Patent Publication Number: US-2021161231-A1

Title: Multiple-Layered, Tool Securing Barber Jacket

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This original non-provisional application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/871,269, filed Jul. 8, 2019, and entitled “Multiple-Layered, Tool Securing Barber Jacket,” which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to jackets, and more particularly, to a versatile water and hair resistant, tool-storing and securing multi-layered jacket for barbers and/or stylists who cut and prepare hair for others. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There exist different types of barber apparel in the market that include smocks, aprons, jackets and vests. They are either made of polyester or Lycra material, but not both. If they are not made of either, then it would be different material but generally such apparel is of a single-type of material used, and not multiple types of material. In addition, some of this barber apparel may include pockets. Others do not. Those with pockets do not have protective lining as an added safety feature. 
     When a barber or stylist is cutting hair, they need several different tools to perform the service. These tools include scissors, shears, straight razors, combs, clippers, clipper guards, bobby pins, and the like. Many times, the barber or stylist needs to use more than one tool in conjunction with other tools (e.g., scissors and combs, razors and pins, etc.), and must constantly be returning back to his or her workstation to put down one tool and pick up another, all while seamlessly continuing to cut and style the hair of the customer. This may involve having to rotate the customer on a rotatable chair or walk back to the workstation several times during one sitting. 
     Therefore, there is a need for barber apparel that incorporates multiple types of material, protectively lined pockets, and a mechanism for the barber or stylist to maintain the necessary tools of the trade on his or her person. There is also a further need for the apparel to include a water repelling material on the outside, while providing breathable material in the inside to keep the barber or stylist cool while performing hair cutting or styling services. There is still a further need to be able to use the apparel in a professional setting and, with some modification, be able to use the apparel in a more personal setting. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multiple layer article of clothing. The present invention combines various different types of material and is versatile for the barber and/or stylist. The outside of the jacket is a polyester material which repels water and hair. The inside of the jacket is made of a Lycra material to keep the barber or stylist cool, thus, minimizing or eliminating sweating altogether. The ends of the sleeves are elastic so as to provide a snug grip around the barber&#39;s wrist to prevent hair from entering into the jacket. 
     The more significant aspect of the barber jacket of the present invention is the incorporation of magnets on the sleeve (either or both sleeves). The present invention includes the ability to have detachable magnets for securing bobby pins, clips and various other metal based tools of the trade on the sleeve of the barber&#39;s or stylist&#39;s jacket. The use of these magnets in the sleeve allows the barber or stylist to releasably attach various tools that the barber continuously uses while cutting and styling hair. These tools include, by example and not by limitation, scissors, shears, scalpel, clippers, etc. Essentially the barber and stylist keep the tools on his or her person. The magnet portion is also removable from the jacket so that the barber or stylist may use the jacket outside of the barber shop or salon, for example, as personal jacket. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention has two sets of magnets which are attached to a folding flexible member. One of the two types of magnets of the present invention includes several magnets attached to the folding flexible member via sliding through a loop on the folding flexible member. The other type of magnet consists of grouping several, for example, fourteen (14), 1″×1″×1″, magnets that slant down distally from the middle section of the folding flexible member to be more configured like one&#39;s forearm. The present invention preferably utilizes a single magnet that curves to configure to one&#39;s forearm. 
     A leather pocket with a zipper is located at the breast area of the jacket. Two zippered pockets are located on the front of each side of the jacket on either side of the opening of the jacket. The opening can be sealed or unsealed using a zipper. The jacket also has an inside pocket for the barber or stylist to maintain his or her mobile device, such as a smartphone, iPod or other similar device. 
     Within each of the pockets is interior leather lining that includes a holster, also made of leather. The holster keeps the various tools secured and in place while in the pocket. The leather prevents sharp items from cutting through the material and injuring the barber or stylist, for example, scissors, cutting combs, and so acts as a safety feature. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a hood may also be incorporated into the barber jacket. In one embodiment, the hood is releasably attached via fasteners, such as buttons, hook-and-loop material or the like, to the collar. In another embodiment, the hood may be integrated with and stored within the collar, the hood held securely within the collar via fasteners, such as buttons, hook-and-loop material or zipper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front plan view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a partial front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a back plan view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the jacket opened. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a pocket in an opened position or configuration. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a partial front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a patch or receiving area on the sleeve. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a ferromagnetic member of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a partial front view of a sleeve and the ferromagnetic member of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the sleeve and the ferromagnetic member attached thereto. 
         FIG. 10  is a close up top perspective view of the sleeve of an embodiment of the present invention and a plurality of ferromagnetic members attached thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows jacket  10  of an embodiment of the present invention. Jacket  10  has exterior side  12  and interior side  14  and collar  64  at top end  62 . Sleeve  16  is on left side  46  of jacket  10 . Sleeve  18  is on right side  48  of jacket  10 . Elastic  20  is at end  26  of sleeve  18 . Similarly, elastic  22  is on end  24  of sleeve  16 . 
     At the breast pocket area on left side  46  of jacket  10  is pocket  28 . Left side  46  is the left side of jacket  10 , as viewed in  FIG. 1 , though left side  46  may also be considered the right side of jacket  10  from the perspective of the user wearing jacket  10 . Similarly, right side  48  is the right side of jacket  10  as viewed in the  FIG. 1 , though right side  48  may also be considered the left side of jacket  10  from the perspective of the user wearing jacket  10 . 
     Pocket  28  may be in an open position or configuration or in a closed position or configuration using fastener  32  along top  30  of pocket  28 . At the lower end of left side  46  (roughly around the waist line area) toward bottom end  50  is pocket  34  having fastener  38  along top  36  which may be used to have pocket  34  alternate between an opened configuration and a closed configuration. 
     At the lower end of right side  48  (roughly around the waist line area and opposite pocket  34 ), and near bottom end  52  is pocket  40  having fastener  44  along top  42 . A breast pocket (not shown) may also be included at the breast area of right side  48  of jacket  10 . Left side  46  may come together and fastened to right side  48  of jacket  10  via a fastener. Fastener  54  along end  56  of left side  46  releasably attaches to fastener  58  along end  60  of right side  48  of jacket  10 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an alternative embodiment of jacket  10  is shown. Collar  68  is now extended beyond top end  62  such that collar  68  may fully lay over exterior side  12 . Pocket  70  (shown in an open position) having fastener  74  along top  72  is positioned at the breast area of right side  48  of jacket  10 . Optionally, elastic stitching  76  may be incorporated within pocket  70 . Left side  46  and right side  48  are shown releasably attached together via fastener  54 . Exterior side  12  of jacket  10  is comprised of a water repellant material, such as polyester or the like. This polyester material further repels hair and facilitates maintaining the barber or stylist free from hair or water on the upper body while working. 
     The fastener used in the present invention is a zipper having the pull tab and crown (tab holder) on left side  46  of jacket  10 , and molded teeth for the zipper on both ends  56  and  60 , such that the crown brings the molded teeth from either side together as the zipper is zipped up. However, it is appreciated that the pull tab and crown (tab holder) may also be on right side  48  as preferred or desired by the user (e.g., male or female). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the back side of jacket  10  is shown. Stitching  78  divides the material on exterior side  12 . Elastic stitching  80  traverses the perimeter just inside and above bottom ends  52  and  50 . In an alternative embodiment, a drawstring (not shown) may pass through the opening formed by elastic stitching  80  so that the user may adjust how tight or how loose jacket  10  may hang. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , left side  46  and right side  48  are pulled apart, exposing interior side  14  of jacket  10 . Interior side  14  is comprised of a breathable material, such as Lycra, Spandex or the like. This material keeps the user cool and, thus, minimizes or eliminates sweating, and has a relaxed fit on the user. An inside pocket or pockets (not shown) may be included within interior side  14  of jacket  10  to place and secure the personal belongings, such as a wallet, checkbook or smart device (e.g., mobile phone or similar device), of the barber or stylist. These inside pockets may be located at the breast area or lower portion of inside interior  14  of jacket  10 . Ferromagnetic member  66  attached to folding flexible number  82  is also shown. This will be explained in further detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , pocket  70  is shown in an open configuration. Within inside  84  of pocket  70  is lining  86 . The lining may be comprised of leather as an added safety feature when holding sharp objects such as scissors, sheers, and the like. Holster  88  is attached to lining  84 . Folds  90  and  92  on holster  88  are used to secure various tools of the trade for the barber or stylist, including scissors, sheers, blades and the like. While the present invention only shows two folds, additional folds may be incorporated into holster  88  to accommodate additional tools. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , fastener  74  along top  72  of pocket  70  is used to secure items within pocket  70  in a closed position (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) or, in an open position, to allow the tools to be removed. Elastic stitching  76  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2 and 6 ) provides for added security for the contents held within pocket  70 . While the present invention only shows a single pocket having a leather liner and leather holster, each pocket (whether exterior or interior) would have the same leather lining and holster configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , patch or receiving area  94  on sleeve  18  is shown. Stitching  104  around the perimeter of patch or receiving area  94  secures patch or receiving area  94  in place. Patch or receiving area  94  is comprised of leather or similar resistant material that blends into and appears uniform with jacket  10 . Elastic  20  at end  26  includes a stretch fabric that cuffs the wrist of the barber or stylist preventing hair freshly cut from a customer from getting into the inside of jacket  10 , thus, allowing the barber or stylist to be hair free. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , ferromagnetic member  66  is shown. Ferromagnetic member  66  may be a permanent magnet or comprised of ferromagnetic material. Ferromagnetic member  66  may be a single piece, or may be a plurality of ferromagnetic members  66   a - 66   l  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ). Ferromagnetic member  66  is attached to folding flexible number  82 . Ends  102  and  102  of folding flexible number  82  extend beyond the perimeter of ferromagnetic member  66  and act as tabs. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show how ferromagnetic member  66  is releasably attached to sleeve  18  of jacket  10 . Ends  100  and  102 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , act as tabs to secure ferromagnetic member  66  to sleeve  18 . To accomplish this, end  100  is inserted under elastic stitching  96 . Patch or receiving area  94  receives ferromagnetic member  66  such that ferromagnetic member  66  then rests on patch or receiving area  94 . End  102  is then inserted under elastic stitching  98 . Once both ends  100 ,  102  are in place, ferromagnetic member  66  is secured with end  100  underneath elastic stitching  96  and end  102  underneath elastic stitching  98 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The plurality of ferromagnetic members  66   a - 66   l  may be used, as shown in  FIG. 10 . However, it is preferably for a single ferromagnetic member configured to accommodate the shape of the forearm of a barber or stylist to be used. Elastic  20  at end  26  prevents freshly cut hair from a customer from entering in interior  106  of sleeve  18 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, a second ferromagnetic member (not shown) may be either sewn into or held within a pocket within the interior lining of sleeve  18  below receiving area  94  and opposite ferromagnetic member  66  such that when ferromagnetic member  66  is placed on receiving area  94 , ferromagnetic member  66  will be held in place via the attractive magnetic forces generated between ferromagnetic member  66  and the second ferromagnetic member. While the present invention shows ferromagnetic member  66  on sleeve  18 , sleeve  16  may also be configured to accommodate ferromagnetic member  66 . In other words, ferromagnetic member  66  may be on either or both sleeves. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a hood may also be incorporated into the barber jacket. In one embodiment, the hood is releasably attached via fasteners, such as buttons, hook-and-loop material or the like, to the collar. In another embodiment, the hood may be integrated with and stored within the collar, the hood held securely within the collar via fasteners, such as buttons, hook-and-loop material or zipper. The present invention has application in the hair and salon industry. 
     The various embodiments described herein may be used singularly or in conjunction with other similar devices. The present disclosure includes preferred or illustrative embodiments of specifically described apparatuses, assemblies, and systems. Alternative embodiments of such apparatuses, assemblies, and systems can be used in carrying out the invention as described herein. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings.