EP4366571B1

EP4366571B1 - Two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists

Info

Publication number: EP4366571B1
Application number: EP22741001.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Mazzarolo; Sergio CONTE
Original assignee: Alpinestars Research SpA
Current assignee: Alpinestars Research SpA
Priority date: 2021-07-06
Filing date: 2022-07-05
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2042-07-05
Also published as: CN117642096A; EP4366571A1; IT202100017768A1; US20240358103A1; WO2023281392A1

Description

The present invention relates to a two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists. In particular, the present invention relates to a two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists having at least one pair of removable sleeves.
Protective jackets for motorcyclists with removable sleeves are well known in the art. These jackets are popular since they are able to adapt to different weather conditions.
In colder weather the protective jackets can be used in a "sleeved configuration", while in warmed weather they can be used in a "sleeveless configuration" so as to provide better ventilation to the user.
However, these jackets, even if appreciated, have some drawbacks.
The protective jackets designed for motorcyclists need to be provided with specific protections designed to protect the parts of the user's body more prone to injury, like for example shoulders, elbows and back.
In garments with removable sleeves the protectors configured to protect shoulders and elbows are applied on the removable sleeves. Consequently, when the user decides to change the configuration of the jacket from a "sleeved configuration" to a "sleeveless configuration", shoulders and elbows of the user are no longer protected by the protectors.
Motorcycle garments with protective members, which also permit a good ventilation are disclosed in documents: US 2008/040832 A1 and US 2003/126667 A1 .
US 6868558 discloses an outerwear garment comprising an inner shell provided with protective padding members on the elbows, shoulders and back portions. The inner shell also comprises panels made of mesh material suitable for supporting the protective padding members and for permitting good ventilation.
Said inner shell can be used in combination with an insulated outer shell having greater insulating properties than the inner shell.
The outer shell can be fastened on top of the inner shell to provide more insulation, when the weather is cold, without needing the removal of the inner shell. As a matter of fact, the inner shell is provided at the front portions with first fastening means designed to be engaged by corresponding closure means provided on the outer shell.
The solution disclosed in US 6868558 permits to protect shoulders and elbows by means of the padding means both in a configuration designed for warm weather, namely the configuration including only the inner shell, and in a configuration designed for cold weather, namely the configuration including the combination of the inner shell with the outer shell. However, in the configuration for cold weather, the user is forced to wear a double layer construction extending over the whole torso portion. The overlap of the outer shell and inner shell at the shoulder portions of the garment unavoidably affects the comfort of the latter, since the arm movements of the user are in some way limited.
Such a limitation is increased by the fact that the inner shell is fastened to the outer shell only at the front portion of the garment.
Moreover, due to this specific fastening configuration, the inner shell is movable with respect to the outer shell at the shoulder portions and along the sleeve portions, with the risk that during the use of the garment, the padding means move from their original position, so as not to be able to adequately protect shoulders and elbows of the user.
The object of the present invention is to provide a two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists suitable for solving at least partly the above mentioned problems and drawbacks.
In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide a two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists suitable for adapting to different weather conditions, offering in all the operative configurations adequate protection and comfort to the user.
These and other objects and aims are achieved by the two-sleeve protective garment according to claim 1.
The advantages and the characteristic features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the two-sleeve protective garment with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of the two-sleeve protective garment according to the present invention, in a first operative configuration;
figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 wherein the two-sleeve protective garment is schematically shown in an intermediate operative configuration;
figure 3 is a partially transparent front view of the two-sleeve protective garment of figure 1, in a second operative configuration;
figure 4 is a partially transparent rear view of the two-sleeve protective garment of figure 3;
figure 5 is a partially exploded front view of a second embodiment of the two-sleeve protective garment of the present invention;
figure 6 is a rear view of the two-sleeve protective garment of figure 5, in a second operative configuration;
figure 7 is a side view of the two-sleeve protective garment of figure 6;
figure 8 is an enlarged view of the detail of figure 5 indicated by the letter A;
figure 9 is an enlarged view of the detail of figure 6 indicated by the letter B;
figure 10 is a schematic cross-section view taken along the line X-X of figure 1;
figure 11 is a schematic cross-section view taken along the line XI-XI of figure 9.

With reference to the enclosed figures, an example of a two-sleeve protective garment for motorcyclists according to the invention is indicated as a whole by the reference 10. The two-sleeve protective garment 10 can also be used in activities similar to motorcycling.
As shown in the enclosed figures, the two-sleeve protective garment 10 can be manufactured as a jacket. Alternatively, the two-sleeve protective garment can be in the form of a one-piece suit.
The two-sleeve protective garment 10 comprises a garment body 12 provided with a right arm opening 14 and a left arm opening 16.
Moreover, the two-sleeve protective garment 10 comprises a right outer removable sleeve 18, configured to be removably fastened to the garment body 12 at the right arm opening 14, and a left outer removable sleeve 20, configured to be removably fastened to the garment body 12 at the left arm opening 16.
Preferably, the garment body 12 and the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are at least partially made of a material resistant to abrasion.
The two-sleeve protective garment 10 further comprises a right inner sleeve 22, configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the right outer removable sleeve 18, and a left inner sleeve 24, configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the left outer removable sleeve 20 (see figure 2). The right inner sleeve 22 is connected to the garment body 12 internally with respect to the right arm opening 14, and the left inner sleeve 24 is connected to the garment body 12 internally with respect to the left arm opening 16 (see for example figures 3-4 and 8-9).
In the meaning of the present invention the expression "being connected internally with respect to the arm opening" should be understood as indicating a connection between inner sleeves 22, 24 and body garment 12 that is spaced from the arm opening 14, 16 towards the inner side of the body garment 12 thereby not being in sight during the use of the garment.
In other words, at the connection zone between each inner sleeve 22, 24 and the body garment 12, a portion of the body garment overlaps the corresponding inner sleeve.
Moreover, according to the invention, the right inner sleeve 22 and the left inner sleeve 24 are provided with protective elements 26.
As it will appear clearly from the following description, the provision of the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 in combination with the inner sleeves 22, 24 provided with protective elements 26 allows to change the two-sleeve protective garment 10 from a first sleeved configuration, with the removable outer sleeves 18, 20 connected to the garment body 12 (see figure 1), to a second sleeved configuration, with the removable outer sleeves 18, 20 removed from the garment body 12 (see figures 3 and 5), without reducing the protection offered to the user.
As a matter of fact, the user in both configurations, the first one adapted for cold weather and the second one adapted for warm weather, can benefit from the protection offered by the protective elements 26 applied at the inner sleeves 22, 24.
Moreover, the protective garment 10 since each inner sleeve 22, 24 is connected internally with respect to the corresponding arm opening 14, 16 assures a higher comfort to the user, since such type of connection guarantees that in the first sleeved configuration of the protective garment 10, the inner sleeves 22, 24 remain in their correct positions inside the removable sleeves 14, 16.
Furthermore, since the connection between each inner sleeve 22, 24 and the garment body 12 is internal with respect to the corresponding arm opening 14, 16, such a connection is more protected against abrasion (see for example figures 8-9 and 10-11).
The various components of the two-sleeve protective garment 10 will be disclosed in detail in the following.
As before mentioned, the garment body 12 can be at least partially made of a material resistant to abrasion.
Advantageously, the garment body 12 can be made of leather or leather-like material. Alternatively, as shown in the enclosed figures, the garment body 12 can be made of a protective textile material, like for example polyester or polyamide.
Advantageously, the garment body 12 comprises a front panel 28 and a rear panel 30, respectively designed to extend over the chest and the back of the user.
The front panel 28 is preferably divided in two parts by a longitudinal opening 29, which can be closed by a zip closure, to make the wearing of the two-sleeve protective garment 10 easier (see figures 1-3).
In the embodiment shown in figures 5-9, the longitudinal opening is concealed by a front flap 32 (see figure 5).
The garment body 12 can be provided with additional protective elements, with respect to the protective elements 26 applied at the inner sleeves 22, 24. These additional protective elements can be positioned in parts of the garment body 12 that have a high risk of damage, as caused e.g. by impact, abrasion and tearing.
The garment body 12 can also be provided with stretch inserts positioned in parts of the garment body 12 having a low risk of damage and suitable for improving the wearability of the two-sleeve protective garment 10.
Advantageously, the garment body 12 can be provided with an inner lining 33. Preferably said inner lining 33 is made of a mesh material (see figure 7).
As shown in figures 5-6, the garment body 12 can also be provided with detachable front and/or rear sections 34 which are preferably connected to the body garment 12 by means of zip closure 36.
By acting on the zip closure 36 the user can at least partially detach the detachable sections 34 from the body garment 12 so as to improve the ventilation thereof in case of warm weather.
According to the invention, the garment body 12 is provided with at least two connecting flaps 38 positioned on an inner surface of the garment body 12 in proximity of the right and left arm openings 14, 16. Consequently, in both sleeved configuration of the garment 10, the connecting flaps 38 are not visible during the use of the garment 10 (see for example figures 2, 3, 5) unless to turn over the arm openings 14, 16 once the removable sleeves 18, 20 are removed from the garment body 12.
According to the invention, a first connecting flap 38 is positioned in proximity of the right arm opening 14 and a second connecting flap 38 is positioned in proximity of the left arm opening 16.
According to the invention, connecting flap 38 has a first edge 40 fastened to the garment body 12 and a second edge 42 designed to be connected at an end of the corresponding inner sleeve 22, 24 (see figures 8-9 and 10-11). Preferably, each connecting flap 38 runs internally to the garment body 12 from the front panel 28 to the rear panel 30 so as to surround the corresponding arm openings 14, 16. In other words, each connecting flap 38 encircles the corresponding arm openings 14, 16.
Preferably, the connecting flaps 38 are made of stretchable material. More preferably, the connecting flaps 38 are made of a stretchable mesh material so as to favor the breathability of the protective garment 10 at the connection between the garment body 12 and the inner sleeves 22, 24.
The outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are preferably made of the same material of the garment body 12.
Advantageously the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are removably fastened at a perimeter portion 41 of the corresponding arm openings 14, 16 (see figures 1-2). The arm openings 14, 16 are preferably positioned in portions of the garment body 12 designed to be superimposed to the shoulders of the user and the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are fastened along the entire perimeter portion 41 of the arm openings 14, 16 so as not to leave apertures in the garment body 12, in particular armpit apertures.
The outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are fastened to the garment body 12 by means of removable fastening means 43 (see figures 2 and 10). Said removable fastening means 43 can comprise zippers or snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners.
The outer removable sleeves 18, 20 can also be provided, similarly to the garment body 12, with additional protective elements.
Preferably, the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 can be provided with stretch inserts 45 (see figure 5).
The right inner sleeve 22 and the left inner sleeve 24 are preferably connected to the garment body 12 in a non-removable way. Advantageously the inner sleeves 22, 24 are connected to the garment body 12 by means of seams.
Preferably, each inner sleeve 22, 24 is connected to the garment body 12 at the second edge 42 of a corresponding connecting flap 38 (see figures 10-11).
In this way, the connection between the inner sleeves 22, 24 and the garment body 12 is positioned internally with respect to the arm openings 14, 16 so as to be protected against abrasion and tearing.
Moreover, as clearly shown in figure 11, in the zone comprised between each connecting flap 38 and the corresponding arm opening 14, two material layers are present even in the configuration without the outer removable sleeves 18, 20: the material of the garment body 12 and the underlying material of the corresponding inner sleeve 22, 24. Such occurrence offers a higher protection to this area, near to the shoulder portion, which is particularly critical for a motorcyclist.
In this area, a portion of the inner sleeves 22, 24 is in fact arranged inside the garment body 12.
At the same time, the provision of the connecting flaps 38 substantially results in a floating connection between the inner sleeves 22, 24 and the garment body 12 to offer a higher movement freedom at the shoulder portions of the garment 10 (see for example figures 10-11).
According to the embodiment shown in the enclosed figures, the inner sleeves 22, 24 are made of a mesh material to offer improved ventilation to the user once the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are removed from the garment body 12.
Advantageously, the portion of each inner sleeve 22, 24 facing the garment body 12 can comprise a stretch insert 44 so as to improve the wearability of the inner sleeves 22, 24 (see figures 3 and 5).
A stretch insert 46 can also be arranged at the wrist portion of each inner sleeve 22, 24, wherein preferably also a pulling tab 48 is provided (see figures 3 and 5).
This tab 48 can be used to assure that the wrist portion of each inner sleeve 22, 24 is correctly positioned inside the corresponding outer removable sleeve 18, 20 once the latter is attached to the garment body 12.
As shown in the enclosed figures, each inner sleeve 22, 24 is provided with protective elements 26.
These protective elements 26 can be made of rigid or semi-rigid material. For example, the protective elements 26 can be made of polymeric material like for example polypropylene.
Preferably, the protective elements 26 are applied on portions of the right inner sleeve 22 and left inner sleeve 24 configured to be superimposed to elbows and shoulders of the user to offer adequate protection to such articulation zones even when the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 are removed from the body garment 12.
As shown in the enclosed figures, due to the internal connection between the inner sleeves 22, 24 and the garment body 12, the protective element 26 applied at the shoulder portion can be partially covered by the garment body 12 (see for example figures 3-4). Advantageously, the protective elements 26 are anatomically shaped so as to better fit with the user's arm. Preferably, the protection elements are cup shaped.
In the embodiment shown in the enclosed figures, the protective elements 26 are applied at the outer surface of the inner sleeves 22, 24.
Alternatively, the protective elements 26 can be applied at the inner surface of the inner sleeves 22, 24 or inside corresponding seats, like for example pockets, provided on the inner or outer surface of the inner sleeves 22, 24.
In a different embodiment, not shown in the enclosed figures, the protective elements can consist of an abrasion resistant coating layer applied on the outer surface of each inner sleeve 22, 24.
It is thus clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the two-sleeve protective garment 10 according to the invention.
As a matter of fact, since the protective elements 26 are applied to the internal sleeves 22, 24, the two-sleeve protective garment 10 both in the first sleeved configuration, with the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 attached to the garment body 12, and in the second sleeved configuration, with the outer removable sleeves 18, 20 removed from the garment body 12, offers adequate protection to the user.
At the same time the provision of these internal sleeves 22, 24 does not reduce the comfort of the two-sleeve protective garment. As a matter of fact, due to the provision of the internal connecting flaps, the inner sleeves have a certain freedom degree with respect to the garment body so as to improve the wearability of the garment and not to affect the movements of the user at the shoulder portions.
Moreover, being the connection between the inner sleeves and the garment body positioned in a protected area, in case of an accident the risk that the inner sleeves might be detached from the garment is reduced.
Regarding the embodiments of the two-sleeve protective garment 10 described above, the person skilled in the art may, to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

A two-sleeve protective garment (10) for motorcyclists comprising:
- a garment body (12), provided with a right arm opening (14) and a left arm opening (16);

- a right outer removable sleeve (18), configured to be removably fastened to the garment body (12) at the right arm opening (14), and a left outer removable sleeve (20), configured to be removably fastened to the garment body (12) at the left arm opening (16);

- a right inner sleeve (22), configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the right outer removable sleeve (18), and a left inner sleeve (24), configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the left outer removable sleeve (20); said right inner sleeve (22) being connected to the garment body (12) internally with respect to the right arm opening (14) and said left inner sleeve (24) being connected to the garment body (12) internally with respect to the left arm opening (16); said right inner sleeve (22) and said left inner sleeve (24) being provided with protective elements (26); characterized in that the garment body (12) is provided with at least two connecting flaps (38) positioned on an inner surface of the garment body (12) in proximity of the right and left arm openings (14, 16); a first edge (40) of each of said at least two connecting flaps (38) being fastened to the garment body (12) and a second edge (42) of each of said at least two connecting flaps (38) being designed to be connected at an end of the corresponding inner sleeve (22, 24).
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the garment body (12), the right outer removable sleeve (18) and the left outer removable sleeve (20) are at least partially made of a material resistant to abrasion and in that the right inner sleeve (22) and the left inner sleeve (24) are at least partially made of a breathable material.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective elements (26) are applied on portions of the right inner sleeve (22) and left inner sleeve (24) configured to be superimposed to elbows and shoulders of the user.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective elements (26) are made of rigid or semi-rigid material.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said right inner sleeve (22) and said left inner sleeve (24) are connected to the garment body (12) in a non-removable way.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the right outer removable sleeve (18) and the left outer removable sleeve (20) are removably fastened at a perimeter portion (41) of the corresponding right arm opening (14) and left arm opening (16).
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the right and left arm openings (14, 16) are positioned in portions of the garment body (12) designed to be superimposed to the shoulders of the user; right and left outer removable sleeves (18, 20) being fastened along the entire perimeter portion (41) of the arm openings (14, 16) so as not leave apertures in the garment body (12).
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer removable sleeves (18, 20) are fastened to the garment body (12) by means of removable fastening means (43); said removable fastening means (43) comprising zippers or snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two connecting flaps (38) are made of stretchable material.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two connecting flaps (38) are made of a mesh material.
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said at least two connecting flaps (38) runs internally to the garment body (12) from a front panel (28) to a rear panel (30) to surround the corresponding arm openings (14, 16).
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective elements (26) consist of an abrasion resistant coating layer applied on the outer surface of each inner sleeve (22, 24).
Two-sleeve protective garment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said at least two connecting flaps (38) encircles a corresponding arm opening (14, 16).