Coveralls with multiple safety ring sleeves with elasticated cuffs

Abstract

Protective coveralls (10) suitable for use on a body harness (50), the body harness having a plurality of safety rings (51, 52, 53), the body harness being worn by a person to support the person with a safety line or rope attached to the body harness during an activity or in the event of the person falling, the protective coveralls having a body portion having a plurality of openings for the person's limbs with associated sleeves for receiving the person's arms and legs, the body portion further having a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening being provided with a safety ring sleeve (25, 26, 27) for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, each safety ring sleeve further terminating in an elastic cuff.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to coveralls suitable for use on a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to assist or support the person having one or more lines or ropes attached to the body harness during an activity or in the event of the person falling, the body harness having a plurality of safety rings suitable for attaching the body harness to the plurality of lines or ropes, the coveralls being provided with a plurality of protective sleeves specially designed to allow the safety rings attached to the body harness to be accessible to the environment external to the coveralls and to be held in place by elastic cuffs at the end of each protective sleeve, so that the safety rings are available for attachment to the safety lines or ropes while protecting both the body harness straps and the wearer from the environment. [Background technology]

[0002] Garments are known that have a single conduit on the back for passing an external safety support rope from the exterior to the interior of the garment for attaching the support rope to an internal safety harness worn by the worker. Representative publications include U.S. Patent No. 5,548,842 to Wiseman and U.S. Patent No. 11,103,017 to Samaniego et al.

[0003] Body harnesses with a single attachment ring at the back are typically used to support the body during and after a fall arrest. However, a person engaged in a recreational activity or a worker (the terms person, worker, and wearer are used interchangeably herein) may encounter multiple situations where external support is required, and multiple types of body harnesses exist for such situations. For example, some body harnesses have attachment rings located at the front, which are designed for the wearer's suspension or controlled suspension from a height, or for use with various fall arrest systems when the wearer is climbing. Some body harnesses have attachment rings in the shoulder area, which are designed to support the wearer in a position that reduces the wearer's profile while passing through limited access areas, such as when pulling a person upward through a vertical passage. Additionally, some body harnesses have attachment rings in the waist area, which are designed to position and / or stabilize a person horizontally. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is possible for a person to wear a body harness with multiple attachment rings in various positions so that multiple safety ropes or lines for multiple types of support can be attached to the person. For example, a person may need to wear a body harness that is simultaneously attached to a first safety line at the back for emergency fall support, a second safety line at the front for vertical movement, and two additional safety lines attached opposite each other at the hips for horizontal positioning. Furthermore, the worker also needs protective clothing to protect the worker from environmental hazards. Wearing a body harness over protective clothing is undesirable because the body harness is generally more expensive than the protective clothing and may be damaged with continued exposure to a hazardous or dirty environment. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent the body harness straps, particularly the straps that attach the safety rings to the harness, from being exposed to a hazardous or dirty environment. Therefore, there is a need for protective clothing, particularly coveralls, that can be worn over a body harness, which protects not only the worker but also the body harness straps from any hazards or particles external to the coveralls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to protective coveralls suitable for use over a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to support the person during an activity or in the event of the person falling, with a safety line or rope attached to the body harness; the body harness has a plurality of safety rings adapted to attach the body harness to a plurality of lines or ropes, the body harness having an upper front region to be worn on the upper front of the body, a back region to be worn on the back of the body, and a hip-waist region to be worn on the hip or waist region of the body; the coveralls have an inner surface that faces the body harness when worn by a person over the body harness, the coveralls have an outer surface that faces the external environment, the coveralls further having a front side and a back side; The coveralls further have a body portion for covering a person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the body portion having at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck; the body portion has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls, and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each of the sleeves further having openings for the person's wrist and hand; the body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls, and a fourth opening terminating in a second trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each of the trouser sleeves further having openings for the person's ankles and feet; The protective coveralls relate to a body portion further having a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening being provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to a body harness, and each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff.

[0006] The present invention also provides protective coveralls suitable for use over a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to support the person during an activity or in the event of the person falling, with a safety line or rope attached to the body harness; the body harness has a plurality of safety rings adapted to attach the body harness to a plurality of lines or ropes, the body harness having an upper front region to be worn on the upper front of the body, a back region to be worn on the back of the body, and a hip-waist region to be worn on the hip or waist region of the body; the coveralls have an inner surface that faces the body harness when worn by a person over the body harness, and the coveralls have an outer surface that faces the external environment; The coveralls further have a body portion for covering a person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the body portion having at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck; the body portion has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls, and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each of the sleeves further having openings for the person's wrist and hand; the body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls, and a fourth opening terminating in a second trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each of the trouser sleeves further having openings for the person's ankles and feet; the body portion further having a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, and each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff; Multiple safety ring openings i) a rear ring opening having a rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a rear safety ring attached to a rear region of the body harness; ii) a front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to an upper front region of the body harness; iii) a first hip-lumbar safety ring opening having a first hip or lumbar safety ring sleeve for receiving a first hip or lumbar safety ring attached to the hip or lumbar region of the body harness; iv) a second hip-lumbar safety ring opening having a second hip or lumbar safety ring sleeve for receiving a second hip or lumbar safety ring attached to the hip or lumbar region of the body harness; Including, The first and second hip-waist safety ring openings and first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves are associated with the protective coveralls and are positioned symmetrically on the body portion in the hip or waist regions of the coveralls. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are illustrations of front and back views of one embodiment of protective coveralls having a collared neck opening and multiple safety ring sleeves, each safety ring sleeve further having an elastic cuff. This particular embodiment has a total of four safety ring sleeves (as shown in some figures, the safety ring sleeves (and openings) on the sides of the coveralls may be visible in both the front and back views). [Figure 2] 1A-1C are illustrations of front and back views of one embodiment of protective coveralls having a hooded neck opening and multiple safety ring sleeves, each safety ring sleeve further having an elastic cuff. This particular embodiment has a total of four safety ring sleeves. [Figure 3A-3B] 3A and 3B are illustrations of the assembly and general appearance of one embodiment of a conical or cone-shaped safety ring sleeve comprising two sleeve layers and an elastic cuff comprising an elastic band enclosed by the two sleeve layers, respectively, where the widest opening of the conical sleeve is intended to be attached to the coverall body portion at the safety ring opening and the narrowest opening of the conical sleeve is the elastic cuff. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of one type of safety ring having a ring attachment portion and an attachment shank shown attached to a strap from a safety harness (harness not shown). [Figure 4B]1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a combination safety ring and safety ring sleeve terminating in an elasticated cuff sized to fit the safety ring such that the elasticated cuff can expand to allow the safety ring to extend through or partially through the cuff, whereby the ring attachment portion of the safety ring is in the external environment of the coveralls, and the cuff holds the safety ring by the attachment shank and covers the attachment strap to the safety harness, protecting it from the external environment. [Figure 5] Photographs showing front and back views of a body harness with four safety rings: one safety ring at the upper back, one safety ring at the upper front, and two opposing safety rings symmetrically positioned at the waist-hip area. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front view of one embodiment of one type of body harness having a safety ring in the upper front region of the harness, a safety ring in the upper back of the harness (attachment rivets are visible in this view, although not explicitly shown), two opposing hip safety rings in the hip-waist region of the harness, and one central front waist safety ring between the two opposing hip safety rings. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a photograph of a front view of one embodiment of one type of body harness having two safety rings symmetrically arranged in the upper front region of the harness and a safety ring in the upper back region of the harness, not shown in this view. [Figure 8] 1 is a photograph of a front view of one embodiment of one type of body harness generally suitable for use as a vertical pull-out harness or in confined spaces, having two safety rings symmetrically positioned on the straps at the top of the shoulders. The harness also has a third safety ring in the front central waist area and a fourth safety ring at the upper back of the harness partially hidden by the harness straps. [Figure 9]1 is a photograph of a rear view of another embodiment of one type of body harness generally suitable for use as a vertical egress harness or in confined spaces, having two safety rings symmetrically positioned on the straps at the top of the shoulders and a third safety ring positioned between the first two at the upper back. The harness also has a third safety ring at the back in the central waist region. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a close-up or assembled view of the front and back of an embodiment of protective coveralls having a collared neck opening and showing a total of four oval-shaped safety ring openings and the attachment of the widest openings of each conical safety ring sleeve to the safety ring openings, with each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a close-up or assembled view of the front and back of an embodiment of protective coveralls having a hooded neck opening and showing a total of four oval-shaped safety ring openings and the attachment of the widest openings of each conical safety ring sleeve to the safety ring openings, with each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff. [Figures 12A-12B] FIG. 12A is an illustration of the orientation of five oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, and FIG. 12B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, each of the five oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 12A being provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. [Figures 13A-13B] FIG. 13A is an illustration of the orientation of five oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, and FIG. 13B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, where each of the five oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 13A is provided with a safety ring sleeve with an elastic cuff. [Figures 14A-14B]FIG. 14A is an illustration of the orientation of six oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, and FIG. 14B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, each of the six oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 14A being provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. [Figures 15A-15B] FIG. 15A is an illustration of the orientation of six oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, and FIG. 15B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, each of the six oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 15A being provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. [Figures 16A-16B] FIG. 16A is an illustration of the orientation of seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, and FIG. 16B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a collared neck opening, each of the seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 16A being provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. [Figures 17A-17B] FIG. 17A is an illustration of the orientation of seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in front and back views of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, and FIG. 17B is an illustration of the front and back views of an embodiment of protective coveralls with a hooded neck opening, each of the seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in FIG. 17A being provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. [Figures 18A-18B] 18A and 18B are illustrations of the front and back views, respectively, of coveralls having a collared neck opening and a hooded neck opening, showing a total of four cone-shaped or conical safety ring sleeves, each terminating in an elastic cuff, one of the safety ring sleeves positioned in the center front of the main body portion of the coveralls, and both the vertical opening with the fastener and the closure flap being horizontally offset from the vertical centerline of the main body portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to protective coveralls suitable for use over a body harness worn by a person to support the person with a safety line or rope attached to the body harness during an activity or in the event of a fall. The coveralls are suitable for use with a body harness having a plurality of safety rings suitable for attaching the body harness to a plurality of lines or ropes. The body harness typically has an upper front region worn over the upper front of the body, a back region worn over the back of the body, and a hip-waist region worn over the hip or waist region of the body.

[0009] By "body harness" is preferably meant what is known in the art as a full body harness formed from a series of straps or other restraining means that encircle or partially encircle the torso of the body and may extend below the thighs. Typically, this type of harness has some combination of over-the-shoulder, chest, back, and waist straps attached by various buckles to secure the harness in place around the torso. The body harness also has a number of safety rings attached or available on the exterior of the body harness for attachment to a line or rope. Some exemplary types of body harnesses are shown in Figures 5-9.

[0010] 5 is a photograph of a four-point body harness 50 on a mannequin. The body harness has four safety rings: one safety ring 51 at the upper back, one safety ring 52 at the upper front, and two opposing safety rings 53 symmetrically positioned at the waist, substantially on each hip.

[0011] As used herein, the "upper back" and "upper front" regions, with respect to the location of features of a body harness or protective coveralls, preferably mean including or covering an area of ​​the back or front of the torso or body portion, respectively, having a lower horizontal boundary that is approximately the center of the torso or body portion and extending upward to the top of the shoulders as the upper horizontal boundary. Furthermore, as used herein, features at the "top of the shoulders" are considered to be part of the upper front of the body harness or protective coveralls. Furthermore, for purposes of this specification, the lower horizontal boundary of the upper front or upper back includes the horizontal center of the front or back of the torso or body portion. The "upper back" and "upper front" are preferably bounded vertically at the sides of the coveralls where the back of the coveralls meets the front of the coveralls under the arms, and preferably this meeting point is a vertical line drawn through the centers of the arm sleeves on both sides of the body portion.

[0012] The area referred to herein as the "buttocks-waist" area is considered to be either the buttocks area or the waist area, or both, of a body harness or protective coverall. Furthermore, the "buttocks-waist area," with respect to the location of features of a body harness or protective coverall, preferably means to include the torso or body portion (at either the front, back, or side of the body harness or protective coverall) having an upper horizontal boundary that is approximately the center of the torso or body portion and extending down to at least the top of the legs or trouser sleeves of the coveralls; this buttocks-waist area may also include an area that includes a portion of the thighs or the top of trouser sleeves that cover the thighs. Furthermore, for purposes of this specification, the upper horizontal boundary of the buttocks-waist area excludes the horizontal center of the front, back, or side of the torso or body portion. The "buttocks ring" from a body harness can also be located on the side of the torso or body portion at waist level, buttock level, or even slightly below the top of the thighs.

[0013] As used herein, a feature on the coveralls is considered vertically oriented if it is parallel to a vertical line drawn generally from head to toe while a standing person is wearing the coveralls. A feature on the coveralls is considered horizontally oriented if it is perpendicular to that vertical line. That is, as used herein, "vertical" and "horizontal" orientations refer to the coveralls as they would appear when worn by a standing person, as shown in FIG. 1. Line 7 is a seam that would be considered vertically oriented, and lines 3 and 4 are seams that would be considered horizontally oriented. The main body portion of the coveralls is preferably longer in the vertical direction and shorter in the horizontal direction; therefore, the main body portion of the coveralls preferably has a longer vertical dimension and a shorter horizontal dimension.

[0014] 6 is a front view of one version of a five-point body harness 60, having a safety ring 61 in the upper front region of the harness, a safety ring 62 in the upper back of the harness (the attachment rivets, although not explicitly shown, are visible in this view), two opposing hip safety rings 63 in the hip-waist region of the harness, and one central front waist safety ring 64 between the two opposing hip safety rings. The central front waist safety ring is shown positioned slightly higher on the torso than the two hip safety rings; however, the rings may be positioned at substantially the same height on the straps connecting the two hip rings.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view of one version of a three-point body harness 70, which has two safety rings 71 symmetrically positioned in the upper front region of the harness and one safety ring, not shown in this view, in the center of the upper back.

[0016] 8 is a front view of another version of a four-point body harness 80 generally suitable for use as a vertical exit harness or in confined spaces. This body harness has two safety rings 81 symmetrically positioned at the top of the shoulders. Therefore, as defined in this disclosure, these two safety rings are considered part of the upper front of the harness and coveralls. The harness also has a third safety ring 82 in the front center waist region and a fourth safety ring 83 in the upper center back of the harness (partially hidden by the harness straps).

[0017] 9 is a rear view of a person wearing another embodiment of a multi-point body harness 90 generally suitable for use as a vertical egress harness or in confined spaces, having two safety rings 91 symmetrically positioned at the top of the shoulders and a third safety ring 92 positioned between the first two at the upper back. The harness also has a third safety ring 93 at the back in the central waist region.

[0018] Although only a few body harnesses and safety ring locations are shown and described herein, it is understood that body harnesses can be of many different types with many different arrangements of safety rings. It is further understood that not all of the safety rings on a harness need be used at the same time. For example, a five-point harness may be used as a four-point harness if one of the safety rings is not attached to the line or rope.

[0019] As used herein, a safety ring is a component having a ring attachment portion suitable for attaching the component to a line or safety rope and an attachment shank for securing the component to a body harness. Typically, safety rings are made from a durable material, such as metal. The most common type of safety ring is called a D-ring because of its D-shaped configuration, although other types of ring shapes are possible. FIG. 4A includes an illustration of a D-ring safety ring. Safety ring 40 has a ring attachment portion 41 and an attachment shank 42. As shown, the safety ring's attachment shank is attached to a strap 43 from a safety harness (harness not shown). While the safety ring attachment portion shown in the figure is circular, it is understood that the ring attachment portion can have other shapes. Similarly, other types of attachment shanks are possible.

[0020] The coveralls have an inner surface that faces the body harness when worn by a person over the body harness, and the coveralls have an outer surface that faces the external environment. The coveralls further have a front side that is associated with covering the front of the person's body (and / or the front side of the body harness) and a back side that is associated with covering the back of the person's body (and / or the back side of the body harness).

[0021] The coveralls have a main body portion for covering a person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the main body portion having at least one torso opening for putting on the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck. The at least one torso opening and the neck opening may be connected when the at least one torso opening is not closed. The main body portion further has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, the plurality of openings including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each sleeve further having openings for the person's wrist and hand. The main body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first pant sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls and a fourth opening terminating in a second pant sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each pant sleeve further having openings for the person's ankles and feet.

[0022] The coveralls' main body portion further includes a plurality of safety ring openings, each with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, and each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elasticized cuff. Each elasticized cuff has a size compatible with the size of a safety ring received in the safety ring sleeve, such that the elasticized cuff can expand to allow the safety ring to extend through the cuff into the environment outside the coveralls or extend partially through the cuff into the environment outside the coveralls, and the elasticized cuff holds the safety ring in place. Preferably, the safety ring is retained by the elasticized cuff so that the entire ring attachment portion is outside the coveralls and available for attachment to a line or safety rope, while the attachment shank of the safety ring remains inside the coveralls, and the safety ring sleeve covers and protects the harness strap that attaches the safety ring to the harness.

[0023] In some embodiments, the main body portion of the coveralls has a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, the plurality of safety ring openings including a rear ring opening having a rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a rear safety ring attached to the rear region of the body harness and a first front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to the upper front region of the body harness.

[0024] In some embodiments, the main body portion of the coveralls has a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening being provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, the plurality of safety ring openings including a first hip-waist (buttocks or waist) safety ring opening for a first hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a first hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip-waist region of the body harness, and optionally a second hip-waist safety ring opening for a second hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a second hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip-waist region of the body harness.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an illustration of front and back views of one embodiment of protective coveralls 10 having a collared neck opening 11 and multiple safety ring sleeves, each further having an elasticized cuff as indicated by the shaded area of ​​the sleeve. This particular embodiment has a total of four safety ring sleeves, including a rear safety ring sleeve 15, a first front safety ring sleeve 16, and first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves 17. As shown in this and other figures, the safety ring sleeves are depicted oriented vertically or horizontally relative to the coveralls when worn. It is understood that these sleeves are not intended to be depicted as rigid sleeves, but are merely depicted in this manner to illustrate their extended state when typically used with an associated safety ring attached to a line or rope. For example, in FIG. 1, the first front safety ring sleeve 16 is typically oriented vertically relative to the coveralls with the cuff facing up, because the line attached to the safety ring within the sleeve is typically attached to a point above the wearer's body. Similarly, the first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves 17 are typically oriented horizontally relative to the coveralls with the cuffs extending to the sides, since the lines attached to the safety rings in these sleeves typically attach to points on opposite sides of the wearer's body. Indeed, if not used with a safety ring, the sleeves will collapse or fall under the force of gravity, as the rigidity of the fabric allows.

[0026] The coveralls can have seams where the protective fabric is sewn together to create the coveralls, and the protective fabric is cut into a shape that is advantageous for manufacturing the coveralls. For example, FIG. 1 shows, by solid horizontal lines 3 and 4, preferred horizontal seams across the entire front and back of the coveralls, respectively. The vertical location of these horizontal seams can be moved up or down on the main body portion of the coveralls, closer to or further away from the waistline of the coveralls, depending on the size of the coveralls. However, preferably, these horizontal seams are located on the top front and top back of the coveralls. FIG. 1 also shows, by solid vertical line 7, a preferred vertical seam on the back of the coveralls that extends from the neckline of the coveralls to the crotch. Preferably, this vertical seam is located on the centerline of the coveralls on the main body portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the neck opening of the body portion of the protective coveralls terminates in a hood for the head. Figure 2 is an illustration of the front and back views of one embodiment of protective coveralls 20 having a hooded neck opening 21 and multiple safety ring sleeves, each safety ring sleeve further having an elastic cuff as shown in the shaded area of ​​the sleeve. This particular embodiment has a total of four safety ring sleeves, including a rear safety ring sleeve 25, a first front safety ring sleeve 26, and first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves 27.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when both first and second hip or waist safety ring openings are present on the protective coveralls, they and their associated safety ring sleeves can be positioned symmetrically in the hip or waist regions of the coveralls, as shown with the safety ring sleeves on opposing hips.

[0029] Preferably, the body portion of the protective coveralls has at least one safety ring opening having a circular, round, or rounded shape. In some embodiments, the rounded shaped safety ring opening has a major dimension or diameter of about 6.5 to 15 inches. In some other embodiments, the rounded shaped safety ring opening has a major dimension or diameter of about 6.5 to 9 inches.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, the body portion of the protective coveralls has at least one safety ring opening having an oval shape, which is believed to be a preferred method to accommodate various positions of the safety ring on different body harnesses.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one oval-shaped safety ring opening in the body portion has a major dimension having a length and a perpendicular minor dimension having a width, and preferably the width of the minor dimension is at least 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) wider than the diameter of a safety ring to be used with the coveralls (the diameter of the safety ring is the nominal width of the safety ring perpendicular to the major dimension of the safety ring, not the thickness of the safety ring). In some embodiments, the oval-shaped safety ring opening has a major dimension length of approximately 6.5 to 15 inches. This oval-shaped safety ring opening may further have a perpendicular minor dimension length of 3.5 to 9 inches in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, the oval-shaped safety ring opening has a major dimension length of approximately 6.5 to 9 inches. The oval-shaped safety ring opening may further have a perpendicular minor dimension length of 3.5 to 6 inches in some embodiments.

[0032] Preferably, the protective coveralls have at least one safety ring sleeve that is cone- or cone-shaped, with the widest opening of the sleeve at the safety ring opening in the main body portion and the narrowest opening of the sleeve being the elastic cuff. The at least one safety ring sleeve of the protective coveralls can comprise two sleeve layers sewn together, and the elastic cuff can comprise a free-floating elastic band enclosed by the two sleeve layers. Figures 3A and 3B are illustrations of the assembly and general appearance of preferred embodiments of a cone- or cone-shaped safety ring sleeve comprising two sleeve layers and an elastic cuff comprising an elastic band enclosed by the two sleeve layers, respectively, where the widest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is intended to be attached to the coverall main body portion at the safety ring opening and the narrowest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is the elastic cuff. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, for example, a two-layer hollow sleeve 30 can be made by first creating two separate hollow cones from a single layer of material 31 by cutting a generally curved, trapezoid-shaped layer. That is, two of the four sides are curved in the same direction, while the other two sides are the same length. The two sides having the same length are attached together, for example, by sewing, ultrasonic welding, or another method, forming a seam 32 to form the cone. The narrow ends of the cone are then sewn or welded together, and the sleeve is then turned inside out, hiding the sewn or welded seam 33 inside the two layers of the cone. An elastic band 34 is slid over the inner layer and pressed toward the narrow end 36 of the cone. Preferably, the elastic is not further sewn to the sleeve to allow free movement between the layers of material. The larger ends 35 of the two layers of the conical sleeve can then be attached together, for example, by sewing or some other method, such as ultrasonic welding or taping, to form a hollow sleeve, which can then be attached (again, for example, by sewing or another method) to the body portion edge at the safety ring opening.Alternatively, the larger ends of the two layers of the conical sleeve can be attached in one step (again, for example, by sewing or other methods) directly to the edge of the body portion of the coveralls at the safety ring opening.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, at least one safety ring sleeve comprises a single layer of protective fabric or multiple layers of protective fabric sewn together, with an elastic band attached to the layer to form the stretchable cuff. The elastic band can be attached in a number of different ways, with sewing being the preferred method for attaching the elastic band to the protective fabric. One preferred such method is to attach elastic to the edges of the sleeve using an overedge stitch, with the elastic preferably positioned on the inner surface of the safety ring sleeve. Alternatively, the stretchable cuff can be created by completely covering or encapsulating both sides of the elastic with protective fabric and then sewing, thereby maintaining the elastic attached to the safety ring sleeve. For example, the elastic of the free-floating cuff depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B could be further sewn to the sleeve fabric, if necessary, to prevent the elastic from moving within the cuff.

[0034] 4B is an illustration of one embodiment of a combination safety ring 40 and safety ring sleeve 45 terminating in an elastic cuff 46, showing that the ring attachment of the safety ring extends completely through the sleeve to the outside of the coveralls, thereby providing access to any line or rope attached to the ring. The elastic cuff of the ring sleeve holds the safety ring by its attachment shank and covers the attachment strap 43 to the body harness, protecting it from the outside environment.

[0035] The elastic band of the elastic cuff has a size (generally a relaxed inner circumference) that matches the size of the safety ring received in the safety ring sleeve, so that the relaxed elastic cuff can expand to allow the safety ring to extend through the cuff and into the environment outside the coveralls, or extend partially through the cuff and into the environment outside the coveralls, and hold the safety ring in that position. Elastic bands may be purchased as continuous circular bands (such as elastomeric bands) or may be fabricated by sewing (or otherwise joining) lengths of elastic strips to create a continuous circular elastic band.

[0036] In some embodiments, the elastic cuff with elastic bands has a relaxed circumference of approximately 3-5 inches, meaning that the relaxed circular cuff has a diameter of approximately 0.95-1.60 inches. As used herein, the term "relaxed" means that the elastic cuff with elastic bands is not stretched or under tension, and the elastic bands within the cuff are not stretched or under tension or generally present without contractile force. This relaxed elastic cuff circumference, when stretched to fit the width of the safety ring, is believed to be adequate to grip and hold the mounting shank of a typical safety ring, preferably a safety ring having a mounting shank with a circumference of approximately 4-9 inches. Such safety rings can include those in which the mounting shank has a nominal thickness of approximately 0.125 inches, with the mounting shank having a nominal width perpendicular to the length dimension of the safety ring of approximately 2.25-4.0 inches. This means that many typical mounting shanks can range in circumference from about 4.75 (ie, 2.25+0.125+0.125+2.25) to about 8.25 inches or a little or less, generally rectangular.

[0037] The relaxed size and elasticity (stretching and contraction) of the elastic cuff with elastic band preferably allows the elastic cuff at the outer sleeve opening to engage and hold in place a safety ring having an attachment shank whose circumference is at least 15% larger than the relaxed elastic cuff circumference. It is further believed that such an elastic cuff is suitable for holding in place a safety ring having an attachment shank whose circumference is as much as 110% larger than the relaxed elastic cuff circumference (i.e., more than twice the relaxed elastic cuff circumference).

[0038] The two-layer hollow sleeve is a preferred embodiment because it has been found that the two-layer sleeve unexpectedly assists in closing the sleeve opening when the sleeve is not used with a safety ring. When the sleeve is not in use, the extra layer of inner fabric collapses inside the sleeve, which is believed to help prevent significant amounts of particles and other material from passing through the sleeve.

[0039] In some embodiments, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) has a total length of about 5.75 to 16 inches, measured parallel to the centerline of the hollow sleeve. That is, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) can extend vertically from the outer surface of the main body portion of the coveralls by 5.75 to 16 inches. In some preferred embodiments, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) has a total length of about 5.75 to 12 inches, measured parallel to the centerline of the hollow sleeve. That is, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) can extend vertically from the outer surface of the main body portion of the coveralls by 5.75 to 12 inches. In some more preferred embodiments, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) has a total length of about 5.75 to 9 inches, measured parallel to the centerline of the hollow sleeve. That is, the sleeve (with elastic cuffs) can extend vertically from the outer surface of the main body portion of the coveralls by 5.75 to 9 inches.

[0040] The safety ring sleeves can be attached to the coveralls by stitching or another suitable method, with each sleeve attached to the coverall material surrounding each safety ring opening. For example, FIG. 10 is an illustration of a close-up front and back view of one embodiment of protective coveralls 100 with a collared neck opening, further showing four oval-shaped safety ring openings 101 and the attachment of the widest openings of each conical safety ring sleeve 102 to those safety ring openings, each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff. Similarly, FIG. 11 is an illustration of a close-up front and back view of one embodiment of protective coveralls 110 with a hooded neck opening, further showing four oval-shaped safety ring openings 111 and the attachment of the widest openings of each conical safety ring sleeve 112 to those safety ring openings, each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the coverall body portion has oval-shaped safety ring openings, the major axis of the oval can be oriented either vertically or horizontally on the coveralls. Preferably, the major axis of any oval-shaped opening is oriented parallel to the potential movement of the safety ring while attached to an external line. For example, in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the upper chest and upper back ring openings have oval-shaped safety ring openings with the major axis of the oval oriented vertically. These rings are typically attached to lines that are further desirably attached to external points above the wearer to support the wearer's center of mass or to assist vertical movement. Similarly, the buttocks ring openings are oval-shaped safety ring openings with the major axis of the oval oriented horizontally. These rings are typically attached to lines that are further attached to points on either side of the wearer to assist desired side-to-side movement of the wearer, or alternatively, to stabilize the wearer and limit undesired side-to-side movement.

[0042] Additional views illustrating possible orientations and placements of safety ring openings are shown in Figures 12A-17B. These views are not intended to be an exhaustive list or limitation, but merely to illustrate some of the wide variety of coveralls that can be made. For example, Figures 12A and 13A are illustrations of front and back views, respectively, of protective coveralls with collared and hooded neck openings, each with a total of five oval-shaped safety ring openings. Figures 12B and 13B are illustrations of front and back views, respectively, of an embodiment of protective coveralls with collared and hooded neck openings, each with a safety ring sleeve having an elastic cuff. Figures 14A and 15A are illustrations of front and back views, respectively, of protective coveralls with collared and hooded neck openings, each with a total of six oval-shaped safety ring openings. Figures 14B and 15B are illustrations of the front and back views, respectively, of an embodiment of protective coveralls having a collared neck opening and a hooded neck opening, where each of the six oval-shaped safety ring openings in Figures 14A and 15A is provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elasticated cuff. Figures 16A and 17A are illustrations of the front and back views, respectively, of protective coveralls having a collared neck opening and a hooded neck opening, where each of the seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in Figures 16A and 17A is provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elasticated cuff. Figures 16B and 17B are illustrations of the front and back views, respectively, of an embodiment of protective coveralls having a collared neck opening and a hooded neck opening, where each of the seven oval-shaped safety ring openings in Figures 16A and 17A is provided with a safety ring sleeve having an elasticated cuff.

[0043] In particular, in some embodiments, protective coveralls having multiple safety ring openings, each safety ring opening provided with a safety ring sleeve, can include a third waist safety ring opening positioned on the body portion in the central waist region or between a first hip or waist safety ring opening and a second hip or waist safety ring opening, with the third waist safety ring opening, along with its associated safety ring sleeve, on either the front or back side of the coveralls. Figures 12A-B and 13A-B are exemplary illustrations of this third waist safety ring opening (128, 138) and associated ring sleeve (129, 139) when the third waist safety ring opening is on the front of the coveralls, while Figures 16A-B and 17A-B are exemplary illustrations of this third waist safety ring opening (168, 178) and associated ring sleeve (169, 179) when the third waist safety ring opening is on the back of the coveralls.

[0044] In some embodiments, protective coveralls having multiple safety ring openings, each with a safety ring sleeve, can include a first front ring opening with a first front safety ring sleeve (preferably for receiving a first front safety ring attached to the front region of the body harness), as well as a second front ring opening with a second front safety ring sleeve for receiving a second front safety ring attached to the front region of the body harness. In some embodiments, the first and second front safety ring openings for the first and second front safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned on the upper front body portion of the coveralls. Versions of the coveralls including first and second front safety ring openings (147-157) for first and second front safety ring sleeves (148-158) are shown in FIGS. 14A-B and 15A-B.

[0045] In some embodiments, protective coveralls having multiple safety ring openings, each safety ring opening provided with a safety ring sleeve, can include a first rear ring opening with a first rear safety ring sleeve (preferably for receiving a first rear safety ring attached to the rear region of the body harness) and a second rear ring opening with a second rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a second rear safety ring attached to the rear region of the body harness. In some embodiments, the first and second rear safety ring openings for the first and second rear safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned on the upper rear body portion of the coveralls. Versions of the coveralls including first and second front safety ring openings (166-176) for first and second front safety ring sleeves (167-177) are shown in FIGS. 16A-B and 17A-B.

[0046] The protective coveralls can have additional desirable features. For example, in some preferred embodiments, the at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls is a vertical opening horizontally centered on the front side of the coveralls. The coveralls further preferably include a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and other figures, it is preferable to have a closure flap (19, 29) over the closed fastener, but if no closure flap is present, the fastener is further preferably horizontally centered on the front side of the coveralls.

[0047] In some embodiments, if there is a horizontally centered vertical opening on the front side of the coveralls with a fastener, and if there is also a first front safety ring sleeve, the first front safety ring sleeve (or any other front safety ring) can be horizontally offset from the centered vertical opening and fastener on the front of the coveralls. In this case, the first ring opening is necessarily also horizontally offset from the centered vertical opening and fastener on the front of the coveralls. The first front safety ring sleeve (16, 26) shown in Figures 1 and 2 and other figures is representative and is repeated in some of the embodiments of the drawings.

[0048] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if a first front safety ring sleeve (and first ring opening) is present and horizontally centered on the front side of the coveralls, and if a vertical opening with a fastener for the coveralls is present, the vertical opening with the fastener can be horizontally offset from its centered position on the front of the coveralls, i.e., the location of the vertical opening and fastener is horizontally offset from the first front safety ring opening and first front safety ring sleeve on the front of the coveralls.

[0049] 18A and 18B are front and back illustrations of coveralls with a collared neck opening and a hooded neck opening, respectively, showing four conical or cone-shaped safety ring sleeves. Each safety ring sleeve terminates in an elastic cuff. One of the safety ring sleeves is positioned on the vertical centerline of the upper front of the main body portion, and the vertical opening with the fastener is horizontally offset from the vertical centerline of the main body portion. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, when location terms are used herein, such as in the case of items located at or on or in the "center of the upper front of the main body portion" or at or on the "vertical centerline of the upper front of the main body portion," these items mean that they are located at, not at, or in the center of the main body portion surface, or at, on, or in the vertical centerline of the upper front of the main body portion surface, because the main body portion is necessarily a hollow structure. Similarly, as disclosed herein, a "mid-waist" safety ring sleeve is understood to be located at or on or within the vertical centerline of the buttock-waist region of the body portion surface.

[0050] 18A and 18B, specifically, a single central upper front safety ring sleeve 181 is shown on the centerline of the front body portion surface, along with two hip waist safety ring sleeves 182 (a single hip waist safety ring sleeve for each hip is visible in both the front and rear views), and a single central upper rear safety ring sleeve 183, also shown on the centerline of the rear body portion surface. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in these figures, the single central upper front safety ring sleeve 181 is shown located substantially in the center of the front of the body portion, while the single central upper rear safety ring sleeve 183 is shown positioned higher than the center of the rear of the body portion. In this embodiment, the coverall fastenings are closed, and the coveralls include an additional, optional central fabric panel 185 located on the body portion for attachment of the central front safety ring sleeve 181. Additionally, a preferred closure flap 186 covers the closed fastener (not shown, but is actually covered by the closure flap), but if no closure flap is present, the fastener is more preferably horizontally centered on the front side of the coveralls. While the embodiment shown in these figures shows the closure flap 186 covering the vertical opening with the fastener on the right side of the center front safety ring sleeve 181 (i.e., on the right side of the coverall wearer's chest), the closure flap, vertical opening, and fastener could be positioned on the other side of the center front safety ring sleeve (i.e., on the left side of the coverall wearer's chest). In these figures, the center front safety ring sleeve is shown on the horizontal seam line on the coverall's chest, but this is only one possibility; the seam could be located higher or lower on the chest based on the size of the coverall and might not line up with the center front safety ring sleeve.

[0051] Additionally, although the closure flaps covering the vertical openings and fasteners are shown on the main body portion parallel to the centerline of the main body portion, i.e., parallel to a line extending from the center of the neck of the coveralls to the crotch of the coveralls, this is not intended to limit the orientation of the closure flaps covering the vertical openings, which may be angled slightly from vertical. For example, the closure flaps along with the vertical front openings and fasteners may extend diagonally across the main body portion from the right chest or shoulder region toward the left hip-waist region, or from the left chest or shoulder region toward the right hip-waist region.

[0052] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls are adapted for use over a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to support the person with a safety line or rope attached to the body harness during an activity or in the event of a fall, the body harness having a plurality of safety rings adapted to attach the body harness to the plurality of lines or ropes, the body harness having an upper front region worn over the upper front of the body, a back region worn over the back of the body, and a hip-lower (buttocks or waist) region worn over the hip or waist region of the body, the coveralls having an inner surface facing the body harness when worn over the body harness by a person, the coveralls having an outer surface facing the external environment, the coveralls further having a body portion for covering the person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the body portion having at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck.

[0053] The body portion has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each of the sleeves further having openings for the person's wrist and hand. The body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first pant sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls and a fourth opening terminating in a second pant sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each of the pant sleeves further having openings for the person's ankle and foot. The body portion also has a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to a body harness, and each safety ring sleeve further terminating in an elastic cuff. Each elasticized cuff has a size that matches the size of a safety ring received in the safety ring sleeve, such that the elasticized cuff can expand to allow the safety ring to extend through the cuff and into the environment external to the coveralls, or extend partially through the cuff and into the environment external to the coveralls, and hold the safety ring in that position. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of safety ring openings are i) a rear ring opening having a rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a rear safety ring attached to a rear region of the body harness; ii) a front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to an upper front region of the body harness; iii) a first hip or waist safety ring opening for a first hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a first hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; iv) a second hip or waist safety ring opening for a second hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a second hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; Including, The first and second hip or waist safety ring openings for the first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned in the hip or waist region of the coveralls.

[0054] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls comprise: v) The coveralls may further include a third waist safety ring opening and associated safety ring sleeve positioned on the body portion between the first hip or waist safety ring opening and the second hip or waist safety ring opening, the third waist safety ring opening and sleeve being on either the front side or the back side of the coveralls.

[0055] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls have at least one safety ring sleeve that is cone-shaped, with the widest opening of the cone being the safety ring opening of the body portion and the narrowest opening of the cone being the elastic cuff. In some embodiments, the at least one safety ring sleeve comprises two sleeve layers, and in some embodiments, the elastic cuff is a free-floating elastic band enclosed by the two sleeve layers.

[0056] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls have at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls, which is a vertical opening horizontally centered in the body portion on the front side of the coveralls, and the coveralls further include a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening. In some embodiments, ii) a front ring opening with a first front safety ring sleeve is horizontally offset from the vertical opening and the fastener on the front side of the coveralls. The neck opening and the at least one torso opening may be connected when the fastener is not closed.

[0057] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls have at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls, the torso opening being a vertical opening horizontally offset in the front body portion of the coveralls from the front ring opening, the first front safety ring sleeve being located on a centerline of the surface of the front body portion of the coveralls, the coveralls further including a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening. The neck opening and the at least one torso opening may be connected when the fastener is not closed.

[0058] In some embodiments, the protective coveralls are disposable garments, i.e., they are used only once and then discarded or responsibly recycled. In some embodiments, the protective coveralls are limited-use garments that are used a limited number of times, e.g., 2-5 times, and then decontaminated and reused.

[0059] The protective coveralls are preferably made from protective clothing fabrics. The term "protective clothing fabric" is intended to encompass a wide variety of protective apparel fabrics, barrier fabrics, laminates, and films. The term "protective clothing fabric" also includes nonwoven and / or woven fabrics, as well as laminates of such materials with films or multilayer films. In some embodiments, the protective fabric includes a chemically resistant outer layer. In some preferred embodiments, the protective clothing fabric, and thus the coverall material, is a laminate of a multilayer film and a nonwoven fabric. In some embodiments, the entire material is a nonwoven fabric, such as DuPont™ Tyvek® spunbond polyethylene, or other types of nonwoven fabrics, such as polyester or polypropylene, that resist penetration by liquids and / or particles, as well as spunbond and meltblown sheets and laminates, and other nonwoven constructions, including coated and film laminate versions. In some embodiments, the protective fabric is flame retardant or includes a flame retardant. In some embodiments, the protective fabric is flame retardant or comprises a flame retardant in addition to providing particle, liquid, and / or chemical or biological challenge protection. One preferred protective coverall fabric is DuPont™ Tychem™ 2000 fabric, which features coated Tyvek™ fabric. These fabrics provide barrier protection against a wide range of inorganic chemical and biological hazards, yet are lightweight and comfortable. Other useful fabrics include other film-laminated Tyvek™ fabric styles, as well as fabrics such as those used in DuPont™ Tychem™ 6000FR, DuPont™ Tychem™ ThermoPro, and DuPont™ ProShield™ SFR.Additionally, other useful protective coverall fabrics that protect against various threats can be used, including, but not limited to, those generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,947 (Hauer et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,178 (Langley), U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,851 (Goldstein), U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,510 (McClure), U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,941 (Blackburn), U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,321 (Nuwayser), U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,575 (Bartasis), U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,148 (Boye), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,010 (Langley).

Claims

1. 1. Protective coveralls suitable for use over a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to support the person during an activity or in the event of a fall, the coveralls having a safety line or rope attached to the body harness; the body harness has a plurality of safety rings adapted to attach the body harness to a plurality of lines or ropes, the body harness having an upper front region to be worn on the upper front of the body, a back region to be worn on the back of the body, and a hip or waist region to be worn on the hip or waist region of the body; an inner surface facing the body harness when worn by the person over the body harness and an outer surface facing the external environment, and further having a front side and a back side; a body portion for covering a person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the body portion having at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck; the body portion has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls, and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each of the sleeves further having openings for the person's wrist and hand; the body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls, and a fourth opening terminating in a second trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each of the trouser sleeves further having openings for the person's ankles and feet; the body portion further having a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, and each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff; Protective coveralls.

2. The protective coveralls of claim 1, wherein the elastic cuffs have a relaxed circumference of about 3 to 5 inches.

3. Each elastic cuff has a size that matches the size of the safety ring received in the safety ring sleeve, such that the elastic cuff: a) expandable to allow the safety ring to extend through the cuff into the environment external to the coveralls or extend partially through the cuff into the environment external to the coveralls; b) capable of holding the safety ring in place; 3. The protective coveralls of claim 1 or 2.

4. the plurality of safety ring openings each provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness; a rear ring opening having a rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a rear safety ring attached to the rear region of the body harness; a first front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to the upper front region of the body harness; Including, The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the plurality of safety ring openings each provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness; a first hip or waist safety ring opening having a first hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a first hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; optionally, a second hip or waist safety ring opening having a second hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a second hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. first and second hip or waist safety ring openings with the first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves are both present, and the first and second hip or waist safety ring openings for the first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned on the body portion in the hip or waist region of the coveralls.

6. The protective coveralls of claim 5.

7. a third lumbar safety ring opening in the body portion having a third lumbar safety ring sleeve positioned between the first hip or lumbar safety ring opening and sleeve and the second hip or lumbar safety ring opening and sleeve; Furthermore, a third waist safety ring opening with the third waist safety ring sleeve is on either the front side or the back side of the coveralls; 6. The protective coveralls of claim 5.

8. the plurality of safety ring openings each provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness; a second front ring opening having a second front safety ring sleeve for receiving a second front safety ring attached to the front upper front portion of the body harness; Including, The protective coveralls of any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. 9. The protective coveralls of claim 8, wherein the first and second front safety ring openings with the first and second front safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned on the body portion at the upper front of the coveralls.

10. 5. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of safety ring openings, each having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, includes a central waist safety ring opening in the main body portion at the center of the waist of the coveralls on either the front or back of the coveralls, having a central waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a central waist safety ring attached to the buttocks or waist region of either the front or back of the body harness.

11. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one safety ring opening in the body portion has an oval shape.

12. 12. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1-11, wherein at least one safety ring sleeve is cone-shaped, the widest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is the safety ring opening of the body portion, and the narrowest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is the elastic cuff.

13. 13. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1-12, wherein at least one safety ring sleeve comprises two sleeve layers, and the elastic cuff is a free-floating elastic band encapsulated by the two sleeve layers.

14. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the body portion further comprises a hood.

15. 15. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls is a vertical opening horizontally centered in the body portion on the front side of the coveralls, the coveralls further comprising a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening.

16. 16. The protective coveralls of claim 15, wherein the first front ring opening with the first front safety ring sleeve, if present, is horizontally offset from the horizontally centered vertical opening and fastener on the body portion of the front of the coveralls.

17. 1. Protective coveralls suitable for use over a body harness, the body harness being worn by a person to support the person during an activity or in the event of a fall, the coveralls having a safety line or rope attached to the body harness; the body harness has a plurality of safety rings adapted to attach the body harness to a plurality of lines or ropes, the body harness having an upper front region to be worn on the upper front of the body, a back region to be worn on the back of the body, and a hip or waist region to be worn on the hip or waist region of the body; an inner surface facing the body harness when worn by the person over the body harness, and an outer surface facing an external environment; a body portion for covering a person's torso when the person wears the coveralls, the body portion having at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls and a neck opening for the person's head and neck; the body portion has a plurality of openings for the person's limbs, including a first opening terminating in a first sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right arm when the person wears the coveralls, and a second opening terminating in a second sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left arm when the person wears the coveralls, each of the sleeves further having openings for the person's wrist and hand; the body portion also has a third opening terminating in a first trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's right leg when the person wears the coveralls, and a fourth opening terminating in a second trouser sleeve for receiving a portion of the person's left leg when the person wears the coveralls, each of the trouser sleeves further having openings for the person's ankles and feet; the body portion further having a plurality of safety ring openings, each safety ring opening having a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness, each safety ring sleeve terminating in an elastic cuff; the plurality of safety ring openings i) a rear ring opening having a rear safety ring sleeve for receiving a rear safety ring attached to the rear region of the body harness; ii) a front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to the upper front region of the body harness; iii) a first hip or waist safety ring opening having a first hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a first hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; iv) a second hip or waist safety ring opening having a second hip or waist safety ring sleeve for receiving a second hip or waist safety ring attached to the hip or waist region of the body harness; Including, the first and second hip or waist safety ring openings and the first and second hip or waist safety ring sleeves are symmetrically positioned on the body portion in the hip or waist region of the coveralls. Protective coveralls.

18. 18. The protective coveralls of claim 17, wherein the elastic cuffs have a relaxed circumference of about 3 to 5 inches.

19. Each elastic cuff has a size that matches the size of the safety ring received in the safety ring sleeve, such that the elastic cuff: a) expandable to allow the safety ring to extend through the cuff into the environment external to the coveralls or extend partially through the cuff into the environment external to the coveralls; b) capable of holding the safety ring in place; 19. The protective coveralls of claim 17 or 18.

20. v) a third lumbar safety ring opening in said body portion having a third lumbar safety ring sleeve positioned between said first hip or lumbar safety ring opening and sleeve and said second hip or lumbar safety ring opening and sleeve; Furthermore, a third waist safety ring opening with the third waist safety ring sleeve is on either the front side or the back side of the coveralls; The protective coveralls of any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. 21. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 17-20, wherein at least one safety ring sleeve is cone-shaped, the widest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is the safety ring opening of the body portion, and the narrowest opening of the cone-shaped sleeve is the elastic cuff.

22. 22. The protective coveralls of claim 21, wherein the at least one safety ring sleeve comprises two sleeve layers and the elastic cuff is a free-floating elastic band encapsulated by the two sleeve layers.

23. 23. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 14-22, wherein the at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls is a vertical opening horizontally centered in the body portion on the front side of the coveralls, the coveralls further comprising a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening.

24. 24. The protective coveralls of claim 23, wherein a front ring opening with the first front safety ring sleeve is horizontally offset from the horizontally centered vertical opening and fastener on the front side of the body portion of the coveralls.

25. the plurality of safety ring openings each provided with a safety ring sleeve for receiving a safety ring attached to the body harness; a first front ring opening having a first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to the upper front region of the body harness; Including, a first front ring opening having the first front safety ring sleeve horizontally centered on the body portion of the front side of the coveralls; The protective coveralls of any one of claims 1 to 14.

26. the at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls is a vertical opening on the body portion on the front side of the coveralls, the coveralls further including a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening; the vertical opening being horizontally offset from a horizontally centered first front ring opening having the first front safety ring sleeve on the front body portion of the coveralls; 26. The protective coveralls of claim 25.

27. 23. The protective coveralls of any one of claims 17-22, wherein a front ring opening having the first front safety ring sleeve for receiving a front safety ring attached to the upper front region of the body harness is horizontally centered on the body portion on the front side of the coveralls.

28. the at least one torso opening for donning the coveralls is a vertical opening on the body portion on the front side of the coveralls, the coveralls further including a fastener for opening and closing the vertical opening; the vertical opening being horizontally offset from a horizontally centered first front ring opening having the first front safety ring sleeve on the front body portion of the coveralls; 28. The protective coveralls of claim 27.

Images