GADGET VEST

Abstract

A garment has at least a vest for wearing about a torso. The vest has a pair of cross body access pockets and one or more gear retractors, one retractor inside said at least one of said cross body access pockets. A hand warmer pocket and an easy access pocket are positioned in front of and below each of the cross body pockets. A pair of full length front gear pockets; one full length front pocket on each left and right side of the vest and located adjacent a zipper and behind one of the hand warmer pockets and one of the cross body access pockets. The garment further has at least one cord retractor on a front shoulder portion of the vest, a pair of elastic adjuster straps to conform the vest to a user's torso, and a carrying handle to accommodate carrying the garment when not worn.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a garment of clothing for the upper torso, more particularly to a vest with a body conforming fit configured to carry and contain a variety of gear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many outdoor activities, the person participating is required to carry a large number of items. This has historically been true for soldiers and medics in battlefield situations; and even for police officers and industrial or public works personnel (flaggers, utility pole workers, etc). In non-military activities such as mountain climbing and hiking, generally often the only equipment and supplies one has are what he or she carries.

In hunter situations, the hunter is often required to stay in a single location for several hours without moving by being on the ground in duck or geese blinds or up in a tree stand when hunting deer or elk.

The hunter cannot be moving from, or going up and down from his location without the risk of alerting the game being sought. As a result, there is a need for gear to be stowed on the body of the hunter. Similarly, when fishing, whether on shore or in a boat, the ability to have gear at the ready often means the difference from catching a fish or missing it.

A major problem is the wearing of large bulky coats or jackets often hinders the wearer's mobility. To overcome cold weather, layering of clothing is preferred. No matter what the situation or conditions are, the hunter needs to be protected from the elements without impeding mobility. In addition, the garment being worn should have the ability to hold a large variety of essential gear to make the hunting effort safe and enjoyable.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a garment that can be worn comfortably while providing a tremendous capacity to comfortably and conveniently carry gear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garment has at least a vest for wearing about a torso. The vest has a pair of cross-body access pockets and one or more gear retractors, one retractor inside said at least one of said cross body access pockets. A hand warmer pocket and an easy access pocket are positioned in front of and below each of the cross body access pockets. A pair of full length front gear pockets; one full length front pocket on each left and right side of the vest and located adjacent a zipper and behind one of the hand warmer pockets and one of the cross-body access pockets. The garment also has a pair of friction closures to close the full length front pocket. The garment further has at least one cord retractor on a front shoulder portion of the vest. The garment further has a pair of elastic adjuster straps. Each elastic adjuster has an adjustment strap and a buckle affixed to a rear of the vest, wherein the adjuster strap when tightened conforms the vest to a user's torso.

The adjuster strap and the buckle have a hook and loop fastener to secure and adjust strap ends. A front zipper is used to close the vest. A front tab is provided for attaching a holder device. The garment has a back having a full length back pocket wherein the full length back pocket has a zipper to close or open a top portion of the full length back pocket and the full length back pocket has hook and loop fasteners for attaching a water bladder.

The overall design of the vest is based on the unique “layering” of fabrics on the front of the vest. The multiple layers of fabric provide for all pockets on the front of the vest to have the maximum depth extending down to the bottom of the vest: for each pocket, there is a layer of fabric. This affords maximum storage capacity as well as maximum security for the items stored in the pockets.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the exemplary vest of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a pair of hands in a pair of easy access pockets

FIG. 3 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a pair of hands accessing hand warmer pockets on the left and right sides of the vest.

FIG. 4 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a left hand accessing a cross body access pocket on the right side of the exemplary vest of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a right hand accessing a cross body access pocket on the left side of the exemplary vest of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a right hand accessing an inside body pocket on the left side of the exemplary vest of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 showing a left hand accessing an inside body pocket on the right side of the exemplary vest of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is the front view of FIG. 1 showing a left hand pulling out a retractor cord positioned on the right shoulder portion of the exemplary vest.

FIG. 9 is the front view of FIG. 1 showing a right hand pulling out a retractor cord positioned on the left shoulder portion of the exemplary vest.

FIG. 10 is the front view of FIG. 1 showing a right hand pulling out a retractor cord positioned and hidden in a left side cross body pocket of the exemplary vest.

FIG. 11 is the front view of FIG. 1 showing a left hand pulling out a retractor cord positioned and hidden in a right side cross body pocket of the exemplary vest.

FIG. 20 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 with each of the cross body access pockets partially removed to illustrate elastic gadget gear loops inside the cross body access pockets.

FIG. 13 is the front view taken from FIG. 1 with all pockets shown closed, the zipper zipped up and a pair of fastener clips in the secured attached position.

FIG. 14 is a rear or backside plan view of the exemplary vest of FIG. 1 showing side elastic strap and a rear pouch and a plurality of belt loops at reinforced seams.

FIG. 15 is another front view of the exemplary vest of FIG. 1 showing belt loops along front seams.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a garment where short sleeves are added to the vest.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a garment where long sleeves are added to the vest.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the vest showing the pocket layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a garment 10. In the preferred embodiment the garment 10 is a vest, the vest 10 as shown is a sleeveless garment. It is understood that the garment 10 could have short sleeves like a shirt or alternatively long sleeves like a jacket without departing from the spirit of the invention as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. These alternative embodiments are well understood by those of ordinary skill. Additionally, the detailed description will mention numerous gadgets and devices that can be used with the vest 10, however, these devices are similarly well known and, therefore, not shown in the figures.

The “Gadget Vest™” 10 of the present invention is an ergonomically designed garment that functions as a “Body Pack™”. The gadget vest 10 yields a body-conforming fit with elasticity to accommodate ease of use and comfort of movement. When worn, the vest 10 moves with the user instead of binding the user. A main function of the vest 10 is to contain gear in such a way that the weight of the gear can be distributed across the body and in a functional, easily accessible place: a place for everything; and everything in its place as will be illustrated in the FIGS. 1-15 provided herein.

The vest 10 holds items in a way to keep them secure from loss, and at the fingertips of the user as opposed to being packed up recklessly in a back pack. Back packs must be removed to access gear. The present invention allows access to gear without removal of the garment

The vest 10 makes it much easier to carry the gear as well since the gear weight is distribute across the body instead of in a mass of weight carried on one's back.

In one embodiment, the vest 10 is constructed of materials suitable for hunting which can include a camouflage outer layer or a hunter orange layer with fleece-lined pockets for warmth and quiet.

In another embodiment, the vest 10 is constructed of light-weight materials suitable for industrial work/construction and/or safety wear in which case the material would be safety orange or safety green in a mesh material to create a cool, body hugging work/safety vest.

In yet another embodiment, the Gadget Vest 10 is a housing for a Safety Harness like the one found in US patent publication 2020-0217090 A1.

The Gadget Vest provides easy, ergonomic access for gear. There's a place for everything! As shown in FIGS. 1-15, the exemplary vest has 8 pockets on the front, 6 elasticized gear loops of varying widths in 2 of those pockets (1-left side; 1-right side), as shown in FIG. 20. The vest 10 is closed in the front with a zipper 70. A large pocket 30 on the back of the vest 10 which can accommodate a water bladder is shown in FIG. 14. There is truly a place for everything distributed around the user's body instead of having to carry it all in a bulky back pack.

The Gadget Vest 10 also features unique gear retractors 40 with gear retractor cords 41 with gear clips 43, two clips 43 are shown with elasticized gear bands 44, as shown in FIG. 2. The Gear Retractors 40 are strategically located: one on each shoulder and one in each ergonomic center cross body access gear pocket 20. These allow the user to place a game call or whistle on one shoulder for easy access for use and release. The user doesn't have to fumble with the call to put it in a pocket, but rather simply lets it retract back to the resting position on the shoulder and take aim at the animal. In the work wear/safety embodiment, a whistle is readily available and self-retracts when attached to a gear retractor 40.

The retractor 40 in the ergonomically designed center cross body pockets 20, allows a cell phone or work radio to be safely placed in the elasticized gear band 44 at the end of the retractor 40. This allows safe storage of the phone or radio while maintaining quick and easy access. It also helps prevent loss out of pockets or dropping a device or tool while in use when hooked to a gear retractor 40. This is especially problematic if a hunter is using a phone while on a tree stand up in a tree and the phone slips out of the user's hand or if a fisherman drops his phone over the water. Likewise, in a work situation such as a flagger on a highway/road, using a radio. If the flagger/worker drops the 2-way radio, it introduces greater risk for that flagger/worker.

The vest 10 is body conforming while allowing freedom of movement. Other prior art safety vests are loose and can make it difficult to access pockets or radios causing workers to have to constantly hold a radio.

The overall design of the gadget vest 10 makes this an ergonomic tool that allows ease of storage, access and use, more worry-free use and a body hugging comfort while moving with the user through the day while in use. Once adjusted by cinching the body elastic straps, the user has a custom fit vest for hunting or work.

As shown in FIGS. 8-11, Gadget Retractors 40 are devices with retractable cords 41. Retractors are sewn-in in one embodiment and removable/replaceable in another embodiment. The gadget or gear retractors 40 have a small clip 43 at the end of the cord 41 of a length of about 18″ to 24″. A “Gadget Gear Band”™ 44 may be placed on any of the gadget retractor clips 43. The Gadget Vest 10 comes with 2 Gadget Gear Bands 43. The Gadget Gear Band 44 allows the attachment of a tool such as a cell phone or game call to the Gadget Retractor 40. The Gadget Gear Band 44 is an Elastic Band which is about 3/8″ wide and has a resting circumference of about 1.5″. It can stretch to approximately 2.5-3″ diameter which securely holds a cell phone, range finder or game call because of the friction/gripping nature of the rubber material. This allows the user to attach gear they require to have quickly at their fingertips and/or safe from dropping and/or losing in the course of the day. This is a very unique feature. The Gadget Retractors 40 preferably are sewn-into the vest in the current embodiment. In another embodiment, they alternatively can be held or reside in a Velcro sealed pouch and can be removed and/or replaced at the user's discretion or in the event the retractor 40 reaches the end of its use or malfunctions.

The vest 10 has a tab type clip 46 to clip a tool/weapon holder 48 as shown in FIG. 15. The tool/weapon holder 48 relieves users of fatigue by holding a firearm/bow or tool. The removable, adjustable holder 48 clips onto the bottom of the vest 10 as shown. The user can place the butt of the firearm or cam of a bow into the holder 48. This allows the user to rest and avoid fatigue caused by holding the firearm/bow/tool the entire time.

In FIG. 15, Left and Right Side hooks 50 located on “Cross Body Access Pockets™” 20 (left and right side) are shown. These hooks 50 can be flipped inside the pockets 20 when not in use. The hooks 50 may be flipped outside of the Cross Body Access Pocket 20 when in use. The user can lay a string of a bow in the hook 50 while the cam is resting in the adjustable holder 48. This allows the user to be hands free.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show Ergonomically Designed, “Cross-Body Access Pockets” 20 on the left and right side of vest 10. These pockets 20 are designed for ease of storage and access of items which may be needed through the day while the vest 10 is in use. The pockets 20 allow the left hand to access the right side pocket 20; and the right hand to access the left side pocket 20. This method of Access, “Cross-Body Access™” provides for minimal movement while accessing something in the pockets 20. The material is quiet material for a hunting application; so no noise is made while accessing items in the pockets 20, 22, 23, 24. The gear loops 60 inside the Cross Body Access Pockets 20 keep items separated and quiet as well, as shown in FIG. 12.

Inside each of the Cross-Body Access Pockets 20, are the Gear Loops 60 of varying sizes to accommodate ammunition, archery release, bottle of scent, flashlight, etc. in a hunting application; and other items specific to the use. The gear loops 60 maintain the items secure, separated, quiet (they don't bump together) and at the user's finger tips for easy access. A place for everything; and, everything in its' place. The depth of the pockets 20 extends to the bottom of the vest 10. So, other items may be securely stored in the bottom of the cross access pockets 20 with cross body access.

In FIG. 2, easy access pockets 23 are shown, one for left hand access and one for right hand access.

In FIG. 3, Built-In “Hand Warmer Pockets” 22 are strategically located in the inside layer of fabric which is closest to the body and are made of fleece for warmth. Because of the location of the pockets 22 being closest to the body, body heat helps generate heat to warm the hands 2; the fleece material and additional three layers of material over the hand 2 help retain the heat. In another embodiment, these pockets 22 can be mesh material and could act as a simple pocket for resting the hands 2 while working in an industrial, construction or safety situation.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, Full length front gear pockets 24 provide quiet and easy “Cross Body Access™” to larger items such as caps, gloves, scarves, etc. The cross body Access (right hand accesses left side pocket; left hand accesses right side pocket) minimizes movement when accessing gear in pockets 24. The friction closure or clips 29 allow for quiet locking and unlocking access to the pockets 24.

Fully Adjustable to fit all sizes, the vest is available in Small/Medium or Large/XL.

Shown in FIG. 14, the “Side-Body Elastic Adjuster” 80 provides for customized fit yet allows the vest 10 to move with the user. That is, the vest does not restrict the user's movement or cause the user to feel bound by the vest 10. This yields greater comfort and flexibility while in use.

Once the side body elastic adjuster 80 is adjusted to the user, the excess elastic strap 82 is rolled backwards towards the adjuster buckle 84 and secured in place over and around the adjuster buckle 84 using the Velcro keeper 85 sewn-onto the end of the elastic strap 82. This conceals the adjuster buckle 84 and prevents noise caused by items that could otherwise bump on the hard-plastic adjuster buckle 84.

In FIG. 14, a full length back pocket 30 is shown. This is a full-size pocket 30 which is the full length of the Vest 10. This pocket 30 zips open at zipper closure 32 and allows for storage of work materials that can be removed upon arrival at a job site or prior to walking into the woods and prior to donning the Vest 10. The full-length back pocket 30 can carry a water bladder which can be secured by the Velcro keepers 33.

Velcro keepers 33 inside the top back of the full-length back pocket 30. These keepers 33 can hold a water bladder or secure other items or work items for access from the top of the full-length back pocket 30.

Should a water bladder be stowed in the full-length back pocket 30, the mouth piece of the water bladder can be secured to a retractor 40 in a gadget gear band 44.

At the bottom of the full-length back pocket 30 are two grommets 34. A retractor cord may be placed inside the full-length back pocket 30; and thread the cord through one of the grommets 34. The clip 43 can then be secured on the end of the cord to a bow in which case, the cord would pull out as the user climbs a tree or stand. Once at the stopping point and ready, the user can pull up the bow from the ground. The cord would automatically retract as the bow or other item is pulled up.

With reference to FIG. 18, the layers of fabric are shown. The multiple layers of fabric provide for all pockets 20, 22, 23, 24 on the front of the vest 10 to have the maximum depth extending down to the bottom of the vest: for each pocket, there is a layer of fabric.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment has at least a vest for wearing about a torso, the vest comprises:

a pair of cross body access pockets;

one or more gear retractors, one retractor inside said at least one of said cross body access pockets.

2. The garment of claim 1 further comprises:

a hand warmer pocket positioned in front of and below each of the cross body access pockets.

3. The garment of claim 1 further comprises:

a pair of full length front gear pockets; one full length front pocket on each left and right side of the vest and located adjacent a zipper and behind one of the hand warmer pockets and one of the cross body access pockets.

4. The garment of claim 1 further comprises:

at least one cord retractor on a front shoulder portion of the vest.

5. The garment of claim 4 further comprises:

a pair of elastic adjuster straps, each elastic adjuster having an adjustment strap and a buckle affixed to a rear of the vest, wherein the adjuster strap when tightened conforms the vest to a user's torso.

6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the adjuster strap and the buckle have a hook and loop fastener to secure and adjust strap ends.

7. The garment of claim 1 further comprises a front zipper to close the vest.

8. The garment of claim 1 further comprises a front tab for attaching a holder device.

9. The garment of claim 1 further comprises a back having a full length back pocket.

10. The garment of claim 9 wherein the full length back pocket has a zipper to close or open a top portion of the full length back pocket.

11. The garment of claim 9 wherein the full length back pocket has hook and loop fasteners for attaching a water bladder or other item.

12. The garment of claim 3 further comprises a pair of friction closures, each friction closure closes a portion of each of the full length front pockets.

13. The garment of claim 1 further comprises a pair of short sleeves attached to the vest.

14. The garment of claim 1 further comprises a pair of long sleeves attached to the vest.

15. The garment of claim 13 wherein the pair of short sleeves are removably attachable.

16. The garment of claim 14 wherein the pair of long sleeves are removably attachable.

17. The garment of claim 1 further comprises:

a pair of easy access pockets positioned in front of and below the cross body pockets.

18. The garment of claim 1 further comprises:

a carrying handle attached to a back of a neck of the vest which accommodates easy carrying while not wearing the vest.