Patent Application
20070277283
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in an article carrying jacket 10 for use by public safety personnel. Jacket 10 comprises a torso-covering portion 12 which has a first section 14 which is a front section when the torso-covering portion is worn, a second section 16 that is a rear section when the torso-covering portion is worn, a neck-accommodating section 18, two shoulder sections 20 and 22 adjacent to the neck section and two sleeve sections 24 and 26 that are identical to each other and that are attached to the torso-covering portion adjacent to the shoulder sections.
A second end 30 is a lower end when the torso-covering portion is worn and is located adjacent to and spaced above a wearer's waist/hip area H when the torso-covering portion is worn. A plurality of identical straps, such as straps 40 and 42, are mounted on the torso-covering portion at second end 30. Each strap includes a first end 44 fixed to second end 30 of the torso-covering portion and a second end 46.
A snap closure 48 is located on the first end and a snap closure 50 is located on the second end. The snap closures cooperate with each other to releasably connect second end 46 to first end 44 to define a loop 52 which is located subadjacent to second end 30 of the torso-covering portion whereby a utility belt B mounted in the straps will be located near the wearer's waist/hip area H when the torso-covering portion is worn.
A plurality of pockets, such as pocket 60, are located on the torso-covering portion. A badge-holder strap 64 is mounted on first surface 14 of the torso-covering portion. Two equipment-mounting straps, such as strap 68, are mounted on the shoulder sections of the torso-covering portion. Microphones or the like can be mounted on the jacket in the straps 68.
When a user wears jacket 10, a utility belt will be located in a proper area on his or her hips and the jacket need not be pulled up to gain access to that utility belt nor does the jacket have to be bunched up to accommodate the utility belt. The jacket can be comfortably and stylishly worn with a utility belt located in a proper position on the wearer. Jacket 10 is shorter, as measured between the shoulder sections and the lower end 30 than other jackets so the utility belt accommodating straps will be located adjacent to the wearer's hips outside the jacket when the jacket is worn as opposed to a usual jacket which comes over the wearer's hip area and thus will cover a utility belt.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
