Garment

Abstract

 A combination of a first garment (10) for protecting the upper body of a wearer and a second garment comprising two covers (21,22) for protecting the legs of a wearer, the first garment being provided with storage means in the form of pockets (11,12) adapted to store the leg covers in a folded or rolled up condition and attachment means comprising straps (16,17,19,20) adapted, when the garments are worn by a wearer, to connect the garments together and to hold up the second garment.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to garments.

[0002] The invention is concerned primarily, but not exclusively, with garments designed to protect wearers against the elements. In fact the invention has been devised in connection with garments for wear by horse riders. The following description will be directed mainly to this application of the invention but it is to be understood that there is no limitation in this regard as the invention is applicable to garments for other purposes.

[0003] It is known to provide garments such as coats and jackets for wear by horse riders in order to protect their upper bodies against the elements. It is also known to provide garments such as leggings and chaps for protecting the legs of horse riders. Whilst it is generally the practice for horse riders to don a coat or jacket before setting off on a ride and to wear it throughout the ride, leggings are usually put on by riders only when they are needed during a ride, for example in the event that it starts to rain. Carrying and storing leggings ready for use can be a problem for riders.

[0004] The present invention has for its object the provision of an improved garment which, in particular, is more convenient to wear and overcomes or at least reduces this problem.

[0005] According to the invention there is provided a garment for protecting the upper body of a wearer or a part or parts thereof which is provided with storage means adapted to store, in a folded or rolled up condition, a garment for protecting the legs of a wearer or parts thereof, and attachment means adapted, when the garments are worn by a person, to connect them together and to hold up the garment for protecting the legs or parts thereof.

[0006] The invention also provides a combination of a first garment for protecting the upper body of a wearer or a part or parts thereof and a second garment for protecting the legs of a wearer or parts thereof, the first garment being provided with storage means adapted to store the second garment in a folded or rolled up condition and attachment means adapted, when the garments are worn by a wearer, to connect the garments together and to hold up the second garment.

[0007] Preferably the second garment comprises two leg covers each of which is in the form of a sheet adapted to be wrapped around a leg and is provided with fastening means for fastening its opposed side edges together to form a tube-shaped enclosure for the leg. These fastening means may comprise one or more pairs of elements, which are attached to the respective side edges of each sheet and are formed respectively with loops and hooks which bond the elements together when they are pressed together and can be pulled apart to release them, such fastenings being known as "Velcro" fasteners.

[0008] The idea is that with this combination of garments a horse rider for example, does not have to put on the second garment before setting off on a ride if the conditions at the time do not call for it and just in case the conditions should deteriorate during the ride, or find somewhere to stow the garment until such time as it may be needed. Instead, the garment can conveniently be stored in a folded or rolled up condition in the storage means on the first garment, and then taken out, unfolded or unrolled and put on by the rider in the event that the weather deteriorates. This can be done without removing the first garment and without the rider having to dismount. If the conditions subsequently improve, the rider can easily remove the second garment, fold or roll it up and replace it in the storage means.

[0009] The storage means may comprise at least one compartment or pocket which may be provided outside the first garment but preferably is provided inside so as not to impair the appearance of the first garment.

[0010] The first garment preferably has two separate pockets at respectively opposite sides thereof for storing the respective leg covers. The or each compartment or pocket may be provided with a zip or other closure device.

[0011] The attachment means may be provided by stitching or welding (depending on whether the garments are made of fabric or plastics material).

[0012] Preferably, however, the attachment means comprises straps connected to and extending between the two garments. These straps are preferably detachably connected to one or both garments, for example by snap buckles, so that the second garment can be disconnected from the first garment for cleaning.

[0013] The straps are preferably elasticated and/or adjustable in length to cater for wearers of different heights.

[0014] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIGURE 1 shows one form of combination garment embodying the invention designed for wear by horse riders,

FIGURE 2 shows another form of combination garment embodying the invention designed for wear by horse riders,

FIGURE 3 is a more detailed view of part of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 4 shows in detail one of the pockets of the garment illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

[0015] Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a first garment 1 in the form of a jacket having main body part 1a for covering the torso of a wearer and sleeves 1b for covering the wearer's arms, and a second garment 2 comprising two leg covers 2a,2b in the form of sheets adapted to be wrapped around the wearer's legs and fastened in place by fastening means (not shown).

[0016] The jacket is made of a suitable water-resistant plastics material, for example "Nylon", and may be provided with a lining. The leg covers are made of the same material. The jacket is provided with two conventional pockets 3,4 having closure flaps 3a,4a, and the lower parts of these pockets are formed with downwardly opening compartments 3b,4b closable by zips 5,6. The leg covers 2a,2b have their upper ends connected to the body part 1a of the jacket, for example by welds, inside the respective compartments and the compartments are of such a size that the leg covers, when not in use, can be stored inside them in a rolled up condition, the compartments being closed by the zips.

[0017] The fastening means of each leg cover 2a,2b may be "Velcro" fasteners as described above, the elements provided with loops and hooks being attached to the respective opposed side edges of the sheet forming the cover so that the sheet can be wrapped around a wearer's leg and its side edges releasably fastened together to form a tube-shaped enclosure for the leg.

[0018] When a horse rider wearing the jacket 1 wishes to put on the leg covers 2a,2b to protect his or her legs, for example against rain or the dampness of mist, he or she undoes the zips 5,6, unrolls the leg covers and fastens them around his or her legs.
   When the rider no longer wishes to wear the leg covers 2a,2b he or she simply removes them from the legs, rolls them up and places them back inside the compartments 3b,4b.

[0019] The jacket 1 may be provided with a compartment 7 around the neck portion which stores a rolled-up head cover (not shown), the compartment being closed by a zip. When the wearer wishes to protect his or her head, for example against rain or snow, he or she undoes the zip, unrolls the head cover and places it over the head.

[0020] Turning to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 these show a coat 10 which is generally triangular in shape when open and laid flat as shown. The coat comprises a main body part 10a which may be in the form of a cape or provided with sleeves (not shown) and is made of a suitable water-resistance plastics material, for example "Nylon", which may have a fleece lining. When the coat is placed around a wearer so as to cover his or her torso, its opposite side edges 10b, 10c are fastened together by fasteners 10d, for example press studs, and a flap 10e.

[0021] The coat has a waistband 10f, a loop 10g to enable it to be suspended from a coat hook, and a compartment 10h containing a removable rolled-up head cover.

[0022] The coat is provided with two pockets 11,12 formed by stitching panels 13,14 inside the coat adjacent the respective side edges 10b, 10c. Each pocket has an opening in the form of a slit fitted with a zip 15.

[0023] Attached to the waistband 10f and extending into the respective pockets 11,12 are two pairs of straps 16,17. The straps are connected by releasable clips or snap buckles 18 to further pairs of straps 19,20 respectively, which pass through the openings in the pockets and are in turn connected to the two leg covers 21,22 of a pair of chaps. The straps 16,17, 19,20 are elasticated, and the clips or snap buckles 18 enable the length of each two interconnected straps to be adjusted.

[0024] The leg covers 21,22 of the chaps each comprises a sheet of a suitable water-resistant plastics material, for example "Nylon", provided with fasteners 23 along one side edge for fastening to the opposite side edge whereby the cover can be secured around a wearer's leg. The fasteners 23 may be "Velcro" fasteners.

[0025] When the chaps are not required for use they are rolled up and placed in the pockets, the zips 15 then being closed. The coat can be worn by a horse rider in the normal way with the chaps stowed away.

[0026] When the rider wishes to don the chaps to protect his or her legs, for example against the elements, he or she simply undoes the zips 15, unrolls the chaps and fastens them around the legs.

[0027] Both embodiments shown in the drawings may be provided with means for securing the leg covers to a wearer's feet. These means may comprise elasticated straps each sewn at one end to the respective leg cover and provided at the other end with three studs, the leg cover being provided with two stud receptors. When the leg covers are fitted the straps are passed under the instep of the wearer's riding boots, one or two studs being fitted into one or two of the receptors to secure the straps around the boots. The arrangement of studs and stud receptors enables the straps to be adjusted.

[0028] The straps may be provided with "Velcro" fasteners which can be attached to "Velcro" fasteners on the leg covers.

Claims

1. A garment (1,10) for protecting the upper body of a wearer or a part or parts thereof which is provided with storage means (3b,4b,11,12) adapted to store, in a folded or rolled up condition, a garment (2a,2b,21,22) for protecting the legs of a wearer or parts thereof, and attachment means (16,17,19,20) adapted, when the garments are worn by a person, to connect them together and to hold up the garment for protecting the legs or parts thereof.

2. A combination of a first garment (1,10) for protecting the upper body of a wearer or a part or parts thereof and a second garment (2a,2b,21,22) for protecting the legs of a wearer or parts thereof, the first garment being provided with storage means (3b,4b,11,12) adapted to store the second garment in a folded or rolled up condition and attachment means (16,17,19,20) adapted, when the garments are worn by a wearer, to connect the garments together and to hold up the second garment.

3. A combination as claimed in Claim 2 in which the second garment (2a,2b,21,22) comprises two leg covers each of which is in the form of a sheet adapted to be wrapped around a leg and is provided with fastening means for fastening its opposed side edges d together to form a tube-shaped enclosure for the leg.

4. A combination as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the storage means comprises at least one compartment or pocket (3b,4b,11,12).

5. A combination as claimed in Claim 4 in which the compartment or pocket is provided inside the first garment.

6. A combination as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which the first garment has two separate compartments or pockets at respectively opposite sides thereof for storing the respective leg covers.

7. A combination as claimed in Claim 4, 5 or 6 in which the or each compartment or pocket is provided with a zip or other closure device.

8. A combination as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7 in which the attachment means comprise straps (16,17,19,20) connected to and extending between the two garments.

9. A combination as claimed in Claim 8 in which the straps are detachably connected to one or both garments, for example by snap buckles, so that the second garment can be disconnected from the first garment.

10. A combination as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the straps are elasticated and/or adjustable in length to cater for wearers of different heights.

Drawing