PROTECTIVE GARMENT WITH IMPROVED COMFORT

Abstract

A protective garment particularly for wear by operators and passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles, such as motorcycles for example, includes a garment body which may be configured as a jacket or coat, and which includes a vertically extending and offset curvilinear opening selectively closed by a fastener, such as a slide fastener or zipper, for example, and which provides for substantially sealing the front of the garment against seepage into the garment of pressurized air caused by the air blast on the wearer's front torso resulting from vehicle motion at speed. The garment also provides a pair of unitary uninterrupted display areas disposed one on each of the front and back of the garment torso, and at which a graphic, logo, trademark, or sponsorship information, for example, may be presented.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is in the field of protective clothing, and relates to a protective garment to be worn by operators and/or passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles, such as motorcycles, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, and perhaps even open sport aircraft, for example. The garment may take the form of a jacket or coat, and is especially configured and structured to provide both improved protection for the wearer's chest from the air blast produced by motion of an open-air sport vehicle at speed, as well as providing improved wearing comfort. The garment also provides an improved configuration of display area on the wearer's front torso for presentation of a graphic, trademark, or logo, for example.

[0003] 2. Related Technology

[0004] Examples of leather coats and jackets which are conventional are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,715, issued Sep. 2, 1986 to Richard Miller and John Wyckoff; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,715, issued Apr. 21, 1992 to Paul Golde, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,042, issued Apr. 16, 1996 to Michael van der Slessen. German patent publication No. DE 3818-566-A1 published Dec. 7, 1989, provides another example of this conventional approach to providing protection and ventilation to riders of motorcycles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,336 provides an example of a fabric jacket or coat that well suits the wide range of requirements for a street motorcycle rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the deficiencies of the related technology, a primary object of this invention is to avoid one or more of these deficiencies.

[0006] More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a protective garment for wear by operators and/or passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles, which will provide physical protection to the wearer, and also has improved wearing comfort.

[0007] Another object for this invention is to provide such a protective garment having an improved display area on the wearer's front torso for presentation of a logo, trademark, or graphic, for example.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention according to one aspect provides a protective garment especially configured for wear by operators and passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles in order to provide air blast protection to the wearer's front torso, the garment comprising: a garment shell, the garment shell having: a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing the front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from the garment, the larger of the two unequal parts of the front panel providing an exterior surface across which air blast flows during vehicle motion at speed from a centrally located high pressure area and toward the offset opening; and the smaller of the two unequal parts of the front panel carrying an internally disposed wind flap extending beneath the larger front panel part toward the high pressure area, and over which the larger part of the front panel laps when the opening is closed, thereby to resist seepage of air blast into the garment via the opening.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention according to another aspect presents a method of protecting the front torso of a wearer who is a rider or passenger on an open air sport motor vehicle from the air blast produced by motion of the vehicle at speed, the method including steps of: providing a protective garment including a garment shell; including in the garment shell a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing the front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from the garment; utilizing the larger of the two unequal parts of the front panel to provide an exterior surface across which air blast flows during vehicle motion at speed from a centrally located high pressure area and toward the offset opening; and providing the smaller of the two unequal parts of the front panel with an internally disposed wind flap extending beneath the larger front panel part toward the high pressure area, and lapping the larger part of the front panel over the wind flap in order to resist seepage of pressurized air into the garment at the opening.

[0010] A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained from reading the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures, in which the same features (or features analogous in structure or function) are indicated with the same reference numeral throughout the several views. It will be understood that the appended drawing Figures and description here following relate only to one exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, and as such, are not to be taken as implying a limitation on the invention. No such limitation on the invention is implied, and none is to be inferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective frontal view of a motorcycle rider wearing a garment in the form of a jacket embodying the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the jacket seen in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the jacket seen in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0014] FIG. 4 provides another front elevation view of the jacket as seen in FIGS. 1-3, but with the front closure opened and part of the front panel moved aside to better illustrate details of the structure of the jacket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Viewing first FIG. 1, a motorcycle rider 10 is seen riding a motorcycle 12. Because of the speed of forward movement of the motorcycle (indicated by arrow 14), the rider 10 is subjected to a moving air stream (i.e., an air blast) relatively moving in the rearward direction (as is indicated on FIG. 1 by arrow 16). A part of this moving air stream 16, which part is indicated with arrow 16′, flows over the top of the windscreen of the motorcycle 12, and against the front of the rider 10, especially producing a high pressure area 16a at the front center of the rider's chest.

[0016] In this context, it is to be noted that with many modern sport motorcycles having a fairing the windscreen is not as high as the perspective of FIG. 1 makes it appear. In fact, with many modern faired sport motorcycles and with motorcycles having no fairing, the chest and upper body of the rider is completely, or substantially completely, exposed to the air blast 16. Thus, the rider 10, and especially the rider's chest, is exposed to the high pressure 16a from the air blast 16. Were the rider wearing a conventional jacket or coat this high pressure would cause a significant air flow to enter the rider's garment by penetrating (i.e., seeping) through the front jacket opening. With conventional jackets and coats, this penetrating air flow can be significant enough that on cold days the rider will experience a cold or chilled area of the chest immediately inside the jacket opening. However, it will be seen that the rider 10 is wearing a jacket embodying the present invention (to be further described below), and one which is both comfortable to wear and especially configured to resist entry of air into the jacket via the front opening and onto the rider's chest. It will be seen that from the high pressure area 16a, air flows laterally in each direction 16b and 16c respectively to the rider's right and left side of the rider's torso.

[0017] Continuing with a consideration of FIG. 1, it will be noted that the rider 10 is wearing a helmet 18, and in addition to boots and gloves (not referenced on the drawing Figures) is also wearing a protective garment 20, which in this case takes the form of a jacket. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to its use by motorcycle riders, and that other operators and/or passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles may benefit from the use of this invention. Further, the invention is not limited to embodiment in a jacket, and may find embodiment in a coat, or even in a full-coverage one-piece or two-piece coverall type of garment or riding suit, for example.

[0018] As is seen in FIG. 1, and as best seen by reference to FIGS. 2-4, the garment (i.e., jacket) 20 includes a front panel 20f, which is in two parts, a right hand part 20f′ and a left hand part 20f′, with the two parts cooperatively defining an off center, curved (i.e., curvilinear), and generally laterally and vertically extending opening or parting line 20o. The opening or parting 20o is conventionally secured closed by the use of a slide fastener 22 (i.e., a zipper, for example—best seen in FIG. 4) and may also be secured at or adjacent its upper and/or lower ends by one or more straps 22a carrying part 22b of a snap closure or an area of a hook-and-loop fastener. The jacket 20 of the present embodiment includes a strap 22a near the upper extent of opening 20o. Thus, the slide fastener 22 and/or straps 22a with snaps or hook-and-loop fastener areas 22b allow this opening 20o to be selectively opened and closed by the rider 10 to allow the jacket 20 to be put on and taken off.

[0019] Considering the front panel 20f, it is seen that the right hand part 20f′ and left hand part 20f″ of this panel are not of equal size, and that the panel parts are unequal in area because of the off center location and configuration of the opening 20o and fastener 22 at this opening. The opening 20o forms an off center intersection with a band collar 24 of the jacket, and an off center intersection of the opening 20o with the waist band 26 of the jacket. Between the intersections of the opening 20o with the collar 24 and waist band 26, the opening 20o is substantially composed of a lower laterally offset and generally straight section 20o′, leading upwardly from the waist band 26 to an inwardly curving section 20o″, and also includes an angulated generally straight section 20o′″ leading from the section 20o″ upwardly and inwardly to an intersection with the band collar 24.

[0020] It is to be noted on FIGS. 1 and 2 that because of the position and configuration of the opening 20o and fastener 22, the front panel 20f provides a large and essentially uninterrupted area 20f′″ at which a logo (a decorative graphic, or a sponsor's logo or trademark, for example) may be displayed. Viewing the drawing Figures, this logo or trademark, for example, is indicated by the word “LOGO.” It will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that the area 20f′″ may be used as desired to display any kind of graphic, trademark, or logo, or alternatively may be left blank. But, it is to be noted that a graphic, trademark, or logo displayed on the area 20f′″ of the present inventive jacket (i.e., on the front panel of this jacket) 12 need not be divided or separated into two parts by a parting line (as is conventional with jackets having straight vertical centered, or straight angulated parting lines of the front panel).

[0021] Further, the jacket 20 provides a unitary front panel part 20f′″ near the center of the rider's chest that both provides for display of a complete undivided graphic or logo and which receives the high pressure area 16a (recalling FIG. 1). Because there is no opening of the jacket 20 at this high pressure area 16a, the pressurized air cannot seep through such an opening to chill the rider's chest. It will be noted that the flow arrow 16b flows from the high pressure area 16a toward and over the parting line or opening 20o. As will be seen, the location, configuration, and arrangement of the parting line 20o and closure 22 of the present jacket 20 further provide for especially effective wind protection for the rider 10.

[0022] Continuing with a consideration of the jacket 20, it is seen that this jacket also includes a rear panel 20r, and is provided with sleeves 28r and 28l (for “right” and “left”) each having a cuff 30 provided with a cuff opening 30′ (shown closed in the drawing Figures) extending upwardly along the sleeve (i.e., to allow the cuff to open sufficiently to pass the rider's hand) and with a cuff closure structure 30a (i.e., a zipper or slide fastener, for example—the zipper pull of which is best seen in FIG. 4), allowing the cuff to be selectively opened and closed to allow the rider 10 to put on and take off the jacket 20.

[0023] Considering the rear panel 20r, it is seen that this panel also provides a unitary graphic or logo display area 20r′, sized and configured similarly to that of the front panel 20f. In this respect, the jacket 20 is unique in that it provides essentially the same size of unitary, undivided area front and back for the display of a logo, trademark, or graphic. Similarly, the sleeves 28r and 28l each provide a respective graphic display area 28r′ and 28l′.

[0024] Turning now to a consideration of FIG. 4, it is seen that the jacket 20 includes an inner wind flap 32 which extends internally of the jacket 20 over the rider's front torso from adjacent the parting line 20o and closure 22 toward the location of the high pressure area 16a. The internal wind flap 32 extends vertically of the jacket 20 substantially from the waist band 26 up to adjacent the collar 24. The front panel portion 20f″ overlies this wind flap 32, and laps over the wind flap 32 in the direction of air flow 16b from the high pressure area 16a toward the rider's right side (i.e., toward the side of the rider where the parting line 20o and slide fastener 22 are disposed). Consequently, air flow 16b from the high pressure area 16a flows over the parting line 20o and slide fastener 22 in a direction contrary to that which would effectively move air (i.e., cause air seepage) through the fastener 22 and between the wind flap 32 and the front panel portion 20f″ of the jacket 20. As a result, the rider experiences essentially no air seepage into the jacket via the opening 20o.

[0025] Further, it has been determined that because of the offset and curvilinear disposition of the opening 20o and of the slide fastener 22, the rider 10 experiences an increased comfort level while wearing the jacket 20 and operating an open air sport motor vehicle, especially while operating a sport motor cycle. It is believed that this subjective impression of increased comfort level for the rider 10 may result from the front panel 20f of the jacket being more readily flexible in order to accommodate the semi-crouch position in which the rider 10 is disposed on the motorcycle 12. Such a semi-crouch position is especially utilized by riders of high-performance sport motorcycles, such as current high-performance 600 cc and larger displacement high-performance faired sport motorcycles.

[0026] While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to a single particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of the invention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Claims

1. A protective garment especially configured for wear by operators and passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles in order to provide air blast protection to the wearer's front torso, said garment comprising: a garment shell, said garment shell having: a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing said front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment, the larger of said two unequal parts of said front panel providing an exterior surface across which air blast flows during vehicle motion at speed from a centrally located high pressure area and toward said offset opening; and the smaller of said two unequal parts of said front panel carrying an internally disposed wind flap extending beneath said larger front panel part toward said high pressure area, and over which the larger part of said front panel laps when said opening is closed, thereby to resist seepage of air blast into said garment via said opening.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said larger front panel part provides a unitary display area for carrying a logo, trademark, or graphic.

3. A method of protecting the front torso of a wearer who is a rider or passenger on an open air sport motor vehicle from the air blast produced by motion of the vehicle at speed, said method including steps of: providing a protective garment including a garment shell; including in the garment shell a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing said front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment; utilizing the larger of said two unequal parts of said front panel to provide an exterior surface across which air blast flows during vehicle motion at speed from a centrally located high pressure area and toward said offset opening; and providing the smaller of the two unequal parts of said front panel with an internally disposed wind flap extending beneath said larger front panel part toward said high pressure area, and lapping the larger part of said front panel over said wind flap in order to resist seepage of pressurized air into the garment at said opening.

4. A protective garment having a unitary front display area upon which a logo, trademark, or graphic may be displayed, said garment comprising: a garment shell, said garment shell having: a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing said front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment, the larger of said two unequal parts of said front panel providing a unitary front display area extending substantially from a waist line of said jacket vertically substantially to said neck opening, and said display area extending horizontally between said opening and a line equivalently offset to an opposite side of the wearer's chest to define a horizontal dimension, said horizontal dimension being a major fraction of the horizontal extent of the wearer's chest.

5. A protective garment having a pair of unitary, undivided display areas, one display area on the front torso of the garment and the other display area on the rear torso of the garment, and upon this pair of display areas respective logos, trademarks, or graphics may be displayed, said garment comprising: a garment shell, said garment shell having: a front panel and a back panel, said back panel providing a respective one of said unitary, undivided display areas, and said front panel and back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening; a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms; a generally vertically extending curvilinear and frontally offset opening dividing said front panel into two substantially unequal parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment, said opening extending from front off center of a waist line of the garment upwardly substantially vertically to a curved part of said opening, the curved part of said opening being disposed substantially at mid-chest level and turning inwardly of the wearer's chest, and an angulated portion of said opening extending from said curved part of said opening to a front off center intersection with said neck opening, and the larger of said two unequal parts of said front panel providing said unitary, undivided front display area extending substantially from said waist line of said jacket vertically substantially to said neck opening, and said display area extending horizontally from said opening to cover a major fraction of the front of the wearer's chest.