Abstract:
An inspection pouch for housing and providing hands-free access to electronic testing equipment, meters, lights, tools and other implements needed by inspectors, installers and other workers. The pouch has a main compartment forming a tray with a cover therefor, the main compartment capable of being suspended from the cover at angles between zero and ninety degrees to enable viewing of equipment staged in the main compartment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This utility application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application entitled, “Inspection Pouch,” having Ser. No. 61/985,739, filed Apr. 29, 2014, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Workers, such as construction workers, electricians, insulators, maintenance workers, pipe fitters, welders, iron workers, etc. often transport and use meters, test equipment, and flashlights at height on worksites. It is important these tools are easily accessed while performing their work. For example, many such workers wear tool belts that have tool pouches that are designed to hold tools when they are not in use. Because the tools are supported on a workers person, the worker need not return to a toolbox or tool room when a given tool is required to do their job on a worksite. These tool pouches are primarily used for transportation and storage. 
     In some situations, a meter carried by the worker may fall out of its tool bag, tool bucket, or storage holster. For instance, if the worker is an electrician, a hand held meter might fall out of its storage pouch as the worker climbs about the work area. In other situations, the worker may simply drop the meter after having removed the meter from its holster or storage pouch. In either case, it is inconvenient for the worker to retrieve a dropped object. Additionally, it is very expensive to repair and/or replace if the meter is broken as a result of falling to the ground. Moreover, a falling meter or inspection device can injure or kill other workers if struck by said instrument at a given worksite. 
     At present, some meters are provided with an attached magnet, which serves to hold the meter to a metal cabinet, for example. However, many such meters are not equipped with a magnet, there may be no metal surface to attach to, and, where the magnet and metal cabinet are present, the meter may be forgotten and consequently lost. Additionally, some meters and devices are attached to the workers&#39; belt. The device is normally contained inside a pouch with a clear plastic film on the front so the worker can see the control panel. While it may be possible to operate the keys by pushing the buttons from the outside of the pouch, it may require removing the device from the pouch. Other issues arise when the plastic film becomes dirty, impairing the vision of the worker. Glare is also a problem when using the system in the sunlight. When using the device inside, dim light may hinder usage if the plastic film is impaired. 
     From the above discussion, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a means for preventing tools and/or meters from dropping when used at height, from being damaged through adverse handling or conditions, or from simply being left behind at a job site. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is, therefore, one of the objects of the present disclosure to provide an inspection pouch designed to house and provide access to meters, test equipment, flashlights, small tools etc. The pouch is designed to be secured to the worker for transport and to provide safety and security to the equipment and to other workers. The pouch, in an open configuration, provides a convenient, hands-free support surface that provides accessibility to items contained therein and is adjustable to accommodate the needs of the worker. These and additional features are set out in the accompanying drawings and detailed description. 
     The worker can control the device while positioned off of the shoulder with a strap. This positions the pouch off of the chest/stomach while hung around the neck. Belt and/or harness loops may be provided to position the pouch off of the belt while secured by the tool belt. The pouch is also outfitted with d-rings for securing the device (i.e. a meter) to the pouch. Pockets inside the pouch are used for securing the tools used with the device. The worker may also store additional small tools and/or accessories inside the pouch which is typically not available with traditional pouches provided by manufacturers of these types of devices. A feature not found in the prior art is the pouch is designed to work with any manufacturer&#39;s device. Thus, the present pouch is universal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following figures. Matching reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the inspection pouch in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rear of the pouch in a closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the open pouch, the phantom lines indicating an alternate position; and 
         FIG. 4  is a partial, enlarged view of the adjustment means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As described above, it would be desirable to have a means for preventing meters, test equipment, flashlights, and small tools from dropping while being transported and used at height. Disclosed herein is a universal inspection pouch that is specifically adapted to retain tools, such as meters, gauges, test equipment, flashlights, and small tools that could either fall out of a holster or simply be dropped by the user. 
     The inspection pouch is worn off of the tool belt or a harness and used around the waist level, or hung off the neck and used off of the chest. The inspection pouch has several embodiments that provide positive control of various objects that are used by the worker. Several pockets are positioned inside the pouch and are used for storing test equipment, meters, measuring devices, flashlights, and small tools. Additionally, the inspection pouch contains a support element (D-Rings) for supporting test equipment, meters, measuring devices, flashlights and small tools on or inside the pouch during transit and use of the tools and/or equipment. The D-Rings are used as engineered attachments points for a tool lanyard to be attached during use. If the tool falls out of the pouch or is dropped by the user while working at height, the lanyard prevents the tool from falling more than a few feet from the pouch. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , numeral  10  designates generally the present inspection pouch, which is normally heavy-duty polyester material with hard body material sewn inside. The material used to cover the hard-body material is consistent with polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, cotton, or any suitable material. The hard-body material inside the outer shell can be made of composite, plastic, cardboard, aluminum, or any material suitable for this application. The pouch has a main compartment  11  and a cover  12 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the operational position of the pouch and  FIG. 2  illustrates the transport position. 
       FIG. 1  numeral  13  shows the elastic strip sewn onto the gusset of the pouch. This strip is to be used as a hanging mechanism for meter leads or wands fed through the bottom or top of the pouch. It is used for staging these items when not in use. This function can also be accomplished by using nylon, polyester, leather, flexible plastic, vinyl, or other suitable materials. 
       FIG. 2  numeral  14  shows the back of the pouch that is made from polyester, nylon, vinyl, leather, cotton, or any suitable material.  FIG. 2  numeral  15  illustrates the belt loop straps used for staging the pouch off of the users tool belt. Straps (not shown) may also be provided for staging the pouch off of a users&#39; harness. The material used for these straps can be nylon, polyester, cotton, leather, plastic or any suitable materials. 
       FIG. 2  numeral  16  illustrates the d-ring attachment points used as engineered attachment points for tool lanyards when used to tether tools or electronics in or around the pouch during use. Additionally, the d-rings serve as a connection point for the shoulder strap  20 . The d-rings are welded steel. Other materials suitable for this application would be stainless steel, or other suitable material. Additionally, the d-ring shape could also be round, triangle, square, rectangular, etc. 
       FIG. 2  numeral  20  shows the shoulder strap, which is used to hang the pouch off of the users neck. This strap allows the user to work with the meter positioned in the pouch off of the chest. This is what is referred to as “hands free”. The strap uses a metal buckle  22  for adjusting the length to fit a wide range of users.  FIG. 2  numeral  24  shows the metal snaps used for attaching to the d-ring attachment points  16 . These snaps are metal but could also be stainless, composite, plastic, or any suitable material. The type of snaps can be any embodiment for attaching the strap to the d-ring attachment points. The buckle  22  can be steel, stainless, plastic, composite, or any suitable material. 
     In  FIG. 1  numeral  26  illustrates the zipper system used to open and close the pouch. When the pouch is open and suspended from the workers&#39; belt or shoulder strap, the pouch is in the hands free position for using the meter while it is positioned inside the pouch. The zipper is made of steel but could also be made of plastic or other material, depending on the application. The size of the zipper material might also change from a number  1  zipper, to a number  12  zipper depending on the application. The zipper pull-tabs  28  can be metal, plastic, or any suitable materials. This includes potentially using material as an extension to the metal pull tabs on the zipper, such as a leather pull cord or the like. While a zipper is shown, alternate securing means are also contemplated and considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     At the top of the inspection pouch, numeral  30  illustrates the slit included on the top of the pouch. This pass-through opening is provided in order for the user to feed the meter leads, or inspection wands through the opening. This assists in keeping the electronic equipment inside the pouch stable while the pouch is open and the user is operating the equipment. Additionally, this opening allows the user to operate the equipment when the pouch is in the closed position. For example, the meter might use a wand that is operational from the end of the wand. This eliminates the need for the meter itself being exposed to the elements, or placed in a position that exposes it to being dropped while at elevation. Such meters and like equipment are typically costly to replace and dangerous to those working below if the meter were to be dropped. Numeral  32  illustrates a reflective material used on the pouch. This is useful for identifying the pouch if left in an enclosed or darkened area. This is important in work areas where foreign material is a concern. 
     The bottom of the pouch in  FIG. 1  illustrates a second pass through opening  34 . This pass through opening is provided in order for the user to feed meter leads or inspection wands through the opening. This assists in keeping the electronic equipment inside the pouch secure during use or during transit. The top and bottom slits,  30  and  34 , respectively, normally use hook and loop material to keep the slits closed when not in use. This is necessary to keep small parts from potentially exiting the pouch during transit. Metal snaps, plastic snaps, magnets, or any suitable materials can also be used to secure these openings. 
       FIG. 1  shows an inside view of the inspection pouch. The body of the main compartment and the sides are flexible hard-body material. This material can be cardboard, thin flexible metal, aluminum, or any suitable material. The inside is designed to act as a tray for the meter or testing equipment to rest. The tray configuration, with a generally flat supporting surface as the base, surrounded by upright, raised walls, is another improvement over known prior art pouches as it is shields the equipment from the glare of sunlight or brightly lit interiors to facilitate the users&#39; ability to see various screens, dials, buttons, etc. A loop material  35  is used as padding on the inside of the main compartment. This material could be felt or any soft material suitable for the application. A number of auxiliary securing straps  36  are provided for securing test equipment, such as meter  37  (shown in broken lines). The straps  36  are elastic material or a suitable substitute, to accommodate meters of different sizes. The ends of the straps have a hook material  38  for mating with the loop material  35  that doubles as padding. 
     A fixed elastic strap  40  is also used to hold meters, sensors, or test equipment in place while positioned inside the pouch. The use of this strap is dependent on the meter or equipment used. Any type of flexible material can also be used. 
     A mesh pocket  42  is disposed inside the pouch. This pocket is another way to secure the meter while positioned inside the pouch. As there are many types of meters, gauges, and test equipment, the inspection pouch must adapt to the various types in order to allow for them to function correctly while used inside the pouch. The pocket is normally a flexible material and may be translucent so the user can still use the equipment while it is staged in the pouch. 
       FIGS. 1, 3, and 4  illustrate the hinge system used for keeping the pouch open during use of the meter or test equipment inside. The hinge system is adjustable which allows the user to use the equipment staged inside the pouch. In  FIG. 1 , numeral  60  illustrates a strip of webbing used to cover the cord  61  used to adjust the opening. The cord is thus secured and does not move appreciably under the webbing except that it is able to laterally slide. Numeral  62  shows the hinge gates. These are used to position the cord at a particular angle not exceeding 45 degrees. Over extension of the angle would allow the contents inside to spill out which defeats the purpose of the pouch which is to allow the user to work hands free with the meter or test equipment. 
     As noted above, numeral  61  shows the cord material used to adjust how the pouch is staged in the open position. The cord material is polyester material. Bungee cord, hemp cord, nylon cord, cable, webbing and any material suitable to use in this embodiment is appropriate. The cord  61  has a cord lock  64 , or barrel lock, used as a stop point for adjusting the opening of the pouch. This cord lock can be plastic or metal and of any shape or style that assists in locking the cord or webbing into place as a stop point. The cord feeds through two tubular pieces of webbing  66 , which act as hinges and create the angles necessary for the worker to stage the pouch off of the hip or off of the chest while using the equipment inside the main compartment. Locking stops  68  create a fixed structure for adjusting the length of the cord on each side of the pouch. The stops can be any suitable material and any suitable configuration to lock the cord in the desired position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one of the adjustability features of the present pouch. In one embodiment, the main compartment  11  and the cover  12  are disposed approximately ninety degrees from one another. In the embodiment shown in phantom lines, the main compartment and the cover are disposed approximately forty-five degrees from one another. The degree of angular displacement is variable and can be set to any angle between and including approximately ninety degrees to approximately zero degrees, depending on the desire of the user and the equipment staged in the pouch. As will be appreciated, when the pouch is secured, either by the strap around the user&#39;s neck, or when suspended from a belt on harness worn by the user, the main compartment forms a tray that keeps the equipment therein with easy viewing distance of the user while allowing the user to have both hands free for other activities, such as manipulating the leads or wands that are attached to the meter, test equipment, etc. 
     In operation, when adjusting from the ninety degree position to the forty-five degree position, for example, the user needs to shorten the length of the cord  61 . This is accomplished by first unlocking the stops  68 , raising the main compartment and pulling the cords in through the unlocked stops  68 , using the cord lock  64 . When the desired position is reached, the stops  68  are re-locked, and the cord lock  64  is then unlocked to allow the slack in the cord to be taken up. The cord lock is then locked in the new position and the main compartment is reset in the raised orientation. The cord lock (barrel lock) is used as a secondary stop for preventing the cord from slipping when stops  68  are secured into the desired position. Stops  68  set the angle and secure it. Barrel lock  64  is a secondary guard against the cord slipping once stops  68  are set. 
     The inside wall of the cover  12  includes one or more D-rings which serves as an attachment point for lanyards used to secure tools, flashlights, etc. Also included are a large pocket  72  and two smaller pockets  74 . Any number of pockets is contemplated and included in the present disclosure. 
     While an embodiment of an inspection pouch and modifications thereof have been shown and described in detail herein, various additional changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     PARTS LIST—INSPECTION POUCH 
     
         
           10 —entire pouch 
           11 —main compartment 
           12 —cover 
           13 —strap on side 
           14 —back panel 
           15 —belt loop straps 
           16 —side D-rings 
           20 —shoulder strap 
           22 —strap buckle 
           24 —strap end snaps 
           26 —zipper 
           28 —zipper pulls 
           30 —top slit 
           32 —reflective strip 
           34 —bottom slit 
           35 —loop material inside pouch 
           36 —auxiliary straps 
           37 —meter 
           38 —hook material on straps  36   
           40 —fixed strap 
           42 —mesh pocket 
           60 —strip even cord 
           61 —cord 
           62 —hinge gates 
           64 —cord lock 
           66 —webbing (tubular) 
           68 —upper stops for cord 
           70 —inside D-ring 
           72 —big pocket 
           74 —smaller, rounded pockets