Patent Application
20120066811
1. Field
The embodiments relate to workmen accessories, and in particular to workmen accessories integrated with hi-visibility elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Workmen typically use accessories and work gear to assist them in performing their jobs, for example: tool bags, accessory bags, kneepads, etc. One problem with typical work gear items is that they are hard to see or find in the dark, which is a safety factor.
One embodiment of the invention includes a high-visibility work gear apparatus. The apparatus includes a main body portion. High-visibility elements are connected to the main body portion. The high-visibility portions including a night-time light reflecting material and day-time high-visibility surrounding offset material.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method including providing a work gear main body portion. Relevant portions of the work gear main body portion are determined for attaching high-visibility elements for increasing visibility of the work gear main body portion during light conditions and during dark conditions. The high-visibility elements are attached to the determined relevant portions of the work gear main body portion.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of hi-visibility work items, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of hi-visibility accessories and devices for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for high-visibility work gear. One embodiment of the invention includes a high-visibility work gear apparatus. The apparatus includes a main body portion. High-visibility elements are connected to the main body portion. The high-visibility portions including a night-time light reflecting material and day-time high-visibility surrounding offset material.
In one example, the highly reflective material 125 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 121 and 122. In this example, the highly reflective material 135 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 131 and 132. In one embodiment of the invention the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132 are highly visible in a lighted or daylight setting, but may appear dark in low lighted or dark setting.
In one example, the highly reflective material 125 and 135 have a contrasting color with respect to the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132. In this example, the highly reflective material 125 and 135 may appear grey or silver in a lighted or daylight setting, and appear as a bright color, such as a whitish color, in a dark or night setting when a small amount of light is reflected. In one example, the highly reflective material is made of Scotchbrite™ or similar material. It should be noted that other highly-visible colors may be used as well in other embodiments of the invention.
In one example, the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132 have a bright or fluorescent appearance in daylight or a lighted setting, such as bright yellow, lime green, etc. In one example, the high-visibility kneepad cap 160 has a similar color to the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132. In this embodiment of the invention, the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132 and the high-visibility kneepad cap 160 are easily visible in daylight or lighted settings to afford a user wearing the high-visibility kneepad system(s) 100 to be seen more readily in situations, such as working on a highway, working on electrical wires above a street or highway, working in emergency situations (e.g., police, firemen, ambulance, paramedic, etc.), working on runways at airports, working on boats/ships, oil rigs, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the upper body portion 170 has a contrasting color to the high-visibility element 120, such as a dark color (e.g., black, dark blue, dark grey, etc. In other examples, the upper body portion 170 may have other colors, such as camouflage, a bright color, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower body portion 180 has a contrasting color to the high-visibility element 130, such as a dark color (e.g., black, dark blue, dark grey, etc. In other examples, the lower body portion 180 may have other colors, such as camouflage, a bright color, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first high-visibility strap 140 includes at least one highly reflective material 145 that is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 141 and 142 on one or both sides of the first high-visibility strap 140, and the second high-visibility strap 150 includes at least one highly reflective material 155 that is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 151 and 152 on one or both sides of the second high-visibility strap 150. In this example, the highly reflective material 145 and 155 are surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 141 and 142, and 151 and 152, respectively. In one embodiment of the invention the highly visible offset material portions 141, 151, 142 and 152 are highly visible in a lighted or daylight setting, but may appear dark in low lighted or dark setting.
In one example, the highly reflective material 145 and 155 have a contrasting color with respect to the highly visible offset material portions 141, 151, 142 and 152. In this example, the highly reflective material 145 and 155 may appear grey or silver in a lighted or daylight setting, and appear as a bright color, such as a bright whitish color, in a dark or night setting when at least a small amount of light is reflected. In one example, the highly reflective material is made of Scotchbrite™ or similar material. It should be noted that other highly-visible colors may be used as well in other embodiments of the invention.
In one example, the highly visible offset material portions 141, 151, 142 and 152 have a bright or fluorescent appearance in daylight or a lighted setting, such as bright yellow, lime green, etc. In one example, the high-visibility kneepad cap 160 has a similar color to the highly visible offset material portions 141, 151, 142 and 152. In this embodiment of the invention, the highly visible offset material portions 141, 151, 142 and 152 and the high-visibility kneepad cap 160 are easily visible in daylight or lighted settings to afford a user wearing the high-visibility kneepad system(s) 100 to be seen more readily in situations, such as working on a highway, working on electrical wires above a street or highway, working in emergency situations (e.g., police, firemen, ambulance, paramedic, etc.), working on runways at airports, working on boats/ships, oil rigs, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the high-visibility elements 125, 135, 145 and 155 provide easy visibility in low light settings, such as darkness, tunnels, lightless buildings, fog, etc. In one example, the high-visibility elements 125, 135, 145 and 155 assist users to find the high-visibility kneepad system(s) 100 in a dark or low light setting, assist users in the ability to put on the high-visibility kneepad system(s) 100 in a dark or low light setting, assist users to spot or locate other users in a dark or low light setting, assist approaching motorists or other people to see a user wearing the high-visibility kneepad system 100.
In one embodiment of the invention, the use of the first high-visibility element, the second high-visibility element, the first high-visibility strap 140, and the second high-visibility strap 150 provide up to 360° of visibility during a low-light or dark setting.
In some embodiments of the invention, the high-visibility kneepad system 100 may include more or less high-visibility elements, and more or less highly visible offset material portions. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the highly-visible kneepad system 100 may be removed by a user and used as a hand-held signaling device in a low light or dark setting.
In one example, the highly reflective material 415 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 411 and 412; the highly reflective material 425 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 421 and 422; the highly reflective material 435 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 431 and 432; the highly reflective material 445 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 441 and 442; the highly reflective material 455 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 451 and 452; and the highly reflective material 465 is surrounded by highly visible offset material portions 461 and 462. In one embodiment of the invention the highly visible offset material portions 411, 412, 421, 422, 431, 432, 441, 442, 451, 452, 461 and 462 are highly visible in a lighted or daylight setting, but may appear dark in low lighted or dark setting.
In one example, the highly reflective material 415, 425, 435, 445, 455 and 465 have a contrasting color with respect to the corresponding highly visible offset material portions 411, 412, 421, 422, 431, 432, 441, 442, 451, 452, 461 and 462. In this example, the highly reflective material 415, 425, 435, 445, 455 and 465 may appear grey or silver in a lighted or daylight setting, and appear as a bright color, such as a bright white or similar bright color, in a dark or night setting when a small amount of light is reflected. In one example, the highly reflective material is made of Scotchbrite™ or similar material. It should be noted that other highly-visible colors may be used as well in other embodiments of the invention. In one example, the highly visible offset material portions 411, 412, 421, 422, 431, 432, 441, 442, 451, 452, 461 and 462 have a bright or fluorescent appearance in daylight or a lighted setting, such as bright yellow, lime green, etc.
In one example, the highly reflective material 435, 445, 455 and 465 are placed at pouch openings to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 435, 445, 455 and 465 to assist in visually determining where the openings of the respective pouches are located. In this example, without the placement of the highly reflective material 435, 445, 455 and 465, a user would have to use artificial lighting (e.g., a flashlight) in order to visually determine where the opening of the pouches are located. In one embodiment of the invention, the highly visible offset material portions 121, 131, 122 and 132 and the high-visibility pouch systems 405, 406 are easily visible in daylight or lighted settings to afford a user wearing or holding the high-visibility pouch system(s) 405, 406 to be seen more readily in situations, such as working on a highway, working on electrical wires above a street or highway, working in emergency situations (e.g., police, firemen, ambulance, paramedic, etc.), working on runways at airports, working on boats/ships, oil rigs, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the body portions of high-visibility pouch systems 405, 406 have a contrasting color to the high-visibility elements 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 and 460, such as a dark color (e.g., black, dark blue, dark grey, etc. In other examples, the body portions of high-visibility pouch systems 405, 406 may have other colors, such as camouflage, bright colors, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the high-visibility elements 410, 430 and 450 provide easy visibility in low light settings, such as darkness, tunnels, lightless buildings, fog, etc. In one example, the high-visibility elements 410, 430 and 450 assist users to find the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400 or the high-visibility pouch systems 405, 406 (if removed from a utility belt) in a dark or low light setting, assist users in the ability to put on the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400 in a dark or low light setting, assist users to spot or locate other users in a dark or low light setting, assist approaching motorists or other people to see a user wearing the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400, holding a high-visibility pouch system 405, 406, or spot the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400 or high-visibility pouch system 405, 406 when other items or persons are unable to be seen.
In one embodiment of the invention, the use of the high-visibility elements 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 and 460 provide up to 360° of visibility during a low-light or dark setting.
In some embodiments of the invention, the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400, or high-visibility pouch systems 405 and 406 may include more or less high-visibility elements, and more or less highly visible offset material portions. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the high-visibility accessory or apron system 400, high-visibility pouch systems 405 and 406 may be removed by a user and used as a hand-held signaling device in a low light or dark setting.
In one example, the first and second high-visibility handles 605 and 606 formed from the first and second high-visibility straps 610 and 620, the high-visibility d-ring coupler 640 and the high-visibility zipper tag 650, include highly reflective material 615, 625, 645 and 655, respectively. In one example, the first high-visibility handle 605 formed from the first and second high-visibility straps 610 and 620, the high-visibility d-ring coupler 640 and the high-visibility zipper tag 650, include highly reflective material 615, 625, 645 and 655 that are surrounded by pairs of highly visible offset material portions 611/612, 621/622, 641/642, and 652/653, respectively.
In one embodiment of the invention the highly visible offset material portions 611, 612, 621, 622, 641, 642, and 652, 653 are highly visible in a lighted or daylight setting, but may appear dark in low lighted or dark setting. In one example, the highly reflective material 615, 625, 645 and 655 have a contrasting color with respect to the corresponding highly visible offset material portions 611, 612, 621, 622, 641, 642, and 652, 653. In this example, the highly reflective material 615, 625, 645 and 655 may appear grey or silver in a lighted or daylight setting, and appear as a bright color, such as a bright white or similar bright color, in a dark or night setting when a small amount of light is reflected. In one example, the highly reflective material is made of Scotchbrite™ or similar material. It should be noted that other highly-visible colors may be used as well in other embodiments of the invention. In one example, the highly visible offset material portions 611, 612, 621, 622, 641, 642, and 652, 653 have a bright or fluorescent appearance in daylight or a lighted setting, such as bright yellow, lime green, lime yellow, etc.
In one example, the highly reflective material 645 is placed on D-ring coupling portion 640 to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 645 to assist in visually determining where the D-ring is located. In another example, the highly reflective material 655 is placed on the zipper tag 650 to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 655 to assist in visually determining where the zipper handle 651 is located. In one example, the highly reflective material 615 and 625 is embedded in the straps 610 and 620, respectively, to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 615 and 625 to assist in visually determining where the handle 605 is located. In these examples, without the placement of the highly reflective material 615, 625, 645 and 655, a user would have to use artificial lighting (e.g., a flashlight) in order to visually determine where the handle 605, D-ring and zipper handle 651 are located.
In one embodiment of the invention, the highly visible offset material portions 611, 612, 621, 622, 641, 642, and 652, 653 are easily visible in daylight or lighted settings to afford a user wearing or holding the high-visibility tote or bag system 600 to be seen more readily in situations, such as working on a highway, working on electrical wires above a street or highway, working in emergency situations (e.g., police, firemen, ambulance, paramedic, etc.), working on runways at airports, working on boats/ships, oil rigs, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the body portions of high-visibility tote or bag system 600 have a contrasting color to the high-visibility elements 610, 620, 640 and 650, such as a dark color (e.g., black, dark blue, dark grey, etc. In other examples, the body portions of high-visibility tote or bag system 600 may have other colors, such as camouflage, bright colors, etc.
The third and fourth high-visibility straps 690 and 910, and the high-visibility d-ring coupler 940 include highly reflective material 695, 915 and 945, respectively. In one example, the second high-visibility handle 606 formed from the third and fourth high-visibility straps 690 and 910, and the high-visibility d-ring coupler 940 include highly reflective material 695, 915 and 945 that are surrounded by pairs of highly visible offset material portions 691/692, 911/912 and 941/942, respectively.
In one embodiment of the invention the highly visible offset material portions 691, 692, 911, 912, 941 and 942 are highly visible in a lighted or daylight setting, but may appear dark in low lighted or dark setting. In one example, the highly reflective material 695, 915 and 945 have a contrasting color with respect to the corresponding highly visible offset material portions 691, 692, 911, 912, 941 and 942. In this example, the highly reflective material 695, 915 and 945 may appear grey or silver in a lighted or daylight setting, and appear as a bright color, such as a bright white or similar bright color, in a dark or night setting when a small amount of light is reflected. In one example, the highly reflective material is made of Scotchbrite™ or similar material. It should be noted that other highly-visible colors may be used as well in other embodiments of the invention. In one example, the highly visible offset material portions 691, 692, 911, 912, 941 and 942 have a bright or fluorescent appearance in daylight or a lighted setting, such as bright yellow, lime green, lime yellow, etc.
In one example, the highly reflective material 945 is placed on D-ring coupling portion 940 to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 945 to assist in visually determining where the D-ring is located. In one example, the highly reflective material 695 and 915 is embedded in the straps 690 and 910, respectively, to assist a user in a dark setting where light is reflected off the highly reflective material 695 and 915 to assist in visually determining where the handle 606 is located. In these examples, without the placement of the highly reflective material 695, 915 and 940, a user would have to use artificial lighting (e.g., a flashlight) in order to visually determine where the handle 606 and D-ring are located.
In one embodiment of the invention, the highly visible offset material portions 691, 692, 911, 912, 941 and 942 are easily visible in daylight or lighted settings to afford a user wearing or holding the high-visibility tote or bag system 600 to be seen more readily in situations, such as working on a highway, working on electrical wires above a street or highway, working in emergency situations (e.g., police, firemen, ambulance, paramedic, etc.), working on runways at airports, working on boats/ships, oil rigs, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the body portions of high-visibility tote or bag system 600 have a contrasting color to the high-visibility third strap 690 and fourth strap 915 and D-ring coupler 940, such as a dark color (e.g., black, dark blue, dark grey, etc. In other examples, the body portions of high-visibility tote or bag system 600 may have other colors, such as camouflage, bright colors, etc.
In one example, based on the type of work gear and the type of use for the work gear, determinations may be different based on the typical scenarios to maximize visibility. For example, if a high-visibility kneepad is used on an aircraft carrier or airport, the visibility requirements would be different than for roadwork. That is, the distance and angles of visibility determine placement, size, and color.
In one embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the highly reflective material may range from ¼ inch. to 2 inches or more in width, and the length may vary depending on the use and placement. In one embodiment of the invention, the high-visibility material may range from ¼ inch to 2 inches or more in width, and the length may vary depending on the use and placement.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
