Abstract:
A hunting garment system including a safety harness which restrains a hunter while perched on a tree stand, an outer member, and an inner member. Both the inner member and the outer member include detachable sleeves and a detachable hood allowing the hunter to select a particular weather-conforming configuration. The safety harness is designed to be safely anchored onto a tree and is worn alone, beneath the outer member, beneath the inner member, beneath an outer vest, beneath an inner vest, or in combination with an assembly of the outer member over the inner member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Sep. 14, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally hunting garments, and in particular, a hunting garment and safety harness system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years, modern advances in hunting equipment have enhanced the sport and have provided hunters with increased success. Although many of these products are high-technology devices, some products are amazingly simple. An example of one (1) of these products is the tree stand. A tree stand is used to form a stable surface in a tree upon which the hunter may sit or even stand. It allows the hunter to remain elevated and nearly invisible to his prey for long periods of time in relative comfort. However, as with many hunting products, there is a relative amount of danger associated with the tree stand; particularly, when one takes into account the distance above ground and the possibility of losing one&#39;s balance. This danger is enhanced with the recoil of a rifle and falling becomes a high probability. 
     To address this problem and danger, various hunting garments having enhanced safety features have been developed. One (1) in particular is the inclusion of a safety harness system integrated into the garment itself which allows hunters to secure themselves safely in the elevated position. Examples of such can be seen by reference in the following U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,046 issued to Williams et al. discloses a safety jacket and harness system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,631 issued to Ferguson, Jr. discloses a built-in full-body harness system for hunters. U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,789 issued to Young et al. discloses a combination garment and safety harness. U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,666 issued to Schweer discloses a hunting garment with safety device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,395 issued to Schweer discloses a safety garment having safety harness. 
     While these attempts may achieve their purported objectives each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, each one (1) is restrictive relative to the safety tether connecting to the safety harness. During hunting activities it is necessary to be able to freely move and quickly. These movements include squatting, sitting, and drawing a weapon. These movements can be restricted depending upon how the tether is attached to the hunter. Additionally, these devices lack the ability to customize the hunting attire based on the elements and other weather circumstances, which regularly change throughout the day when hunting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device by which a hunter in a tree stand can be protected from falls, yet retain unrestricted mobility and can conveniently adjust to the changing weather conditions. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a hunting garment and safety harness system that provides hunters who hunt from tree stands an increased measure of safety and a more steady and sure shot in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a safety harness worn on a torso of a user having a harness vest, a plurality of adjustable straps affixed to an interior of the harness vest securable around the torso of the user, and a harness vest opening disposed through an upper middle location of the harness vest. An inner member is provided to be worn on the torso of the user having an inner vest, a pair of detachable sleeves, and an inner vest opening disposed through an upper middle location of the inner vest. An outer member is provided to be worn on the torso of the user comprising an outer vest, a pair of detachable sleeves, and an outer vest opening disposed through an upper middle location of the outer vest. A tether strap is slidably coupled to a central location of the plurality of straps of the safety harness. 
     The inner member is selectably wearable as a separate article or as combined over top of the safety harness. The outer member is selectably wearable as a separate article, as combined over top of the safety harness, or as combined over top of the inner member and safety harness. The vest openings provide access for the tether strap to be coupled to the plurality of straps. The vest openings align when the safety harness, the inner member, and the outer member are worn in any combination. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a hunting garment and safety harness system, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an outer member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an inner member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a safety harness, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the safety harness depicted in an open state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the safety harness, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the safety harness installed under the outer member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the inner member installed under the outer member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the safety harness installed under the outer member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective rear view of the inner member, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view perspective of the outer member depicted in a detached state, wherein a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a hood have been detached from a first vest, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the inner member depicted in a detached state, wherein a third sleeve, a fourth sleeve, and the hood have been detached from a second vest, according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 13  is a close-up view of a plurality of tear-away folds of a tether strap, according to the preferred embodiment. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  hunting garment and safety harness system 
                 11  outer member 
                 12   a  first sleeve 
                 12   b  second sleeve 
                 13  hood 
                 14  first closure 
                 15  first pocket 
                 16  second pocket 
                 17  outer vest 
                 18  arm opening 
                 20  inner member 
                 21  inner vest 
                 22   a  third sleeve 
                 22   b  fourth sleeve 
                 24  second closure 
                 25  third pocket 
                 26  fourth pocket 
                 27  fifth pocket 
                 28  sixth pocket 
                 30  safety harness 
                 32  harness vest 
                 33  tether strap 
                 34  tether loop 
                 35  tether ring 
                 36  harness vest opening 
                 37  sternum strap 
                 38   a  first sternum strap buckle 
                 38   b  second sternum strap buckle 
                 39  tear-away fold 
                 40   a  first shoulder strap 
                 40   b  second shoulder strap 
                 42   a  first leg strap 
                 42   b  second leg strap 
                 43   a  first leg strap buckle 
                 43   b  second leg strap buckle 
                 44  waist strap 
                 45   a  first waist strap buckle 
                 45   b  second waist strap buckle 
                 46  inner slide strap 
                 47  joining strap 
                 48  rivet 
                 49  outer slide strap 
                 50  waist strap loop 
                 51   a  first fasteners 
                 51   b  second fastener 
                 53   a  third fastener 
                 53   b  fourth fastener 
                 55  hood fastener 
                 58  hood adjusting string 
                 59  string barrel 
                 60  tree strap 
                 61  locking plunger 
                 70  sewn attachment 
                 72  first snap fastener 
                 80  user 
                 81  tree 
                 82  bow 
                 83  arrow 
                 84  tree stand 
                 85  bow string 
                 90  outer vest opening 
                 92  outer vest flap 
                 93  second snap fastener 
                 96  inner vest opening 
                 98  inner vest flap 
                 100  third snap fastener 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 13 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , depicting a hunting garment and safety harness system (herein described as a “system”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The system  10  provides for keeping a user  80  safely tethered to a support structure, such as tree  81 , and protecting the user  80  from inclement weather. The system  10  is particularly suited for users  80  while hunting from a tree stand  84 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an environmental view of the system  10 . Although the user  80  is depicted as hunting with bow  82 , the system  10  is intended to be equally useful when the user  80  hunts with a rifle, a crossbow, a shotgun, or any other type of weapon. The system  10  generally includes a safety harness  30 , an outer member  11 , a hood  13 , a tether strap  33 , a tether loop  34 , and a tree strap  60 . The user  80  is depicted as standing on a tree stand  84  while safely tethered to a tree  81  by a combination of the tether strap  33 , the tether loop  34 , and the tree strap  60 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the outer member  11 . The outer member  11  is a waterproof or insulated shell which can be worn separately or over the inner member  20 . The outer member  11  includes a first sleeve  12   a , a second sleeve  12   b , and a hood  13 ; which are all detachably fastened to an outer vest  17 . The outer member  11  also includes a first pocket  15 , a second pocket  16 , and a first closure  14 . The first closure  14  is preferably a zipper, a hook-and-loop-type fastener, or a plurality of snaps. The outer member  11  is preferably made of a waterproofed material, such as, but not limited to: rubberized fabric, NYLON®, silk, or a silk-like plastic. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the inner member  20 . The inner member  20  is a waterproof or insulated jacket which can be worn separately or under the outer member  11 . The inner member  20  includes a third sleeve  22   a , a fourth sleeve  22   b  and the hood  13 ; which are all detachably fastened to a inner vest  21 . The inner member  20  also includes a third pocket  25 , a fourth pocket  26 , a fifth pocket  27 , a sixth pocket  28 , and a second closure  24 . The second closure  24  is preferably a zipper, a hook-and-loop-type fastener, or a plurality of snaps. The inner member  20  is preferably made of materials such as, but not limited to: canvas, natural or artificial leather, NYLON® or a rubberized fabric. An exterior layer of material is separated from an interior layer of material by an insulating material such as, but not limited to: foam rubber, natural or synthetic wool, down, or cotton fiber. 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of the safety harness  30 . The safety harness  30  can be worn separately, underneath the outer member  11 , underneath the inner member  20 , or under a combined assembly of the inner member  20  and the outer member  11 . The safety harness  30  is preferably made in an adjustable configuration and of materials similar to a safety straps and harnesses, such as those worn by construction workers. The safety harness  30  includes the tether strap  33  and the tether loop  34 . The tether strap  33  is adjustably fastened onto the safety harness  30  by a tether ring  35  (see  FIG. 6 ). The safety harness  30  also includes a harness vest  32  having a pair of arm openings  18  and a sternum strap  37 . The sternum strap  37  provides a closure across the chest area of the user  80  and is removably joined by inserting and locking a first sternum strap buckle  38   a  and a second sternum strap buckle  38   b.    
     The harness vest  32  includes a plurality of internal joined straps including a first shoulder strap  40   a , a second shoulder strap  40   b , a first leg strap  42   a , a second leg strap  42   b , a waist strap  44 , an inner slide strap  46 , a joining strap  47 , and an outer slide strap  49 . The straps  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b ,  44 ,  46 ,  47 ,  49  are preferably fabricated from heavy-duty strapping material approximately two (2) inches in width and made of polyester, nylon, or equivalent strapping material. The straps  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b ,  44 ,  46 ,  47 ,  49  are joined together using rivets  48  or a sewn attachment  70  which uses high-strength thread commonly used in the industry to join strapping. The shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b , inner slide strap  46 , joining strap  47 , and outer slide strap  49  are joined and arranged in such a manner as to transfer a force applied by the tether strap  33  to the leg straps  42   a ,  42   b  and the waist strap  44  (see  FIG. 5 ) in a case of a fall. Additionally, the straps  40   a ,  40   b ,  42   a ,  42   b ,  44 ,  46 ,  47 ,  49  securely retain the user  80  within the confine of the tree stand  84 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a front perspective view of the safety harness  30  in an open state. The first  40   a  and second  40   b  shoulder straps are joined by a plurality of vest snap fasteners  72  to the harness vest  32  along respective left and right shoulder areas and extend downwardly along a front opening of the harness vest  32 . The shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  culminate in a respective first leg strap buckle  43   a  and a second leg strap buckle  43   b  at an end of each shoulder strap  40   a ,  40   b . The leg strap buckles  43   a ,  43   b  provide a removable attachment of the downwardly looping first leg strap  42   a  and the second leg strap  42   b , respectively. The leg straps  42   a ,  42   b  subsequently extend upwardly and transition into the shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  and are joined by a plurality of snap fasteners  72  to a rear surface of the harness vest  32  in a crisscross pattern. The shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  provide additional support and are joined to each other along a neck area of the harness vest  32  by a joining strap  47  arranged horizontally and joined by a sewn attachment  70  to both shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b . The joining strap  47  in turn provides attachment for the inner slide strap  46  and outer slide strap  49  by a pair of rivets  48 . The inner slide strap  46  and outer slide strap  49  include rectangular members abutted to each other in a vertical parallel manner and affixed to each other at ends by respective pairs of rivets  48 , thereby forming a slot between in which the tether ring  35  slides vertically (see  FIG. 6 ). The slot formed between the inner strap  46  and outer strap  49  provides a location for the leg straps  42   a ,  42   b  as they crisscross each other. The slot provides a flexible connection of the shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  and leg straps  42   a ,  42   b  to the remaining strap portions. 
     The shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  also provide a sewn attachment  70  for support to the waist strap  44  which is attached to the shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  adjacent to and slightly above the leg strap buckles  43   a ,  43   b . The waist strap  44  extends in a circular fashion around the waist of the user  80  and includes ends which are ruggedly connected to each other by interlocking first waist strap buckle  45   a  and a second waist strap buckle  45   b . The waist strap buckles  45   a ,  45   b  further provide integral features for the adjustment of a length of the waist strap  44  to snuggly fit the user  80 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear perspective view of the safety harness  30 . The harness vest  32  also includes a harness vest opening  36  which is a rectangular window approximately twelve (12) inches in height and two (2) inches in width located along an upper rear surface of the harness vest  32 . The harness vest opening  36  provides access to the outer slide strap  49  of the safety harness  30 . The tether ring  35  is slidingly inserted over the outer slide strap  49  which is riveted to the inner slide strap  46 . The joined inner slide strap  46  and the outer slide strap  49  secure the tether ring  35  to the safety harness  30  and allows for vertical movement (also see  FIG. 5 ). The tether ring  35  is affixed to the tether strap  33  by a sewn attachment  70 . The sliding engagement of the tether ring  35  to the outer slide strap  39  allows vertical positioning of the attachment of the tether strap  33  to the user  80 , thereby avoiding tangling, interference, and obstruction from the tether strap  33  while the user  80  positions himself or herself during a hunting or similar activity. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of the safety harness  30  depicted as worn underneath the outer member  11 . The hood  13  is depicted as detachably fastened onto the outer member  11  and in an as-worn state. 
       FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of the outer member  11  depicted as worn underneath the inner member  20 . The outer member  11  is depicted in a partially open state revealing the inner member  20  as worn inside the outer member  11 . The hood  13  is depicted as detachably fastened onto the inner member  20  and in a folded state which is useful in protecting the neck of the user  80  from the elements. 
       FIG. 9  shows a rear perspective view of the outer member  11 . The rear surface of the outer vest  17  includes a outer vest opening  90  similar to the harness vest opening  36  of the harness vest portion  32  as previously described. The outer vest opening  90  allows the user  80  to wear the outer member  11  over the safety harness  30  while maintaining the attachment and function of the tether strap  33 . The outer vest opening  90  includes a concealing outer vest flap  92  for use when wearing the outer member  11  separately without the safety harness  30 . The outer vest flap  92  is foldably affixed to a vertical edge of the outer vest opening  90  by a sewn attachment  70 . The outer vest flap  92  includes an outer vest flap snap fastener  93  to provide a closure for the outer vest opening  90 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a rear perspective view of the inner member  20 . The rear surface of the inner vest  21  includes an inner vest opening  96  similar to outer vest opening  90  of the outer member  11  described above. The inner vest opening  96  also allows the user  80  to utilize the tether strap  33  while wearing the inner member  21  beneath the outer member  11  or over the safety harness  30 , or in combination between the outer member  11  and the safety harness  30 ; while maintaining the attachment and function of the tether strap  33 . In a similar manner as the outer member  11 , the inner member  20  includes an affixed inner vest flap  98  and an inner vest flap snap fastener  100  which provide closure of the inner vest opening  96  when wearing the inner member  21  separately without the safety harness  30 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a front perspective view of the outer member  11  depicted with the first sleeve  12   a , the second sleeve  12   b , and the hood  13  detached from the outer vest  17 . A first sleeve fastener Ma allows the first sleeve  12   a  to be detachably fastened onto the outer vest  17 . In a similar manner, a second sleeve fastener  51   b  allows the second sleeve  12   b  to be detachably fastened onto the outer vest  17 . A hood fastener  55  allows the hood  13  to be detachably fastened onto the outer vest  17 . All fasteners  51   a ,  51   b ,  55  are preferably hook-and-loop type fasteners, zippers, snap fasteners, or the like. 
       FIG. 12  shows a front perspective view of the inner member  20  depicted with the third sleeve  22   a , the fourth sleeve  22   b  and the hood  13  detached from the inner vest  21 . A third sleeve fastener  53   a  allows the third sleeve  22   a  to be detachably fastened onto the inner vest  21 . In a similar manner, a fourth sleeve fastener  53   b  allows the forth sleeve  22   b  to be detachably fastened onto the inner vest  21 . The hood fastener  55  allows the hood  13  to be detachably fastened onto the inner vest  21  in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 . All fasteners  53   a ,  53   b ,  55  are preferably hook-and-loop type fasteners, zippers, snap fasteners, or the like. 
     The hood  13  includes the hood fastener  55  and a hood adjusting string  58  which also has a pair of string barrels  59 . Tightening of the hood adjusting string  59  allows the hood  13  to expose a lesser face portion of the user  80  to the elements, wherein the pair of string barrels  59  lock the position of the hood adjusting string  59  in a conventional manner by use of a spring loaded locking plunger  61  included within each string barrel  59 . The hood  13  is preferably made of materials which are similar to those of the outer member  11  and inner member  20  and is detachably fastened onto either the outer vest  17  or the inner vest  21 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a close-up view of a plurality of tear-away folds  39  of a tether strap  33 . The tether strap  33  is preferably made of similar material as the shoulder straps  40   a ,  40   b  and includes a plurality of tear-away folds  39  which provide additional fall safety to the tether strap  33 . In the event of a fall, the tether strap  33  will receive an abrupt tension force. The tear-away folds  39  are located at an intermediate portion of the tether strap  33  and are designed to tear away from one another and provide a resistance to the tensile force, reducing an impact, and decelerate the user  80  during the fall. Each tear-away fold  39  includes a double-folding of the strapping material of the tether strap  33  to form a three (3) layer section approximately two (2) inches in length. Each tear-away fold  39  is secured using a sewn attachment  70  and a thread sized to provide a desired breaking strength so as to break the fall of the user  80 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 12 . 
     The method of utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: selecting a desired system  10  configuration; donning the inner member  20 ; fastening the inner member  20  to the safety harness  30  using the vest snap fasteners  72 ; donning the outer member  11  over the inner member  20 ; donning and adjusting the hood  13  according to weather conditions; transporting the safety harness  30  and tree stand  84  sections to a desired hunting location; selecting an appropriate tree  81 ; assembling and installing the tree stand  84 ; adjusting the tether strap  33  length by raising or lowering the position of the tether ring  35 ; installing the safety harness  30  over the outer member  11 ; adjusting a length of the leg straps  42   a ,  42   b  using the leg strap buckles  43   a ,  43   b ; adjusting a length of the waist strap  44  using the waist strap buckle  45   a ,  45   b ; ascending onto the tree stand  84 ; passing the tree strap  60  through the tether loop  34 ; securing the tree strap  60  onto the tree  81 ; testing the safety of the tethering position; making final adjustments if needed; removing the tree strap  60  from the tree  81  after hunting; descending from the tree stand  84 ; removing the safety harness; removing and disassembling the tree stand  84 ; returning the safety harness  30  and the tree stand  84  sections to the home location of the user  80 ; removing the hood  13 , the outer member  11  and the inner member  20 ; and, cleaning and storing the system  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the system  10  in alternate configurations, such as wearing the outer member  11  individually, the outer vestp 17  only, the inner member  20  individually, or the inner vest  21  only are achieved by performing similar steps in donning, wearing, and securing the safety harness  30  onto the trunk of the tree  81  and in installing the tree stand  84 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.