CA2243889A1 - Utility apron - Google Patents
Utility apron Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2243889A1 CA2243889A1 CA002243889A CA2243889A CA2243889A1 CA 2243889 A1 CA2243889 A1 CA 2243889A1 CA 002243889 A CA002243889 A CA 002243889A CA 2243889 A CA2243889 A CA 2243889A CA 2243889 A1 CA2243889 A1 CA 2243889A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- apron
- opening
- recited
- item
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/02—Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C3/00—Flexible luggage; Handbags
Abstract
A utility apron for use on a support device such as a bucket, a can, and the like, having an interior, an exterior, an opening, a lip at the opening, and a longitudinal axis. The utility apron comprises a shell which may include a lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device, an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device and toward the longitudinal axis of the support device, and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device and away from the longitudinal axis of the support device. The apron further includes a first pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell, and a second pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell. Each of the first and second pockets includes a resilient opening, the size of which is variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
Description
PATENT APPLI QTION OF
ANDREA F. BELL
FOR UTILITY APRON
TITLE: UTILITY APRON
B~K~UND OF THE lNv~.lON
Field of the Invention The present invention relate~ to utility aprons useful for reta; ni ng various items such as c19An; ng items and, more specifically, to utility aprons which are adapted for use with support devices, examples of which might include buckets, cans, frames and the like.
Description of the Related Art There are many ins~ns~s in ~hich it is useful to have items such as cleAn; n~ items reta; neA in a single location for ease of access, storage and transportation. One approach to such item retention, used in the past for retention of tools, involves using an apron disposed in, on or around a contA i n~ such as a bucket. Such item retention aprons typically have included one or more recesses or pockets into ~hich the items may be disposed.
Such apron designs typically have been limited, for example, in that they are not of suitable size and shape for appropriate retention of a wide rang- of items. Th~y also have not generally been of suitable size and shape for retai ni ng c16 ni ng items, such as items uQed in th- cl~ani ng of residences and other buildings, and in other cl~ani ng applications. Moreover, the designs typically are not particularly well suited to securely reta ~ n i n~ items of varying Qizes within the pockets and easily releasing them from the recesses or pockets.
Objects of the Invention Accordingly, an obj-ct of the present invention is to provide a utility apron ~or support devices, which apron is useful for retain;n~ ite~s of various sizes and ~apss.
Another object of the invention is to provide a utility apron for support device~, which apron i-~ useful for retai n; n~
cl~an; n~ items, such as cl~an; n~ products and cl~n; n~ tools.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a utility apron for support devices, which apron can firmly secure the items to be re~a; ng~ .
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantag-s of the invention may be realized and ob~; ne~ by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in this document and its attachments.
SUMM~RY OF THE INV~NTION
The invention comprises a utility apron for support devices, and a related method. Support devices suitable for use with the invention would include, without limitation, buckets, cans, frames, and the like. Preferably they would be substantially cylindrical, but again, this is not necessarily limiting.
According to one aspect of the invention, a utility apron is provided for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an op~n; ng, a lip at the open i ng, and a longit~; na 1 axis. This utility apron comprises a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device;
and a pocket di~posed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longit~lA;nAl axis. The pocket includes a resilient open;ng. The size of tho opening is variable de, ~n~;ng upon the extent to which the resilient ope~i ng is exten~e~ .
According to another aspect of the invention, a utility apron is provided for u~e on a support device as described above, wherein the utility apron comprises a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device;
and a pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longit~l~; n~l axis. The pocket includes a re~ilient opening, the size of which is variable ~ n~ ng upon the extent to which the resilient opening is exten~
These and other asp-cts of the invention may be combined, for example, so that the utility apron includeq pockets having resilient openings both on interior and exterior shell surfaces.
The resilient pockets may comprise a number of different designs. They may includ~, for example, an elastic or elastomeric material which allows th- size of th- o~ ;ng to be enlarged under force, but which r~turns to it- normal size when the force i8 removed. The force typically would be applied by a person gripping a portion of the op9n;ng with a finger or fingers and pulling the op~n; ng to ~nlarge it. When an item is plAceA into the pocket or pockets and the op9r-;ng iS released, the pocket returns to its normal po~ition to grip and better retain the item within the pocket. The pockets may and preferably do comprise a pliable material, such a~ a fabric or a woven material. Various grades and weights of nylon are preferred for some applications.
The resilient op~n;ng may comprise a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material.
The items which may be inserted into the pocket or pockets may include, without limitation, clc-n;ng items, such as bottles cont~;n;ng liquid, cans, sponges, cl-aning cloths, feather dusters, etc. A typical yet merely illu-~trative example of liquid-conta;n;ng bottle~ would be from 16 oz. to 28 oz. size bottles commonly sold a water bottl-s with snap top lids. This would correspond in some in~tanreR to the pocket ~l-n;ng being sized so that the pocket or pocket~ would ha~e ol~n;ngs when partially but not entirely ext~n~-', e.g., when cont~;n;ng and securing the it m, of about 7 5 to about 9 inches in circumf-rence or around the perimeter of the o~- n i ng For these and other reasons, the re-ilient opening may be between about 4 and 7 i nçh~ wide in a normal unstretched position, and preferably about 4 75 in~h-s wide in a normal unstretched position One or more of the pockets may be sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longit~inAl axis of about 7 5 inc~s~ when the item is pl a~ in the pocket, one or more of the pockets may be sized to contain an item having a circumfer-nce in the~e circumstances of about 8 inches, one or more may be sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 8 5 ;nches in this way, and one or more may be $ized to contain an item having a circumference of about 9 inches measured in this way The method according to the invention comprises incorporating into a pocket of an apron an op-n;ng which is resilient In accordance with the method, aspects of the apron as described above, most notably the resilient pocket or pockets, above may be incorporated into an apron The ac~o~ranying dr-wing, which is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this document, illustrates a presently preferred emboAi -nt and method of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and method given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Fig. 1 shows a per~pective side view of a utility apron according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows an elevated perspective view of the utility apron shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows the utility apron of Figs. 1 and 2 open~ up to illustrate its component parts, including the pocket~ having resilient or~n; ngs; and Fig. 4 shows the components of a pattern from which fabric or like material may be cut and sewn or fastened to create the apron of Figs. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ~K~n~v EMBODIMENT AND METHOD
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment and method of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corre~ponding part~ throughout the drawings.
In accordance with the invention, a utility apron is provided for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an op~ning~ a lip at the op~n;ng~ and a longit~;nAl axis. The support device may comprise a bucket, can, frame, or the like. For reference purposes, the longit~;nAl axis may be assumed to have a longit~ n~ 1 axis which extends through the op~n;ng, e.g., substantially pell-n~;cularly to the op-n;n~.
A utility apron 10 according to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs 1 and 2. Apron 10 is suitable for use with support devices such as buckets, cans, frames, and the like. The support device ~hown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a cylindrical bucket 12. Bucket 12 may have any one of a number of sizes and Sh~ S. It may have a capacity, for example, of 3, 3.5 or 5 gallons. Bucket 12 includes an -~- n; ng 12a, a base 12b, a lip 12c around the periphery of opening 12a, an interior 12d, and an ext-rior 12e. A longitudinal axis 12f, which is an imaginary line or construction for reference purposes and not a physical elements, may be assumed to pass through the central interior of bucket 12, through the center of o~ ; ng 12a and base 12b, _ , along the longit~ nal axis of the cylinder which comprises bucket 12. Bucket 12, used in Figs. 1 and 2 to illustrate the preferred ~mhodiment, is a 5 gallon bucket having or~ni ng 12a of about 11.5 inches in diameter and a depth from lip 12c to base 12b of about 14.5 inches.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the utility apron comprises a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the support de~ice and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the ~upport de~ice. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the utility apron comprises a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the ~upport device and an interior ~urface for disposition at the interior of the support device.
With reference to the preferred embodiment, apron 10 include~ a ~hell 13 having an interior surface 13a for positioning in interior 12d of bucket 12, and an exterior surface 13b for positioning at exterior 12e of bucket 12. Shell 13 also includes a lip portion 13c for contacting lip 12c of bucket 12.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apron comprises a pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longit~A;nAl axis of the -~upport device. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pocket is disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longit~;nAl axis of the support device. In both instances, the pocket includes a resili-nt op~n;ng, the size of which i8 variable A~prnA; n~ upon the extent to which the resilient or--n; ng is exten~A.
According to another aspect of the invention, the apron includes a first pocket disposet upon the interior surface of the shell, and a second pocket disposed upon the exterior ~urface of the shell. Preferably, the interior shell surface include~ a plurality of such first pockets, and the exterior shell surface includes a plurality of $uch second pockets. Each of the pockets include~ a resilient o~ ~;n~, The size of eaeh op~ning is variable de -n~ing upon the extent to which the resilient openin~
is extended.
Referring again to the preferred erho~iment of Fig. 1, apron 10 includes a plurality of poekets 14, for ret~i ni ng items 16.
Items to be re~ins~ may inelude, for example, cl~aning items, sueh as liquid-eontAini~g bottles, cans, sponges, eleaning cloths, feather dusters, etc. Pockets 14 have differing sizes and s~pos, whieh may differ depe~ ng upon the applieation and items to be ret~ine~. Some of the poekets in apron 10, for example, are sp-cifieally sized to conveniently retain 16 oz.
bottles, 20 oz. bottles, 24 oz. bottles, 28 oz. bottles, and various sizes in between. A given pocket preferably would be adapted to contain only one or two of these sizes, although this is not neeessarily a requirement. On a given apron, preferably there would be a number of poekets, and the poekets of a given apron preferably would not all have the ~ame size. Incidentally, it should be noted that a given apron may include poekets of other designs, ~uch as known pockets having non-resilient openings, in addition to those having the resilient openings.
As best illustrated in Fig. 2, shell 13 of apron 10 may extend primarily inside the support device (interior shell surface 13a), primarily outside the support device (exterior shell surface 13b), and preferably both inside and outqide the support device (both surfaces 13a and 13b). In the presently preferred embodiment, apron 10 extends both inside and outQide bucket 12, and therefor- includes interior ~hell surface 13a and exterior shell surface 13b. Pockets 14 correspondingly are disposed both inside and outside bucket 12 on the~e respective shell surfaces.
Each of pockets 14 includes an '~F~ ing 18 though which items 16 may be inserted or removed. Oren; ng8 18 are resilient. They may comprise, for exampl-, a resilient or elastic material which allows the size of the op~ni ng to be enlarged under force, but which returns to its normal size when the force is removed.
Examples of such resili-nt material may comprise rubber, elastic, and the like. Although pockets 14 preferably comprise a pleated pliable material such as a fabric, the r-silient opening may comprise a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material at the opening. Elastic bands or stripping, for example, as may be obt~ commercially from a fabric store, would suffice for some applications. The force to open resilient openings 18 typically would be applied by a person gripping the re,~ilient portion of ~l ~;ng 18 with a finger or fingers and pulling op~n; ng 18 to enlarge it. When an item 16 is placed into one of the pockets 14 and openi ng 18 iS released, the poeket returns to its normal po-ition to grip and better retain that item 16 within the poeket. The resilient material should be suffieiently strong to ~eeurely grip the item~ to be retA i n~ SO
they do not fall out of the pocket or unduly move within the poeket under normal or anticipated u age.
Pocket op~n; ngs 18 preferably but optionally may be between about 4 and 7 ;n~he~ wide (i.e., along lip 12e of bucket 12) in a normal unstretched poQition, and more preferably about 4.75 inches wide in this normal unstretehed position. Pocket-Q 14 and their open; ngs 18 may be sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to longit~;nAl axis 12f of about 7.5 inches, 8 inches, 8.5 inehes, and 9 ;nchss, respeetively, when the items is placed in the pocket. This corresponds, for example, to such items eommonly used in ClF-n; ng applications such as liquid bottles having volumes of 16 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz.
and 28 oz. The height of the poekets (i.e., in the general direction of longitudinal axi~ 12f) will vary d~ -n~i ng upon the application, but preferably is sufficient to securely retain the inten~ item to be retained, such a~ a bottle, conta;n~r, etc., while allowing a portion of the retA; n~ item to be viewable for easy identification and retrieval. Sample heightQ would be between about 4 and 7 inches, d~l -n~; ng on the items int~n~ to be stored for a given de~ign.
The component part~ of apron 10 may comprise a common material throughout, perhaps with the exception of the re ilient material, or it may include various types of materials.
Preferred materials for ~hell 13 and pockets 14 other than the resilient portion may comprise a pliable material such as a fabric or woven material, for example, such as a nylon material.
The method according to the invention comprises incorporating into a pocket of an apron an opening which is resilient. The presently preferred method in~ol~es pro~iding an apron such as that described abo~e, which includes pockets having resilient or~n; ngs . For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the preferred method will be described as it relates to the fabrication of apron 10 according to the preferred embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows utility apron 10 in an opened form, with the ends unstitched, for purposes of illustration. Apron 10 as shown in Fig. 3 would be prepared for use by folding shell 13 along lip portion 13c so that interior surface 13a and exterior surface 13b would rotate into the page toward one another until they met.
Stit~h; ng or a similar fasten; ng ~echn;que then would be used to tack shell corners 13d and 13e to shell corners 13f and 13g, respectively. This would result in apron 10 t~; ng the generally cylindrical shape shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Apron 10 may be fabricated in a number of ways. A presently preferred method for fabricating apron 10, however, involves using the fabric pattern~ of Fig. 4, ass~mbled and stitched or fastened as shown in Fig. 4. With r-fer-nce to Fig. 4, shell 13 includes shell base A, a left exterior pocket strip B, a right exterior pocket strip C, a left exterior row pocket strip D, and an interior pocket strip E. Shell 13 and the basic pocket strips B-E are made of a nylon fabric. Shell base A and pocket strips B-E are cut from a sheet of nylon in the .s~Apes shown in Fig. 4.
Pocket strips B-E are cut larger than the width of the corresron~; ng portion of shell base A (perpendicular to longit~; n~l axis 12f and along the plane of the drawing sheet) so they will match the dimensions of the appropriate portions of shell base A after the pocket strips have been folded or pleated, as expl a; ne~ below.
Pocket strips B-E are then placed on ~hell base A in the appropriate places and stay-stitched (1/8 inch). Approximately 6 yards of edging (wide bias - 1 inch) tape is then pressed in half for easier handling and more accurat- results. Alternatively, extra wide/double fold bias tape could be used. The "pressed in half" edging (or extra wide/double fold bias) tape is then sewn to the edges of B, C, D, and E. The ass-mbly then should be pressed with an iron or ~imilar device to flatten, conform and retain the pieces.
Each of pockets 14 is pleated to accommodate size variations in the pocket, from when it is empty to when it contains an item.
The pleats may be incorporated into the pockets as follows. On D, the pocket material is folded to create the pleats. The pleats are positioned and pinned. The bottoms of the pockets are sewn to the appropriate border portion of shell base 13h while holding the pleats together. The assQmbly again should be pressed at this stage.
D is then positioned and sewn to B. The stit~h; ng is then reinforced at the top (t~o places~ and at the bottom ~one place) of the pockets. On B, the pleats are po~itioned and pinned in place. The bottom is se~n to hold the pleats in place. The assembly once again should be pre~sed.
On C, position and pin the pleats in place. The assembly should be pressed. The bottom then is sewn to hold the pleats in place, and the assembly is pressed.
B then should be po~itioned and pinned to A, and the assembly pressed. The outside edges of B are sewn to A, and the assembly again is pressed. The individual pocket sides should then be sewn on the stit~hi n~ line. The stitching then should be reinforced at top and bottom of each pocket side, and the assembly should be pres~-d once again.
C then should be po~itioned and pinned to A, and pressed.
The out-~ide edges of C ~hould be sewn to A, and presQed. The individual pocket sides then should be sewn on the stit~hin~
line. Stitching should be reinforced at the top and bottom of each pocket side, and th-y should be pressed.
The pleats then should be po~itioned and pinneA for E, and they should be pressed into place. The bottom of the pocket strip should be sewn into place to hold the pleats in place, and pressed.
Next about 34 inches of elastic tape should be positioned and pinned to E h~h;n~ the edging (wide bias) tape. Dep~n~ing upon the thickness of th- fabric, the elastic may have to be positioned just below th- edging tape. Two row-~ of stit~hing should be used on the elastic to securely hold it in place. The stit~hing should be reinforced at the ends of the elastic.
E should then be po~itioned and pinned to A, and the combination pressed. The outside edges of E should be sewn to A, and pre~sed. The individual pocket side~ should be ~ewn on the stitching lines. Reinforcement stit~hing should be placed at the top and bottom of each pocket side, and the area pressed.
The edging ~wide bias) tape then should be sewn to the r~~-ining outside edges of the pockets.
Corners 13d and 13e then would be sewn to corners 13f and 13g, respectively, to give apron 10 it-~ ~ubstantially cylindrical shape.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For exa~ple, the shape, size, materials, and other aspocts of apron 10 may be different than the specific examples shown here. Ther-fore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departuros may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or ~cope of the general inventive concept.
ANDREA F. BELL
FOR UTILITY APRON
TITLE: UTILITY APRON
B~K~UND OF THE lNv~.lON
Field of the Invention The present invention relate~ to utility aprons useful for reta; ni ng various items such as c19An; ng items and, more specifically, to utility aprons which are adapted for use with support devices, examples of which might include buckets, cans, frames and the like.
Description of the Related Art There are many ins~ns~s in ~hich it is useful to have items such as cleAn; n~ items reta; neA in a single location for ease of access, storage and transportation. One approach to such item retention, used in the past for retention of tools, involves using an apron disposed in, on or around a contA i n~ such as a bucket. Such item retention aprons typically have included one or more recesses or pockets into ~hich the items may be disposed.
Such apron designs typically have been limited, for example, in that they are not of suitable size and shape for appropriate retention of a wide rang- of items. Th~y also have not generally been of suitable size and shape for retai ni ng c16 ni ng items, such as items uQed in th- cl~ani ng of residences and other buildings, and in other cl~ani ng applications. Moreover, the designs typically are not particularly well suited to securely reta ~ n i n~ items of varying Qizes within the pockets and easily releasing them from the recesses or pockets.
Objects of the Invention Accordingly, an obj-ct of the present invention is to provide a utility apron ~or support devices, which apron is useful for retain;n~ ite~s of various sizes and ~apss.
Another object of the invention is to provide a utility apron for support device~, which apron i-~ useful for retai n; n~
cl~an; n~ items, such as cl~an; n~ products and cl~n; n~ tools.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a utility apron for support devices, which apron can firmly secure the items to be re~a; ng~ .
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantag-s of the invention may be realized and ob~; ne~ by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in this document and its attachments.
SUMM~RY OF THE INV~NTION
The invention comprises a utility apron for support devices, and a related method. Support devices suitable for use with the invention would include, without limitation, buckets, cans, frames, and the like. Preferably they would be substantially cylindrical, but again, this is not necessarily limiting.
According to one aspect of the invention, a utility apron is provided for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an op~n; ng, a lip at the open i ng, and a longit~; na 1 axis. This utility apron comprises a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device;
and a pocket di~posed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longit~lA;nAl axis. The pocket includes a resilient open;ng. The size of tho opening is variable de, ~n~;ng upon the extent to which the resilient ope~i ng is exten~e~ .
According to another aspect of the invention, a utility apron is provided for u~e on a support device as described above, wherein the utility apron comprises a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device;
and a pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longit~l~; n~l axis. The pocket includes a re~ilient opening, the size of which is variable ~ n~ ng upon the extent to which the resilient opening is exten~
These and other asp-cts of the invention may be combined, for example, so that the utility apron includeq pockets having resilient openings both on interior and exterior shell surfaces.
The resilient pockets may comprise a number of different designs. They may includ~, for example, an elastic or elastomeric material which allows th- size of th- o~ ;ng to be enlarged under force, but which r~turns to it- normal size when the force i8 removed. The force typically would be applied by a person gripping a portion of the op9n;ng with a finger or fingers and pulling the op~n; ng to ~nlarge it. When an item is plAceA into the pocket or pockets and the op9r-;ng iS released, the pocket returns to its normal po~ition to grip and better retain the item within the pocket. The pockets may and preferably do comprise a pliable material, such a~ a fabric or a woven material. Various grades and weights of nylon are preferred for some applications.
The resilient op~n;ng may comprise a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material.
The items which may be inserted into the pocket or pockets may include, without limitation, clc-n;ng items, such as bottles cont~;n;ng liquid, cans, sponges, cl-aning cloths, feather dusters, etc. A typical yet merely illu-~trative example of liquid-conta;n;ng bottle~ would be from 16 oz. to 28 oz. size bottles commonly sold a water bottl-s with snap top lids. This would correspond in some in~tanreR to the pocket ~l-n;ng being sized so that the pocket or pocket~ would ha~e ol~n;ngs when partially but not entirely ext~n~-', e.g., when cont~;n;ng and securing the it m, of about 7 5 to about 9 inches in circumf-rence or around the perimeter of the o~- n i ng For these and other reasons, the re-ilient opening may be between about 4 and 7 i nçh~ wide in a normal unstretched position, and preferably about 4 75 in~h-s wide in a normal unstretched position One or more of the pockets may be sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longit~inAl axis of about 7 5 inc~s~ when the item is pl a~ in the pocket, one or more of the pockets may be sized to contain an item having a circumfer-nce in the~e circumstances of about 8 inches, one or more may be sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 8 5 ;nches in this way, and one or more may be $ized to contain an item having a circumference of about 9 inches measured in this way The method according to the invention comprises incorporating into a pocket of an apron an op-n;ng which is resilient In accordance with the method, aspects of the apron as described above, most notably the resilient pocket or pockets, above may be incorporated into an apron The ac~o~ranying dr-wing, which is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this document, illustrates a presently preferred emboAi -nt and method of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and method given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Fig. 1 shows a per~pective side view of a utility apron according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows an elevated perspective view of the utility apron shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows the utility apron of Figs. 1 and 2 open~ up to illustrate its component parts, including the pocket~ having resilient or~n; ngs; and Fig. 4 shows the components of a pattern from which fabric or like material may be cut and sewn or fastened to create the apron of Figs. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ~K~n~v EMBODIMENT AND METHOD
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment and method of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corre~ponding part~ throughout the drawings.
In accordance with the invention, a utility apron is provided for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an op~ning~ a lip at the op~n;ng~ and a longit~;nAl axis. The support device may comprise a bucket, can, frame, or the like. For reference purposes, the longit~;nAl axis may be assumed to have a longit~ n~ 1 axis which extends through the op~n;ng, e.g., substantially pell-n~;cularly to the op-n;n~.
A utility apron 10 according to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs 1 and 2. Apron 10 is suitable for use with support devices such as buckets, cans, frames, and the like. The support device ~hown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a cylindrical bucket 12. Bucket 12 may have any one of a number of sizes and Sh~ S. It may have a capacity, for example, of 3, 3.5 or 5 gallons. Bucket 12 includes an -~- n; ng 12a, a base 12b, a lip 12c around the periphery of opening 12a, an interior 12d, and an ext-rior 12e. A longitudinal axis 12f, which is an imaginary line or construction for reference purposes and not a physical elements, may be assumed to pass through the central interior of bucket 12, through the center of o~ ; ng 12a and base 12b, _ , along the longit~ nal axis of the cylinder which comprises bucket 12. Bucket 12, used in Figs. 1 and 2 to illustrate the preferred ~mhodiment, is a 5 gallon bucket having or~ni ng 12a of about 11.5 inches in diameter and a depth from lip 12c to base 12b of about 14.5 inches.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the utility apron comprises a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the support de~ice and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the ~upport de~ice. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the utility apron comprises a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the ~upport device and an interior ~urface for disposition at the interior of the support device.
With reference to the preferred embodiment, apron 10 include~ a ~hell 13 having an interior surface 13a for positioning in interior 12d of bucket 12, and an exterior surface 13b for positioning at exterior 12e of bucket 12. Shell 13 also includes a lip portion 13c for contacting lip 12c of bucket 12.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apron comprises a pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longit~A;nAl axis of the -~upport device. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pocket is disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longit~;nAl axis of the support device. In both instances, the pocket includes a resili-nt op~n;ng, the size of which i8 variable A~prnA; n~ upon the extent to which the resilient or--n; ng is exten~A.
According to another aspect of the invention, the apron includes a first pocket disposet upon the interior surface of the shell, and a second pocket disposed upon the exterior ~urface of the shell. Preferably, the interior shell surface include~ a plurality of such first pockets, and the exterior shell surface includes a plurality of $uch second pockets. Each of the pockets include~ a resilient o~ ~;n~, The size of eaeh op~ning is variable de -n~ing upon the extent to which the resilient openin~
is extended.
Referring again to the preferred erho~iment of Fig. 1, apron 10 includes a plurality of poekets 14, for ret~i ni ng items 16.
Items to be re~ins~ may inelude, for example, cl~aning items, sueh as liquid-eontAini~g bottles, cans, sponges, eleaning cloths, feather dusters, etc. Pockets 14 have differing sizes and s~pos, whieh may differ depe~ ng upon the applieation and items to be ret~ine~. Some of the poekets in apron 10, for example, are sp-cifieally sized to conveniently retain 16 oz.
bottles, 20 oz. bottles, 24 oz. bottles, 28 oz. bottles, and various sizes in between. A given pocket preferably would be adapted to contain only one or two of these sizes, although this is not neeessarily a requirement. On a given apron, preferably there would be a number of poekets, and the poekets of a given apron preferably would not all have the ~ame size. Incidentally, it should be noted that a given apron may include poekets of other designs, ~uch as known pockets having non-resilient openings, in addition to those having the resilient openings.
As best illustrated in Fig. 2, shell 13 of apron 10 may extend primarily inside the support device (interior shell surface 13a), primarily outside the support device (exterior shell surface 13b), and preferably both inside and outqide the support device (both surfaces 13a and 13b). In the presently preferred embodiment, apron 10 extends both inside and outQide bucket 12, and therefor- includes interior ~hell surface 13a and exterior shell surface 13b. Pockets 14 correspondingly are disposed both inside and outside bucket 12 on the~e respective shell surfaces.
Each of pockets 14 includes an '~F~ ing 18 though which items 16 may be inserted or removed. Oren; ng8 18 are resilient. They may comprise, for exampl-, a resilient or elastic material which allows the size of the op~ni ng to be enlarged under force, but which returns to its normal size when the force is removed.
Examples of such resili-nt material may comprise rubber, elastic, and the like. Although pockets 14 preferably comprise a pleated pliable material such as a fabric, the r-silient opening may comprise a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material at the opening. Elastic bands or stripping, for example, as may be obt~ commercially from a fabric store, would suffice for some applications. The force to open resilient openings 18 typically would be applied by a person gripping the re,~ilient portion of ~l ~;ng 18 with a finger or fingers and pulling op~n; ng 18 to enlarge it. When an item 16 is placed into one of the pockets 14 and openi ng 18 iS released, the poeket returns to its normal po-ition to grip and better retain that item 16 within the poeket. The resilient material should be suffieiently strong to ~eeurely grip the item~ to be retA i n~ SO
they do not fall out of the pocket or unduly move within the poeket under normal or anticipated u age.
Pocket op~n; ngs 18 preferably but optionally may be between about 4 and 7 ;n~he~ wide (i.e., along lip 12e of bucket 12) in a normal unstretched poQition, and more preferably about 4.75 inches wide in this normal unstretehed position. Pocket-Q 14 and their open; ngs 18 may be sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to longit~;nAl axis 12f of about 7.5 inches, 8 inches, 8.5 inehes, and 9 ;nchss, respeetively, when the items is placed in the pocket. This corresponds, for example, to such items eommonly used in ClF-n; ng applications such as liquid bottles having volumes of 16 oz., 20 oz., 24 oz.
and 28 oz. The height of the poekets (i.e., in the general direction of longitudinal axi~ 12f) will vary d~ -n~i ng upon the application, but preferably is sufficient to securely retain the inten~ item to be retained, such a~ a bottle, conta;n~r, etc., while allowing a portion of the retA; n~ item to be viewable for easy identification and retrieval. Sample heightQ would be between about 4 and 7 inches, d~l -n~; ng on the items int~n~ to be stored for a given de~ign.
The component part~ of apron 10 may comprise a common material throughout, perhaps with the exception of the re ilient material, or it may include various types of materials.
Preferred materials for ~hell 13 and pockets 14 other than the resilient portion may comprise a pliable material such as a fabric or woven material, for example, such as a nylon material.
The method according to the invention comprises incorporating into a pocket of an apron an opening which is resilient. The presently preferred method in~ol~es pro~iding an apron such as that described abo~e, which includes pockets having resilient or~n; ngs . For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the preferred method will be described as it relates to the fabrication of apron 10 according to the preferred embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows utility apron 10 in an opened form, with the ends unstitched, for purposes of illustration. Apron 10 as shown in Fig. 3 would be prepared for use by folding shell 13 along lip portion 13c so that interior surface 13a and exterior surface 13b would rotate into the page toward one another until they met.
Stit~h; ng or a similar fasten; ng ~echn;que then would be used to tack shell corners 13d and 13e to shell corners 13f and 13g, respectively. This would result in apron 10 t~; ng the generally cylindrical shape shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Apron 10 may be fabricated in a number of ways. A presently preferred method for fabricating apron 10, however, involves using the fabric pattern~ of Fig. 4, ass~mbled and stitched or fastened as shown in Fig. 4. With r-fer-nce to Fig. 4, shell 13 includes shell base A, a left exterior pocket strip B, a right exterior pocket strip C, a left exterior row pocket strip D, and an interior pocket strip E. Shell 13 and the basic pocket strips B-E are made of a nylon fabric. Shell base A and pocket strips B-E are cut from a sheet of nylon in the .s~Apes shown in Fig. 4.
Pocket strips B-E are cut larger than the width of the corresron~; ng portion of shell base A (perpendicular to longit~; n~l axis 12f and along the plane of the drawing sheet) so they will match the dimensions of the appropriate portions of shell base A after the pocket strips have been folded or pleated, as expl a; ne~ below.
Pocket strips B-E are then placed on ~hell base A in the appropriate places and stay-stitched (1/8 inch). Approximately 6 yards of edging (wide bias - 1 inch) tape is then pressed in half for easier handling and more accurat- results. Alternatively, extra wide/double fold bias tape could be used. The "pressed in half" edging (or extra wide/double fold bias) tape is then sewn to the edges of B, C, D, and E. The ass-mbly then should be pressed with an iron or ~imilar device to flatten, conform and retain the pieces.
Each of pockets 14 is pleated to accommodate size variations in the pocket, from when it is empty to when it contains an item.
The pleats may be incorporated into the pockets as follows. On D, the pocket material is folded to create the pleats. The pleats are positioned and pinned. The bottoms of the pockets are sewn to the appropriate border portion of shell base 13h while holding the pleats together. The assQmbly again should be pressed at this stage.
D is then positioned and sewn to B. The stit~h; ng is then reinforced at the top (t~o places~ and at the bottom ~one place) of the pockets. On B, the pleats are po~itioned and pinned in place. The bottom is se~n to hold the pleats in place. The assembly once again should be pre~sed.
On C, position and pin the pleats in place. The assembly should be pressed. The bottom then is sewn to hold the pleats in place, and the assembly is pressed.
B then should be po~itioned and pinned to A, and the assembly pressed. The outside edges of B are sewn to A, and the assembly again is pressed. The individual pocket sides should then be sewn on the stit~hi n~ line. The stitching then should be reinforced at top and bottom of each pocket side, and the assembly should be pres~-d once again.
C then should be po~itioned and pinned to A, and pressed.
The out-~ide edges of C ~hould be sewn to A, and presQed. The individual pocket sides then should be sewn on the stit~hin~
line. Stitching should be reinforced at the top and bottom of each pocket side, and th-y should be pressed.
The pleats then should be po~itioned and pinneA for E, and they should be pressed into place. The bottom of the pocket strip should be sewn into place to hold the pleats in place, and pressed.
Next about 34 inches of elastic tape should be positioned and pinned to E h~h;n~ the edging (wide bias) tape. Dep~n~ing upon the thickness of th- fabric, the elastic may have to be positioned just below th- edging tape. Two row-~ of stit~hing should be used on the elastic to securely hold it in place. The stit~hing should be reinforced at the ends of the elastic.
E should then be po~itioned and pinned to A, and the combination pressed. The outside edges of E should be sewn to A, and pre~sed. The individual pocket side~ should be ~ewn on the stitching lines. Reinforcement stit~hing should be placed at the top and bottom of each pocket side, and the area pressed.
The edging ~wide bias) tape then should be sewn to the r~~-ining outside edges of the pockets.
Corners 13d and 13e then would be sewn to corners 13f and 13g, respectively, to give apron 10 it-~ ~ubstantially cylindrical shape.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For exa~ple, the shape, size, materials, and other aspocts of apron 10 may be different than the specific examples shown here. Ther-fore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departuros may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or ~cope of the general inventive concept.
Claims (26)
1. A utility apron for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an opening, a lip at the opening, and a longitudinal axis, the utility apron comprising:
a hell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device; and a pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longitudinal axis, the pocket including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
a hell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device; and a pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longitudinal axis, the pocket including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
2. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a pliable material, and the resilient opening comprises a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material.
3. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the resilient opening is between about 4 and 7 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
4. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the resilient opening is about 4.75 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
5. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 7.5 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
6. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 8 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
7. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 8.5 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
8. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 9 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
9. A utility apron as recited in claim 1, wherein the utility apron includes a plurality of pockets disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longitudinal axis, each of the pockets including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
10. A utility apron for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an opening, a lip at the opening, and a longitudinal axis, the utility apron comprising:
a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device; and a pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longitudinal axis, the pocket including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
a shell having lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device and an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device; and a pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell toward the longitudinal axis, the pocket including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
11. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the pocket comprises a pliable material, and the resilient opening comprises a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material.
12. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the resilient opening is between about 4 and 7 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
13. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the resilient opening is about 4.75 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
14. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 7.5 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
15. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 8 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
16. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 8.5 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
17. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the pocket is sized to contain an item having a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of about 9 inches when the item is placed in the pocket.
18. A utility apron as recited in claim 10, wherein the utility apron includes a plurality of pockets disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell away from the longitudinal axis, each of the pockets including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
19. A utility apron for use on a support device having an interior, an exterior, an opening, a lip at the opening, and a longitudinal axis, the utility apron comprising:
a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device, an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device and toward the longitudinal axis of the support device, and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device and away from the longitudinal axis of the support device;
a first pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell, and a second pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell, each of the first and second pockets including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
a shell having a lip portion for contacting the lip of the support device, an interior surface for disposition at the interior of the support device and toward the longitudinal axis of the support device, and an exterior surface for disposition at the exterior of the support device and away from the longitudinal axis of the support device;
a first pocket disposed upon the interior surface of the shell, and a second pocket disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell, each of the first and second pockets including a resilient opening, the size of the opening being variable depending upon the extent to which the resilient opening is extended.
20. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein each of the first and second pockets comprises a pliable material, and the resilient opening of each of the first and second pockets comprises a strip of resilient material affixed to the pliable material.
21. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pocket openings is between about 4 and 7 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
22. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pocket openings is about 4.75 inches wide in a normal unstretched position.
23. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pockets is sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 7.5 inches.
24. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pockets is sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 8 inches.
25. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pockets is sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 8.5 inches.
26. A utility apron as recited in claim 19, wherein at least one of the pockets is sized to contain an item having a circumference of about 9 inches.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/901,713 | 1997-07-28 | ||
| US08/901,713 US20020003098A1 (en) | 1997-07-28 | 1997-07-28 | Utility apron |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2243889A1 true CA2243889A1 (en) | 1999-01-28 |
Family
ID=25414689
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002243889A Abandoned CA2243889A1 (en) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-07-27 | Utility apron |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20020003098A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2243889A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN2620618Y (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2004-06-16 | 特力股份有限公司 | Barrel-type tool-box |
| US7021637B2 (en) * | 2003-08-04 | 2006-04-04 | Black & Decker Inc. | Work box |
| US8662300B1 (en) * | 2006-10-16 | 2014-03-04 | William Arena | System and method for attaching tools to a bucket |
| US20090301912A1 (en) * | 2008-06-04 | 2009-12-10 | Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp | Bucket-Mountable Caddy |
| US20120325992A1 (en) * | 2011-06-07 | 2012-12-27 | Keshock Michael E | Aerial-lift-platform accessory |
| US20140102925A1 (en) * | 2012-10-17 | 2014-04-17 | Jack M. Jacobson | Modular Tool Holder |
| USD810435S1 (en) | 2015-07-17 | 2018-02-20 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Bag |
| US10000315B2 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2018-06-19 | Travis Faris | Collapsible cooler liner |
| JP6167261B2 (en) * | 2015-12-28 | 2017-07-19 | 順子 八幡 | Band for holding things |
| USD816285S1 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-04-24 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Lid |
| USD815787S1 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-04-17 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bucket |
| USD815786S1 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-04-17 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bucket |
| USD824674S1 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-08-07 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Tray |
| USD815788S1 (en) | 2017-02-27 | 2018-04-17 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bucket |
| US10597191B2 (en) | 2017-02-28 | 2020-03-24 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Portable container and container assembly |
| USD819288S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-05-29 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| USD818661S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-05-22 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| USD818660S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-05-22 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| USD820542S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-06-12 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| USD817575S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-05-08 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| USD819910S1 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2018-06-05 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Utility wrap |
| US11584566B2 (en) | 2020-08-07 | 2023-02-21 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Portable container, container assembly, and accessories |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5209384A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1993-05-11 | Anderson Scott M | Portable tool kit |
-
1997
- 1997-07-28 US US08/901,713 patent/US20020003098A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1998
- 1998-07-27 CA CA002243889A patent/CA2243889A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20020003098A1 (en) | 2002-01-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |