CN111820488A - Compressible jacket - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to compactable jackets. A jacket configured for compact storage, the jacket comprising: a body having a neck opening and a torso opening, the body configured to transition from a deployed state to a compacted state; a skirt comprising a pair of skirt openings; an elastic cord extending through the skirt and the pair of skirt openings; clamps corresponding to the pair of hem openings, each clamp dividing the elastic cord extending from the corresponding pair of hem openings into a first cord portion and a second cord portion; anchors corresponding to the pairs of hem openings, each anchor coupling a portion of the elastic cord protruding from the corresponding pair of hem openings to the body, the first cord portion or the second cord portion configured to apply elastic tension to the body when stretched over the body in a compacted state, thereby maintaining the body in the compacted state.

Description

Compressible jacket

Data of related applications

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 62/825,727 entitled "jack BICYCLE STORAGE" and filed on 2019, 3, 28.

Background

Outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, provide a pleasant way to spend time in nature, while engaging in interesting attempts and gaining the potential benefits of physical labor and exercise. Because such activities occur outdoors, weather conditions may change. To reduce the effects of inclement weather, such as rain, outdoor adventure, such as a mountain biker, may utilize clothing, such as a rain jacket or a wind jacket, to keep warm and dry and help protect the outdoor adventure from ambient moisture and/or cold winds on their own.

However, weather conditions often change, and many times, when riding outdoors or otherwise active, wind and/or rain and/or other inclement weather conditions may not last for the entire time that the outdoor activity occurs. Outdoor clothing, such as rain or wind jackets, may not be perfectly breathable or otherwise perfectly ventilated, and may be cumbersome or cumbersome for the wearer.

Thus, for an outdoor enthusiast (such as a mountain biking rider), the outdoor enthusiast may wish to avoid wearing clothing such as a rain jacket when it is not necessary or otherwise forced to be worn by weather conditions, but still make such clothing available if the weather changes in a manner that encourages the enthusiast to wear the clothing.

Various attempts have been made to provide outdoor adventure, such as mountain biking riders, with a way to receive or otherwise carry outdoor clothing during outdoor activities of the outdoor adventure. One solution is to attach the garment around the user's body when not in use, such as by tying the arms of a rain jacket around the waist of the wearer. However, clothing attached in this manner can impede body movement, can become quite easily dislodged, can be cumbersome, and can pose safety concerns, particularly if the clothing engages equipment such as mountain bike wheels. Another solution is to store the garment in a backpack, a purse, or some other bag or pouch. However, packages, bags and pouches have similar disadvantages, such as being cumbersome, can interfere with movement, and result in the need for the user to carry not only the garment, but also the package, bag or pouch.

Furthermore, outdoor sports enthusiasts, such as mountain biking riders, often wish to find alternative storage solutions in addition to the wearer's body. Some bicycles or other outdoor equipment may be designed with integral and/or external storage compartments that may potentially fit various articles of clothing. However, such devices, such as bicycles with integral or external storage compartments, have the disadvantage of increased size and weight, which can adversely affect the performance of the device. Other attempts have been made to secure clothing to outdoor equipment (such as mountain bikes) by attaching the clothing to the equipment, such as by attaching a jacket to the bike. However, these attempts have placed an increased burden of carrying separate cords, straps or other securing devices to ensure that the garment is securely stowed when not worn by an outdoor adventure.

Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in compactable garments (compactable garments) and compactable jackets (compactable sockets).

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates a plurality of stages of compaction of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 illustrates a hem (hem) and hem opening of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of a hem opening, an elastic cord, and a clamp of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 illustrates a compactable jacket in a compacted state and tethered by an elastic cord, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates a view of a clamp structure of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

7A-7B illustrate a method for securing a compacted jacket to a bicycle handlebar according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Although the structures, articles of apparel, and methods are described herein by way of example and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that compactable jackets and methods for compacting, binding, securing, and/or attaching compactable jackets are not limited to the described embodiments or figures. It should be understood that the drawings and description are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including" and "includes" mean including but not limited to.

The present disclosure, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods, and procedures are contemplated for use with specific embodiments from the present disclosure. Thus, for example, although particular embodiments are disclosed, such embodiments and implementation components may include any components, models, types, materials, versions, numbers, and/or the like known in the art for use with such systems and implementation components consistent with the intended operation.

The words "exemplary," "example," or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" or as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that a myriad of additional or alternative examples of various scopes may have been presented, but these have been omitted for purposes of brevity.

While this disclosure includes many embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.

The present application relates to a compactable jacket (hereinafter "jacket") configured for compact and secure storage on a bicycle, such as on a handlebar, a top tube, and/or a down tube. A number of different embodiments are discussed below. In general, these embodiments may include a jacket having at least one strap (cinch strap), elastic cord, elastic drawstring (elastic cord string), or other winding implement, and a clamp or other mechanical fastening member configured to lock the strap, cord, or other winding implement into position relative to itself, wherein the strap, cord, or winding implement is formed with, integrated into, part of, or otherwise attached to the jacket, and positioned on the jacket so as to compressively secure the jacket to a bicycle part (bicycle part) around which the strap, cord, or winding implement is wrapped and secured in place by the mechanical fastening member.

Such embodiments generally function by allowing the jacket to be folded and rolled into a compact size (compact dimension) with the band, string or other winding means still being readily accessible and for winding not only around the jacket but also around a bicycle part (such as a handlebar) when in the compact configuration so as to be securely fastened thereto. It should be understood that the components depicted and discussed are non-limiting examples, and in other embodiments, contemplated components may be combined with any other components.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed jacket may include a rain jacket, a wind jacket (windbreaker), a lightweight poncho, a pullover, a cap-linked shirt, a lightweight coat, or other garment implementations configured for wearing on the body of a user. The jacket may include hoods, extended collars (sock covering), full sleeves, and/or short sleeves; jackets may be of various sizes and shaped to fit men, women and/or children; the jacket may include a central zipper that facilitates easy donning and doffing; the jacket may include one or more pockets; the jacket may comprise one or more layers, and may for example comprise an outer water-resistant layer or layers and an inner breathable backing layer; the jacket may be formed of synthetic or non-synthetic materials and/or any operable combination of the two types of materials; also, the jacket may be formed via any operative sewing, stitching, bonding, or other textile and garment forming process.

Fig. 1 illustrates a jacket in an expanded state according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the jacket includes a body 100 having a neck opening 101 and a torso opening 102 opposite the neck opening. As depicted, the jacket includes a central zipper and the zipper is zipped. However, the function of the jacket may operate with embodiments without a central zipper, with embodiments with an unzipped or partially zipped central zipper, and/or with embodiments with buttons or other closure mechanisms.

The body may take a variety of forms depending on the particular type and style of jacket. For example, for a lightweight bicycle jacket, the main body may have a breathable inner liner layer and an outer waterproof layer.

The body 100 of the jacket is configured to transition from an expanded state, in which the compactable jacket is wearable, to a compacted state, in which the compactable jacket is non-wearable, and in which the jacket can be compactly and securely housed. To transition from the expanded state to the compacted state, the jacket may be folded, rolled, and/or otherwise compressed into a compact condition that facilitates efficient storage (such as on a bicycle part).

Fig. 2 illustrates a plurality of stages of compaction of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. The jacket may be laid flat as shown at numeral 1. The jacket compaction process may then be performed in a series of actions. For example, the sleeves may be folded inwardly, as shown at numeral 2, such that the jacket is arranged as a narrow elongated strip. It will be appreciated that the manner and process in which the jacket is compacted may vary, with different folding, rolling and squeezing actions, which may facilitate sufficient and operable compaction of the jacket, which may then be attached to some object for convenient transport (such as a bicycle handlebar).

Once the jacket has been narrowed, a further compaction step may include rolling the jacket, as shown at numeral 3. The jacket may be rolled up by starting at the top or neck opening and then rolling towards the bottom or torso opening of the jacket. Rolling the jacket in the described manner results in the jacket being in a final compacted state. The compacted state may be a cylindrical rolled configuration of the jacket as shown at numeral 4 of fig. 2.

Of course, other shapes may be used for the compacted state, which also facilitates effective attachment of the jacket to an object, such as a part of a bicycle. One benefit of compacting the jacket for a cyclist is that the effect of the jacket on bicycle operation is minimized after the jacket is compacted and attached to the bicycle parts. Another advantage is that the jacket can be stored securely in or on the trolley frame of the bicycle.

The jacket additionally includes a skirt positioned on the body proximate the torso opening. The skirt itself includes one or more pairs of skirt openings, each pair of skirt openings including two openings in the skirt. As will be discussed in more detail below, the skirt houses a resilient member (such as an elastic cord) that emerges from the skirt opening and serves to retain the compacted form of the jacket and secure the jacket to an object.

Fig. 3 illustrates a hem and hem openings of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. In the example of fig. 3, the body 100 of the jacket has a hem 103, the hem 103 being located adjacent the torso opening 102, and the hem 103 having two pairs of hem openings, shown as dashed rectangles and denoted by 105(1) and 105 (2). The first pair of skirt openings is located on the skirt near the left side of the jacket and the second pair of skirt openings is located on the skirt near the right side of the jacket (i.e., opposite the first pair of skirt openings).

The skirt also has an elastic cord 104, the elastic cord 104 passing through a cavity in the skirt and emerging at each pair of skirt openings 105(1) and 105 (2). The elastic cord extends through the skirt and through either pair of skirt openings in the skirt. The elastic strands may be constructed of any suitable material that provides suitable elasticity. For example, the elastic cord may be a parachute cord (also referred to as a parachute cord), or a cord comprising any type of synthetic material that provides elasticity. Alternatively, the jacket may utilize many other retracting and binding mechanisms, such as straps, hook and loop straps, inelastic cords, straps, drawstrings, and the like.

The elastic cord/strap/binding mechanism helps to securely fasten and store the jacket on an object, such as a handlebar. One or more elastic cords or portions thereof may be positioned on and/or in portions of the jacket. For example, one or more elastic cords may reside in a tubular skirt located at the bottom torso opening of the jacket.

One function of the elastic cord in operable combination with a fastener member, such as a spring cord lock, is that the torso opening of the jacket may be tied, tightened, or otherwise reduced in size. This reduced size function may allow the wearer of the jacket to tighten the bottom of the jacket tightly against the lower torso and/or hips of the wearer, thereby helping to hold the jacket in place around the body of the wearer (preventing the jacket from flapping around), and also helping to prevent wind and/or moisture from penetrating the lower torso opening of the jacket while being worn by the user. Another function associated with the present disclosure may include providing, positioning and utilizing an elastic cord in operable combination with a fastener member (such as a spring cord lock) in such a manner: so that the jacket is efficiently and effectively secured in place on a bicycle part, such as the handlebar of a mountain bike, for efficient storage thereon. One or more portions of the elastic cord may extend from an opening of the tubular skirt of the jacket. It may be advantageous to position the protruding position of the rope portion on the jacket in this way: such that easy access to the rope portion is facilitated when the jacket has been folded, rolled and/or otherwise compacted in preparation for secure attachment to an object, such as a bicycle part.

While the example of fig. 3 illustrates two pairs of hem openings, a jacket may have as few as one pair of hem openings or many more hem openings, as this example is not intended to be limiting.

The jacket additionally includes one or more clamps corresponding to one or more pairs of hem openings. As will be shown in fig. 4-5, each clamp may divide the portion of the elastic cord extending from a corresponding pair of the skirt openings into at least a first cord portion extending from a first one of the pair of skirt openings and a second cord portion extending from a second one of the pair of skirt openings.

The jacket also includes one or more anchors corresponding to the one or more pairs of hem openings, each anchor coupling a portion of the elastic cord extending from the corresponding pair of hem openings to the main body.

The elastic cord may be looped through or otherwise engaged with an anchor located on the jacket. The anchor may be a loop of solid material sewn securely to the jacket, possibly near the point where the elastic cord extends from the opening of the tubular skirt. The anchor may extend from and be sewn into the skirt. The anchor provides a number of advantages, such as serving as a reinforcing structure that allows the user to stretch, pull, apply tension, or otherwise apply significant force on the elastic cord without the elastic cord tearing or otherwise falling out of the jacket from the tubular skirt.

Another advantage provided by the anchor may be that the anchor may help to hold the corresponding elastic cord portion in a proper position and orientation relative to the jacket, such as when the jacket is fully deployed by being laid flat or by being worn by a user, and/or such as when the jacket is compacted into a compact state.

Yet another advantage provided by the anchor is that a single elastic cord may be looped through the tubular skirt of the jacket, extended through an opening of the skirt, extended through or otherwise made to physically interact with a clamp or fastener member (such as a spring cord lock), and then joined to itself by tying to itself, thermally joining or welding to itself, mechanically fastening to itself (such as by sewing or with the aid of an added mechanical joining member), chemically fastening to itself (such as by an adhesive), and/or by any operative joining process and/or combination thereof. Thus, the anchor allows a clip (such as a spring cord lock) to be securely and operably attached to the elastic cord in this manner: the clamp that prevents the fastener member (such as a spring cord lock) simply slips off or otherwise disengages from the end portion or loop extension of the elastic cord. Further, the anchor may facilitate manual grasping and handling of the jacket during attachment and storage of the jacket onto an object (such as a bicycle handlebar).

Fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of a hem opening, an elastic cord, and a clamp of a compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, fig. 4 illustrates a component portion of the jacket near a single pair of skirt openings 106A and 106B in the skirt 103. The clamp 107 divides the portion of the elastic cord 104 protruding/exposed from the pair of skirt openings 106A and 106B into a first cord portion 104A protruding/exposed from the skirt opening 106A and a second cord portion 104B protruding/exposed from the skirt opening 106B.

In addition, as shown in fig. 4, the clamp 107 may also divide the cord 104 into a third cord portion in the form of a cord loop 104C extending from the clamp 107. As shown in the example of fig. 4, the anchor 108 may be a loop of material that engages the loop of cord 104C extending from the clip 107. The anchor material may comprise metal, leather, fabric, plastic, synthetic fibers, or some combination of these materials. The other end of the anchor, opposite the portion of the cord to which it is attached, may extend from and be attached to the body of the jacket. For example, the anchor may be sewn into the hem of the jacket.

Of course, the anchors may couple the portions of the elastic cord extending from the corresponding pair of hem-openings to the main body in other ways. For example, if the clip divides a portion of the elastic cord into only two cord portions, the anchor may be engaged directly with the clip (such as by looping through a hole in the body of the clip) and couple the clip to the body of the jacket, thereby coupling the portions of the elastic cord to the body. Alternatively, the anchor may engage one of the two cord portions using a loop material and couple the cord portion to the body of the jacket. Many variations are possible, and these examples are not intended to be limiting.

The jacket is configured such that one or more of the first and second cord portions are configured to apply an elastic tension to the body of the jacket when stretched over the body in a compacted state. This elastic tension minimizes the overall volume of the jacket and maintains the body of the jacket in a compacted state.

The jacket is further configured such that one or more of the first and second cord portions are configured to apply an elastic tension to an object (such as a handlebar of a bicycle) when stretched over the object. This elastic tension is used to secure the jacket to the object. For this purpose, the use of elastic cords of the jacket eliminates the need for people to carry any additional material to secure or store the jacket.

Fig. 5 illustrates a jacket in a compacted state according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 5, the compacted state may be a cylindrical shape formed by folding and rolling the jacket as previously discussed. The cylindrical shape can be very compact for minimal wind resistance and bulk (for use where the user has attached the jacket to the bicycle). For example, when the jacket is a lightweight jacket such as a wind resistant coat, the cylindrical shape may have a diameter of less than 8 centimeters and a length of less than 25 centimeters. To achieve these dimensions in the compacted state, the thickness of the body of the jacket may be about 1 mm or less than 1 mm.

As shown in fig. 5, the hem of the jacket has two pairs of hem openings with corresponding clamps 107(1) and 107 (2). Each clip (107(1) and 107(2)) divides the portion of the cord 104 extending from the corresponding pair of hem openings into a first cord portion, a second cord portion, and a loop. Both loops are secured to the body 100 of the jacket with corresponding anchors 108(1) and 108 (2).

The clamp structure will now be described in more detail. Fig. 6 illustrates a view of a structure of a clamp in a compactable jacket, according to an example embodiment.

Each clamp is configured to lock the elastic cord in place, thereby preventing and/or limiting movement of the cord through the clamp. As shown in fig. 6, the clamp 107 may be a spring-loaded cord lock. The elastic cord resides in the through opening of the spring cord lock. The spring cord lock includes a deployment spring 107A, the deployment spring 107A configured to apply pressure to a cord-engaging member inside the clamp 107, thereby preventing the cord 104 from moving through the through opening.

The spring cord lock may include a toggle button 107B that, when compressed, serves to compress the deployment spring 107A and temporarily disengage the cord engaging member from the cord 104. When compressed, the toggle button 107B serves to compress the deployment spring and disengage the cord engaging member from the elastic cord. In this way, a user may press or otherwise depress the toggle button and then slide or otherwise move a portion of the elastic cord through the opening of the spring cord lock. When the toggle button is released, the deployment spring again deploys against the strap engaging member, which engages and clamps or otherwise secures the elastic cord in a locked and secured position relative to the spring cord lock.

The spring cord lock may also include a handle-shaped aperture 107C built into the body of the spring cord lock. The handle-shaped aperture 107C may be used to attach items to the jacket and/or pass additional cords, strings, or fastening members through the jacket. The handle shape may also act as a latching mechanism to secure the end of the elastic cord after the end has been stretched around the body of the compacted jacket and/or the object to which the jacket is to be attached.

The clamp may be implemented using a variety of different structures, such as fasteners, including mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, latches, and/or clips. For example, the clip may be a hook and loop type fastener, button, clip, latch, and/or other similar appliance configured to facilitate fastening and securing of the elastic cord, present on one or more portions of the elastic cord and/or jacket. If a different type of clip is used, alternative latching components may be used, such as latches, locks, bindings (binding), etc.

Additionally, when a harness is used, the mechanical fastener may include a knot element (knot element) pre-created or created by the user, wherein the knot element is used to mechanically fasten the belt portions together in a manner that facilitates securing the rain jacket to the bicycle.

Embodiments having a clamp, such as a spring cord lock, may have a deployment spring disposed in compression against a strap engaging member configured to engage a drawstring, as the drawstring, typically embodied as a bungee-like elastic parasol cord, resides in a through opening of the spring cord lock.

Returning to fig. 5, techniques for maintaining the jacket in a compacted state and securing the jacket to the object will now be discussed. As shown in fig. 5, for each pair of hem openings, one of the rope portions formed by the clamp is stretched around the body of the jacket in a compacted state. The portion of the cord stretched over the body of the jacket in the compacted state may be configured to apply an elastic tension to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state, thereby maintaining the body in the compacted state. For example, the cord portions may be short enough such that when the cord portions are deployed to fit at least partially around a compacted jacket, tension in the cord portions increases and prevents the jacket from slipping.

Each second cord portion formed by the clip (the cord portion that is not stretched over the jacket) may then be used to secure the jacket to an object. In this case, each second cord portion may be configured to apply an elastic tension to the object when stretched thereon, thereby securing the jacket to the object. For example, the second cord portion may have a very short length while maintaining sufficient elasticity to stretch on the bicycle handlebar and maintain a high level of tension on the outer circumference of the handlebar (or a portion thereof).

Of course, a variety of different techniques may be used to couple the compacted jacket to the object and maintain the compacted state of the jacket. For example, when each clip divides the portion of the elastic cord protruding from the corresponding pair of hem openings into a first cord portion and a second cord portion, then one of the first cord portion or the second cord portion may be stretched around both the body of the jacket in compacted form and the object to which the jacket is to be secured. In this case, one of the first or second cord portions may be configured to apply an elastic tension to the object and the body of the jacket when the object and the body in the compacted state are stretched, thereby retaining the body in the compacted state and securing the jacket to the object.

7A-7B illustrate a method for securing a compacted jacket to a bicycle handlebar according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 7A, one of the cord portions (formed by the clamp) is itself formed into an annular shape and stretched around the circumference of the compacted jacket body and the circumference of the bicycle handlebar. Fig. 7B shows that the loop shape can then be secured in place by engaging with the clip (such as by looping it around the clip), and the tension in the cord will hold the clip in place. The contraction and elastic tension of the cord will additionally keep the jacket in a compacted state and keep the jacket tightly attached to the handlebar of the bicycle.

When a portion of the elastic cord is wrapped around a portion of the compacted jacket and also wrapped around a portion of the bicycle part, the wrapped-around portion of the elastic cord may be clamped and secured by a clamp, such as a spring-cord lock. The clamp may be located in a position to facilitate binding of the compacted jacket and accessory. The clamp or fastener member, such as a spring cord lock, may have a size greater than the combined size of the operably engaged elastic cord as it is wrapped around the clamp. Thus, when under tension, this is at least partly achieved by the elastic resistance properties (elastic resistance properties) of the elastic cord in its stretched state when wrapped around a portion of the jacket and a portion of the object, the elastic cord may remain securely wrapped around the clip. In this secured state, the elastic cord may keep the rain jacket securely attached to an object, such as a bicycle part, thereby storing the jacket on the bicycle part even when the bicycle is operated in various environmental conditions, such as along a bumpy road or during strong winds.

As discussed above, in the compacted configuration, the jacket is present in a state that more facilitates effective attachment to an object, such as a bicycle handlebar. As depicted in fig. 7A-7B, the first elastic cord portion of the jacket may be wrapped around the jacket and also wrapped around a portion of the bicycle part and secured in place to help secure the compacted jacket to the bicycle part. Further, as depicted in fig. 7A-7B. The second elastic cord portion may additionally be wrapped around the jacket and also wrapped around another portion of the bicycle part and likewise secured in place to help further secure the jacket to the bicycle part, such as the handlebar.

To disengage the jacket from the object, or otherwise release the elastic cord from a secure wrapped position around the object, the user may apply a force to purposefully and specifically release the clamp or fastener. For example, where the clamp or fastener is a spring cord lock, the user may stretch or otherwise manipulate the elastic cord so that it extends out and around the corresponding clamp, such as a spring cord lock, thereby releasing the cord from its engaged position around the clamp. Once the elastic cord is released from its position around the clip, the elastic cord may then be unwrapped from around the object and the jacket may be removed from its secure storage position. If a plurality of elastic cords or portions of elastic cords and a corresponding plurality of clamps (such as spring cord locks) are included in the jacket and used to secure the jacket to the bicycle part, the method of engaging and securing the jacket to an object (such as a handlebar) and disengaging and releasing the jacket from being securely attached to the bicycle part may be explained in a similar manner.

As illustrated in fig. 7A-7B, when the jacket is securely attached and stored on a bicycle part (such as a bicycle handlebar), the jacket may be generally located on top of the bicycle part and may extend approximately axially along the bicycle part (such as the handlebar) so as to be generally centered relative to an approximate axis of the bicycle part. It should be understood that other positions and orientations may be used for secure attachment and storage of the jacket embodiment on the bicycle part. For example, the geometry and dimensions of the handlebars may vary from bicycle to bicycle, and a user may install and store jacket embodiments on the bicycle handlebars in any manner that is operatively effective with respect to the particular handlebar geometry and dimensions. Furthermore, the user can store the jacket on or along the top tube of the bicycle. Furthermore, depending on the geometry of the bicycle, the user may also store the jacket embodiment on or along the down tube of the bicycle. Depending on the length of the bicycle seat post, various embodiments may facilitate storage of the jacket along the seat post. The jacket can be configured to match the geometry and size of one or more bicycle parts to facilitate storage on bicycle parts that are set to different sizes and shapes.

It should be understood that the compactable jacket is not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as any component consistent with the intended operation of the jacket may be used. Thus, for example, it should be understood that although the figures, images, and accompanying text descriptions illustrate and disclose specific jacket embodiments, any such embodiments may include any shape, size, style, type, model, version, category, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of the jacket.

The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific jacket embodiments shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in the jacket may be formed from any of a number of different types of materials or combinations that may be readily formed, joined, and/or assembled into a shaped object, and consistent with the intended operation of the jacket. For example, the base component may be formed from: organic materials, synthetic materials, blends or combinations thereof, and/or other similar materials; rubber (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other similar materials; elastomers and/or other similar materials; polymers and/or other similar materials; a metal and/or metal alloy; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Further, the components of the jacket may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined to one another. As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the separate or simultaneous manufacture of these components may include sewing, threading, braiding, stitching, crimping, sealing, stretching, joining, screening, fastening, attaching, or other suitable assembly. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupled to each other in any manner, such as by adhesives, plastic welding (thermal or chemical), or via garment and/or textile manufacturing equipment and processes, any combination thereof, and/or the like, depending on the particular materials from which the components are formed, among other considerations.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with reference to described embodiments, it will be recognized that the described embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, the programs, processes, or methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computing environment. Elements of the described embodiments shown in software may be implemented in hardware and vice versa.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of our invention may be applied, we claim as the invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims (20)

1. A jacket configured for compact storage, the jacket comprising:

a body having a neck opening and a torso opening opposite the neck opening, the body configured to transition from an expanded state in which the jacket is wearable to a compacted state in which the jacket is non-wearable;

a skirt located on the body proximate the torso opening and including one or more pairs of skirt openings, each pair of skirt openings including two openings in the skirt;

an elastic cord extending through the skirt and the one or more pairs of skirt openings;

one or more clips corresponding to the one or more pairs of hem openings, each clip dividing a portion of the elastic cord extending from a corresponding pair of hem openings into at least a first cord portion extending from a first one of the pair of hem openings and a second cord portion extending from a second one of the pair of hem openings; and

one or more anchors corresponding to the one or more pairs of hem openings, each anchor coupling the portion of the elastic cord protruding from the corresponding pair of hem openings to the main body;

wherein one or more of the first and second cord portions are configured to apply an elastic tension to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state, thereby retaining the body in the compacted state; and is

Wherein one or more of the first and second cord portions are configured to apply an elastic tension to an object when stretched thereon, thereby securing the jacket to the object.

2. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the compacted state comprises a cylindrical shape.

3. The jacket of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical shape has a diameter of less than 8 centimeters and a length of less than 25 centimeters.

4. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the one or more pairs of skirt openings comprise a first pair of skirt openings on the skirt and a second pair of skirt openings opposite the first pair of skirt openings.

5. The jacket of claim 4, wherein the first pair of hem openings are located near a left side of the body and the second pair of hem openings are located near a right side of the body.

6. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each clamp divides the portion of the elastic cord extending from a corresponding pair of the hem openings into the first cord portion extending from the first of the pair of the hem openings, the second cord portion extending from the second of the pair of the hem openings, and a cord loop extending from the clamp.

7. The jacket of claim 6, wherein each anchor comprises a loop of material that engages the cord loop extending from each clamp.

8. The jacket of claim 7, wherein each anchor extends from and is sewn into the skirt.

9. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each first cord portion is configured to apply an elastic tension to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state, thereby maintaining the body in the compacted state.

10. The jacket of claim 9, wherein each second cord portion is configured to apply an elastic tension to the object when stretched over the object, thereby securing the jacket to the object.

11. The jacket of claim 1, wherein one of the first strand portion or the second strand portion is configured to apply an elastic tension to the object and the body when stretched over the object and the body in the compacted state, thereby retaining the body in the compacted state and securing the jacket to the object.

12. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each clamp is configured to lock the cord in place, thereby preventing the cord from moving through the clamp.

13. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises a spring cord lock comprising a deployment spring configured to apply pressure to a cord-engaging member, thereby preventing movement of the cord.

14. The jacket of claim 13, wherein the spring cord lock includes a toggle button that, when compressed, acts to compress the deployment spring and disengage the cord-engaging member from the cord.

15. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises a fastener.

16. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises one or more of: mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, latches, or clips.

17. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a breathable inner liner layer and an outer waterproof layer.

18. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a bicycle part.

19. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the bicycle component comprises a handlebar.

20. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the elastic cord comprises an elastic umbrella cord.

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