Abstract:
A safety garment is provided for enhancing visibility to persons in dark conditions. The garment includes a front section covering the upper chest, extending to a rear section covering the upper back, and sleeves in varying lengths extending to cover the arms. The garment is preferably open in the underarm area. The base of the garment is preferably comprised of lightweight non-reflective fabric and is coupled with reflective fabric extending the length of the garment, providing 360 degrees of high visibility.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of design patent application Ser. No. 29475561 filed Dec. 4, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to safety garments and, more specifically, reflective safety garments. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0004]    Reflective materials, which help make people more visible, can make a life-saving difference. 
         [0005]    Currently available reflective safety garments come in two typical styles. The first typical style is the commonly used safety vest worn by highway construction workers. That vest can be irritating to the skin and is very bulky for runners or bicycle riders, especially in the summer heat. The second typical style is a belt that with straps that extend over the shoulders and is buckled about the waist. These belts are commonly used by crossing guards. However, like safety vests, fabric from which safety belts are made can be irritating to bare skin so users need garments underneath the belt. Further, the buckles used to attach the belt around the waist are bulky and can rub against the skin of a runner or bicycle rider. Further, belts without the shoulder straps are seldom wide enough to provide sufficient reflective visibility at dusk and night. 
         [0006]    There is also the issue of aesthetics. Safety vests and belts are often considered “ugly” and that discourages use. 
         [0007]    Backpacks are another factor in safety vests not being worn. Reflective strips on the back of a vest are obscured when backpacks are worn. That discourages use of safety vests. 
         [0008]    Further, because the currently available safety vests and belts are bulky and large, they are not easily transported in a backpack, pocketbook or purse. 
         [0009]    If the problems that discourage use were solved, lives might be saved. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0011]    A preferred first exemplary reflective sleeved safety vest comprises a first fabric panel that covers the upper chest, a second fabric panel that covers the upper back, a fabric left sleeve that extends at least to just a first point just above the left elbow, a fabric right sleeve that extends at least to a second point just above the right elbow, a first band of high visibility reflective material that extends from said first point diagonally upwardly across a front of said left sleeve thence across said first panel and thence diagonally downward across said right sleeve to said second point, and a second band of high visibility reflective material that extends from said first point diagonally upwardly across a rear of said left sleeve thence across said second panel and thence diagonally downward across a rear of said right sleeve to said second point, thereby to cover 360 degrees of the garment. Varying lengths of the arm with or without wrist closures are provided in alternative embodiments. An enlarged bottom opening is preferred to provide an open area below each armpit. An enlarged neck opening is provided in a preferred embodiment. 
         [0012]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first exemplary long sleeve safety garment  100 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a back view of garment  100 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of garment  100 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an underside view of garment  100 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of a second exemplary short sleeve safety garment  500 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of a third exemplary short sleeve safety garment  600   
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a fourth exemplary long sleeve safety garment  700  worn over a coat. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a back view of garment  100  worn over a backpack. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       First Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a preferred exemplary embodiment safety garment  100  shown being worn by a cyclist  101 . Cyclist  101  does not form any part of the invention and is shown only for context, and could be a jogger, walker, biker, motorcyclist, scooter rider, skateboarder, or other person. Garment  100  comprises a first fabric panel  102  that at least partially covers an upper chest  103  of cyclist  101 , a second fabric panel  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) that covers an upper back  201  of cyclist  101 , a fabric right sleeve  104  that extends at least to just a first point  105  just above the right elbow  106 , a fabric left sleeve  107  that extends at least to a second point  108  just above the left elbow  109 , a first band  110  of high visibility reflective material that extends from point  105  diagonally upwardly across a front  111  of right sleeve  104  thence across panel  102  and thence diagonally downward across a front  112  of left sleeve  107  to point  108 . A second reflective band  113  of high visibility reflective material begins at the inner right wrist  114  and extends diagonally across sleeve  104  to point  105 , extends across panel  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) to point  108  and then diagonally downward across sleeve  107  to the inner left wrist  115 . Garment  100  has an enlarged bottom opening  118  (see also  FIG. 4 ) that extends partially into and under right sleeve  104  and left sleeve  107  to provide a right underarm opening  116  and a left underarm opening  117  to provide ventilation and minimize soiling of garment  100  due to underarm perspiration. To show more of chest  103 , shirt garment  120 , or neck area  130 , top opening  124  can be enlarged and lowered as shown. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a back view of garment  100 . Second band  113  continues from point  105  (seen best in  FIG. 1 ) and extends diagonally upwardly across a rear  202  of said right sleeve  104  thence across panel  200  and thence diagonally downward across a rear  203  of left sleeve  107  to point  108 , thereby band  110  and band  113  combine to make a complete circle around cyclist  101  and cover 360 degrees of garment  100 . First band  110  is seen to actually commence at a rear of right wrist  204  and extend upwardly and outwardly across rear  202  to point  105  and disappear from vision. However from  FIG. 1 , it is known that band  110  crosses band  113  at point  105  (see  FIG. 3 ) and passes over front panel  102  and sleeve  107  to point  108 . Band  110  crosses band  113  at point  108 . From point  108  band  110  then extends across rear  203  to a rear of left wrist  205 . This extension of band  110  and band  113  produces an X-pattern from a side view to increase visibility, as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of garment  100  showing band  110 . Left side  300  of garment  100  has a distinctive X-pattern produced by the previously described crossing of band  110  and band  113  at point  108  just above left elbow  109  for increased side visibility. Since side  300  is of smaller width than front or rear, this crossing pattern allows increased reflective material from a side view to offset the smaller area and better protect cyclist  101 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is an underside view of garment  100 . The start of band  110  at left inner wrist  114  and band  113  at left rear wrist  204  are seen. After crossing at point  108  as described above, band  110  appears on front panel  102  and band  113  appears on rear panel  200 . Bottom opening  118  is seen as is a naturally smaller upper neck or top opening  302 . Also present are left underarm opening  116  and right underarm opening  117 . Hook and loop fabric type closures  400  are provided to secure garment  100  about the wrist. Any suitable type of closure could be substituted, such as a snap, button, elastic band, or clip. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of garment  100 , much like  FIG. 2 , except with garment  100  worn over a backpack  800  and over a hooded jacket  801 . Band  113  is located near the bottom of the back panel  200  so that the hood  802  does not interfere with the reflective function of band  113 . Garment  100  would be made of stretchable fabric so that it could stretch over most backpacks and still serve its reflective function. It is seen that the distinctive side X-band crossing of band  110  and band  113  is retained. The extra size of bottom opening  118  for open armpits in summer use allows for an easy fit over backpack  800 . 
       Operation of First Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0029]    Garment  100  can be easily made of stretchable fabric to conform to the body of cyclist  101  for excellent aesthetic appearance. While providing high visibility, in a distinctive 360 degree coverage, the shape of garment  100  does not obscure the person&#39;s form. As the cyclist  101  moves band  110  and band  113  move. If the cyclist  101  move his arms up and down, as she typically would in giving hand signals, band  110  and band  113  will move to instantly attract attention, helping such signals be seen. From the side, there would be the appearance of a moving X moving across the field of vision in an eye-catching fashion. Consequently garment  100  will attract attention and that will save lives. Garment  100  is deceptively sophisticated. The added thoughtful presence of underarm opening  116  and underarm opening  117  gives a functional and stylish flair to garment  100 . 
         [0030]    Garment  100  can serve as an overlay that can blend into an existing shirt garment  120  to look like there is reflective fabric already on that outer-garment. It is also an option to be worn without a coat or shirt. If a backpack  800  is worn, garment  100  can be pulled over backpack  800  to maintain visibility at dusk and at night. 
         [0031]    Front panel  102  needs only be of sufficient height to hold band  110  so that band  110  can pass from one sleeve to the other to provide the 360 degree coverage desired. So, a height  121  of said panel  102  is within the range of from about 4 to about 8 inches at a center  122  of panel  102 . Likewise, second panel  200  has a height  210  within a range of from about 4 to about 8 inches at a center  211  of said second panel. Panel  102  and  200  would typically be of different heights for best fit, but it could be desirable to have them be of the same height for reversibility of front and back. 
         [0032]    Both full length sleeve  107  and short sleeve  507  are shown. It is to be understood that “short sleeve” is also intended to include any length less than full length, so that a three-quarter length sleeve (not shown), or any other mid-length sleeve would also be encompassed within the meaning of “short sleeve.” 
       Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0033]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of a second exemplary short sleeve safety garment  500 . A shorter first band  510  joints a shorter band  513  in a V-pattern at point  508  on left sleeve  507  and a horizontal band  520  is added for increased side visibility. 
       Operation of Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0034]    The operation of garment  500  is similar to that of garment  100 , as all that is really changed is sleeve length and reflective band configuration on the arms. As the arms move the reflective bands move to enhance visibility. 
       Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0035]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of a third safety garment  600  with a short left sleeve  607  which retains an X-pattern by raising crossing point  608  for shortened band  610  and shortened band  613  and having a horizontal band  620  for added visibility. 
       Operation of Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0036]    The operation of garment  600  is similar to that of garment  100  and garment  500 , as all that is really changed is sleeve length and reflective band configuration on the arms. As the arms move the reflective bands move to enhance visibility. 
       Fourth Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0037]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a fourth exemplary long sleeve safety garment  700  worn over a coat  701 . Garment  700  has a V shaped front panel  702  that provides access to make it easier to operate zipper  750  of coat  701  at both bottom  751  and and top  752 . Reflective band  710  is V-shaped to conform to panel  702 . Right band  730  and right band  731  cross at point  705  to form an X-pattern similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . Likewise left band  740  and left band  741  cross at point  708  to form an X-pattern similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       Operation of Fourth Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0038]    The operation of garment  700  is similar to that of garment  100  and garment  500 , as all that is really changed is front panel configuration and reflective band configuration on front of the arms. As the arms move the reflective band  730 , reflective band  731 , reflective band  740  and reflective band  741  move to enhance visibility. The top  703  of panel  702  is lowered to allow better access of top  752  of zipper  750 . 
         [0039]    With respect to the above exemplary description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. The exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. 
         [0040]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0041]    The claims below describe portions of a person wearing the garment for better clarity, but no portion of the person forms part of the claimed invention. Rather anatomical portions are for purposes of defining how the garment would appear when worn as being the best way of defining the garment, since the garment is intended to be worn and to have an eye-catching appearance when worn to enhance safety. It is intended that the garment itself is being claimed exclusive of the wearer.