Patent Description:
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: <CIT> and <CIT>.

<CIT> 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 <CIT> 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 <NUM>.

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:.

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 <NUM>. The two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> can also be used in activities similar to motorcycling.

As shown in the enclosed figures, the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> 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 <NUM> comprises a garment body <NUM> provided with a right arm opening <NUM> and a left arm opening <NUM>.

Moreover, the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> comprises a right outer removable sleeve <NUM>, configured to be removably fastened to the garment body <NUM> at the right arm opening <NUM>, and a left outer removable sleeve <NUM>, configured to be removably fastened to the garment body <NUM> at the left arm opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the garment body <NUM> and the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are at least partially made of a material resistant to abrasion.

The two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> further comprises a right inner sleeve <NUM>, configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the right outer removable sleeve <NUM>, and a left inner sleeve <NUM>, configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the left outer removable sleeve <NUM> (see <FIG>). The right inner sleeve <NUM> is connected to the garment body <NUM> internally with respect to the right arm opening <NUM>, and the left inner sleeve <NUM> is connected to the garment body <NUM> internally with respect to the left arm opening <NUM> (see for example <FIG> and <FIG>).

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 <NUM>, <NUM> and body garment <NUM> that is spaced from the arm opening <NUM>, <NUM> towards the inner side of the body garment <NUM> thereby not being in sight during the use of the garment.

In other words, at the connection zone between each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> and the body garment <NUM>, a portion of the body garment overlaps the corresponding inner sleeve.

Moreover, according to the invention, the right inner sleeve <NUM> and the left inner sleeve <NUM> are provided with protective elements <NUM>.

As it will appear clearly from the following description, the provision of the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> in combination with the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> provided with protective elements <NUM> allows to change the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> from a first sleeved configuration, with the removable outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> connected to the garment body <NUM> (see <FIG>), to a second sleeved configuration, with the removable outer sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> removed from the garment body <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), 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 <NUM> applied at the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>.

Moreover, the protective garment <NUM> since each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is connected internally with respect to the corresponding arm opening <NUM>, <NUM> assures a higher comfort to the user, since such type of connection guarantees that in the first sleeved configuration of the protective garment <NUM>, the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> remain in their correct positions inside the removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>.

Furthermore, since the connection between each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> and the garment body <NUM> is internal with respect to the corresponding arm opening <NUM>, <NUM>, such a connection is more protected against abrasion (see for example <FIG> and <FIG>).

The various components of the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> will be disclosed in detail in the following.

As before mentioned, the garment body <NUM> can be at least partially made of a material resistant to abrasion.

Advantageously, the garment body <NUM> can be made of leather or leather-like material. Alternatively, as shown in the enclosed figures, the garment body <NUM> can be made of a protective textile material, like for example polyester or polyamide.

Advantageously, the garment body <NUM> comprises a front panel <NUM> and a rear panel <NUM>, respectively designed to extend over the chest and the back of the user.

The front panel <NUM> is preferably divided in two parts by a longitudinal opening <NUM>, which can be closed by a zip closure, to make the wearing of the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> easier (see <FIG>).

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the longitudinal opening is concealed by a front flap <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The garment body <NUM> can be provided with additional protective elements, with respect to the protective elements <NUM> applied at the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>. These additional protective elements can be positioned in parts of the garment body <NUM> that have a high risk of damage, as caused e.g. by impact, abrasion and tearing.

The garment body <NUM> can also be provided with stretch inserts positioned in parts of the garment body <NUM> having a low risk of damage and suitable for improving the wearability of the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM>.

Advantageously, the garment body <NUM> can be provided with an inner lining <NUM>. Preferably said inner lining <NUM> is made of a mesh material (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the garment body <NUM> can also be provided with detachable front and/or rear sections <NUM> which are preferably connected to the body garment <NUM> by means of zip closure <NUM>.

By acting on the zip closure <NUM> the user can at least partially detach the detachable sections <NUM> from the body garment <NUM> so as to improve the ventilation thereof in case of warm weather.

According to the invention, the garment body <NUM> is provided with at least two connecting flaps <NUM> positioned on an inner surface of the garment body <NUM> in proximity of the right and left arm openings <NUM>, <NUM>. Consequently, in both sleeved configuration of the garment <NUM>, the connecting flaps <NUM> are not visible during the use of the garment <NUM> (see for example <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) unless to turn over the arm openings <NUM>, <NUM> once the removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are removed from the garment body <NUM>.

According to the invention, a first connecting flap <NUM> is positioned in proximity of the right arm opening <NUM> and a second connecting flap <NUM> is positioned in proximity of the left arm opening <NUM>.

According to the invention, connecting flap <NUM> has a first edge <NUM> fastened to the garment body <NUM> and a second edge <NUM> designed to be connected at an end of the corresponding inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Preferably, each connecting flap <NUM> runs internally to the garment body <NUM> from the front panel <NUM> to the rear panel <NUM> so as to surround the corresponding arm openings <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, each connecting flap <NUM> encircles the corresponding arm openings <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, the connecting flaps <NUM> are made of stretchable material. More preferably, the connecting flaps <NUM> are made of a stretchable mesh material so as to favor the breathability of the protective garment <NUM> at the connection between the garment body <NUM> and the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>.

The outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably made of the same material of the garment body <NUM>.

Advantageously the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are removably fastened at a perimeter portion <NUM> of the corresponding arm openings <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>). The arm openings <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably positioned in portions of the garment body <NUM> designed to be superimposed to the shoulders of the user and the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are fastened along the entire perimeter portion <NUM> of the arm openings <NUM>, <NUM> so as not to leave apertures in the garment body <NUM>, in particular armpit apertures.

The outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are fastened to the garment body <NUM> by means of removable fastening means <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Said removable fastening means <NUM> can comprise zippers or snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners.

The outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> can also be provided, similarly to the garment body <NUM>, with additional protective elements.

Preferably, the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided with stretch inserts <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The right inner sleeve <NUM> and the left inner sleeve <NUM> are preferably connected to the garment body <NUM> in a non-removable way. Advantageously the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to the garment body <NUM> by means of seams.

Preferably, each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is connected to the garment body <NUM> at the second edge <NUM> of a corresponding connecting flap <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In this way, the connection between the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> and the garment body <NUM> is positioned internally with respect to the arm openings <NUM>, <NUM> so as to be protected against abrasion and tearing.

Moreover, as clearly shown in <FIG>, in the zone comprised between each connecting flap <NUM> and the corresponding arm opening <NUM>, two material layers are present even in the configuration without the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>: the material of the garment body <NUM> and the underlying material of the corresponding inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>. 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 <NUM>, <NUM> is in fact arranged inside the garment body <NUM>.

At the same time, the provision of the connecting flaps <NUM> substantially results in a floating connection between the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> and the garment body <NUM> to offer a higher movement freedom at the shoulder portions of the garment <NUM> (see for example <FIG>).

According to the embodiment shown in the enclosed figures, the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are made of a mesh material to offer improved ventilation to the user once the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> are removed from the garment body <NUM>.

Advantageously, the portion of each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> facing the garment body <NUM> can comprise a stretch insert <NUM> so as to improve the wearability of the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

A stretch insert <NUM> can also be arranged at the wrist portion of each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein preferably also a pulling tab <NUM> is provided (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

This tab <NUM> can be used to assure that the wrist portion of each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is correctly positioned inside the corresponding outer removable sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> once the latter is attached to the garment body <NUM>.

As shown in the enclosed figures, each inner sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is provided with protective elements <NUM>.

These protective elements <NUM> can be made of rigid or semi-rigid material. For example, the protective elements <NUM> can be made of polymeric material like for example polypropylene.

Preferably, the protective elements <NUM> are applied on portions of the right inner sleeve <NUM> and left inner sleeve <NUM> 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 <NUM>, <NUM> are removed from the body garment <NUM>.

As shown in the enclosed figures, due to the internal connection between the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> and the garment body <NUM>, the protective element <NUM> applied at the shoulder portion can be partially covered by the garment body <NUM> (see for example <FIG>). Advantageously, the protective elements <NUM> 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 <NUM> are applied at the outer surface of the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>.

Alternatively, the protective elements <NUM> can be applied at the inner surface of the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> or inside corresponding seats, like for example pockets, provided on the inner or outer surface of the inner sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>.

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 <NUM>, <NUM>.

It is thus clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> according to the invention.

As a matter of fact, since the protective elements <NUM> are applied to the internal sleeves <NUM>, <NUM>, the two-sleeve protective garment <NUM> both in the first sleeved configuration, with the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> attached to the garment body <NUM>, and in the second sleeved configuration, with the outer removable sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> removed from the garment body <NUM>, offers adequate protection to the user.

At the same time the provision of these internal sleeves <NUM>, <NUM> 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.

Claim 1:
A two-sleeve protective garment (<NUM>) for motorcyclists comprising:
- a garment body (<NUM>), provided with a right arm opening (<NUM>) and a left arm opening (<NUM>);
- a right outer removable sleeve (<NUM>), configured to be removably fastened to the garment body (<NUM>) at the right arm opening (<NUM>), and a left outer removable sleeve (<NUM>), configured to be removably fastened to the garment body (<NUM>) at the left arm opening (<NUM>);
- a right inner sleeve (<NUM>), configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the right outer removable sleeve (<NUM>), and a left inner sleeve (<NUM>), configured to be at least partially accommodated inside the left outer removable sleeve (<NUM>); said right inner sleeve (<NUM>) being connected to the garment body (<NUM>) internally with respect to the right arm opening (<NUM>) and said left inner sleeve (<NUM>) being connected to the garment body (<NUM>) internally with respect to the left arm opening (<NUM>); said right inner sleeve (<NUM>) and said left inner sleeve (<NUM>) being provided with protective elements (<NUM>); characterized in that the garment body (<NUM>) is provided with at least two connecting flaps (<NUM>) positioned on an inner surface of the garment body (<NUM>) in proximity of the right and left arm openings (<NUM>, <NUM>); a first edge (<NUM>) of each of said at least two connecting flaps (<NUM>) being fastened to the garment body (<NUM>) and a second edge (<NUM>) of each of said at least two connecting flaps (<NUM>) being designed to be connected at an end of the corresponding inner sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>).