Apparel – Garment protectors – Aprons
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-01
2001-03-20
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Garment protectors
Aprons
C002S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202215
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure concerns an invention relating generally to protective garments, and more specifically to protective garments for construction work.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Construction workers must wear a variety of protective gear when working at a construction site. Apart from hard hats and safety glasses, long denim pants are recommended for protecting the worker's legs and feet. Construction work generally results in rapid wear to the front of a worker's pants owing to contact with the work environment (e.g., when working against objects), and also owing to splashing fluids, sparks and debris from cutting and grinding operations, and the tendency of the worker's dirty hands to contact the worker's pants numerous times during the course of a working day. In view of the worker's stance when operating tools and/or working on workpieces, and the manner in which workers generally hold tools when performing such operations, the greatest damage tends to occur to the upper portion of the worker's pants, on the front of the thighs and above the worker's knees.
Some protective wear is known which assists in protecting the worker's upper thighs, and the worker's pants at this region. Work aprons, wherein the apron ties around the worker's waist and dangles down above the worker's upper thighs and groin, are well known. These work aprons often include pockets wherein a worker may carry an array of tools for ready access. However, these work aprons are not in widespread use at construction sites because they are impractical and inconvenient for use when performing most common construction tasks. The aprons generally do not perform a significant protective function because they only cover the worker's front from the waist to the mid-thigh region. They dangle down loosely from the worker's waist, and are therefore subject to lifting or other displacement. This also makes them annoying to wear when walking since the apron bounces up and down on the worker's thighs, an action which is particularly pronounced when the apron bears pockets wherein heavy tools are situated. The work aprons are also annoying to wear while walking because they resist leg movement, with the side of the apron adjacent the forward-stepping leg pulling on the side of the apron adjacent the rearward leg. The constricting nature of the apron is particularly problematic because it makes it difficult for the worker to move fast in situations where speed is needed to avoid injury. The dangling apron can also pose a safety hazard because it easily catches on objects in the surrounding work environment, and it can be pulled into power tools and similar equipment. Additionally, such work aprons are generally made of heavy canvas or similar fabric. Because this fabric is highly porous, it tends to collect dust and grime, and contact with the worker's pants can cause these materials to wear into the worker's pants to a greater degree than if no apron was used at all. The porous nature of the work apron additionally creates a hazard to the worker insofar as it is susceptible to absorption of solvents and flammable materials, which can pose a problem where the worker is exposed to sparks from welding or other activities. The work apron can be worn higher up on the worker's waist to avoid bouncing on the worker's legs, but it will then protect less of the worker's pants, and it can additionally be uncomfortable and can hinder bending over owing to constriction about the abdomen.
It would therefore be desirable to have a protective garment available for construction use which protects the worker's upper thighs (and the worker's pants at this region) from abrasion, flying sparks, and fluids; which does not bounce against the worker's legs, or hinder movement when rapid action is required; and which does not pose a danger of catching against objects in the work area, and/or in power tools or similar equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, which is defined by the claims set forth at the end of this document, is directed to protective chaps which at least partially alleviate the aforementioned problems. A basic understanding of some of the preferred features of the invention can be attained from a review of the following brief summary of the invention, with more details being provided elsewhere in this document.
The protective chaps include a waist section which extends vertically between an upper edge and an opposing lower portion, and laterally between opposing inner and outer side edges. A pair of leg sections is also included, wherein each leg section extends vertically between a top portion and an opposing bottom edge, and laterally between opposing inner and outer side edges. The top portions of the leg sections are joined to the waist section on opposing sides of its lower portion, with the inner side edges of the leg sections extending from the lower portion of the waist section. As a result, the waist sections and leg sections together have a shape resembling the front of a worker's waist and thighs. The chaps further include one or more waist straps which each extend from one of the side edges of the waist section, and these waist straps may be extended about a worker's waist to be selectively connected to each other or to the waist section to affix the waist section about a worker's waist. Each leg section similarly includes one or more leg straps, wherein each leg strap extends from one of the side edges of its leg section, so that the leg straps on each leg section may be selectively connected to each other or to the leg section to affix each leg section about one of the worker's legs.
The chaps are configured to be worn about a worker's waist in such a manner that they extend downwardly from a location just below the worker's abdomen, covering the fronts of the worker's thighs in substantially form-fitting fashion (even when the worker is bending, walking, or otherwise moving), to terminate at a point slightly above the worker's knees. This can be accomplished by making the waist straps, when connected, at least as long as the lateral width of the waist section, and sizing the height of the chaps (as measured between the upper edge of the waist section and the bottom edges of the leg sections) to be less than approximately 80% of the width of the waist section. Alternatively or additionally, to achieve the desired fit, the leg sections may have lengths (as measured between their top portions and bottom edges) sized to be less than approximately 65% of the width of the waist section.
It is desirable to have the chaps remain in close contact with the worker at all times during work activities, so that they avoid bulging or “tenting” on the worker's body. The chaps can be better maintained against the worker where the leg straps exert both lateral tension on the leg sections about the worker's legs, and also vertical tension on the leg sections towards the leg straps, so that the side edges of the leg sections are closely held against the worker's legs. This can be achieved by providing a filleted juncture between the leg section and the leg straps, as by expanding the width of the leg sections where they join the leg straps (or expanding the width of the leg straps where they join the leg sections). As an example, the width of each leg section may increase as it approaches the attachment with its leg straps so that a section of maximum width is defined at or near the leg straps.
The top of the chaps is also preferably configured so as to minimize interference with the worker when the worker bends over, thereby allowing the worker greater mobility. This goal is furthered where the upper edge of the waist section includes tabs which extend upwardly, and also laterally outwardly from the side edges of the waist section, whereupon the waist straps are attached. Alternatively or additionally, the upper edge of the waist secti
Calvert John J.
DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C.
Fieschko, Esq. Craig A.
Patel Tejash
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