Apparel – Body garments – Vests
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-07-10
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Body garments
Vests
C224S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256791
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES
There are no applications related to this application filed in this or any foreign country.
BACKGROUND
It is well-known that professional photographers must carry with them a large quantity of equipment, including alternate lenses, additional film, batteries and occasionally even spare cameras. This equipment may be carried in a suitcase-like or duffel bag-like container. Alternatively, it is known that a vest may be adapted to support many of the items that a professional photographer requires, such as that disclosed by Norton Rodriguez in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,321, issued May 18, 1993.
However, while known photographer's vests have generally succeeded in achieving the results for which they were intended, other results and supporting structures have not been envisioned by known photographer's vests. For example, known photographer's vest have not provided a structure which adequately protects the shoulders, neck and back of the photographer from the weight of the materials and supplies stored by the vest. The weight of the supplies which must be carried will, over time, result in muscle and joint soreness, as well as general fatigue and pain in the shoulder, neck and back area. While some attempt to protect the photographer's shoulders have been made, including the use of simple padding, no break-through structure has been disclosed which provides substantial relief for the shoulder, neck and back area.
Similarly, known photographer's vests have not addressed the issue of seating for the photographer. It is an occupational hazard that many photographer's must spend considerable time waiting for the opportunity take important photographs. Similarly, in many situations, the photographer must work from a seated position where no true furniture is available. In this circumstance, lack of support can result in posture difficulties and back pain. In general, because such time spent is rarely spent in pleasantly furnished climate controlled environments, it can be both cold and uncomfortable.
And still further, known photographer's vest have not addressed the issue of providing structural support for the vest. Known photographer's vests are generally floppy in construction, and are of little use in supporting the posture of the photographer, and therefore do nothing to reduce the discomfort that can result from hours of working in improperly furnished environments.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a photographers vest that can better protect the shoulders, neck and back of the photographer from the weight of the materials which must be carried from site to site. The vest should also address the need of the photographer for comfortable and portable seating support. And still further, the photographer's vest should also provide a structural support which integrates with the portable seating to result in better posture and greater comfort.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel photographer's vest with built-in seating and improved weight bearing structures is disclosed that is both versatile and comfortable to use.
The photographer's vest with built-in seating and improved weight bearing structures of the present invention provides some or all of the following structures.
(A) A vest body
20
includes front and back panels
21
,
22
. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front panel carries a cargo pocket
40
, utility pocket
50
, lens pocket
60
and side pocket
70
.
(B) Adjustable side connectors
80
allow for adjustment of the distance separating the front and back panels. By regulating this distance, the vest body may be adjusted to fit the torso of most photographers.
(C) A shoulder weight-supporting assembly
90
compensates for changes in the force applied to the shoulders of the photographer due to slight movements of the vest up and down. The shoulder weight-supporting assembly includes a lower layer of neoprene padding and an upper elastic strap. The neoprene padding tends to lessen the downward force resulting from the weight of the items carried in the pockets by compressing slightly when movement of the weight increases the downward force temporarily. The elastic strap similarly tends to lessen the downward force resulting from the weight of the items carried in the pockets by elongating slightly when movement of the weight increases the downward force temporarily.
(D) A seat
100
, carried by the back panel, is foldable between a storage position and an in-use position. In the storage position, the seat is carried against the back panel of the body. In the in-use position, a seat support assembly maintains a connection between the front edge of the seat and the upper portion of the back panel.
(E) A stiffening assembly
130
, comprising left and right stiffening rods, is carried by the back panel. The stiffening assembly interacts with the seat to provide a chair-like support for the user.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel photographer's vest which has built-in seating with is both comfortable and portable, and which reduces fatigue and discomfort for the user.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a photographer's vest which includes structures resulting in sufficient rigidity to compliment the built-in seating, and to therefore improve support and comfort.
A still further principle advantage of the present invention is to provide a photographer's vest which provides a shoulder weight-supporting assembly made of a compound material which covers the shoulders of the user, and reduces fatigue and soreness of the muscles and joints in the shoulder, neck and back area.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3085250 (1963-04-01), Finley
patent: 4241459 (1980-12-01), Quayle
patent: 4669127 (1987-06-01), Swanson
patent: 5211321 (1993-05-01), Rodriguez
patent: 5274851 (1994-01-01), Simpkins
patent: 5361412 (1994-11-01), Perry
patent: 5440761 (1995-08-01), Abrams
patent: 5526535 (1996-06-01), Dobrzenski
patent: 5617582 (1997-04-01), Burwell
patent: 5620227 (1997-04-01), Brune
patent: 5644794 (1997-07-01), Hull et al.
patent: 5691028 (1997-11-01), Curtis
patent: 5909802 (1999-06-01), Puw et al.
patent: 5957349 (1999-09-01), Krulik
Calvert John J.
Patel Tejash
Thompson David S.
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