US2018606A

US2018606A - Carrying and supporting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2018606A
Application number: US706272A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward M Cumings
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-01-11
Filing date: 1934-01-11
Publication date: 1935-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1952-10-22

Description

0a. 22, 1935. E, CUWNG 2,018,606:

CARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Jari. 11, 1934 asheets-sheet 1" Oct. 22, 1935 E. M. CUMINGS CARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edward/7f. Cumiws Oct. 22, 1935. E, M. CUMINGS CARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 11, 1954 3m, 56 flEdn wrdfll. Cuminys Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

' means for carrying various accessories and for supporting accessory portions of the sportsmans clothing during the time that he is engaged in the sport. It is an object of this invention to so distribute the weight of the apparatus and the articles being supported and carried that they will rest in the easiest possible manner upon the wearer and permit him to have the greatest freedom of movement. It is a further object to so arrange the various carrying and supporting parts that they will not interfere with each other nor obstruct each others use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means whereby a game receptacle may be carried in alternative positions, and to provide a means for preventing the carrier from sagging in either of the alternate positions. It is an object that this carrying and supporting structure shall provide a compartment adapted to keep certain articles such as cigarettes and matches for instance from moisture, and that this compartment shall be so positioned as to be least likely to come in contact with the moisture.

It is an object also to provide a means for suspending a landing net or the like in the carrying and supporting structure in such a manner that it will not interfere with access to the carrying portion of the apparatus, nor will it be interfered with by that portion, and that the means for suspending the landing net shall be of such nature as to enable the net to be used without being detached from the carrying and supporting structure.

It is an object to provide a plurality of compartments in which articles of various sizes may 1 be carried, and to arrange these compartments in such manner that they will not interfere the one with the other, and so that they will distribute the weight of the articles being carried in such a manner as to be the least burden on the wearer.

With the above and other objects in view, one embodiment of this invention is as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the following description by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of- Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view illustrating a detail of the supporting structure inside of the apparatus.

Figure 7 is a front view illustrating the apparatus in place on the body of a wearer, with various articles being carried thereby.

As illustrated in the drawings, this invention includes a split-skirt structure, an upper nonelasticsuspension structure, an inner lower resilient suspension means, and an outer lower non-elastic suspension means.

The split skirt structure includes a series of apron-like sections constituting carriers and a waist belt element having the upper portions of said sections secured thereto. The skirt sections are free of connection to each other from their 20 lower ends to the bottom edge oi the belt.

The belt element, indicated at I, of the skirt structure, is preferably composed of a relatively stiff heavy material such as a heavy fabric. The element I may be fastened at the front by any 25 convenient means such as a strap 2 secured to one end of the element I by means of rivets 3 or the like and a buckle 4 adapted to engage the hole 5 in the strap 2 secured to the other end of the element I.. There are four skirt sections 30 consisting of a combined front and side section 6, a front section I a short side section 8, and the rear section 9-. The sections 6 and I are arranged on opposite sides of the front of element I when it is in closed position as indicated in Figure 1,. the section 6 also at one side of element I, and the said sections 6, I are secured at their upper ends to element I by means of stitching In or the like. The section 8 is somewhat shorter than the other sections and is dis- 0 posed' over one hip, being secured to the belt along. its upper edge in the same manner as the sections 6 and I. The front carrier section 6 extends around the side andrearwardly substantaken along the line 5-5 tially to one end of the section 9. This rear .5 7

section extends across the rear of the device'and is secured to element I in the manner previously indicated with reference to the other sections.

Secured to the belt adjacent the' front ends thereof by means of stitching I I or the like, and 50 to the rear of element I by similar stitching I2 or the like are the right and left siispenders I3 and I4 respectively forming nelments of the non-elastic suspensionstruetfire. These suspenders are positioned tgiextend over the respective w shoulders of the wearer, and for the purpose of holding them in proper position there is provided a cross member I across the shoulder portion at the rear,'this shoulder member being secured being numbered I1 and I8 respectively. The

strap I3 or I4 as at 22;

' rings 23.

shoulder pieces are formed of relatively stiif heavy material preferably somewhat heavier than either the beltor the shoulder straps, so that the shoulder straps will be prevented from cutting 7 into or otherwise injuring the shoulder of the wearer. Theseshoulder pieces may be secured in place beneath the shoulder straps by means of stitching I9 or the like. On the front portion of these shoulder straps there may be provided an attaching ring 20 secured in place by means of a short length of strap 2| riveted to the'shoulder Any necessary small articles may bertied to or otherwise suspended from these rings 20. V r

Secured to element I at the lower ends of one of the shoulder straps, preferably the left shoulder strap I4, there are a pair of attaching rings 23 similar to the attaching rings 20 and secured in place on the outer face of element I by means of short straps 24 and rivets 25. The purpose of these rings 23 is to detachably receive the snap fasteners 26 on the ends of the, strap 21. This strap member 21 is made in two parts joined together at approximately the center of the strap member by means of a buckle "permanently secured to one portion and detachably secured to the other portion. This strap member as illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings is for the purpose of supporting a creel 29. provided with a lid 30 hinged thereto in the customary manner, or to carry any other game receptacle which may be found convenient. The rings 23 and strap member 21 provide theouter lower non-elastic suspension means.

The position of the creel as illustrated in Figure 7 is over the hip of the wearer and is the natural position for the creel to assume when the strap member 21 is secured to the attaching Howevenmany sportsmen prefer to have the creel or other game receptacle positioned further'to therear. In order to make this possible, there are provided alternative or optional attaching rings 3| secured to the belt at the lower end of the shoulder strap I3 on the outer surface of element I, and secured to element to the left of the lower front end of the shoulder strap I4. These attaching rings are secured toelement I by means of'short straps 32 and rivets 33 in much the same manner as the attaching

rings

20 and 23. It will be seen that when the strap member 21 is secured to the attaching rings 3| instead of to the attaching rings 23, the position of the creel or other game receptacle will be changed'from that illustrated in' Figure 7 to a position more in the rear of the wearer. In this position, however, it is noted that'ithe forward attaching ring 3| is at a point spaced 'a considerable distance from the lower front end of the shoulder strap I4. The nonelastic upper suspension structureinot only ineludes the suspenders |3, |4 but also includes an auxiliary suspender' or supporting strap for a purpose now to be described. In order to prevent any saggingof element I at the point where this forward ring 3| is attached, there is provided an auxiliary supporting itrap fl 1 secured. to vthe I4 at. its upper end substantially at the forward extremity of the shoulder piece I8 by means of stitching 35. At its lower end, this auxiliary supporting strap 34 is secured to the inside face of element I substantially at the point 4 where the forward attaching ring 3| is connected, by'means of stitching 36. or the like. This, it will be seen, will positively support the carrier apparatus at the point where the ring 3| would exert its pull, and would prevent any sagging of '10 the ring 3| at that point when the game recepi tacle 29 is secured to the ring 3|."

The construction of the inner lower resilient suspension means will now be referred to. Secured to the inner surface of element I substan l5 tially at each of the lower ends of the right shoulder strap I3 there is an attaching ring 31. These shoulder strap attaching rings 31 are secured by means of short in the usual manner with ring portions 42 adapted to receive an end of the extensible member 2 and the ends of this extensible or elastic member are secured through the rings 42 by means of fastening elements 43 forming loops at the ends of the elastic element. Intermediate its ends, this elastic element is provided with a third snap 30 fastener 44. The elastic member is merely passed 7 through the ring 45 of this snap fastener so that the same will be slidably mounted on the elastic member. The purpose of this elastic member and the snap fastener slidably mounted intermediate its ends isfor the suspension of a landing net 46 or the like having its handle 41 pro vided with suitable means to which the snap fastener 44 may be attached. Y Secured to the inner face of element I by means of rivets 48 or the like substantially at the lower rear ends of the respective shoulder straps there is a pair of short strap members 49 adapted to serve as supporters for the rear portion of a pair of waders or the like. Each of these strap members 49 is formed with a plurality of buttonholes 50 adapted to adjustably receive. the buttons usually provided upon the rear of the waders for supporting the same. T

Secured to the front ends of each of the shoul- 50 der pieces I! and I8 and extending downwardly therefrom inside of element I and carrier apparatus are a pair of supporting straps 5|. These straps 5| are secured between the shoulder straps and the shoulder pieces in any convenient mannor and are provided at their lowerends with openings 52'adapted to cooperate with buckles 53 for the purpose of securing theisuspenders 54 to the lower ends of the strap 5|. It will be seen that each of the suspenders 54 consists of two strap portions extending downwardly at an angle to each other, and each of these portions being provided with an opening 55 adjacent the lower end thereof for the purpose of receiving the supporting buttons customarily provided front of waders or the like.

Referring back now to the skirt sections mentioned, reference is first had to the right front section 6. 'By reference to Figure 5. it will be seen that this section consists of a'rear wall 56770 upon the U as to form a pair of pockets side by side of substantially equal size. It is noted that this apronlike section is positioned substantially over the point where the landing net 46 would be secured to the elastic element M. It is a matter of note, however, that this elastic element is positioned beneath or within the interior of the carrier apparatus so that it will not interfere with the pockets of the section 6 nor obstruct access thereto. However, when the net 46 is in use it is apparent that the section 6 will be pulled outwardly and articles within the pockets of this section and particularly within the pocket at the rearward end thereof would tend to be thrown out. For the purpose of preventing this from occurring, this pocket is provided with a flap 6| adapted to close the same. In order to provide space for additional small articles, the flap Bl has a separate member 62 secured to the front face thereof at 63 so as to form a pair of

pockets

64 and 65 respectively within the flap member 6i. Within the pocket at the forward end of this section there is provided an intermediate wall 66 secured to the rear wall 55 in such a manner as to form two small pockets 6'! and 68 respectively. A long narrow pocket is secured in a substantially upright position at 69 on: the front surface of this carrier section.

With reference to the skirt section I, this section is likewise formed with a rear or inner wall 69' and an outer wall ill secured together at H to form a pocket between. It is noted, however, that this pocket would fall beneath the position of the strap member 21 so that it would be difiicult to provide a flap therefor which could be opened when the strap member 21 is in position. In order to overcome this difiiculty, there has been: formed a flap of triangular shape as illustrated at 12 so that it may be opened without substantial interference from the strap member 21. Likewise, the shape of this flap member 12 permits of access to the substantial upright elongated pocket 13 secured to the front wall of this skirt section 1.

With reference to the skirt section 8, it is noted in Figure 5 that this section consists not only of the rear wall 14 and the front wall 15 and the flap 16 for closing the same, but that each of these walls is provided with a lining Ti of rubberized silk or other moisture-proof material. In addition, it is noted that this pocket or skirt section is made somewhat shorter than the other skirt sections and is positioned above the position of .a creel attached to the front member 21. Thus, by virtue of its position above the creel, it will be further protected from the moisture when the sportsman is wading in a stream or the like. This pocket is for the purpose of keeping any articles which might be desired moisture-free such as for instance tobacco, matches, etc.

The rear skirt section of this apparatus consists as illustrated in Figure 4 of an inner wall 18 and an outer wall 19. These inner and outer walls are; joined together by means of accordion pleating sides and bottom so that this carrier section may be made of use in carrying the somewhat bulky as well as heavy articles. This pocket may be closed by means of a flap 8| and a suitable button or the like 82. It is noted that the position of this skirt section upon the wearers body and with respect to the other portions of the carrying and supporting apparatus is such that the maximum weight can be carried in this section. It is well known that in a device of this general type a much greater weight may be carried upon the back of the wearer than on portions of the apparatus in front of him.

As for element I, it is particularly noteworthy that as illustrated in the drawings it consists of the relatively heavy and stiff belt member 83 5 which is positioned adjacent the wearers body, and of the relatively flexible member 84 secured to the outer face thereof. It is to be noted that the upper and lower edges of the member 84 are folded upon themselves before they are stitched 1 0 to the member 83. The lower ends of the shoulder straps and of the auxiliary supporting strap 34 are inserted between these two members before they are secured together by means such as the stitching 85. At their lower edges, these two 1B belt members receive the upper edges of the carrier sections between them and they are then secured together by means of stitching such as 85.

From the foregoing description it will be ap- 2o:

preciated that a very advantageous carrying and supporting apparatus has been provided by this invention. First of all, there is the split-skirt structure comprising the belt and the various sections, the pockets in the various sections them- 25 selves being so arranged as to properly distribute the load upon the wearer and upon the said structure and so as not to interfere with the other parts of the apparatus. Then the shoulder straps are provided and are formed in such a 30 manner as. to bear most easily upon the shoulders of the wearer and to support element l at five points, two at its back and three at its front. The points at the back and the points at the front substantially equally spaced from each other. 85 Means is provided for supporting the creel or other game receptacle in optional positions depending upon the desires of the sportsman, and provision is made for preventing the sagging of element I when the creel is secured in one of its 40 optional positions, in which position it would have caused sagging were it not for the provision made by this invention. In addition to the above, this invention provides a device whereby a landing net or the like may be suspended from the split- 45 skirt structure in a position where it will be out of the wearers way and will not interfere in any way with or obstruct access to the pockets of the carrier member, but in which the landing net will be brought into instant use without the ne- 50 cessity for detaching it from the split-skirt structure and without interference with the other portions of the split-skirt structure. The apparatus also supplies a supporting means for waders or the like, which supporting means are positioned 55 so as not to interfere with or obstruct access to the pockets or other portions of the split-skirt structure, and yet which are so positioned as to transmit the strain and stress placed upon them in a most direct manner to the shoulders of the O wearer.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken as in any way limiting the spirit or the scope of this invention. Such limitation is 65 to be by the prior art and by the terms of the appended claims only. i

What I claim is:

1. In a carrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn by a fisherman, a split-skirt 70 structure formed of a belt element for encompassing the waist of the wearer, a cpnfbined front and side section for opposing one side and a part of the front of the wearer below said element. a front sectionioropposing the remaining 75 together, said sections being free of connection throughout from the bottom edge of said element to the lower ends thereof, each of said sections 7 being formed with means to constitute a carrier,

and a shoulder suspension structure for said splitskirt structure connected at three spaced points to the front and attwo spaced points to the back a of said element, comprising a bracingstrap extending from one of said front'spaced points in proximity to the side of, the wearer to the sus;

pension" structure on the upper front portion thereofp r 2. In a carrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn bya fisherman, a split-skirt structure formed of a combined: front and side section for opposing one side'and a part of the front of one side of the body of a wearer below the waist and being provided with a pair of permanently open pockets and a normally closed pocket, a front section for opposing the remaining part of the front of the body of the wearer below the waist and being provided witha normally closed pocket and a permanently open pocket. 8. side section for opposing the other side of the body of the wearer below the waist and being provided with a normally closed pocket, a backsection for opposing the backof the wearer below the waist and being provided with a normally closed pocket, a belt element for encompassing the waist of the wearer and means for securing the upper portions of said sections to said element, and said sections being free of connection 10 throughout from the bottom edge of said element to the lower ends thereof.

3. In a carrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn by a fisherman, a split-skirt structure including a belt having depending 15 therefrom a series of apron-like sections provided with means to form carriers, an upper non-elastic suspension structure anchored to a pair of spaced points of the back and three spaced points of the front of the belt, a depending lower outer non- 20 elastic suspension means, attaching elements connected to the ends of said last means, and a plurality of grouped attaching elements on the outer surface of said belt adapted to be selectively engaged by said first-mentioned attaching elements :5 according to the varying distribution of theload imposed upon said carriers to approximate a desired balance between said load and the load adapted to be carried by said non-elastic suspension means.

EDWARD M. CUMINGS.