Abstract:
A fire-retardant garment that combines a new fastener with improved fastener placement to prevent exposure of a wearer&#39;s skin or clothes to the fastener itself without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fire-retardant garment has improved fasteners and improved placement of the fasteners. The fire-retardant garment comprises improved fasteners that combine both the fastener and the length adjuster in order to prevent the metal or other material from the length adjuster from coming into contact with a wearer&#39;s skin or clothes. Furthermore, the placement of the fastener and the fastening point lower on the garment has the benefit of keeping metal parts or other dangerous parts away from the wearer&#39;s skin or clothes.

Description:
RELATION TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/098,170 filed Dec. 30, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to garments in general, and, more particularly, to fire-retardant or flame-resistant garments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Fire-retardant, flame-retardant, or flame-resistant (collectively “FR”) garments are in use across many industries. Any user that deals with high temperatures, potential fires, heated metal, explosives, or any other combustible, flammable, or explosive matter is a potential wearer of fire-retardant garments. 
         [0004]    The market for fire-retardant garments includes workers in the oil and gas fields, firefighters, welders, metallurgists, workers on high-voltage electrical cables, etc. In recent years, this market has expanded in response to the War on Terror. With increased use of incendiary devices and improvised explosive devices, the market has expanded beyond explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel. Now any soldier, sailor, airman, or marine may be exposed to explosives or incendiary devices. Contractors and civilian personnel that serve in these capacities may also be exposed. 
         [0005]    Typically, most fire-retardant garments mimic those of regular garments. For example, a firefighter&#39;s pants and coat, a welder&#39;s apron, or a soldier&#39;s uniform. There are limitations to using the existing clothing model when applied to fire-retardant garments. 
         [0006]    One such limitation is in the use of fasteners. Many types of fasteners are simply insufficient. Regular buttons and almost all plastic fasteners melt. Metal fasteners or plastic fasteners that can withstand high heat can get too hot and can burn a wearer when exposed to a wearer&#39;s skin. Clothes worn under the garment can be burnt or melted, exposing a wearer to further danger. 
         [0007]    There exists a need for improved fire-retardant garments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is a fire-retardant garment that combines a new fastener with improved fastener placement to prevent exposure of a wearer&#39;s skin or clothes to the fastener itself without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. This provides superior fire-retardant qualities and protection for a wearer. 
         [0009]    For the purpose of this specification, the term “garment” is defined as any clothing that can be worn by a person or animal or placed upon some other apparatus or item so that the wearer may be protected from the elements or other dangers, such as fire or dangerous materials. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, fire-retardant garment  200  is a garment with improved fasteners and improved placement of the fasteners. Fire-retardant garment  200  comprises improved fasteners that combine both the fastener and the length adjuster in order to prevent the metal or other material from the length adjuster from coming into contact with a wearer&#39;s skin or clothes. Furthermore, the placement of the fastener and the fastening point lower on the garment has the benefit of keeping metal parts or other dangerous parts away from the wearer&#39;s skin or clothes. 
         [0011]    It will also be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the fire-retardant garment is fashioned in a different manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a fire-retardant garment in accordance with the prior art. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a fire-retardant garment in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a fastener and fastening point in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a fastener in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a fire-retardant garment in accordance with the prior art. Fire-retardant garment  100  is comprised of two (2) length adjusters  101 , two (2) fasteners  102 , two (2) fastening points  103 , two (2) straps  104 , and one (1) central pocket  105 . Fire-retardant garment  100  is also in the form of overalls. 
         [0017]    Fire-retardant garment  100  is in the form of overalls, which provides protection to a wearer&#39;s legs and torso. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts a fire-retardant garment in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Fire-retardant garment  200  is comprised of two (2) length adjusters  201 , two (2) fasteners  202 , two (2) fastening points  203 , two (2) straps  204 , and one (1) central pocket. 
         [0019]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises two (2) fasteners, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of fasteners. 
         [0020]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises two (2) fastening points, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of fastening points. 
         [0021]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises two (2) length adjusters, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of length adjusters. 
         [0022]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises two (2) straps, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of straps. 
         [0023]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises one (1) central pocket, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of pockets. 
         [0024]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  is in the form of overalls, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which fire-retardant garment  200  takes any form, for example and without limitation: trousers, a jacket, an apron, etc. 
         [0025]    Fire-retardant garment  200  is a garment comprised of one or more fire-retardant materials or textiles sewn together such that they provide a wearer with protection from fire, heat, and other dangerous elements. These types of materials are known to those skilled in the art. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the materials or textiles used are any material or textile. 
         [0026]    For the purpose of this specification, the term “textile” is defined as any flexible material that consists of a network of fibers, whether woven or non-woven, include any cloth or fabric, such that said textile may be used in production of further goods, for example and without limitation: a garment. For example and without limitation, textiles would include, yarns, felt, nylon, etc. 
         [0027]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the textile used would be a fire-retardant, flame-retardant, or flame-resistant (FR) material. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any material is used. 
         [0028]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, fire-retardant garment  200  is sewn in the shape of overalls. This type of garment provides the wearer with protection for the wearer&#39;s legs and torso. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which another garment type is used, for example, and without limitation: trousers, jacket, etc. 
         [0029]    Fire-retardant garment  200  has fasteners and fastener points that are different from fire-retardant garment  100 . 
         [0030]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, straps  204  attach to the bib portion of the garment (which covers the wearer&#39;s chest) using a rivet (fastening point  203 ) and clasp mechanism (fastener  202 ). However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which another fastener is used, for example and without limitation: snaps, a hook mechanism, hook-and-loop fastener, etc. 
         [0031]    A disadvantage of the prior art is in the placement of fastener  102  and fastening point  103  in fire-retardant garment  100 . Portions of the fastener are exposed to a wearer&#39;s skin at the point above the bib portion of the garment. In contrast, the lower placement of the points allows for additional protection for the wearer of fire-retardant garment  200 . 
         [0032]    In contrast with fire-retardant garment  100 , the fastener  202  and fastening point  203  are placed lower on the garment of fire-retardant garment  200 . One advantage of this placement is that all portions of the fastener and fastening points are protected from the wearer&#39;s skin by the fire-retardant material. 
         [0033]    Fastening point  203  is at a lower point on fire-retardant garment  200  than that of fastening point  103  on garment  100 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, fastening point  203  is approximately 1 inch (1″) lower than the placement of fastening point  103  in the garment of  FIG. 1 . It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the placement of fastening point  203  is at a point different than the one illustrated. For example, and without limitation: at a still lower point, like 2 inches (2″) below that or fastening point  103 , or at any point. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the placement of fastening point  203  may depend on other factors, for example, and without limitation: the size of the rivet, the size of the clasp, the size of the length adjustors, the materials used in the garment, etc. 
         [0035]    However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention, in which a different attachment mechanism is used, a different placement is chosen, etc. 
         [0036]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the length adjuster of fire-retardant garment  200 , which adjusts the length of the straps, is attached to the fastener. In contrast, the length adjuster of fire-retardant garment  100  is placed on the strap itself. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  depicts a fastener and fastening point in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is comprised of length adjuster  201 , fastener  202 , and fastening point  203 . 
         [0038]    Although the closure depicted in  FIG. 3  is a rivet and clasp typical of overalls, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which a different closure is depicted, for example and without limitation: snaps, a clasp, hook-and-loop fastener, etc. 
         [0039]    Although the length adjuster  201 , fastener  202 , and fastening point  203  are depicted as being comprised of metal or a metallic substance, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which a different substance is utilized, for example and without limitation: plastic, fiber, etc. 
         [0040]    Although the closure depicted in  FIG. 3  comprises both the closure and a length adjuster as a single unit, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which these are separated. 
         [0041]    Although the closure depicted in  FIG. 3  comprises both the closure with a length adjuster directly above it, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the closure and length adjuster are attached in a manner differently than that displayed. 
         [0042]    As described, infra, with respect to  FIG. 2 , the fastener and fastening point illustrated in  FIG. 3  provide advantages over the prior art. 
         [0043]    The closure depicted in  FIG. 3  has both fastener and length adjuster on the same piece. This provides several advantages over the prior art. 
         [0044]    In the prior art, as in  FIG. 1  and fire-retardant garment  100 , the length adjuster was separated from the fastener. This placed the length adjuster along the strap of the garment. In this situation, the metal or other material would come in contact with the clothes under the fire-retardant garment or directly in contact with a wearer&#39;s skin. This presents a significant safety risk. By placing the lengthener with the fastener, this effect is lessened. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention thus increases safety for the wearer. 
         [0045]    Another advantage of combining the fastener with the length adjuster is that it may be formed form a single mold, which may have cost savings over the separate pieces used in the prior art implementations. 
         [0046]    In the prior art, such as fire-retardant garment  100 , the fastener and fastening points are placed at the top of the bib portion of the garment. In this situation, the metal or other material of the fastener would come in contact with the clothes under the fire-retardant garment or directly in contact with a wearer&#39;s skin. This presents a significant safety risk. 
         [0047]    In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, fire-retardant garment  200 , discussed, infra, with respect to  FIG. 2 , the placement of the fastener and the fastening points are moved so that the metal (or other material) does not come into contact with the clothes under fire-retardant garment  200  or with a wearer&#39;s skin. 
         [0048]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use the illustrative embodiment and alternative embodiments of the fastener and length adjuster illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  depicts a fastener in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is comprised of fasteners  401  and fasteners  402 . 
         [0050]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises two (2) hook-and-loop fastener pairs, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of hook-and-loop fasteners. 
         [0051]    Although fire-retardant garment  200  comprises hook-and-loop fasteners, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which a different fastener is used, for example, and without limitation: snaps, a clasp, rivets, etc. 
         [0052]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the length adjuster of  FIG. 3  is attached to the fastener. One issue that may arise when combining these two pieces is that a length of excess material may materialize. Thus,  FIG. 4  incorporates a fastener  401  and fastener  402  that fastens any excess material to the strap of the garment. This has the advantage of keeping any excess material from getting in the way of a wearer or getting caught on something, potentially exposing the wearer to other dangers. 
         [0053]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is hook-and-loop fastener, more commonly known by the brand name as “VELCRO.” However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which other fasteners are uses, for example and without limitation: snaps, a belt buckle, 3M Command, 3M Dual Lock, other hook-and-loop-style fasteners, VELCRO or VELCRO-like attachments, etc. 
         [0054]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is placed on the excess material and on the strap such that all parts of the fastener are contained by the fire-retardant fabric. In other words, fastener  401  and fastener  402  are of widths less than the width of the straps to which they are attached. Alternatively, this may be viewed as the fasteners are placed on the excess material and on the strap such that no part of fastener  401  and fastener  402  may be exposed to a wearer&#39;s clothing or skin. 
         [0055]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the parts are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented. 
         [0056]    It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.