Vest including a retractor pocket and retractor therein; and method of manufacturing vest

Abstract

A fishing vest including a retractor pocket which is inverted so that it opens downwardly when the vest is worn is provided by the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the fishing vest includes two retractor pockets. A first retractor pocket is provided between the upper left breast pocket and the neckline, and a second retractor pocket is provided between the upper right breast pocket and the neckline. Each retractor pocket includes a retractor provided within the interior thereof.

We claim:  
     
       1. A vest for holding fishing accessories, said vest comprising: 
       (a) a shell structure having a neckline, a left arm hole, a right arm hole, and a bottom edge, the shell structure being considered and arranged to fit over a human chest;  
       (b) a plurality of pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein at least one of said plurality of pockets is a retractor pocket provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the vest is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position; and  
       (c) a retractor secured within the interior region of said retractor pocket.  
     
     
       2. A vest according to  claim 1 , wherein said retractor includes a spring formed from a polyurethane material. 
     
     
       3. A vest according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two retractor pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein the at least two retractor pockets are provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the vest is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position. 
     
     
       4. A vest according to  claim 3 , wherein at least two retractor pockets are located on a front portion of the vest. 
     
     
       5. A vest according to  claim 4 , wherein at least two retractor pockets are provided adjacent the neckline. 
     
     
       6. A method for manufacturing a vest including a retractor pocket, said method comprising: 
       (a) providing a shell structure having a neckline, a left arm hole, a right arm hole and a bottom edge, the shell structure being constructed and arranged to fit over a human chest;  
       (b) providing a sheath over a portion of the shell structure to provide a pocket, wherein the pocket includes an opening which faces downwardly when the vest is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position; and  
       (c) securing that sheath to the shell.  
     
     
       7. A method for manufacturing a vest including a retractor pocket according to  claim 6 , wherein the method includes a step of: 
       (a) providing a retractor within an interior region of the retractor pocket.  
     
     
       8. A method for manufacturing a vest including a retractor pocket according to  claim 7 , wherein the retractor includes a spring. 
     
     
       9. A method for manufacturing a vest including a retractor pocket according to  claim 7 , wherein the step of providing a retractor within an interior region of the retractor pocket includes stitching the retractor to the shell. 
     
     
       10. A method for manufacturing a vest including a retractor pocket according to  claim 1 . Further comprising placing the sheath adjacent the neckline. 
     
     
       11. An article of clothing for holding fishing accessories, said article of clothing comprising: 
       ( a )  a shell structure having a neckline, a left arm hole, a right arm hole, and a bottom edge, the shell structure being constructed and arranged to fit over a human chest;    
       ( b )  a plurality of pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein at least one of said plurality of pockets is a retractor pocket provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the article of clothing is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position; and    
       ( c )  a retractor secured within the interior region of said retractor pocket.   
     
     
       12. An article of clothing according to  claim 11 , wherein said retractor includes a spring for biasing said retractor to a retracted position. 
     
     
       13. An article of clothing according to  claim 2 , wherein the spring comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
       14. A article of clothing according to  claim 11 , comprising at least two retractor pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein the at least two retractor pockets are provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the article of clothing is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position. 
     
     
       15. An article of clothing according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least two retractor pockets are located on a front portion of the article of clothing. 
     
     
       16. An article of clothing according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least two retractor pockets are provided adjacent the neckline. 
     
     
       17. An article of clothing according to  claim 11 , wherein said article of clothing is a shirt. 
     
     
       18. An article of clothing according to  claim 11 , wherein said article of clothing is a coat. 
     
     
       19. An article of clothing for holding fishing accessories, said article of clothing comprising: 
       ( a )  a shell structure;    
       ( b )  a plurality of pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein at least one of said plurality of pockets is a retractor pocket provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the article of clothing is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position; and    
       ( c )  a retractor secured within the interior region of said retractor pocket.   
     
     
       20. An article of clothing according to  claim 19 , wherein said retractor comprises a spring and a clip, the spring for biasing said retractor to a retracted position. 
     
     
       21. An article of clothing according to  claim 20 , wherein the spring comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
       22. An article of clothing according to  claim 19 , comprising at least two retractor pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure, wherein the at least two retractor pockets are provided with an interior region and an opening facing downwardly when the article of clothing is worn by a wearer in an upright standing position. 
     
     
       23. An article of clothing according to  claim 19 , wherein said article of clothing is a daypack. 
     
     
       24. An article of clothing according to  claim 19 , wherein said article of clothing is a pair of pants. 
     
     
       25. An article of clothing for holding fishing accessories, said article of clothing comprising: 
       ( a )  a shell structure having a neckline, a left arm hole, a right arm hole, and a bottom edge, the shell structure being constructed and arranged to fit over a human chest;    
       ( b )  a plurality of pockets for storing fishing accessories attached to said shell structure;    
       ( c )  a sheath attached to said shell structure forming an interior region having at least one opening; and    
       ( d )  a retractor secured within the interior region and extending downwardly through the at least one opening when the article of clothing is worn by a wearer in an upright position.   
     
     
       26. An article of clothing according to  claim 25 , wherein the interior region opens downwardly when the article of clothing is worn by a person in an upright position. 
     
     
       27. An article of clothing according to  claim 25 , wherein said sheath is sewn to the shell structure. 
     
     
       28. An article of clothing according to  claim 25 , wherein said retractor comprises a spring for biasing said retractor to a retracted position, the spring being sewn to the shell structure within the interior region. 
     
     
       29. An article of clothing according to  claim 28 , wherein the spring comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
       30. An article of clothing according to  claim 25 , wherein said article of clothing is a shirt. 
     
     
       31. An article of clothing according to  claim 25 , wherein said article of clothing is a coat.