Safety vest

Abstract

A high visibility safety vest has a front and back panel connected together by separable and elasticized side panels, the arrangement being such that the garment may be easily separated from the wearer's body. One or more fasteners can located on each of the side panels, and the front and back panels may be joined at the shoulder of the vest by separable fasteners.

1 . A high visibility safety vest comprising a front and back panel connected together by separable and elasticized side panels, the arrangement being such that the garment may be easily separated from the wearer's body.  
   
   
       2 . The high visibility safety vest of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fastening means provided on each of the side panels.  
   
   
       3 . The high visibility safety vest of  claim 1  wherein the front and back panels are joined at the shoulder of the vest by separable fastening means.  
   
   
       4 . The high visibility vest of  claim 2  wherein the fastening means extend along the length of the panels.  
   
   
       5 . The high visibility vest of  claim 3  wherein the fastening means extend along the length of the panels.  
   
   
       6 . The high visibility vest of  claim 2  wherein the fastening means comprises a first and second mating strip, each strip located on opposing panels.  
   
   
       7 . The high visibility vest of  claim 3  wherein the fastening means comprises a first and second mating strip, each strip located on opposing panels.  
   
   
       8 . The high visibility vest of  claim 2  wherein the fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       9 . The high visibility vest of  claim 3  wherein the fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners.  
   
   
       10 . The high visibility vest of  claim 1  wherein the vest is made of retro-reflective material.  
   
   
       11 . The high visibility vest of  claim 1  further comprising an opening for the neck and a waist band.  
   
   
       12 . The high visibility vest of  claim 1  further comprising a zipper that extends from the neck opening to the waistband.  
   
   
       13 . The high visibility vest of  claim 11  wherein the waistband is elasticized.  
   
   
       14 . The high visibility vest of  claim 1  further comprising a pattern of retro-reflective material.  
   
   
       15 . The high visibility vest of  claim 14  wherein the pattern of retro-reflective material includes circumferential strips on the front and back panels.  
   
   
       16 . The high visibility vest of  claim 14  wherein the pattern of retro-reflective material includes longitudinal strips which extend over the shoulder portion of the vest.  
   
   
       17 . The high visibility vest of  claim 14  wherein the pattern of retro-reflective material includes longitudinal strips which extend from the uppermost circumferential strip on the front panel over the shoulder portion to the uppermost circumferential strips on the back panel.