AU2008261193B2

AU2008261193B2 - Protective Garment

Info

Publication number: AU2008261193B2
Application number: AU2008261193A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jonathan Cotsoglou; Alfred Fouad Dayoub
Original assignee: Denim Brothers Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Denim Brothers Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2008-12-23
Publication date: 2013-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-23
Also published as: AU2008261193A1; RU2011130913A; JP2012513544A; US20120005797A1; EP2381807A1; DK201100544A; CN102300479A; EP2381807A4; WO2010071937A1; NZ594096A

Abstract

A protective garment having an outer layer and a protective inner layer, 5 wherein the protective inner layer lines substantially the whole of the inside of the garment and the inner layer is secured to the outer layer only at corresponding edges of the inner and outer layers which occur at openings of the garment. ---.. --1 Figure 3

Description

1 PROTECTIVE GARMENT FIEL2 OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to protective garments. In particular, the invention is applicable to protective garments worn/used by motorcyclists and it is 5 convenient to describe it in this manner. However, it should be noted that the inve tion is not limited to this application. BACk(GROUND TO THE INVENTION Motorcycles and scooters do not offer much protection when the moto cycle or scooter rider is involved in an accident. Significant injury can occur 10 if a rider falls off their motorcycle or scooter, even when the rider is only travelling at Io speed. Therefore it is prudent for riders to wear protective clothing when riding Conventionally riders wear leather garments to protect themselves from injury, Leather is often worn because it is resistant to abrasion and provides 15 prote tion to the skin if a rider falls off and impacts the ground. Leather garments, however, are not always seen as fashionable and in some instances it is not appropriate to wear leather. In addition, in the summer, leather garments can cause the rider to become excessively warm and uncomfortable when not riding and so the rider must consider carrying a change 20 of clothing to wear when they arrive at their destination. This is obviously not desire ble. It has been known to use protective shields which are supported externally to the riding garment or are secured to an external surface of the garment. This is also not desirable as the garment still takes the appearance of clothing for 25 motorcycle riding and is cumbersome to wear for general day to day activities. Furthermore these types of garments are not considered fashionable or suitable in certain situations. i There are many riders who want to wear fashion garments such as denim jeans or jackets. The problem with wearing such fashion garments when riding is 30 that they do not offer much protection if an accident occurs, in particular where a rider may fall off their motorcycle and then hit and skid along the hard bitumen of the ro d. On impact, denim will split, tear and offer little or no protection to the 2 rider Depending on the severity of the impact, the rider could be left with only abra ions; alternatively there may be significant loss of skin and flesh. More recently, fashion garments such as those made of denim have had patc es of protective and abrasion resistant material stitched to the inside of the 5 deni only at those points of the garment considered to be most likely to impact the ground should a rider fall off their bike. That is, there are only a few selected. Another problem with those garments with protective patches is that the protective patches are sewn on the inside of the garment with the same piece of thread used to join the protective patches to the denim. That is the protective 10 patches are joined directly to the denim by the same seam. If the denim seam splits so does that of the protective material. Furthermore, when a rider falls off the motorcycle, the garment can twist and the protective material may not be protecting the same part of the body during impact as when the rider is mounted on the motorcycle. 15 In addition these fashion garments are often treated in a number of ways, such :s bleached, chemically washed, heavy stone washed, sand blasted etc. If the p otective material is stitched into the garment then when the garment is treated, the protective material fibres are weakened and thus the treatment reduce its effectiveness and ability to withstand abrasion. This also is not 20 desirable, Outlined above are a number of difficulties with providing a fashion garment with protection for riders. If riders want to wear fashion garments they have only a few options, one is to ear these fashion garments when riding and risk significant injury if they fall 25 off. Another option, is to wear the fashion items under the protective clothing but be very uncomfortable and hot when riding, alternatively they can carry a change of clothes for when they arrive at their destination. This is clearly inconvenient It is an object of this invention to provide motorcyclists and those involved in similar activities with garments which provide protection but are acceptable as 30 fashion garments. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specif cation is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or 3 the ommon general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or any other coun ry on or before the priority date of the claims herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a 5 prot active garment, such as trousers or a jacket, having an outer layer, preferably a fasi ion material such as denim, and a protective inner layer made of abrasion resis ant material, and more preferably brushed Kevlar*. The protective inner layer lines substantially the whole of the inside of the garment and is secured to the outer layer only at corresponding edges of the inner and outer layers which 10 occur at openings of the garment. The protective inner layer includes an arm porti n and/or a leg portion. The arm portion has a seam only on the inside of the arm ortion such that the abrasion resistant material is continuous on the outside of the arm portion. The leg portion has a seam only on the inside of the leg portion such that the abrasion resistant material is continuous on the outside of 15 the I g portion. This is advantageous because seams are considered weak points and it is advantageous to reduce the number of weak points where the garm nt could come apart. if a person wearing the garment was to fall, they are likely o fall on the outside part of the leg or arm, therefore if the abrasion resistant mate ial is continuous on the outside part of the leg or arm this significantly 20 reduc s the likelihood of seams splitting and the person being injured. Preferably the Kevlar* inner layer is removably secured to the denim outer layer. It is desirable that the Kevlar* layer is secured to the denim layer by means of on or more zips or by hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro*. Alternatively, the Kevlaro inner layer may be permanently secured to the 25 outer enim layer. The Kevlar* inner layer may be secured to the denim outer layer y stitching. The protective garment in one form is a pair of trousers. The inner protective Kevlar* layer and outer denim layer are secured together, to form the trousers, at one or more of the following openings: cuffs at the ankles, cuffs at the 30 calves, or at the waist band region. The inner protective Kevlar* layer of the trousers preferably includes two leg po ions wherein each leg portion is only joined by a seam on the inside of the leg po ion.

4 In another form the protective garment is a jacket. The inner protective KevIlr* layer and outer fashion garment denim layer are secured together, to form the jacket, at one or more of the following: cuffs at the wrists, cuffs at the forearms, collar, base of the jacket or front portion of the jacket. 5 The inner protective Kevlar* layer of the jacket preferably includes two arm portico ns wherein each arm portion is only joined by a seam on the inside of the arm portion. The protective Kevlar* layer of the jacket or trousers preferably includes a plural ity of pockets for receiving protective inserts. It is desirable that the plurality 10 of pockets overlap for receiving the protective inserts at alternative selectable positi ns. Preferably the location of the pockets includes one or more of the following: hip area, knee area, shoulder area or elbow area. The advantage of this is that the protective inserts can be placed at the appropriate height for the wearer so that they cover the knee, elbow, hip or shoulder of the wearer. 15 The protective garment in accordance with the present invention has sever! I advantages. In particular, because the inner layer substantially lines the whole of the outer layer, the rider is protected no matter on which part of the body they fall. An additional advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is 20 that t e protective Kevlar® layer is removable. Therefore, the rider can wear the garm nt when riding, but when they reach their destination, the rider can remove the inner Kevlar® layer so they are not too hot, and more comfortable, but they can still keep wearing their fashionable denim jacket or trousers. A further adva stage to the Kevlaro layer being removable is that the outer denim layer can 25 be treated by bleaching, chemical washing, stone washing and sand blasting etc without having to treat the Kevlaro layer at the same time. If the Kevlar* layer were treated at the same time this would weaken the Kevlar* fibre and reduce the effectiveness of the Kevlar* layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30 It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accorrpanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularity of 5 the a companying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. Figure 1 - A front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention wher a protective garment is in the form of trousers wherein an inner protective 5 layer is secured to an outer fashion layer, as a rider would normally wear. Figure 2 - A front view of the inner protective layer of figure 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 - A front view, when turned inside out, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention where the inner protective layer of the trousers of figure 2 10 is se ured to the outer fashion layer. Figure 4 - A rear view of the trousers shown in figure 3. Figure 5 - A front view of the inner protective layer according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing overlapping pockets for recei ing protective inserts. 15 Figure 6 - A front view, when turned inside out, of the inner protective layer pf the trousers of figure 5 secured to the outer fashion layer. Figure 7 - A rear view of the trousers shown in figure 6. Figure 8 - A front view of the inner protective layer of another preferred embodiment of the present invention where the protective garment is in the form 20 of a jacket. Figure 9 - A front view, when turned inside out, of the inner protective layer f the jacket of figure 8 secured to an outer fashion layer. DESdRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will now be described with reference to a preferred 25 embo iment where Figure 1 shows a protective garment in the form a conventional of a pair of trousers or jeans 1 having an outer layer 2 made of materi al, usually fashion material such as denim, and a protective inner layer 3. The p otective inner layer 3 lines substantially the whole of the inside of the trousers 1. The inner layer is secured to the outer layer only at corresponding 30 edges of the inner and outer layers which occur at openings of the garment. Figure 2 shows a front view of the inner protective layer 3 of the pair of trousers. In a preferred embodiment the inner layer of the trousers is made from abrasi n resistant material, such as Kevlar*. The Kevlar* is brushed Kevlar* and 6 is tr ated with needles on one side, making that side much smoother and softer than the regular Kevlar*. Therefore when the treated side of the Kevlar* is placed again st the skin of the wearer it is very comfortable and almost smooth, but not itchy or scratchy. 5 The Kevlar* layer 3 substantially lines the whole of the inside of the trousers, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. It is advantageous for the protective layer to line as much of the garment as possible. If only certain areas of the inside of the denim layer are lined with the Kevlar* layer, such as thighs and bottom, then only those certain sections of the riders body may be protected. In addition, 10 during a fall and skid along a road the trousers are not necessarily going to stay in th same position on the body as when the rider is riding. It is possible for the trous rs to twist and even bunch up. If this occurs the patches of lining may not be over the same section of body parts as they were intended to protect. It is also possible that the outer denim layer of the trousers will split or tear, leaving 15 the rier's body exposed when the rider has a fall. If there was no Kevlar* liner on the inside of the denim then parts of the rider's body will be exposed to the road. By having the trousers fully lined, if a rider does have a fall and skids along the road, even if the trousers twist around or the outer material layer splits, the whole of the rider's legs will be protected. 20 The Kevlar* layer 3 is secured to the denim layer 2 only at corresponding edges of the Kevlar* and denim layers which occur at the openings 5 of the trous rs. It will be appreciated that the openings can take various forms depending on the garment. In figures 1 - 4 the openings are at the waist band regio and the cuffs at the ankles. However, the openings could also be cuffs at 25 the calves if the trousers are of a % length. It is advantageous that the Kevlar* layer is secured at the openings of the trous rs because, if it were not secured at the openings, it would be possible for the K vlar* to roll up while the rider is travelling. If the Kevlar* has rolled up (or down) and the rider were then to have a fall the Kevlar* layer will not be able to 30 protect the rider effectively. In addition, it is also possible for the Kevlar* to roll up when the rider falls off and skids along the asphalt. Therefore it is advantageous that the Kevlar* layer is secured at the openings of the trousers for also this reason.

7 The outer denim layer and inner Kevlar* layer can be removably secured thro gh the use of a zip 7 as shown in figures 1 - 4. Alternatively, Velcro® can be used There are several advantages of having the Kevlar* layer secured to the deni trousers by zips. One advantage is that the rider can zip the Kevlar* layer 5 into the trousers before riding to their destination. While they are riding they are prote acted. When they arrive at their destination, they can remove the Kevlar* layer so as to be more comfortable but still wear their fashionable clothing without the nped for a change of clothing. Another advantage is that manufacturers can treat the outer denim layer to 10 make fashion clothing without affecting the properties of the inner Keviar* layer. Man facturers can take out the inner Kevlar* layer before treating the denim by bleaching, stonewashing, grinding etc. and then zip the Kevlar* layer back in. If the denim was treated while the Kevlar® layer was secured to it, the Keviar* would be weakened by the treatment and would lose its effectiveness to resist 15 abrasion. Therefore, if a rider wearing trousers having a Kevlar* layer that have been created in some manner, has a fall, the Kevlar® layer will be significantly less resist nt to abrasion than the Kevlar layer that has not been treated. Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the two layers can b permanently secured by stitching. 20 A unique attribute of either embodiment is that each leg portion 4 of the Kevlar* layer is only joined by one seam down the inner leg 6, which is the region of the leg portion which faces the other leg portion. There are no seams on the outer ide of the leg or the front or back of the leg. The seam is stitched using Kevla * thread to add additional strength and enhance the resistance to abrasion, 25 even at the seam. This attribute of only having one seam 6 on the inside leg is advantageous becau e, although it is not possible to determine how a rider will fall off a motorcycle, when riders do fall they will most likely fall on the outside of the body including the leg or arm. Therefore if the Kevlar® layer was made in the 30 conve tional manner, including seams on the outer side of the leg, when a rider fell, there would be more pressure on the seam and it would come apart more quickly than a seam on the inside of the leg. By only having the seam on the 8 insid of the leg, the Kevlar* layer is continuous on the outside of the leg, provi ing increased protection for the rider. For added protection, in another preferred embodiment, as shown in figur s 5 - 7, the Kevlar* layer includes pockets 8 and 9 for receiving protective 5 inserts. The pockets 8 and 9 would usually be located at points the rider is most likely to impact if they have a fall, such as hips and knees. The protective inserts can be solid and / or flexible and add additional protection from abrasion, as well as irr pact, should a rider have a fall. For example the protective inserts could be mad of polycarbonate or metal such as titanium. The protective inserts are not 10 limited to these examples. In a further preferred embodiment the multiple pockets 9 overlap so that the ider can select where the protective insert will be placed. This is adva tageous because the position of each person's knees are different and do not necessarily correspond to the same position or part of the garment. By 15 having multiple pockets at slightly differing locations, the wearer can decide the most comfortable and appropriate position to place the protective inserts for added protection. In another preferred embodiment, the protective garment is a jacket as show in figures 8 and 9. Here it can be seen that the openings 10 are at the 20 cuffs t the wrist, the opening at the front of the jacket, the collar and the bottom of th jacket. However, the openings could also be at cuffs at the forearms if the jacke sleaves are of a % length. As in the previous embodiment, the inner Kevlar* layer and outer denim layer an be removably secured by means of zips 11. Alternatively, Velcro® can 25 be used. The Kevlar* and denim layers of the jacket can also be permanently secured by stitching the layers together. The thread used for stitching is preferably Kevlar* thread as this adds additional strength to the garment. The protective jacket shown in figures 8 and 9 can also have pockets (not shown) for receiving protective inserts. The pockets can be located at the 30 shoul ers and elbow areas, but are not limited to these positions. In a further embodiment (also not shown) the pockets overlap so that the rider can select where the protective insert will be placed in the shoulder or elbow areas. This 9 ensures the rider is comfortable and also protected since the protective inserts will sit in the correct position, that is, over the shoulder and elbows of the wearer. Variations can be made to the above-described arrangements without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described herein or as 5 clairred in the appended claims. For example the outer layer could be made of corduroy, Cordura* or the garment could be in the form of a shirt, dress or overalls.

Claims

1. A protective garment having an outer layer and a protective inner layer, wherein the protective inner layer: is made of abrasion resistant material; 5 lines substantially the whole of the inside of the garment; includes an arm portion and/or a leg portion, wherein said arm portion has a sean only on the inside of said arm portion such that the abrasion resistant mate ial is continuous on the outside of said arm portion, and said leg portion has a se m only on the inside of said leg portion such that the abrasion resistant 10 mate ial is continuous on the outside of said leg portion; and is secured to the outer layer only at corresponding edges of the inner and outer layer which occur at openings of the garment.

2. The protective garment according to claim 1 wherein the inner layer is removably secured to the outer layer. 15

3. The protective garment according to claim 2 wherein the inner layer is secured to the outer layer by means of one or more zips.

4. The protective garment according to claim 2 wherein the inner layer is secur d to the outer layer by hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro®.

5. The protective garment according to claim 1 wherein the inner layer is 20 perm nently secured to the outer layer.

6. The protective garment according to claim 5 wherein the inner layer is secure d to the outer layer by stitching.

7. IThe protective garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the abrasion resistant material is made of brushed Kevlar*. 25 11

8. The protective garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the garment is a pair of trousers.

9. The protective garment according to claim 8 wherein the openings of the garment include one or more of the following: cuffs at the ankles, cuffs at the 5 calves, or the waist band region.

10. The protective garment according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the inner protetive layer includes two leg portions.

11. The protective garment according to any one of claims 1-7 wherein the garment is a jacket. 10

12. The protective garment according to claim 11 wherein the openings of the garment include one or more of the following: cuffs at the wrists, cuffs at the forearms, collar, base of the jacket or front portion of the jacket.

13. The protective garment according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the inner protective layer includes two arm portions. 15

14. The protective garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the protective inner layer includes a plurality of pockets for receiving protective inserts.

15. The protective garment according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of pockets overlap for receiving protective inserts at alternative selectable positions. 20

16. The protective garment according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the location of the po kets for receiving protective inserts includes one or more of the following: hip area, knee area, shoulder area or elbow area.

17. The protective garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer layer of the garment is made of denim. 12

18. The protective garment substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DENIM BROTHERS GROUP PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P31354AUOO