TORSO HARNESS WITH BOUNCE-MINIMIZING POCKET
A harness includes a waist belt and a pair of straps connected to the belt and configured to extend over the shoulders of a user. A pocket is attached to the harness and includes a window for access to a device within the pocket. The pocket may be formed from a mix of materials that includes a resilient side gusset to minimize bounce of the pocket when in use. In some versions, the pocket is hingedly attached to the harness.
This application claims the benefit of prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/283,316, filed Aug. 26, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis application relates to harnesses, particularly including reflective harnesses, for use with activities such as running or walking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONReflective harnesses have been available for some time, but have largely performed the singular task of providing a reflective surface for enhanced visibility when running or engaging in other activities at night or other low light conditions. Because of their limited surface area and perhaps because of their particular purpose, others have not developed a useful way of integrating a convenient and functional pocket into a reflective harness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe “torso harness” shown in the accompanying figures is generally designed to be worn while the user participates in a variety of activities. One function for the preferred “harness” is to provide reflective surfaces to enhance visibility of the user in low light or other situations in which the user would want to be seen.
The preferred harness is easy to put on and take off and adjusts to fit a variety of body sizes and types, without tangling. The geometry of the preferred harness does not impede the user's mobility, while providing other benefits.
In accordance with a preferred version, the harness incorporates a pocket on the harness for carrying items such as glasses, cell phones, lights, keys, or other items.
The preferred construction of the pocket minimizes bouncing and jingling of the items being carried while allowing excellent accessibility to these items (while on the go) through an access opening that may be selectively sealed with a zipper or other closure.
In some versions, port holes are also provided to allow the user to route cables or to access buttons, or serve as a pass-through for a drink tube or another component.
A window area is preferably located on the pocket, such as on a front panel, to facilitate visible access to the interior of the pocket or to enable a light, camera, or other element within the pocket to pass through the window.
Most preferably, the harness can be constructed using inexpensive and easily obtained materials, assembled using conventional manufacturing equipment, produced easily and inexpensively.
A preferred version of the harness includes one or more straps extending over the torso, preferably from a location about the waist to a location about the shoulders when in use. A belt or similar component allows the straps to be held in place, preferably in the form of a waist belt that provides a connection point for the straps at a front and back of the user when in use. The pocket is preferably carried by the straps, either on the straps themselves or on an adjacent strap or panel positioned at some location on the torso of the user when the harness is in use.
In one example, the straps are preferably made from somewhat flexible material like stretchy webbing (commonly used in suspender straps or the like). Optional materials for the straps include nylon webbing, strips of neoprene, cotton, mesh, or others.
The straps are optionally made of a bright color to enhance visibility, and preferably have integrated light reflectivity. The reflectivity can take many forms, such as applied reflective strips (for example, 3M brand scotchlite material), screened-on reflective ink, or woven-in reflective elements. The straps may also be made from a wholly or partially reflective material.
A variety of different materials in combination could be used for the harness, such as nylon webbing for the shoulder straps in combination with stretch webbing for the waist belt. Stretch webbing may also be combined with nylon or other webbing to provide stretch in a localized area but not in other areas.
In some versions, the straps may be produced in sizes, shapes, or forms that differ from the preferred version, in which the straps are elongated and narrow, with straight edges. For example, the straps may have scalloped or undulating edges, substantially sinuous edges, or may bulge out or in to fit better with the user's body. The straps may also have a greater width or thickness in some versions.
Most preferably, a buckle or fastener is provided, in order to facilitate adjustment of the waist belt, to allow it to be removed, and/or to connect and disconnect the straps or the pocket from the belt. Likewise, most preferably the straps are adjustable and incorporate a buckle, fastener, or similar component for this purpose. The buckles or fastening elements can be made from commonly available off-the-shelf buckles and adjusters used for belts, backpacks, bags, suspenders, etc. In other versions, hook and loop closures, snaps, buttons, fabric loops, zippers, ties, eye-hooks, or other buckles or fasteners may be used.
In some versions, the harness does not include any fasteners or buckles, and instead is either made in a fixed size or relies on the stretchiness of the material to accommodate different sizes.
The central pocket area is preferably constructed of flexible light material, with a high-visibility surface which is preferably constructed of bright reflective material. In some versions, the pocket is backed with a soft breathable material. Holes may optionally be provided through a panel forming the pocket to let air more freely pass through or as a pass-through for cables, tubes, electronic components or other elements. The front reflective panel could be die cut, punched, cut from flat stock, or otherwise formed. It may alternatively be injection molded, or take the form of a reflector like those used on bicycles or street signs.
The preferred front or rear visibility panels can house lighting elements such as LED flashers with their associated power supply. The light may be integrated into a light transmissive material so entire panel is illuminated by the light. In some versions, these lighting elements can be integrated into the straps elements and/or the buckle or adjuster. A flexible, somewhat flexible, or somewhat rigid light panel element (or luminous panel or panels) can be incorporated into one or more of the visibility panels together with an associated power supply to produce light.
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
One end of each of the straps 7 and 8 is fed through, and attached to, one or more rings 15 (only one is visible in
In one version, the first ends of the straps are attached in the manner described above to a rear torso panel 16, which optionally is formed as a reflective element. The straps may alternatively be attached directly to the rear torso panel, without using a ring 15 for attachment, such as by stitching, riveting, or other means. Likewise, in some versions the straps may be attached to a belt 26 without use of a rear torso panel.
The opposite second end of each strap 7, 8 is affixed (for example, by glue, stitching, or other means) to a front pocket 1. In one example, the second end of each strap is sewn into a seam located between a back panel 17 (see
The front pocket 1 is preferably formed with a neoprene back panel 17, a stretchy lycra spandex side gusset 6, and a front panel of a reflective sheet material 5 having a window 2. Preferably, the back panel, side gusset, and front panel are sewn together to form the pocket, as seen in the sectional views of
One end of the rear torso panel 16 is affixed (such as by gluing, sewing, or heat bonding) to a belt or strap 26, preferably at a relatively central location along the belt. As illustrated in
The top end of the front pocket 1 is affixed to the straps 7, 8. In the illustrated example the straps 7, 8 are stitched to the pocket, such as shown in
One end of the front pocket 1 is affixed to each of the clips 11 and 13. Most preferably the bottom end of the front panel is attached to the clips, preferably by means of a pair of folded over and sewn mounting straps 19 such that the buckles 12, 14 are held captive to the front panel by the clips 11, 13 and can be used to remove the waist strap 26. In
In the illustrated example, the mounting straps 19 and clips 11, 13 extend laterally away from either side of the pocket, generally perpendicularly to an axis extending from the bottom to the top of the pocket, so that the combined pocket, mounting straps 19 and clips 11, 13 resemble an upside-down “T” shape. It should be noted that there are many options for providing a releasable fastener for the belt 26, and there are many different ways to join the belt to the harness. For example, as shown in
An optional internal divider pocket 18 is shown, preferably formed from a stretchy mesh or other appropriate material for an internal pocket. An upper flap 91 of the internal pocket 18 can also be seen in
The pocket 1 is preferably formed by joining a first and a second sub-assembly together. The first sub-assembly is preferably comprised of the front panel 5 on which the window 2 is preferably sewn in place around the periphery of window 2 (see
Sub-assembly one (front layer) and sub-assembly two (back layer) are then preferably placed face to face inside out wherein the zipper is left unzipped and the two sub-assemblies are then sewn together along their bottom and sides such that pocket 1 can now be inverted right side out wherein buckle components 11 and 13 can be assembled, sewn in place to the mounting strap 19. Ends of the straps 7 and 8 are then preferably sewn in a gap between the zipper 3 and the back panel 17 that is intentionally left unsewn, such that the straps 7 and 8 are sewn firmly in place to the pocket 1. The top of the pocket is sewn, attaching the zipper 3 to the back panel 17. As seen in
Preferably back panel 17 is neoprene (or the like) of an appropriate thickness, providing cushioning from items carried within the pocket 1, but also preferably also providing stiffness such that it resists bending somewhat more than the gusset 6 material (which is preferably lycra spandex, stretch denim or similar stretch material). Thus, in one version the gusset is formed from a different material than the material forming the back layer, and preferably the back layer is relatively more stiff than the gusset. Likewise, the gusset is formed from a material having a greater degree of elasticity than the material forming the back panel.
The gusset 6 is cut somewhat larger around its perimeter than the back panel 17. As seen in the sectional view of
If it is desirable for the pocket 1 to be waterproof or have more water resistance, materials that have more resistance to water can be used for the gusset and back panel 17. Likewise, the seams can be sealed or the pocket 1 can be integrally formed or molded from flexible, stretchy material.
Lateral expansion is preferable for minimization of bounce, as described above. Accordingly, the front panel 5 is preferably formed from a somewhat stiff but flexible material like flexible vinyl or reflective material that is backed (by lamination, heat sealing, or otherwise) with vinyl or the like. Preferable materials for the front panel 5 include retro-reflective sheeting (such as used in reflective vests), thin flexible plastic, vinyl sheeting, polyurethane sheeting, or the like. Also other materials could be used with various degrees of success such as leather, ballistic nylon fabric, non-woven sheeting, or others. In each case, the front panel 5 is generally considered to be stiff and inelastic, in contrast to the elasticity of the side gusset.
In this version, port holes 23 are provided in a front panel of the pocket rather than (or in addition to) the back panel as illustrated in
In the preferred version of this embodiment, a secondary inner panel window 33 and inner panel bezel 34 are joined to form the back panel of the pocket, though the back panel may alternatively be formed from a single layer not having a window. A section of Velcro or other hook and loop component 35a is provided on the back panel of the pocket, while a mating component 35b is attached to the chest panel 36, thereby enabling the pocket 60 to be fastened in the stowed position as shown in
The front panel 31 is preferably fastened to the back panel 34 around its periphery such that a pocket is formed, although the pocket may also be formed with a gusset as described above. An opening 37 is provided at the lower end of the pocket, preferably adjacent the hinge 38, to enable access to the pocket. In the version having an inner panel window as shown in
In one version, the front panel 31 is formed from retro-reflective sheeting (commonly used in reflective vest), thin flexible plastic, vinyl sheeting, polyurethane sheeting, or others. Alternatively, it may be formed from leather, ballistic nylon fabric, non-woven sheeting, Velcro loop/hook material, Veltex, aerospace mesh, or yet other materials, preferably allowing the front panel to provide some structure and stiffness to hold items close to the body. Preferable materials for the back panel 34 include the same materials as for the front panel. In some cases it may be desirable for the back panel 34, the front panel 31 or both (in whole or in part) to be formed of stretchy material like lycra spandex or stretch denim or other resilient materials if some stretch is desired such that the pocket 60 can expand to fit different sized items.
The chest panel 36 preferably provides structure such that the pocket 60 can fasten in place in stowed position (shown in
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A harness, comprising:
- a belt configured to be worn about a user's waist;
- a first shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;
- a second shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;
- a rear torso panel, the first end of the first shoulder strap and the first end of the second shoulder strap each being attached to the rear torso panel, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap being configured to extend over the user's shoulders when in use, the rear torso panel being attached to the belt;
- a pocket having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the pocket being attached to the second end of the first shoulder strap and to the second end of the second shoulder strap, the lower end of the pocket being attached to the belt;
- the pocket further having a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel having a window formed from a transparent sheet material.
2. The harness of claim 1, wherein the pocket further comprises a rear panel, a front panel, and a side gusset, the window being positioned in the front panel.
3. The harness of claim 2, wherein the back panel is formed from a first material and the front panel is formed from a second material, wherein the front panel is relatively more stiff than the rear panel.
4. The harness of claim 3, wherein the side gusset is formed from a third material, wherein the side gusset is relatively more resilient than the front panel and the back panel.
5. The harness of claim 4, further comprising an internal pocket positioned within the pocket.
6. The harness of claim 4, further comprising at least one port extending through the pocket.
7. The harness of claim 3, wherein the side gusset is attached to the front panel and to the back panel, and further wherein the window is attached between the front panel and the side gusset.
8. The harness of claim 1, wherein the lower end of the pocket extends below the belt.
9. The harness of claim 1, further comprising a chest panel attached to the second end of the first strap and to the second end of the second strap, and further wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel.
10. The harness of claim 9, wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel at the lower end of the pocket.
11. The harness of claim 10, further comprising an inner pocket window attached to the back panel.
12. The harness of claim 11, wherein the inner pocket window overlies at least a portion of the window positioned on the front panel.
13. The harness of claim 11, further comprising a first fastener attached to the pocket and a mating second fastener attached to the chest panel, whereby the pocket is moveable between a stowed position in which the first fastener is joined to the second fastener, and an opened position in which the first fastener is separated from the second fastener.
14. The harness of claim 9, wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel at the upper end of the pocket.
15. The harness of claim 10, further comprising an inner pocket window attached to the back panel.
16. The harness of claim 11, wherein the inner pocket window overlies at least a portion of the window positioned on the front panel.
17. The harness of claim 11, further comprising a first fastener attached to the pocket and a mating second fastener attached to the chest panel, whereby the pocket is moveable between a stowed position in which the first fastener is joined to the second fastener, and an opened position in which the first fastener is separated from the second fastener.
18. A harness, comprising:
- a belt configured to be worn about a user's waist;
- a rear torso panel;
- a pocket having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being attached to the belt, the pocket having a first connector configured for releasable attachment to mating connector attached to the belt;
- a first shoulder strap extending from the rear torso panel to the pocket;
- a second shoulder strap extending from the rear torso panel to the upper end of the pocket, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap being configured to extend over the user's shoulders when in use;
- the pocket further having a front panel joined to a rear panel and defining an interior space between the front panel and the rear panel, the front panel having a window formed from a transparent material, the window being attached to a cutout portion within the front panel, the window further being positioned at the upper end of the pocket.
19. The harness of claim 18, wherein the pocket further comprises a chest panel, the pocket being hingedly attached to the chest panel at an upper end of the pocket.
20. The harness of claim 18, wherein the pocket further comprises a chest panel, the pocket being hingedly attached to the chest panel at a lower end of the pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 26, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2017
Inventors: Keith S. Willows (Seattle, WA), June A. Angus (Seattle, WA), Antonio Del Rosario (Bellevue, WA)
Application Number: 15/249,070