Abstract:
An ergonomic rotatable apparatus for carrying, storing and accessing accessories and field gear comprising a layered belt rail system and field gear pockets supported thereon.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 61/319,584 filed Mar. 31, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an apparatus and method for use primarily by photographers in connection with carrying and quickly accessing equipment and accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vest-like apparatus and method of use thereof for storage and transport of all types of different equipment and accessories, both in the front and in the back of the vest-like apparatus, while simultaneously providing for easy and speedy access to said equipment, even to equipment located in the back of the vest-like apparatus, at a moment&#39;s notice, without removal or donning off thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Professional photographers work with an arsenal of photographic equipment. Such arsenal of photographic equipment can include multiple cameras, multiple lenses, lens cleaners, filters, flashes, diffusers, batteries and so on. 
         [0006]    Most photographers carry their arsenal of photographic equipment in photography bags, carry-ons, and backpacks. However, as the photographers&#39; arsenal of photographic equipment grows, so does the size and number of the photography bags, carry-ons and backpacks used by the photographers. 
         [0007]    In an effort to keep their arsenal of photography equipment close at hand, photographers usually carry their photography bags and carry-ons by their straps, on their shoulder. Such carrying is bulky, heavy, shifts the load of the arsenal of photographic equipment onto one shoulder of the photographer, and very often results in injury to the photographers&#39; neck, back and shoulders. In addition, such carrying and the structure of the bags and carry-ons prevents easy and quick access to important photographic equipment, as the need arises. Finally, such carrying and structure of the bags and carry ons, results in the loss of creative photographs due to the absence of a key piece of equipment necessary to capture the image for the creative photograph, for the simple reason that the bags are either so small or so bulky that the equipment was never packed, or even worse, was left behind. 
         [0008]    Many devices have been developed in the past to help photographers carry their photographic equipment. They include bags, backpacks, and even vests. However none of these devices have been able to totally and completely solve the problems set forth herein above. Accordingly there is still a need for an apparatus and method that allows its user to carry a whole host of equipment, without physical stress, discomfort and injury to the user, while at the same time making such equipment accessible on short order. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the carrying of equipment and accessories that prevents the overloading of pockets found on the front portion of devices, coats, and jackets. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the carrying of equipment and accessories that prevents physical stress and injury to the users of said apparatus. 
         [0011]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that provides for significantly quicker and easier access to equipment and accessories by its users. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that is basically donned on by the user of the apparatus and accessories, like an item of clothing such as a jacket or vest, but which allows for quick and easy access of the apparatus and accessories without having to take the inventive apparatus off. 
         [0013]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that is basically donned on by the user, like an item of clothing such as a jacket or vest, but which allows for quick and easy access of the equipment and accessories stored in the inventive apparatus by rotating the apparatus around the user&#39;s body from the front to the back and from the back to the front, without the removal of said apparatus. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that allows for the full storage of equipment and accessories and prevents them from being left behind or getting misplaced. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that contributes to the taking of better and more creative pictures by better storing and easily accessing the proper equipment and accessories without damage thereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the numerals represent identical elements and wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional perspective of vest-like apparatus of the present invention as worn by its user; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional, right-handed side view of one embodiment of the vest-like apparatus of the present invention as worn by its user; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is another three-dimensional, right-handed side view of the embodiment of the vest-like apparatus of  FIG. 2 , as worn by its user; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional, perspective of the embodiment of the vest-like apparatus of  FIGS. 2 and 3  as spun by its user, around user&#39;s neck, to provide access to the equipment stored on the back panel of the vest-like apparatus; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is another three-dimensional, right-handed side view of the embodiment of the vest-like apparatus of the present invention of  FIGS. 2 and 3  as worn by its user and showing the releasable side seams; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the upper right side shoulder section of the embodiments of the vest like apparatus shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  displaying the webbing used for storage; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7-19  are three dimensional plan and perspective views showing all of the various storage capabilities on both the front and back panels, of the vest-like apparatus shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  is a three dimensional perspective of another embodiment of the vest-like apparatus of the present invention without storage compartments or pockets; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  is a three dimensional perspective of the shoulder section of the vest-like apparatus of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  is a three dimensional perspective of the rotating utility belt section of the vest-like apparatus of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 23-26  are three dimensional exploded perspectives of the individual components of one embodiment of the rotating utility belt of the vest-like apparatus of  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 27 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 27  is a three dimensional perspective of the vest-like apparatus of  FIG. 20 , fully assembled and worn by its user. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   LIST OF ELEMENTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE 
                 
                 
                   IDENTIFYING NUMERALS 
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   NO 
                   ELEMENT 
                 
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   10 
                   The vest-like apparatus in accordance with the 
                 
                 
                     
                   present invention 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   Front panel 
                 
                 
                   22, 24 
                   Front Hemi-panels 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   Back panel 
                 
                 
                   32 
                   Shoulder seams 
                 
                 
                   34 
                   Padding 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   Front Fastener 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   Side connectors 
                 
                 
                   52 
                   Side seams 
                 
                 
                   60 
                   Elastic straps 
                 
                 
                   62 
                   First end of elastic strap 
                 
                 
                   64 
                   Second end of elastic strap 
                 
                 
                   70 
                   Pockets for storage 
                 
                 
                   80 
                   Webbing 
                 
                 
                   90 
                   Pocket with hood on back panel 
                 
                 
                   100  
                   Shoulder straps 
                 
                 
                   110  
                   rotating utility belt 
                 
                 
                   112  
                   Webbing 
                 
                 
                       112A 
                   Outer surface of the webbing 112 
                 
                 
                       112B 
                   Inner surface of the webbing 112 
                 
                 
                   114  
                   track system 
                 
                 
                       114A 
                   track 
                 
                 
                       114B 
                   base for track system 114 
                 
                 
                   116  
                   Channel members 
                 
                 
                   117  
                   Saddle 
                 
                 
                       117A 
                   Outer side of the saddle 
                 
                 
                       117B 
                   Inner side of the saddle 
                 
                 
                   118  
                   Bracket 
                 
                 
                       118A 
                   Outer Surface of the Bracket 
                 
                 
                       118B 
                   Inner Surface of the Bracket 
                 
                 
                       118C 
                   Slide Channel on the Bracket 
                 
                 
                   119  
                   Male connection of a clip on pocket 70 
                 
                 
                   120  
                   quick release clips 
                 
                 
                   122  
                   Quick release buttons 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 1-6 ,  20  and  27 , they generally depict the vest-like apparatus in accordance with the present invention at  10 . The vest-like apparatus  10  is shown, as worn and used by its user to store equipment and accessories. It comprises front and back panels. Both the front panels and the back panels support a plurality of pockets and sealable compartments for the storing and transport of all types of equipment and accessories. If the vest-like apparatus is worn by a photographer, the pockets and sealable compartments include lens pockets, battery pockets, camera pockets and so on. If the vest-like apparatus is worn by a professional other than a photographer, then the pockets will be used to carry whatever equipment and accessories are relevant and material to that professional&#39;s duties and responsibilities. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, adjustable side connectors can allow for adjustment of the space between the front and back panels so that the overall size of the vest can be altered in a one-size-fits-all manner, to accommodate wearers of all sizes. Further, the adjustable side connectors either disconnect, or are attached in such a manner to the front and back panels, so as to allow for the rotation of the vest-like apparatus in such a manner which permits for the pockets and sealable compartments in the front to move to the back, and the pockets and sealable compartments on the back to move to the front, without removal of the vest-like apparatus  10 . 
         [0031]    The vest like apparatus can take the form of one of two embodiments, i.e., either that of a vest as shown in  FIGS. 1-19 , or that of a harness vest as shown in  FIGS. 20-27 . 
         [0032]    The vest style of the inventive apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-19 , is donned by the user in the same way a safety vest is donned, i.e., by simply slipping it over the head of the user. It consists of a front panel  20  and a back panel  30 . The front panel  20  overlays and optionally covers the front of the user&#39;s torso, and the back panel  30  overlays and optionally covers the back of the user&#39;s torso. The vest could be constructed as a single unitary piece having front and back panels  20  and  30  respectively, or it could be constructed by separately making each of the front and back panels and thereafter connecting the two panels with shoulder seams  32  that overlay across the top of and are supported by the user&#39;s shoulders. Both panels may optionally be provided with padding  34  to provide comfort to the user&#39;s torso and shoulders when the vest-like apparatus is in use. Further, the front panel  20 , may be optionally divided to include left and right front hemi-panels  22  and  24 . In turn, the left and right hemi-panels  22  and  24  may be releasably connected by a front fastener  40 , such a zipper, or alternatively snaps, buttons, hoop and loop fasteners such as for example VELCRO®, or other fasteners. A front V-neck and rear crew neck are preferred. 
         [0033]    Side connectors  50  connect the front panel  20  to the back panel  30 , to create faux side seams  52 . Optionally, they releasably connect the two panels. The side connectors  50  may consist of snaps, or buckles, or hook and loop fasteners, or any other fastening means that could hold the front and back panels together at the sides of the user and optionally form the releasably connected side seams  52 . For example as can be seen from  FIGS. 1-19 , the vest&#39;s side seams  52  are formed by a pair of elastic straps  60 . Each of the straps has a first end  62  and a second end  64 . The first end  62  of the each of the straps is permanently and fixedly attached, and anchored to the front panel  20 . The second end  64  of each of the straps  60  is provided with the hook or the loop portion, of a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®. The second end  64 &#39;s corresponding loop or hook portion of the hook and loop fastener is fixedly attached, and anchored to the back panel  30 . Each of the straps is of such length, that it is able to extend and wrap around the user&#39;s waist, to the rear torso panel, where its second end  62 , with the first hook or loop portion, connects to and becomes attached to its corresponding second loop or hook portion of the Velcro fastener, anchored to the back torso panel, thereby forming releasable side seams  52 , which hold the the front and back torso panels together, but which disengage the front and back torso panels at any time and as needed. 
         [0034]    Both the front torso panel  20  and the back torso panel  30  are equipped with multiple storage pockets  70  for specific photography equipment. Each pocket is permanently secured to each of the torso panels. 
         [0035]    For access to the equipment located in the pockets  70  on the back panel  30  of the inventive vest  10 , the user releases the side seams  52 , connecting the front and back torso panels, by either disengaging the VELCRO@ equipped straps, or disconnecting the buckles, and rotating the vest  10  either clockwise or counterclockwise around the neck of the user. This rotation brings the back torso panel  30  to the front, and the front torso panel  20  to the back, thereby providing access by the user to the equipment in the rear pockets of the inventive vest. 
         [0036]    Optionally, the front and back torso panels can also have webbing  80  for the attachment thereto of multiple accessories; quick release buckles in various locations, waterproof covers for cameras and accessories that need to be kept dry, pockets as needed, but preferable three to six medium to large sized pockets, special battery compartments, a monopod holder, and a memory card holder. The rear torso panel  30  can also be equipped on its upper part, at the perimeter of the user&#39;s neck with a pocket  90  holding a hood for the protection of the user in the event it becomes necessary for such protection. 
         [0037]    The harness-like vest  10  of the inventive apparatus as shown in  FIGS. 20 through 27 , is not donned by the user in the same way a safety vest is donned, i.e., by simply slipping it over the head of the user. Rather it is put on just like a regular jacket or a regular vest. It too consists of a front panel  20  and a back panel  30 . The front panel  20  overlays and optionally covers the front of the user&#39;s torso, and the back panel  30  overlays and optionally covers the back of the user&#39;s torso. Each of the front and back torso panels is formed by at least one pair of shoulder straps  100 , which overlay across the top of and are supported by the user&#39;s shoulders, and at least one rotating utility belt  110  fixedly attached to said shoulder straps. As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , both straps  100  may optionally be provided with padding  34  to provide comfort to the user&#39;s torso and shoulders when the harness-like vest is worn by its user. 
         [0038]    The harness-like vest  10  is closed and secured by quick release clips  120 , preferably heavy duty, located at the ends of the rotating utility belt  110  and optionally in the front of the user&#39;s torso as shown in  FIG. 22 . The harness-like apparatus must be closed to activate the rotations or spinning of the rotating utility belt  110  around the user&#39;s torso. It is the rotating utility belt in turn, which is provided with the equipment storing apparatus for the storage of and accessibility to equipment and accessories on the harness-like vest  10 . 
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment of the harness-style vest  10  shown in  FIG. 20 , there are at least two rotating utility belts  110  connected to the shoulder straps  100 . This provides for two levels of rotation and storage. On each level there is a quick release clip  120  located at the center of the front panel  20 . One on each level, to comfortably secure and connect the entire system and make it ready for rotation. As can be seen from  FIG. 22 , the quick release clips can be disengaged with a quick release button  122  located on the top of the quick release clip  120 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , the rotating utility belt  110  comprises a webbing  112 , a track system  114 , and channel members  116 , mounted and engaged on said track system  114 . The webbing  112  has an inner surface  112 B that abuts the user&#39;s torso and an outer surface  112 A that faces away from the user&#39;s torso. The outer surface  112 A of the webbing  112  acts as the support base upon which the track system  114  is permanently attached and supported by. When the quick release clips  120  are secured, the track system  114  completely encircles and encloses the user&#39;s torso. 
         [0041]    The track system  114  functions similarly to railroad tracks. It provides the base upon which the channel members  116  are mounted, which in turn allow for the attachment and mounting of the storage compartments or pouches or pockets  70 . It is made up of individual track sections that are mounted on the webbing  112  and interconnected to form a continuous track around the user&#39;s torso. As a result, the channel members  116 , mounted on the track system  114 , can move both clockwise and counterclockwise. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of the track system shown in  FIG. 23 , a single thin plate track  114 A is constructed from either metal or plastic by either fixedly mounting it on, or by unitarily molding it with, a relatively thicker, smaller dimensioned base  114 B. The base  114 B is then permanently mounted on the webbing  112  of the rotating utility belt  110  thereby causing the thin plate  114 A to face away from the torso of the user. Alternatively, the track  114 A could be tubular and mounted on the center of a plate-like base  114 B, which in turn is mounted on the webbing  112  of the rotating utility belt  110 . 
         [0043]    As was set forth herein above, the rotating utility belt  110 , further comprises channel members  116 .  FIG. 24  displays one embodiment of a channel member  116 , for use with the thin plate track disclosed herein above and shown in  FIG. 23 . It is adapted to engage and move relative to the flat plate track along the entire length of the track. It comprises a saddle  117  and a bracket  118 . 
         [0044]    The saddle  117  has an inner side  117 B and an outer side  117 A. The inner side  117 B is arc or u-shaped, imparting to the channel member  116  a receiving end, which encases and is in sliding engagement with the thin plate track  114 A along the entire length of the track. Alternatively, the sliding channel member may include square, rectangular, etc., dimensioned receiving ends where alternative dimensioned and shaped tracks  114 A are utilized. The diameter, thickness and length of the receiving ends of the channel members  116  allow for their secure engagement of the track within their receiving ends, to form and provide the stable support structure for the storage and easy access of the equipment mounted thereon, whether the channel members are located on the front panel  20  or the back panel  30 . 
         [0045]    The bracket  118  is fixedly attached, mounted on, or unitarily molded with the outer surface  117 A of the saddle  117 , of the channel member  116 . The bracket  118  also has an outer surface  118 A, which in turn is provided with a slide channel  118 C having inner dimensions that are wider than its outer dimensions. The slide channel  118 C receives a male connection  119  of a clip attached to equipment-holding pockets or pouches  70 , and supports all camera equipment mounted on the outer surface of the channel member. As shown in  FIG. 26 , once the channel member  116  is slidably mounted on the track, the pocket/storage pouch  70  designed for specific equipment and having the male counterpart  119  is inserted and slid into the slide channel  118 C of the outer surface of the bracket  118  supported by the saddle  117  of the channel member  116  and locks securely thereto, in a lock-and-key mechanism.  FIG. 26  shows a storage pouch pocket complete with the male counterpart  119  of the channel member  116  attached to one side of such storage pocket. 
         [0046]    Alternatively, instead of a saddle and a bracket, the channel member  116  may be equipped with heavy duty magnets, buttons, or snaps that could be used to secure the storage pouches or pockets  70  thereto. The storage pouches or pockets will be made of tough waterproof material and all will be padded for the added protection of the equipment. 
         [0047]    In practice, the channel members  116  are mounted on a single continuous track encircling the torso of the user. The user is able to load equipment on both the front and the back portion of the harness-like vest. Once the equipment is mounted and locked on the track, it can be easily and quickly accessed by the user at the front of user&#39;s torso by simply moving and spinning the channel members and the pouches supported thereon, around the track.  FIG. 27  shows a fully loaded harness like vest in use and capable of revolving around the user&#39;s torso to provide access to all equipment without the removal of the harness like vest. 
         [0048]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, they are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Since certain changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a literal sense. Practitioners of the art will realize that the sequence of steps and the embodiments depicted in the figures can be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention and that the illustrations contained herein are singular examples of a multitude of possible depictions of the present invention.