Garment with integral safety device

Abstract

A method and system is taught for securing a person to an object. The system comprises a garment and a safety device fixedly coupled to the garment. The safety device comprises a circular section, vertical sections coupled to the circular section, and diagonal sections coupled to the vertical sections and to the circular section. The safety device further comprises a first coupler coupled to the diagonal section, and a second coupler coupled to the circular section and to another object adjacent the person. The garment is positioned on the person, coupled to the another object adjacent the person, and then coupled to the object.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/253,595 filed Nov. 28, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention may be directed towards a garment with an integral safety device. More particularly, the invention may relate to a garment to be worn while hunting from a tree stand that secures the hunter to a tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Safety is a large concern for people who perform activities high above the ground or the floor. Generally, a prior art safety system includes a harness that may be positioned and secured over a person's garments and an extension from the harness that may be secured to a large, stationary object. In case of a fall, the person may be suspended from the object via the harness. Unfortunately, the design of prior art harnesses make them very difficult to use because there are separate holes for each arm, one for the head, and some have loops that go around the legs. This arrangement often results in the harnesses being put on backwards, upside down, or in another position other than as intended. Also, a prior art harness may be configured so that a user needs to constantly adjust and readjust it to get it to fit right and make it comfortable. Some of these problems have been overcome by prior art arrangements that have in one way or another incorporated the safety device, e.g., a harness, into a garment to be worn by a user. Nonetheless, these arrangements fail to work for certain activities, e.g., hunting, because of their safety cord attachment configurations. Basically, the configurations do not allow for the freedom of movement required for hunting.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists for a garment with an integral safety device that overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, a system is taught for securing a person to an object. The system may comprise a garment and a safety device fixedly coupled to the garment. The safety device may comprise a circular section, vertical sections coupled to the circular section, and diagonal sections coupled to the vertical sections and to the circular section. The safety device may further comprise a first coupler coupled to the diagonal section, and a second coupler coupled to the circular section and to another object adjacent the person.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is taught for securing a hunter on a tree stand to a tree. Coupling a circular section, vertical sections, diagonal sections, first and second couplers, and a securing device may form a safety device. A portion of the safety device may be fixedly attached to a garment that may then worn by the hunter. The first coupler may be passed through an aperture in the garment and coupled to a belt on the hunter's another garment. The- second coupler may be passed through another aperture in the garment and coupled to the tree. The circular section may be positioned around the hunter. Ends of the circular section may be secured with the securing device after being pulled around the hunter.

[0007] An advantage of this apparatus may be that a user can easily put on and secure a safety device, e.g., a harness, to their person in a proper configuration with minimal effort and without unnecessary and distracting adjusting and readjusting.

[0008] Another advantage of this apparatus may be that the garment can be attached to a safety cord that may be coupled to a secure object, e.g., a tree, from a middle position on the rear of the garment, which allows for unlimited and unobstructed movement by a user, e.g., a hunter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following specification and claims, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment with an integral safety device;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the garment in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front, open view of the garment in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B are views of a section of the safety device in FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a view of a system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0016] FIGS. 1-4 show a garment 10 that may have an integral safety device 12 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 may be a shirt, jacket, coat, sweater, or the like, that can easily be worn by a user, maybe a hunter. Integral with the garment 10 may be the safety device 12, maybe a harness or the like, with vertical sections 14, a circular section 16, and diagonal sections 18 and 20.

[0017] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-4, a front side of the garment 10 and safety device 12 combination may include a securing device 22 (see also FIGS. 5A-5B). A rear side of the garment 10 and safety device 12 combination may include first and second coupling devices 24 and 26, respectively, that may extend from first and second openings or apertures 28 and 30, respectively, in the garment 10.

[0018] With reference to 5A-5B, the securing device 22 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be shown with more detail. It is to be appreciated alternative securing devices that function similarly are contemplated within the scope of the invention. This securing device 22 may help to secure the garment 10 and safety device 12 combination to a user's torso by not coupling at least on end of the circular section 16 of the safety device 12 so that it may pass through first and second sections 22A and 22B, respectively, of the securing device 22. The first and second sections 22A and 22B, respectively, may be square or rectangular, but any shape is contemplated within the scope of the invention. In both embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, a first end 16A of the circular section 16 may be coupled to a first edge of the first section 22A of the securing device. Of course, it is appreciated a first end 16A may be coupled to first and second sections 22A-B, and second end 16B may be coupled to the first edge of first section 22A of the circular section 16.

[0019] In an embodiment, shown in FIG. 5A, a second end 16B of the circular section 16 may be passed under a first edge of the second section 22B, over a second edge of the section 22B, over a second edge of the section 22A, and under the first edge of the section 22A. Then, the user may pull tightly on the second end 16B so that it secures the garment 10 with the safety device 12 onto the user. Or vice versa, as discussed above.

[0020] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5B, the second end 16B may be passed over the first edge of the second section 22B, under the second edge of the second section 22B, under the second edge of the first section 22A, and then over the first edge of the first section 22A. Then, the user may pull tightly on the second end 16B so that it may secure the garment 10 with the safety device 12 onto the user. Or vice versa, as discussed above.

[0021] Therefore, through the configuration of the garment 10, the second coupling device 26, and the securing device 22 the safety device 12 may be easily positioned and secured correctly around a user's body with minimal effort and without the need for adjustment and readjustment.

[0022] As best seen in FIG. 6, a system 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be shown. In the system 40, the first coupling device 24 may be used to connect the safety device 12 to a to an object 32, which may be a tree or building. A second coupling device 26 may be used to connect the safety device 12 to another object 34 adjacent the user, maybe a belt on the user's pants 36, or the like. The first coupling device 24 may be positioned so as not to interfere with any movements or obstruct any movements of the user. Also, in one arrangement the user may be standing on a tree stand 38.

[0023] Although this one arrangement of the safety device 12 is shown, other arrangements that function similarly are contemplated by this invention. The safety device 12 may be manufactured from nylon, leather, rope, or any other suitable material or a combination of materials, either made as one piece or connected together.

[0024] The invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, but it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A system for securing a person to an object, the system comprising: a garment; a safety device fixedly coupled to the garment, the safety device comprising: a circular section; vertical sections coupled to the circular section; diagonal sections coupled to the vertical sections and to the circular section; a first coupler coupled to the diagonal section; and a second coupler coupled to the circular section and to another object adjacent the person.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second couplers pass through apertures in the garment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety device further comprises a securing device that secures first and second ends of the circular section together after passing the circular section around a torso of the person.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is a tree.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the garment is an upper body outer garment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second coupler is coupled to a tree during use of the system.

7. A method of securing a hunter on a tree stand to a tree, the method comprising the steps of: forming a safety device by coupling a circular section, vertical sections, diagonal sections, first and second couplers, and a securing device; fixedly attaching a portion of the safety device to a garment that is then worn by the hunter; passing the first coupler through an aperture in the garment; coupling the first coupler to a belt on the hunter's another garment; passing the second coupler through another aperture in the garment; coupling the second coupler to the tree; positioning the circular section around the hunter; and securing ends of the circular section with the securing device after the ends are pulled around the hunter.

8. A garment with an integral safety device utilized to secure a hunter on a tree stand to a tree, the integral safety device comprising: a circular section; vertical sections coupled to the circular section; diagonal sections coupled to the vertical sections and the circular sections; a first coupler attached to the diagonal sections that extends through a first hole in the garment; a second coupler attached to the circular section that extends through a second hole in the garment; and a securing device used to secure opposite ends of the circular section together.

9. The safety device of claim 8, wherein the securing device is configured to include first and second sections, wherein a first end of the opposite ends of the circular section is coupled to a first section and a second end of the opposite ends of the circular section is passed through both sections in order to secure the opposite ends together.