SAFETY POCKET, IMPROVED SHIRT WITH SAFETY POCKET, AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety pocket for a work shirt, the safety pocket including, a pocket body suitable to receive items that the wearer would like to carry with them with ready access, having a back and front wall. An opening to the pocket body is formed between the front and back of the pocket body, and a safety means, is associated with the opening. The safety means acts to substantially catch and hold the items within the pocket body, if the person leans forward and the safety means may be moved between an open state, where items can be put inside the pocket body, and a secure state where items are substantially prevented from passing through the opening. The invention also relates to a variant to retrofit to existing pockets. The invention also relates to an improved work shirt, including the safety pocket.

Claims

1-53. (canceled).

54. A safety pocket for retrofitting to a work shirt, the work shirt including a pocket body, the safety pocket including: the pocket body of the work shirt being suitable to receive items that the wearer would like to carry with them with ready access; a back wall of the pocket body, associated with the work shirt; a front wall of the pocket body; a base of the pocket body formed between the front and back of the pocket body; an opening to the pocket body formed between the front and back of the pocket body, a safety means, associated with the opening of the pocket body, and attached thereto by one or more fastener means to the pocket and a safety catch of the safety means to enable opening and closing in a secure manner and the safety means includes walls on three sides pointing inwards, somewhat similar to a packet of cigarettes, so that as the items fall against the safety means the safety means substantially prevents the items falling out, wherein the safety means acts to substantially catch and hold the items within the pocket body if the person leans forward while wearing the shirt, and the safety means can be moved between an open state, where items can be put inside the pocket body, and a secure state where items are substantially prevented from passing through the opening when the person leans forward, with a single, easy action through use of the security means catch.

55. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the items are fully contained within the pocket body by the safety means and prevented from leaving in the secure state.

56. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein elastic or other partial closure means is included at the opening as an additional means to maintain items in the pocket body when the wearer leans forward.

57. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein only fingertip access is provided through the safety means opening so that a person can put their finger-tips in and lift the safety means up to move from the secure to the open state, to put items inside through use of the safety catch.

58. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the safety means includes a lip member to catch items.

59. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the safety means includes a wall member to act against loss of items from the secure pocket.

60. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein no fasteners need to be undone to access the items through the safety means, access is through of the readily accessed finger-tip catch.

61. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the retaining of the items by the safety means is automatic, no further action is required to maintain the items safely in the pocket through use.

62. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the safety means stops the exit of items from within the pocket through the opening through use of a physical barrier that resists the passing of items through the opening and the barrier encourages the items to return to the body of the pocket on returning to upright orientation.

63. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the safety means fasteners includes clips and the clips are used to strongly attach the safety means to the pocket.

64. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the clips are metal clips to slide down the sides of the pocket body and attach the safety means thereto in a secure manner.

65. The safety pocket of claim 54, wherein the safety catch includes a wall and roof part forming an L-shape and the items will fall into and be held by the L-shape of the safety catch so that as the person tips forward the items do not fall through the opening.

66. The safety pocket of claim 54, that can be retrofitted in a work shirt the work shirt including a pocket, the safety pocket including: the work shirt pocket body suitable to receive items that the wearer would like to carry with them with ready access; a back wall of the pocket body, associated with the work shirt; a front wall of the pocket body; an opening to the pocket body formed between the front and back of the pocket body, and a safety means, associated with the opening of the work shirt pocket body, wherein the safety means is installed in a standard pocket through use of the fasteners, and safety means acts to substantially catch and hold the items within the pocket body if the person leans forward and the safety means may be moved between an open state, where items can be put inside the pocket body, and a secure state where items are substantially prevented from passing through the opening when the person leans forward, with a single, easy action.

67. The retrofit safety pocket of claim 66, wherein a pair of fasteners are used to slideably attach the safety means to the existing pocket to maintain the retrofitted safety pocket securely in place.

68. The improved shirt with the safety pocket of claim 54 for a work shirt worn by a worker, the safety pocket including: pocket body suitable to receive items that the wearer would like to carry with them with ready access; a back wall of the pocket body, associated with the work shirt; a front wall of the pocket body; an opening to the pocket body formed between the front and back walls of the pocket body, a safety means, associated with the opening of the pocket and including a safety catch, wherein the wearer can wear the shirt, like a convention shirt, and the safety means and safety catch and acts to substantially catch and hold the items within the pocket body if the person leans forward and the safety means catch can be moved between an open state, where items can be put inside the pocket body, and a secure state where items are substantially prevented from passing through the opening when the person leans forward, with a single, easy action.

69. The improved shirt of claim 68, wherein the improved shirt includes long sleeves, longer than a standard shirt to allow greater freedom of movement when working.

70. The improved shirt of claim 69, wherein the long sleeves include adaptable cuffs and further wherein the adaptability of the adaptable cuffs is to fold out to be long sleeves, to cover the hands and protect the wearer from the sun or other environmental factors.

71. A method of use of the safety pocket of claim 54, the safety pocket including a pocket body, with front and back, defining an opening and a safety means associated with the opening, the method including the following steps: a) accessing the opening of the safety pocket through the opening the catch of the safety means with the fingers; b) lifting or flicking the safety means catch to open the pocket body; c) placing one or more items into the pocket body; d) removing the fingers and flicking the safety means catch back to substantially close the opening, whereby if the wearer leans forward the safety means substantial prevents loss of the items through the opening.

72. The safety pocket of claim 54, being a safety pocket for a work shirt including a pocket, the safety pocket including: a safety means, associated with the opening of the pocket body, and attached thereto by one or more fastener means to the pocket and a safety catch of the safety means to enable opening and closing in a secure manner, wherein the safety means acts to substantially catch and hold the items within the pocket body if the person leans forward while wearing the shirt, and the safety means can be moved between an open state, where items can be put inside the pocket body, and a secure state where items are substantially prevented from passing through the opening when the person leans forward, with a single, easy action through use of the security means catch.

73. The safety pocket of claim 72, wherein the safety pocket is attachable by slidable clips to the pocket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0067] FIG. 1 is a front view from of an improved shirt with safety pocket, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0068] FIG. 2 is a side detailed view of the safety pocket of the improved shirt of FIG. 1, illustrating the large size to contain items and the safety catch;

[0069] FIG. 3 is a front view of a safety pocket of a second preferred embodiment of the invention, where a safety pocket is usefully retrofitted to a standard work shirt pocket (standard work shirt shown only in FIG. 5);

[0070] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the safety pocket of FIG. 3 before installation; and

[0071] FIG. 5 is a side view of the safety pocket of FIGS. 3 and 4, installed on a standard work shirt;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, a first preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where improved shirt 1 is illustrated including two improved pockets and many other individual features that make a very useful and surprisingly beneficial product.

[0073] For those that work on the land, or in trades, a quality shirt becomes the uniform worn, and we expect that the subject improved shirt will prove popular to replace the regular work shirt worn, due to the numerous added features. Improved shirt 1 includes front of shirt 10, with first sleeve 12 and second sleeve 14. The form of the shirt is somewhat recognisable as similar to a standard work shirt but has differences as described further below. The shirt may be an office shirt, dress shirt or work shirt and the material used will reflect the purpose to which the shirt is to be put. As illustrated the shirt is made of a strong brushed cotton material suitable for working outdoors. The material protects the wearer as has a suitable thickness, such as from scratches, as well as from the weather, the sun, wind and to some extent the rain. Any suitable alternative may be used but as would be understood the weight of the material should be suitable to resist wear and to comfortably hold the items in the safety pocket.

[0074] Sleeves 12 and 14, of shirt 1 are longer than a standard shirt 70 millimetres longer, to add extra movement and comfort, particular when working. These long sleeves are very useful as one of the issues with a standard shirt, and carrying things in the pockets, is the restricted movement. When working manually the person will move their arms in the full range of motion, including reaching up and down, to the sides. The longer arms of the shirt enable easy movement, and, importantly as the body of the shirt is not stretched or strained the pockets are undisturbed by the movement. The length of the sleeves therefore assists for the body of shirt 1 and front 10 from being stretched during movement. The person is more comfortable having this additional range of motion but also can move freely without a concern that the movement may pull the pockets and cause them to shift or spill (noting that this will not occur provided the safety catch is in place, see below).

[0075] In addition to long sleeves 2 and 14, cuff 16 is included on sleeve 12, with upper part 18 and lower part 20 and corresponding cuff 22 is included on sleeve 14, with upper part 24 and lower part 26. Both cuffs 16 and 22 further extend the length of sleeves, approximately 100 millimetres to give hand coverage, and give options for three lengths suitable for different tasks and environmental conditions. Again, the long sleeves assist free movement when working but cuffs 16, 22 have a further function. When working outdoors the weather can be harsh, there may be extreme heat and the need to protect from the sun, or biting winds, or rain. To be able to extend long cuffs 16 and 22 to fully cover the hands is very useful, to provide additional protection. The protection can be from heat or cold and enables a highly adaptable cuff. The two part construction of upper parts 18, 24 and lower parts 20, 26 means that these can readily be worn long, or folded up to short, or kept in a middle range, three length options. In some circumstances it is desirable to keep the cuffs of the shirt elevated from the hand to keep safe from machines for example, or clean away from dirt and much.

[0076] Having inbuilt options for the cuffs makes a much more secure means to hold the cuff in any of the three positions. Fasteners are included to hold the cuff in the desired mode for work and these can easily be moved up or down for other modes. The adaptability of the work shirt cuffs, on the already longer sleeves makes for a very useful work shirt particular for manual work, or work in many different circumstances where it is desirable to adapt shirt for use in different situations. Safety must always be the main criteria, but enabling the person to be safe, with their sleeves held out of the way, and then have them long for comfort in other parts of the day is very useful. If anyone has tried to work with rolled up sleeves for anytime will realise that these do not stay rolled up for long. The subject improved shirt is most advantageous in that it allows adaptability of sleeves with the sleeves held securely in which every option is preferred, short, normal or long for the task at hand.

[0077] First safety pocket 28 is inventive in its own right, part of an improved shirt or may be retrofitted as described in the second embodiment below. As described as part of improved shirt 1, first safety pocket 28 is included being an inventive secure pocket to keep items when working. Safety pocket 28 can be seen in FIG. 1 to be a larger pocket than standard pockets having front wall 30 with flap 32 and button 34. The flap and button is the standard means of keeping items in a pocket but here are used as an addition, which may be buttoned down, for an extra level of security. However, the pocket itself will maintain the items in the pocket, even if the person hangs upside down, through use of the safety catch 36 of the new safety pocket. Option use of the flap and button would be understood to be in the usual manner.

[0078] Second safety pocket 38 can also be seen on FIG. 1, and as illustrated is a smaller pocket, but could also be the same or bigger than the first pocket. Second safety pocket 38 is similar to the first with front wall 40, and flap 42 with button 44. The means to keep items in the second pocket 38 is the same as described below for first safety pocket 28 but this is not specifically shown or described.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of first safety pocket 28 is shown which shows the clever features that enables the invention to maintain items in the pocket when the wearer leans forward, or even stands on their head. Opening 46 is at the top of safety pocket 28 and it is through opening 46 that items can be placed in pocket 28. Pocket 28 is sized to be bigger than a standard pocket, which assist optimal working of the safety pocket and so that larger items such as the larger mobile phones, can be put inside. Other items such as cash, cards, security devices or radios can also be put in this larger pocket. The pocket may be adapted for different uses, to be smaller or larger. However, it is advantageous to have the larger pocket particularly for convenient enclosure of mobile phone. Really any items could be put in the pocket, and kept secure such as fixings when mending things, veterinary supplies, any small items that is important are kept secure. The items will vary with the application and the wearer.

[0080] Back wall 48 as shown is the back wall of pocket 28 attached to front of shirt 10. These two surfaces may be made together, in a strong integrated fashion or be attached to one another during manufacture. To form pocket 28 front wall 30 is opposed back wall 48, surrounding base 50, with side walls 52 on either side. In this way front 30, back 48, sides 52 around base 50 with opening 46 form a cuboid shape for receipt of items. Being made of material, the same is approximate as it may be stretched somewhat by the items but also when empty will lie flatter against front of shirt 10. The shape of pocket 28 is therefore similar to a standard pocket but is longer and wider to take larger items.

[0081] Notably, safety pocket 28 also includes safety catch 36 which is crucial to the maintenance of items safely in the pocket. Safety catch 36 s formed with front wall 40 integrally so to be very strongly attached. Safety catch 36 continues from the integral front wall 40, to run substantially parallel with base 50, as top 54. Top 54 lies across most of opening 46 but does not close it off, as there is room to put the wearers fingers in the gap, as it is through here that the quick flick open action occurs. At the end of top 54 is back wall 56 of safety catch that runs parallel with front of shirt 10 and back wall 48 of pocket 28. Space 58 is useful inside the pocket for containing items including a mobile phone as described elsewhere.

[0082] Safety catch 36 almost blocks opening 46 and as a person leans forward, perhaps forgetting that they have items such as a phone in their top pocket safety catch 36 prevents the items falling out. The nature action is as the person bends or falls forward items fall to the front of the pocket and then if inversion occurs sufficient where usually the item would fall out of opening 48 this is prevented by top 54 of safety catch 36. The adaptable design enables different pocket configurations to be used for different shirt types, or for different items to be held. For example, for a work shirt, a mobile phone and notepad would need to be carried and so a larger secure pocket would be desirable, with a longer body into which the items can slide. The safety catch part will be lip or wall that may extend a third of the way into the pocket to strongly and securely catch the items as the person leans forward. In a dress shirt, a smaller, pocket may be all that is necessary to hold cash, cards or keys, or other small items, or just a phone and cards. It is still very useful that these items are held safe, and the pocket may still be larger than a standard pocket, or in some forms the same size. Even smaller pockets could be used with the invention in some forms.

[0083] Use of stiff, or double thickness material on the lip or roof of the safety pocket in any of the forms may assist to hold the opening open when items are inside the pocket.

[0084] The particular form of the invention can be varied within the scope for numerous useful applications. The clever design will work even if the person hangs upside down as the items catch into the safety catch and are very firmly held.

[0085] Safety catch 36 is form similar to the lid of a cigarette packet, having an L-shaped profile that points inwards, so as the person tips forward it forms a lid to catch and push back the items that would otherwise fall out. The lid an relecting back wall act together as a physical barrier but more than that to bias the items back into the pocket. As the person returns to the upright position the lid also helps the items to gently be return to the pocket. The whole process is smooth and seamless, the person has prevented loss of items from the pocket and these return to the pocket but the usual method of use is unaltered and there is no inconvenience experienced in any stage of use.

[0086] A person may be working outside for a day, and will need to be in communication through the day on the phone. The person puts the phone into space 58 of pocket 28. To do so the fingers are put into the gap between back wall 56 of safety catch 36 and back wall 48, and easily flip up the lid in a quick hand action and in drops the mobile. As the fingers release the material of pocket 28 assists to bring it back to shape and safety catch 36 into place. As the person works they need to lean forward but this will be no problem as safety catch 36 will automatically move with the action and “catch” the phone or items within pocket 28 to prevent them falling out. Back wall 56 is particularly helpful to catch items and prevent them slipping out of the very narrow aperture.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a second preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where a similar pocket to pocket 28 is described but retrofitted to standard shirt 101. Standard shirt 101 has front 110, and standard pocket 111 into which safety pocket insert 128, the retrofit form of the invention may be installed. The retrofit aspect is very useful commercially to enable both full shirts and inventive inserts to be sold, and the ability of consumers to be able to adapt all their shirts to include the safety pocket feature.

[0088] Safety pocket insert 128 works in the exact same way as safety pocket 28 described above but instead of being formed in shirt 1, is able to be inserted or removed as need be, by the wearer. Safety pocket insert 128 is fitted into standard pocket 111, which includes front wall 130, flap 132 and button 134, all of a standard form. Safety pocket insert 128 includes safety catch 136 which is exactly as described for safety catch 36 above and works in the same way to prevent items falling out when a person leans or tips forward.

[0089] Opening 146 of pocket 111 is defined by front wall 130, back wall 148, around base 150 and sides 152, and is a standard size. Safety pocket insert 128 fits into the standard pocket and it is envisaged that several sizes will be provided for sale to fit most standard pocket sizes. Safety catch 136 importantly again includes top 154 and back 156 into which items in space 158 “catch” if the wearer leans forward. The retrofit aspect is achieved by a pair of strong metal clips, with a smooth side and an undulating catching side which slide over the pocket easily in one direction but strongly resist removal in the other direction due to the undulating catching side. Similar undulations are used in tie pins or money clips to strongly hold valuable items until it is intended that they be removed. Side clips 160 are slid over front of pocket 130 and grip and strongly hold in place, with safety catch 136 positioned at opening 146, as for the first embodiment.

[0090] Again as the person leans forward any items catch in and are prevented from being lost from the pocket. To remove an item the person flips the safety catch out of the way and can easily take out the item. The method is far easier and quicker than use of a button and so will actually be used, whereas buttons are often left undone in a person's hurry. Further the catching strongly holds the items so these will not be lost, or smashed or fall in the muck and strong advantage that makes the invention highly desirable.

TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST: 1 Improved Shirt 101 Standard work shirt 10 Front of shirt 110 Front of shirt 12 First sleeve 111 Standard pocket of shirt 14 Second sleeve 16 First cuff 18 Upper part of first cuff 20 Lower part of first cuff 22 Second cuff 24 Upper part of second cuff 26 Lower part of second cuff 28 First safety pocket 128 Safety pocket insert 30 Front wall of first safety pocket 130 Front wall of pocket 32 Flap of first safety pocket 132 Flap of first safety pocket 34 Button of Flap 134 Button of Flap 36 Safety catch 136 Safety catch 38 Second safety pocket 138 40 Front wall of second safety 140 pocket 42 Flap of second safety pocket 142 44 Button of Flap 144 46 Opening of first safety pocket 146 Opening of pocket 48 Back wall of first safety pocket 148 Back wall of pocket 50 Base of first safety pocket 150 Base of first safety pocket 52 Side wall of first safety pocket 152 Side wall of pocket 54 Top of safety catch 154 Top of safety catch 56 Back wall of safety catch 156 Back wall of safety catch 58 Space inside first safety pocket 158 Space inside pocket with insert 160 Side clips for insert