US20200221802A1

US20200221802A1 - Detachable Clothing Systems and Uses Thereof

Info

Publication number: US20200221802A1
Application number: US16/248,514
Authority: US
Inventors: They
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-15
Filing date: 2019-01-15
Publication date: 2020-07-16

Abstract

Provided herein are systems for the quick release of a garment or work clothing used in workplaces when entangled with machinery. A garment body or an article of work clothing with one or more garment or work clothing components removably attached thereto at a first seam on each. A plurality of quick-release fasteners each have a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment body or article of work clothing and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the removable components where the second fastener parts are removably engageable with the first component parts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of clothing design. More specifically, the present invention is directed to systems that allow removable attachment of the various components that comprise an article of clothing.

Description of the Related Art

Safety is a top priority in factories where the worker is exposed to various equipment including heavy machinery that can potentially cause significant injuries or even death. Loose parts of a workers clothing, such as, sleeves, un-tucked shirt, tie, unbuttoned jacket among others can inadvertently get caught in moving parts that comprise the machinery, putting the workers limbs and body in harm's way. Studies indicate an increasing trend in entanglement related industrial accidents leading to amputations, fractures and fatalities. While being debilitating to workers and families, this also contributes to increasing operating expenses for the businesses. While the industry has attempted to reduce the incidence of such tragic accidents through worker training and education, including proper choice of work clothing, the dangers of a worker getting trapped due to work wear has not reduced. Moreover, factories are largely open workspaces that do not give sufficient warmth and comfort to the work. As a result, workers prefer to wear clothing that covers their extremities, thus posing a risk of entanglement when in the proximity of machinery. There is therefore a need for designing clothes wherein the clothing components that pose a risk for the worker may be temporarily removed prior to the worker beginning work with a machinery and attached back when the work is completed, so that the worker feels warm and comfortable when performing other jobs. Overall, there is a deficiency in the art for work clothing with reversibly detachable components designed to protect the worker from injury, particularly when operating machinery. The present invention fulfills this longstanding need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a quick-release fastening system for a garment. The system comprises a garment body and at least one removably attached garment component each of which comprise a first seam and a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the garment body and on the at least one garment component. Each quick-release fastener comprises a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment body and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment component where the second fastener part is removably engageable with the first fastener part.
The present invention is directed to a related quick-release fastening system. This related quick-release fastening system further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the first fastener parts that are disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment body and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The second fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body.
The present invention is directed to another related quick-release fastening system. This related quick-release fastening system further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the second fastener parts that are disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The first fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body.
The present invention also is directed to a reactive entanglement protection system for a garment. The system comprises an article of work clothing and at least one removably attached work clothing component each of which comprises a first seam and a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the article of work clothing and on the work clothing component. Each quick-release fastener comprises a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the article of work clothing and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the work clothing component where the second fastener part is removably engageable with the first fastener part.
The present invention is directed to a related reactive entanglement protection system. This related reactive entanglement system further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the first fastener parts that are disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The second fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
The present invention is directed to another related reactive entanglement protection system. This related reactive entanglement system further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the second fastener parts, disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The first fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
The present invention is directed further to work clothing for quick release from entanglement with machinery. The work clothing comprises an article of work clothing and a plurality of quick-release fasteners. The article of work clothing comprises at least one removably attached work clothing component, and a first seam disposed on each of the article of work clothing and the at least one work clothing component. Each of the plurality of quick-release fasteners comprises a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the article of work clothing and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the work clothing component, wherein the second fastener part is removably engageable with the first fastener part.
The present invention is directed to related work clothing. This related work clothing further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the first fastener parts that are disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The second fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
The present invention is directed to another related work clothing. This related work clothing further comprises a second seam to which is affixed a plurality of the second fastener parts that are disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam. The first fastener parts are receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
Other and further aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C shows a VELCRO (a product of Velcro Industries N.V.) hook-and-loop quick-release fastener parts comprised in the reactive entanglement protection system (REPS) for removably attaching clothing components to an article of work clothing. FIG. 1A shows a top front to back view of an attachable clothing component with a VELCRO hook portion affixed on an inner seam. FIG. 1B shows a top right to left view of an article of work clothing with a VELCRO loop portion affixed on to the seam. FIG. 1C shows a bottom left to right view of an article of work clothing with a VELCRO loop portion affixed on to a seam.

FIGS. 2A-2B shows attachment of an attachable clothing component to an article of work clothing using a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener parts comprised in the reactive entanglement protection system. FIG. 2A shows a VELCRO hook portion of the removably attachable clothing component fastened to a VELCRO loop portion in the article of work clothing whereby the seams are hidden from view on the top surface. FIG. 2B shows a magnified bottom view of the removably attached clothing component and article of work clothing in FIG. 2A showing relative placement of the hook and loop on seams of the clothing component and article of work clothing respectively and attachment thereof by sewing.

FIGS. 3A-3C shows attachment of a reactive entanglement protection system comprising two VELCRO hooks and VELCRO loop. FIG. 3A is a top view of the reactive entanglement protection system showing two VELCRO hooks each affixed to a seam in an attachable clothing component and a VELCRO loop affixed to a seam in an article of work clothing. FIG. 3B is a top view of the attachable clothing component fastened to the article of work clothing using the REPS shown in FIG. 3A whereby the seams are hidden from view on the top surface. FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the attachable clothing component fastened to the article of work clothing using the REPS shown in FIG. 3A whereby the seams are also hidden from view on the bottom surface in contrast to FIG. 2B, where the seams and affixed REPS are not hidden.

FIGS. 4A-4G shows a jacket having a removable zipper component attached to the body portion of the jacket using the reactive entanglement protection system. FIG. 4A shows the REPS jacket with the removable zipper component and a REPS location tag adjacent to the zipper for easy identification of sections of the jacket which may be removed by unfastening the REPS. FIG. 4B shows a magnified view of the REPS jacket in FIG. 4A with a top flap adjacent to the zipper lifted, revealing the hook affixed comprising the REPS affixed on the zipper component. FIG. 4C is a view of the REPS jacket in FIG. 4A with a top flap on one side adjacent to the zipper lifted, revealing both the hook and loop of the REPS affixed respectively to the zipper component and the body portion of the jacket. FIG. 4D is a magnified view of the REPS jacket in FIG. 4C with top flaps on both sides of the zipper component lifted, revealing the hook and loop of the REPS affixed respectively to the zipper component and the body portion of the jacket. FIG. 4E shows a separable left front shoulder seam area in the REPS jacket with a seam cover pulled back for display. FIG. 4F is a separable right front shoulder in the REPS jacket with the seam area covered. FIG. 4G is a separable right front shoulder in the REPS jacket with the seam cover pulled back to view the separable seam area.

FIGS. 5A-5D shows a hooded jacket comprising removable trunk, hood and sleeve components that are attached using the reactive entanglement protection system. FIG. 5A shows the REPS hooded jacket with REPS location tags indicating sections of the jacket that may be removed by unfastening the REPS. FIG. 5B is a magnified front view of the REPS jacket in FIG. 5A with a top flap lifted, revealing the affixed hook and loop. FIG. 5C is a magnified view of the hood of the REPS hooded jacket in FIG. 5A showing a top flap on the hood component and a bottom flap on the jacket. FIG. 5D is a magnified view of the hood in FIG. 5C with the top flap lifted, revealing the hook and loop of the REPS.

FIG. 6 illustrates an overall for use by factory workers with reactive entanglement protection system (REPS) enabled removable arm and leg sleeve sections, REPS location tags for easy identification of sections that may be removed by unfastening the REPS.

FIGS. 7A-7G show various REPS garments with REPS location tags for easy identification of sections that may be removed by unfastening the REPS. FIG. 7A is a side view of a pant with removably attachable leg section. FIG. 7B is a front view of a pant with removably attachable leg sleeves. FIG. 7C is a front view of a sweater with removably attachable arm sleeves. FIG. 7D is a front view of a lab wear with removably attachable arm sleeves. FIG. 7E is a front view of a shirt with removably attachable full arm sleeves. FIG. 7F is a front view of a shirt with removably attachable arm sleeves identified by the REPS location tag. FIG. 7G is a magnified view of the sleeve in FIG. 7F showing the arm sleeve detached from the shirt. FIG. 7H is a front view of a jacket with removably attachable full arm sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For convenience, before further description of the present invention, certain terms employed in the specification, examples and appended claims are collected herein. These definitions should be read in light of the remainder of the disclosure and understood as by a person of skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The term “or” in the claims refers to “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or”.
The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included.
The term “including” is used herein to mean “including, but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.
As used herein, the term “quick-release fasteners” refers to fasteners that can be quickly unfastened by simple manipulation, for example, but not limited to, tugging, pulling, jerking, etc. by anyone to detach entangled clothing materials such as in the event of an emergency.
As used herein, the term “reactive entanglement protection system” refers to a quick response clothing system that improves the safety of a worker or other individual when working near equipment and machinery by allowing entangled parts or components of the work clothing to be quickly released or detached from the main body of the clothing to quickly release the worker or other individual from the entanglement.
As used herein, the terms “clothing” and “garment” are interchangeable.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a quick-release fastening system for a garment, comprising a garment body and at least one garment component removably attached thereto, each of which comprise a first seam where said at least one garment component is attached to the garment body; and a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the garment body and on the at least one garment component, each quick-release fastener comprising a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment body; and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment component, said second fastener part removably engageable with the first fastener part.
Further to this embodiment, in one configuration, the quick-release fastening system comprises a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment body and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said second fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body.
Further to this embodiment, in another configuration, the quick-release fastening system comprises a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body. In both further embodiments the inter-seam channel may have a width from about 0.06 inch to about 0.5 inch.
In all embodiments the fasteners may be affixed such that half of each first fastener part and half of each second fastener part extends outside of the seam. Also in all embodiments the garment body may be a shirt, a jacket, a coat, pants, a coverall, a blouse, a skirt, a tank top, a jumper, or a sweater. In addition the garment component may be a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece, or a leg section.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a reactive entanglement protection system for work clothes comprising an article of work clothing and at least one work clothing component removably attached thereto, each of which comprises a first seam where the at least one work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing; and a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the article of work clothing and on the at least one work clothing component, each quick-release fastener comprising a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the article of work clothing; and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the work clothing component, the second fastener part removably engageable with the first fastener part.
Further to this embodiment, in one configuration, the reactive entanglement protection system comprises a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, the second fastener part receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
Further to this embodiment, in another configuration, the reactive entanglement protection system comprises a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, the first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing. In both further embodiments the inter-seam channel width may be as described supra.
In all embodiments the fasteners may be affixed as described supra. Also in all embodiments the work clothing may be a shirt, a jacket, a coat, a pant, a uniform, or a coverall. In addition, the work clothing component may be a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece or a leg section. Furthermore, the work clothing may be designed for use in a factory, on an assembly line, in utility construction and maintenance, in a fire department, in a police department, in a hospital or ambulance, in the military, or during emergency management.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided work clothing for quick release from entanglement with machinery comprising an article of work clothing comprising at least one work clothing component removably attached thereto; a first seam disposed on each of the article of work clothing and the at least one work clothing component; a plurality of quick-release fasteners each comprising a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the article of work clothing; and a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the work clothing component, the second fastener part removably engageable with the first fastener part.
Further to this embodiment, in one configuration, the work clothing comprises a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, the second fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.
Further to this embodiment, in another configuration, the work clothing comprises a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, the first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing. In both further embodiments the inter-seam channel width may be as described supra.
In all embodiments the work clothing and the work clothing component may be as described supra. Also in all embodiments the work clothing may be designed for use in a factory, on an assembly line, in utility construction and maintenance, in a fire department, in a police department, in a hospital or ambulance, in the military, or during emergency management.
Provided herein is a quick-release fastening system or reactive entanglement protection system (REPS), which when installed on garments and work clothing provides the wearer warm and comfort and protects the worker from injury or death, particularly when operating machinery by allowing quick removal of clothing entangled on machinery. Also provided are work clothes to which the system is affixed.
Generally, a garment or work clothing has a garment body or an article of work clothing to which at least one garment component or at least one work clothing component are removably attached. Each of the garment body and the at least one garment component or each of the article of work clothing and the at least one work clothing component have a first seam on which a plurality of quick release fasteners are affixed. The fasteners each have first fastener parts on the first seam on the garment body or article of work clothing and second fastener parts on the first seam on the garment components or on the work clothing components. The first fastener parts and the second fastener parts are removably engageable.
Alternatively, the system may have both a first seam and a second seam. The second seam is disposed near or proximate to and parallel to the first seam. The second seam may have either the first fastener parts or the second fastener parts disposed thereon. An inter-seam channel is formed between the first fastener parts on the first seam and the second seam or between the second fastener parts on the first seam and the second seam. The width of the inter-seam channel depends on the maximum thickness of the fastener, so that the quick-release fasteners are hidden from view when the garment component or the work clothing component is removably attached to the article of work clothing. The inter-channel width may be, but is not limited to, about 0.06 inch to about 0.5 inch. The inter-seam channel enables the quick-release fasteners affixed to the seams to be hidden from view when the first fastener part is removably engaged with the second quick-release fasteners.
The fasteners may be affixed by any suitable means including, but not limited to, fabric glue, heat, thread, a fastening tool, or a combination thereof. The first fastener part and the second fastener part may be, but are not limited to, a hook-and-loop, for example, VELCRO, a grommet, a button and buttonhole, a poppas and eyelet, a hook and eye, a snap and press stud or a magnet. Preferably, the quick-release fastener is a VELCRO, a hook-and-loop quick-release fastener comprising a hook portion and a loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together, secures the garment component or work clothing component are secured to the garment component or the article of work clothing, respectively. When the VELCRO hook and loop portions are pulled apart, the garment component or the work clothing component are quickly released. In a non-limiting example, when affixed to the seams about one half of the width of the first fastener part (loop) and of the second fastener part (hook) comprising the quick-release fastener extend out from the outer edges of the seams. When the fastener parts are engaged, they are covered by the seams.
Generally, the garment or work clothes may be, but are not limited to, a casual garment, a formal garment, a designer garment, a costume, casual work clothing, regulation work clothing, combat wear, workshop clothes, factory wear, a uniform, or specialized work clothing. Examples of a garment are a shirt, a jacket, a coat, pants, a coverall, a blouse, a skirt, a tank top, a jumper, or a sweater. Examples of work clothes are a shirt, a jacket, a coat, pants, a uniform, or a coverall. Examples of a garment component and a work clothing component are a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece or a leg section.
The garment and the work clothes may be made of any fabric material including, but not limited to, cotton, flax, wool, ramie, silk jute, bamboo, hemp, silk, leather, nylon, rayon, polyester, terylene spandex, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose, or a composite comprising two or more of these fabric materials. The garment and the work clothes may be designed for workplaces including, but not limited to, a factory, an assembly line, utility areas and maintenance sites, a fire department, a police department, a hospital or ambulance and the military, or designed to be worn during emergency management.
Particularly, embodiments of the present invention are better illustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
FIG. 1A shows a top front to back view of an attachable work clothing component 1 with a hook portion 3 a of a hook-and-loop fastener affixed on an inner seam. With reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B shows a top 5 of an article of work clothing with a loop portion 3 b of a hook-and-loop fastener affixed on to a seam. With reference to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C is a bottom 6 of the article of work clothing showing the loop portion 3 b. Alternate configurations of this embodiment where the hook portion 3 a is affixed to the work clothing component and loop portion 3 b is affixed to the article of work clothing may also be used.
With continuous reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, FIG. 2A illustrates attachment of a removably attachable work clothing component 1 to an article of clothing 4 using the hook-and- loop fastener 3 a, 3 b each attached to a seam on the work clothing component and article of clothing respectively. In this configuration, after attachment the seams and fastener parts are hidden from view on the top surface of the clothing material. With continuous reference to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B shows a magnified bottom view of the attached clothing material showing that one-half of the width of each fastener part is affixed by sewing 7 on the seam edge 8 of each clothing material so that half of the fastener is outside the material to reduce seam thickness. FIG. 2B also shows that after attachment of the work clothing component 1 to the article of clothing 4, the seams and fastener parts are visible on the bottom surface of the clothing material. Alternate configurations of this embodiment where the hook portion 3 a is affixed to the work clothing component and loop portion 3 b is affixed to the article of work clothing may also be used.
FIG. 3A shows a configuration of the REPS comprising two hooks 3 a each affixed to a seam in an attachable work clothing component 1 and one loop 3 b affixed to a seam in an article of work clothing 4. The hooks are affixed on the seams so as to form an inter-seam channel 15, the width of which would be equal to the thickness of the loop fastener.
With reference to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B is a top view of the attachable work clothing component fastened to the article of work clothing using the one loop 3 b and two hooks 3 a of this REPS (one hook 3 a is occluded by loop 3 a), whereby after attachment, the edge 19 of the loop of the article of clothing is sandwiched between the two hooks on the work clothing component such that the seams and fastener parts are hidden from view on the top surface of the clothing material.
With continuous reference to FIGS. 2B and 3B, FIG. 3C illustrates a bottom view of the removably attached clothing material whereby the seams and fastener parts are also hidden from view on the bottom surface, unlike FIG. 2B, where the seams and affixed REPS are not hidden. Alternate configurations of this embodiment where the two hook portions 3 a are affixed to the work clothing component and loop portion 3 b is affixed to the article of work clothing may also be used. Alternatively, one hook and two loops on either the work clothing component or the article of work clothing may be used.
FIG. 4A shows a REPS jacket with a removable zipper component 20, top covering flaps 10 on either side along the length of the zipper and a REPS location tag 9 adjacent to the zipper for easy identification of sections of the jacket which may be removed by unfastening the REPS. With continued reference to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B shows a magnified view of the REPS jacket with a top covering flap adjacent to the zipper partially lifted, revealing the hook 3 a affixed to the zipper component. With continued reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4C shows a front view of the REPS jacket with the top flap 10 on one side fully lifted, revealing both the hook 3 a and loop 3 b of the REPS affixed respectively to the zipper component and the body portion of the jacket. With continued reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, FIG. 4D is a magnified view of the REPS jacket with top flaps 10 on both sides of the zipper component 20 fully lifted, revealing the one hook 3 a affixed on each side of the zipper component and one loop 3 b on a back surface of each of the top flaps on the jacket.
With continued reference to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4E shows a separable left front shoulder seam area in the REPS jacket with a seam cover pulled back to show the hook 3 a. With continued reference to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4F depicts a separable right front shoulder in the REPS jacket with the seam area covered, showing the REPS location tag 9. With continued reference to FIG. 4F, FIG. 4G is a separable right front shoulder in the REPS jacket with the seam cover pulled back to view the hook 3 a and loop 3 b.
FIG. 5A shows a REPS hooded jacket comprising a removable trunk 12 a, hood 12 b and sleeve components 12 c that are attached using the reactive entanglement protection system (REPS) hidden between a top covering flap 10 and a bottom flap 11. REPS location tags 9 indicating sections of the jacket that may be removed by unfastening the REPS. With continued reference to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B is a magnified front view of the REPS jacket with a top flap 10 lifted, revealing the affixed hook 3 a and loop 3 b. With continued reference to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5C is a magnified view of the hood of the REPS hooded jacket showing a top flap 10 on the hood component and a bottom flap 11 on the jacket. With continued reference to FIGS. 5A and 5C, FIG. 5D is a magnified view of the hood with the top covering flap 10 lifted, revealing the hook 3 a and loop 3 b that removably secures the hood to the jacket.
FIG. 6 illustrates an overall for use by factory workers having reactive entanglement protection system enabled removable arm sleeve with an inner 13 a and an outer 13 b separable sections with separable seams 13 c, a leg sleeve with an inner 14 a and an outer 14 b separable sections with separable seams 14 c and REPS location tags 9 for easy identification of sections that may be removed by unfastening the REPS.
FIG. 7A is a side view of a pant with removably attachable leg sleeve. FIG. 7B is a front view of a pant with a removably attachable leg sleeve identified by the REPS location tag 9. FIG. 7C is a front view of a sweater with a removably attachable arm sleeve identified by the REPS location tag 9. FIG. 7D is a front view of a lab wear with removably attachable arm sleeves identified by the REPS location tag 9. FIG. 7E is a front view of a shirt with removably attachable full arm sleeves identified by the REPS location tag 9. FIG. 7F is a front view of a shirt with removably attachable arm sleeves identified by the REPS location tag 9. In continued reference to FIG. 7F, FIG. 7G is a magnified view showing the arm sleeve detached from the shirt. FIG. 7H is a front view of a REPS jacket with a removably attachable full arm sleeve section 16, detached from the jacket on an upper end 17 and partly attached on a lower end 18 by hook 3 a affixed on the sleeve section and loop 3 b affixed on the garment section that receives the sleeve section.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A quick-release fastening system for a garment, comprising:

a garment body and at least one garment component removably attached thereto, each of which comprises a first seam thereon where said at least one garment component is attached to the garment body;

a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the garment body and on the at least one garment component, each quick-release fastener comprising:

a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment body; and

a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the garment component, said second fastener part removably engageable with the first fastener part.

2. The quick-release fastening system of claim 1, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment body and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said second fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body.

3. The quick-release fastening system of claim 1, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the garment component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the garment component is attached to the garment body.

4. The quick-release fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are affixed such that half of each first fastener part and half of each second fastener part extends outside of the seam.

5. The quick-release fastening system of claim 1, wherein the garment body is a shirt, a jacket, a coat, pants, a coverall, a blouse, a skirt, a tank top, a jumper or a sweater.

6. The quick-release fastening system of claim 1, wherein the garment component is a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece or a leg section.

7. A reactive entanglement protection system for work clothes, comprising:

an article of work clothing and at least one work clothing component removably attached thereto, each of which comprises a first seam thereon where said at least one work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing;

a plurality of quick-release fasteners disposed on the first seam on the article of work clothing and on the at least one work clothing component, each quick-release fastener comprising:

a first fastener part affixed to the first seam on the article of work clothing; and

a second fastener part affixed to the first seam on the work clothing component, said second fastener part removably engageable with the first fastener part.

8. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said second fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.

9. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.

10. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, wherein the fasteners are affixed such that half of each first fastener part and half of each second fastener part extends outside of the seam.

11. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, wherein the work clothing is a shirt, a jacket, a coat, pants, a uniform, or a coverall.

12. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, wherein the work clothing component is a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece or a leg section.

13. The reactive entanglement protection system of claim 7, wherein the work clothing is designed for use in a factory, on an assembly line, in utility construction and maintenance, in a fire department, in a police department, in a hospital or ambulance, in the military, or during emergency management.

14. Work clothing for quick release from entanglement with machinery, comprising:

an article of work clothing comprising:

at least one work clothing component removably attached thereto;

a first seam disposed on each of the article of work clothing and the at least one work clothing component; and

a plurality of quick-release fasteners each comprising:

15. The work clothing of claim 14, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the first fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the article of work clothing and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the first fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said second fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the first fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.

16. The work clothing of claim 14, further comprising a second seam with a plurality of the second fastener parts affixed thereto disposed proximately to and in parallel with the first seam on the work clothing component and an inter-seam channel formed between each of the second fastener parts on the second seam and on the first seam, said first fastener parts receivable within the inter-seam channel and hidden together with the second fastener parts when the work clothing component is attached to the article of work clothing.

17. The work clothing of claim 19, wherein the fasteners are affixed such that half of each first fastener part and half of each second fastener part extends outside of the seam.

18. The work clothing of claim 14, wherein the work clothing is a shirt, a jacket, a coat, a pant, a uniform, or a coverall.

19. The work clothing of claim 14, wherein the work clothing component is a sleeve section, a cuff, a collar, a collar stand, neck section, a yoke, a head gear, a face cover, a hand cover, a foot cover, a box plate, an upper body section, a lower body section, a pocket, a belt loop, a fly-piece or a leg section.

20. The work clothing of claim 14, wherein the work clothing is designed for use in a factory, on an assembly line, in utility construction and maintenance, in a fire department, in a police department, in a hospital or ambulance, in the military, or during emergency management.