U.S. patent application number 13/188906 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for shirt with reinforced front.
Invention is credited to William C. Vereen.
Application Number | 20110271419 13/188906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44900887 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110271419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vereen; William C. |
November 10, 2011 |
SHIRT WITH REINFORCED FRONT
Abstract
A fire resistant shirt is described that is constructed from two
or more layers of fire resistant fabric strategically located
across the front portion of the shirt to protect the torso of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Vereen; William C.;
(Thomasville, GA) |
Family ID: |
44900887 |
Appl. No.: |
13/188906 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12433352 |
Apr 30, 2009 |
7987521 |
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13188906 |
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11118888 |
May 2, 2005 |
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12433352 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 1/00 20130101; A41D
13/0518 20130101; A41D 31/265 20190201; A41D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41B 1/00 20060101
A41B001/00 |
Claims
1. A fire resistant shirt having a front portion comprising two or
more plies of fire resistant fabric and a back portion constructed
of one ply of fire resistant fabric.
2. The shirt of claim 1, further comprising sleeves constructed of
fire resistant fabric.
3. The shirt of claim 1, further comprising: a neck opening at the
top of the front portion; a bottom edge along the bottom of the
front portion, and stitching around the neck opening which holds
together the two or more plies of fire resistant fabric.
4. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the front portion further
comprises: a left front panel and a right front panel joined
together by an overlapping button panel and button hole panel, and
stitching along the button panel and button hole panel which holds
together the two or more plies of fire resistant fabric.
5. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge comprises a
stitched hem.
6. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the two or more plies are
continuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of the
plies.
7. The shirt of claim 2, wherein the sleeves comprise a single ply
of fire resistant fabric.
8. The shirt of claim 3, wherein the two or more plies are
continuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of the
plies.
9. The shirt of claim 4, wherein the two or more plies are
continuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of the
plies.
10. A fire resistant shirt having a front portion comprising two or
more plies of fire resistant fabric, wherein the front portion
further comprises: a bottom edge; shoulder seams; two arm holes
having a bottom; a first ply with a length extending from the
shoulder seams to the bottom edge of the shirt, and a second ply
with a length extending from the shoulder seams to a terminus
between the bottom edge of the shirt and the bottom of the two arm
holes.
11. The shirt of claim 10, further comprising: a back portion
constructed of one ply of fire resistant fabric.
12. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply
is located approximately at or between two-thirds and one-third of
a distance measured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two
arm holes.
13. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply
is located approximately at or between three-quarters and
one-quarter of a distance measured from the bottom edge to the
bottom of the two arm holes.
14. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply
is located at approximately one-half of a distance measured from
the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm holes.
15. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply
is located approximately at or between two-thirds and one-half of a
distance measured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm
holes.
16. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply
is located approximately at or between one-half and one-third of a
distance measured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm
holes.
17. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the first ply and the second ply
are continuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of
the first and second plies.
18. The shirt of claim 11, wherein the first ply and the second ply
are continuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of
the first and second plies.
19. The shirt of claim 2, wherein the sleeves comprise a first ply
and a second ply of fire resistant fabric, and wherein said first
ply and second ply have different lengths relative to each
other.
20. A torso-covering garment having a front portion comprising: at
least two plies of fire resistant fabric, each fire resistant
fabric ply having an arc thermal performance value (ATPV) equal to
or greater than 4.2 calories per square centimeter; a neck opening
at the top of the front portion; a hem along the bottom of the
front portion; stitching around the neck opening and along the hem
which holds together the two or more plies of fire resistant
fabric, wherein the front portion further comprises a left front
panel and a right front panel which are joined together by and
overlapping button hole panel and button panel, and stitching along
the button hole panel and button panel which holds together the two
or more plies of fire resistant fabric.
Description
[0001] This continuation-in-part application claims benefit of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/433,352, filed on Apr. 30, 2009,
which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/118,888, filed on May 2, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a fire resistant shirt having
a front that is reinforced to protect the torso of the wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Workers in many industries may be subjected to sudden
thermal flashes directly toward the front of the workers' bodies.
Electrical workers, for example, may experience an electric arc of
great thermal intensity. This is particularly damaging to female
workers because their brassieres may ignite outright, or the fabric
and underwire melt or burn, causing severe injury. The traditional
market solution has been to require female employees who are
exposed to these types of danger to wear a brassiere made of a fire
resistant fabric. This solution is problematic for the employer
because such brassieres are expensive and are often difficult to
fit and procure. This solution also causes problems for female
employees because these brassieres are made from a fabric having
fire resistant fibers, which is heavier, stiffer, more
uncomfortable, and more cumbersome than a female employee's regular
brassiere fabric.
[0004] Typical fire resistant shirts have an arc thermal
performance value (ATPV) between 4.2 and 5.6 calories per square
centimeter. The highest scoring shirts that are presently
commercially available are made from a fire resistant fabric sold
under the trademark INDURA ULTRA SOFT.RTM., and weighing 7.0 ounces
per square yard. This fabric has an ATPV of approximately 8.3
calories per square centimeter, which is desirable for constructing
conventional fire resistant shirts. Conventional shirts
manufactured from this fabric, however, can be heavy and hot.
Heavier clothing, especially clothing made from fire resistant
material, tends to trap heat and result in excessive perspiration
(which can conduct electricity), heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or
other serious medical conditions that affect an employee's judgment
and dexterity on the job.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a fire resistant shirt with
a construction that provides maximum protection, flexibility,
comfort and ventilation while still meeting applicable safety
standards. There is also a need for such a fire resistant shirt
that provides specialized protection to females. There is a further
need for a fire resistant shirt that is economical to manufacture.
Still further, there is a need for a fire resistant shirt that can
be worn without additional garments protecting a wearer's torso. It
is to these needs and others that the present invention is
directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed toward a flame resistant
shirt that provides necessary protection for a wearer by using two
or more layers of fire resistant fabric strategically located
across the front of the shirt. The layers or plies of fabric
greatly increase the frontal resistance of the shirt to the thermal
effects of an electric arc, and provide significantly more
protection than a single ply of fire resistant fabric, with a
minimum increase in weight. Two or more plies of fabric used in
accordance with the present invention are especially beneficial
when applied to the front of the shirt for a number of reasons. For
example, accidents involving electric arcs in work situations
generally occur while an affected employee is working with his or
her hands on a given task, and therefore generally occur in front
of the employee. Infrared energy is the primary heat energy
resulting from an electric arc. The arc travels in a straight line
and generally does not affect the back of a shirt. Also, most
employees wear arc-rated gloves that extend to the elbow and often
additionally wear full rubber sleeves that extend from the wrists
to the top of the shoulders. These rubber sleeves are held in place
with a strap that buckles around the back of the shoulders. The
gloves and sleeves leave an unprotected zone from the chest to the
abdomen of a wearer, leaving a fire resistant shirt as the primary
means of protection.
[0007] Many arc-rated rubber sleeves and gloves have an ATPV
ranging from 25 to 100 calories per square centimeter. Thus, the
main purpose for wearing long sleeved shirts under these rubber
sleeves and gloves is not for added protection, but rather for the
comfort of the wearer. Constructing the sleeves from a lighter
weight material best suits this purpose. Accordingly, the sleeves
of the shirt of the present invention can be constructed from one
or more plies of varying lengths relative to each other, and the
one or more plies can comprise varying materials for the comfort
and safety needs of the wearer. Likewise, the overall length of the
sleeves can vary to enhance the comfort and safety needs of the
wearer. An exemplary embodiment of the shirt in accordance with the
present invention includes a double layer of fire resistant fabric
on the front panels, and sleeves comprised of a single layer of
fire resistant fabric, which allows the wearer to have increased
dexterity.
[0008] Constructing a fire resistant shirt with two or more layers
of fire resistant fabric on the front yields greatly increased
protection in the chest/abdomen area with greater breathability and
reduced heat retention. This construction also provides a
manufacturer with the ability to use one or more layers of lighter
material in strategic areas on the shirt instead of using a
heavier-weight fire resistant fabric to construct the entire shirt.
An exemplary embodiment of the shirt in accordance with the present
invention comprises a single layer of fire resistant fabric used to
construct the sleeves and the rear portion of the shirt. This
construction allows for increased heat ventilation of the back and
shoulders of the wearer, and reduces the risks associated with heat
build-up. Alternatively, a manufacturer can strategically use
fabric or material with or without fire resistance in various areas
on the shirt that are not likely to encounter a thermal arc.
[0009] The shirt in accordance with the present invention
facilitates easier enforcement of fire resistant uniform policies,
which can be problematic for an employer of both male and female
employees. For example, it is difficult to ascertain whether a
female employee is wearing a Nomex IIIA.RTM. brassiere or whether a
male employee wearing a proper undershirt underneath a conventional
fire resistant shirt. The shirt of the present invention can bear a
distinctive insignia to allow an employer to readily determine the
shirt's arc rating, and thus determine whether an employee is
compliant with the employer's fire resistant uniform policies.
[0010] The benefits of the construction of the shirt extend to
numerous other applications, and the exemplary embodiments
described herein are in no way intended to be limited solely to
shirts for female wearers, nor solely to the type of sewing
construction utilized in the attached drawings as being the
definitive means of construction. The shirt can be constructed by
other joining or sewing methods known in the art, and by other
conventional means of adhesion. By way of example, some drawings
illustrate a double ply construction that includes the entirety of
the front panels, however, the front panels may be constructed of
multiple layers of varying lengths to better accommodate job
requirements.
[0011] In one embodiment, the front panels comprise first plies of
fire resistant fabric extending from the shoulder seams of the
front panels of the shirt to a terminus at the bottom edge of the
front portion of the shirt. Second plies of fire resistant fabric
extend from the shoulder seams of the front panels of the shirt to
a terminus located above the bottom edge of the front portion of
the shirt. This construction can reduce the cost of the shirt, and
can further reduce heat retention.
[0012] These features, and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the
appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like
components throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating an
embodiment of a shirt of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed view from the interior of the shirt at
point A of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed view from the interior of the shirt at
point B of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating an
alternative embodiment of the shirt of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a detailed view from the exterior of the shirt at
point A of FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed view from the exterior of the shirt at
point B of FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the front portion of
an alternative embodiment of a shirt in accordance with the present
invention with the interior side of the shirt facing outward,
detailing the construction of the front portion of a shirt with two
plies having different lengths relative to each other.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of a shirt in accordance with the present invention,
showing in phantom lines an alternative construction of the front
portion of a shirt with two plies having different lengths relative
to each other.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of a shirt in accordance with the present invention,
showing in phantom lines an alternative construction of the front
portion of a shirt with two plies having different lengths relative
to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Illustrative embodiments of the shirt according to the
present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. With reference to
FIG. 1, a shirt 1 comprises sleeves 2a and 2b, which extend from
armholes 3a and 3b. There is a collar 4 formed above a neck opening
5. Shoulder seams 6a and 6b extend from armholes 3a and 3b to the
neck opening 5. Left front panel 8 and right front panel 7 are each
constructed from two-plies of fire resistant fabric. Plies 7a and
7b (FIGS. 2 and 3) are stitched together at the neck opening 5 and
the shoulder seams 6a and 6b, around the armholes 3a and 3b, and
optionally have a stitched hem or surged finish at bottom edges 9
and 10. The sleeves 2a and 2b, the collar 4, and the back portion
1b of the shirt are constructed of a single ply of fire resistant
fabric. Two plies of fire resistant fabric are applied in the front
panels 7 and 8 only where they are needed for the safety of the
wearer.
[0023] In one embodiment, the front portion 1a of the shirt 1
comprises the top ply 7a and the bottom ply 7b (FIGS. 2 and 3) of
fire resistant fabric, each fire resistant fabric ply having an
ATPV of greater than 4.2 calories per square centimeter. Neck
opening 5 is at the top of the front portion 1a and a sewn hem is
along the bottom edges 9 and 10 of the shirt 1. Stitching around
the neck opening 5 and along the bottom edges 9 and 10 holds
together the two or more plies 7a and 7b of fire resistant fabric,
which are otherwise continuously unbonded in order to enhance the
fire resistant properties of the shirt 1. The front portion 1a
further comprises left front panel 8 and right front panel 7, which
are joined together at an overlapping button hole panel 12 and
button panel 11. Stitching 12a along the button hole panel 12 and
stitching 11a along the button panel 11 holds together the two or
more plies 7a and 7b of fabric. The shirt 1 also has a back portion
1b constructed of a single ply of fabric.
[0024] Although opposing surface areas of the plies 7a and 7b are
stitched together along certain seams, are generally adjacent one
another, and are in contact at their opposing faces, the plies 7a
and 7b are otherwise continuously unbonded to each other along the
surface areas of their opposing faces. The continuously unbonded
plies 7a and 7b provide an air space for additional protection to
the wearer. Conventional plies that are continuously bonded or
bonded over at least a portion of one or more opposing faces, for
example using flammable adhesives, rivets, or additional stitching,
can create potentially unsafe conditions for the wearer. The
continuously unbonded plies 7a and 7b provide the further advantage
of an outer layer (ply 7a) that ablates or peels away from the
inner layer (ply 7b) when exposed to a thermal arc, thus removing
the thermal energy from the shirt and the wearer.
[0025] The single ply of fabric of the back portion 1b and sleeves
2a and 2b are preferably constructed of a fire resistant fabric. A
"fire resistant fabric" in accordance with the present invention
means that the fabric is not only generally fire or flame
resistant, but also meets accepted standards applying to garments
exposed to electric arcs or flash fires, like NFPA and ASTM
standards. As used herein, a "fire resistant fabric" also has an
ATPV of equal to or greater than 4.2 calories per square
centimeter. Other fabrics commonly used for fashion and outerwear
bearing some general degree of "flame resistance" (such as wool or
silk, which are known in the art to be incapable of withstanding
electric arcs or flash fires) are not "fire resistant fabrics" as
the phrase is used herein. Such fashion fabrics (as opposed to fire
resistant fabrics for protective clothing) are not suitable to
construct the shirt according to the present invention.
[0026] In another embodiment of the shirt 1 in accordance with the
present invention, the front portion 1a is comprised of at least
two unbonded plies 7a and 7b of fire resistant fabric. The bottom
edges 9 and 10 of the top ply 7a and bottom ply 7b of the left and
right front panels 8 and 9 can be unstitched such that each ply 7a
and 7b has an unfinished edge. This construction is especially
applicable when the shirt 1 is constructed from a fire resistant
knit material, or another fire resistant material that is not prone
to fraying. Optionally, ply 7a can be stitched or surged
individually at its bottom edge 9 to form a hem or a finished edge.
Likewise, and also optionally, ply 7b can be stitched or surged at
its bottom edge 10 to form a hem or a finished edge. Alternatively,
the top ply 7a and the bottom ply 7b can be stitched together along
the bottom edges 9 and 10 such that the plies 7a and 7b are joined
to form a hem or a finished edge.
[0027] FIG. 2, which is a detailed view from the inside of the
shirt 1 taken at point A of FIG. 1, illustrates the bottom ply 7b
and the top ply 7a and how the plies 7a and 7b are folded and sewn
at stitch line 11a to form a button panel 11.
[0028] FIG. 3, which is a detailed view from the inside of the
shirt 1 taken at point B of FIG. 1, illustrates the bottom ply 7b
and the top ply 7a and how the plies 7a and 7b are folded in
preparation for sewing. A button hole panel 12, is applied above
the abutted edges of plies 7a and 7b, and sewn thereto along stitch
lines 12a. A strip 14 may be inserted within the button hole panel
11 to provide additional bulk and strength, and can be sewn or
otherwise bonded in place, and is preferably fire resistant.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a shirt 15 in
accordance with the present invention. The shirt 15 has sleeves 16a
and 16b, which extend from armholes 17a and 17b. A collar 18 is
formed above neck opening 19. Shoulder seams 20a and 20b extend
from armholes 17a and 17b to the neck opening 19. Front panel 22 is
preferably constructed from two or more plies 22a and 22b (FIGS. 5
and 6) of a fire resistant knit fabric. The plies 22a and 22b are
stitched together at the neck opening 19, the shoulder seams 20a
and 20b, at a bottom edge 21 and around the armholes 17a and 17b.
The shirt optionally has a collar opening 23 comprising an
overlapping button panel 23a and button hole panel 23b. The plies
22a and 22b are otherwise continuously unbonded about their
opposing surface areas. The sleeves 16a and 16b, as well as a back
panel 15a are constructed of a single ply of fire resistant fabric.
Optionally, ply 22a can be stitched or surged individually along
the bottom edge 21 to form a hem or a finished edge. Also
optionally, ply 22b can be stitched or surged at the bottom edge 21
to form a hem or a finished edge. Alternatively, the ply 22a and
ply 22b can be stitched together along the bottom edge 21 such that
the plies 22a and 22b are joined to form a hem, a surged edge, or
an unfinished edge.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the collar opening 23, taken at
point A of FIG. 4. The joining of top ply 22a to bottom ply 22b is
illustrated. The top ply 22a and bottom ply 22b are sewn to the
collar 18 as shown at stitch line 24.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the bottom edge 21, taken at
point B of FIG. 4. The joining of top ply 22a to bottom ply 22b is
illustrated. The top ply 22a and bottom ply 22b are folded and sewn
together along stitch line 25 to form the bottom edge 21.
[0032] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a shirt 101 in accordance
with the present invention. The shirt 101 comprises a front portion
101a and a back portion 101b constructed of a fire resistant
material, and is shown with the interior facing outward. The shirt
101 further comprises sleeves 102a and 102b, which extend from
armholes 103a and 103b. There is a collar 104 formed above the neck
opening 105. Shoulder seams 106a and 106b extend from armholes 103a
and 103b to neck opening 105. Left front panel 108 and right front
panel 107 are constructed from two-plies of fire resistant fabric
of different length relative to each other.
[0033] In one embodiment, the left and right front panels 108 and
107 each comprise a first ply 107a and 108a of fire resistant
fabric extending from the shoulder seams 106a and 106b of the left
and right front panels 108 and 107 of the shirt 101 and having
lengths that terminate at the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front
portion 101a of the shirt 101. Second plies 107b and 108b of fire
resistant fabric extend from the shoulder seams 106a and 106b of
the left and right front panels 108 and 107 of the shirt 101 and
have a terminus 126 located between the shoulder seams 106a and
106b and the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front portion 101a of
the shirt 101.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 7, the
terminus 126 of the second plies 107b and 108b of fire resistant
fabric is located approximately at or between one half and
two-thirds of a distance measured from the bottom edges 109 and 110
of the front portion 101a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of the arm
holes 103a and 103b of the left and right front panels 108 and 107
of the shirt 101. In another embodiment, the terminus 126 of the
second plies 107b and 108b of fire resistant fabric is located
approximately at or between one-quarter and three-quarters of a
distance measured from the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front
portion 101a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of the arm holes 103a
and 103b of the left and right front panels 108 and 107 of the
shirt 101. In a preferred embodiment, the second plies 107b and
108b have a terminus 126 located approximately at or between
one-half and one-third of a distance measured from the bottom edges
109 and 110 of the front portion 101a of the shirt 101 to the
bottom of the arm holes 103a and 103b of the left and right front
panels 108 and 107 of the shirt 101. In another preferred
embodiment, a two ply construction extends from shoulder seams 106a
and 106b to approximately the "belt line" of the shirt 101, and a
single ply construction continues from the terminus 126 to the
bottom edges 109 and 110 of the shirt 101. Thus, in this
embodiment, the two ply construction is primarily limited to a
portion of the shirt 101 that is not typically tucked into a
wearer's pants.
[0035] In some cases it may be desirable to provide two or more
plies of fire resistant fabric in other areas. For example, the
terminus 126 of the second plies 107b and 108b can be located
approximately two-thirds of the distance from the bottom edges 109
and 110 of the front portion 101a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of
the arm holes 103a and 103b of the front portion 101a of the shirt
101. As another example, the terminus 126 of the second plies 107b
and 108b can be located adjacent the bottom of the arm holes 103a
and 103b of the front portion 101a of the shirt 101 such that the
portions of the shirt 101 that would typically contact a female
wearer's brassiere are provided with additional protection. In a
similar fashion, the sleeves 102a and 102b can be constructed of
one or more plies of fabric having different relative lengths.
[0036] The plies 107a, 108a, 107b, and 108b are stitched together
at the neck opening 105, the shoulder seams 106a and 106b, and
around the armholes 103a and 103b. Optionally, first plies 107a and
108a can be stitched or surged along bottom edges 109 and 110 to
form a hem or a finished edge. Also optionally, second plies 107b
and 108b can be stitched or surged along a terminal edge 124 to
form a hem or a finished edge, or can have an unfinished terminal
edge 124 where the second plies 107b and 108b are constructed of a
fabric that is not prone to fraying or unraveling. Alternatively,
plies 107a and 107b can be stitched together along bottom edges 109
and 110 such that the plies 107a and 107b are joined to form a hem
or a finished edge. In this embodiment, the sleeves 102a and 102b,
as well as the collar 104 and the back portion 101b are constructed
of a single ply of fire resistant fabric. The shirt 101 provides
two or more plies of fire resistant fabric where the plies are
needed fore safety in the left and right front panels 108 and 107,
and one ply of fire resistant fabric elsewhere.
[0037] In one embodiment, the left and right front panels 108 and
107 of the shirt 101 comprise top plies 107a and 108a and bottom
plies 107b and 108b of fire resistant fabric. The neck opening 105
is at the top of the front portion 101a and a stitched hem or
surged edge is along the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the shirt 101.
The stitching around the neck opening 105 and along the bottom
edges 109 and 110 holds together the two or more plies 107a, 108a,
107b, and 108b of fire resistant fabric, which are otherwise
continuously unbonded. The left front panel 108 and right front
panel 107, are joined together by overlapping button hole panel 112
(not shown) and button panel 111. Stitching along the button hole
panel 112 and button panel 111 holds together the two or more plies
107a, 108a, 107b, and 108b of fabric, which can be continuously
unbonded. The back portion 101b and the sleeves 102a and 102b are
constructed of a single ply of fire resistant fabric.
[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the shirt 201 in
accordance with the present invention. The shirt 201 is constructed
of a fire resistant material, and comprises sleeves 202a and 202b,
which extend from armholes 203a and 203b. A front portion 201a of
the shirt 201 comprises left front panel 208 and right front panel
207, which are constructed from two-plies of fire resistant fabric
of different lengths relative to each other. The left and right
front panels 208 and 207 comprise first plies 207a and 208a of fire
resistant fabric extending from shoulder seams 206a and 206b of the
left and right front panels 208 and 207 of the shirt 201, and
having a terminus at the bottom edges 209 and 210 of the front
portion 201a of the shirt 201. Second plies 207b and 208b (shown in
phantom behind the first plies 207a and 208a) of fire resistant
fabric extend from the shoulder seams 206a and 206b of the left and
right front panels 208 and 207 of the shirt 201 and have a terminus
226 (shown in phantom lines) located between the bottom of the arm
holes 203a and 203b and the bottom edges 209 and 210 of the front
portion 201a of the shirt 201. In this embodiment, and as an
example of the variable length of the second plies 107b and 108b,
the terminus 226 of the second plies 207b and 108b of fire
resistant fabric is located approximately one-third of a distance
measured from the bottom edges 209 and 210 of the front portion
201a of the shirt 201 to the bottom of the arm holes 203a and 203b
of the left and right front panels 208 and 207 of the shirt
201.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the shirt 301
in accordance with the present invention. The shirt 301 has sleeves
316a and 316b, which extend from armholes 317a and 317b. There is a
collar 318 formed above the neck opening 319. Shoulder seams 320a
and 320b extend from the armholes 317a and 317b to the neck opening
319. Front panel 322 is constructed from two or more plies of a
fire resistant fabric of different lengths relative to each other.
The front panel 322 comprises a first ply 322a of fire resistant
fabric extending from shoulder seams 320a and 320b of the shirt 301
and having a length that terminates at the bottom edge 321. Second
ply 322b (shown in phantom behind the first ply 322a) of fire
resistant fabric extends from the shoulder seams 320a and 320b of
the front panel 322 of the shirt 301 and has a terminus 326 (shown
in phantom lines) located between the bottom of the arm holes 320a
and 320b and the bottom edge 321. In this embodiment, and as
another example of the variable length of the second ply 322b, the
terminus 326 of the second ply 322b of fire resistant fabric is
located approximately two-thirds of a distance measured from the
bottom edge 321 of the shirt 301 to the bottom of the arm holes
320a and 320b.
[0040] It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made to the shirt of
the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention
covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided
that they come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *