U.S. patent application number 11/663172 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for work garment.
Invention is credited to Brett Dennis Elliot.
Application Number | 20080201816 11/663172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36060299 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080201816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elliot; Brett Dennis |
August 28, 2008 |
Work Garment
Abstract
The invention relates to a work garment (1) that can be worn by
a user. The garment has a main (or torso disposed) portion (3)
including with an area of fastening (4) on its external surface. A
belt (11) is attached to at least one point of the interior surface
or the garment. A pouch or pouches (17) for containing or holding
tools, utensils or the like (19) has complementary fastening means
(27) to the area of fastening on the main garment to suspend the
pouches from the garment. The load of the pouch is largely borne
via the main garment portion on the user's shoulders, and the belt
means can be adjusted to aid support of the load and/or the
user.
Inventors: |
Elliot; Brett Dennis;
(Auckland, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W., SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
36060299 |
Appl. No.: |
11/663172 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
September 19, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ2005/000247 |
371 Date: |
December 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/51 ; 2/102;
224/660; 224/682 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A41D
13/0012 20130101; A45F 2200/0575 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/51 ; 2/102;
224/682; 224/660 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/04 20060101
A41D013/04; A41D 1/04 20060101 A41D001/04; A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2004 |
NZ |
535440 |
Dec 16, 2004 |
NZ |
537281 |
Claims
1. A work garment wearable by a user comprising or including, a
main garment portion including at least one fastening area
including fastening means, a waist belt attached to at least one
point of said main garment portion, and at least one pouch for
containing and holding tools which has complementary fastening
means to said fastening means of at least one fastening area to
allow said pouch to be suspended from said main garment portion,
said fastening means consists of a pleat or flap having on at least
one concealed surface fastening means for fastening with said
fastening means of said pouch, the load of said pouch is borne via
said main garment portion on the user's shoulders, and wherein the
waist belt can be adjusted to aid support of the load of said
pouch.
2. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two
concealed surfaces and one each of said two concealed surfaces
presents a said fastening means.
3. The work garment as claimed in either claim 1 wherein said pouch
has a surface carrying said complementary fastening means.
4. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said waist belt
is attached to the interior of said main garment portion.
5. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said waist belt
is in part retained to said main garment by and within a sleeve on
said internal side of said main garment portion.
6. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said waist belt
has at least one area of fastening, for fastening and suspending
said pouches.
7. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pleat or
flap is located on the bottom periphery of said main garment
portion.
8. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pleat or
flap is located proximal to the midriff line of the main garment
portion.
9. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a said
pleat or flap both at the bottom periphery and above the midriff
line of said main garment portion.
10. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said waist belt
means is selectively engageable with said fastening area.
11. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said waist belt
is permanently engaged with said fastening area.
12. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main
garment portion is a vest style garment with frontal access.
13. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pouches can
be layered on each other, each in part engaging either another
pouch and/or said fastening means of said main garment portion.
14. The work garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening
means is selected from any one or more of the following: a. one of
a hook and loop fastener, b. domes, c. press-fit connections, and
d. clips.
15. A work belt comprising or including, a belt wearable by a user
said belt including at least one fastening zone including fastening
means, and at least one pouch for containing and holding tools,
which has complementary fastening means to said fastening means of
said at least one fastening zone to allow said pouches to be
suspended from said belt, said fastening means consists of a pleat
or flap having on at least one surface of which said fastening
means are provided for engagement by said complementary fastening
means of said pouch, the load of said at least one pouch is borne
via said belt on the user's body, and the belt can be adjusted to
aid support of the load and the user.
16. The work belt as claimed in claim 15 wherein said pleat or flap
has said fastening means, for fastening with said fastening means
of said pouch, on at least one concealed surface thereof.
17. The work belt as claimed in either claim 15 wherein said work
belt is selectively engagement to an upper body load bearing
system, wherein said upper body load bearing system includes a
wearable garment.
18. The work belt as claimed in claim 15 wherein said pouches can
be stacked or layered on each other, each in part engaging either
another pouch and/or said fastening means of said belt.
19. The work belt as claimed in claim 16 wherein there are two
concealed surfaces and one each of said two concealed surfaces
presents a said fastening means.
20. The work belt as claimed in claim 15 Wherein said pouch has two
surfaces carrying said complementary fastening means, one each to
engage with one each said two concealed surfaces.
21. The work belt as claimed in claim 17 wherein said waist belt is
part retained to said upper body load bearing system via a further
fastening means with said upper body load bearing system.
22. The work belt as claimed in claim 17 wherein said upper body
load bearing system and said work belt are retained to one another
by a pleat or flap or one, and a complimentary fastening means at
the other.
23. The work belt as claimed in claim 22 wherein said upper body
load bearing system has said pleat or flap, located at or toward
the bottom periphery of said upper body load bearing system.
24. The work belt as claimed in claim 22 wherein said work belts
has said complimentary fastening means, pleat or flap located at or
toward the upper periphery of said work belt.
25. The work belt as claimed in claim 17 wherein there is a pleat
or flap located proximal to the midriff line of said upper body
load bearing system.
26. The work belt as claimed in claim 22 wherein there is a said
pleat or flap both at or toward the bottom periphery and above the
midriff line of said upper body load bearing system.
27. The work belt as claimed in claim 15 wherein said upper body
load bearing system is a vest style garment with frontal
access.
28. The work belt as claimed in claim 15 wherein said fastening
means is selected from any one or more of the following: a. one of
a hook and loop fastener, b. domes, c. press-fit connections, and
d. clips.
29. (canceled)
30. The work garment as claimed in claim 15 with reference to any
one or more of the accompanying drawings.
31. (canceled)
32. The work belt as claimed claim 15 with reference to any one or
more of the accompanying drawings.
33. (canceled)
34. The pouch as claimed in claim 1 with reference to any one or
more of the accompany drawings.
35. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a work garment, and in
particular though not solely for a work garment with a detachable
belt that can carry a load.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are known in the art methods for carrying a load on a
user such as for example a builder's work belt or pack based
systems.
[0003] Such systems however tend to concentrate the load in or on
one specific aspect of the users body (such as on the waist for a
belt) which can lead to detrimental effects over a period of time
of wearing the load carrying system when combined with high
weights.
[0004] Modular systems for carrying loads exist in such belted
systems also and in the type of load carrying equipment typified by
army "webbing". Typically however these only have a limited ability
to be customized for different load carrying tasks.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a work garment to at least go some way to addressing the
shortcomings of the prior art, and/or to provide the public with a
useful choice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a first aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a work garment wearable by a user comprising or
including,
[0007] a main garment portion including at least one fastening area
including fastening means
[0008] a waist belt attached to at least one point of said main
garment portion, and
[0009] at least one pouch for containing and holding tools which
has complementary fastening means to said fastening means of at
least one fastening area to allow said pouch to be suspended from
said main garment portion, the load of said pouch is borne via said
main garment portion on the user's shoulders, and wherein the waist
belt can be adjusted to aid support of the load of said pouch.
[0010] Preferably said fastening area consists of a pleat or flap
having on at least one concealed surface fastening means for
fastening with said fastening means of said pouch.
[0011] Preferably said there are two concealed surfaces and one
each of said two concealed surfaces presents a said fastening
means.
[0012] Preferably said pouch has a surface carrying said
complementary fastening means.
[0013] Preferably said waist belt is attached to the interior of
said main garment portion.
[0014] Preferably said waist belt is in part retained to said main
garment by and within a sleeve on said internal side of said main
garment portion.
[0015] Preferably said waist belt means is selectively engageable
to said work garment.
[0016] Preferably said waist belt has at least one area of
fastening, for fastening and suspending said pouches.
[0017] Preferably said pleat or flap is located on the bottom
periphery of said main garment portion.
[0018] Preferably said pleat or flap is located proximal to the
midriff line of the main garment portion.
[0019] Preferably said there is a said pleat or flap both at the
bottom periphery and above the midriff line of said main garment
portion.
[0020] Preferably said waist belt means is selectively engaged with
said fastening area.
[0021] Preferably said belt means is selectively engageable with
said pleat or flap.
[0022] Preferably said main garment portion is constructed of
material such as, but not limited to cotton, synthetic materials,
leather or cloth-like materials.
[0023] Preferably said at least one part of said main garment
portion is constructed from a high visibility material.
[0024] Preferably said main garment portion has reflectorized tape
or regions of reflectivity on its external surfaces.
[0025] Preferably said main garment portion is a vest style garment
with frontal access.
[0026] Preferably said main safety garment is a jacket with
sleeves.
[0027] Preferably said pouches can be arranged on said safety
garment by said fastening system to create a customized tool or
utility load carrying solution.
[0028] Preferably said pouches can be layered on each other, each
in part engaging either another pouch and/or said fastening means
of said main garment portion.
[0029] Preferably said work garment or a pouch that attaches
thereto has means for storage of a power means, for example but not
limited to a rechargeable battery.
[0030] Preferably said power means is located at the rear of the
work garment.
[0031] Preferably said power means is connectable to power tool
means, for example but not limited to a drill, driver, saw or
similar.
[0032] Preferably said fastening means is selected from any one or
more of the following: [0033] a. one of a hook and loop fastener,
[0034] b. domes, [0035] c. press-fit connections, and [0036] d.
clips.
[0037] Preferably said complimentary fastening means is a hook and
loop closure, such as that typified by and sold under the trade
name Velcro.TM..
[0038] In a second aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a work belt comprising or including,
[0039] a belt wearable by a user said belt including at least one
fastening zone including fastening means, and
[0040] at least one pouch for containing and holding tools, which
has complementary fastening means to said at least one fastening
zone to allow said pouches to be suspended from said belt, the load
of said at least one pouch is borne via said belt on the user's
body, and the belt can be adjusted to aid support of the load and
the user.
[0041] Preferably said work belt is selectively engageable to an
upper body load bearing system, wherein said upper body load
bearing system includes a wearable garment.
[0042] Preferably said fastening zone consists of a pleat or flap
having on at least one surface for engagement by said complementary
fastening means of said pouch.
[0043] Preferably said there are two inner surfaces and one each of
said two inner surfaces has one part each of said complimentary
fastening means for said pouch to fasten to.
[0044] Preferably said work belt consists of a belt and an outer
support means which said belt engages with.
[0045] Preferably said pleat or flap is located on said outer
support means.
[0046] Preferably said work belt is constructed from a high
visibility material.
[0047] Preferably said outer support means has reflectorized tape
on its external surfaces.
[0048] Preferably said pouches can be arranged on said safety
garment by said fastening system to create a customized tool or
utility load carrying solution.
[0049] Preferably said pouches can be stacked or layered on each
other, each in part engaging either another pouch and/or said
fastening means of said belt.
[0050] Preferably said work belt or a pouch that attaches thereto
has means for storage of a power means, for example but not limited
to a rechargeable battery.
[0051] Preferably said power means is located at the rear of the
work belt.
[0052] Preferably said power means is connectable to power tool
means, for example but not limited to a drill, driver, saw or
similar.
[0053] Preferably said upper body load bearing system is
selectively engageable to said belt by a connection zone, such as
hook and loop fastening, domes, clips, engaging toggles or other
similar forms or fastening.
[0054] Preferably said connection zone of said work belt to said
upper body load bearing system is by hook and loop fastening, such
as typified by the Velcro.TM. brand.
[0055] Preferably said upper body load bearing system has at least
one area of fastening on the load bearing system for a further
attachment point for said pouches.
[0056] Preferably said at least one area of fastening on the load
bearing system can be used for the selective attachment of said
work belt to allow the work belt to be attached at differing
positions, for example heights on said bearing system.
[0057] In a third aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a pouch for holding or able to hold tools or
utensils comprising or including,
[0058] a region to hold or adapted to hold tools or utensils (for
example but not limited to pliers, knives, screwdrivers, powered
tools),
[0059] a region of fastening for attaching to a load bearing system
to retain said pouch wherein the region of fastening allows the
pouch to be located according to the users needs or wants on the
load bearing system, the load bearing system having a complementary
region of fastening to retain the pouch.
[0060] Preferably said each of two outer surfaces of said pouch has
one part each of said complementary fastening means.
[0061] Preferably said there is a pleat or flap or area of
fastening or both at the bottom periphery and at/or above the
midriff line of said main garment portion.
[0062] Preferably said pleat or flap there are two inner surfaces
and one each of said two inner surfaces has one part each of said
complementary fastening means.
[0063] Preferably said main garment portion is constructed of
material such as, but not limited to cotton, synthetic materials,
leather or similar cloth-like materials.
[0064] Preferably said at least one part of said main garment
portion is constructed from a high visibility material.
[0065] Preferably said region(s) of fastening are hook and loop
fasteners.
[0066] Preferably said load bearing system is a garment such as a
belt, vest or jacket.
[0067] Preferably said complimentary fastening means is selected
from any one or more of the following: [0068] a. hook and loop
closure, [0069] b. domes, [0070] c. press-fit connections, and/or
[0071] d. clips.
[0072] Preferably said complimentary fastening means is a hook and
loop closure, such as that typified by and sold under the trade
name Velcro.TM..
[0073] In a fourth aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a method of providing a utility pouch on a work
garment comprising or including the steps of
[0074] providing on a garment (whether a jacket, vest belt or other
garment form) at least one area of fastening on a external surface
of said garment,
[0075] providing at least one pouch for containing or holding tools
utensils or the like, said pouch having complimentary fastening
means to said area of fastening and said complimentary fastening
means to allow said pouch to be hung from said garment.
[0076] Preferably said area of fastening consists of a pleat or
flap having on at least one inner surface a part, or parts, of a
fastening system for said complementary fastening means of said
pouch to engage.
[0077] Preferably said there are two inner surfaces and one each of
said two inner surfaces has one part each of said complementary
fastening means.
[0078] Preferably said each of two outer surfaces of said pouch has
one part each of said complementary fastening means.
[0079] Preferably said there is a belt means disposed entirely on
said internal surface or internal surfaces of said garment.
[0080] Preferably said belt means is in part retained to said
garment by a sleeve on said internal surface(s) of the main portion
of said garment, which sleeve said belt means at least in part
passes through.
[0081] Preferably said pleat or flap is located on the bottom
periphery of said main garment portion.
[0082] Preferably said said pleat or flap is located proximal to
the midriff line of said garment.
[0083] Preferably said there is a pleat or flap or area of
fastening both at the bottom periphery and at/or above the midriff
line of said garment.
[0084] Preferably said main garment portion is constructed of
material such as, but not limited to cotton, synthetic materials,
leather or similar cloth like material.
[0085] Preferably said at least one part of said main garment
portion is constructed from a high visibility material.
[0086] Preferably said main garment portion has reflectorized tape
or regions of reflectivity on its external surfaces.
[0087] Preferably said main garment portion is a vest style garment
which has frontal access.
[0088] Preferably said garment is a jacket with sleeves.
[0089] Preferably said pouches can be arranged on said garment by
said fastening system to create a customized tool or utility load
carrying solution.
[0090] Preferably said pouches can be stacked or layered on each
other, each in part engaging either another pouch and/or said pleat
or flap.
[0091] Preferably said garment or a pouch that attaches thereto has
means for storage of a power means, for example but not limited to
a rechargeable battery.
[0092] Preferably said power means is located at the rear of the
work garment.
[0093] Preferably said power means is connectable to power tool
means, for example but not limited to a drill, driver, saw or
similar.
[0094] In a further aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a work garment as herein described with
reference to any one or more of the accompany drawings.
[0095] In a further aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in a work belt as herein described with reference
to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
[0096] In a further aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist a pouch as herein described with reference to any
one or more of the accompany drawings.
[0097] In a further aspect the present invention may be said to
broadly consist in combination a work belt as herein described with
a work garment as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0098] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the
parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the
specification of the application, individually or collectively, and
any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements
or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which
have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates,
such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if
individually set forth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0099] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby,
[0100] FIG. 1 shows in plan a work garment in the form of a vest
with a number of pouches attached to the lower periphery of the
vest,
[0101] FIG. 2 shows the vest of FIG. 1 in plan view with a zip
undone on the front and the vest opened up showing the belt and
rear of the attached pouches,
[0102] FIG. 3 shows in plan view a variety of pouches that may be
attached to the work garment,
[0103] FIG. 4 shows the same pouches of FIG. 3 with tools inserted
therein,
[0104] FIG. 5 shows the area of fastening on the lower periphery of
the work garment and the complementary fastening on that of the
pouch, in this instance it is a hook and loop style closure,
[0105] FIG. 6 shows the first attachment of the pouch to the hook
and loop closure, where after it is followed by closing of the
flap,
[0106] FIG. 7 shows the jacket on a user with the belt done up
prior to zipping up of the front of the vest,
[0107] FIG. 8 shows the tools suspended from the pouches attached
to the work garment when on a user,
[0108] FIG. 9 shows similar view to that of FIG. 8 inside profile,
and
[0109] FIG. 10 shows a tail for the garment which is attached
similarly to the pouches, to provide a surface to sit on, and an
added area for reflective tape (on the reverse or external
side).
[0110] FIG. 11 shows in front view a work belt which is selectively
attachable to an upper body load bearing system, such as a vest as
shown, and
[0111] FIG. 12shows a partial side view of the work belt and upper
body load bearing system (as a vest) attached to each other, and b)
shows the region of selective attachment on the vest, together with
a further area of fastening on the vest for attachment of further
pouches, and c) a close up view in perspective of the work garment
and one method of selective attachment to the upper body load
bearing system.
[0112] Shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 there is a work garment as one
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0113] A work garment 1 has a main portion 3 which goes over the
body of a user 5. The main portion in one embodiment is a vest as
shown but alternatively it may be a jacket with sleeves or similar
garment (the sleeves maybe full, partial or short in lengths).
Pouches 17 can be suspended from the garment 1.
[0114] The vest 1 in the embodiment shown may have a zip 4 which
enables the front of the garment to be closed. Other means known in
the art for closing a garment are also within the scope of the
invention such as domes, clips, hook and loop fasteners or other
such similar means. The garment can also have a liner attached in
side by similar fastening means.
[0115] Preferably on the interior surface 13 of the main portion 3
of the work garment 1, there is a sleeve 29 which the belt like
support means 11, in the form of an adjustable belt, passes
through. Thus the belt like support means is attached to the
interior surface of the work garment to retain the belt to the work
garment. A function of having the belt passing through a sleeve is
to form a support for both the load and the user when the belt like
support means is tightened up around the waste of the user. Having
such an adjustable support means enables the user to stand more
upright and reduce loading on the lower back whilst also
stabilising the load on the work garment and the user. In this way
the load that is contained within the pouches is distributed over
not only the stabilised lower portion of the user but also is
transferred up and onto the shoulders of the user via the vest like
work garment. The belt may alternatively be exterior of the main
portion 3 or partially interior and exterior.
[0116] On the exterior surface of the main portion 3 of the work
garment maybe a number of other pockets, and also a clear pouch 6
for identification or a security card.
[0117] The pouches 17 have on their outer surfaces a variety of
hooks, loops and pockets for the containment of tools and utensils
19. The pouches can be designed in any particular way to carry any
particular tool. For example 17A is a holster for a battery or
otherwise powered drill. Other forms of the pouch designed
specifically for tools or other utensils are considered to be
within the scope of this invention.
[0118] On the upper area of the pouch 17 is an area of
complementary fastening 27. In the preferred embodiment the
fastening utilised is a hook and loop closure such as for example
but not limited to Velcro.TM.. On the innermost side, shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, of the pouch 17 there is the hook component of a
hook and loop closure. On the outermost side, shown in FIGS. 3 and
4, there is the loop component of a hook and loop closure.
[0119] On the bottom periphery 31 of the work garment 1 there is a
pleat or flap 23. In the embodiment shown the pleat or flap 23 is
disposed to the interior surface 13 of the garment but may equally
be a flap on the external surface 9 and may be on the bottom
periphery 31 or at or above or below the midriff line 33 or at any
other level or position on the work garment 1. In one embodiment
both are present.
[0120] On one interior portion of the pleat or flap 23 there is the
complementary fastening means to the external surface of the pouch
17. That is in the embodiment shown a hook component of a hook and
loop closure. On the other interior surface of the pleat or flap 23
there is the complementary component of a hook and loop closure to
that on the internal surface, i.e. the loop component of a hook and
loop closure. In assembling the pouches 17 to the work garment 1
the pleat or flap 23 is separated and folded away so that the area
of fastening 7 is exposed. There may be tabs 46 present to east the
opening of the pleat or flap 23, enabling the user to grip the tab
46 to at least in part open the flap or pleat 23.
[0121] Thereafter the complementary component of the fastening
means on the pouch is located to that complementary component on
the pleat of flap. Thereafter the pleat or flap 23 is folded over
the other complementary component of the fastening means to form a
secure system. Due to the nature of the order of the fastening
system i.e. hook on one surface of the pleat, loop on the other and
conversely loop on one side of the pouch and hook on the other,
then a number of pouches can be stacked in the same location to
provide a layering effect of pouches. The pleat or flap can still
be closed over these pouches to hold them in position.
[0122] In putting the vest on a user, first the user puts the work
garment 1 over their shoulders and then adjusts the belt like
support means 11 to be comfortable fit around their body.
Thereafter they can do the zip 4 up to close the work garment
1.
[0123] The work garment is in the preferred embodiment made from a
generally high visibility material such as road user orange and
also has areas of reflectorized tape 35 across the front, shoulders
and back; thus complying with a number of safety requirements for
commercial sites. Additionally a tail 37 having similar
complementary hook and loop fastening means to the pouches can be
located on the rear portion of the work garment 1. On the external
surface of this tail there is further reflectorized means to give
more visibility to the garment and to make it compliant with
various standards, such as for example the New Zealand Road Safety
Standard relating to reflectorized and safety garments.
[0124] The tail 37 also gives a convenient material for a user to
sit on, for example in wet conditions.
[0125] In a further embodiment the work garment 1 is split along a
connection zone to define a work belt 41 and an upper body load
bearing system 43.
[0126] The upper body load bearing system may be in the form of a
vest or shirt or jacket as previously described. The connection
zone may be achieved by selectively engageable means as defined by
hook and loop fastenings, domes, clips, engaging goggles or other
similar means known the art for making a selectively disengageable
join.
[0127] In the preferred embodiment the connection zone is achieved
by a hook and loop fastening such as that typified by the Velcro
band product.
[0128] The method of connection along the connection zone is
similar to that described above 4 the single work garment with a
lower peripheral pleatable flap 23. The connection zone therefore
on the upper periphery of the work belt 41 has a pleat or flap 45
having on its inner surfaces the complementary hook and fastener on
one interior portion and loop fastener on another interior portion.
This engages with complimentary loop and hook fastener portions on
the lower periphery of the upper body load bearing system 43.
[0129] The pleat or flap 45 formed in the upper portion of the work
belt 41 may additionally have tabs 46 which allow the user to open
the pleat or flap 45 in a similar way to the tabs 46 utilized in
the other preferred embodiment pleat or flap 23.
[0130] Alternatively the pleat or flap may be that defined on the
earlier embodiment namely that of 23 and the work belt 41 has a
similar engagement to that pleat or flap 23 as the pouches do
namely it presents a complimentary hook and loop fastener to that
presented by the pleat or flap 23.
[0131] The load bearing system 43 may in addition to the connection
zone have further connection zones thereon such as at a midriff
line 33.
[0132] In the preferred embodiment the connection zones of the
upper body garment are identical to the pleat or flap 23 previously
described. Therefore the user has the option of adding a work belt
41.
[0133] The work belt additionally has pleats or flaps 23 similar to
those described previously which allow pouches 17 to be attached
thereto. The user therefore has full configurable system whereby
pouches can be mounted onto a upper body load bearing system 43
which may have selectively attached thereto a work belt 41 from
which further pouches 17 may be attached.
[0134] The user may then if so desired, remove the work belt 41
from the load bearing system 43 to have just a belt with pouches
depending therefrom.
[0135] The user may alternatively just have the upper body load
bearing system 43 in the form of a vest or jacket for example from
which pouches may be attached without having the requirement of the
work belt 41. The work belt has in a similar fashion to that
previously described a clip belt which runs through out support
means and the belt engages therewith such as for example by way of
a sleeve or the belt may be permanently attached via stitching or
similar.
[0136] Depending from the outer support means is the pleat or flap
23 from which the pouches may be attached the pouches being 17.
[0137] The upper body support means may be as described a vest made
of a high visibility material or shirt made of a high visibility
material or may alternatively may be of a strapping or similar
suspending nature from which the pouches and/or work belt 17 and 41
respectively may be swung or attached. The outer support means may
additionally have high visibility material so that the work belt
which is defined 41 may when used on its own provide the
reflectivity and safety needed.
[0138] A further embodiment of the present invention relates to
having a belt like support means 11 only having a pleat or flap 23
on its periphery (or on the periphery of a sleeve which the belt
like support means engages with or at least in part passes through)
to which pouches can be attached. This gives a simplified version
of the present invention whereby the belt by itself is worn by the
user 5 and the pouches 17 can be arranged and customised thereon as
per the user's needs and requirements.
[0139] The work garment 1 therefore allows the user to have a
customisable tool or utensil storage system allowing stacking and
layering of pouches as well as moving the pouches to spread the
load over the user. The work garment 1 together with the belt like
support means 11 not only spreads the load over the user's waist
and supports the user and the load but also the load is distributed
over the shoulders of the user. Such load distribution results in a
more upright and ergonomically favourable stance of the user which
reduces the fatigue on the user from carrying around such
tools.
[0140] A pouch 17D on the rear of the work garment 1 (not shown) is
able to carry batteries or similar power supply means for powered
tools. For example a battery 18 in the rear pouch 17D can be
connected via a cable 20, possibly running from the sleeve of the
user, to a battery powered or electrically powered tool (e.g. a
drill or other powered device) therefore the user does not carry
the heavy density power means (e.g. the battery) on the powered
tool itself but rather it is contained on the users body. Therefore
the user can control a lighter tool without resulting in fatigue.
Such mobile powering means also allows the user to be free of power
cords and the ensuing entanglement which these can result in and
also allows the user a greater freedom of movement.
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