EP1952707A2 - Safety or alert vest - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an alert vest, which is provided with equipment pockets and one or more reflector stripes (6). Equipment pockets (1, 2, 3) are divided into two or three successive zones, and the equipment pockets, even in a retail package, come with accessories needed for first aid.

Description

• The invention relates to an alert vest which is provided with equipment pockets and reflector stripes.
• It is prior known that the alert vests, which are provided with reflector stripes, include pockets for various types of equipment. The pockets do not, however, come with ready-to-use first-aid equipment. Moreover, the layout of pockets is such that, when filled with equipment, said pockets impede the folding of a vest into a small-size pack as preferred in terms of packaging technique. The number of pockets is also inadequate in many respects.
• It is an object of the invention to provide improved alert vests, which enable elimination or alleviation of the above problems and shortcomings, specifically by having first-aid equipment integrated with the vest.
• This object is accomplished by the invention on the basis of the characterizing features presented in the appended claim 1. The dependent claims disclose preferred embodiments of the invention.
• An alert vest according to the invention will now be described more closely by way of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1

shows an alert vest of the invention in a front view,

Fig. 2

shows the same alert vest in a rear view, and

Fig. 3

shows alert vest equipment and applications thereof.

• Equipment pockets 1, 2, 3 in an alert vest of the invention are divided into three successive zones, with two horizontal folding points 4, 5 for folding the vest therealong into packaging pleats. The vest zones separated by the folding points 4, 5 have a height which increases from bottom to top, enabling the vest to be pleated into a package by folding first the bottom zone at the lower folding point 5 and by then folding the uppermost zone on top of it at the folding point 4. The vest can be ultimately folded down the middle along a vertical folding line. As a result, the vest unfolds in such a way that the equipment turns up in correct sequence, e.g. when the vest has been folded into package pleats for use as an accessory for the motorist.
• Reflector stripes 6 extend around the vest alongside the folding points 4, 5.
• In the back of the vest, below the folding point 5, there is a pocket 3a for a warm-up cover.
• The equipment pockets 1, 2, 3 of a vest folded into package pleats contain typically a cutter 7 or scissors and dressing materials 10, as well as a pencil and notepad 9, possibly with first-aid instructions. In addition, the distribution of pockets according to the invention allows for a sufficient range of equipment, possibly including a rechargeable flashlight (e.g. an LED light) and a manually operated charger 8, which is also good for recharging the battery of a mobile phone. The equipment may also include a whistle. What is essential about the invention is that the equipment pockets 1, 2, 3, even in a retail package of the vest, contain a sufficient number of ready-to-use accessories needed for first aid, typically at least dressing materials and a warm-up cover.
• The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawing. For example, the pockets 1, 2, 3 need not necessarily be arranged in three successive zones, but the equipment pockets can also be dived into two successive zones, between which lies one folding point 5 while the other folding point 4 is located immediately above the upper zone of equipment pockets.
• The alert or safety vest according to the invention lends itself to a wide range of applications. Aside from a conventional alert vest, it can be used as a safety vest for the motorist or as a first-aid vest in disaster areas.

Claims (7)

1. An alert vest, which is provided with equipment pockets and one or more reflector stripes (6), characterized in that equipment pockets (1, 2, 3) are divided into two or three successive zones, and the equipment pockets, even in a retail package, come with accessories needed for first aid.
2. An alert vest as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that between and/or alongside the zones of equipment pockets there are two horizontal folding points (4, 5) for folding the vest into packaging pleats.
3. An alert vest as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the equipment pockets (1, 2, 3) are divided into three successive zones with two reflector stripes (6) therebetween.
4. An alert vest as set forth in any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the reflector stripes (6) extend around the vest between the zones of pockets.
5. An alert vest as set forth in any of claims 1-4, characterized in that in the back of the vest, below the lowermost reflector stripe (6), there is a pocket (3a) for a warm-up cover.
6. An alert vest as set forth in any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the equipment pockets (1, 2, 3) of a vest presently in a retail package contain a cutter (7) or scissors, dressing materials (10), a rechargeable flashlight, and a manually operated battery charger (8).
7. An alert vest as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the battery charger (8) is feasible for recharging the battery of a mobile phone.

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