Abstract:
A pocket such as for a garment for a worker, including a panel securable to an outer surface of the garment to define a pocket between the panel and the garment outer surface with a pocket opening defined along one side of the panel. First and second connectors on the panel and garment outer surface within the pocket may be connected together to retain an object in the pocket by pressing the panel against the garment, where the connection may be released both by pushing an object into the pocket, and by pulling a retained object from the pocket. A stiffened side of the second panel retains the second panel in a bowed configuration outwardly from the first panel at the pouch opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD 
       [0004]    The disclosed improvement relates to worker garments and more particularly to pockets and pouches for worker garments. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    Workers who operate at heights from which a fall would be dangerous are substantially isolated from supplies. Thus, efficiency and safety requires that such workers have everything with them that they need when scaling to such heights, with everything they need to use pre-connected, pre-rigged and ready to go. Unfortunately, in some instances it may be difficult for such workers to take all of the equipment which they might need with them because they are unable to securely carry all potentially needed equipment, and/or carrying all potentially needed equipment would be unwieldy, unduly and dangerously hindering movement of the worker. 
         [0006]    Among such equipment, fall prevention and/or fall protection equipment is not only prudent but also frequently mandated by law for such workers, with such equipment commonly being an anchor/tether which provides the critical fifth point of contact beyond both their hands and feet. However, when a worker moves to a new location while working at height, such as up-and-down a ladder or traversing a significant lateral distance, they must disconnect their fall prevention/protection anchor and, when doing so, the worker must attempt to maintain the Three-Point-Rule (i.e., keeping either one hand and both feet, or both hands and one foot, in contact with a stable surface) to reduce their chances of falling. 
         [0007]    Anchoring devices commonly are comprised of a length of tether or A-Frame that is connected to the workers harness/safety belt on one end while various types of hook devices are used at the other end to connect to a ladder rung, railing, or other suitable anchoring point. The anchoring/tethering device must be long enough to allow the worker room to move and execute job skills while providing a “fifth” point of contact for the worker, much like having an extra arm/hand 
         [0008]    Such fall protection/prevention anchors (e.g., tether or A-frame variety) are often pre-connected and securely stowed to the harness or belt using snaps, hook &amp; loop or a combination/variety of methods. Since the stowing/retention method must be strong enough to avoid the anchor device accidentally deploying while climbing, crawling or performing a wide range of vigorous occupational activities, stowing the anchor often has required a conscious effort by the worker to grasp and physically deploy before the anchor can be used. Unfortunately, such stowage design requirements have often required two hands to re-stow the anchor, causing the worker when at height to dangerously violate the Three-Point-Rule. 
         [0009]    Moreover, during such critical maneuvers, the anchor device, and in some cases tools being used by the worker, can themselves become obstacles to the worker safely repositioning or descending/ascending to safety. 
         [0010]    In industries/occupations where a seat-harness or safety belt is the norm, the anchor device must be waist mounted and, when disconnected from a safe anchor point while at height, the worker is faced with a dilemma since their only loose hand is at that point holding the anchor while the other hand/feet are maintaining three points of contact. Letting the anchor dangle between the legs while trying to safely climb/traverse, or attempting to stow the anchor device using two hands, could lead to a catastrophic fall. 
         [0011]    Working at heights can also take place in hazardous atmospheres, confined spaces, fire/rescue situations, and a multitude of other scenarios that require extreme pre-planning on every article of PPE and auxiliary equipment in the workers ensemble, and then training with the entire ensemble and safety equipment to become expert in its donning/doffing, deployment and use. 
         [0012]    It should thus be appreciated that providing workers a safe, effective and secure method to deal with the issues of handling an anchoring device and/or tools while working at height and changing locations, and performing job skills could be a life saving improvement. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    In one aspect of the disclosed improvement, a flap is provided for a pocket of a fireman&#39;s garment. The flap includes a first panel securable along an upper side to the fireman&#39;s garment adjacent a pocket opening, the first panel extending over the pocket opening and overlying the pocket, and a second panel securable to the first panel to define a pouch therebetween overlying the garment pocket, the pouch having a top opening. 
         [0014]    In one form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a releasable connection within the defined pouch has first and second connectors on the first and second panels and facing, each other at a position spaced from the pocket opening. The first and second connectors may be connected together to retain an object in the pocket by pressing the second panel toward the first panel, where the connection may be released both by pushing an object into the pocket, and by pulling a retained object from the pocket. In a further form, the connection is a releasable hook and loop connection wherein one of the first and second connectors is a hook connector and the other of the first and second connectors is a loop connector. In a still further form, the first and second connectors are different sizes. 
         [0015]    In another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a side of the second panel is stiffened to retain the second panel in a bowed configuration outwardly from the first panel at the pouch opening. 
         [0016]    In still another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a cover is releasably secured to at least one of the first and second panels in a position over the pouch opening. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of the disclosed improvement, a pocket is provided for a garment for a worker, including a panel secured to an outer surface of the garment to define a pocket between the panel and the garment outer surface with a pocket opening defined along one side of the panel. A releasable connection within the pocket has first and second connectors on the panel and garment outer surface, respectively, facing each other at a position spaced from the pocket opening. The first and second connectors may be connected together to retain an object in the pocket by pressing the panel against the garment, where the connection may be released both by pushing an object into the pocket, and by pulling a retained object from the pocket. 
         [0018]    In one form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a side of the second panel is stiffened to retain the second panel in a bowed configuration outwardly from the first panel at the pouch opening. 
         [0019]    In a further form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, the connection is a releasable hook and loop connection wherein one of the first and second connectors is a hook connector and the other of the first and second connectors is a loop connector. In a still further form, the first and second connectors are different sizes. 
         [0020]    In still another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, the garment outer surface is a flap secured to the garment, which flap overlies a pocket of the garment. 
         [0021]    In yet another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a cover is releasably secured to at least one of the panel and garment outer surface in a position over the pouch opening. 
         [0022]    In still another aspect of the disclosed improvement, a pouch for a garment includes first and second panels secured together to define a pouch therebetween with a pouch opening defined along one side of second panel. The pouch further includes a releasable connection within the pouch having first and second connectors on the first and second panels and facing each other at a position spaced from the pocket opening. The first and second connectors may be connected together to retain an object in the pocket by pressing the second panel toward the first panel, where the connection may be released both by pushing an object into the pocket, and by pulling a retained object from the pocket. 
         [0023]    In one form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, one of the first and second panels is securable to a worker&#39;s garment. 
         [0024]    In another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a stiffened side of the second panel retains the second panel in a bowed configuration outwardly from the first panel at the pouch opening. 
         [0025]    In a further form, the connection is a releasable hook and loop connection wherein one of the first and second connectors is a hook connector and the other of the first and second connectors is a loop connector. In a still further form, the first and second connectors are different sizes. 
         [0026]    In still another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, the first panel is a flap secured to a workers garment, with the flap overlying a pocket of the garment. 
         [0027]    In yet another form of this aspect of the disclosed improvement, a cover is releasably secured to at least one of the first and second panels in a position over the pocket opening. 
         [0028]    Other features and advantages will become apparent from a review of the entire specification, including the appended claims and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a garment bellows pocket with a flap thereover according to one feature of the disclosed improvement; with a portion of an outer panel broken away; 
           [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  1 A- 1 A in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  garment pocket/flap illustrating a ladder anchoring device partially in the pocket of the flap; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 2  but with the anchoring device fully inserted in the pocket flap; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a flap which may optionally be used with the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment of the disclosed improvement, wherein the pouch may be optionally attached to a garment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a view of the  FIG. 5  pouch illustrating a ladder anchoring device partially in the pouch; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  but with the anchoring device fully inserted in the pouch; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a third embodiment of the disclosed improvement with multiple pockets; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed improvement with multiple pockets, wherein the pouch may be optionally attached to a garment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a top opening flap which may optionally be used with, for example, the Fig,  9  embodiment; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a bottom opening flap which may alternatively and optionally be used with, for example, the  FIG. 9  embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    A first embodiment of the disclosed improvement is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , as used with a bellows pocket  10  such as may be provided on the outside of a worker&#39;s garment  12  (e.g., a fireman&#39;s protective coat or pants). 
         [0042]    In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed improvement, a flap  20  suitably secured on its upper end to the garment  12  above the bellows pocket  10 , such as by permanent stitching  22 , semi-permanent attachment (as shown in U.S. Published Application No. 2011/0284324, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference), or by a releasable connection such as a hook and loop connector. The flap  20  consists of a first panel  30  which extends down to substantially cover the bellows pocket  12 . 
         [0043]    For emergency responders whose PPE already has a built in escape or rescue harness or belt, locating the flap over a pocket  10  that contains their personal escape system is typically an ideal location. However, any other secondary location on the pants or coat that is within reach of the length of the tether/A-frame would also be suitable. Moreover, for flaps or pouches designed for specific tools (such as described below in connection with  FIGS. 8-9 , additional locations outside the reach of the tether/A-frame on the coat or pants, or even on a separate pouch, may be suitable locations. 
         [0044]    In short, it should thus be appreciated that the first panel  30  may function as a base for suitable connectors for tools and equipment, thereby providing additional connections in the “real estate” of the bellows pocket  10  which would otherwise be unused. 
         [0045]    In the particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , such additional connection consists of a second panel  32  which is secured on the bottom  34  and opposite sides  36 ,  38  to the first panel  30 , such as by suitable stitching, so as to define a pouch or pocket  40  between the panels  30 ,  32 . 
         [0046]    The opening  42  at the top of pocket  40  may advantageously be stiffened, as by thickening or padding the upper edge  50  of the second panel  32  (by, e.g., rolling or folding the upper edge  50 ). Such stiffened upper edge  50  may be configured so as to bow out away from the first panel  30 , to thereby not only provide a tactile indication of the pocket opening (such that the worker will not have to look for the opening), but the outward bow of one side of the opening  42  will advantageously facilitate entry of a tool or other device or equipment being moved into the pocket  40 . Such function is particularly advantageous in dangerous, sometimes chaotic, situations, where the worker may be wearing gloves and thus have only limited feel when handling tools and equipment. 
         [0047]    A reflective trim  54  may also be provided on the second panel  32  and/or the underside of the first panel  30 . Such trim  54  increases the worker&#39;s conspicuity. Further, if the flap  20  is releasably secured to the garment  12 , the worker may toss the flap  20  toward other workers as a signal that an emergency situation exists. 
         [0048]    A releasable connection, such as a hook and loop connection having two connectors  60 ,  62  (see  FIG. 1A ), may also be advantageously provided on the interior facing surfaces of the panels  30 ,  32  in the pocket, spaced from the pocket opening  42 . 
         [0049]    It should thus be appreciated that the flap  20  of the disclosed improvement may not only advantageously use “real estate” on a worker&#39;s garment to secure tools and equipment efficiently, but the pocket  40  itself functions advantageously to facilitate safe, easy and reliable use in such use, 
         [0050]    That is, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when an anchor such as a ladder clamp  70  at one end of a safety belt (secured on the other end to, e.g., the worker&#39;s belt) is disconnected to allow the worker to move, the worker may safely store the ladder clamp  70  in the pocket  40  using only one hand, thereby not needing to violate the Three-Point-Rule. As should be appreciated, the clamp  70  may be reliably located and inserted into the pocket opening  42  (due to the stiffened upper edge  50  not only providing tactile feel for its location, but the outward bow of that edge  50  facilitating entry into the pocket  40  rather than sliding past the pocket. 
         [0051]    Still further, when the clamp  70  is pushed into the pocket  40 , it may easily separate the connectors  60 ,  62  from one another (if they are connected) to slide past them further into the pocket  40 . The worker can then, without needing to look, with just one hand press in against the side of the second panel  32  (as indicated by the arrow  74  in  FIG. 3 ) so as to engage the two connectors  60 ,  62  and releasably secure them together within the interior of the pocket  40 . The connectors  60 ,  62  when secured together will block the clamp  70  from being caused to exit the pocket  40  unless a sufficiently strong force (such as a worker could intentionally apply) pulls the clamp  70  out, Lesser forces (such as gravity if, e.g., the worker would be positioned so as to orient the pocket  40  upside down) will not release the connectors  60 ,  62  from one another, and thus would not be sufficient to cause the clamp  70  to unintentionally fall from the pocket  40 . The size and type of connectors  60 ,  62  may be selected to provide such operation based on the weight of the clamp  70  anticipated to be placed in the pocket  40 . 
         [0052]    Advantageously, the size of the connectors  60 ,  62  may be different from one another, with one larger than the other, so that the top and bottom edges of the connectors  60 ,  62  will not be aligned. Such a configuration will allow an anchor such as the clamp  70  to reliably peel apart connectors  60 ,  62  when the clamp  70  engages the edge of the connection between the connectors  60 ,  62 , both when inserting the clamp  70  into the pocket  40  and when removing the clamp  70  from the pocket  40 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  illustrates an optional cover flap  80  which can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the flap  20  to cover the pocket opening  42 , with a releasable closure system such as a hook and look connector. Further, the cover flap  80  may be inverted if desired, so that the releasable connection is on the top and the cover flap  80  is opened by pulling the top down (rather than the bottom up). 
         [0054]    The cover flap  80  may also advantageously be, for example, trapezoidal, with a tapered width to a narrower bottom end  82  so that it may be tucked into the pocket  40  when the worker does not want it blocking the opening  42  so that the worker may quickly, easily and repeatedly reuse the slot multiple times without having to manipulate the flap with each repeat use. A secondary hook and loop closure may also be provided inside the pocket  40  to allow the cover flap  80  to be reliably retained in the temporarily stowed position. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate a separate pouch  120  which may be used separately from a garment, but may also be installed on a garment at the time of manufacture or as an aftermarket addition/accessory. For example, this pouch  120  could also be placed on the exterior of pre-existing patch pockets or bellows pockets or installed directly onto a garment body panel or garment closure storm shield, or it could be sewn to the interior surface(s) of a garment near a closure/slot opening in the garment. 
         [0056]    Moreover, the pouch  120  may advantageously variously incorporate the features described above in connection with the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment, including the stiffened, bowed edge  150  at the pocket opening  142 , the releasable connectors  160 ,  162  inside the pocket  140 , and a cover flap  80  such as shown in  FIG. 4 . Note that elements in  FIGS. 5-7  have been given reference numbers which are the same reference numbers as given comparable elements of the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment plus  100 , such that the first panel is  30  in  FIGS. 1-3  and  130  in  FIGS. 5-7 , the stiffened edge  50  in  FIGS. 1-3  is  150  in  FIGS. 5-7 , etc. Drainage from the pocket  140  may be provided by grommets  121  and/or unstitched openings  123  at the outer, bottom corners. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate two further embodiments which may be used to advantage with the disclosed improvement, wherein vertical stitching may be used to divide the flap so as to provide multiple pockets or pouches for different tools and equipment, (Like  FIGS. 5-7 , note that elements in  FIGS. 8 and 9  have been given reference numbers which are the same reference numbers as given comparable elements of the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment plus  200  and  300 , respectively, so that the first panel ( 30  in  FIGS. 1-3 ) is  230  in  FIGS. 8 and 330  in  FIG. 9 , etc.) 
         [0058]    Specifically,  FIG. 8  illustrates a bellows pocket flap  220  comparable to the flap  20  of  FIGS. 1-3 , with a vertical stitch  231  providing one large pocket  240   a  (for, e.g., a ladder hook  270 ) and one small pocket  240   b  (for, e.g., a lineman&#39;s pliers/cutters  271 ). One or both of the pockets  240   a,    240   b  advantageously incorporate the features described above in connection with the  FIGS. 1-3  embodiment, including stiffened, bowed edges  250  at the pocket opening  242 , and releasable connectors  260 ,  262  inside the pocket  140 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  illustrates a separate pouch  320  comparable to the pouch  120  of  FIGS. 5-7 , with a vertical stitch  331  providing two relatively equal width pockets  340   a,    340   b  for similar width tools, such as a pair of lineman&#39;s pliers/cutters  371   a  and a wire cutter  371   b.  Where one of the tools is shorter, such as the wire cutter  371   b,  a bottom stitch  333  may be used in the pocket  340   b  designated for the shorter tool to ensure that the handle projects from the pocket  340   b  sufficiently that a worker may readily grasp the handle to remove it from the pocket  340   b.    
         [0060]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate split cover flaps  400 ,  402  which may be advantageously used like the cover flap  80  shown in  FIG. 4  with flaps  220 /pouches  320  having more than one pocket such as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0061]    With the  FIG. 10  embodiment, the cover flaps  401 ,  403  may be attached at their top to the top of the  FIG. 9  pouch  320 /first panel  330  and then suitably and separately secured by tabs  411  to the outer side of the second panel  332 , as by a releasable hook and loop connection between the tab  411  and the outside of the second panel  322 . When it is desired to keep any pocket  340   a,    340   b  uncovered to permit unobstructed access, the cover flap(s)  401 ,  403  may be tucked into the associated pocket(s)  340   a,    340   b  and secured in that position by, for example, a releasable hook and loop connection between the tab(s)  411  and the outer side of the first panel  330  inside the pocket(s)  340   a,    340   b.    
         [0062]    With the  FIG. 11  embodiment, the same cover flaps  401 ,  403  may be used in an inverted position, wherein the bottom is attached to the top of second panel  332  of the  FIG. 9  pouch  320  and then suitably and separately secured by tabs  411  to the upper end of the first panel  330 , as by a releasable hook and loop connection between the tab  411  and the outside of the first panel  330 . When it is desired to keep any pocket  340   a,    340   b  uncovered to permit unobstructed access, the cover flap(s)  401 ,  403  may be folded down and outwardly to be secured against the outside of the second panel(s)  332  by, for example, a hook and loop connection. Alternatively, the cover flap(s)  401 ,  403  could be folded inwardly over the top(s) of the second panel(s)  332  and tucked into the associated pocket(s)  340   a,    340   b.  The cover flap(s)  401 ,  403  may then be secured in that position by, for example, a releasable hook and loop connection between the tab(s)  411  and the inner side of the second panel  332  inside the pocket(s)  340   a,    340   b.    
         [0063]    Split cover flaps  401 ,  403  such as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , may similarly be used with structures with multiple pockets of uneven width (such as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) by providing suitable (uneven) width cover flaps  401 ,  403 . 
         [0064]    It should thus be appreciated that the disclosed improvement may be used to provide additional location(s) for stowing tools and equipment. Moreover, the disclosed improvement provides a worker the ability to locate, temporarily stow, then redeploy anchoring devices and other tools, as many times as needed, using only one hand. These same concepts can be used and are applicable to a wide variety of job specific tools also. Such improvements may be provided to new garments, or may be added to existing garments, or may even be provided independent of the worker&#39;s garment. 
         [0065]    Such advantageous operation is facilitated by use of wasted “real estate” on the garment, and/or by a pocket/pouch structure having a top edge to its opening which is stiffened to provide a tactile location device to a gloved hand, as well as acting as a lip/guide to assist the worker to insert the anchor or tool device into the pocket/pouch, using only one hand and without requiring that the worker take his/her vision and attention away from other tasks. 
         [0066]    Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the shape and size of the flap and pockets/pouches could be different than shown, and multi-pocket pockets could have more than two pockets and could be differently sized and shaped to accommodate a variety of tools and equipment, Further, the location of the hook and loop connection inside the pockets could be variously sized, shaped and located in order to block various different tools from falling from the pocket/pouch.