Patent Description:
As is known, motorcycling racing suits are provided with protection devices comprising a member with a low coefficient of friction, these having the function of preventing the protective garment from coming into direct contact, in the knee zone, with the asphalt when the rider is riding around a bend with the knee projecting and the motorcycle inclined, and therefore of effectively helping sliding of the knee and protecting the garment from abrasion. In other words, these protection devices have the function of protecting the protective garment from any abrasion caused by the said garment coming into sliding contact with the racing track or road surface. These members are referred to in the technical jargon as "knee sliders", Similar devices exist for the arm, these being situated, during use, in the elbow region.

Document <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>, shows a similar sliding member or slider and a protective garment including such a sliding member.

The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the author that the sliding member may be improved in order to improve the riding performance of a motorcyclist wearing a motorcycling garment.

A technical problem underlying the present disclosure is that of providing a sliding member or slider which may help improve the riding performance of a user who is wearing a protective garment provided with said sliding member.

The present disclosure aims to provide a protective device which is able to solve said technical problem with reference to the prior art and/or to achieve further advantages.

This is obtained by means of a sliding member or slider, a protection device, a protective garment and a use as defined in the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristics and particular embodiments of the subject of the present invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The present disclosure is based on the recognition that the weight of a sliding member or slider may also affect the overall weight of the suit or the protective garment being worn, an excessive overall weight having a negative effect on the performance of a motorcycle rider. In particular, an excessive weight in the region of the leg or the arm, where a protection device comprising a sliding member or a slider is intended to be associated with the protection garment, may cause a rider to lose balance or hinder his/her movements especially when travelling around bends. It should be considered that overall the weight of a motorcyclist's racing suit including the protection devices, such as those including a sliding member or slider, may range from <NUM> to as much as about <NUM> and that by adjusting the specific weight of the sliding member or slider it is possible to reduce in a localized manner the overall weight of the garment even by <NUM> grammes or more. It is therefore possible to reduce the weight in the region of the knee or the elbow so as to favour the agility of the rider.

In particular a sliding member having a structure which is particularly light, but which at the same time ensures rigidity and abrasion resistance, is provided.

More specifically, a sliding member or slider according to the present disclosure comprises:.

and wherein said support portion has a plurality of lightening cavities.

The assembly consisting of the support portion and the cover portion forms an article which is structurally independent and can be separately handled as a single unit in relation to the protective garment.

Preferably, the support portion is a reticular body including a plurality of partitions or separation walls which alternate with the lightening cavities. In other words, preferably, the support portion has a form and size which are comparable to that of the cover portion, but however is not a solid body, but is a reticular body. In other words, the reticular body has cavities distributed throughout the reticular body. In other words, the support portion has a reticular structure, namely the support structure comprises a plurality of empty spaces, namely spaces without material, corresponding to the lightening cavities, alternating with solid spaces, namely the meshes of the reticular structure. The reticular structure defines a plurality of dividing walls or partitions between the cavities which in turn act as a support for the cover portion. In other words, the reticular form defines partitions between the cavities which in turn act as a support and allow lightening which is spread out, but without a reduction in the solidity of the support,.

The plurality of lightening cavities coincides with or corresponds to a plurality of empty spaces, namely spaces without material, in the support portion. The absence of material in some spaces or regions of the support portion makes the latter particularly light. As a result, overall, it is possible to obtain an effect of lightening the sliding member or slider. In turn, this lightening effect results in a reduction in the weight of the entire protective garment, In particular, this lightening effect will be advantageously perceived in the region of the motorcyclist's elbows or knees, namely the portions of the protection garment with which this device is associated during use.

Preferably, the reticular structure is such that the lightening cavities or empty spaces are greater than the solid spaces in the support portion. This allows the lightness of the support portion to be maximized, while ensuring the solidity and support function provided by the structure.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the lightening cavities are distributed in a substantially homogeneous or uniform manner. As a result, the reticular structure has lightening cavities which are uniformly distributed in the reticular body. Namely, the lightening cavities are defined or formed in a regular manner in the support portion. In other words, the lightening cavities are distributed in a substantially regular pattern. In this way homogeneous structural lightening is obtained. Therefore, there is no risk that some zones of the knee or elbow, where the protection device, during use, is applied to the protection garment, are heavier than other zones. A weight imbalance in the knee or elbow regions, where the protection device during use is applied to the protection garment, is thus avoided. This advantageously results in a benefit in terms of performance for the user.

The cover portion is a portion intended during use to have a friction surface. When the sliding member or slider is associated with the protective garment, the friction surface is a visible surface.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the cover portion and the support portion are configured to be joined together in a reversible manner, so as to form the aforementioned part which may be separately handled. According to this preferred aspect, therefore, the cover portion and the support portion each consist of a body which can be separately handled and may be joined together and separated, as required. Consequently, it is advantageously possible to remove and replace only the cover portion once it has become worn. In addition, since the cover portion and the support portion are two separate bodies, they may be easily made of different materials which are specially chosen depending on the specific functions which each portion must perform or depending on other design criteria. For example, the support portion need not also be made of a particularly abrasion-resistant material, as instead is required for the cover portion.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the cover portion and the support portion are provided with a reversible engaging and locking system. The cover portion and the support portion are therefore specifically provided with a system so that they may be joined together and separated from each other so as to allow advantageously, as mentioned above, the replacement of only one of the two portions.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, one of the support portion and the cover portion includes at least one hole and at least one retaining element and the other one of the support portion and the cover portion includes at least one insertion body, or key, designed to be inserted in the hole and wherein the retaining element is configured to cooperate with the insertion body so as to retain the latter inside the hole. In other words, the reversible engaging and locking system comprises a female element or component. namely a hole, and a male element or component, namely an insertion body or key, which are configured to provide a form-fitting joint. In addition, the reversible engaging and locking system comprises a retaining element configured to cooperate with the male element or component so as to prevent the latter from coming out of this female element or component. Since it consists of a reversible connection, the retaining element therefore acts as a selective retaining element. In fact, by applying a separating force or stress it is possible to overcome the locking action exerted by the retaining element and thus release the male component, namely the insertion body, from the female component, namely the hole.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the insertion body includes a cylindrical portion and a head portion which extends radially from the cylindrical portion. In other words, the insertion body is mushroom-shaped.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the hole includes a first region, a second region and a third region communicating with each other. In particular:.

In order to join together the cover portion and the support portion, the insertion body must be introduced or inserted inside the first region of the hole, and slid within the second region until it reaches the third region. The insertion body may not be pulled out from the second and the third region of the hole in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction. In order to extract the insertion body and allow release or disengagement of the insertion body from the hole, the insertion body must therefore be positioned in the first region.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the retaining element is a retaining tooth which projects or protrudes inside the hole and is arranged straddling, or on the border between, the second region and the third region. As a result, the retaining tooth and the third region form together a retaining seat designed to retain the insertion body until a separation force or stress is exerted.

According to this preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the retaining tooth is also configured to allow sliding of the insertion body from the second region to the third region of the hole and to oppose the sliding of the insertion body from the third region to the second region of the hole. In other words, the tooth is configured to offer resistance to a displacement of the insertion body in a direction opposite to the sliding direction. During normal use, namely during the motorcycling activity, the retaining tooth exerts an opposing action which prevents the insertion body from returning or retracting freely towards the first region.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the retaining tooth is elastically deformable. That is to say, advantageously, the retaining tooth may be selectively deformed in order to allow the insertion of the insertion body inside the third region and allow the removal or the extraction of the insertion body from the third region. Expressed differently, this allows if necessary the insertion body to be retained inside the third region and therefore the cover portion and the support portion to be kept joined together, or else this allows the insertion body to be positioned in the first region and therefore the cover region and the support portion to be separated from each other.

Finally, the present disclosure also relates to a protection device which includes a sliding member according to one or more of the aspects described here and a base for connection to a garment, and a protective garment comprising the protection device. In particular, the protective garment is intended to be used in the sector of motorcycling activities.

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

It is any case evident that each embodiment of the subject of the present disclosure 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.

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings in which:.

With reference to the attached figures, a sliding member or slider <NUM>, which may form part of a protection device, is described.

An embodiment of a protection device is denoted overall by the reference number <NUM> and an embodiment of a garment comprising this protection device is denoted overall by the reference number <NUM>.

More particularly, with reference to the attached figures, a protection device <NUM>, <NUM> including the sliding member or slider <NUM> is described.

The protection device <NUM> is configured to be associated with or fixed to a protective garment <NUM>. In particular, the protective garment is a garment for motorcycling activities, such as a motorcycling suit or jacket. The protective garment <NUM> comprises at least one arm portion 2a and at least one leg portion 2b intended respectively to receive an arm of the user and a leg of the user.

The protection device <NUM> according to the present disclosure can be fixed to at least one arm portion 2a and the protection device <NUM> according to the present disclosure can be fixed to the leg portion 2b. In particular, the protection device <NUM> can be fixed in the elbow region, while the protection device <NUM> can be fixed in the knee region. In the description below, for simpler illustration, reference will be made without distinction to one of the two protection devices <NUM>, <NUM> as sliding member or slider, it being understood that this term is applicable also to the other device.

Each protection device <NUM>, <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes a sliding member or slider <NUM> and a base body or base <NUM>.

The base <NUM> is configured to be associated with or fixed to a protective garment <NUM>. The sliding member <NUM> is configured, in turn, to be fixed to the base body <NUM>. Therefore, the base <NUM> acts as support body for the sliding member <NUM>.

In particular, the sliding member <NUM> comprises a cover portion <NUM> and a support portion <NUM>.

The cover portion <NUM> is intended, during use, to be directed towards and to come into contact with a road surface such as a track surface or road surface. It therefore constitutes the abrasion surface or zone. The cover portion <NUM> therefore forms part of the sliding member <NUM> which is subject to a high degree of wear owing to the friction with the track surface or road surface. The cover portion <NUM> acts as, or forms, a layer which covers or lines the sliding member <NUM>. In other words, the cover portion <NUM> is intended, during use, to come into contact with a road surface and help sliding along the road surface and protect the protective garment from abrasion.

The support portion <NUM> can be fixed to the base and, in this way, during use is interposed between the latter and the cover portion <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> during use is therefore positioned between the cover portion <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> is also configured to connect operationally the cover portion to the base <NUM> and therefore to the protective garment <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> therefore acts as or forms a layer supporting or acting as a base for the sliding member <NUM>. The support portion is therefore intended to face said protective garment and to support said cover portion <NUM>.

The support portion <NUM> has, namely is provided with, a plurality of lightening cavities <NUM>. "Lightening cavity <NUM>" is understood, in the context of the present disclosure, as referring to an empty space, namely a space devoid of material, in the support portion <NUM>. Owing to the presence of the lightening cavities <NUM>, the support potion <NUM> is particularly light. This results, generally, in lightening of the sliding member <NUM> and therefore of the protection device <NUM>.

According to a preferred aspect, the cover portion <NUM> does not have lightening cavities <NUM>. Namely the cover portion is a portion full of material, i.e. a solid portion, so as to guarantee the abrasion-protection function.

According to a preferred aspect, the lightening cavities <NUM> are distributed in a substantially uniform or homogeneous manner. In other words, the lightening cavities <NUM> are distributed spatially in a more or less regular or constant manner. In this way, the weight of the support portion <NUM> is distributed uniformly or homogeneously.

According to a preferred aspect, the support portion <NUM> comprises or has a reticular structure. "Reticular structure" is understood as meaning a structure having a plurality of solid spaces and empty spaces alternating with each other. According to this preferred aspect, the plurality of lightening cavities <NUM> corresponds to or coincides with the empty spaces of the reticular structure. In particular, the reticular structure is formed by a plurality of meshes formed by sections or segments of material which are connected so as to be linked together or intersect each other and are arranged alternating with a plurality of spaces devoid of material or empty. In other words, each lightening cavity 123i corresponds to, namely is, the space inside a respective mesh. In yet other words, each mesh of the plurality of meshes surrounds or circumscribes one of the lightening cavities <NUM>.

It may be stated that the reticular structure has meshes or dividing walls or partitions which divide/define the cavities and act as uprights/supports for the cover portion. The reticular structure provides the support portion with rigidity, while ensuring its lightness. Preferably, the empty spaces are bigger than the solid spaces. In other words, the plurality of lightening cavities <NUM> occupies a volume or space which is bigger than a space occupied by the separating walls or partitions of the support portion. This allows the support portion to have a maximum supporting function, while having a minimum weight.

Preferably, according to this aspect, the reticular structure comprises polygonal meshes. For example, the meshes may be triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal or hexagonal. In particular, in the case where the meshes are hexagonal, the reticular structure is in the form of a honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the reticular structure comprises circular meshes. Alternatively, it comprises a combination of differently shaped meshes. Basically, preferably said reticular structure defines partitions or separating walls between the cavities and these walls or partitions act as a support for the cover portion <NUM>. In other words, the support portion <NUM> has a plurality of walls or ribs which extend from an upper surface of the support portion facing the cover portion towards a bottom surface opposite to said upper surface, wherein said walls or ribs separate the plurality of lightening cavities <NUM>.

Preferably, the reticular structure of the support portion <NUM> has a free edge situated between the upper surface and the bottom surface, and the plurality of lightening cavities <NUM> are open towards said free edge.

The base <NUM>, as mentioned, can be fixed to the protective garment <NUM>. As shown in the drawings, according to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the base <NUM> can be fixed to an inner side of a layer <NUM> of the protective garment <NUM>. The inner side coincides with the side of the layer <NUM> which, during use, is intended to be directed towards or facing the user. In other words, the layer <NUM> of the protective garment <NUM>, during use, is interposed between the sliding member or slider <NUM>, in particular the support portion <NUM>, and the base <NUM>.

The lightening cavities are preferably open towards the cover portion and closed towards the base <NUM>, namely towards an inner surface 122a.

According to a preferred aspect, the sliding member or slider <NUM> is removably fixed to the base <NUM>. In particular, the support portion <NUM> can be removably fixed to the base <NUM>. This is particularly useful for allowing the replacement of the sliding member or slider <NUM>, The removable fixing system may be realized by means of Velcro® joining elements or threaded joining elements or by means of a bayonet-type joint. In particular in the case of threaded joining elements or a bayonet-type joint, the layer <NUM> may include a through-hole designed to allow the engagement of the support portion <NUM> in the base <NUM>.

According to a preferred aspect, the base <NUM> is a plate-shaped body.

According to a preferred aspect, the sliding member or slider <NUM> is a monolithic body, namely consists of a single piece. In other words, the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are made by means of a production process which forms a single piece. Namely the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are integral with each other or are made as one piece. As a result. the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> cannot be separated from each other, other than by breaking the material joining them together and thereby damaging the functionality thereof. Therefore, once the cover portion <NUM> has become worn, the support portion <NUM> must also be replaced.

Since they are made integrally, namely as one piece, the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are made of the same material.

Alternatively, according to a different preferred aspect, the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are configured to be joined together in a reversible manner. The cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are configured, that is, to form a reversible joint or a releasable joint. The joint formed between the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> is, namely, of a temporary nature until a separating movement or force is applied to both - or either one of - the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are, in other words, configured to allow separation or disengagement after being joined together. In this way the mutual separation of the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> is possible, without damaging the functionality thereof. Consequently, the replacement of the cover portion <NUM> alone, i.e. the portion which is subject to abrasion, is made possible without having to replace at the same time also the support portion <NUM>.

The present disclosure therefore relates also to the use of only the cover portion <NUM> for the purposes of replacement.

According to this preferred aspect, the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> each consist of a body which can be separately handled. Preferably, both the cover portion <NUM> and the support portion <NUM> are both substantially plate-shaped bodies, obviously with a form and profile typical of that of a sliding member. Even more preferably, at least the outer surface 122a of the support portion <NUM> is slightly curved so as to adapt anatomically to the form of the user's knee or elbow. The support portion <NUM> therefore has a slightly C-shaped or U-shaped profile at least on its outer surface 122a. Alternatively, the support portion <NUM> has an inner surface 122a which is substantially and at least partially planar or flat and/or is designed to rest completely on a corresponding support surface of the base <NUM>. In other words, the inner surface 122a follows a flat trajectory or path. It is also possible for the inner surface 122a to be provided with knurling or a non-smooth surface.

According to a preferred aspect, the cover portion <NUM> has an outer surface 121a, which forms part of the cover portion <NUM> intended to come into contact with the road surface and an opposite connecting surface 121b configured to be joined together with the support portion <NUM>. Similarly, the support portion <NUM> has in turn a connecting surface 122b and an on opposite outer surface 122a configured to be associated with the base <NUM>.

Moreover, preferably, the cover portion <NUM> is preferably made of material with a low friction coefficient. For example, the cover portion <NUM> may be made of plastic material, such as high-strength polyurethane. If necessary, in order to increase the abrasion resistance, the outer surface of the cover portion, i.e. that which is subject to abrasion, has a region made of Teflon.

Preferably, the support portion <NUM> is preferably made of polymeric material. For example it may be made of heat-hardened polyurethane.

According to a preferred aspect, the cover portion and the support portion <NUM> are provided with a reversible engaging and locking system <NUM>. Preferably, this reversible engaging and locking system <NUM> is provided on the connecting surface 121b, 122b of the cover portion <NUM> and support portion <NUM>, respectively.

According to a preferred aspect, the joint between the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> is a form-fitting joint.

According to a preferred aspect, either one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes at least one hole <NUM> and at least one retaining element <NUM>. The other one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes at least one insertion body <NUM> or key, namely a male component or element, designed to be inserted inside the hole <NUM>. In other words, one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> comprises a female component or element and the other one comprises a male component or element, which are configured to cooperate together. In addition, the sliding member portion or slider <NUM> which has a hole <NUM> is provided with a retaining element <NUM> configured to cooperate with the insertion body <NUM>, namely with the male component, so as to retain the latter inside the hole <NUM>, namely inside the female component. The retaining element <NUM> is therefore configured to fix or engage the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> together selectively, namely as required.

Preferably, in order to ensure a greater stability during engagement, one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM>, namely a plurality of female components or elements, and the other one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of insertion bodies <NUM> or keys, namely a plurality of male components or elements designed to be inserted inside the hole <NUM>.

In other words, the engaging and locking system <NUM> comprises a plurality of holes <NUM> and the plurality of insertion bodies <NUM> or keys, which can be joined to each other or together. Each of the plurality of holes <NUM> and the plurality of insertion bodies <NUM> or keys is provided on one of the connecting surfaces 121b, 122b of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM>.

According to a preferred aspect, each hole <NUM> and each insertion body <NUM> are configured to form a bayonet-type connection or a snap-engaging connection or a friction joint. In other words, the engaging and locking system <NUM> may be of the bayonet or snap-engaging or friction type.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the engaging and locking system <NUM> comprises a fixed part and a movable part which is inserted into and moved with respect to the fixed part.

Preferably, the support portion <NUM> includes the fixed part of the engaging and locking system <NUM>, while the cover portion <NUM> includes the movable part of the engaging and locking system <NUM>. This means that the cover portion <NUM> is configured to be gripped and handled by a user in order to fix it by means of insertion and movement within the support portion <NUM>.

In particular, the support portion <NUM> includes at least one hole <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes at least one insertion body <NUM> or key designed to be inserted inside the hole <NUM>. Preferably, the support portion <NUM> includes a plurality of holes <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of insertion bodies <NUM> or keys.

Each insertion body <NUM> or key forms or corresponds to the movable part of the engaging and locking system <NUM>. Each hole <NUM> instead forms or corresponds to the fixed part. It is also possible for the hole <NUM> to form the movable part and for the insertion body <NUM> to form the fixed part of the engaging and locking system <NUM>. In other words, the kinematically reverse - or dual - solution is a possible alternative.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, each insertion body <NUM> is configured as a mushroom-like body, i.e. is essentially mushroom-shaped. In particular, the insertion body <NUM> includes a cylindrical portion <NUM> and a head portion <NUM> which extends radially from the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> projects from the connecting surface of one of the support portion <NUM> and the cover portion <NUM>. Preferably, the cylindrical portion <NUM> extends along a direction of extension I substantially orthogonal to the connecting surface of the portion of the sliding member <NUM> from which it is projects. Since the insertion body is mushroom-shaped, the head portion <NUM> has a first diameter D1 and the cylindrical portion <NUM> has a second diameter D2, smaller than the first diameter D1.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, each hole <NUM> is circumscribed or surrounded by one or more walls of the sliding member portion <NUM> in which it is formed. These one or more walls define therefore the perimeter or border of the hole <NUM>.

According to a preferred aspect of the present disclosure, each hole <NUM> includes a first region <NUM>', a second region <NUM>" and a third region <NUM>" communicating with each other. i.e. connected together. In particular, the second region <NUM>" is interposed between the first region <NUM>' and the third region <NUM>". In other words, the first region <NUM>' and the third region <NUM>" communicate with each other, i.e. are connected together, by means of the second region <NUM>".

The first region <NUM>' is configured to allow the introduction, or engagement, of the insertion body <NUM> and the extraction, or disengagement, of the insertion body <NUM>. The first region <NUM>' is configured, namely, to be crossed by the head portion <NUM> and by the cylindrical portion of the insertion body <NUM>. Therefore, the first region <NUM>' has a breadth greater than the first diameter D1.

The second region <NUM>" is configured to allow the sliding, namely the displacement, within it, of the cylindrical portion <NUM> along a sliding direction S. Preferably the second region <NUM>" extends mainly along the sliding direction S. Namely, the second region <NUM>" has a main dimension in the sliding direction S. The second region <NUM>" is moreover, configured to prevent the head portion <NUM> from moving away along a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction S. In particular, the second region <NUM>" has a secondary dimension which is smaller than the diameter of the head portion, namely the aforementioned first diameter D1. Preferably, this secondary dimension is slightly bigger than that of the second diameter D2, so as to avoid play between the second region <NUM>" and the cylindrical portion. Even more preferably, the secondary dimension is such that the walls of the portion of the sliding member <NUM> in the second region <NUM>" of the hole <NUM> are designed to be placed in contact with the cylindrical portion during the sliding movement of the insertion body <NUM>.

Preferably, the sliding direction S is substantially orthogonal to the direction of extension I of the cylindrical portion <NUM>. In other words, the sliding direction S is essentially one of the main directions of extension of the connecting surface in which the hole <NUM> is formed.

Consequently, the hole <NUM> is configured so that the insertion body <NUM>, once inserted inside the first region <NUM>', may be slid inside the second region <NUM>" and may not be pulled out or extracted through the second region <NUM>". In order to be able to be pulled out or extracted, the insertion body <NUM> must be positioned in the first region <NUM>'.

The third region <NUM>" is configured to accommodate the cylindrical portion <NUM> and, like the second region <NUM>", to prevent the head portion <NUM> from being moved away along the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction S. The third region <NUM> is configured to receive and lock the insertion body <NUM>. In particular, since it is arranged downstream in the direction of sliding S of the second region <NUM>", the third region <NUM>" constitutes an end-of-travel region for the insertion body <NUM>. In other words, once the insertion body <NUM> is slid as far as the third region <NUM>'", it may not be moved further forwards along the sliding direction S. From the third region <NUM>‴ the insertion body <NUM> may only be moved backwards towards the second region <NUM>". In other words, from the third region <NUM>‴, the insertion body may be slid only in a direction opposite to the sliding direction S towards the second region <NUM>" and the first region <NUM>'.

According to this same preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the portion of the sliding member <NUM> including the hole <NUM> further comprises at least one retaining tooth <NUM> which projects or protrudes inside the hole <NUM> straddling, or on the border between, the second region <NUM>" and the third region <NUM>'". The third region <NUM>‴ of the hole <NUM> and this retaining tooth <NUM> therefore define or form a retaining seat for the insertion body <NUM>.

The retaining tooth <NUM> is configured to allow the insertion body <NUM> to slide or pass from the second region <NUM>" to the third region <NUM>" of the hole <NUM> and to prevent the insertion body <NUM> from sliding, being retracted or passing from the third region <NUM>'" to the second region <NUM>" of the hole <NUM>. In particular, the retaining tooth <NUM> is configured to cooperate or to interact with the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the insertion body <NUM>. In other words, the retaining tooth <NUM> is configured to oppose the extraction of the insertion body <NUM>, in particular the cylindrical portion <NUM>, from the third region <NUM>"', along a direction opposite to the sliding direction S. Preferably, the retaining tooth <NUM> may be configured to be elastically deformed along the sliding direction S so as to allow the entry of the insertion body <NUM> into the third region <NUM>‴ or to interfere with the cylindrical portion <NUM> if, during use, the insertion body <NUM> is stressed by an extraction force, namely a force in the opposite direction to the sliding direction S. In this way the insertion body <NUM>, in particular the cylindrical portion <NUM>, may be received inside the third region <NUM>‴, while during use the extraction of the insertion body <NUM>, in particular of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, from the third region <NUM>" is opposed. As a result, during use, the cylindrical portion <NUM> may be retained inside the third region <NUM>‴ by the retaining tooth <NUM>. The expression "during use" is understood as meaning during the motorcycling activity of the protection device <NUM>, <NUM>. During this activity, a special separating force or stress is not specifically applied to the protection device.

The retaining tooth <NUM> extends, preferably, along an engaging direction A orthogonal to the sliding direction S. Therefore, the engaging direction A coincides with or corresponds essentially to one of the main directions of extension of the connecting surface in which the hole <NUM> is formed.

Preferably, the retaining tooth <NUM> is elastically deformable. Even more preferably, the retaining tooth <NUM> is configured to be elastically deformed to a greater degree if it is subject to a stress or force in the sliding direction S, namely an engaging force or stress, compared to a stress or force acting in the direction opposite to the sliding direction S, i.e. a separating stress or force. In other words, in order to deform the retaining tooth <NUM> it is necessary to apply a stress in a direction opposite to the sliding direction which is greater than the stress applied in the sliding direction S. Therefore, this separating force or stress must be greater than the engaging force or stress in order to overcome the resistance of the retaining tooth <NUM>.

Preferably, this retaining tooth <NUM> is a first tooth and the portion of the sliding member <NUM> including the hole <NUM> comprises in addition a second retaining tooth <NUM> which is structurally similar or identical to the first retaining tooth <NUM>. The second retaining tooth <NUM> also projects or protrudes inside the hole <NUM>, is positioned or arranged straddling, or on the border between, the second region <NUM>" and the third region <NUM>‴ and faces, namely is positioned opposite, the first retaining tooth <NUM>.

The engaging or locking system <NUM> described in the present disclosure has the advantage of ensuring stable fixing and at the same time does not occupy extra space of the sliding member or slider <NUM>. Therefore, the sliding member or slider <NUM> need not be designed with overly large dimensions in order to ensure suitable protection for the user. As a result, the weight of the sliding member or slider <NUM> may therefore be advantageously limited.

Claim 1:
Sliding member or slider (<NUM>) intended to be associated with a protective garment, said sliding member or slider (<NUM>) having
a cover portion (<NUM>), intended during use to come into contact with a road surface and to assist sliding along the road surface and protect the protective garment from abrasion, and
a support portion (<NUM>), associated with said cover portion (<NUM>) and intended to face said protective garment and to support said cover portion (<NUM>), characterized in that said support portion (<NUM>) has a plurality of lightening cavities (<NUM>).