US20250288029A1

US20250288029A1 - Modular utility latching system

Info

Publication number: US20250288029A1
Application number: US18/949,109
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Paul Meeker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-03-15
Filing date: 2024-11-15
Publication date: 2025-09-18

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards a high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) garment comprising a modular utility latching system that creates less stress points within specific areas of the garment that may cause premature garment failure (i.e., torn seams, broken stitching, etc.), as well as help alleviate worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points created using unsupported garments.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/565,700, filed Mar. 15, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Workers are often required to meet competing demands. For example, workers must comply with ANSI/ISEA 107 requirements for proper visibility while on the job site, while also being called upon to have an assortment of tools and equipment at their ready in order to complete their assigned tasks. In conventional systems and practices, these workers must often carry around a bag or a bucket with their tools and equipment causing strain on their backs. Further yet, many workers are called upon to work in environments where the use of a bag or bucket to hold their tools and equipment is not feasible, such as working at heights or in confined spaces.
There are currently no safety vests or other safety garments that have the capability to maintain compliance to the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard while still providing the wearer with the functionality to attach and store miscellaneous tools, gear, etc., for quick access, while also properly distributing the weight. As such, workers typically must carry tool bags, etc. bearing more weight on their bodies and less accessibility to their tools and equipment.
The present invention is directed at improvements to the currently available products and systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a safety vest that can be worn by a worker that satisfies the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for high visibility safety apparel (HVSA) in addition to providing the wearer with a modular utility latching system for holding the worker's tools in a convenient, safe and comfortable manner.
In another aspect of the present invention, the modular utility latching system creates less stress points within specific areas of the garment that may cause premature garment failure (i.e., torn seams, broken stitching, etc.), as well as help alleviate worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points created by the use of unsupported garments.
In a preferred embodiment, the garment's design is structured in such a way to adhere to the comprehensive design requirements for minimum amount of square inches of fluorescent background material and the minimum amount of square inches of retroreflective material to comply with the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for high visibility safety apparel (HVSA). In addition, in a preferred embodiment the garment of the present invention provides the wearer with a modular utility latching system that creates less stress points within specific areas of the garment while also helping to alleviate worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points.
The present invention can also be designed in an alternative embodiment that utilizes alternative materials and fabric colors which are not necessary for adhering to the ANSI/ISEA 107 compliance standard; but still provide the wearer with a modular utility latching system that creates less stress points within the specific areas of the garment that may cause premature garment failure, as well alleviate worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points created by the use of unsupported garments.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a garment with a modular utility latching system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the modular utility latching system of FIG. 1 with the garment opened;

FIG. 3 depicts the view of the modular utility latching system webbing attached to the outer surface of the garment (left image); along with the view of the inner support webbing of the modular utility latching system webbing attached to the inner surface of the garment (right image) of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the garment with the modular utility latching system in a practical example of how the modular utility latching system attachment points will function to hold tools of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
As stated above, many workers are required to wear ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant high visibility safety attire. In addition, these workers often must carry around a bag with their tools and equipment causing strain on their backs. The invention claimed here solves this and other problems associated with conventional products.
The Modular Utility Latching (MUL) System of the present invention is a more effective garment design that improves worker safety by decreasing worker fatigue caused by poor load weight distribution, as well as increases worker productivity by keeping tools and equipment in a convenient location for use; without the need for external carrying bags or tool buckets, all while maintaining compliance with ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for HVSA. The MUL System's internal webbing support for improved weight distribution and external strapping for optimal connectivity points, combine to address the competing needs for both worker comfort and productivity. The internal webbing distributes the load weight across a broader area of the worker's body to avoid stress points within the garment that lead to premature worker fatigue and undue garment failure (i.e., torn seams, broken stitching, etc.). The external strapping provides the wearer with ample connection points for carrying/storing their tools and equipment, while also keeping them conveniently located for quick access.
The design utilizes both an external strapping system which provides attachment points for tools and equipment, as well as an internal webbing system that better distributes the weight support. The garment's design will aid the wearer in the carrying and storage of miscellaneous tools, gear, etc., while also making them readily available for quick access.
The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. There are no safety garments and/or work apparel currently available that incorporate the tool connection points and the accompanying internal webbing design to aid the workers by distributing the load weight. The MUL system will effectively create less stress points within specific areas of the garment that may cause premature garment failure (i.e., torn seams, broken stitching, etc.), as well as help alleviate worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points created by the use of unsupported garments.
The MUL system will effectively keep the worker's tools and equipment within convenient arms reach, while also creating less stress points on the wearer within specific areas of the garment that may cause worker fatigue by removing unnecessary pressure points created by the use of unsupported garments.
Also, the present invention is not limited to ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant work wear apparel but can also be used for recreational purposes such as jogging, hiking, mountain climbing, cycling, and any other leisure time activities that require you to carry miscellaneous equipment to enjoy such activity.
A garment constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted, by way of example, in FIGS. 1-4 . As seen in FIG. 1 , by way of example, the garment/vest 10 can comprise up to three sets of external webbing bands 12, namely a top external webbing band 12, a middle external webbing band 12 and a bottom external webbing band 12. Additional external webbing bands could be included as a matter of application specific design choice. Each of the external webbing bands 12 include strapping segment stitching 14 and an accompanying internal webbing support 16/18. The external webbing bands 12, the internal webbing support 16/18 and associated segment stitching 14 provide attachment points for various equipment and/or tools, such as demonstrated in FIG. 4 which are shown attached to one or more of the external webbing bands 12. Other attachment devices/items are contemplated as a matter of application specific design choice.
FIG. 2 shows the vest 10 opened. As seen in FIG. 2 , vest 10 comprises internal webbing support 16 and 18, which is sewn into the garment's internal structure to address weight distribution. The external webbing bands 12 and segmented stitching 14 (by way of example) is sewn to the outside of the garment while also being attached to the internal webbing support system 16/18 to provide the attachment points for tools, equipment, or gear (see FIG. 4 , by way of example).
As described herein, and as seen in the accompanying drawings, the external webbing bands 12 of the present invention provide ample attachment points for tools, equipment and gear, while the internal webbing support system material provides sufficient weight distribution of the tools, equipment and gear. The internal webbing support 16/18 of the present invention also provides the necessary anchor points for the external webbing bands 12 to be properly affixed to the garment. External webbing bands 12 rely on the existence of the internal webbing support system 16/18 to provide support needed for attachment points and proper weight distribution across the entire garment. In addition, the external webbing bands 12 rely on the existence of the internal webbing support system 16/18 to provide the proper support to alleviate premature wear on the entire garment.
Both the internal webbing support system 16/18 and external webbing bands 12 can be reconfigured on the garment in different positions to address additional worker needs for different tools, equipment, and or gear.
With the MUL system, the wearer can easily and comfortably access their tools, equipment and gear without having to carry additional totes or bags. Also, the invention is not limited to work wear apparel, can also be used for recreational purposes such as jogging, hiking, mountain climbing, cycling, and any other leisure time activities that require you to carry miscellaneous equipment to enjoy such activity.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A high visibility vest comprising a modular utility latching system, the vest being formed of a sufficient amount of fluorescent background material and a sufficient amount of retroreflective material to comply with the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for high visibility work apparel (HVSA), the vest further comprising:

a first external webbing band affixed proximate a top portion of an external surface of the vest, the first external webbing band comprising at least a first strapping stitching segment to provide a first equipment attachment point along the first external webbing band;

a second external webbing band affixed proximate a middle portion of the external surface of the vest, the second external webbing band comprising at least a second strapping stitching segment to provide a second equipment attachment point along the second external webbing band;

a third external webbing band affixed proximate a bottom portion of the external surface of the vest, the third external webbing band comprising at least a third strapping stitching segment to provide a third equipment attachment point along the third external webbing band;

the third external webbing band also being affixed to a first internal webbing support material affixed proximate a left internal surface of the vest; and

the third external webbing band also being affixed to a second internal webbing support material affixed proximate a right internal surface of the vest.

2. The vest of claim 1, further comprising internal webbing support material positioned proximate the first or second external webbing bands.

3. The vest of claim 2 wherein the first external webbing band is also affixed to internal webbing support material.

4. The vest of claim 3 wherein the second external webbing band is also affixed to internal webbing support material.

5. The vest of claim 1, wherein the strapping stitching segments are designed and positioned to hold equipment to ensure proper weight distribution across the vest.