, plastic, or any material that has the appropriate tensile strength and flexibility to provide repetitive and reliable use.

In FIG. 2, the inside garment pull cord assembly is detailed. Once pulled through the outer metal grommet 6, to the inside of the garment, the pull cord 8 is drawn, without resistance, to the inside, side hem seam 10 of the garment where it is cut. The pull cord length is consistent with the distance from the chest pocket level grommet 7 to the inside, side hem seam 10 of the garment. The end of the pull cord is securely sewn to the inside, side hem seam 10 of the garment.

A pull cord housing 11, made of the same material as the main garment or other such non-obstructing material, stretching from the inside grommet 7 to the inside, side hem seam 10, is securely sewn over the pull cord 8; acting only as a cover to allow the pull cord to move freely and smoothly, without obstruction. A reinforced backing material 12 is affixed and securely sewn over the pull cord housing and end of the pull cord at the inside, side hem seam 10. The backing material reinforces the area of the garment at which the essential item is worn; providing additional stability and durability to the garment and maximizing unobstructed lift of the garment over the essential item. The reinforced backing material can be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic, patch swatch, or any material that is strong enough to maintain functionality after repetitive use.

Claims

1. A partial garment lift/quick-access system for installation in an upper body garment; comprising:

a) A pull tab assembly affixed to the outside of an upper body garment at the chest pocket level.

b) A pull cord assembly affixed to the pull tab on the outside of the garment and run through a metal grommet at the chest pocket level to the inside of the garment. Inside the garment, the pull cord extends to the inside, side hem seam of the garment where it is affixed.

c) A pull cord housing is sewn over the pull cord to contain and allow the pull cord to move smoothly, when engaged by the pull tab, without obstruction.

d) Reinforced backing material affixed to the garment where 1) the inside grommet is secured and 2) at the inside, side hem seam.

2. A partial garment lift/quick-access system as described in claim 1; wherein said access system is optionally installed on one or both sides.

3. A partial garment lift/quick-access system as described in claim 2; wherein said access system assists the wearer to make immediate and unobstructed hand-to-item contact while keeping the hem of the garment suspended for the duration of the required activity.

4. A partial garment lift/quick-access system as described in claim 3; wherein said access system is installed in various types of upper body garments such as, but not limited to, short or long-sleeved shirts, vests, pullovers, and jackets. The upper body garments can be produced in different sizes, colors, fabric styles, and patterns to allow the wearer to wear the garment in any environment or for any occasion.