Protective device particularly for sports clothing

Abstract

 A protective device particularly for sports clothing, comprising a shock-absorbing element (11), which is fixed inside an item of clothing and supports an impact-resistant layer (12) that protrudes externally with respect to the item of clothing through an appropriately provided opening thereof; a protective shield (14) is associated externally with respect to the element (11) and the item of clothing. The impact-resistant layer (12) is made of elastically deformable material and provided by a plurality of perforated protrusions (15), which are directed outward and are interconnected so as to form a grid (16) that is substantially capable of absorbing impacts.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective device particularly for sports clothing.

[0002] Currently, some body protections in items of sports clothing, such as suits, jackets, trousers for motorcycling or other similar items of clothing comprise a shock-absorbing element, which is provided with an impact-resistant layer that protrudes toward the outside of the item of clothing to which said shock-absorbing element is fixed.

[0003] A generally rigid or semirigid protective shield is associated externally with the shock-absorbing element.

[0004] Known shock-absorbing elements are provided with an impact-resistant layer that is formed by a plurality of protrusions, which are mutually spaced and are suitable to absorb the shock by deforming in a substantially plastic manner.

[0005] Although these known protections are appreciated and widespread, they have drawbacks.

[0006] A first problem is linked to the plastic deformation of the protrusions forming the impact-resistant layer that occurs after an impact.

[0007] This plastic deformation in fact causes the protection to be substantially non-reusable, therefore requiring its replacement.

[0008] This entails, in case of replacement, the need to separate the protection from the item of clothing, where generally the two elements are joined by stitching or adhesive bonding, both of which are couplings that are difficult to remove without damaging the item of clothing.

[0009] Moreover, known protections, as a consequence of their layered configuration, do not generally allow good breathing of the anatomical part of the user that is protected, and instead facilitate the perspiration of the user and the consequent skin and dermatological problems.

[0010] Moreover, rigid protective shells are often fixed to the shock-absorbing element or to the item of clothing in a substantially stable manner, or are even inserted in an appropriately provided pocket formed on the inside or outside of said item of clothing.

[0011] Therefore, a breakage of the shells following an impact entails that these protective shields, too, must be replaced, and it is therefore necessary to separate them from the item of clothing, unless the item of clothing itself has been damaged by the impact indeed because of its intimate connection to the protection.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to provide a protective device particularly for sports clothing that is capable of obviating the problems and drawbacks revealed by protections of the known type.

[0013] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a protective device in which the component that is fixed to the item of clothing is effective for more than one impact.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device that is ergonomic and is capable of providing the user with better ventilation of the protected part.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device the external shield of which can be replaced easily in case of breakage or for aesthetic reasons.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective device particularly for sports clothing that can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a protective device particularly for sports clothing, of the type that comprises a shock-absorbing element, which is fixed inside an item of clothing and supports an impact-resistant layer that protrudes externally with respect to said item of clothing through an appropriately provided opening thereof, a protective shield being associated externally with respect to said element and said item of clothing, characterized in that said impact-resistant layer is provided by a plurality of perforated protrusions, which are directed outward and are interconnected so as to form a grid that is substantially elastically deformable.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top view of the shock-absorbing element as in a protective device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a lateral exploded sectional view of a protective device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a protective device according to the invention, fitted to an item of clothing;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a protective device according to the invention;

Figure 5 is another perspective view of a protective device according to the invention.

[0019] With reference to the figures, a protective device particularly for sports clothing according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0020] The device 10 described here is particularly suitable for protecting a shoulder of a motorcyclist.

[0021] The protective device 10 comprises a shock-absorbing element 11 provided with an impact-resistant layer 12.

[0022] The impact-resistant layer 12 protrudes toward the outside of an item of sports clothing, represented by the flaps 13 of Figure 3, to which the shock-absorbing element 11 is fixed.

[0023] The impact-resistant layer 12 protrudes outside the item of clothing 13 through an appropriately provided opening thereof, represented schematically by means of the distance between the two flaps 13 in Figure 3.

[0024] A protective shield 14 is associated externally with respect to the element 11.

[0025] The protective shield 14 is made of polyurethane subjected to coinjection with thermoplastic composite material.

[0026] The impact-resistant layer 12 is constituted by a plurality of perforated protrusions 15, which are directed outward and are interconnected so as to form an elastically deformable grid 16.

[0027] The elastic response of the grid 16 allows to avoid replacing at each impact the element 11, of which the grid 16 is an integral part.

[0028] Each one of the protrusions 15 is provided with a through hole 17 that has a substantially triangular cross-section.

[0029] The holes 17 open externally toward the inside of the protective shield 14 and internally toward the corresponding protected part of the body of a user.

[0030] The shock-absorbing element 11 is, in this embodiment, made of expanded polyurethane, which is an elastically deformable material.

[0031] The shield 14 is associated with the shock-absorbing element 11 by way of detachable connection means 18.

[0032] The detachable connection means 18 are constituted by a plurality of threaded couplings 19 arranged around the impact-resistant layer 12.

[0033] Each of the threaded couplings 19 is provided by a square nut 20a, which is accommodated in a complementarily shaped seat 21 on the shock-absorbing element 11.

[0034] A screw 20b of the Allen type is screwed into the square nut 20a in order to reversibly lock the shield 14 to the shock-absorbing element 11.

[0035] The threaded couplings 19 allow to remove rapidly and with limited effort a shield 14 and to replace it with another one that is intact or has an aesthetic content that is more suited to the taste of the user.

[0036] A comfort padding 23 is fixed on the side 22 of the element 11 that is directed toward the inside of the item of sports clothing with which it is rigidly associated.

[0037] The padding 23 is fixed to the shock-absorbing element 11 by means of a first stitched seam 24.

[0038] The padding 23 is made of finely perforated expanded material.

[0039] The shock-absorbing element 11 is provided with a perimetric flap 25, which is designed to be coupled to the item of sports clothing 13.

[0040] The perimetric flap 25 is monolithic with the impact-resistant layer 12 and surrounds the ring of seats 21 for the square nuts 20a.

[0041] The perimetric flap 25 is coupled to the item of sports clothing 13 by means of a second stitched seam 26.

[0042] The protective shield 14 has, on a first side 27 directed in the direction of travel of a user (for example a motorcyclist), an air intake 28 and, on a second side 29 that lies opposite the first side 27, two outlets 30.

[0043] The air enters from outside through the intake 28 and by passing through the holes 17 of the protrusions 15 and through the finely perforated padding 23 it can penetrate within the item of clothing 13.

[0044] This entails, in the example described here of a protective device 10 for a shoulder of a motorcyclist, that the region of the shoulder and therefore of the armpit, which is typically one of the body parts that is most active in terms of perspiration, is ventilated with a certain air recirculation.

[0045] The heat that originates from the body of the user can in fact rise freely through the padding 23 and the holes 17 and exit from the outlets 30.

[0046] Further, the gap formed between the inside of the shield 14 and the shock-absorbing element 11 is such as to allow the generation of a Venturi effect, which is needed to draw outward the air from inside the suit and fresh air from outside through the intake 28.

[0047] The shield 14 is provided internally with ridges 35, which run substantially at right angles to the outer edge of the shield.

[0048] The ridges 35 reach the vicinity of the grid 16 and are suitable to increase the impact energy absorption capacity.

[0049] As a whole, a protective device 10 according to the invention, as shown for example in Figures 2 and 3, is a composite assembly of elements suitable to absorb energy upon impact.

[0050] In practice it has been found that the invention thus described solves the problems noted in known types of protection for sports clothing.

[0051] In particular, the present invention provides a protective device in which the component that is fixed to the item of clothing is effective for more than one impact.

[0052] Moreover, the present invention provides a protective device that is ergonomic and capable of providing the user with better ventilation of the protected part.

[0053] Moreover, the present invention provides a protective device in which the outer shield can be replaced easily in case of breakage or for aesthetic reasons.

[0054] Still further, the present invention provides a protective device particular for sports clothing that can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.

[0055] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0056] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0057] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2004A000103 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A protective device particularly for sports clothing, of the type that comprises a shock-absorbing element (11), which is fixed inside an item of clothing (13) and supports an impact-resistant layer (12) that protrudes externally with respect to said item of clothing (13) through an appropriately provided opening thereof, a protective shield (14) being associated externally with respect to said element (11) and said item of clothing (13), said protective device (10) being characterized in that said impact-resistant layer (12) is provided by a plurality of perforated protrusions (15), which are directed outward and are interconnected so as to form a grid (16) that is substantially elastically deformable.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said protrusions (15) has a through hole (17) that has a substantially triangular cross section, said holes (17) opening externally toward the inside of said protective shield (14) and internally toward the corresponding protected part of the body of a user.

3. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shield (14) is associated with said shock-absorbing element (11) by way of detachable connection means (18).

4. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detachable connection means (18) are constituted by a plurality of threaded couplings (19) arranged around said impact-resistant layer (12).

5. The protective device according to claim 4, characterized in that each one of said threaded couplings (19) is provided by a square nut (20a), which is accommodated in a complementarily shaped seat (21) on said shock-absorbing element (11), a screw (21b) being screwed into said square nut (20a) in order to lock said shield (14) to said shock-absorbing element (11).

6. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a comfort padding (23) is fixed on the side (22) of said element (11) that is directed toward the inside of the item of sports clothing (13) with which it is rigidly coupled.

7. The protective device according to claim 6, characterized in that said padding (23) is fixed to said shock-absorbing element (11) by means of at least one stitched seam (24).

8. The protective device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said padding (23) is made of finely perforated expanded material.

9. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (11) is provided with a perimetric flap (25), which is preset to be coupled to said item of sports clothing (13).

10. The protective device according to claim 9, characterized in that said perimetric flap (25) is coupled to said item of sports clothing (13) by means of at least one stitched seam (26).

11. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective shield (14) has, on a first side (27) directed toward the travel direction of a user, at least one air intake (28) and, on a second side (29) that lies opposite said first side (27), as least one outlet (30) for the air that has entered through said air intake (28) and passes through the gap formed between said shield (14) and said shock-absorbing element (11).

12. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective shield (14) is made of polyurethane coinjected with thermoplastic composite material.

13. The protective device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (11) is made of elastically deformable material.

14. The protective device according to claim 13, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (11) is made of plastic material.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (11) is made of polyurethane.

Drawing