Abstract:
A vest particularly suited for survival purposes is disclosed. The vest has removably attachable pockets as well as a removably attachable hoisting harness so as to facilitate the needs for survival and, in addition, has provisions for easily adjusting the size thereof.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional No. 60/121,372 filed Feb. 25, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1.0 Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a vest that is donned by a user and, more particularly, to a vest having removably attachable pockets to accommodate survival equipment and removably attachable hoisting harness usable during emergency conditions. 
     2.0 Description of the Prior Art 
     Vests comprise a sleeveless garment and are commonly donned by users and extend from the neck region to the waist region of the user. Vests also serve survival functions such as a life preserver for floatation purposes and as well as provide facilities, such as pockets, for housing survival equipment, such as knives. Vests find frequent usage in hunting and fishing activities. 
     Vests commonly comprise a relatively large amount of pockets having capacities to accommodate other survival equipment such as knives, hand warmers and pistols. It is desired that the vest be provided with removable pockets providing different storage capacities so that one vest may be customized to serve the unique requirements of the many different users donning essentially the same survival vest. 
     Vests are commonly donned by users that sometimes find themselves in dangerous situations requiring their immediate withdrawal therefrom by airborne machines, such as helicopters. These vests find frequent usage in police activities, such as SWAT teams, and drug enforcement agencies. It is desired that vests be provided with a hoisting harness to facilitate the removal by airborne equipment from dangerous situations. Further, it is desired that this hoisting harness be removable from the vest when desired. 
     Vests are also commonly donned by users having different body proportionate dimensions. Unless the size of the vest is adjustable the user may look sloppily dressed and, more importantly, the size of the vest may interfere with the activities, such as fishing, hunting and police enforcement, being undertaken by the user. It is desired to provide means for easily adjusting the size of the vest so that one vest accommodates the proportionate dimensions of many users. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vest having removably attachable pockets. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vest having a removably attachable hoisting harness. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for a vest having means so as to adjust its proportionate dimensions so as to accommodate the different sizes of many users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for a survival vest having removable and attachable pockets, as well as a removable and attachable hoisting harness and, in addition thereto, means for adjusting its size so as to easily accommodate different users that wear the vest. 
     The vest is capable of being donned by a user and covers the upper body portion of the user and extends from the neck to the waist of the user. The vest, in one embodiment, has at least one, but preferably three, separable regions that are brought together by at least one, but preferably three, straps that are inserted into rows of loops and thereafter detachably connected to the vest so that the user of the vest may quickly and easily adjust the size of the vest to make it form fit the user. The vest, in another embodiment, comprises means for adjusting the size thereof, a cutout, a removably attachable hoisting harness, removably attachable pockets, a snap link, and a lift strap. Means for adjusting changes the size of the vest so as to accommodate the proportionate dimensions of the individual user that wears the vest. The cutout is in the shoulder region of the vest so as to provide a passageway thereat. The lift strap has first and second ends with the first end passing through the passageway and having means for affixing to the snap link. The lift strap has a second end affixed to the removably attachable hoisting harness. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, as well as the invention itself, will become better understood by reference of the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate identical or corresponding parts throughout and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the vest of the present invention in its open position. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vest arranged in its open position. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the means for adjusting the size of the vest of FIGS. 1 and 2. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the vest  10  of the present invention shown in its open position. The vest  10  is capable of being donned by a user and covers the upper body portion of the user extending from the neck region  12  to the waist  14  of the user. The vest  10  has a plurality of rows  10   1 ,  10   2  . . .  10   N  and is fabricated so as to provide for openings  16  and  18  for the insertion of the left and right arms, respectively, of the user. The size of the vest  10  is adjustable, which is of particularly importance to the present invention, so as to accommodate the proportionate dimensions of the user in a manner to be further described with reference to FIG.  3 . 
     The vest  10  of FIG. 1 vest further comprises a zipper assembly  20  having portions  20 A and  20 B that are attached to the vest  10  of the separated sides of the vest  10  shown in FIG. 1, in a manner known in the art, and also has a slide fastener  20 C and plastic teeth  20 D. 
     The vest further comprises a snap link  22  (not fully shown) having a cover  22 A, a lift strap  24  (not shown in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG.  2 ), and a cut-out in the vest  10  proximate shoulder region of the vest  10  so as to provide a passageway  26  (partially shown in FIG. 2) thereat. The strap  24  has first and second ends with the first end passing through the passageway  26  and having means for affixing to the snap link  22 , and with the second end of strap  24  being affixed to a removably attachable hoisting harness  28 , to be described hereinafter with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     The vest  10  of FIG. 1 further comprises removably attachable pockets  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and  38 , as well as a flashlight attachment  40 . The vest further comprises two collar lobe attachments  37  and two loop locs  39 . The pockets  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  may be removably attachable to the vest  10  by appropriate means, such as interlaced webbing, known in the art. More particularly, the vest  10  has a snap button devices  10 A which, when unbuttoned, allow the bands at the respective row  10   1 ,  10   2  . . .  10   N  to be loosed and then interlaced with loops of the removable pockets  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  and, finally, the snap button  10 A is buttoned and the removable pockets  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  are removably attached to the vest. 
     The pocket  30  is dimensioned so as to accommodate a typical radio, whereas pockets  32  are dimensioned to accommodate various items, such as hand warmers and other survival equipment. The pocket  34  is dimensioned so as to accommodate a Helicopter Emergency Egress Device (HEED) and for a Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device (HABD) both known in the art, whereas pocket  36  is dimensioned so as to serve as a pistol holster, as well as an ammunition keeper. The pocket  38  is typically dimensioned to accommodate a survival knife. 
     The vest  10  is preferably comprised of a nylon material and also comprises a fire resistant material. The lift strap  24  and the removably attachable hoisting harness  28  are each preferably comprised of a nylon material. The removable attachable hoisting harness  28  has a figure eight pattern and may be further described with reference to FIG. 2 which is a rear view of the vest  10  in its open position. 
     The removably attachable hoisting harness  28  comprises a right strap  42  formed in a loop having a central region from which the right strap  42  extends upward to the right shoulder region  44  of the vest  10 , then downward past the waist portion  14  of the vest  10  and continuing downward to the right leg  46  region of the user that dons the vest. The right strap  42  continues downward from the right leg region  46  to a peak  48  and then extends upward from the peak  48  back to the central region of the right strap  42 . 
     The removably attachable hoisting harness  28  further comprises a left strap  50  formed in a loop having a central region from which the left strap  50  extends upward to the left shoulder region  52  of the vest  10  and continues downward to the left leg region  54  of the user. The left strap  50  has a peak  56  and from which the left strap  50  extends upward back to its central region. 
     The removably attachable hoisting harness  28  comprises a chest strap  58  having a central region from which the chest strap  58  extends outward in two directions identified by extending portions  60  and  62  respectively forming first and second ends  60 A and  62 A respectively. The second end  62 A has a connector  62 B affixed thereto which has means for capturing and releasably holding the other end  60 A of the chest strap  58 . 
     The removably attachable hoisting harness  28  further comprises means, such as stitching generally indicated by reference number  64 , for affixing together the central region of the right strap  42 , left strap  50 , and chest strap  58 . The means for affixing further comprises stitching generally indicated by reference number  66  so as to affix the portion  60  of the chest strap  58  to the left strap  50 . Further, the means for affixing comprises stitching means, generally indicated by reference number  68  for affixing the portion  62  of the chest strap  58  to the right strap  42 . 
     The vest  10  further comprises a plurality of right clamping straps  70   1 ,  70   2 , and  70   3  located in the right shoulder region  44  of the vest  10  with one of the right clamping straps  70   3  being located proximate the passageway  26 . Each of the right clamping straps  70   1 ,  70   2 , and  70   3 , has first and second ends with one end thereof affixed to the vest  10  and the other end thereof having means, such as rigidly attached buttons  70   11 ,  70   22  and  70   33  respectively, for being releasably attached to the vest  10 . The first and second ends are separated from each other by a sufficient distance to allow the right strap  42  to pass under and therebetween. 
     The vest  10  further comprises a plurality of left clamping straps  72   1 ,  72   2 , and  72   3  which are similar to the right clamping straps  70   1 ,  70   2 , and  70   3 . Each of the left clamping straps  72   1 ,  72   2 , and  72   3 , has first and second ends with one end thereof affixed to the vest  10  and the other end thereof having means such as rigidly attached buttons  72   11 ,  72   22  and  72   33  respectively, for being releasably attached to the vest  10 . The first and second ends of the left clamping straps  72   1 ,  72   2 , and  72   3  are separated from each other by a sufficient distance to allow the right strap  50  to pass under and therebetween. 
     The vest  10  further comprises a plurality of chest clamping straps  74   1 ,  74   2  located in the chest region of the vest  10 . Each of the chest clamping straps  74   1 , and  74   2  has first and second ends with one end affixed to the vest  10  and the other end thereof having means, such as button snap arrangements  74   11  and  74   22  respectively, for being releasably attached to the vest  10 . The first and second ends of the chest clamping straps  74   1  and  74   2  are separated from each other by a sufficient distance so as to allow the chest strap  58  to pass under and therebetween. 
     The hoisting harness  28  further preferably comprises a first support strap  76  having first and second ends with the first end affixed to the joinder region  68  of the right strap  42  and the chest strap  58 . The second end of the support strap  76  is connected to the vest by attaching means  78 . 
     The hoisting harness  28  still further comprises a second support strap  80  that is affixed to both the left strap  50  and the chest strap  58  at the joinder region  66  previously described. The second strap  80  has a second end connected to the vest  10  by means of the attachment means  78 . 
     The hoisting harness  28  further comprises a right leg retainer  82  having first and second ends spaced apart from each other and located proximate the waist portion  14  of the vest  10  with one end of the right leg retainer  82  affixed to the right strap  42  portion that extends downward toward the peak  48  and with the other end of the right leg retainer  82  affixed to the right strap  42  portion that extends upward from the peak  48 . The affixing of the right leg retainer  82  to the right strap  42  is generally indicated by reference numbers  84  and  86 . 
     The hoisting harness  28  further comprises a left leg retainer  88  having first and second ends spaced apart from each other and located proximate the waist portion  14  of the vest  10  with one of the ends affixed to the portion of the left strap  50  by means such as stitching, generally indicated by reference number  90 , that extends downward toward the peak  56  and with the other end of the left leg retainer  88  being affixed to the portion of the left strap  50  that extends upward from the peak  46  by means such as stitching, generally indicated by reference number  92 . 
     The vest  10  further comprises harness retainer cords  94  and  96  that are affixed to the waist portion  14  of the vest  10  and located so as to be capable of intercepting and capturing the right and left straps  42  and  50  respectively. The right strap  42  preferably further comprises an adjustment device  98 , whereas the left strap  50  further comprises an adjustment device  100 . Similarly, the right strap  42  further comprises a harness keeper  102 , whereas the left strap  50  further comprises a harness keeper  104 . 
     It should now be appreciated that the practice of the present invention provides for a vest used for survival purposes and having removably attachable pockets as well as a removably attachable hoisting harness. 
     The vest  10  provides a unique adjustment method which may be further described with reference to FIG.  3 . FIG. 3 illustrates the vest  10  having provisions known in the art so as to be capable of being separated into four sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112 , wherein sections  106  and  108  are separable at a first region  114  under the arm opening  18 , sections  108  and  110  are separable at a second region  116  generally in the middle of the back of the vest  10 , and sections  110  and  112  are separable at a third region  118  under the other arm opening  16 . 
     FIG. 3 further illustrates a right insertion strap  120  located proximate the first region  114 , a back insertion strap  122  located proximate the second region  116 , and a left insertion strap  124  located proximate the third region  118 . Each of the straps  120 ,  122  and  124  have attachment means, such as velcro or other devices known in the art, at its ends and is interlaced through respective horizontal loops  126  arranged in rows along the vest  10  as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     From FIG. 3 it may be determined that the four sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112  may be arranged so as to overlap one another so that the size of the vest  10  may be adjusted to accommodate the body dimensions of the user of the vest  10 , then the straps  120 ,  122  and  124  may be interlaced into respective horizontal loops  126 , and finally the velcro ends of the straps  120 ,  122  and  124  may be attached to the vest  10  and the vest  10  is now customized to match the size of the wearer of the vest  10 . As used herein, the size of the vest  10  is meant to represent the distance around the horizontal circumference of the vest  10 . Adjustments for the size of the wearer are provided, for example, in one-half (½) inch increments, under each arm and in the back area of the vest  10  in a manner as described for the use of straps  120 ,  122 , and  124 . 
     If desired, the practice of this invention may be accomplished by providing a vest  10  having the openings for the insertion of the arms and a back region for covering the back of the user and then providing at least one separable region dividing the vest  10  into at least two sections, with the at least separable region being located in the region selected from the group consisting of under one of said arm openings and in the middle of the back region of the vest  10 . The vest  10  would further comprise at least one row of loops respectively located proximate the at least one separable region; and at least one insertion strap dimensioned to be insertable into one row of loops and respectively located proximate the separable region. The insertion strap has one end with means for detachably attaching to the vest. 
     Further, if desired the vest  10  may have more than four separable sections so long as the sections are brought together in a manner as described for the embodiment of FIG.  3 . 
     It is understood that the invention is not limited to its specific embodiments herein illustrated and described but may be otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.