EP1535527A2

EP1535527A2 - A garment particularly a waistcoat or a gilet

Info

Publication number: EP1535527A2
Application number: EP04425816A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Filippo Gardiello.
Original assignee: No Limits Duemilatre Srl
Current assignee: No Limits Duemilatre Srl
Priority date: 2003-11-25
Filing date: 2004-11-02
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: EP1535527A3; ITMI20032302A1

Abstract

A garment (10), particularly a waistcoat or a gilet comprises means for protecting and/or wrapping the wearer's legs, which are suitable to take a folded position where they are retracted within the garment and an unfolded position where they extend from the garment. The leg protecting means comprise a lining or tissue of a protective waterproof material that is fixed to the garment (10) and which, when being in the unfolded and extended position, forms a pair of trousers. Means are provided to adjust the size of the trousers waistline and means to tighten trousers ends around the wearer's ankles. A pocket is further provided comprising closing means, which is suitable to house the protecting means when being arranged in the folded position. This pocket is applied within the garment at the wearer's waist and extends in the substantially parallel direction to a lower edge of the garment

Description

The object of the present invention is a garment, particularly a gilet or waistcoat.
Anoraks or quilted jackets are known, in which the sleeves are applied to the jacket waistcoat by means of zips, to obtain a sleeve-detachable garment.
The so-called "sleeve-detachable" jackets of the known type allow the jacket to be used according to two different configurations corresponding to a first configuration as a jacket provided with sleeves and a second configuration as a sleeveless waistcoat.
However, it should be considered that the passage from waistcoat to jacket can be carried out only if the user is provided with the relative sleeves to be applied to the armhole of the waistcoat. On the contrary, when passing from jacket to waistcoat, i.e. when removing the sleeves, the problem arises to avoid the encumbrance of the removed sleeves.
The problems stated above are particularly felt in case of sudden climate variation and limit the functionality of the known "sleeve-detachable" jackets.
Furthermore, the known garments are however such as to leave other wearer's regions uncovered, e.g. the legs.
From what has been stated above there emerges how the need is felt to have a garment and particularly a gilet o waistcoat being versatile such as to be adapted to different climate conditions, mainly in case of sudden changes, and offers full protection to the wearer.
The problem at the heart of the present invention is thus to propose a garment, particularly a gilet or waistcoat, having such structural and functional characteristics as to meet the above requirement, while at the same time overcoming the drawbacks cited with reference to the prior art.
This problem is resolved by means of a garment, particularly a gilet o waistcoat in accordance with claim 1.
Further characteristics and the advantages of the garment according to the invention will result from the description given below of preferred embodiments thereof, which are intended as being indicative and non-limiting, with reference to the annexed figures, where:
figure 1 shows a perspective view of a gilet according to the present invention in a first operating configuration;
figure 2 shows a perspective view of the gilet from figure 1 according to a different operating configuration;
figure 3 shows a possible variant embodiment of the gilet from figure 1;
figure 4 shows a further possible variant embodiment of the gilet from figure 1;
figure 5 shows a possible variant embodiment of the gilet from figure 1;
figure 6 illustrates a further possible embodiment of the gilet from figure 1.
With reference to the above figures, with 10 has been generally designated a garment, particularly a gilet or waistcoat, according to the present invention.
The waistcoat or gilet can be made of different materials, such as by way of non-limiting examples gorotex ®, cordura ® or the like. Preferably, the gilet is made as a padded gilet or quilted jacket.
By way of example only, the gilet 10 can comprise a zip 12 opening and closing the front portion thereof. By way of example only, the gilet 10 can comprise one or several pockets 14.
According to a possible embodiment, the gilet 10 comprises a collar 16, for example provided with a hood 17 made of a waterproof material and foldaway into a pocket formed along the collar perimeter, which is optionally provided with suitable closure means such as a zip 18.
The gilet 12 has apertures 20 for the arms to pass therethrough. The edge defining the apertures 20 is also defined as the armhole.
According to a possible embodiment, the gilet 10 comprises pockets 22 formed along each armhole, i.e. along each perimeter of the apertures 20. Each pocket 22 has the shape of a container enveloping the armhole all around to form a cavity.
Each pocket 22 comprises closure means 24 that in the illustrated example consist of a zip being preferably applied within the gilet.
In the normal condition thereof, such as illustrated in figure 1, the gilet 10 is used sleeveless in order to make the piece of clothing easier to wear, and allow more freedom of movement. According to a possible embodiment, two protective linings 26 being cylinder- or slightly truncated-cone shaped are sewn within a respective pocket 22 and incorporated therein. Both linings are made of a waterproof material, preferably the same material as the hood.
The shape and lenght of both linings is such as to cover and protect the gilet wearer's arms in case of sudden bad weather and to provide sleeves incorporated within the gilet.
According to a possible embodiment, the free end of both linings 26 comprises means to tighten the cuffs, for example a flap 28, a strip 30 of Velcro ® being applied thereto which is suitable to be fastened to a corresponding strip 32 of Velcro ®.
The garment 10 advantageously comprises means 34 to protect and/or wrap around the wearer's legs. These means are suitable to take a folded position where they are retracted within the garment (figure 1) and an unfolded position where they extend from the garment (figure 2).
According to a possible embodiment, the leg protecting means comprise a portion 36 that is fixed to the garment 10, such as sewn within the latter.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the means 34 comprise a lining or tissue 38 suitable to take a folded position where it is retracted within the garment and an unfolded position where it extends from the garments, thereby providing a pair of trousers. Preferably, this lining or tissue is made of a waterproof protective material, still more preferably it is made of the same materials as the sleeves.
According to a possible embodiment, this lining or tissue that is made in the form of trousers comprises waistline adjusting means for the trousers. For example, these adjusting means comprise elastic means, not shown, or they comprise a belt or cord 40 being associated to the trousers waist and having ends that are suitable to be pulled or released by the wearer. In the latter case, a locking element 42 for the ends of the belt or cord 40 can be provided.
According to a possible embodiment, this lining or tissue being made in the form of trousers comprises means for tightening the ends of the trousers around the wearer's ankles. For example, these tightening means comprise elastic means, not illustrated, or they comprise one flap 44 for each trouser leg extending from an area at the trousers end and that is suitable to be fastened to a portion of the tissue o lining forming the trousers. In the example illustrated in figure 2, the flap 44 comprises a portion of Velcro ® 46 that is suitable to be coupled with a conjugated portion of Velcro ® 48 being fixed at the trousers end.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the garment 10 comprises a pocket 50 suitable to receive the wearer's leg protecting means in the folded position, particularly the tissue or lining in the form of trousers. In this case, the leg protecting means are fixed to the garment at a portion thereof being arranged within the pocket.
According to a possible embodiment, the pocket 50 is applied at the wearer's waist, for example such as to extend in a substantially parallel direction to a lower edge 52 of the garment.
Preferably, the pocket 50 is applied within the garment, for example to a back portion of the garment.
Advantageously, the pocket 50 can comprise closing means, for example made in the form of a zip 54, or Velcro ® strips, or buttons, either of the snap type or other.
According to a possible embodiment, the closing means are applied within the garment.
The gilet described above is used under normal climate conditions as a piece of clothing characterized by being sleeveless, which makes it easier to wear and being such as to allow more freedom of movement.
Under sudden bad climate conditions, such as rain, wind, and snow, the wearer can open the pocket 50 and unfold the trousers to wear them. Furthermore, the wearer can open the pockets 22 and take out the protecting linings 26 that form sleeves extending all through the length of the arm, thereby allowing the latter to be completely covered. The piece of clothing thus obtained allows to entirely cover the legs, the arms and the top of the wearer.
By tightening the free end of the linings around the ankles and wrists, water-tight and air-tight protection is obtained thereby ensuring total absence of water/air penetration.
By extracting the protective linings in the form of trousers, sleeves and hood that are incorporated within the gilet, one can temporarily protect oneself against the rain or other climate. The provision of a gilet with trousers and optionally sleeves and hood incorporated therein that are made of waterproof material allows to benefit from the advantages of a gilet, and also offers the possibility of protect oneself under climate conditions such as snown, wind or rain. The garment according to the present invention exhibits attributes of high versatility and functionality under any climate condition.
Due to the pocket closing means and particularly the zips provided within the gilet, the visual appearance of the piece of clothing can be improved and the presence of a hard portion on the outside of the garment can be avoided.
It is understood that variants and/or additions can be contemplated to what has been described and illustrated above.
For example, the materials can be of different types, as well as the provided closing means. Obviously, other embodiments of the pocket closing means can be provided, such as Velcro ® belts, slots and buttons, snap buttons, hooks and the like.
The protective lining defining the trousers or the sleeve can be heat-sealed to the gilet. Obviously, further fixing means can be provided.
To tighten the free end of the lining around the ankles or wrists of the wearer of the gilet, buttons and slots, snap buttons, hooks, zips and the like can be for example provided.
The lining in the form of trousers can be open along the sides thereof, and have zips or other closing means, in order to be easily put on by the wearer.
To the preferred embodiment of the garment described above, those skilled in the art, aiming at satisfying contingent and specific requirements, will be able to carry out a number of modifications and replacements of elements with others that are functionally equivalent, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A garment (10), particularly a waistcoat or a gilet comprising means (34) for protecting and/or wrapping the wearer's legs, said means being suitable to take a folded position where they are retracted within the garment and an unfolded position where they extend from the garment.
The garment according to claim 1, wherein said leg protecting means (34) comprise a portion (36) being fixed to said garment (10).
The garment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means (34) comprise a lining or tissue (38) that is suitable to take a folded position where it is retracted within the garment and an unfolded position where it extends from the garment thereby forming a pair of trousers.
The garment according to claim 3, wherein said lining or tissue (38) is made of a waterproof protective material.
The garment according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said lining or tissue (38) being made in the form of trousers comprises waistline adjusting means (40, 42) for the trousers.
The garment according to claim 5, wherein said adjusting means (40, 42) comprise elastic means.
The garment according to claim 5, wherein said adjusting means (40, 42) comprise a belt or cord (40) being associated to the trousers waist and having ends that are suitable to be pulled or released by the wearer.
The garment according to claim 7, wherein there is provided a locking element (42) for the ends of said belt or cord (40).
The garment according to any claim 3 to 8, wherein said lining or tissue (38) made in the form of trousers comprises means (44, 46, 48) for tightening the ends of the trousers around the wearer's ankles.
The garment according to claim 9, wherein said tightening means comprise elastic means.
The garment according to claim 9, wherein said tightening means comprise a flap (44) for each trousers leg extending from an area at the trousers ends and suitable to be fastened to a portion of the tissue or lining forming the trousers.
A garment according to one of preceding claims, comprising a pocket (50) being suitable to receive said protecting means (34) for the wearer's legs in the folded position.
The garment according to claim 12, wherein said leg protecting means (34) are fixed to the garment at a portion (36) thereof that is arranged within said pocket (50).
The garment according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said pocket (50) is applied at the wearer's waist.
The garment according to any claim 12 to 14, wherein said pocket (50) extends substantially parallel to a lower edge (52) of the garment.
The garment according to any claim 12 to 15, wherein said pocket (50) is applied within the garment.
The garment according to any claim 12 to 16, wherein said pocket (50) is applied to a back portion of the garment.
The garment according to any claim 12 to 17, wherein said pocket comprises closing means (54).
The garment according to claim 18, wherein said closing means (54) are applied within the garment.
The garment according to one of preceding claims, wherein said garment comprises two apertures (20) for the arms, respective pockets (22) being formed thereabout which incorporate protective linings (26) of a waterproof material that are suitable to be extracted and form sleeves protecting the arms of the wearer of the gilet (10) in case of bad weather.
The garment according to claim 20 wherein said pockets being formed at the apertures for the arms comprise closing means.
The garment (10) according to one of preceding claims, wherein a collar (16) is provided with a pocket incorporating a hood made of a waterproof material that can be extracted in case of bad weather.
The garment (10) according to claim 22, wherein said pocket being formed at the collar comprises closing means (24).
The garment (10) according to claim 21 or 23, wherein the closing means (24) comprise a zip arranged within the gilet (10).
The garment (10) according to any claim 20 to 24, wherein the free end of each protective lining (26) being suitable to form the sleeves comprises means (28, 30, 32) for tightening around the wrists of the wearer of the gilet (10).