Torso harness with bounce-minimizing pocket

Abstract

A harness includes a waist belt and a pair of straps connected to the belt and configured to extend over the shoulders of a user. A pocket is attached to the harness and includes a window for access to a device within the pocket. The pocket may be formed from a mix of materials that includes a resilient side gusset to minimize bounce of the pocket when in use. In some versions, the pocket is hingedly attached to the harness.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A harness, comprising:
 a belt configured to be worn about a user's waist;   a first shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;   a second shoulder strap having a first end and a second end;   a rear torso panel, the first end of the first shoulder strap and the first end of the second shoulder strap each being attached to the rear torso panel, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap being configured to extend over the user's shoulders when in use, the rear torso panel being attached to the belt;   a pocket having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the pocket being attached to the second end of the first shoulder strap and to the second end of the second shoulder strap, the lower end of the pocket being attached to the belt;   the pocket further having a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel having a window formed from a transparent sheet material.   
     
     
         2 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket further comprises a rear panel, a front panel, and a side gusset, the window being positioned in the front panel. 
     
     
         3 . The harness of  claim 2 , wherein the back panel is formed from a first material and the front panel is formed from a second material, wherein the front panel is relatively more stiff than the rear panel. 
     
     
         4 . The harness of  claim 3 , wherein the side gusset is formed from a third material, wherein the side gusset is relatively more resilient than the front panel and the back panel. 
     
     
         5 . The harness of  claim 4 , further comprising an internal pocket positioned within the pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The harness of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one port extending through the pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The harness of  claim 3 , wherein the side gusset is attached to the front panel and to the back panel, and further wherein the window is attached between the front panel and the side gusset. 
     
     
         8 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the pocket extends below the belt. 
     
     
         9 . The harness of  claim 1 , further comprising a chest panel attached to the second end of the first strap and to the second end of the second strap, and further wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel. 
     
     
         10 . The harness of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel at the lower end of the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The harness of  claim 10 , further comprising an inner pocket window attached to the back panel. 
     
     
         12 . The harness of  claim 11 , wherein the inner pocket window overlies at least a portion of the window positioned on the front panel. 
     
     
         13 . The harness of  claim 11 , further comprising a first fastener attached to the pocket and a mating second fastener attached to the chest panel, whereby the pocket is moveable between a stowed position in which the first fastener is joined to the second fastener, and an opened position in which the first fastener is separated from the second fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The harness of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is hingedly attached to the chest panel at the upper end of the pocket. 
     
     
         15 . The harness of  claim 10 , further comprising an inner pocket window attached to the back panel. 
     
     
         16 . The harness of  claim 11 , wherein the inner pocket window overlies at least a portion of the window positioned on the front panel. 
     
     
         17 . The harness of  claim 11 , further comprising a first fastener attached to the pocket and a mating second fastener attached to the chest panel, whereby the pocket is moveable between a stowed position in which the first fastener is joined to the second fastener, and an opened position in which the first fastener is separated from the second fastener. 
     
     
         18 . A harness, comprising:
 a belt configured to be worn about a user's waist;   a rear torso panel;   a pocket having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being attached to the belt, the pocket having a first connector configured for releasable attachment to mating connector attached to the belt;   a first shoulder strap extending from the rear torso panel to the pocket;   a second shoulder strap extending from the rear torso panel to the upper end of the pocket, the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap being configured to extend over the user's shoulders when in use;   the pocket further having a front panel joined to a rear panel and defining an interior space between the front panel and the rear panel, the front panel having a window formed from a transparent material, the window being attached to a cutout portion within the front panel, the window further being positioned at the upper end of the pocket.   
     
     
         19 . The harness of  claim 18 , wherein the pocket further comprises a chest panel, the pocket being hingedly attached to the chest panel at an upper end of the pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The harness of  claim 18 , wherein the pocket further comprises a chest panel, the pocket being hingedly attached to the chest panel at a lower end of the pocket.