LINEMAN TROUSERS

Abstract

This invention provides for an improved lineman trouser comprising: an upper segment extending down from a waist to about 6 inches above a knee; a middle section attached to the upper segment and extending down to a bottom segment of the trouser; a gusseted crotch, wherein the upper segment constructed with only one vertical seam at a front side of the trouser above the gusseted crotch to the waist, the middle section constructed with only one vertical seam on each outside leg of the trouser, the middle section joined to the upper segment with the gusseted crotch without a central seam so that there is no central seam between the trouser's seat and the front side of the trouser.

Claims

1. An improved trouser defining a waist and a pair of legs, the trouser comprising: an upper segment extending down from the waist to about 6 inches above a knee on each leg; a middle section attached to the upper segment and extending down to a bottom of each leg; and a gusseted crotch, wherein the upper segment is constructed with only one vertical seam at a front side of the trouser, the one vertical seam extending above the gusseted crotch to the waist, the middle section constructed with only one vertical seam on each outside leg of the trouser, the middle section joined to the upper segment with the gusseted crotch without a central seam so that there is no central seam between the trouser's seat and the front side of the trouser.

2. The trouser of claim 1, wherein a plurality of pockets or housings are placed on the trouser avoiding interference with lineman gear or coverage by lineman gear.

3. The trouser of claim 1, wherein the trouser is made from fire rated material.

4. The trouser of claim 1, wherein a knee pad or a climbing pad is inserted into a housing of the trouser.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1(a) shows a front perspective of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 1(b) shows a side elevation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The detailed description and examples set forth below are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0015] The present invention in its broadest embodiment, teaches an improved lineman trouser. As will be appreciated, a trouser includes a waist 5, an upper portion 10 and a pair of legs extending down from the upper portion, with each leg terminating at a bottom or cuff 60. The legs are joined at a crotch 50. The upper portion 10 is that portion between the waist and the crotch and includes areas often referred to as a front 10a, a rear or seat 10b and a hip 12 on each side extending between the front and the seat.

[0016] A “waist” or “waistline” in the present invention refers to a top edge and portion immediately adjacent thereto of a trouser. It is the part that encircles and covers the waist of a user wearing the trouser. It may be below or above an imaginary line encircling the narrowest part of the torso. It may be the measurement around a person's body at his/her waist.

[0017] A “hip” in the present invention refers to an upper, side portion of a trouser. Trousers have two hips, the parts the trouser that cover the hips of a user. It may extend, for example, between the waist and an imaginary line extending laterally from the crotch (i.e. a lateral line parallel to the waist at crotch depth) or stated another way: the area below the waist and above upper end of the legs at either side of the body.

[0018] A “knee” in the present invention refers to an area on each leg that is between an imaginary line extending laterally from the crotch and the bottom of each leg. As will be appreciated, the knee is that part of a trouser leg that may cover the knee, when the trousers are worn by a person. The knee may be approximately half-way between the crotch and the bottom.

[0019] The present trouser comprises: an upper segment A extending down from the waist to below the crotch depth and for example, about six inches above the knee 35; a middle section C defining the lower legs and attached at a seam 30 to the upper segment and extending down to the bottom of the trouser; and a crotch B. The crotch includes a gusset 50 inserted into the crotch seam. A “gusset” in the present invention refers to a piece of fabric inserted into a seam to add breadth or reduce stress from tight-fitting clothing. A gusset is used herein to add breadth of material at the crotch seam, thereby forming a gusseted crotch.

[0020] The pair of trousers for the lineman also includes one or more additional functional features. For example, the upper segment may include continuous pieces of fabric from the seat to the front and from the waist to the seam 30 so as to avoid a longitudinal seam at the hip 12. In one embodiment, for example, upper segment A is a continuous piece of fabric from above the crotch around the hip, across the seat and around the other hip with the only seam being at the front defining a fly seam 20 (herein illustrated with a fly installed therein) at this top portion of the pant, as such there is no seams on the hips 12. In other words, the fabric spans continuously between the front and seat and the upper segment is free of side, longitudinal seams between the front and seat. This upper segment of the pants, being from the top edge (waist) 5 down to a point below the crotch depth and above the knee 35 (approximately six inches above the knee), is selected therefore to avoid interference with climbing harness, town harness, pole harness or other expected lineman gear.

[0021] Each middle section or lower leg of the pant, has only an outer seam 40, with no inseam. This part encompasses from six inches above the knee, down to the cuff 60 at the ankle, avoiding interference or a seam on the front and inside of the calf of each leg of the trouser. This accommodates spurs and harness straps and fittings.

[0022] The crotch of the trouser or pant is gusseted, with a gusset 50 installed at the seam, such that there is no center inseam or fly seam spanning the crotch. This avoids interference and chafing with the lineman gear, and provides for increased lineman mobility (over conventional jeans or pants) due to the crotch construction.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, the trousers' top portion may be gathered, having gathers or pleats, that may pucker or crease in the front 10a of the trouser (away from the hips) and may have an elasticized waist or a drawstring 78 if ‘pull-on’ style, or zipper or button fly.

[0024] Cuffs 60 can include a drawstring configuration 80.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention may also include pockets 70. Pockets in the present invention may be located on the outside of the pants, as patch or cargo pockets, and positioned at locations that will not interfere with lineman's gear. For example, pockets 70 may be located on upper segment A near seam 30, at or below the crotch depth and above the knee 35. This avoids causing a lineman to loosen or remove the gear to access the pockets during operations and avoids increased safety risks. For example if a fall occurs, when a belt overlies a pocket, the belt could crush keys into a lineman's leg causing injury. Removal of interior pockets and appropriate positioning eliminates this from happening.

[0026] Optional housings 82 such as pockets may be included and appropriately positioned on knees 35 or other areas for the insertion of pads 84, such as knee pads or climbing pads.

[0027] The trousers may be provided with optional wear patches to sustain against operational wear when used in conventional lineman tasks.

[0028] The trousers are preferably made of durable material, and may be composed of Fire Rated or safety rated fabric for specific environmental concerns.