Patent Description:
In recent years, following a constant search for safety during sport activities, but more generally of all those risky activities done in extreme conditions or at high speeds, garments apt to be associated with a user's personal protection device have been designed. In particular, the motorcycle industry is very attentive to these problems and, in recent years, it has been intensified the offer of garments including said protection device allowing the achievement of an effective and, at the same time, comfortable protection of the motorcyclist or driver.

An effective solution is for example that of associating an inflatable member, such as a bag made of an airtight material, with a portion of a garment at potentially impacted body parts. The inflatable member is also placed in fluid communication, at the time of an impact, of a slip or in general of a fall, with a source of compressed gas, such as a can. Generally, the gas source is apt to introduce into the inflatable member a predetermined amount of compressed gas such as to put the inflatable member in inflated condition, thus in tension, so as to form an inflated casing.

Inflatable members associated with a portion of a garment are disclosed, for example, in <CIT>, <CIT> and in <CIT>.

In practice, the inflatable member in a deflated condition is received in a portion of the garment. More particularly, the inflatable member is arranged deflated underneath said garment portion so that the latter acts as a covering surface for the inflatable member. Usually, the bag is formed by two sheets joined along the perimeter, and the perimeter has a shape or profile to adequately cover areas of the human body to be protected. The two sheets actually form a member, flat in a deflated condition, which is covered by the covering surface of the garment arranged above the inflatable member.

It follows that the covering surface of the garment defines a layer of the garment and the bag in deflated condition defines, as a whole, another layer of the garment, or additional layer. The garment per se may include other layers, such as inner liners or paddings, completing the garment. These layers, as well as the covering surface, lend the garment technical characteristics of perspiration, ventilation, thermal capacity, protection against falls and resistance to abrasion. These peculiarities are determined by the combination of layers that are specific to the garment itself independently of the inflatable member.

Underlying the present disclosure, there is the observation by the authors of the present disclosure that when an inflatable member is arranged flat in a garment seat, or in general underneath a covering surface, it defines an additional layer, i.e., a layer that is added to the covering surface and/or in general to the other layers of the garment.

Underlying the present disclosure there is the further observation that there would be the need of providing a garment equipped with an inflatable member capable of offering a user effective protection from numerous and different types of impact, without however being detrimental to the above-mentioned peculiarities and intrinsic technical characteristics of the garment, or in any case having a minimal impact on these characteristics.

Therefore, a technical problem underlying the present disclosure is that of providing a garment that allows overcoming of the aforementioned drawbacks with reference to the prior art and that can satisfy said need. In particular, it is a matter of providing a garment equipped with an inflatable member capable not only of inflating sufficiently quickly, in the event of a fall or the like, to protect the body parts potentially affected by impacts, but also of being of a minimum size for a user and, thus, of affecting as little as possible the technical characteristics deriving from the composition of the layers forming the garment.

This is achieved through a garment, according to the invention, as defined in the respective independent claim. Secondary features of the garment according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In particular, according to the present invention, it is provided a garment according to claim <NUM>.

In other words, the aforesaid technical problem can be solved by a garment including at least one inflatable member and one garment portion provided with a seat apt to receive an inflatable member. The garment comprises one or more layers forming the garment structure. The seat includes at least a first region apt to receive the inflatable member in a deflated condition and a second region. The inflatable member in a deflated condition does not constitute any additional layer for the garment, or is not part of the layers of the garment, in the second region of the seat. The second region receives the inflatable member only in an inflated condition and is open towards the first region in order to receive the inflatable member, such as during an inflation phase from the deflated condition to the deflated condition.

The aforesaid seat can be included between the layers of the garment. In other words, the inflatable member is enclosed between the layers of the garment both in an inflated condition and in a deflated condition. That is to say that, even after activation, i.e. inflation, the inflatable member does not come out of the garment structure but it is always covered by at least one layer of the garment itself, such as for example an outer lining or a covering layer of the housing seat.

The garment portion is to be understood as a garment portion worn on a body part, such as the bust (neck region, chest region, shoulder joint region, back and arms). The garment portion is produced according to a predefined textile technology apt to lend certain characteristics to the garment.

The seat receiving the inflatable member is a seat allowing the inflatable member to be covered both in an inflated condition and in a deflated condition. The seat is defined by at least one covering surface underneath which the inflatable member is located. In other words, said garment portion includes, in correspondence of the inflatable member, that is to say the area covering and being above the inflatable member, a covering surface arranged to completely cover/close the latter, and forming the seat for the inflatable member.

Preferably, the garment further comprises at least one inner lining which forms, together with the covering surface, or with another layer of the garment, a housing or inner pocket for the inflatable member. Actually, the seat can be defined between the inner lining and the covering surface (in particular its inner side), or, as said, between layers of the garment. Alternatively, or in combination with the above embodiments, in order to permanently hold the inflatable member in the seat underneath the covering surface, the garment comprises seams, hooks, or other systems suitable for securing the inflatable member to the covering surface.

Actually, as mentioned above, the inflatable member is firmly placed in correspondence of a seat of a garment portion, so that in said seat, there is a covering or closing surface of the inflatable member, from the outside. The inflatable member is preferably firmly associated to the seat, such as inside the housing or underneath the covering surface of the garment, for example on the inner lining.

The seat is such as to include a first region which receives the inflatable member in a deflated condition and a second region which is free from the inflatable member when the latter is in a deflated condition, i.e. it does not receive the inflatable member in a deflated condition. The second region is also able to receive at least part of the inflatable member when the latter is in an inflated condition. To this end, the seat is seamlessly open between the first region and the second region. The seat preferably defines an inner chamber or internal empty area which is free from the inflatable member when the latter is deflated and where the inflatable member can spread out and swell at the time of impact.

Preferably, in the inflated condition, a part of the inflatable member occupies the first region of the seat, and a part of the inflatable member occupies the second region of the seat. In particular, preferably, in a deflated condition, the inflatable member occupies a surface of about one third of the seat. In other words, preferably, the first region extends over the seat surface for about one third of it.

In the deflated condition, the inflatable member is folded on itself, at least once, or, more preferably, it is substantially in an accordion configuration and it occupies the first region. When the inflatable member is inflated, for example in the event of an impact, the inflatable member unfolds and part of the inflatable member arranges itself in the second region. Due to the peculiarity of an accordion configuration, upon inflation, part of the inflatable member, in inflated condition, remains in the first region of the seat.

Alternatively to the accordion configuration, the inflatable member is rolled up on itself, and unfolds at the time of inflation.

Preferably, the garment is made, at least partially, of a transpiring material and/or a material allowing air to pass through it, i.e. allowing ventilation, for example it is a perforated material or has one or more ventilation openings. In other words, the garment preferably, but not claimed, has one or more parts made of a material apt to allow breathability and/or ventilation. The main benefit of the fact that the inflatable member in deflated condition occupies only a part of the garment seat is that, when the inflatable member is in non-active condition, and in fact not used, it forms an additional layer in the garment in a confined way, only in a limited region of the garment. In the remaining part of the garment (second region of the seat), the inflatable member does not form an additional layer. It follows that the garment can preserve its peculiarities and technical characteristics due to the combination of layers chosen to produce the garment, which layers can be, as mentioned, apt to ventilation or breathability. Such layers include, for example, the inner lining and the covering surface of the housing seat of the inflatable member. Upon inflation, the inflatable member performs its protective function protecting the parts of the body to be protected.

In other words, one of the technical features that can best be preserved is the breathability and/or ventilation of the garment. Indeed, in the region where in a deflated condition the inflatable member is not present, the garment can preserve the breathability and/or ventilation characteristics obtained thanks to the layers making up the garment.

It follows that an inflatable member capable of protecting human body parts from impacts can be arranged within a garment; which garments is capable of ensuring at the same time good impact protection, high comfort of use and sufficient breathability and/or ventilation of the garment itself.

In other words, thanks to the confined arrangement of the inflatable member in a deflated condition inside the garment itself, the latter ensures sufficient breathability which allows a good thermal insulation and promotes the biological transpiration, so that human body humidity is removed more easily, sweat condensation is decreased and, consequently, the comfort of use is increased. Moreover, thanks again to the confined arrangement of the inflatable member in a deflated condition inside the garment itself, the latter can also ensure sufficient ventilation which contributes to the regulation and maintenance of an ideal body temperature, allowing the circulation of air through the garment and the dispersion of excessive body heat.

For example, if a perforated material or a material having ventilation openings or generally capable of allowing ventilation, is used especially in the chest area or front area, and the folded inflatable member in a deflated condition is arranged preferably at a lateral or side area with respect to the garment chest area or front area, it is possible to let ventilation air passing through the garment from the front area itself. This occurs preferably during a dynamic activity, such as a motorbike ride, a ride on a horseback or by bicycle, when the air comes in from the chest area and can flow from behind, eventually through holes on the back, or from the waist area. In other words, at least a first part of the garment body has one or more ventilation openings and/or is made of a material allowing air flow. The first part of the garment body coincides with, or includes, at least the second region of the housing seat for the inflatable member. Preferably, the first part is in a chest or front region of the garment.

The limited size of the inflatable member in a deflated condition, inside the garment according to the present invention, does not hinder the user's movements and thus it further ensures maximum comfort during riding. Specifically, with respect to garments comprising a large number of inflatable members encumbering the user's movements, the garment according to the present invention thanks to a particular configuration of the inflatable member, in deflated condition, ensures maximum comfort and facilitates the user's movements.

Other advantages, features and operation steps of the present invention will be made evident in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings wherein:.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention relates in particular to a garment <NUM>, for example a sport garment, even more in particular for dynamic sports or activities, such as motorcycling. More specifically, said garment <NUM> is apt to be associated with a protection device for personal protection including an inflatable member <NUM>. The device is apt to protect a passenger, a motor vehicle driver or a similar user, from impact and/or falls during a sporting and/or working activity.

In particular, the garment <NUM> according to the present invention is associated with an inflatable member <NUM>, for protecting a user, which can be inflated by means of a fluid, for example a pressurized gas such as helium. Therefore, in the garment <NUM> it is included, for example, a soft bag made of air-tight material, such as in polyamide, and apt to substantially assume a first operating condition of rest, or deflated condition, and a second operating condition active, or inflated condition. The inflating modalities of the inflatable member <NUM> will be described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the inflatable member <NUM> is placed in or associated with a seat <NUM> at a portion of the garment <NUM>, in the example at a portion covering part of the user's bust.

Even more particularly, the inflatable member <NUM> is in the seat <NUM> hidden from view, in contact with an internal portion of the garment <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the seat <NUM> is a pocket, i.e. a housing formed between two layers of the garment.

With reference to <FIG>, the two layers may be an inner lining <NUM> and an outer lining <NUM> of the garment. The outer lining <NUM> forms a covering surface for the inflatable member. The inner lining <NUM> may be a liner. It cannot be excluded that the garment may include other layers which may form the garment structure.

The inflatable member <NUM> can then be arranged at a portion of garment <NUM>, in the example at a portion covering part of the thorax, and preferably part of the back. More particularly, the inflatable member <NUM> is hidden from view, in contact with an inner side of said portion of garment <NUM>. Therefore, portion of the garment <NUM> forms a covering surface of the inflatable member.

Even more particularly, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, the garment <NUM> according to the present invention has at least one seat <NUM> apt to include, or to be associated with, said inflatable member <NUM> or a part thereof. Preferably, the seat <NUM> has a first region 20a and a second region 20b, for example substantially at the user's chest. The seat <NUM>, visible in the figures, is actually symmetrical with respect to a user's sagittal plane. Therefore, a first region 20a and a second region 20b of the seat are provided to the right and to the left of the sagittal plane. For the sake of conciseness, in the following description reference will be made to the two regions 20a and 20b on the left, it being understood that the same characteristics also apply to the diametrically opposed areas on the user's chest.

In an alternative embodiment, having same characteristics here described, the seat extends over the whole thorax, and covers the entire user's chest. The first region is a region on one side of the chest and the second region is the central region up to the other side of the chest.

The seat having the two regions can also be placed on other areas of the garment.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first region 20a is configured to accommodate the inflatable member when the latter is in a deflated condition. The second region 20b is free from the inflatable member when the latter is in a deflated condition and does not receive the latter. The second region 20b is intended to receive the inflatable member when the latter is in an inflated condition.

In other words, the second region 20b defines an empty space, that is, not occupied by the inflatable member <NUM>, when it is in a non-inflated configuration. On the contrary, when the inflatable member <NUM> is in an inflated configuration, it is spread out and occupies the space of the second region 20b.

Preferably, the garment <NUM> is made, at least partially, of a transpiring material and/or a material allowing air to flow through it, such as for example a material having openings, such as holes, slots, cuts. In other words, the garment <NUM> comprises at least a portion, or first portion, made of a transpiring material and/or material allowing air to flow through it.

Preferably, said first portion, made of a transpiring material and/or material allowing air to flow through it, is placed at the user's chest or front, back or shoulder area. More preferably, the garment <NUM> comprises a plurality of portions, made of a transpiring material and/or material allowing the passage of air, placed at the user's chest, back or shoulders. For example, a first portion and a second portion, made of a transpiring material and/or a material allowing the air to flow through, may be present wherein respectively said first portion and said second portion are made respectively at a user's chest and back, chest and shoulders, or back and shoulders.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one portion, or first portion, of a transpiring material and/or material allowing air to flow through it, corresponds to or at least comprises the so-called second region 20b of the seat <NUM> for receiving the inflatable member <NUM>. In other words, at least the portion of the garment 1corresponding to the second region 20b is made of a transpiring material or a material allowing air to flow through it. Preferably, at least the garment area <NUM>, corresponding to the regions 20a and 20b containing the portions of inflatable member <NUM> intended to protect the user's chest, is made of a transpiring material or material allowing air to flow through it. In both cases, when the inflatable member <NUM> is in a deflated condition, said second region 20b has greater breathability or allows greater ventilation with respect to said first region 20a of the seat <NUM>.

In an even more preferred embodiment, beside the second region 20b of the seat <NUM> being made of a transpiring material and/or material allowing air passage and positioned at the user's chest, the garment <NUM> comprises at least a second portion, made of transpiring material and/or material that allows the passage of air, placed at user's shoulders or back. In such a way, especially when a material allowing the air to flow is used, during dynamic activity, such as a motorbike or horseback ride or on skis, the garment <NUM> allows the passage of an air flow from the portion, at the user's chest, to the second portion, at the user's shoulders or back.

During normal use, i.e. when the inflatable member <NUM> is in a non-inflated condition, the garment <NUM> thus ensures good breathability and/or ventilation. So, in particular, the breathability and/or ventilation is ensured for most of the time of using the garment <NUM> and is reduced only when the inflatable member <NUM> is in an inflated condition.

It follows that the inflatable member <NUM> extends into the seat <NUM> at the time of inflation. Therefore, it can be understood that, at the time of inflation, the inflatable member occupies the free space of the second region, and allows complete protection, for example of the user's chest.

As shown in <FIG>, the inflatable member <NUM> assumes, in the deflated condition, a folded configuration, substantially an accordion configuration. In the folded condition, the inflatable member <NUM> has overlapped sub-portions 100a, 100b, and 100c.

At the time of inflation an unfolding of the inflatable member <NUM> occurs, allowing the latter to switch from a configuration where it is folded on itself to a configuration in which it extends, covering and protecting a surface of the user's body larger than the surface when it was in a deflated condition. Indeed, when the inflatable member <NUM> is inflated thanks to the gas compression, it unfolds spreading out into the seat and therefore occupying a larger surface with respect to one occupied in the deflated condition. Protection is obtained on a wider area of the user's body. This configuration of the inflatable member <NUM> ensures maximum user's comfort during driving, i.e. when the inflatable member <NUM> is in a deflated condition, facilitating user's freedom of movement. In fact, only in the inflated condition, the inflatable member occupies both the first region 20a of the seat and the second region 20b of the seat.

When the inflatable member <NUM> is in a deflated condition, the sub-portions 100a, 100b, 100c will be arranged one above the other, such that the inflatable member <NUM> occupies a limited area of the garment <NUM>. Together with an appropriate sizing of the inflatable member <NUM> and a correct selection of said sub-portions 100a, 100b, 100c number and extension, such configuration allows the inflatable member <NUM> itself to occupy in the inflated condition a limited surface of the garment <NUM> and, at the same time, to have an overall thickness not hindering user's movements. The inflatable member <NUM> so configured also ensures good user's protection, since, upon inflation, it expands covering a larger surface of the body than the one covered in a deflated condition.

In order to assure the stability of the folded configuration of the inflatable member <NUM> during use of the garment <NUM>, and thus preventing said inflatable member <NUM> from spreading out when it is in the non-inflated condition, the sub-portions 100a, 100b, 100c are joined together. The sub-portions 100a, 100b, 100c are joined by means of suitable connection means <NUM>, which can comprise for example thermo-adhesive tape. In the specific example in <FIG>, the sub-portion 100a is joined by means of connection means <NUM> to the sub-portion 100b which, in turn, is joined to the sub-portion 100c. Furthermore, said connecting means <NUM> are apt to break when subject to a predetermined tension threshold. In such a way, the connecting means <NUM> allow simultaneously the inflatable member <NUM> to maintain the folded configuration during normal use of the garment <NUM> and to unfold upon inflation, for example due to a fall or imminent impact. Alternatively, as a connecting means, it may be provided a sleeve body, in elastic and flexible material, for example a mesh sleeve or elastic mesh, which follows the deployment of the inflatable member up to the extended position.

In order to maintain a folded position, the inflatable member <NUM> can also be pressed in a folded condition.

As far as the inflatable member <NUM>, the following is observed.

The inflatable member <NUM> can be, but not forming part of the claimed invention, realised according to any of technologies described in the patent applications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> in the name of the holder. According to said technology, in a deflated condition, the inflatable member is a substantially flat element which can be folded.

In the depicted embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the inflatable member <NUM> includes two portions <NUM>, <NUM> intended to protect two user's chest areas, respectively. Such portions <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to each other so that the inflatable member <NUM> has a substantially C-shape intended to be placed around a neck region and partially around a user's chest region.

The inflatable member <NUM> may further comprise a second part <NUM> arranged at the user's backbone. Preferably, said second part <NUM> is pneumatically connected to the two portions <NUM>, <NUM> to form a single inflatable chamber. Moreover, if the garment object of the present invention is a motorcycle suit or jacket, it preferably includes an aerodynamic appendage placed on the back, and said second part <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM> is preferably covered by said aerodynamic appendage. Actually, the aerodynamic appendage forms a covering surface for the second part <NUM> of the inflatable member <NUM>.

More specifically, with reference to <FIG>, the inflatable member <NUM> is folded in an accordion configuration at said portions <NUM>, <NUM> forming the sub-portions 100a, 100b, 100c.

Alternatively, as said, at the user's chest it could be provided a single covering portion of the chest, which is bent in a deflated condition on a side of the chest. This solution, not forming part of the claimed invention, can be implemented in combination with the garment described in the European patent application <CIT>. The inflatable member can be arranged in a folded configuration into the pocket located underneath the two linings of the garment of said European patent application. The inflatable member may spread out underneath both linings upon inflation, so as to create a continuous surface on the chest.

Finally, the garment <NUM> comprises at least a fluid source <NUM>, e.g. a pressurized gas generator, in fluid communication with the inflatable member <NUM> in order to inject gas into said inflatable member <NUM>. Said fluid source <NUM> may be a compressed cold gas can, such as for example helium, optionally equipped with a shut-off valve. Alternatively, the fluid source <NUM> may comprise pyrotechnic or hybrid type gas generators or other types known in the state of the art. The fluid source <NUM> can be arranged within the inflatable member <NUM> and is preferably received in the inflatable member <NUM> spinal portion, arranged as said at the aerodynamic appendage of the garment <NUM> when the latter is a motorcycle suit or jacket.

Claim 1:
Garment (<NUM>) for the protection of a user comprising an inflatable member (<NUM>) and at least one seat (<NUM>) configured to receive the inflatable member (<NUM>), wherein said inflatable member is apt to assume an inflated condition and a deflated condition, and wherein said seat (<NUM>) includes at least one first region (20a) intended to receive said inflatable member (<NUM>) in the deflated condition and one second region (20b) free or without said inflatable member (<NUM>) in the deflated condition and adapted to receive at least a part of said inflatable member (<NUM>) in inflated condition; wherein said second region (20b) is open, or seamless, towards said first region (20a) to receive at least a part of said inflatable member (<NUM>) in inflated condition, wherein
in a deflated condition said inflatable member (<NUM>) is at least partially folded on itself so as to form sub-portions (100a, 100b, 100c) arranged one above the other and characterized in that
said sub-portions (100a, 100b, 100c) are joined together by connecting means (<NUM>) and
at least a first part of a body of the garment (<NUM>) has one or more ventilation openings and/or is made of a material allowing the air to flow, and wherein said first part corresponds to, or comprises, at least the second region (20b) of the seat (<NUM>) for receiving the inflatable member (<NUM>).