U.S. patent application number 13/294997 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for shoulder protective covering.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROBERTO GOMEZ. Invention is credited to ROBERTO GOMEZ.
Application Number | 20130117916 13/294997 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48279231 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130117916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GOMEZ; ROBERTO |
May 16, 2013 |
SHOULDER PROTECTIVE COVERING
Abstract
A worker protective covering having a vestment that covers at
least the shoulder area of a worker. A sleeve that covers at least
the upper arm of the worker extends from the vestment. An elastic
strap retains the protective covering to a worker. The vestment and
sleeve are comprised of a durable outer layer. A foam layer extends
under at least part of the durable outer layer to provide
protective padding for at least the shoulder area and upper arm of
the worker.
Inventors: |
GOMEZ; ROBERTO; (GREENWOOD
VILLAGE, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GOMEZ; ROBERTO |
GREENWOOD VILLAGE |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48279231 |
Appl. No.: |
13/294997 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20130101;
A41D 13/0151 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/459 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/26 20060101
A41D027/26 |
Claims
1. A worker protective covering, comprising: a vestment for
covering at least the shoulder area of a worker, a sleeve that
extends from said vestment, said sleeve for covering at least the
upper arm of a worker; and a strap that extends from said vestment
to retain the protective assembly to a worker; wherein the vestment
and sleeve include a durable outer layer comprising a hard-wearing
material; and wherein a foam layer extends under the durable outer
layer so as to provide protective padding for at least the shoulder
area and the upper arm of a worker; wherein said foam layer extends
from a shoulder-contacting portion of said vestment to at least an
upper portion of said sleeve.
2. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, wherein said
strap includes a clip for ease of putting on and taking off the
worker protective covering.
3. A worker protective covering according to claim 2, wherein said
strap and clip provide an adjustable strap length.
4. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, wherein the
foam layer is comprised of high density polyurethane.
5. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, wherein the
outer layer is comprised of denim.
6. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, wherein the
outer layer is comprised of leather.
7. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, wherein the
vestment includes a collar.
8. A worker protective covering according to claim 1, further
including an inner layer.
9. A worker protective covering according to claim 8, wherein the
inner layer is comprised of cotton.
10. A worker protective covering according to claim 8, wherein the
inner layer is comprised of a transmission material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a
protective covering that protects a wearer against harm from things
carried on the shoulder as well as wear and damage to his
shirt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Some tasks require a person to lift and carry relatively
heavy and/or irritating materials. For example, when working in
construction a worker may have to pick up and carry lumber, nails,
shingles, drywall compound, fiberglass insulation, painting
supplies, bricks, or other such items.
[0003] When lifting and carrying such materials it is not at all
uncommon for a worker to experience shoulder or arm pain and to
develop shoulder problems as a result of performing those tasks.
Another problem a worker may experience from lifting and carrying
materials is damage to his or her shirt or other clothing. While
such problems may be mitigated by proper lifting and carrying
techniques those techniques at best merely mitigate problems.
[0004] Therefore, a device that reduces arm and shoulder pain would
be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be a device that reduces
shoulder pain and that reduces the likelihood of shoulder problems.
Preferably that device would also reduce or eliminate damage to a
worker's shirt and clothing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The principles of the present invention provide for a
protective covering that reduces shoulder pain, that reduces the
likelihood of shoulder problems and that reduces or eliminates
damage to a worker's shirt and clothing.
[0006] The protective covering has a vestment that covers at least
the shoulder area of a worker. A sleeve that covers at least the
upper arm of the worker extends from the vestment. An elastic strap
retains the protective covering to the worker. The vestment and
sleeve are comprised of a durable outer layer. A foam layer extends
under at least part of the durable outer layer to provide
protective padding for at least the shoulder area and upper arm of
the worker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with
like symbols, and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a protective covering that is in
accord with the principles of the present invention; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of the protective covering
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which one embodiment is shown. However, it should be understood
that this invention may take different forms and thus should not be
construed as being limited to the specific embodiment set forth
herein. In the figures like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0011] The present invention is described herein with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, the present invention is described as
a protective covering that prevents, reduces, or eliminates
shoulder and/or arm pain, shoulder damage and wear and damage to a
worker's clothing.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a worker 10 that is wearing a protective
covering 12 that is in accord with the principles of the present
invention. As shown, the protective covering 12 is worn on one side
of the worker 10. This reduces cost, difficulty of putting on, and
heat buildup in warmer weather and climates while still protecting
the worker 10 from shoulder pain and harm when carrying materials.
This is because the worker 10 almost invariably prefers to carry
heavy materials on one side of their body.
[0013] Because the protective covering 12 is only worn on one side
of the body the protective covering 12 has a vestment 13 that that
fits over the worker's shoulder. That vestment 13 is configured to
rest on and around the worker's shoulder. The vestment 13 may take
the form of a half/shirt or jacket. A strap 14 extends from at or
near the bottom 16 of the vestment. The strap 14 is configured to
fit around the worker 10 to retain the protective covering 12 on
the worker 10. The strap 14 is beneficially comprised of
stretchable nylon.
[0014] The protective covering 12 may also include a collar that
extends from the vestment 13. The collar 15 is designed to both
protect the neck of the worker 10 and to reduce sliding of
materials being carried.
[0015] Still referring to FIG. 1, the protective covering 12
includes a long sleeve 18 that extends from the vestment 13 down
the arm of the worker 10. However, a long sleeve is not a
requirement of the present invention and a short sleeve version is
also possible. However, a long sleeve version provides more
protection.
[0016] Turn now to FIG. 2 for a more detailed view of the
protective covering 12. That figure shows the protective covering
12 with its vestment 13, sleeve 18 and strap 14 at or near the
bottom 16 of the protective covering 12. FIG. 2 further shows a
clip release 22 on the strap 14. The clip release makes putting on
and wearing the protective covering 12 easier. The clip release 22
is beneficially comprised of a hard plastic material.
[0017] The strap 14 might come in a variety of sizes to fit
different wearers, it might be elastic enough to be useable by
wearers of widely different sizes, or it might include a size
adjustment that allow a "one-size fits all" strap. However, the
strap 14 and clip release 22 are preferably configured to allow
strap-length adjustment in the manner that is common in bicycle and
motorcycle helmets, military equipment, children's car seats, and
equipment tie-downs.
[0018] The protective covering 12 is comprised of at least two,
preferably 3, material layers. The outer layer 30 is beneficially
comprised of a hard-wearing material such as leather, a leather
substitute, or, preferably for cost, ease of use, construction, and
wearing, denim. In any event the outer layer 30 enables the worker
10 to pick up and carry construction and other materials without
excessive damage being done to the protective covering 12, the
worker 10, or his shirt.
[0019] The middle layer 32 (or bottom layer if there are only two
layers) is comprised of a relatively thin, but strong, flexible,
and dense foam material (such as high density polyurethane). The
middle layer 22 might further include a mesh liner or insert that
provides more protection but remains flexible. Depending on the
application the middle layer 32 need not extend throughout the
protective covering 12. However, the middle layer 32 should extend
at least under the shoulder-contacting portion of the vestment 13
and down at least the upper portion of the outer part of the sleeve
18. The primary purpose of the middle layer 32 is to provide
padding to protect the wearer's shoulder and arm, and secondarily
to help better distribute the weight of the materials being
carried.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an optional inner layer 34 that provides better
comfort and ease of putting on and taking to the wearer 10. That
inner layer 34 may be comprised of any common fabric material,
including cotton, nylon, and polyester. However, a moisture
adsorbing material (cotton) or transmission material (Gortex) is
somewhat preferable as they may provide better comfort to a wearer
10.
[0021] It should be understood that the protective covering 12 is
simply an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations
are possible in light of the above teaching. Others who are skilled
in the applicable arts will recognize numerous modifications and
adaptations of the illustrated embodiments that remain within the
principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present
invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.
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