Patent Abstract:
A tool kit vest assembly securely holds and provides easy access to tools, allows for adjustment of the vest, and provides ventilation to dissipate heat. The assembly includes a flexible panel having a first end and a second end. An aperture is positioned in the panel between the first end and the second end and between a pair of lateral sides of the panel. A dorsal portion of the panel extends from the aperture to the first end of the panel. A pocket is coupled to the panel. A flap is coupled to the pocket and is positionable between an opened position and a closed position. An interior fastener couples the flap to the pocket when the flap is in the closed position. An exterior fastener couples the flap to the panel when the flap is in the opened position.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates to vest assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new vest assembly for securely holding and providing easy access to tools, allowing adjustment of the vest for a better fit, and providing ventilation to dissipate heat accumulated within the vest. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a flexible panel having a first end, a second end, and a pair of lateral sides extending between the first end and the second end. An aperture is positioned in the panel between the first end and the second end and between the lateral sides of the panel. The aperture defines a dorsal portion of the panel extending from the aperture to the first end of the panel when the panel is draped over shoulders of a person while a neck of the person extends through the aperture. A pocket is coupled to the panel and has an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a perimeter wall extending between the open top end and the closed bottom end. The closed bottom end and the perimeter wall define an interior space configured for holding a plurality of tools. A top edge of the perimeter wall defines an opening into the interior space. A flap is coupled to the pocket and is positionable between an opened position and a closed position wherein the flap closes the opening when the flap is in the closed position and the flap exposes the opening when the flap is in the opened position. An interior fastener couples the flap to the pocket when the flap is in the closed position. An exterior fastener couples the flap to the panel when the flap is in the opened position. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure 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 disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other that 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 top front side perspective view of a tool kit vest assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure in use. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a back, view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a pocket of an embodiment of the disclosure in use and in the opened position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, a new vest assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the tool kit vest assembly  10  generally comprises a flexible panel  12  having a first end  14 , a second end  16 , and a pair of lateral sides  18 ,  20  extending between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . The panel  12  is preferably made from canvas or other lightweight material. An aperture  22  is positioned in the panel  12  between the first end  14  and the second end  16  and between the lateral sides  18 ,  20  of the panel  12 . The aperture  22  defines a dorsal portion  24  of the panel  12  extending from the aperture  22  to the first end  14  of the panel  12  when the panel  12  is draped over shoulders  26  of a person while a neck.  28  of the person extends through the aperture  22 . The aperture  22  further defines a ventral portion  30  of the panel  12  extending from a forward edge  32  of the aperture  22  to the second end  16  of the panel  12  when the panel  12  is draped over the shoulders  26  of the person while the neck  28  of the person is positioned in the aperture  22 . The forward edge  32  of the aperture  22   12  is preferably U-shaped. A pair of holes  34 ,  36  is positioned in the panel  12  between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . Each of the holes  34 ,  36  is positioned in an associated one of the lateral sides  18 ,  20  proximate the aperture  22  wherein the holes  34 ,  36  are configured for receiving a person&#39;s arms  38  therethrough when the panel  12  is draped over the shoulders  26  of the person and the neck  28  of the person is positioned in the aperture  22 . An outer edge  40  of each of the holes  34 ,  36  is concavely curved into the ventral and dorsal portions  30 ,  24  of the panel  12 . 
     A plurality of interwoven strands  42  is coupled to the first end  14  of the panel  12  wherein the strands  42  define a semi-permeable barrier  44  in the panel  12  configured to prevent heat from accumulating in the panel  12 . The strands  42  extend between the lateral sides  18 ,  20  of the panel  12 . The strands  42  are offset from the aperture  22 , a bottom edge  46  of the panel  12 , and the lateral sides  18 ,  20  of the panel  12 . The strands  42  are offset from the aperture  22  and the bottom edge  46  of the panel  12  a greater distance than the strands  42  are offset from the lateral sides  18 ,  20 . The dorsal portion  24  of the panel  12  surrounding the strands  42  is of increased strength as compared to the ventral portion  30  of the panel  12  so as to provide increased stiffness for areas of high stress. Similarly, the panel  12  is of increased strength surrounding the aperture  22  and above the shoulders  26  of the person when the panel is draped over the shoulders  26  of the person. A slit  48  extends between the second end  16  of the panel  12  and the aperture  22 . The slit  48  extends transversely between the aperture  22  and the second end  16  of the panel  12  and defines a first side  50  and a second side  52  of the second end  16 . A slide fastener  54  is coupled to opposite edges  56 ,  58  of the slit  48 . The slide fastener  54  comprises a pair of complementary toothed tracks  60 ,  62  and a graspable portion  64 . The graspable portion  64  is coupled to the toothed tracks  60 ,  62  wherein the graspable portion  64  interlocks the toothed tracks  60 ,  62  when pulled upwardly toward the aperture  22  and separates the toothed tracks  60 ,  62  when pulled downwardly away from the aperture  22 . 
     A plurality of pockets  66  is coupled to the panel  12 . Each of the pockets  66  has an open top end  68 , a closed bottom end  70 , a perimeter wall  72 , and a front side  102  positioned opposite a back side  104 . The perimeter wall  72  extends between the open top end  68  and the closed bottom end  70 . The closed bottom end  70  and the perimeter wall  72  define an interior space  74  configured for holding a plurality of items  76 . A top edge  78  of the perimeter wall  72  defines an opening  80  into the interior space  74 . The plurality of pockets  66  further comprises a first pocket array  82  and a second pocket array  84 . The first pocket array  82  is coupled to the first side  50  of the second end  16  of the panel  12 . The pockets  66  of the first pocket array  82  comprise a first pocket  86 , a second pocket  88 , a third pocket  90 , a fourth pocket  92 , and a fifth pocket  94 . The first pocket  86  is positioned proximate the aperture  22 . The third pocket  90  is positioned distally relative to the aperture  22 . The second pocket  88  is positioned between the first pocket  86  and the third pocket  90 . The fourth and fifth pockets  92 ,  94  are coupled to the third pocket  90 . The fourth and fifth pockets  92 ,  94  are spaced and horizontally aligned. The fifth pocket  94  is positioned nearer the slide fastener  54  than the fourth pocket  92 . The fourth pocket  92  may hold a handheld transceiver device. A medial section  96  of the fifth pocket  94  defines a notch  98  extending into the closed bottom end  70  of the fifth pocket  94 . The notch  98  is positioned between opposite ends  100  of the fifty pocket  94 . The notch  98  extends between the front side and back side  102 ,  104  of the fifth pocket  94 . The notch  98  has a pair of opposed ends  106  and a medial portion  108  coupling the opposed ends  106  wherein the fifth pocket  94  has a size and shape configured to receive a tape measuring tool  110 . 
     The second pocket array  84  is coupled to the second side  52  of the second end  16  of the panel  12 . The pockets  66  of the second pocket array  84  comprise a top pocket  112 , a middle pocket  114 , a bottom pocket  116 , and a supplemental pocket  118 . The top pocket  112  is positioned proximate the aperture  22 . The bottom pocket  116  is positioned distally relative to the aperture  22 . The middle pocket  114  is positioned between the top pocket  112  and the bottom pocket  116 . A strap  120  extends across the opening  80  of the supplemental pocket  118 . The strap  120  extends from the front side  102  to the back side  104  of the supplemental pocket  118  wherein the strap  120  is configured to secure an electronic device  126 , such as a cell phone, within the interior space  74  of the supplemental pocket  118 . 
     The first pocket  86 , the second pocket  88 , the third pocket  90 , the top pocket  112 , the middle pocket  114 , and the bottom pocket  116  define main pockets  128 . The interior space  74  of the main pockets  128  is configured to hold a plurality of tools  130 . The main pockets  128  of the first pocket array  82  are spaced and vertically aligned. The main pockets  128  of the second pocket array  84  are spaced and vertically aligned. A plurality of spaced vertical partitions  132  is coupled to the top pocket  112 , the middle pocket  114 , the first pocket  86 , and the second pocket  88 . The partitions  132  extend through the interior space  74  and define a plurality of compartments  134  within the pockets  66  wherein the compartments  134  are configured for organizing and separating tools  130  placed within the pockets  66 . A length of the pockets  66  extends from each of the open top ends  68  to an associated one of the closed bottom ends  70 . The third pocket  90  and the bottom pocket  116  are equal in length wherein each has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and 30 centimeters. The second pocket  88  has a longer length than the middle pocket  114  wherein the second pocket  88  has a length between approximately 10 centimeters and 20 centimeters and the middle pocket  114  has a length between approximately 8 centimeters and 18 centimeters. The first rocket  86  has a longer length than the top pocket  112  wherein the first pocket  86  has a length between approximately 5 centimeters and 15 centimeters and the top pocket  112  has a length between approximately 3 centimeters and 12 centimeters. 
     A flap  136  is coupled to the main pockets  128  and the fourth and fifth pockets  92 ,  94 . The flap  136  is positionable between an opened position  138  and a closed position  140  wherein the flap  136  closes the opening  80  when the flap  136  is in the closed position  140  and the flap  136  exposes the opening  80  when the flap  136  is in the opened position  138 . A pair of interior fasteners  142  is provided. A first one  144  of the interior fasteners  142  couples each of the flaps  136  to the pockets  66  when the flaps  136  are in the closed position  140 . The interior fasteners  142  enable the flaps  136  to remain in the closed position  140  when desired. A second one  146  of the interior fasteners  142  couples a first end  148  of the strap  120  to the supplemental pocket  118 . The interior fasteners  142  are complementary portions  150 ,  152  of hook and loop fastener. One of the complementary portions  150 ,  152  of hook and loop fastener of the first one  144  of the interior fasteners  142  is a square-shaped strip coupled to an inside face  154  of the flaps  136 . One of the complementary portions  150 ,  152  of hook and loop fastener of each of the first and second one  144 ,  146  of the interior fasteners  142  is an elongated strip positioned vertically on the front side  102  of the pockets  66 . One of the complementary portions  150 ,  152  of hook and loop fastener of the second one  146  of the interior fasteners  142  is coupled to an inner face  158  of the first end  148  of the strap  120 . The complementary portions  150 ,  152  of hook and loop fastener of the interior fasteners  142  are vertically aligned. 
     A pair of exterior fasteners  160  is provided. A first one  162  of the exterior fasteners  160  couples the flaps  136  of the main pockets  128  to the panel  12  when the flaps  136  are in the opened position  138 . A second one  164  of the exterior fasteners  160  couples the flap  136  of the fifth pocket  94  to the third pocket  90  when the flap  136  is in the opened position  138 . The exterior fasteners  160  permit the flaps  136  to remain in the opened position  138  when desired. The exterior fastener  160  may be complementary portions  166 ,  168  of hook and loop fastener. The complementary portions  166 ,  168  of hook and loop fastener of the exterior fastener  160  are vertically aligned. Each of the complementary portions  166 ,  168  of hook and loop fastener of the exterior fastener  160  is a square-shaped strip. One of the complementary portions  166 ,  168  of hook and loop fastener of each of the first and second one  162 ,  164  of the exterior fasteners  160  is coupled to an exterior face  170  of the flap  136 . One of the complementary portions  166 ,  168  of hook and loop fastener of the first one  162  of the exterior fasteners  160  is coupled to the panel  12  proximate an upper edge  172  of the flap  136 . One of the complementary portions  166 ,  1 . 68  of hook and loop fastener of the second one  164  of the exterior fasteners  160  is coupled to the front side  102  of the third pocket  90 . 
     Each of the exterior fasteners  160  has a length equal to its width wherein the length and width are each between approximately 0.5 centimeters and 3 centimeters. Each of the elongated strips of the interior fasteners  142  has a width between approximately 0.5 centimeters and 2 centimeters and a length between approximately 2 centimeters and 8 centimeters. 
     A loop  183  is coupled to the second side  52  of the second end  66 . The loop  183  is positioned below the bottom pocket  116  nearer to the slit  48  than the lateral side  20 . The loop  183  is arcuate and has a first end  184  spaced from a second end  136 . The loop  183  extends outwardly from the panel  12  wherein the loop  183  is configured for holding a hammer therein. A pair of first fasteners  188  couples the first end  184  of the loop  183  to the panel  12 . A pair of second fasteners  190  couples the second end  186  of the loop  183  to the panel  12 . The pairs of first and second fasteners  188 ,  190  are preferably rivets, though other conventional fasteners may be used instead. The loop  183  is preferably comprised of leather, though other suitable materials fall within the scope of the invention. The loop  183  has a thickness between approximately 0.05 centimeters and 2.0 centimeters, a height between approximately 1.5 centimeters and 4.5 centimeters, and a length between approximately 5.0 centimeters and 10.0 centimeters. 
     A pair of glove holders  192  is coupled to the panel  12 . Each of the glove holders  192  is positioned on an associated one of the first side  50  and the second side  52  of the second end  16  proximate the aperture  22 . Each of the glove holders  192  comprises a loop having a first end  194  spaced from a second end  196 . The glove holders  192  extend outwardly from the panel  12  wherein each of the glove holders  192  is configured for holding one of a pair of gloves therein. The glove holders  192  are preferably stitched to the area of the panel  12  having increased strength and are preferably constructed from the same material as that of the panel  12 . An inner fastener  198  is coupled to the panel  12  and to an inner surface of each of the first and second ends  194 ,  196  of the glove holders  192  such that the inner fastener  198  couples the glove holders  192  to the panel  12 . The inner fastener  198  may be complementary portions of a hook and loop fastener. The inner fastener  198  preferably has the same dimensions as each of the exterior fasteners  160 . 
     A pair of side straps  174  is coupled to the panel  12 . Each of the side straps  174  is positioned on an associated one of the lateral sides  18 ,  20  of the panel  12 . The side straps  174  extend from the first end  14  to the second end  16  of the panel  12 . A side fastener  176  is coupled to each of the side straps  174 . The side fastener  176  comprises first and second complementary portions  178 ,  180  wherein the first and second complementary portions  178 ,  180  are selectively engaged to permit adjustability of the panel  12  via adjustment of the side straps  174 . Each the side fasteners  176  preferably comprises a buckle  182 . 
     In use, as stated above and shown in the Figures, the panel  12  is secured around the neck  28  of a person, such that the panel  12  is draped over the torso and shoulders  26  of the person, while the neck  28  of the person extends through the aperture  22 . The graspable portion  64  of the slide fastener  54  is pulled upwardly toward the aperture  22  so as to interlock the toothed tracks  60 ,  62 . The side straps  174  are adjusted to adjust the panel  12 . Items  76 , such as tools  130  and electronic devices  126 , are placed in the pockets  66 . The flaps  136  are moved to the closed position  140  to secure the items  76  within the interior space  74  of the pockets  66 . The flaps  136  are moved to the opened position  138  to retrieve the items  76  when desired. To remove the panel  12 , the graspable portion  64  of the slide fastener  54  is pulled downwardly away from the aperture  22  so as to separate the toothed tracks  60 ,  62 . 
     With respect to the above 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. 
     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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0