Patent Publication Number: US-6336222-B1

Title: Combination vest and backpack

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to vest devices and more particularly pertains to a new combination vest and backpack for combining a reflective vest for high visibility and a backpack. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of vest devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, vest devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,014,359; 5,695,853; 5,797,143; 5,909,802; U.S. Des. Patent No. 316,172; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,436. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new combination vest and backpack. The inventive device includes a vest. The vest has a chest portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion and a pair of shoulder straps. The chest portion is divided into a left side and right side. The back portion comprises an inside panel and an outer panel coupled together such that a space is defined between the inside and outer panels. The outer panel has at least one opening therein extending into the space. The front and back side portions each has an outer surface comprising a generally reflective material. A closing means selectively closes of the opening. A fastening means releasably fastens the left side of the chest portion to the right side. 
     In these respects, the combination vest and backpack according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of combining a reflective vest for high visibility and a backpack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of vest devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new combination vest and backpack construction wherein the same can be utilized for combining a reflective vest for high visibility and a backpack. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new combination vest and backpack apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the vest devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new combination vest and backpack which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested. or even implied by any of the prior art vest devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a vest. The vest has a chest portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion and a pair of shoulder straps. The chest portion is divided into a left side and right side. The back portion comprises an inside panel and an outer panel coupled together such that a space is defined between the inside and outer panels. The outer panel has at least one opening therein extending into the space. The front and back side portions each has an outer surface comprising a generally reflective material. A closing means selectively closes of the opening. A fastening means releasably fastens the left side of the chest portion to the right side. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new combination vest and backpack apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the vest devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new combination vest and backpack which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art vest devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new combination vest and backpack which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new combination vest and backpack which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new combination vest and backpack which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such combination vest and backpack economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new combination vest and backpack which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new combination vest and backpack for combining a reflective vest for high visibility and a backpack. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new combination vest and backpack which includes a vest. The vest has a chest portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion and a pair of shoulder straps. The chest portion is divided into a left side and right side. The back portion comprises an inside panel and an outer panel coupled together such that a space is defined between the inside and outer panels. The outer panel has at least one opening therein extending into the space. The front and back side portions each has an outer surface comprising a generally reflective material. A closing means selectively closes of the opening. A fastening means releasably fastens the left side of the chest portion to the right side. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new combination vest and backpack that may be worn by a bicyclist for providing high visibility for the bicyclist and a convenient means for carrying items. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective back view of a new combination vest and backpack according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new combination vest and backpack embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the combination vest and backpack  10  generally comprises a vest  12 . The vest  12  has a chest portion  14 , a pair of side portions  16 , a back portion  18  and a pair of shoulder straps  20 . The chest portion  14  is divided into a left side  22  and right side  24 . The back portion  18  comprises an inside panel  26  and an outer panel  28  coupled together such that a space is defined between the inside  26  and outer  28  panels. A plurality of intermediate walls  30  is securely attached to an inner surface of the outer panel  28  such that the space is divided into a plurality of compartments. The outer panel  28  has a plurality of openings  32  therein. Each of the openings  32  is elongate and extends into one of the compartments. Each of the side portions  16  comprises a resiliently flexible material to allow fitting for a variety of sizes. The chest  14  and back  18  portions each has an outer surface comprising a generally reflective material. Ideally the outer surface is colored green and orange. 
     A plurality of closing means selectively closes each of the openings. Each of the closing means is securely attached to the outer panel and positioned over one of the openings  32 . Each of the closing means ideally comprises a zipper member  34 . 
     A fastening means releasably fastens the left side  22  of the chest portion to the right side. The fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastening means comprising a hook portion  36  and loop portion  38 . The hook portion  36  is securely attached to an inside surface of the right side  24 . The loop portion  38  is securely attached to an outer surface of the left side  22 . 
     In use, the vest  12  is worn as a conventional vest. The back of the vest has openings therein for entrance into the compartments. The back of the vest generally forms a backpack portion of the device. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, 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 the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention 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 invention.