Patent Publication Number: US-6662373-B2

Title: Utility vest with universal tool pouch adapter and method for using same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Workers, tradesmen, sportsmen, hobbyists and others must carry and retain tools or other supplies within easy reach to accomplish their various tasks. Ideally, a means for transporting tools and accessories should minimize strain on the user&#39;s back and over-heating, while enabling the user to use readily available tool and accessory pouches. 
     Tool belts have been used to carry tools and other items and a great many tool pouches and other accessory carriers have been adapted for attachment to them. Unfortunately however, tool belts generally create an uneven strain on the back of the user and are often bulky and uncomfortable to wear. So though using a tool belt may provide a user a wide selection of tool and accessory pouches, it is at a cost to the user&#39;s back, legs and general comfort. 
     Utility vests, by contrast, generally are more comfortable to wear and create less strain on the back and legs of a user. However, these do not provide the user with the wide selection of generic and readily available tool pouches available for use with tool belts, requiring instead that a user purchase pouches with specialized means of attachment to the vest. Additionally, many of the tool vests on the market today, are constructed of leather or heavy canvas materials that have an insulating effect and do not enable a user to cool properly. 
     Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,650 to Baacke, U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,931 to Trawinski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,315 to Crane, U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,421 to Barbour, U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,456 to Elin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,526 to Clutts, and U.S. Pat. 4,106,121 to Belson. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: 
     (a) they provide only limited (and often specialized) means of attaching various tool or accessory pouches and thus do not allow the use of generally available tool belt type pouches, requiring instead that a user invest in a new set of pouches; 
     (b) they do not minimize strain to a user&#39;s back and legs; and, 
     (c) they are insulating and restrict the ability of a user to cool down. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a utility vest that minimizes strain and insulation to a user, while enabling the user to attach to it a wide selection of already available tool and accessory pouches. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a utility vest that satisfies these needs. A utility vest having features of the present invention comprises a vest portion having a back portion and two front side portions defining two armholes, a neck opening and a reinforced bottom edge along which are spaced more than one aperture, and one or more adapter portions. The adapter portions are comprised of a rectangular staking plate on which are mounted two or more attachment means for securing the adapter portion to the reinforced bottom edge of the vest portion by insertion of the attachment means into the apertures at a location selected by a user. The staking plate is sized in width to enable the tool pouch&#39;s tool belt type attachment means to be fitted thereon prior to attachment of the adapter portion to the vest portion. In this way, the utility vest will have attached to it one or more tool pouches having a tool belt type attachment means. 
     In another aspect, the vest portion is comprised of a strong and durable mesh material to enable ventilation of a user while supporting the weight of the tool pouches and their contents. 
     In another aspect, the apertures include reinforcement grommets to add strength to the apertures and to enable secure attachment of the one or more adapter portions when their attachment means are inserted therein. 
     In another aspect, the staking plate comprises a rigid material able to hold a slight curve to enable its proper fitting to the bottom edge of the vest portion and may optionally be sized in length to fit the entire length of the bottom edge of the vest portion. 
     In another aspect, one or more pocket means and pocket attachment means for detachably securing said pocket means to the front side portions of the vest are provided. 
     In another aspect, an insertable extender portion is provided to extend the girth of the vest portion to enable its fit over heavier clothing. 
     In another aspect, a method for attaching one or more tool pouches having a tool belt type attachment means to a utility vest is provided, comprising providing a vest portion having a back portion and two front side portions defining two armholes, a neck opening and a reinforced bottom edge along which are spaced more than one aperture; providing one or more adapter portions, having a rectangular staking plate on which are mounted two or more attachment means for securing the adapter portions to the reinforced bottom edge of the vest portion, the staking plate being sized in width to enable the at least one tool pouch having a tool belt type attachment means to be fitted thereon prior to attachment of the adapter portion to the vest portion; fitting the tool belt type attachment means of the tool pouch onto the staking plate of the adapter portion; and, detachably securing the adapter portion and tool pouch fitted thereon to the reinforced bottom edge of the vest by inserting the attachment means in at least two of the apertures at a selected location, thereby attaching to the utility vest one or more tool pouches otherwise adapted for use with a tool belt. 
     Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     a) means for attaching tool belt type tool and accessory pouches to a utility vest so as to enable a user of the vest to use their own or other readily available generic tool belt type pouches, thus avoiding the need to purchase pouches with specialized attachment means; 
     b) means for providing a durable and strong utility vest that optimizes cooling while supporting the weight of attached tool pouches and their contents; 
     c) means for enabling the easy expansion of a utility vest&#39;s girth so as to enable its use over heavy clothing so that access to pockets and pouches remains unobstructed; and, 
     d) means for minimizing strain on the user&#39;s back by providing a utility vest instead of a tool belt, the vest allowing attachment of tool pouches at variable locations along its bottom edge so as to distribute weight evenly. 
    
    
     The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be exhaustive. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a version of the utility vest with attached tool pouches and optional pocket means. 
     FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the reinforced bottom edge of the utility vest with apertures and adapter portion with latch attachment means; 
     FIG. 3 shows an adapter portion with tool pouches fitted thereto; 
     FIG. 4 shows a full-sized version of an adapter portion sized in length to fit the entire reinforced bottom edge of the utility vest; and, 
     FIG. 5 shows a girth extender portion inserted between the two front side portions to extend the girth of the vest portion. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference Numerals In Drawings: 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 adapter portion 
                 12 
                 attachment means of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 adapter portion 
               
               
                 15 
                 staking plate of adapter portion 
                 20 
                 reinforced bottom edge of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 vest portion 
               
               
                 21 
                 vest portion 
                 22 
                 aperture with reinforcing 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 grommet 
               
               
                 24 
                 attachment means of front sides 
                 25 
                 mesh material 
               
               
                 26 
                 attachment means of pocket 
                 28 
                 pocket means 
               
               
                 29 
                 girth extender portion 
                 30 
                 tool pouch 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now specifically to the figures, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, a detailed description of the present invention is given. It should be understood that the following detailed description relates to the best presently known embodiment of the invention. However, the present invention can assume numerous other embodiments, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the appended claims. 
     It should also be understood that, while the method disclosed herein may be described and shown with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, these steps may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a frontal view of a version of a utility vest is shown with attached tool pouches  30 , optional pocket means  28  and pocket attachment means  26 . The utility vest comprises a vest portion  21  and one or more adapter portions  10  (see FIGS. 2 to  4 ). The vest portion  21  has a back and two front side portions defining two armholes, a neck opening and a reinforced bottom edge  20  along which are spaced several apertures  22 . 
     The two front side portions are detachably secured one to the other by an attachment means  24  that may be a heavy duty zipper as shown or some other form of attachment such as snaps, hook and mesh closures or the like. In one version, the zipper is a one-way zipper to avoid the possibility of the bottom opening while a user is working. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the vest portion  21  may further include an insertable girth extender portion  29  to expand its girth. Such a girth extender  29  is made of the same mesh material as the rest of the vest  21  (see below), is basically rectangular in shape but may be slightly wider at its bottom edge, and is attached by insertion between the two front side portions by zipper or other attachment means  24 . It may function to enable a wearer to enlarge the girth of the vest when heavier clothing such as jackets are worn, or when the wearer&#39;s weight changes. Enabling a wearer to wear the heavier clothing under the vest rather than over it ensures that all tool pouches and pocket means  28  will remain exposed and accessible, even in colder weather. 
     The vest portion  21  is largely constructed of a mesh material  25  that is strong and durable so as to support the weight of the tool pouches  30  while enabling airflow to ventilate the user. The mesh material  25  may be a plastic material or other like materials including other synthetics that may provide an advantage over natural materials such as cotton or linen, by not absorbing odor-causing perspiration as easily. 
     The bottom edge  20  of the vest portion is made of a reinforcing material such as a heavy canvas, leather, rubber, plastic, nylon or other like material. The apertures  22  may be likewise reinforced for greater durability by use of reinforcing grommets or the like (as depicted in FIG.  2 ). 
     One or more optional pocket means  28  may be provided to enable a user to hold smaller accessories within handy reach. The pocket means  28  are detachably secured to one or both front portions of the vest  21 , by pocket attachment means  26 . The pocket attachment means  26  may comprise releasable closure mechanisms having normally connected male and female elements respectively attached to a top edge of the pocket means  28  and to a front side portion, and normally joining them together for detachably securing the pocket means  28  to the vest  21 . The pocket attachment means 26 may furthermore enable the pocket means  28  to be hingedly connected to the front side portion in order to enable a bottom edge of the pocket means  28  to swing away from the adjacent front panel so that if the user bends over forwardly from the waist, items placed in the pocket means  28  will not fall out and will remain accessible to the user. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the adapter portion  10  comprises a staking plate  15  having a rectangular shape with a length and a width greater than its height forming a front and a back broader surface and four narrower edge surfaces, the front surface having mounted thereon two or more attachment means  12  for securing the adapter portion to the reinforced bottom edge  20  of the vest portion  21  by insertion of its attachment means  12  into the apertures  22  at a location selected by a user. The user can thereby position the tool pouches  30  to distribute the weight evenly to minimize back and leg strain. The attachment means  12  may be twist latch mechanisms as depicted in FIGS. 1-4 (FIG. 1 showing the latches  12  in the closed position), or other like devices for detachably securing the adapter portions  10  to the bottom edge  20  of the vest. For example, if the attachment means  12  is a twist latch mechanism, the latch is inserted into the aperture  22  when in the open position, then it is twisted to secure the adapter portion  10  to the bottom edge  20 . When the latch is again positioned in the open position, the adapter portion  10  may be detached from the bottom edge  20 . In this way, the attachment means  12  are used to detachably secure the adapter portion  10  to the bottom edge  20 . 
     The adapter portion  10  is generally sized in length to allow several to be fitted along the length of the bottom edge  22 . However, an alternative version as depicted in FIG. 4 may be employed in which the adapter portion  10  is sized in length to fit the entire bottom edge  20  and contains more than two attachment means  12  distributed along its length. 
     The staking plate  15  is sized in width to enable a tool pouch  30  having a generic tool belt type attachment means, to be fitted thereon prior to attachment of the adapter portion  10  to the vest portion  21  (see FIG.  3 ). The staking plate  15  essentially mimics a portion of a tool belt over which the tool pouch  30  is slid as it would be on a tool belt. The staking plate  15  is constructed of a rigid durable material such as a hard plastic and is shaped to curve slightly in order to fit properly to the curve of the bottom edge  20  of the vest portion  21 . 
     HOW THE INVENTION IS USED 
     The adapter portion  10  is designed to enable readily available tool pouches  30  adapted to be fitted on a tool belt, to fit easily on it. A user simply slips the adapter portion  10  into the tool belt type attachment means of the tool pouch  30 , as if it were a portion of a tool belt. Depending on the size of the adapter portion  10  and tool pouches  30  used, one or more tool pouches  30  may be fitted onto an adapter  10  (see FIG. 3, for example of two pouches  30  fitting). 
     Once an adapter portion  10  is fitted with one or more tool pouches  30 , the adapter portion may be detachably secured to the bottom edge  20  of the vest by inserting its attachment means  12  into the apertures  22 . In the case of a twist latch attachment means  12 , the latch is twisted after insertion to secure the adapter  10  to the vest  21  (as shown in FIG.  1 ), and twisted back to enable its removal. The user may attach one or more adapters  10  at locations along the bottom edge  20  to distribute the weight of the tool pouches  30  and their content evenly, and to enable access to tools or other accessories of the user&#39;s choice. Alternatively, when the full length version of the adapter portion  10  is used (FIG.  4 ), tool pouches  30  may simply be arranged and spaced along its length to accomplish the same. 
     Optional pocket means  28  may be attached to one or both of the front side portions of the vest  21  to carry smaller accessories within handy reach of the user. The pocket means  28  may be detachably secured to the front by the pocket attachment means  26 . 
     Once fully assembled, the utility vest may be worn over the clothing of the user to enable easy and unobstructed access to the various tool pouches  30  and pocket means  28  employed. Attaching the optional girth extender by the attachment means  24 , enables the user to wear the utility vest over heavier clothing avoiding the need for a user to wear a jacket over the vest which would obstruct access to the pockets  28  and pouches  30 . 
     ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including: 
     a) means for attaching tool belt type tool and accessory pouches to a utility vest so as to enable a user of the vest to use their own or other readily available generic tool belt type pouches, thus avoiding the need to purchase pouches with specialized attachment means; 
     b) means for providing a durable and strong utility vest that optimizes cooling while supporting the weight of attached tool pouches and their contents; 
     c) means for enabling the easy expansion of a utility vest&#39;s girth so as to enable its use over heavy clothing so that access to pockets and pouches remains unobstructed; and, 
     d) means for minimizing strain on the user&#39;s back by providing a utility vest instead of a tool belt, the vest allowing attachment of tool pouches at variable locations along its bottom edge so as to distribute weight evenly. 
     The present invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment thereof. 
     CLOSING 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.