U.S. patent application number 10/118552 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-09 for strap mounted pocket member.
Invention is credited to Clifton, Norman L..
Application Number | 20030188374 10/118552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28674455 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030188374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clifton, Norman L. |
October 9, 2003 |
Strap mounted pocket member
Abstract
A suspender system is disclosed that has a pocket for receiving
items integrated with a shoulder pad used in the suspender system.
The integrated pocket is constructed so as to enable the wearer to
place items within the pocket without looking and to avoid placing
an item between the pocket and a strap to which the shoulder pad is
attached. Further disclosed is a display system to secure the clips
on the suspender so that they do not become entangled with other
items when the suspenders are displayed for sale.
Inventors: |
Clifton, Norman L.; (Orem,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Vaughn W. North
THORPE, NORTH & WESTERN, L.L.P.
P.O. Box 1219
Sandy
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Family ID: |
28674455 |
Appl. No.: |
10/118552 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/12 20130101; A41F
3/00 20130101; A47F 5/0006 20130101; A47F 5/0884 20130101; A45F
5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/326 |
International
Class: |
A41F 019/00; A41F
003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of displaying an article having a hang tag for
disposing the article on a hanger, a first end, and a second end
and at least one clip on each end, comprising: attaching each clip
to a common clip support; and suspending the article at the hang
tag to diplay the article without any loose ends.
2. A display device for an article having a first end and a second
end and at least one clip on each end, comprising: a support
element, attached to the article between the first and second ends,
to allow the article to be suspended when displayed; and a clip
support, to which each clip attaches, to hold the clips in a secure
arrangement without any loose ends.
3. The display device according to claim 2 further comprising at
least one aperture for receiving a clip.
4. The display device according to claim 2 wherein the clip support
is made of plastic.
5. The display device according to claim 2 wherein the clip support
is generally rectangular in shape.
6. A suspender set for supporting a belt adapted to carry tools or
the like comprising: a pair of straps adapted to extend one over
each shoulder of a wearer and to cross in the back; a cross-over
piece having a first pair of slots disposed above a second pair of
slots through which said straps are threaded to cross over each
other, the straps being separately threaded through the first pair
of slots and the straps being separately threaded through the
second pair of slots or together through one of the second pair of
slots, and the piece having an aperture therethrough for hanging of
the suspenders on a peg or the like; at least one metal clasp
attached to each end of each of the straps and each having an over
center lock thereon for firmly gripping a belt between facing ends
of a pair of plates; and a common clasp support to which each metal
clasp attaches to secure the metal clasps when the suspender set is
placed on the peg or the, like.
7. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp
support further comprises at least one aperture for receiving a
clip.
8. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp
support is made of plastic.
9. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp
support is generally rectangular in shape.
10. A set of suspenders adaptable to carry articles comprising: a
pair of straps adapted to extend one over each shoulder of a wearer
and to cross in the back; a cross-over piece having a first pair of
slots disposed above a second pair of slots through which said
straps are threaded to cross over each other, the straps being
separately threaded through the first pair of slots and both straps
being separately threaded through the second pair of slots or
together through one of the second pair of slots; at least one
metal clasp attached to each end of each of the straps and each
having an over center lock thereon for firmly gripping a belt
between facing ends of a pair of plates; and a shoulder pad,
slidably mounted on either of the pair of straps via a top loop and
a bottom loop, the shoulder pad further comprises a pouch that is
formed of a back portion and a front portion, the front portion
secured to the back portion to form a pocket, the back portion
having a length at least approximately 50% greater than the front
portion wherein the back portion extends above the pocket from the
front portion to form a backing guide such that when an article is
to be placed within the pocket it is guided into the pocket by the
extended portion of the back portion reducing the chance for
placement of the article between the holding pouch and the strap to
which it is mounted when placed within the pocket unseen by the
user.
11. The suspenders of claim 8 wherein the length of the back
portion is not more than 100% greater than the length of the front
portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a pouch for use
with a suspender system and, more specifically, the present
invention relates to a pouch slidably secured to a suspender system
that enables a user to place the article unseen in the pouch. The
present invention also relates to a method and system for
displaying the suspenders.
[0002] Holders for pencils, tools, or the like that mount to a
workman's suspenders or belt typically have been separate from any
other item and serve exclusively as a tool or pencil holder. The
art has seen the introduction of multiple function elements for use
with work suspenders. One such element is a shoulder pad that
includes a pencil or tool holder located in a place convenient for
the wearer to access the pocket.
[0003] The shoulder pads typically are fixed in position and do not
allow adjustability of where the shoulder pads are placed relative
to the suspender or for the pouch to be placed in a location more
convenient to the user. As such, users have trouble placing the
article within the pouch when the user cannot see where the pouch
is specifically. Further, when the strap lengths are adjusted, the
positioning of the pads themselves may not offer suitable
protection to the wearer unless extra padding and material are used
to accommodate a range of body types. If such is the case, then the
pads become bulky and hinder free motion by the wearer when
working.
[0004] In many applications, the shoulder pad is secured to the
strap of the suspender with a loop at the top and the bottom of the
pad. To make it easier to assemble the suspenders with the shoulder
pads, the loops are kept rather short so that the pocket found on
the shoulder pad serves as one of those loops. This allows the
strap to be inserted quickly into the shoulder pad over an
arrangement utilizing a sheath instead.
[0005] Since the pocket serves as a loop, there is an area where
the strap passes through the pocket loop portion that is open.
Often, when a worker isn't looking at what he or she is doing, the
worker can place the object between the pocket and the shoulder
strap. This can result in the item slipping completely out the
bottom portion of the pocket loop, thereby losing the item.
Further, the object, such as a pen or pencil, can be broken if
placed between the pocket and the strap. So, where the worker needs
to focus on a particular job, but wants to place the object in the
pocket without looking, the worker can either lose the object or
break it by inadvertently placing it between the pocket and the
strap rather than in the pocket.
[0006] Suspender systems are sold in stores and packaging them is
time consuming and expensive. For example, the suspenders must be
folded upon themselves with a sheath placed upon the entire
assembly to hold them in place. Next, a suspending article must be
placed either on the sheath itself or on the suspenders to enable
the suspenders to be suspended for display. If the sheath is not
used, then the suspenders hang free, which leads to entanglement
with other suspenders hanging on the same display or the suspenders
interfere with the display and cause problems when removed by the
consumer. This results in customer dissatisfaction, a cluttered
store, and possible lost sales.
[0007] Accordingly, what is needed is a suspender system that
includes an adjustable shoulder pad that includes an article pocket
that also prevents articles placed within the pocket from slipping
behind the pocket between the suspender system and the pad itself.
Further, what is needed is a display element that overcomes the
problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a suspender system
is disclosed that has a pocket for receiving items integrated with
a shoulder pad used in the suspender system. The integrated pocket
is constructed so as to enable the wearer to place items within the
pocket without looking and to avoid placing an item between the
pocket and a strap to which the shoulder pad is attached. The
shoulder pad includes a first loop for securing the pad to the
strap at a second end and the pocket serves as a second loop, for
securing the pad at a second end. The strap passes between the pad
portion and behind the pocket and then through the first loop. The
pocket or pouch includes a first or back portion and a second or
front portion. The back portion has a length ranging from about 50%
to 100% larger than the front portion, thereby providing an
extended backing to prevent items from slipping between the pocket
and the strap.
[0009] The invention further embodies an improved system and method
for display that eliminates the clips normally found at the ends of
the suspender straps from hanging loosely. The system includes a
clip support to which the clips are attached and a suspender
display support, found within a back retainer of the suspenders.
The clips are secured safely and the suspenders are displayed by
hanging them on the display through the display support.
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description that follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set of suspenders with a
shoulder pad having an improved pocket in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder pad with pocket
as shown in FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display system for
displaying a set of suspenders in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A suspender system 10 is disclosed in FIGS. 1-3. Suspender
system 10 includes a first and second suspender strap 12, which are
overlapped in the back and held in position by suspender retainer
14. At the end of each suspender is a clip 16. Clip 16 may comprise
a spring loaded clip that is J shaped or a pressure based clip that
causes the clip to operate in a secured manner using a pressure
loaded cam. Other types of clipping mechanisms or clasps may be
freely substituted for clip 16.
[0015] Suspender system 10 further comprises shoulder pads 18, each
of which has a first and second slot 20 for receiving a portion of
one strap 12. Strap 12 is able to slide freely within slots 20 so
that shoulder pad 18 can be movably adjusted for optimal fit and
comfort for the user.
[0016] Each shoulder pad 18 further includes a pocket or pouch 22
for receiving articles, such as pencils, markers, and other tools
of similar shape and dimensions. Pouch 22 comprises a back portion
24 and a front portion 26, which is secured to a lower portion of
back portion 24. Front portion 26 is secured on at least two sides
to form a pocket 28 within pouch 22. The pouch can be U-shaped,
V-shaped, or other. Pocket 28 opens to receive articles 30 as
shown.
[0017] Significantly, back portion 24 has a length that is
approximately 50% to 100% greater than the length of front portion
26. The length of back portion 24 can even exceed 100% of the
length of the front portion in selected embodiments. This is
significant in that the extended length allows a user to insert
articles 30 especially while not looking for the opening 28 since
the extended portion of back 24 provides for a barrier for the
preventing the items 30 from slipping behind back portion 24 where
strap 12 slides. It is important that strap 12 slide between pouch
22 and the actual shoulder pad region of shoulder pad 18 so that
the strap is protected or prevented from digging into and binding
against the wearer's shoulder during use. Since other tool belts
and tool pouches are typically attached to suspender system 10,
shoulder pads 18 provide comfort to the wearer and prevent fatigue
during use while wearing suspender system 10.
[0018] Straps 12 cross over in a location that will be behind the
wearer using suspender retainer 14. Additional slots are found
within retainer 14 to enable the suspenders to slide within
retainer 14 so that length and position adjustment can be made for
the placement of the shoulder pads and straps. For an individual
who wears suspender system 10 and has broad shoulders, retainer 14
slides downward towards the clips 16. If the individual has rather
narrow shoulders, then retainer 14 slides upwardly in order to draw
shoulder pads 18 closer together, thereby preventing the straps
from slipping off the user's shoulders. Retainer 14 further
includes a display opening 32, which is used to hold the suspenders
on a display rack or to hang the suspenders after use in a
convenient location off the floor or work bench. An example of
retainer 14 is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,736,
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
[0019] FIG. 3 further illustrates suspender system 10 for display
on a display unit (shown, in part, in ghosted form). One problem
encountered in displaying suspenders for sale is that the clips
dangle or must be secured together using expensive packaging
material that is time consuming to put on the suspenders. If the
clips are allowed to hang free, they entangle with other clips and
cause problems when a consumer selects a particular set of
suspenders and while removing it from the display, causes other
suspenders to be pulled off the display that then fall to the floor
or stay tangled with the set selected by the customer.
[0020] Accordingly, a clip organizer 40 is utilized with the four
ends of the suspenders 10 such that clips 16 are secured to clip
organizer 40. Clip organizer 40 can be made from any durable
material such as heavy paper or cardstock, flexible or hard
plastic, Mylar or Mylar-laminate, or the like, that is durable so
as to withstand the pressure caused by clips 16 and does not easily
tear due to the weight of suspender system 10 or due to handling by
a store clerk during placement upon the display.
[0021] The dimensions of clip organizer 40 are selected based on
the number of clips to be secured and their size. Accordingly, the
width of organizer 40 is wide enough to receive at least two clips
on one end of suspender system 10 and the length is long enough so
that the clips attached to either end do not interfere with one
another. Further, although organizer 40 is shown to be generally
rectangular, it can also be triangular, round, oblong, oval in
shape, or any other polygonal shape as desired by the designer.
[0022] If clips 16 are J shaped with a closing spring, openings 42
may be placed within a durable clip organizer 40 such that clips 16
are secured in position without risk of tearing clip organizer 40.
The suspenders 10 are now ready for display and are placed on the
display via display slot 32 as shown.
[0023] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the
principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and
alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention while the present
invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above
with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently
deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments(s) of the
invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from
the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the
claims.
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