A. Field of Invention
Some embodiments may generally relate to wearable devices for storing arbitrary objects and/or protecting selected parts of the body.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is known to have garments which are adapted to carry arbitrary objects. Such garments may include one or more pockets. For example, cargo pants or shorts may include relatively large pockets worn to the front or side of the thigh. However, such garments are not amenable to be worn over clothing other than traditional undergarments. What is needed is a device or garment which can be worn over clothing and provides means for adjustment and reconfiguration of the device or garment.
Some embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more benefits or advantages over the prior art.
Some embodiments may relate to a personal cargo device, comprising: an elongate strip defining a band having a first end and a second end, the band having a first fastening means disposed at the first end and a second fastening means disposed at the second end, wherein the first and second fastening means are adapted to cooperate in joining the first and second ends in a fastened relation, the band having at least one lateral fastening means disposed along the length of the band; and at least one hanging cargo member, so dimensioned as to substantially cover and protect the thigh of a wearer, having at least one integrated storage means adapted to store arbitrary objects, the integrated storage means having at least one opening adapted to receive said arbitrary objects in a stowed relation, the hanging cargo member having at least one band fastening means disposed approximately at an edge of the hanging cargo member, wherein the band fastening means is adapted to cooperate with the at least one lateral fastening means of the band in joining the at least one hanging cargo member to the band in either a reversibly fastened relation or a permanently fastened relation.
According to some embodiments the band comprises a first length and a second length each having a first end and a second end, and wherein each length includes at least one medial fastening means disposed at one end which is adapted to cooperate in joining the first length and the second length in a length-adjustable relation.
According to some embodiments the band further comprises a sheath adapted to cover the medial fastening means, wherein the sheath includes a lateral opening means rendering the sheath openable along a length thereof.
According to some embodiments the sheath further comprises at least one integrated storage means adapted to receive arbitrary objects in a stowed relation.
According to some embodiments the band further comprises an elastic band section having a first end and a second end, wherein the elastic band section is joined at the first end to a first non-elastic band section, and is joined at the second end to a second non-elastic band section.
According to some embodiments the at least one hanging cargo member comprises a major sheet member having a generally elongate shape sized to substantially cover and protect the thigh of a wearer, and the main sheet member including approximately at one end the band fastening means for cooperating with the lateral fastening means of the band, the hanging cargo member further comprising a minor sheet member of a size smaller than that of the major sheet member, and the minor sheet member being fastened to the major sheet member along a portion of a periphery of the minor sheet member, together the major sheet member and minor sheet member defining an opening for receiving arbitrary objects into a storage space therebetween.
Some embodiments may further comprise a closure flap having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the opposing ends of the closure flap each include at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener of the first end is adapted to cooperate with a closure flap fastener of the major sheet member in a reversibly fastened relation, and the at least one fastener of the second end is adapted to cooperate with a closure flap fastener of the minor sheet member in a reversibly fastened relation.
According to some embodiments the major sheet further comprises a closure flap storage fastener spatially separated from the integrated storage means, wherein closure flap may be fastened to the closure flap storage fastener while not engaging the integrated storage means.
According to some embodiments the at least one hanging cargo member further comprises a leg cinch at an end opposing that of the band fastening means, wherein the leg cinch is adapted to attach the hanging cargo member to a leg of a wearer.
According to some embodiments the at least one hanging cargo member comprises a pair of hanging cargo members spaced apart to roughly correspond to the location of a wearer's thighs.
According to some embodiments the closure flap fastener is disposed at an end of the at least one hanging cargo member opposing that of the band fastening means, and wherein the closure flap fastener and band fastening means are adapted to cooperate in reversibly joining the opposing ends where the opening for receiving arbitrary objects is disposed in an outward facing configuration.
Embodiments may relate to a personal cargo device, comprising: an elongate strip defining a band having a first end and a second end, the band having a first fastening means disposed at the first end and a second fastening means disposed at the second end, wherein the first and second fastening means are adapted to cooperate in joining the first and second ends in a fastened relation, the band having at least one lateral fastening means disposed along the length of the band, wherein the band comprises a first length and a second length each having a first end and a second end, wherein each length includes at least one medial fastening means disposed at one end which is adapted to cooperate in joining the first length and the second length in a length-adjustable relation, wherein the band further comprises a sheath adapted to cover the medial fastening means, and wherein the sheath includes a lateral opening means rendering the sheath openable along a length thereof; and at least one hanging cargo member, so dimensioned as to substantially cover and protect the thigh of a wearer, having at least one integrated storage means adapted to store arbitrary objects, the integrated storage means having at least one opening adapted to receive said arbitrary objects in a stowed relation, the hanging cargo member having at least one band fastening means disposed approximately at an edge of the hanging cargo member, wherein the band fastening means is adapted to cooperate with the at least one lateral fastening means of the band in joining the at least one hanging cargo member to the band in either a reversibly fastened relation or a permanently fastened relation.
Embodiments may relate to a personal cargo device, comprising: an elongate strip defining a band having a first end and a second end, the band having a first fastening means disposed at the first end and a second fastening means disposed at the second end, wherein the first and second fastening means are adapted to cooperate in joining the first and second ends in a fastened relation, the band having at least one lateral fastening means disposed along the length of the band, wherein the band comprises a first length and a second length each having a first end and a second end, and wherein each length includes at least one medial fastening means disposed at one end which is adapted to cooperate in joining the first length and the second length in a length-adjustable relation, wherein the band further comprises a sheath adapted to cover the medial fastening means, wherein the sheath includes a lateral opening means rendering the sheath openable along a length thereof, wherein the band further comprises an elastic band section having a first end and a second end, and wherein the elastic band section is joined at the first end to a first non-elastic band section, and is joined at the second end to a second non-elastic band section; and at least one hanging cargo member, so dimensioned as to substantially cover and protect the thigh of a wearer, having at least one integrated storage means adapted to store arbitrary objects, the integrated storage means having at least one opening adapted to receive said arbitrary objects in a stowed relation, the hanging cargo member having at least one band fastening means disposed approximately at an edge of the hanging cargo member, wherein the band fastening means is adapted to cooperate with the at least one lateral fastening means of the band in joining the at least one hanging cargo member to the band in either a reversibly fastened relation or a permanently fastened relation, wherein the at least one hanging cargo member comprises a major sheet member having a generally elongate shape sized to substantially cover and protect the thigh of a wearer, and the main sheet member including approximately at one end the band fastening means for cooperating with the lateral fastening means of the band, the hanging cargo member further comprising a minor sheet member of a size smaller than that of the major sheet member, and the minor sheet member being fastened to the major sheet member along a portion of a periphery of the minor sheet member, together the major sheet member and minor sheet member defining an opening for receiving arbitrary objects into a storage space therebetween, the hanging cargo member further comprising a closure flap having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the opposing ends of the closure flap each include at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener of the first end is adapted to cooperate with a closure flap fastener of the major sheet member in a reversibly fastened relation, and the at least one fastener of the second end is adapted to cooperate with a closure flap fastener of the minor sheet member in a reversibly fastened relation, and wherein, the major sheet further comprises a closure flap storage fastener spatially separated from the integrated storage means, wherein closure flap may be fastened to the closure flap storage fastener while not engaging the integrated storage means.
Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Some embodiments may comprise a personal cargo device. A personal cargo device may include an elongate strip defining a band. Suitable bands can include, without limitation, belts, sashes or other devices for affixing the embodiment to a part of the human body. Typically, an embodiment may be worn around the waist; however, other configurations may also be suitable such as over the shoulder or in the form of a bandoleer. One skilled in the art will recognize that a number of different fastening means may be suitable for joining the ends of the band together. For instance, suitable fasteners can include, without limitation, any of a wide variety of buckles, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any combination thereof Furthermore, a band may comprise a plurality of lengths or sections, which may be joined together in a length-adjustable relation or in a non-adjustable relation. Adjustable embodiments may include one or more D-ring members or similar means for slidably engaging a section of the band. Fasteners used in this way may be referred to herein as medial fastening means. Embodiments that include such length-adjustment means may also include a sheath for hiding the length-adjustment means from view.
A sheath according to embodiments described herein can comprise a generally tubular structure comprising fabric, leather or other convenient materials, and may have an opening at either end of the tubular structure to allow a band or one or more lengths thereof to pass through. Furthermore, sheaths may include lateral opening means which may allow a user to split the tubular structure along a length thereof which may allow the user to remove or replace the sheath without disassembling the embodiment. A suitable lateral opening means can comprise a variety of structures known in the art including, without limitation, zip fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, and the like or any combination thereof. A sheath member may also include an integrated storage means. For instance, the sheath may define a major sheet to which a smaller minor sheet is joined about a portion of its periphery leaving an opening and defining a space between the major and minor sheets which is suitable for receiving arbitrary objects in a stowed relation.
Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may include a band having at least one elastic section allowing the band to stretch in a lengthwise direction. For example, a pair of band sections may be joined by an interposed elastic band section, thus allowing a length of the band to increase or decrease as needed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of lengths of an elastic band section can be appropriate depending upon the degree of length adjustment desired. For instance, if a band is to have a relatively high degree of dynamic length adjustment, then a longer elastic band length may be used. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of means for joining an elastic band section can be appropriate and can include either permanent joining means or reversible joining means. Reversible joining means can include, without limitation, any of a wide variety of buckles, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any combination thereof. Permanent joining means can include, without limitation, sewing, chemical bonding, heat bonding, or other permanent means.
Embodiments may include one or more hanging cargo members that include a band fastening means. According to such embodiments a band fastening means may cooperate with a lateral fastening means disposed on the band to join the hanging cargo member to the band in a reversibly joined or permanently joined relation. One skilled in the art will recognize that band fastening means and lateral fastening means may be selected from a wide variety of fasteners known in the art including, without limitation, any of a wide variety of buckles, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any combination thereof. However, in some embodiments the band and hanging cargo member may be permanently joined through sewing, chemical bonding, heat bonding, or other permanent means.
According to some embodiments a hanging cargo member can comprise a major sheet having a generally elongate shape and a minor sheet having a size smaller than that of the major sheet. The minor sheet may be permanently joined to the major sheet about a portion of a periphery of the minor sheet, leaving an opening and cooperatively defining an integrated storage means. The opening may be suitable for receiving arbitrary objects, for instance, for temporary storage in the space between the major sheet and minor sheet. Such embodiments may also include a closure flap for substantially closing the opening which communicates with the space between the major sheet and the minor sheet. A closure flap may be permanently or reversibly joined to the major sheet at one edge of the closure flap, while an opposing edge of the closure flap may be reversibly joined to the minor sheet when the closure flap is in a closed configuration, and may be detached from the minor sheet when the closure flap is in an open configuration.
According to some embodiments, a closure flap which is fully detachable from both the minor sheet and the major sheet may be reversibly attachable to an alternative portion of the major sheet in a stowed configuration. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of fastening means may be suitable for reversibly joining a closure flap to a major sheet, minor sheet or alternative portion of the major sheet. For example, such mean can include any of a wide variety of buckles, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any combination thereof. Similarly, one of skill in the art will also appreciate that a wide variety of means for permanently joining an edge of a closure flap to a major sheet may also be suitable such as, without limitation, sewing, chemical bonding, heat bonding, or other permanent means.
Hanging cargo members of some embodiments may include one or more leg cinches for attaching the cargo member to the leg of a wearer. For instance, a hanging cargo member may hang over a thigh of a wearer. Thus, the hanging cargo member may swing as the wearer ambulates, which may be uncomfortable. Accordingly, a leg cinch may be provided, for instance at a lower end of the hanging cargo member, for attaching the member to the leg of a wearing so that it moves with the leg of the wearer rather than swinging independently.
Embodiments that include one or more hanging cargo members that are detachable from the band, and which also include a fastening means at a lower end of the hanging cargo member, may be converted into a hand-held bag. For instance, if the band fastening means is co-operable with a fastening means located at a lower end of the hanging cargo member, then the two ends may be joined in a configuration which places the minor sheet member in an outward position, and which may place the leg cinch in an upward orientation. Such a configuration may be essentially that of a shoulder bag.
Embodiments may be made from a wide variety of materials, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples of such materials include leather, woven fabrics made from natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers, nylon fabrics, polyester fabrics, cotton fabrics, and the like. Essentially any textile fabric may be appropriate depending upon the specific application for which the embodiment is produced. For instance, hikers, rock climbers, or hunters may require materials which are especially light and durable. Similarly, military infantry applications may require light and tough fabrics which are also flame retardant or resist puncture. One skilled in the art would be able to select a fabric which suits those particular needs.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/611,629 filed Mar. 16, 2012 and now pending, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61611629 | Mar 2012 | US |