Patent Publication Number: US-2023143251-A1

Title: Apparel system and protective device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved apparel system and protective device. In particular, the invention relates to sports apparel with protective elements that provide ballistic impact protection during engagement in the sports activity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, participants in sports (e.g. football, rugby, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, etc.) wear protective gear to cushion the force of impacts that are regularly received during those events. In recent years, the dangers of high-force impacts to the elbow, knee, wrist, or other joints or limbs during such contact sports have been a matter of focus. The dangers of these impacts can be diminished or minimized by effectively cushioning participants from the forces of impacts. Accordingly, improved structures, such as impact-resistant gear, are desired to better protect and lessen the impact forces experienced by those participants. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a protective apparel system includes 
     an article of apparel, said article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system; and 
     a protective device having a second part of the magnetic fastening system, the first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the protective device to the article of apparel. 
     The article of apparel can be a shirt-type or pants type garment. In embodiments, the apparel can also be a sleeve type garment that covers a portion or the entirety of an arm or a leg of a wearer. 
     A variety of materials may be utilized in manufacturing the article of apparel. In general, the article of apparel may be formed from knitted, woven, or non-woven textile materials that include rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, cotton, wool, or silk, for example. 
     In some configurations, the textile materials may include coatings that form a breathable and water-resistant barrier, or polymer sheets may be utilized in place of textile materials. The article of apparel may also be formed from laminated or otherwise layered materials that include two or more layers of textile materials, polymer sheets or combinations of textile materials and polymer sheets. 
     In some configurations, the article of apparel may have areas of different elasticity. For example, in the area of the article of apparel in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged it may be beneficial to adjust the elasticity the article to the strength of the magnetic force of the magnetic fastening system. If the fabric of the article of apparel is too easily stretchable, this may make it more difficult to detach the protective element(s) from the garment. In other words, the garment may undergo excessive stretching before the restoring force of the fabric exceeds the magnetic attraction of the magnetic fastening system. As a result, it may be beneficial for the article of apparel to have elastic properties in the area in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged that limit the degree of stretching of the article of apparel during removal of the protective element(s). 
     In some embodiments, the article of apparel may have areas that are lined with a slip resistant material such as rubber, rubber substitutes or elastic to maintain the apparel&#39;s placement on the wearers body. The presence of a slip resistant lining may be particularly beneficial in the area of the article of apparel in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged to reduce the tendency of the protective element to become displaced as a result of movement of the article of apparel in the region in which the protective element is attached. 
     In embodiments, the protective apparel system comprises at least two protective elements, each provided with the second part of the magnetic fastening system, wherein the first and second attachment elements can be arranged relative to each on the item of apparel with variable degrees of overlap between the first and second protective element. In this way, the protective elements can be adjusted to the length of the garments wearer&#39;s limb. 
     The protective elements can vary in size shape and thickness and can be made a of different materials such as metal, plastic, polymer foam or woven or non-woven fabric material. 
     According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the apparel system may further include an outer item of apparel, for example a team jersey, worn on top of the item of apparel, wherein at least a portion of the outer article of apparel is arranged between the article of apparel and the protective element(s). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other advantages of the invention will be further described and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the appended drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention with the protective device detached from the apparel; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A  with the protective device attached to the apparel; 
         FIG.  1 C  shows the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A  with the protective device attached to the apparel; 
         FIGS.  2 A-C  show schematic side views of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention; 
         FIGS.  3 A-C  show schematic side views of another embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIGS.  4 A-B  show schematic side views of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention with the protective element detached form the apparel; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG.  2    taken in the direction indicated by the double arrow; 
         FIGS.  5 C-D  is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system; 
         FIGS.  5 E-G  is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system; 
         FIG.  5 H  is a perspective view of an item of apparel with the embodiment of FIGS. C-D; 
         FIG.  5 I  is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system 
         FIG.  5 J  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  5 K  shows a plan view of the item of apparel of  FIG.  5 J ; and 
         FIG.  5 L  shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG.  5 K  taken along the direction indicated by the double arrow. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a cross sectional views of another embodiment of the apparel system; 
         FIGS.  7 A-B  are cross sectional views of another embodiment of the apparel system 
         FIG.  7 C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnet of the magnetic fastening system according to the invention; 
         FIGS.  8 A-B  are perspective views of another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIGS.  11 A-B  are perspective views of an embodiment of the protective elements of the apparel system according to the invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. 
     Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to  FIGS.  1 A-C , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention generally indicated with reference numeral  1 . The apparel system  1  includes an item of apparel  10  that has a first part  30  of a magnetic fastening system and a protective element  20  having a second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 A-C , the item of apparel  10  is a long-sleeved undershirt type garment, which is shown from the back.  FIG.  1 A  shows the apparel system  1  with the protective device  20  detached from the apparel  10  and  FIG.  1 B  with the protective device  20  attached to the apparel  10  through engagement of the first and second part  30 ,  40  of the magnetic fastening system. 
       FIG.  1 C  shows an embodiment of the apparel system  1 , which further comprises a further item of apparel  11 , for example a team jersey, which is worn on top of the undershirt type garment  10 . The sleeve of the further garment  11  is sandwiched between the first and second part  30 ,  40  of the magnetic fastening system. 
       FIGS.  2 A-C  show another embodiment of the apparel system  1  in which the protective device comprises two protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  and in which the item of apparel  10  is an elastic sleeve that covers at least a portion of the upper arm and the forearm of the wearer. 
       FIG.  2 B  shows the apparel system  1  with the protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve  10  via interaction of the first and second parts  30 ,  40  of the magnetic fastening system. As shown in  FIGS.  2 B-C , the protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  can be arranged on the sleeve  10  at different positions relative to each other. This allows adjusting the protective elements to the length of the limb, for example the arm, of the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second part  30 ,  40  of the magnetic fastening system can both be permanent magnets, for example neodymium magnets. In other embodiments, one of the first and second part  30 ,  40  can be a permanent magnet and the other of the first and second part  30 ,  40  can be made of, or include, a magnetically attractable material, for example a ferromagnetic material such as iron or an iron-based material. 
     The shape and size of the first and second part  30 ,  40  of the magnetic fastening system can vary. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  2 A-C , the first and second parts  30 ,  40  are configured as flat elongate strips. In another embodiment shown in  FIGS.  3 A-C , the first and second parts  30 ,  40  can each be configured as an array of individual members. Advantageously, the members of the array of the first and second parts  30 ,  40  are spaced so as to align with each other. This allows attaching the protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  on the apparel  10  at predetermined degrees of overlap between the protective elements  20   a ,  20   b.    
       FIGS.  4 A-B  shows another embodiment of the apparel system in which one of the protective elements  20   a  is arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve  10  and the other protective element  20   b  on the forearm portion of the sleeve  10 . In this embodiment, the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system comprises two arrays of individual members with one array of the members arranged on the forearm and another array of the members arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve  10 . 
     The first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system can be fixed to the apparel  10  in different ways.  FIGS.  5 A-B  show a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG.  2 C  taken along the direction indicated by the double arrows. As shown in  FIGS.  5 A-B , the item of apparel  10  can have a two layered configuration having an outer layer  10   a  and an inner layer  10   b  that extend over at least a portion of the apparel  10 . The first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system is secured between the outer layer and the inner layer of the apparel  10 . 
     In other embodiments, the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system can also be secured on an outer surface of the apparel  10 , for example by an appropriate adhesive. A skilled person will be able to select the appropriate adhesive depending on the fabric used for the apparel. Exemplary adhesives include hot melts and silicone glues. 
     In other embodiments, the apparel  10  can be configured for detachable arrangement of the first part of the magnetic fastening system. In an embodiment, the apparel  10  can be provided with a receptacle for receiving the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system. As shown in  FIGS.  5 C-D  and H, the receptacle can be configured as a pocket  50  with an opening  50   a  for receiving the first or second part of the magnetic fastening system and a flap  50   b  with closure system  50   c  for closing the pocket  50 . The closure system  50   c  can be configured as a snap button or a hook and loop system. In another embodiment shown in  FIGS.  5 E-G , the receptacle can be configured as a pouch  51  with a generally central opening  51   a . The opening  51   a  can be formed by opposing borders  51   b  of an elastic fabric. The borders can be pulled apart in the direction of the arrows to accommodate and enable insertion of the first portion  30  of the magnetic fastening system in the pouch  51 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS.  5 J-L , the item of apparel can be in the form of a strap or band  70  on which or in which the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system is provided. As shown in  FIG.  5 K , the strap or band  70  can have ends  70   a, b  for fastening the strap or band about the part of the body of the wearer to be protected. The ends  70   a, b  can be configured for adjustment to the circumference of the wearers arm or leg, for example the ends  70   a, b  can be configured as buckle type closure or hook and loop type closure. The strap or band  70  can for example be worn close to a joint to be protected, for example close to the elbow of the wearer. As shown in  FIG.  5 J , the protective element  20  is attached to the arm of the wearer via interaction between the first part  30  and the second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system. In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5 J , the protective element  20  has a concave inner side facing the arm of the wearer, with the second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system provided on the inner side of the protective element  20 . 
     The receptacle can be attached to the outer surface of the apparel  10  by known stitching techniques or by application of appropriate adhesives such as hotmelts or silicone glues. The receptacle can also be integrally formed with the apparel  10 . For example, the receptacle can be formed by the fabric of the apparel. 
     In other embodiments, the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system can be secured on an outer surface of the apparel  10  with a hook and loop system as shown in  FIG.  51   . The hook and loop system comprises a first part  60   a  secured on the apparel  10  and a second part  60   b  secured on the first portion  30  of the magnetic fastening system. 
     An advantage of the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  5 C-H  is that the first portion of the magnetic fastening system can be detached from the apparel  10  for example for washing the apparel. 
       FIGS.  6 A-B  show another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system of the apparel system  1 . In this embodiment, the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system is provided with a recess  30   a  dimensioned for receiving at least a portion of the second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system. 
       FIGS.  6 A  and B respectively show a cross sectional view of the apparel system  1  along a longitudinal extent thereof. In  FIG.  6 A , the first part  30  of the fastening system is configured as an elongate strip and is provided with adjacent recesses  30   a  for receiving respective protruding portions of the second part  40  of the fastening system. In  FIG.  6 B  the first part  30  of the fastening system is configured as an array of adjacent members, each of which is provided with a recess  30   a  for receiving a protruding portion of respective second parts  40  of the fastening system. An advantage of this embodiment is that displacement of the protective element  20  parallel to the surface of the apparel  10  during the sports activity is prevented or reduced. 
       FIGS.  7 A-C  show another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system. In this embodiment, the magnetic fastening system comprises as first part of the magnetic fastening system a permanent magnet  30  with a recess  30   a  and as second part a planar member  40  with a protruding section  40   a  for engagement in the recess of the magnet. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first part  30  and the second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system can be implemented as the first and second members of the closure system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,806 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. An example of the magnet  30  is shown in  FIG.  7 C . 
     Currently preferred is an embodiment in which the first part  30  of the magnetic fastening system secured in or on the apparel is configured as the magnet having the recess and the second part  40  of the magnetic fastening system secured on the protective element  40  is configured as the planar member  40  having the protruding portion. However, in other embodiments, the first part  30  can be configured as the planar member and the second part  40  as the magnet. 
     The magnetic fastening system is configured for detachment of the protective elements from the apparel. Preferably, the apparel system  1  is configured so that the protective element(s)  20 ,  20   a ,  20   b  is (are) sufficiently secured on the apparel  10  to prevent detachment of the protective element(s) as a result of movement of the wearer during the sports activity, while at the same time being detachable from the apparel  10  without having to use excessive force or overstretching of the apparel. 
       FIGS.  8 A-B  show an embodiment of the magnetic fastening system which facilitates disengagement of the first and second parts  30 ,  40 . In this embodiment, the first and second parts  30 ,  40  are both permanent magnets with unlike polarities indicated by the letters N and S arranged opposite each other. As shown on the left side of  FIG.  8 A , unlike polarities of the magnets are aligned, causing the magnets  30 ,  40  to attract each other and thus engagement and securement of the protective element on the apparel. 
     The magnet  40  has a central shaft  41   a  and a handle  41  for rotating the magnet  40  about rotation axis A, indicated by the dashed dotted line. For disengagement of the magnets  30 ,  40 , magnet  40  is turned in the direction of the arrow by handle  41  until like polarities of the magnets  30 ,  40  are aligned. As a result, the magnets  30 ,  40  repel each other causing disengagement of the magnetic fastening system disengage. 
       FIG.  8 B  shows a similar embodiment to that of  FIG.  8 A  with the difference that the magnets  30 ,  40  comprise 4 segments with alternating polarities N and S. As a result, the magnet  40  requires a smaller angle of rotation to achieve alignment of like polarities compared to the embodiment of  FIG.  8 A . 
       FIG.  9    shows an embodiment of the apparel system  1  in which the magnetic fastening system is configured as shown in  FIG.  8 A or  8 B . The vertical shaft portion  41   a  extends through the protective element  20 . The embodiment of  FIG.  9    further includes tension spring  42  which provides a spring force in opposition to rotation of the shaft and biases the magnet  40  to an angular position in which unlike polarities of the magnets  30 ,  40  are aligned. When the magnet  40  is rotated by operation of the handle  41 , same polarities of the magnets  30 ,  40  become aligned and the magnetic fastening system disengages due to repulsion of the like polarities. At the same time, tension spring  41   a  becomes tensioned and upon release of the handle  41  causes rotation of the magnet  40  to the position in which opposite polarities of the magnets  30 ,  40  are aligned. 
       FIGS.  10 A-B  show a modification of the embodiment of  FIG.  9   , which enables simultaneous operation of adjacent pairs of magnets  30 ,  40 .  FIG.  10 A  shows a cross sectional view and  FIG.  10 B  a top plan view of the embodiment. The magnets  30 ,  40  of the adjacent magnet pairs are constructed as in the embodiment of  FIG.  9   . Each magnet  30 ,  40  is provided with central shaft  41   a  and arm  36 . Arranged between the adjacent pairs of magnets is actuator  34 , which is supported on the protective element  20  for rotation about rotation axis A 1 . The actuator  34  has diametrically opposed arms  35  which are articulately connected to the arms  36  of the shafts  41   a  via rods  33 . Turning of the actuator  34  about rotation axis A 1  in clockwise direction causes clockwise rotation of the shafts  41   a  about rotation axes A 2 . As a result, like polarities of the magnets  30 ,  40  become aligned and cause disengagement of the protective element  20  from the apparel  10 . As in the embodiment of  FIG.  9   , the embodiment of  FIGS.  10 A-B  also includes a tension spring  42  that causes the actuator  34  to return to its starting position after actuation. 
     The shape and size of the protective element(s) can vary. Advantageously, the guard element(s) are shaped so that at least a portion thereof conforms to the contour of the limb of the wearer.  FIGS.  11 A-B  show an exemplary embodiment of protective elements  20   a ,  20   b , each having a part  40  magnetic fastening system which can be a magnet or a magnetically attractable material as discussed above. The protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  have a concave inner surface that generally conforms to the outer contour of the limb, for example the forearm, upper arm, shin or thigh of the wearer. As shown in  FIGS.  11 A-B  the protective element  20   a  has a flared portion  21  dimensioned to receive an end portion of protective element  20   b . Protective elements  20   a ,  20   b  can thus be arranged relative to each other with different degrees of overlap to adjust the length of the limb of the wearer. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.