Patent Publication Number: US-6219852-B1

Title: Protective suit

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/159,723, filed on Sep. 24, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to snowmobile apparel, and in particular, to a protective suit for protecting a rider from trauma, as well as from the elements, during use of a snowmobile. 
     Accidents pose a significant risk to the riders of snowmobiles. Since a snowmobile provides little structural protection to a rider for those potential dangers which are external to the vehicle, snowmobile accidents tend to cause significant injuries to the rider. These dangers include the risk of trauma associated with a rider falling from the snowmobile or with a rider striking an object in the snowmobile&#39;s path. 
     Further, a significant number of accidents with snowmobiles involve water. Since snowmobiling is a cold weather activity, the risk of hypothermia is great for a rider who accidentally falls through ice formed on a lake or river. As a result, it is highly desirable to provide a snowmobile suit which protects a wearer against hypothermia, as well as, protecting the wearer against potential trauma to which the rider is susceptible during accidents. 
     Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a protective suit for a snowmobile rider which protects a wearer against hypothermia. 
     It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a protective suit for a snowmobile rider which protects a wearer against potential trauma to which the wearer is susceptible during accidents. 
     If is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a protective suit for a snowmobile rider which is lightweight, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing. 
     It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a protective suit for a snowmobile rider which is simple to manufacture. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a protective suit is provided for a snowmobile rider. The protective suit includes a first inner layer and a second outer layer affixed to the inner layer. A set of protective plates is disposed between the inner and outer layers. The protective plates are arranged adjacent to one another to form a flexible protective shield within the suit. 
     It is contemplated that the first and second layers be constructed from a buoyant material. 
     In addition, it is contemplated to construct the first and second layers from a heat retaining material. 
     One or more of the protective plates of the set of protective plates may be generally circular in shape. An adhesive is disposed between adjacent protective plates. A second set of protective plates may also be disposed between the inner and outer layers. Each of the protective plates of the second set of protective plates are arranged adjacent to one another for form a second flexible protective shield within the suit. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a protective suit for an individual is provided. The protective suit includes a torso portion having a front and a back. A first set of protective plates is disposed in the front of the torso portion. Each of the protective plates of the first set of protective plates is positioned adjacent to one another to form a flexible shield within the protective suit. It is contemplated that one or more of the protective plates of the first set of protective plates be generally circular in shape. 
     A second set of protective plates may be disposed in the back of the torso portion. Each of the protective plates of the second set of protective plates is positioned adjacent to one another to form a second flexible shield within the suit. It is contemplated that one or more of the protective plates of the second set of protective plates be generally circular in shape. 
     The front of the torso portion may include a thickened portion. The thickened portion of the torso portion is formed from a buoyant material. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a protective suit is provided for a snowmobile rider. The protective suit includes a torso portion having a thickened front and a back. A first set of protective plates is disposed in the front of the torso portion. Each of the first set of protective plates is positioned adjacent one another to form a first flexible shield within the suit. A second set of protective plates is disposed in the back of the torso portion. Each of the second set of protective plates is positioned adjacent one another to form a second flexible shield within the suit. First and second arm receiving portions extend from opposite sides of the torso portion. First and second leg receiving portions also extend from the torso portion. A closure mechanism is provided in the torso portion. The closure mechanism is moveable between a closed position and an opened position. 
     It is contemplated that one or more of the protective plates in each set of protective plates be generally circular in shape. An adhesive is disposed between adjacent protective plates in the first and second sets of protective plates. 
     It is contemplated to construct the torso portion from a buoyant material and/or a heat retaining material. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a protective suit in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a protective suit in accordance with present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a protective suit in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is front elevational view of a portion of the protective suit in accordance with the present invention showing, in phantom, a first arrangement of front plates disposed in a front portion thereof. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the position of the protective suit of the present invention showing, in phantom, a first arrangement of rear plates disposed in a rear portion thereof. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the protective suit of the present invention showing, in phantom, a second arrangement of front plates disposed in the front portion thereof. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the protective suit of the present invention showing the plates disposed therein. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the protective suit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the protective suit of FIG. 8 taken along line  9 — 9 . 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded, isometric view showing the third embodiment of the protective suit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the third embodiment of the protective suit of the present invention showing the first arrangement of front plates disposed in a front portion thereof. 
     FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the third embodiment of the protective suit of the present invention showing the first arrangement of rear plates disposed in the rear portion thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a protective suit in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     Protective suit  10  is intended to be worn by a rider of a snowmobile. However, it is contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention for an individual to wear protective suit  10  in conjunction with other activities such as motorcycle or personal watercraft riding, snow boarding, or the like. 
     Protective suit  10  may be worn with a pair of gloves  12  and a pair of boots  14  in order to further protect the extremities of a wearer of protective suit  10  from the elements. Further, it is contemplated that the wearer of protective suit  10  wear a helmet  20  therewith in order to provide maximum protection for the head of the wearer. 
     Protective suit  10  includes a torso portion  22  having first and second arm receiving portions  24  and  26 , respectively, extending from opposite sides thereof. First and second leg receiving portions  28  and  30 , respectively, depend from torso portion  22  and are adapted for receiving the legs of a wearer. It is contemplated that a closure mechanism such as zipper  32  be provided in the front  33  of torso portion  22  of protective suit  10  in order to allow access to the interior thereof and to facilitate the placement of the protective suit  10  on the wearer or the removal of the protective suit  10  from the wearer. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, in a first embodiment, protective suit  10  includes a first outer layer  34  and second inner layer  36 , as hereinafter described. The inner surface  38  of outer layer  34  is affixed to the outer surface  40  of inner layer  36  by a flexible adhesive  37  such as an epoxy or the like. It is contemplated that inner and outer layers  36  and  34 , respectively, of protective suit  10  be constructed from an elastomeric material in order to prevent the body heat of the wearer from escaping, thereby keeping the wearer of protective suit  10  warm. Further, the elastomeric material provides a waterproof barrier so as to prevent water from entering the interior of protective suit  10 . Finally, since elastomeric materials have a tendency to float, the material of protective suit  10  may facilitate a wearer&#39;s ability to swim when wearing the same. 
     Torso portion  22  of protective suit  10  includes front  33  and rear  44 . Referring to FIG. 7, torso portion  22  also includes an enlarged chest area  35  which projects from the front  33  thereof. The enlarged chest area  35  is formed from a buoyant material which has a higher propensity to float, and as such, tends to turn the wearer upright in a body of water if the wearer accidently falls therein. In circumstances where the wearer of protective suit  10  is unconscious, the enlarged chest area  35  of protective suit  10  has a tendency to urge a wearer&#39;s face out of the water in order to allow the wearer to breathe. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 4-8 and  10 - 12 , protective plates  39  are positioned within the front  33  and rear  44  of torso portion  22  in order to protect the wearer of protective suit  10  from an external trauma such as a object impacting the protective suit in these areas. In the first embodiment of FIG. 2, protective plates  39  are positioned between the outer surface  38  of inner layer  34  and the inner surface  40  of outer layer  36  to form a flexible shield therebetween. Protective plates  39  are formed from a thermoplastic material in order to dissipate an impact force thereon. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, a front shield  41  is formed by protective plates  39  and is disposed in protective suit  10  to substantially overlap the front torso of the wearer of protective suit  10 . Flexible adhesive  37  is disposed between adjacent protective plates  39  to prevent lateral movement of protective plates  39  within protective suit  10  and to simultaneously allow for the flexing of the front  33  of torso portion  22  in the areas between adjacent protective plates  39 . Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 5, protective plates  39  may be arranged to form a rear shield  43  in the rear  44  of the torso portion  22  of protective suit  10  so as to substantially overlap the kidneys and the spinal column of a wearer in order to protect these areas of the wearer from trauma. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, each protective plate  39  is disposed between inner and outer layers  36  and  34 , respectively, of protective suit  10  such that the outer surface  44  of each protective plate  39  is affixed to the inner surface  38  of outer layer  34  by flexible adhesive  37 . Similarly, the inner surface  46  of each protective plate  39  is affixed to the outer surface  40  of inner layer  36  by flexible adhesive  37  so as to prevent movement of protective plates  39  within protective suit  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment is shown wherein protective suit  10  is formed from a single layer  48  of elastomeric material. Protective plates  39  are integrally molded within protective suit  10  so as to form front and rear shields  41  and  43 , respectively, as heretofore described. The single layer  48  of elastomeric material of protective suit  10  includes an inner surface  50  which defines the interior of protective suit  10 , and an outer surface  52  which defines the exterior of protective suit  10 . The elastomeric material of single layer  48  extends in the areas between protective plates  39  so as to prevent lateral movement of protective plates  39  within protective suit  10 , and to allow simultaneously for the flexing of the protective suit  10  in those areas in which front and rear shields  41  and  43 , respectively, are supported. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is contemplated that protective plates  39   a  be constructed of various sizes and shapes in order to maximize the amount of overlap corresponding to various portions of a wearer&#39;s body which are susceptible to injury as a result of external trauma, while simultaneously providing the protective suit  10  with sufficient flexibility to allow movement by the wearer thereof. For example, larger protective plates  39   a  may be positioned in protective suit  10  to overlap the kidneys and provide maximum protection to the wearer. 
     In the alternative, referring to FIG. 6, protective plates  39  may take the form of generally circular plates  39   b  incorporated into protective suit  10  to form the front shield and the rear shield. Circular plates  39   b  maximize the flexibility of the protective suit  10  while simultaneously providing protection against external trauma. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, a still further embodiment of the protective suit of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  60 . Protective suit  60  includes a torso portion  62  having first and second arm receiving portions  64  and  66 , respectively, extending from opposite sides thereof. First and second leg receiving portions  68  and  70 , respectively, depend from torso portions  62  and are adapted for receiving the legs of a wearer. It is contemplated that a closure mechanism, such as zipper  72 , be provided in front  74 , FIG. 12, of torso portion  62  of protective suit  60  in order to allow access to the interior  76 , FIG. 9, by a wearer. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 11-12, protective suit  10  may include a hood  61  for placing over the head of the wearer of protective suit  60 . Hood  61  includes an eye slot  63  therein to allow the wearer of hood  61  to see therethrough. It is contemplated that hood  61  also be constructed from a elastomeric material in order to prevent the body heat of the wearer from escaping, thereby keeping the wearer of hood  61  warm. 
     Protective suit  60  may be constructed from an elastomeric material for the reasons heretofore described. A plurality of protective plates  39   a  are affixed to the front  74  of protective suit  60  by a flexible adhesive to form front shields  84  and  86 . Front shields  84  and  86  are positioned on the front  74  of protective suit  10  so as to substantially overlap the front torso of a wearer of the protective suit  60 . 
     First and second elastomeric covers  80  and  82 , respectively, overlap corresponding front shields  84  and  86 , respectively, formed by protective plates  39   a . Outer peripheries  88  and  90  of corresponding inner surfaces  92  and  94 , respectively, of covers  80  and  82 , respectively, are affixed to the front  74  of protective suit  60  for aesthetic reasons and to capture corresponding front shields  84  and  86  of protective plate  39   a  on protective suit  10 . 
     A plurality of protective plates  39   a  are also mounted to the rear  96  of protective suit  60  by a flexible adhesive so as to form a rear shield  97  which substantially overlaps the kidneys and the spinal column of the wearer. A rear cover  98  includes an inner surface  100  affixed to the rear  96  of protective suit  60  so as to overlap protective plates  39   a.    
     As heretofore described, protective plates  39   a  may be constructed of various sizes and shapes in order to maximize the amount of overlap corresponding to various portions of a wearer&#39;s body which are susceptible to injury as a result of external trauma, while simultaneously providing a protective suit  10  with sufficient flexibility to allow movement by the wearer thereof. 
     It is also contemplated, in the alternative, to affix generally circular protective plates  39   b  to the front and rear  74  and  96 , respectively, of protective suit  10  to form front shields  84  and  86 , and rear shield  97 . It is intended that circular protective plates  39   b  maximize the flexibility of the protective suit  10  while simultaneously providing protection against external trauma. 
     Various mode of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.