Patent Application
20080040832
a is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 2a-2a of
a is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 3a-3a of
Referring to
Crash absorbing padding, also known as body armor, is positioned as follows. A pair of preformed, convex shoulder pads 35 are internally attached within pockets internally sewn to mesh inner liner 29. These pockets are closed at their top edges by hook and loop-type fasteners, or alternately snaps, zippers, stitches or other fasteners. It is optionally envisioned in an alternate embodiment that additional preformed elbow pads are inserted into internal pockets sewn to an inside of liner 29, supplemental generally rigid polymeric shoulder pads can be internally attached to body and/or protective spine pads can be internally attached to body. A generally flat, lower back pad 39 is sewn to the inside of a waistband segment 41, also made of wind resistant material 31. The preformed pads are preferably molded from multi-layer composite, resinated foam-like materials. Some of the body armor pieces disclosed herein, which aid in cushioning the impact the motorcycle user receives during motorcycle crashes, can be readily substituted or supplement by generally rigid polymeric panels having flat or three-dimensionally curved shapes.
Shell 27 includes a left chest segment 38, a left sleeve segment 40, an upper back segment 41, a right sleeve segment 42 and a right chest segment 43. Shell 27 is made from a wind resistant textile fabric outer material 44, like material 31 of body, and a mesh liner 45 sewn thereto. Upper and lower zipper attachment systems 91 and 93, respectively, are sewn to upper and lower central edges of shell 27, and hook-and-loop attachment strips 46 are sewn to the vertical front edges. Sleeve segments 40 and 42 are generally cylindrical from an open end to an armpit area, and are permanently sewn to the chest and back segments. The entire removable shell is flexible or pliable. A fastener is located on each sleeve segment 40 and 42 of shell 27 adjacent a cuff or open end 47. Each fastener includes a fabric tab upon which is mounted a female snap attachment 49. The male snap attachment 51 protrudes from the sleeve for selective attachment with female snap attachment 49. Moreover, a cuff adjustment is disposed adjacent open end 47 of each sleeve segment 40 and 42 which corresponds to a wrist area of the user. Each cuff adjustment includes a zipper assembly 53 with a flexible piece of triangularly-shaped fabric sewn between the zipper tracks and which can be expanded when the zipper 53 is unzipped or hidden from view when zipped.
Furthermore, a sleeve air vent 61 is located on a front and upper segment of each sleeve segment 40 and 42 of shell 27, generally between the elbow and shoulder areas. This can best be observed in
Referring to
Piping welts 77 and 81 are sewn adjacent and parallel to zipper systems 91 and 93. One or more of these welts are reflective to improve night-time visibility of the user for approaching motorists. A pair of torso air vents 83 are similarly constructed to sleeve air vents 61, however, they are generally vertically oriented (when the jacket user is standing) and located on the back and lower, torso area of the jacket above waistband segment 41.
As can best be observed in
Referring to
Outer mesh material 33 is preferably a piece dyed, polyester mesh tricot fabric having perforated holes of approximately two square or diametral millimeters. The outer mesh material has a weight of about 480 gr/yd, and a yarn of about 250 D, S/D, R/W; the mesh can stretch approximately 20%. Inner liner 29 is preferably a lighter weight, polyester knitted fabric having perforated holes of approximately two or three square or diametral millimeters. The much denser wind resistant and ultraviolet light blocking material 31 and 44 located on body 25 and shell 27, respectively, are preferably a 600 denier polyester fabric having a polyurethane inside coating, but may alternately be Taslen or Cordura® brand nylon fabric.
Shown in
Not only does the removable shell provide ventilating benefits to the user's arms, chest and upper back, but it also achieves noteworthy aesthetic appeal. For example, outer mesh 33 is preferably a bright orange color, while wind resistant material 31 and 44 on the shell and body is black. Thus, a striking visual color contrast is observed when the shell is removed. Alternately, outer mesh 33 may be a reflective or luminescent color or material for safety, or may have an artistic design thereon which can be optionally displayed or hidden by the user.
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention garment 21′ is shown in
Another difference is that below the wind resistant shoulder-to-air permeable sleeve interface, sleeves 210 of a body 215 are almost entirely air permeable mesh 216 except for cuffs 217 and seams. This embodiment also has enlarged and more pronounced cuffs 217 adjacent the open sleeve ends of shell 203 and underlying mesh 216 of body 215. A central storm flap 218 attached to body 215 operably covers across the entire intersection of the upper and lower shell zippers and a central zipper system 219, but only in this localized chest area. Additionally, an extended flap 221 extends from a collar 223 across central zipper system 219 and is secured by a snap or hook-and-loop attachment. A pair of elasticized pull cords 231, externally held together at each end by a compressible polymeric toggle and fabric tab, enter eyelets on each side of shell 203 and extend between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric or liner layer 232. These cords are used to tighten the lateral periphery of the shell in use to minimize air entry. In this configuration, mesh 216 and an outer fabric of shell 203 are a bright red color while a wind resistant outer material 233 of body 215 is black.
While various aspects of the present invention have been disclosed, it should be appreciated that variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the shell may include a thermally insulative layer sewn or temporarily attached to the inside thereof. Moreover, alternate snap, hook-and-loop, interlocking barb, button, zipper and other disengagable fasteners can be employed instead of those disclosed, although some of the wind deterrent benefits of the present invention may not be realized. Shirts and other such garments may readily employ certain aspects of the present invention, although some of the advantages of the present invention may not be achieved. The preferred mesh ventilation material may solely be used on the sleeves, the torso, and/or localized portions thereof as long as an outer removable covering is provided, although again, some of the advantages of the present invention may not be fulfilled. Additional PVC or other waterproof coatings may be provided on any of the fabric layers to provide water resistance or waterproofing. It is also envisioned that the outer mesh material employed can be perforated with slits or cuts as long as ventilation is achieved. A leather shell and/or body can be used instead of a textile one, however, various advantages of the present invention may not be utilized. The present invention may alternately be used by bicycle riders, waist bags can be provided at the rear of the body for receiving the removed shell, and waterproof zippers can be provided in place of those disclosed herein. Furthermore, various materials, dimensions and colors have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion, but other materials, dimensions and colors may of course be employed, although some of the advantages of the present invention may not be realized. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true spirit of the invention.
