Garment adapted to be associated with an inflatable protection element

Abstract

 The present disclosure relates to a garment (10) adapted to be associated with an inflatable element (12) for the protection of a user. The garment (10) includes at least a first garment portion (16) and a second garment portion (17) adapted to be connected to said first garment portion (16). The first garment portion (16) defines a covering surface (18) adapted to cover the inflatable element (12). The second garment portion (17), in a condition of connection with the first garment portion (16), partly overlaps the first garment portion (16) and is arranged over a part of said inflatable element (12).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a garment adapted to be associated with a protection device for personal protection, wherein the device is adapted to protect from impacts and/or falls a passenger, a motorcycle rider or a similar user during a sporting and/or working activity.

[0002] In recent years, following constant research into safety during all sporting or working activities, but more generally all those dangerous activities practised in extreme conditions or at high speeds, garments suitable for being associated with a personal protection device for a user have been devised.

[0003] In particular, the motorcycling sector has devoted considerable attention to these problems and, during the last few years, there has been increase in the number of solutions which propose garments including such a protection device, which are able to provide an effective and at the same time convenient system of protection for the motorcyclist or rider.

[0004] A known personal protection device includes an inflatable element, such as a bag made of airtight material, which is associated with a garment portion situated on parts of the body which may be subject to the risk of impacts. Basically, the inflatable element is arranged deflated underneath this garment portion so that the latter acts as a covering surface for the inflatable element.

[0005] The inflatable element is moreover placed in fluid communication, during an impact, sliding or a fall in general, with a compressed-gas source, such as a canister. Generally, the gas source is able to introduce into the inflatable element a predefined quantity of compressed gas such as to inflate, and therefore tension, the inflatable element so as to form an inflated round-shaped casing which has a high capacity for damping an impact.

[0006] The garments according to the prior art, although advantageous from many points of view, nevertheless have a number of drawbacks which have not yet been remedied.

[0007] In particular, the present disclosure is based on a recognition, on the part of the inventors of the present patent application, that the known garments, in order to be able to be associated with the personal protection garments, must be modified structurally and in particular must be suitably configured to contain or support the personal protection device.

[0008] In particular, it has been found that the structural modifications have a negative impact in terms of the practicality of wearing the garment. More particularly, the inventor of the present disclosure has recognised, for example, that, in order to avoid interruptions on the surface of the chest and allow positioning of a bag so as to cover completely the chest, a zip or other closing system of the jacket must be arranged on one side towards the shoulder.

[0009] Basically, the opening in the jacket, which allows a user to put on the jacket, is displaced on one side with respect to a conventional zone which is in the centre in the front zone of the jacket.

[0010] Operation of the zip on the side of the jacket may be inconvenient for a user since the user may be obliged to operate the zip in a zone which not central and is less accessible.

[0011] This displacement to one side may also have a not always satisfactory impact or consequence with regard to the aesthetic appearance of the garment. In particular, the inventor of the present patent application has recognised that the garments associated with personal protection devices not only are not easy to put on, but also do not always have a conventional aesthetic appearance, and therefore may not appeal to the majority of users.

[0012] The technical problem forming the basis of the present disclosure is that of providing a garment which is able to overcome, for example, the aforementioned drawbacks and/or achieve further advantages and/or characteristic features.

[0013] This problem is solved by a garment, as defined in the independent claim 1. Secondary characteristic features of the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0014] In particular, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the garment comprises at least a first garment portion and a second garment portion separated from the first garment portion and adapted to be connected to said first portion of the garment, for example so as to allow opening/closing of the garment in order to wear it, wherein the first garment portion defines a covering surface adapted to form a covering for an inflatable element. The second portion of the garment, which may not be associated per se with an inflatable element, in a connected condition, is adapted to overlap partly the first garment portion and be arranged over a part of said inflatable element. Basically, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the garment is configured so that the first portion associated with the inflatable element may act as a portion for protecting a user in a continuous manner (in fact the first portion may act so as to support and/or contain the inflatable element over the entire region of the user's body to be protected).

[0015] At the same time, the two portions of the garment may be connected together in a conventional manner by arranging beforehand the second garment portion on top of the first portion of the garment, after arranging the latter on the region of the user's body to be protected.

[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, the first portion is a portion which covers, for example completely, the chest of a user and the second portion is a portion which is without inflatable element and which covers part of the chest, namely the right-hand side or the left-hand side, and overlaps a corresponding part of the first portion.

[0017] In other words, in some embodiments, the first garment portion and the second garment portion are two front flaps of the garment adapted to be connected together on the chest of a user and allow a user to open/close the garment in a central zone. The first garment portion supports, on an outer side, a first closing element adapted to be connected to a corresponding second closing element associated with the second portion of the garment. The connection may be arranged in a central zone of the first garment portion and divide the first garment portion into two parts, a right-hand part and a left-hand part, so that, when the second portion is superimposed on one of the two parts of the first portion of the garment, the connection is performed in a front central zone of the garment so as to appear like a conventional garment.

[0018] The part of the first garment portion which is situated underneath the second garment portion contains the inflatable element and may therefore ensure that the inflatable element may protect the front zone of the chest.

[0019] Basically, the second portion of the garment, being superimposed partly on the first portion and the inflatable element contained therein or associated therewith, may be connected to the first portion, as in a conventional jacket, independently of the presence of the inflatable protection element, and without adversely affecting the wearability and/or the protection provided.

[0020] As a result, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure both total protection for a user owing to the fact that the inflatable element is associated with the first portion (and may be a single inflatable element for providing continuous protection on the region of the user's body to be protected) and a conventional wearability owing to the central opening, as well as a conventional appearance of the garment owing to the fact that the connection occurs, as mentioned, in an external front central zone.

[0021] It should be noted that the superimposition of the second portion on part of the first portion may occur both on the right-hand side and on the left-hand side of the chest of a user.

[0022] It should also be noted that a garment according to the present disclosure may be of any type, such as a jacket, a suit, made of leather or fabric, or a similar article of clothing.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the garment includes a single front pocket associated with the first portion inside which the inflatable element is inserted.

[0024] In some embodiments the pocket has a form and shape corresponding to that of the inflatable element.

[0025] In one embodiment the inflatable element is shaped so as to protect the zone of the chest and the zone of the back, passing over a shoulder. In this case, the pocket is accessible from the inner area of the garment.

[0026] In another embodiment the inflatable element is shaped so as to protect the area of the chest and the area of the back, passing underneath an armpit of a user.

[0027] It should be understood therefore that the garment according to the present disclosure is compatible with a plurality of inflatable protection elements and may be easily adapted to the inflatable element with which it is associated.

[0028] In some embodiments, the inflatable element is associated with rigid or semi-rigid protection plates which are superimposed on the inflatable element, for example on the inflatable element which is situated in the zone of a user's chest. For this purpose, the inflatable garment comprises an access opening associated with the first garment portion which allows insertion of the plate. The access opening may be formed on one side or one edge of the first portion so as to allow lateral insertion of the plate.

[0029] In some embodiments, a plate is associated also with an inflatable element positioned so as to protect the back. For this purpose, the inflatable garment comprises an access opening associated with a zone of the back of the garment for insertion of the plate.

[0030] Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use of the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of a number of preferred embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example.

[0031] It is clear, however, that each embodiment may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

[0032] Reference shall be made to the figures in the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a front view of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a first configuration;
• Figure 2 shows a front view of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a further configuration;
• Figure 3 shows a front view of an inflatable element for a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• Figure 4 shows a view of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a condition without an inflatable element;
• Figure 5 shows a view of a garment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a further condition associated with an inflatable element;
• Figure 6 shows a view of a garment according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure associated with protection plates;
• Figures 7A-7C show respective views of an inflatable element for a garment according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] With reference to the accompanying figures, the reference number 10 denotes a garment, in the example a motorcyclist's jacket, in the form of a vest.

[0034] The garment 10 is associated with an inflatable element 12 for the protection of a user, said inflatable element 12 comprising in the example a soft bag made of airtight material, such as polyamide, and adapted to assume essentially a first operating condition at rest, or deflated condition, and a second operating condition where it is active, or inflated condition. The methods for inflating the inflatable element 12 will be described in the continuation of the description.

[0035] As can be seen from Figures 1-5 and as will be explained more clearly below, the inflatable element 12 is arranged in a part of the garment 10, in the example in a portion which covers part of the trunk (region of the chest 42 and region of the back 43 and region of the shoulders 45) of a user.

[0036] More particularly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that visible in the figures, the inflatable element 12 comprises a front portion 20 of the inflatable element intended to cover the chest region 42, a rear portion 22 of the inflatable element intended to cover the back region 43, and a neck portion 24 including a first neck sub-portion 26 with the function of connecting together the front portion 20 and the rear portion 22 and situated in a region of the shoulder and a second neck sub-portion 28 which is situated in the other region of the shoulder and which is connected only to the rear portion 22. Basically, the second neck sub-portion 28 defines an interruption of the connection between the rear portion 20 and the rear portion 22 of the inflatable element 12.

[0037] Even more particularly, the inflatable element 12 is placed hidden from view, in contact with an inner face 14, or lining, of the garment 10. Therefore, the garment 10 defines, opposite the inflatable element 12, a covering surface 18 for the inflatable element 12, which, together with the inner face 14, or lining, defines a pocket for the garment. Namely, the garment 10 includes a covering surface 18 positioned over the inflatable element 12 so as to cover/close entirely the latter. As a result, the covering surface 18 has a form such as to cover the inflatable element 12, wherein the covering surface may coincide with the outer cloth or fabric of the garment 10. The garment 10 therefore has an inner lining 14 which acts as an inner covering for the inflatable element 12.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as that visible in the drawings, the inner pocket of the garment 10 has a form corresponding to that of the inflatable element 12 so as to be able to ensure stable and controlled positioning of the inflatable element 12 in the garment. It should be pointed out moreover that, in the region of the shoulder 45 not affected by the connection between the front portion 20 and the rear portion 22 of the inflatable element 12, the pocket of the garment has a form corresponding to the second sub-portion 28 of the inflatable element 12.

[0039] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the garment 10 comprises a first garment portion 16 which defines said covering surface 18 for the inflatable element 12, and a second garment portion 17 which is intended to be united with and connected to the first garment portion 16. In particular, the second garment portion 17, in a connected condition, is adapted to overlap partly the first portion of the garment, in particular an outer side with respect to the user, and be arranged externally over a part of said inflatable element 12. The connection between the first garment portion 16 and the second garment portion 17 is performed, for example, by means of one or more connecting elements 30, of the conventional type, such as a zip fastener, one or more laces, one or more buttons, or a velcro closing system, or similar connecting systems.

[0040] The connection is, for example, of the reversible type, so as to allow the jacket to be put on easily whenever required.

[0041] More particularly, in an embodiment such as that visible in the figures, the first garment portion 16 and the second garment portion 17 coincide with the two front flaps of the garment 10 which are adapted to be connected together on the chest of the user, as in a conventional garment, by means of said one or more connecting elements 30.

[0042] The first garment portion 16 extends over the entire chest region 42 of the user so as to act as a continuous and interruption-free covering surface 18 for the entire front portion 20 of the inflatable element 12. The first garment portion 16 has, on an outer side of the covering portion 18, a first closing element 32, for example a zip-type connecting portion, which is arranged substantially in the centre of the first garment portion 16, substantially along a saggital plane, and ideally divides the first garment portion 16 into two parts, a right-hand part and a left-hand part.

[0043] The second garment portion 17 includes a second closing element 33, which complements that of the first garment portion 16, for example a zip connecting portion. The second closing element 33 is located, in an embodiment such as that visible in the drawings, along an edge zone of the second garment portion 17.

[0044] Consequently, when the garment 10 is worn, the first garment portion 16 is placed entirely in front of the chest region 42 so as to protect completely the chest of the person, in a continuous manner. Subsequently, the second garment portion is superimposed on one of the parts of the first garment portion 16, in the example the left-hand part, so as to be connected in a conventional manner with the first garment portion 16 by means of the two zip connecting portions 32, 33. Owing to the central position of the first connecting portion 32 on the covering surface 18 of the first garment portion 16, it is possible to obtain a garment having a conventional appearance of a normal jacket with a central opening/closure.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that visible in the figures, the second garment portion 17 does not define a covering surface 18 for the inflatable element 12. Consequently, as mentioned, in order to ensure a continuous protection, in the region of the chest 42, the front portion 20 of the inflatable element 12 is placed only in the first garment portion 16, and this front portion 20 is situated, when the vest is worn, partly underneath the second garment portion 17.

[0046] In order to insert the inflatable element 2 in the garment 10, underneath the covering surface 18, in an embodiment such as that visible in the drawings, the garment 10 comprises a single access opening 50, formed in the lining 14 and closable by means of one or more elements of connecting elements of the conventional type, such as a zip fastener, one or more laces, one or more buttons, or a velcro closing system.

[0047] More particularly, the access opening 50 comprises a first part 52 disposed in the region of the back 43, a second part 53 disposed in the region of the shoulder 45 and a third part 54 disposed in the region of the chest 42. The first part 52 and the third part 54, which are disposed respectively in the region of the back 43 and in the region of the chest 42, are arranged diagonally so as to favour insertion of the inflatable element 12 in the garment.

[0048] It is therefore possible to obtain a garment 10 having a configuration such as to ensure a satisfactory wearability and at the same time not adversely affect or compromise the external appearance of the garment 10, such that the garment 10 from outside has the same appearance as a conventional garment.

[0049] It should be pointed out that the shape or form of the inflatable element 12 are not be regarded as limiting elements for the present disclosure. In fact, the garment 10 may be associated with inflatable elements 12 with a different shape, such as those visible in Figures 7A-7C. In this respect, it must be pointed out that the garment may require a modification of the containing pocket for containing the inflatable element without affecting the characteristic feature of overlapping of the second portion 16 on the first portion 17.

[0050] In fact the inflatable elements 12 shown in Figures 7A-7C also have a front part 20 and a rear part 22. In Figure 7C, the two parts 20, 22 are connected by means of a connection zone underneath the armpit. In Figures 7A and 7B, the inflatable element has a form such as that shown in Figure 3 and provided with appendages 20A for protection along the sides and underneath the armpits. An appendage 20A may be provided also on the rear part 22 of the inflatable element 22 shown in Figure 7C.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown, by way of example, in Figure 6, the garment 10 is associated with a first plate 60 made of rigid or semi-rigid material, which is associated with the inflatable element 12. The first plate 60 is adapted to be associated with the first part 20 of the inflatable element 12, on an outer side of the inflatable element 12, opposite to the side directed towards the user. The first plate 60 is adapted to cover the first part 20 of the covering element 12 and is adapted to be inserted via a first access opening 61 formed in the first portion 16 of the garment 10, for example on an inner side of the garment 10 so as not to be visible from the outside.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown, by way of example, in Figure 6, the garment 10 is associated with a second plate 63 made of rigid or semi-rigid material, which is associated with the inflatable element 12. The second plate 63 is adapted to be associated with the second part 22 of the inflatable element 12, on an outer side of the inflatable element 12, opposite to the side directed towards the user. The second plate 63 is adapted to cover the second part 22 of the covering element 12 and is adapted to be inserted via a second access opening 65 formed in the back garment portion 10, for example on an inner side of the garment 10 so as not to be visible from the outside.

[0053] The plates 60, 63 are intended to act as an energy-absorbing device and to disperse over a wider area an impact force which occurs against the garment 10.

[0054] It is pointed out, moreover, that the garment 10, as designed, is configured so as not to hinder or adversely affect inflation of the inflatable element 12 and may guarantee at the same time effective protection.

[0055] With regard to inflation, it should be pointed out that inflation and the activation methods, although they constitute an aspect of particular importance for effective operation of the device, are described in less detail since they are methods which are essentially already known to a person skilled in the art relating to protection of a person from unexpected impacts. For example, one or more inflation gas sources are arranged inside the inflatable element 12.

[0056] In particular the inflation means are operated by a control unit by means of sensing of the state of the rider/vehicle system; for example, said control unit may activate a fall prediction system which allows timely identification of the fall and reliable prediction thereof by means of accelerometer sensors associated with the vehicle (or the rider) and a unit for processing the signals produced by the said sensors. Alternatively, the garment according to the present disclosure may also be employed using an actuating cable connected to a vehicle ridden by a user, which cable triggers inflation of the inflatable element 12 following separation of the user from the vehicle, for example following a fall or an unexpected impact.

[0057] In any case, the aforementioned activation and inflation means may be incorporated in the garment 10 according to the present invention or may be located on the outside thereof.

[0058] The subject of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are annexed hereinbelow.

Claims

1. Garment (10) adapted to be associated with an inflatable element (12) for the protection of a user, wherein said garment (10) includes at least a first garment portion (16) and a second garment portion (17) adapted to be connected to said first garment portion (16), wherein said first garment portion (16) defines a covering surface (18) adapted to cover said inflatable element (12), and wherein the second garment portion (17), in a condition of connection with the first garment portion (16), is adapted to overlap partly the first garment portion (16) and be arranged over a part of said inflatable element (12), wherein said first garment portion (16) and said second garment portion (17) are two front flaps of the garment (10) adapted to be connected together on the chest of a user and wherein the first portion (16) of the garment (10) extends over an entire chest region (42) of the user so as to act as a continuous covering surface (18) of a front portion (20) of the inflatable element (12).

2. Garment (10) according to claim 1, wherein a connection between the first garment portion (16) and the second garment portion (17) is a reversible connection.

3. Garment (10) according to claim 1, wherein a connection between the first garment portion (16) and the second garment portion (17) is located on an outer side of the garment (10).

4. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first garment portion (16) and said second garment portion (17) are flaps or portions of the garment (10) intended for an opening/closing of the garment (10) to allow a user to wear the garment (10).

5. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second garment portion (17) is not associated per se with an inflatable element (12).

6. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (12) associated with the inflatable element acts so as to support and/or contain the inflatable element (12) over the entire region of the user's body to be protected in a continuous manner.

7. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first garment portion (16) supports, on an outer side of the covering portion (18), a first closing element (32) adapted to be connected to a corresponding second closing element (33) associated with the second garment portion (17).

8. Garment (10) according to claim 7, wherein the first connecting portion (32) is arranged in a central area of the first garment portion (16), and divides the first garment portion (16) into two parts, one right-hand part and one left-hand part.

9. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 7 and 8, wherein the second closing element (33) is arranged in an edge area of the second garment portion (17).

10. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first garment portion (16) coincides with a region of the chest (42) and the second garment portion (17) is superimposed on a right-hand side, or left-hand side, of the first garment portion (16), with partial overlapping of the inflatable element (12).

11. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in a state of disconnection from the first portion (16) of the garment, the second garment portion (17) does not define a covering surface (18) for the inflatable element (12).

12. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an access opening (50) is provided, the access opening (50) being suitable for being closed by means of one or more elements of connecting elements (52, 53, 54) and being associated with an inner lining (14) of the garment to allow a positioning, or insertion, of the inflatable element (12) below the covering surface (18).

13. Garment (10) according to claim 12, wherein the access opening (50) comprises a first part (52) disposed in the region of the back (43), a second part (53) disposed in the region of the shoulder (45) and a third part (54) disposed in the region of the chest (42).

14. Garment (10) according to claim 13, wherein the first part (52) and the third part (54), disposed respectively in the region of the back (43) and in the region of the chest (42), are diagonally arranged.

15. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, including said inflatable element (12), said inflatable element (12) being adapted to substantially assume a first operating condition at rest, or deflated condition, and a second operating condition where it is active, or inflated condition.

16. Garment (10) according to claim 15, wherein the inflatable element (12) is placed in a zone of the garment adapted to cover a region of the chest (42), a region of the back (43) and a region of shoulders (45) of a user, wherein said inflatable element (12) comprises a front portion (20) of the inflatable element intended to cover the region of the chest (42), a rear portion (22) of the inflatable element (12) intended to cover the region of the back (43).

17. Garment according to claim 16, wherein the inflatable element (12) comprises a neck portion (24) including a neck sub-portion (26) with the function of connecting together the front portion (20) and the rear portion (22) and positioned in a region of one shoulder and a second neck sub-portion (28) positioned in a region of the other shoulder and defining an interruption of the connection between the front portion (20) and the rear portion (22).

18. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said garment is a jacket (10), or a vest, or a suit, for motorcyclists.

19. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said inflatable element (12) is placed hidden from view in contact with an inner face (14) of said covering surface (18) and/or in a pocket shaped to match a corresponding shape of the inflatable element (12).

20. Garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising access openings (61, 65) for the insertion of one or more rigid, or semi-rigid, plates, said plates being superimposed over said inflatable element (12).

Drawing