Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02732175 2011-02-18
TITLE: A POCKET FOR A V-BLADE SAFETY AND RESCUE KNIFE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the field of pockets for protective
garments, and more specifically to pockets for safely and securely holding V-
blade safety and rescue knives.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Many safety and rescue workers, as well as many members of the military,
frequently carry with them heavy tools that are needed when responding to
emergency and rescue situations. These tools often include knives and other
cutting tools that are suitable for rescue activities such as cutting through
a seat-
belt in order rescue a victim of a car accident, or cutting through a pilot's
harness
in order to rescue a pilot from being trapped within an airplane.
[003] While knives and axes are very useful in many situations, they are also
cumbersome to carry, and include sharp blades. Traditionally, knives and other
emergency rescue tools have been carried by emergency and rescue workers
within the outer pockets of their protective garments. However, carrying heavy
knives and cutting tools in this manner creates many problems.
[004] When a heavy-duty knife is placed within an outer pocket of a protective
garment, the knife is able to move around and shift positions. This is very
uncomfortable for the wearer, as the movement of the knife within the pocket
constricts and hinders the movement of the wearer, and often bangs the
wearer's
leg. In addition, the movement of the heavy knife can cause other tools within
the
pocket to become crushed or otherwise damaged. Furthermore, the movement of
the knife within the outer pocket causes the knife to shift position and
orientation.
This makes it difficult for a wearer to access the knife quickly and easily
when the
wearer needs to retrieve the knife from the pocket. In addition, when the user
has
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to fish the knife out of the pocket, the wearer must be very careful not to
grab the
knife by the blade. This presents a risk of injury to the user, which is
undesirable
when the user is faced with an emergency or rescue situation.
[005] In light of the above, it is clear that there is a need in the industry
for an
improved method for enabling an emergency worker to carry heavy knives that
alleviates at least in part the deficiencies of existing garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In accordance with a broad aspect, the present invention provides a pair
of
protective pants that comprise a first leg, a second leg and a pocket
positioned
on at least one of the first leg and the second leg. The pocket has a width
and a
depth and defines a bottom end and a top end. The pocket comprises an internal
is chamber, an opening to the internal chamber at the top end of the pocket
and at
least one tool-positioning wall for narrowing the width of the pocket towards
the
bottom end. The tool-positioning wall provides a surface against which a blade
portion of a knife rests when the knife is positioned within the internal
chamber of
the pocket.
[007] In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides
a
pocket arrangement for a protective garment. The pocket arrangement comprises
a first pocket that has a first width, a first depth, a front face, a first
internal
chamber and a first opening to the first internal chamber. The pocket
arrangement further comprises a second pocket positioned on the front face of
the first pocket. The second pocket has a second width and a second depth and
defines a bottom end and a top end. The second pocket comprises a second
internal chamber, a second opening to the second internal chamber and a tool-
positioning wall for narrowing the width of the pocket towards the bottom end.
3o The tool-positioning wall provides a surface against which a blade portion
of a
knife rests when the knife is positioned within the internal chamber of the
pocket.
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[008] In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides
a
pocket arrangement for a protective garment. The pocket arrangement comprises
a first internal chamber and a first opening to the first internal chamber.
The
s pocket arrangement further comprises a second internal chamber and a second
opening to the second internal chamber. The second internal chamber has a
width and a length that extends from the second opening to a bottom end. The
second internal chamber further comprises a tool-positioning wall that narrows
the width of the second internal chamber towards the bottom end, and provides
io an angled surface against which a portion of a tool rests when positioned
within
the second internal chamber for preventing the tool from changing positions
within the second internal chamber.
[010]Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent
to
15 the persons skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
20 [011]A detailed description of examples of implementation of the present
invention is provided herein below with reference to the following drawings,
in
which:
[012]Figure 1 shows a pair of protective pants comprising two pockets in
25 accordance with a first non-limiting example of the present invention;
[013]Figure 2 shows a side view of the pair of protective pants of Figure 1
with
the pocket shown in a closed position;
30 [014]Figure 3 shows a side view of the pair of protective pants of Figure 1
with
the pocket shown in an open position;
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[015]Figures 4 shows a non-limiting example of a V-blade safety and rescue
knife suitable for storage within the pocket shown in Figures 1 and 2;
[016]Figure 5 shows a transparent view of the pocket of Figure 2 with a V-
blade
safety and rescue shown therein in dotted lines;
[017] Figure 6 shows a side view of a pair of protective pants having a pocket
in
accordance with a second non-limiting example of the present invention, with
the
io pocket shown in a closed position; and
[018]Figure 7 shows the pair of protective pants of Figure 6 with the pocket
shown in an open position.
[019]ln the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings
are
only for purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not
intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[020] To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an
element
in one figure will designate the same element if used in any other figures. In
describing the embodiments, specific terminology is resorted to for the sake
of
clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms
so
selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all
equivalents.
io [021] Shown in Figure 1 is a pair of protective pants 10 comprising two
pockets
12a and 12b, in accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of
the
present invention. The pair of protective pants 10 comprises a first leg 14
and a
second leg 16 and a lower trunk covering portion 18. The first pocket 12a is
positioned on the first leg 14 and the second pocket 12b is positioned on the
second leg 16. Although the pair of protective pants 10 shown in Figure 1
comprises two pockets 12a and 12, it should be appreciated that the protective
pants 10 could have included only one of the pockets 12a, 12b without
departing
from the spirit of the invention.
[022] The pair of protective pants 10 may be suitable for use by a
firefighter,
policeman, paramedic, emergency scene first-responder or military personnel
among other possibilities. The pair of protective pants 10 is preferably made
of a
durable and tear-resistant material, such as a woven aramid fiber and/or
polybenzimidazole fibers, that provide flame, abrasion and pierce resistance.
The
pants 10 may be adorned with knee patches 20, reflective material 22 and/or
any
other accessory that may be required or desirable for the intended purpose of
the
protective pants 10. It should be appreciated that the construction and
material of
the pair of protective pants 10 is not intended to be limiting to the present
invention.
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[023] For the sake of simplicity, only pocket 12b will be described in more
detail
below. However, it should be appreciated that both pockets 12a and 12b are
substantially the same, and that the description provided for pocket 12b is
equally
as applicable to the pocket 12a.
[024]Shown in Figures 2 and 3 is a side view of the pair of pants 10, with a
front
view of the pocket 12b. As best shown in Figure 3, the pocket 12b comprises a
front face 24, a top end 26 and a bottom end 28. The pocket further comprises
an
interior chamber (not visible) and an opening 30 to the interior chamber at
the top
io end 26 of the pocket 12b. The pocket 12b has a width "w" and a length "I".
The
length "I" extends from the top end 26 of the pocket 12b to the bottom end 28
of
the pocket 12b. In accordance with a non-limiting example, the length "I" of
the
pocket ranges between 8 and 12 inches and preferably between 10 and 11
inches, and the width "w" of the pocket ranges between 4 and 8 inches, and
is preferably between 5 and 6.5 inches.
[025] The pocket 12b further comprises a tool-positioning wall 34 for
narrowing
the width "w" of the pocket towards the bottom end 28. While the width "w" of
the
pocket is between 4 and 8 inches, the width at the bottom end 28 is generally
20 between 2 and 3 inches. As will be explained in more detail further on in
the
description, the tool-positioning wall 34 provides a surface against which a
portion of a tool rests when positioned within the internal chamber of the
pocket
12b, for preventing the tool from changing positions within the pocket 12b.
25 [026]The pocket 12b comprises a flap 32 that is shown in a closed position
in
Figure 2 and an open position in Figure 3. When the flap 32 is in the closed
position, it covers the opening 30 to the internal chamber. And when the flap
32
in the open position, items can be placed inside and removed from, the
internal
chamber of the pocket 12b. In order to prevent items from falling out of the
30 pocket 12b, the flap 32 can be secured to the front face 24 of the pocket
12b
when in the closed position, via a closing mechanism. In the embodiment shown
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in Figure 3, the flap 32 and the front face 24 of the pocket 12b each comprise
corresponding parts of a hook-and-loop type fastener. More specifically, the
front
face 24 of the pocket 12b comprises the loop portions 40a of the fastener and
the
underside of the flap 32 comprises the hook portions 40b of the fastener, such
that when the flap 32 is closed, it remains in the closed position until a
user pulls
the flap 32 into the open position. Although a hook-and-loop type fastener has
been shown in Figure 3, it should be appreciated that other fastening
mechanisms such as buttons, snaps and a zip could also have been depicted
without departing from the invention.
[027] The pocket 12b further comprises a first side wall 36 and a second side
wall 38, that each comprises a surface length that extends between the top end
26 and the bottom end 28 of the pocket 12b. As used herein, the term "surface
length" refers to the length that is measured between the top end 26 and the
bottom end 28 following the edge of each side. The surface length of the first
side
wall 36, which faces towards the front of the protective pants, is
substantially the
same as the length "I" of the pocket. However, the surface length of the
second
side wall 38, which faces towards the back of the protective pants, is
slightly
longer than the length "I" of the pocket 12b, due to the angle of the tool-
positioning wall 34.
[028] The side walls 36 and 38 may be formed by seams that join the front face
24 of the pocket to the surface of the leg 16 of the pair of pants 10.
Alternatively,
the side walls 36 and 38 may be formed by a more three-dimensional wall, such
as in the case of the pocket 12b shown in Figures 2 & 3, wherein the side
walls
36, 38 are created by pleated pieces of material that extend between the front
face 24 and the surface of the leg 16 of the pair of pants. These side walls
36
and 38 are bellowed, and have depth of 2 inches at the top, and narrowing to
1.5
- 1.375 inches at the bottom. In this manner, the pocket is deeper at the top
end
26 of the pocket than the bottom end 28. In general, the internal chamber is
defined between the interior surface of the front face 24, the outer surface
of the
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pant leg 16 and the internal surfaces of the two side walls 36, 38. However,
the
interior and exterior of the pocket may include a lining, such that the
internal
chamber will be defined by the internal dimensions of the lining. The lining
may
be made of a reinforcing material, such as aramid, leather, coated aramid (and
other fabrics), for preventing tearing and piercing of the pocket 12b.
[029]As shown in Figure 3, the tool-positioning wall 34 forms at least a
portion of
the surface length of the second wall 38. In accordance with a non-limiting
example of implementation, the surface length of the tool-positioning wall 34
io forms between 1/3 and 3/4 of the total surface length of the second wall
38, and
preferably approximately 60% of the total length. In addition, the tool-
positioning
wall 34 is generally positioned at an angle 0 of between 115 and 145 degrees,
and preferably between 125 and 130 degrees with respect to the bottom end 28
of the pocket 12b.
[030] The asymmetric shape of the pocket 12b resulting from the angle of the
tool-positioning wall 34 creates an internal chamber having an angled wall
that is
suitable for receiving a specific type of tool, and maintaining that tool in a
desired
orientation.
[031]Shown in Figure 4 is a non-limiting example of a V-blade safety and
rescue
knife 50 that is suitable for being held by the pocket 12b. The V-blade safety
and
rescue knife 50 comprises a handle portion 52 and an overall blade portion 54.
The blade portion 54 comprises a fixed blade portion 56 and an arm blade
portion 58 that is connected to the bottom of the fixed blade portion 56. The
arm
blade portion 58 may be hingedly connected to the fixed blade portion 56. The
inside surfaces of the fixed blade portion 56 and the arm blade portion 58
that
face each other create a V-blade configuration. The V-blade safety and rescue
knife 50 can be used to cut up to 100001b strength webbing used in seat belts
3o and harnesses. It can also be used to smash glass and open quick-disconnect
fasteners on aircraft and other vehicles.
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[032]The particular V-blade safety and rescue knife 50 shown in the Figures
has
the dual function of being able to break into the canopy of an aircraft (with
the
metal end of the tool) and then extricate a pilot from his/her harness using
the
blade portions 54 of the tool.
[033] Shown in Figure 5 is transparent view of the pocket 12b, with the V-
blade
safety and rescue knife 50 positioned therein. As shown, the V-blade safety
and
rescue knife 50 (or another knife having a similar shape) can be safely and
io securely held within the pocket 12b. More specifically, the tool-
positioning wall 34
causes the internal chamber to narrow towards the bottom end 28 of the pocket
12b, such that the bottom portion of the internal chamber has an angled wall
for
receiving the V-shaped blade portion 54 of the V-blade safety and rescue knife
50. The bottom portion of the internal chamber has substantially the same
shape
as the blade portion 54 of the knife 50, so as to receive the blade portion 54
in a
relatively snug fit. This snug fit of the blade portion 54 within the bottom
portion of
the internal chamber prevents the knife 50 from moving around and changing
orientation within the pocket 12b. In operation, the arm blade portion 48 of
the
knife 40 may lean against the tool-positioning edge of the pocket 14.
[034]As such, the internal chamber of the pocket 12b is shaped in order to
snugly receive a V-shaped safety and rescue knife 50, or similarly shaped
knife,
so as to prevent the knife 50 from moving around and/or changing orientation
within the pocket 12b. The blade portion 54 of the knife 50 is received within
a
narrower bottom portion of the internal chamber and the movable arm blade
portion 58 is able to rest against the angled surface created by the tool-
positioning wall 34.
[035]The pocket 12b of the present invention thus allows an emergency worker
to carry this important tool on his or her person. Traditionally, heavy and
awkward
tools, such as the V-blade safety and rescue knife 50 have been carried in a
tool
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roll, which requires time to access. When the V-blade safety and rescue knife
50
is carried in the pocket 12b, it allows easy access to the tool and allows the
emergency worker to save precious time. When the V-blade safety and rescue
knife 50 is needed for emergency extrication, it takes only second to access,
thus
becoming potentially life-saving.
[036]Although only one angled tool-positioning wall 34 is shown in the
Figures, it
should be appreciated that multiple angled tool-positioning walls 34 could be
used in order to create a narrowed bottom portion of the pocket 12b. For
1o example, a first angled tool-positioning wall 34 may extend between the
second
side edge 38 and the bottom end 28, and a second angled tool-positioning wall
34 may extend between the first side edge 36 and the bottom end 28. In such a
scenario, the bottom portion of the pocket 12b may have the shape of a
truncated
symmetric V.
[037]When the V-blade safety and rescue knife is positioned within the pocket
12b, the handle 52 of the knife 50 extends upwardly towards the opening 30 of
the pocket 12b such that a wearer of the protective garment is able to easily
access the handle 52 of the knife 50 without worrying about how the
orientation
of the knife may have changed during the course of the wearer's regular
activities. This helps to prevent the wearer from accidentally grabbing the
blades
56 and 58 of the knife 50.
[038]ln order to be able to place the V-blade safety and rescue within the
pocket
12b, the opening 30 of the pocket 12b is wider than the bottom edge 28 of the
pocket. More specifically, the opening 30 of the pocket 14 is wider than the
width
anywhere between the first side wall 36 and the tool-positioning wall 34. This
provides easy access to the handle, even for a person having a gloved-hand.
[039]Although walls 28, 36, 38 and 34 are all shown as being distinct walls,
it
should be appreciated that one continuous wall that bends in order to form a
CA 02732175 2011-02-18
shape similar to that shown in Figure 1 is also included within the present
invention.
[040]Shown in Figures 6 and 7, is the pair of pants 10 having a pocket
arrangement 60 in accordance with a further example of implementation of the
present invention. The pocket arrangement 60 comprises a first pocket 62 and a
second pocket 64.
[041] In the embodiment shown, the first pocket 62 has a generally rectangular
io shape with a top end 66, a bottom end 68, a first side wall 70 and a second
side
wall 72. The first pocket 62 further comprises a front face 76, an internal
chamber
(not shown) and an opening 74 to the internal chamber. In general, the
internal
chamber is defined between the interior surface of the front face 76, the
outer
surface of the pant leg 16 and internal surface of the two side walls 70, 72
and
the bottom end 68. However, the interior of the pocket may include a lining,
such
that the internal chamber will be defined by the internal dimensions of the
lining.
The lining may be made of a reinforcing material, such as aramid fabric,
leather,
coated aramid among other possible fabrics, for preventing tearing and
piercing
of the pocket 62.
[042]The side walls 70, 72 and the bottom end 68 may be formed by seams that
join the front face 76 of the pocket to the surface of the leg 16 of the pair
of pants
10. Alternatively, the side walls 70, 72 and bottom end 68 may be formed by a
more three-dimensional construction, wherein the sidewalls 70, 72 and bottom
end 68 are created by pleated pieces of material that extend between the front
face 76 and the surface of the leg 16 of the pair of pants.
[043]The first pocket 62 has a first width "w," and a first length "I,".
Although the
first pocket 62 is shown as having a rectangular shape, it should be
appreciated
that the first pocket 62 could be of a variety of other shapes, as well. The
present
invention is not limited to the shape of the first pocket 62.
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[044]The second pocket 64 is substantially the same as pocket 12b described
above with respect to Figures 1-3, and has a bottom end 28, a top end 26, a
first
side wall 36, a second side wall 38 and a tool-positioning wall 34 narrowing
the
width of the pocket 64 towards the bottom end 28, as described above. The
second pocket 64 further comprises a front face 24, an internal chamber (not
shown) and an opening 30 into the internal chamber at the top end 28 of the
second pocket 64. The second pocket 64 has a second width "w2" and a second
length "12". The second width "w2" is measured at the widest point of the
front face
io 24 and the length "12" is measured at the longest point of the front face
24.
[045] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second pocket 64 is positioned on the
front face 76 of the first pocket 62. The front face 76 of the first pocket 76
may
thus form the interior back face of the second pocket 64. Alternatively, the
second pocket 64 may have an independent back face that is applied tot he
front
face 76 of the first pocket 62.
[046] In accordance with the present invention, the first width "w," of the
first
pocket 62 is wider than the second width "w2" of the second pocket 64. In
addition, the first length "I," of the first pocket 62 is longer than the
second length
"12" of the second pocket 64.
[047] The pocket arrangement 60 further comprises a flap 80 that is shown in a
closed position in Figure 6 and an open position in Figure 7. When the flap 80
is
in the closed position, it covers the openings 74, 30 to the internal chambers
of
both the first pocket 62 and the second pocket 64. When the flap 80 in the
open
position, items can be placed inside and removed from, the internal chambers
of
the first and second pockets 62 and 64. When in the closed position, as shown
in
Figure 6, in order to prevent items from falling out of the pockets 62, 4 the
flap 80
can be secured to one or both of the front faces 24 or 76 of the pockets 62
and
64, via one or more closing mechanisms. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7,
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the flap 80 and the front face 24 of the pocket 64 each comprise corresponding
parts of a hook-and-loop type fastener. More specifically, the front face 24
of the
pocket 64 comprises the loop portions 82a of the fastener and the underside of
the flap 80 comprises the hook portions 82b of the fastener, such that when
the
flap 80 is closed, it remains in the closed position until a user pulls the
flap 80 into
the open position. Although a hook-and-loop type fastener has been shown in
Figure 7, it should be appreciated that other fastening mechanisms such as
buttons, snaps and a zip could also have been depicted without departing from
the invention.
[048]ln a further embodiment of the invention that is not shown in the
Figures,
the pocket arrangement 60 may be constructed differently, such that the shape
of
the second pocket 64 is located within the first pocket 62. In such an
embodiment, the shape of the internal chamber of the second pocket 64 is
included within the first pocket 62, such that from the outside, the pocket
arrangement 60 appears to be a single pocket, but on the inside, the pocket
arrangement 60 comprises a first internal chamber and a second internal
chamber that is different from the first internal chamber, wherein the second
internal chamber has the shape of the internal chamber of pocket 12b and
pocket
64 as described above. More specifically, the second internal chamber
comprises
the tool-positioning wall 34 such that an edge of the tool is able to rest
against
the angled surface of the tool-positioning wall 34 for preventing the tool
from
moving around. Although the shape of the second internal chamber would not be
visible from the outside, as described above, when the flap 80 is lifted, the
pocket
arrangement 60 comprises a first internal chamber that has a substantially
rectangular shape, and a second internal chamber that has the asymmetric
shape of the second pocket 64 as described above.
[049]Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail
with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and
refinements are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
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