Adjustable apron

Feb. 21, 1939. p. p. dosberg 2,148,152

ADJUSTABLE APRON Filed Feb. 13, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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Feb. 21, 1939.

P. P. DOSBERG

ADJUSTABLE APRON

Filed Feb. 13, 1937

2,148,152

Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented Feb. 21, 1939

2,148,152

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,148,152

ADJUSTABLE APRON

Paul P. Dosberg, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application February 13,

Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable aprons suitable for use by workmen, and it has particular reference to aprons which are readily cleaned or laundered and are physically resistant ⁵ ‘° ™ ^processes of cleaning normally used, and which may withal be readily adjusted to fit the bodies of persons of different stature.

The present invention is occasioned by problems arising from the use of protective aprons 10 by industrial workers. Due to a number of factors, workmen, while recognizing the desirability of an apron to be worn while engaged in their industrial tasks, will forego such apparel if it is difficult to clean, does not have a long life, and 15 is not readily adjustable into a comfortable protective position. The cost of maintenance of such aprons must also be low, because of the economic burden which otherwise might be imposed. Aprons with which I am familiar have failed to 20 meet satisfactorily all of these criteria. Some have lacked adjustability. Others were so constructed as to be caught in the customary laundering machinery, and therefore were lacking in life or entailed high maintenance charges.

In answer to the present problem, I have devised industrial aprons, two specific forms of which are hereinafter discussed, but which, as it will appear, have a number of common features. Such aprons have been found from ex30 perience to be satisfactory and to meet the requirements outlined above.

In the drawings illustrating the invention

Fig. 1 is _a perspective view of one embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan of the apron shown m Fig, 1, drawn on an enlarged scale and with the shoulder straps laid flat on the body of the apron;

_ Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail showing how the tie strap may be secured in the associated eyelet;

Fig. 4 is a- perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; and,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail showing the tie strap positioning loops and the mode of securing the tie strap therein.

The apron illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a fabric body 10 having an upper or chest portion II merging into a lower portion 12 50 adapted to cover the legs of the wearer and encircle the waist. The upper margin is cut to form a neck portion 13 defined at either side by tab portions 14, which are contiguous with the side margins 15 of the chest portion, which in turn ₅₅ merge into the upper margins of the waist portion 16. These various marginal portions may be hemmed, as indicated by the numeral IT. It will be observed that the lower portion 12, from the waist line 16 down, is of substantially greater 60 width than the chest portion II, and it will of

1937, Serial No. 125,613 (Cl. 2—52) course be understood that the views here presented are taken from the back of the apron.

Shoulder straps 18 are secured to each tab 14 adjacent the neck line, as indicated by the numeral 19. As shown in Fig. 2, each strap 18 is of such length that, when laid flat on the body 10, it terminates short of the waist. The opposite ends of the straps 18 are brought together and are mutually secured, as indicated by the numeral 21, thus forming a V having a downwardly extending apex which, in use, will rest against the back of the wearer at a point between the shoulders and waist. The length of the shoulder straps is significant from the viewpoints of comfort and adjustability. If they are too short, the weight of the apron may be im- ¹⁵posed .on the neck, rather than the shoulders, while if the straps are too long it is difficult to obtain satisfactory adjustment. . The relative proportions of the parts, as illustrated in Fig. 2, however, have been found satisfactory and to adapt the apron to workmen of various heights and sizes.

A triangular fabric body 22 of the general form of an isosceles triangle is connected, at its acute apex, to the apex formed by the joining of the ²⁵straps 18, thus permitting the base 23 to lie generally parallel to the waist line when the apron is worn. The body 22 may be formed continuous with one of the straps 18, thereby adding to the ?£^enf^{fch of the member and} reducing the cost. ^{30 Tbe}, ^bodY 22 should have a greater length than width. Secured to the base of the body is a tip strap 24 having free ends which project from either side thereof.

The upper marginal corners 25 of the lower ³⁵portion 12 are each formed with an eyelet, which may be reinforced by a metal grommet 26. It will be understood that when the apron is placed on the body, the free ends of the tie strap 24 are inserted through the eyelets 26, and are then ⁴⁰drawn around in the back and tied to secure the apron in place. To apply and adjust the apron the workman places the V formed by the straps over the neck, with the chest portion 11 in front, and then reaches back to seize the tie straps and insert them through the eyelets. As the free ends of the straps are pulled up, the triangle 22 and hence the shoulder straps i;!. are pulled down, thus bringing the neck portion 13 to a _rnsuitable position. Because of the lengths of the straps and extension member 22, adjustability of the’ apron to wearers of different height, or in various positions on the same wearer is readily secured.

As . shown in Fig. 3, one free end of the tie strap 24 may be looped over on itself to provide a return bend or detent 27 secured throughout, except for the extremity 29, flat against the main body of the tie by the stitches 28. The eo

2,148,162 eyelet 26 is of such size that, when the tab 29 is pressed flat against the body of the strap 24, the entire looped portion can be easily passed through the eye. When the tab 29 is not so held, - however, it springs outwardly and thus engages ° the eye when the strap is pulled in the reverse direction. Accordingly, the looped end of the tie strap will not come out of the eyelet unless it is intentionally removed. It has been found iq that this is an advantageous feature, since the workman can readily apply or remove the apron with one tie strap in place, and the previous securing of the strap facilitates the positioning of the garment.

।Aprons intended for industrial service must be ° laundered on a commercial scale, because they become quite soiled. It is not expedient, or economical, to resort to hand cleaning methods, and therefore mechanical washers and like ma&lt;ί) chinery has been resorted to. Unless, however, the apron is so constructed as not to be caught or torn in the washer, it has little value, due to the destruction of the article and the expense of repair. It has been found that aprons made »5 in accordance with the present invention can be repeatedly passed through the washing and laundering apparatus without becoming snarled or torn, thereby greatly adding to the life and practicability.

Qi) The apron shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is generally similar, with respect to its body and shoulder strap portions, to the apron just described, and repetition of such description is therefore deemed unnecessary, since like parts are designated with .-,- the same reference numerals. It will be ob^J served, however, that a specifically different construction is employed for the piece joined to the apex of the V formed by the shoulder straps 18.

Connected to the shoulder straps 18 at the /ΐ,Ί apex thereof is an extension strap 31 of such length as to extend down the back of the wearer to a point adjacent the waist. The lower end of the extension strap is looped over to form two spaced loops 32 and 33, one below the other, ,. -, which are further defined by the stitches 34 and 35. The bight of each loop is sufficiently large to receive the free ends of the tie straps 36 and 37, one end of each of which is secured to the corners 25. The tie straps may therefore be in-₎₀ serted through whichever loop is preferred for adjustment purposes, and thereafter tied together to secure the apron in place.

One of the tie straps 36 is looped over at its end to form a return bend or detent 38, the .-,5 extremity of which may flare outwardly, as indicated by the numeral 39, to achieve the same purposes as those ascribed to the tab 29 shown in Fig. 3. The workman passes the strap 36 through the desired loop 32 or 33, and, after the go free end is pulled through, there remains enough free space to permit of the insertion of the strap 37. When the apron is removed, only one tie strap is withdrawn from the loop, the other being held in place by the tab 39 until intenc.5 tionally disengaged.

The apron of Figs. 4 and 5 is, like the apron of Fig. 1, readily positioned on the wearer in a comfortable and protective manner, and has been found to be durable in withstanding the effects 70 of laundering machinery and processes.

While it is not intended to claim all modes of constructing a durable adjustable apron suited for industrial use, it will nevertheless be understood that the invention is susceptible of variations and changes from the precise forms illustrated, and it is intended to include within the scope of the invention all of such modifications as fall within the context of the following 5 claims.