US3196459A - Closure means for a protective garment - Google Patents

Description

y 1965 J. DE GRAZIA 3,196,459

CLOSURE MEANS FOR A PROTECTIVE GARMENT Filed May 1, 1962 iNv-EN R Q ep/z De Grayla ATTORNEY United States Patent CLOSURE MEANS FOR A PROTECTIVE GARMENT Joseph De Grazia, Washington, D.C., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed May 1, 1962, Ser. No. 191,653 6 Claims. (Cl. 2--96) (Granted underTitle 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to a closure means for protective garments of the type which are adapted to be quickly put on in the event of danger from fallout.

Many such garments include means whereby the wearers hands may overlap the entrance opening from inside the garment so as to close the entrance thereto. However, these garments have the disadvantage that the entrance openings cannot be fastened in the closed position whereby they pop open when the user releases his hands to break his fall to ground as he takes cover and must thereafter again manually overlap the closure and continue to hold the opening closed throughout the duration of the alert.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved garment of the class described.

A further object is to provide an improved garment of this type which includes improved fastening means which can be readily manually fastened simultaneously with the overlapping of the flaps of the garment opening so as to release the hands for other use.

A further object is to provide in a garment as last described an improved arrangement of fastening means which permits the closure flaps to be secured in the closed position irrespective of whether or not the same are precisely aligned with each other.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the garment, the structure of the several elements of the same, the positions and arrangements of such elements, as well as in the combinations and subcombinations of such elements with each other and with the garment and/ or the users hand or fingers, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing and to the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a garment embodying one species of the invention, the ment opening being shown in the closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a view like FIGURE 1 but showing the garment opening in the open position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3--3 of FIGURE 1 but showing how the closure is manipulated;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are fragmentary front elevational views showing two extreme misaligned positions of the parts of the closure when closed; and

FIGURE 6 is a view like FIGURE 2 but on a reduced scale and showing a modification of the invention.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts in all views, 10 designates generally a fallout garment of any suitable type and which is formed of any suitable protective material. In the embodiment illustrated, the garment comprises a coverall which includes a body portion 11,sleeves 12,legs 13 and a front opening for getting into the garment which is defined by the inner andouter flaps 14 and 15 respectively. The outer closure flap may be formed with an underflap 16 which is adapted to underlap theinner flap 14 as best seen in FIGURE 3 to enhance the seal formed by the overlappedflaps 14 and 15. It is understood that the garment may also include a suitable hood, fragmentarily shown at 17 in FIGURES l and 2.

To secure theclosure flaps 14 and 15 in the overlapped or closed position, the abutting surfaces of the overlapped flaps have been provided with crossing strips of cohesive material. Such material may be any suitable cohesive material but a convenient material of this type is that which operates on the cocklebur principal and which is disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,009,235 to De Mestral. It may, of course, comprise any other suitable cohesive material.

It is contemplated that each abutting surface of theflaps 14 and 15 will mount at least one strip of such material and that such strips are so disposed as to cross each other and cohere when the flaps are overlapped and pressed together.

In the species of FIGURES 1-5 inclusive, theinner flap 14 has mounted on the outer surface thereof by any suitable means such as sewing or adhesive, not shown, a plurality ofstrips 18 of cohesive material which are substantially horizontal.Strips 18 are arranged in vertically spaced and aligned relation. The inner surface of theouter flap 15 has similarly mounted thereon a plurality ofstrips 19 of cohesive material which are arranged substantially vertically in spaced and aligned relation to each other. Thestrips 18 and 19 are arranged in pairs wherein onestrip 18 is disposed to cross acorresponding strip 19 when theflaps 14. and 15 are overlapped and pressed together. By providing thestrips 18 and 19 in crossing relation to each other, it is not necessary that theflaps 14 and 15 be precisely aligned either vertically or horizontally. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 a substantially wide range of misalignment is possible in both directions while still permitting full crossing cohesion of the cohering strips.

To manipulate theflaps 14 and 15 into overlapping relation, any suitable finger grips may be used. In the species of FIGURES 1-5, each flap includes one or more inside pockets in overlying or underlying relation to the associatedstrips 18 and 19. Such pockets have mouths which open laterally outwardly of the wearer in opposite directions so that at least one finger and preferably all fingers of each hand may be readily inserted into the corresponding pockets to close and secure the flaps. In the species of FIGURES l-5, see FIGURE 3, theflap 14 is formed with a plurality of pockets 2t) inside of eachstrip 18. Eachsuch pocket 20 has an open mouth 21 which opens laterally outwardly toward the wearers right so as to conveniently receive his right hand or at least one or more fingers thereof. Eachpocket 20 is formed by apatch 22 of any suitable material which is secured along three sides by any suitable means, not shown, to the undersurface of theinner flap 14.

Theouter flap 15 likewise has secured to its undersurface a patch ofmaterial 23 which is secured in any suitable manner to the undersurface of such flap. Thepatches 23 are secured around three sides to flap 15 to providepockets 24 havingopen mouths 25 which open to the wearers left to conveniently receive one or more fingers of his left hand or the entire hand. Thecohesive strips 19 are secured to the undersurfaces of thepatches 23.

In operation, the wearer steps into thegarment 10 through the front opening, quickly inserts his hands or finger tips into twoopposing pockets 20 and 24, crosses such hands and presses the finger tips of the left hand against the backs of the fingers of the right hand. This automatically secures the cohesive material together. He then repeats the process with the other'pockets 20, 24 until the entire length offlaps 14 and 15 are secured together. I-le may now insert his hands and arms into the sleeves 1 2. As seen in F IGabutting patches 18 and 19 of I 4 said strips of one flap being adapted to cross said strips of said other flap when said one flap is overlapped on said .URES 4 and 5, the user need not align the pairs ofpockets 20, 24 exactly as the crossing arrangement of the,

strips 18 and 19 allow a great deal of latitude without detracting inthe least from the security ofthe connection at each point. Later, if desired, theflaps 14 and 15 may be properly aligned. To release the connection, the 'con I necting operation may be reversed with the right hand peeling the strips 19from thestrips 18. More likely, however, the hands would simply seize the outer flap from the outside and peel the flaps Hand apart in a normal manner for separating such aconnection.

In the modification of FIGURE 6, thegarment 39 may be the same asv thegarment 10 and includes an entrance opening defined by theinner closure flap 29 and theouter closure flap 35. The free edge of theouter flap 35 may be extended and turned into underlying relation and then secured along the top and bottom edges to provide anelongated pocket 34 having a.free edge 32 defining an open mouth which faces'the wearers left when in1use.

The under surface ofpocket 34 has secured thereto by any suitable means, not'shown, astrip 38 of cohesive material which extends substantiallyvertically along substantially the entire length of theflap 35 in the region of thefree edge 31 thereof. In like manner, the fiap'29 includes an inwardly turned extension whichis secured to the flap only at the topfan'd bottom to provide anelongated pocket 33 extending along the entire length of the flap and which has an open mouth which is directly laterally toward the wearers right in use. surface of theflap 29 has secured thereto in any usual manner a plurality of substantially horizontalcohesive strips 39 which are arranged ina vertically spaced row in crossing relation to thestrip 38.

The operation of this species of erally the same as in the first described species except.

that it is quicker. ,This 'is'because the user need not grope for any particular pocket and by sliding his hands upwardly and downwardly while pressing them together can very quickly connect all of thecrossingstrips 39 to thestrip38.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the inventionmay be donned and thefront opening closed and secured with the greatest possible speed and with a minimum exposure of the wearers hands. Indeed no exposures occur at all once he hasgotten insideone of the garments '10 or It is clear also, that the garments may be readily and economically manufactured'from' readily available material or that existing coverall garments may be readily-modified bythe addition of suitable cohesive strips together with means for connecting them together from the inside of the garment.

Moreover, while there has been shown and described what are now thought to be, the preferred embodimentsof The outer jfacing laterally outwardly of the wearer in opposite dif rections, each pocket being adapted to receive at least one finger of a wearers hand, at least one strip of cohesive material secured to the outside of one of said flaps adjacent said "pocket, at least one strip of cohesive material secured to the inside of the other of said flaps adjacent said pocket,said strip of cohesive'rnaterial of; one

fiap being disposed in crossing relation to the strip of the other'flap when said flaps are overlapped,.and said flaps being manually overlapped to press said strips of cohesive material into. cohering relation from inside said garment. fl l 1 .3. Ina protective garment including an opening, flaps defining saidopening, said flaps including opposed bodies of cohesive maten'al adapted to abut and cohere when said flapsare overlapped and pressed together; the improvement comprising an elongated pocket secured to each flap inwardly thereof and extending along substantially the entire lengths of such flaps, said pockets having open mouths opening laterally outwardly of the wearer in opposite directions, a strip of cohesive material secured to the inside or one of. said flaps adjacent: said pocket and extending substantially vertically substan- V itally the entire. length thereof and a plurality of substantheinvention is gen-' tially horizontally disposed, strips of cohesive material secured to the outside of the other of said flaps adjacent said pocket in verticallyspaced and alignedrelation and in crossing, relation, to said first'narned'strip when said flap s are, overlapped, andueach of said pockets being adapted to receive the wearers hands therein whereby to permit manual overlapping of said flaps and manual pressing of said strips into cohering relationfrominside thefgarment. ,7 a

4'. In a protective garment including an opening,'flaps defining said opening, said flapsbeing adapted to be overthe invention, it should be understood that the same is t susceptible of still other .forms and expressions. Therefore, the invention is not considered to be limited by the precise structures and species shown and described here- I inabove but only as hereinafter claimed. a

I claim: 5

1. In a protective garment including an opening, flaps defining said opening, said flaps including opposed bodies of cohesive material adapted to abut and cohere when said flaps are overlappedand pressed together; theirn provement comprising a plurality of vertically spaced and aligned pockets secured to each flap inwardly thereof, said bodies of cohesive materialcomprising a'first row of vertically disposedand spaced strips secured to said pockets of one flap inwardly thereof and a second row of vertically spaced and horizontally arranged strips se cured to the pocketsof said other flap outwardly thereof,

lapped; the improvement comprising pocket means secured inwardly of said flaps and having abutting surfaces, at least onestrip of cohesive material on each of said abutting surfacesin crossing relation to each other, and said pocket meanspermitting manualoverlapping of said flaps and pressing crossing portions of said strips into cohesive'relation whereby to close and fasten said opening from inside saidgarment. I

. 5. In a protective garment including an opening, flaps defining said opening, said flaps being adapted to be overlapped; the improvement comprising pocket means secured inwardly of said flaps-and having abutting surfaces, a strip of cohesive material secured to one of said abutting surfaces and. extending' substantially vertically thereof, a

pluralityof relatively shorter substantially horizontally disposed strips of cohesive material secured to the other of, said abutting surfaces in crossing relation to said' first strip and in vertically spaced and aligned relation to each 1 other, and said pocket meanspermitting manual overf lapping of said'flaps and pressing crossing portions of said strips into cohesive relation whereby to closeand fasten said opening from inside said garment.

' 6. In a protective garment including an opening, flaps defining said opening, said flaps being adapted to be overlapped; the improvement comprising pocket means secured inwardly of said flaps and having abutting surfaces,

a plurality of substantiallyyertically disposed strips of cohesive material on one of said surfaces in vertically spaced and aligned relation, a like member of substantially horizontally disposed strips of cohseive material on the other of said surfaces in vertically spaced and aligned relation, said strips of both surfaces being disposed in crossing relation, and said pocket means permitting manual overlapping of said flaps and pressing crossing portions of said strips into cohesive relation whereby to close and fasten said opening from inside said garment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 310,309 1/85 Pick 2-88X Barberis 2-84 Boggs 2-96 Chappell 2--2 Davidson et al 2-1 Sullivan 2-1 De Mestral 2-96 X De Grazia.

Tornich 284 Cree 233-98 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A PROTECTIVE GARMENT INCLUDING AN OPENING, FLAPS DEFINING SAID OPENING, SAID FLAPS INCLUDING OPPOSED BODIES OF COHESIVE MATERIAL ADAPTED TO ABUT AND COHERE WHEN SAID FLAPS ARE OVERLAPPED AND PRESSED TOGETHER; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED AND ALIGNED POCKETS SECURED TO EACH FLAP INWARDLY THEREOF, SAID BODIES OF COHESIVE MATERIAL COMPRISING A FIRST ROW OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND SPACED STRIPS SECURED TO SAID POCKETS OF ONE FLAP INWARDLY THEREOF AND A SECOND ROW OF VERTICALLY SPACED AND HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED STRIPS SECURED TO THE POCKETS OF SAID OTHER FLAP OUTWARDLY THEREOF, SAID STRIPS OF ONE FLAP BEING ADAPTED TO CROSS SAID STRIPS OF SAID OTHER FLAP WHEN SAID ONE FLAP IS OVERLAPPED ON SAID OTHER FLAP, AND EACH POCKET BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AT LEAST ONE FINGER OF A WEARER''S HAND THEREIN, WHEREBY TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR MANUALLY OVERLAPPING SAID FLAPS AND PRESSING SAID CROSSED STRIPS INTO COHERING RELATION FROM INSIDE SAID GARMENT TO CLOSE AND SECURE SAID FLAPS.

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