GB2495921A

GB2495921A - Vents for garment sleeves

Info

Publication number: GB2495921A
Application number: GB1118365.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Paul Warren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: MARTIN PAUL WARREN
Priority date: 2011-10-25
Filing date: 2011-10-25
Publication date: 2013-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-25
Also published as: WO2013061032A1; GB2495921B; JP2014530967A; GB201118365D0

Abstract

A vent 10 adapted to be removably located in a sleeve of a garment comprises a duct member 12 for directing air into the sleeve, the duct member having an inlet end 14 and an outlet end 16 that are coaxial and a mesh 18 provided across the duct for substantially preventing the ingress of insects into the garment. The cross-sectional area of the outlet end is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet end. Attachment means may be disposed on the outer surface of the duct member for engaging a sleeve cuff. Said attachment means is preferably a clip 35 fixed proximate the inlet end, extending along the duct member towards the outlet end and being biased towards the duct member. Also disclosed is a method of venting a long-sleeved garment comprising inserting the vent of the invention between a cuff of the garment and a wrist of a person wearing the garment. The vent may be used when riding a motorbike, cycling or skiing.

Description

TITLE: VENT The present invention relates to a vent and particularly to a vent for use with clothing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

\\hen riding a motorbike, it is advisable to wear protective clothing, such as a leather jacket and trousers, to protect the rider in the event of a fall or an accident. The protective clothing also protects the rider from the elements, such as wind and rain.

However, wearing such protective clothing in warm weather can be uncomfortable, especially when the rider is riding for a prolonged period of time. This is because such protective clothing is highly insulating and a lack of ventilation means that heat builds up during the course of a ride. This can lead to a rider overheating.

It is known for riders to unfasten their clothing in order to cool themselves down during a ride, but this can be dangerous, because the integrity of the protective clothing is broken. lii an accident, loose clothing can get caught or tangled in parts of vehicles or road furnishings.

Alternatively, riders may be forced to take breaks during their journey to cool down.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vent for use with clothing, which substantially mitigates or reduces these problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vent adapted to be removably located in a sleeve of a garment comprising a duct member for directing air into the sleeve of a garment, the duct member having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet and outlet ends being co-axial, and a mesh provided across the duct for substantially preventing the ingress of insects into the garment through the duct.

The vent is advantageous because by directing air into the sleeve of the garment, ventilation is provided into protective clothing of a wearer and overheating of the wearer is substantially prevented. The device is safe to use and does not obstruct the wearer's movement for when he or she is driving a motorbike.

The duct member may have a first cross-sectional area at the inlet end, and a second cross-sectional area at the outlet end, the second cross-sectional area being smaller than the first.

The reduced cross-sectional area of the duct member at the outlet end facilitates the insertion of the vent between a person's wrist and sleeve, for example, when wearing a motorcycling jacket.

The vent is useful in any application where cooling is required, for example, in sporting activities such as cycling and skiing.

The cross section of the duct may be crescent shaped, the inner curve of the crescent resting comfortably, in use, against a person's wrist and the outer curve fitting snugly within a sleeve, without catching.

The cross-sectional area may reduce gradually from the inlet end to the outlet end.

This gradual reduction in cross-section results in airflow being accelerated through the duct. Also, by virtue of the Joule-Thompson effect, the air entering the jacket expands on passing through the outlet of the duct member and cools. This cooling effect adds to the overall cooling effect of the device.

Attachment means, for example, a clip may be disposed on the outer surface of the duct member for engaging a sleeve cuff. The clip may be fixed proximate the inlet end, may extend along the duct member towards the outlet end and may be biased towards the duct member. The biasing enaHes the clip to securely engage a cuff ci An indicia display area may be provided on an outer area of the clip member, which lies on top of a cuff in use. The clip is curved at its end to minimize the chance of it catching on obstructions in an accident.

Alternative attachment means may include, for example, a strap. The strap may be fastened with hook and eye fastener.

The inlet end of the duct member may have a peripheral wall forming a frame for retaining the mesh. Retaining means may be provided for secunng the mesh against the peripheral wall.

The retaining means may include at least one retaining member, spaced from the peripheral wall, the mesh may be engaged between the at least one retaining member and the peripheral wall.

An internal slot or groove may be provided around at least a part of the duct member adjacent the peripheral wall for receiving an edge region of the mesh. The slot is internally provided so that the mesh is retained internally of the duct member.

The mesh may be provided in a movable member attached to the inlet end of the duct member. This allows the mesh to be temporarily removed, for example, for cleaning, replacing or to get access into the duct member, when required. The movable member may be attached to the inlet end of the duct member by, for example hinging means.

The duct member may include an inlet section and an outlet section.

The mesh may be mounted to the inlet section, so that it can prevent ingress of inserts into the garment.

At least one recess may be provided on one of the inlet section and outlet section, and a corresponding detent may be provided on the other of the inlet section and outlet section which may resiliently engage in the at least one recess.

An end face of the duct member at the in'et end may be angled relative to a central axis of the duct member. This provides a bigger the area in which air can enter into the duct member through the inlet, than if the end face is parallel to the central axis. It is also easier to manufacture, if moulded The duct member may be made from plastics, which makes is durable and easy to clean. Other materials, such as metals and metal alloys may also be utilised, as desired.

A valve or closure member may be provided for controllably restricting or substantially preventing airflow through the duct member. This is useful, for example, when the ambient weather conditions change during use of the vent.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of venting a long-sleeved garment comprising inserting a vent in accordance with the first aspect of the invention between a cuff of the garment and a wrist of a person wearing the garment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vent; Figure 2 shows a side view of the vent of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the vent of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of the vent of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a vent is indicated generally at 10. The vent 10 includes a duct member 12 for directing air into a sleeve of a garment, the duct member 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. The inlet 14 and outlet 16 are co-axial. The duct member 12 is crescent shaped and the cross-sectional area of the inlet 14 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outlet 16, the duct member 12 being gradually tapered over its length, although it will be appreciated that the duct member could have a constant cross-sectional area. The width of the duct member is around 68mm at its widest point and the length of the duct member is around 98mm. The depth of the duct member at its deepest point is around 25mm. These dimensions are preferred, since they have been found to fit well with typical sleeve and wrist size, but it will be appreciated that the dimensions can be made larger or smaller. A range of sizes of vent may be provided to suit different people.

A mesh 18 is provided adjacent the inlet 14 for substantially preventing the ingress of insects into the duct member, which may pass into a garment. The mesh may have diamond shaped apertures and may have an aperture size of around 2mm across the vertices of the diamond shape. However, other sizes may be utilized, as desired.

Referring also Figure 4, the duct member 12 includes an inlet section 20 and an outlet section 22. The outlet section 20 is substantially crescent shaped and provides the majority of the length of the duct member 12. The inlet section 20 is also crescent shaped and is substantially formed as a sleeve which slides onto the front end of the outlet section 22. The upper surface of the outlet a front region of section 22 is set back from or depressed from from the upper surface of a rear portion of the outlet section 22, so that when the inlet section 20 slides onto the outlet section 22, the joint between the inlet section and outlet section is substantially fiat on the surface of the duct member. A central protrusion or detent 24 is provided on the front portion of the outlet section 22 and two further smaller proftusions or detents 26, 28 are provided on either side of the central protrusion 24. The protrusions 24, 26, 28 are substantially elongate and are aligned with a central axis of the duct member 12. Corresponding female apertures 34, 30, 32, are provided through the inlet section 20 and when the inlet section 20 is pushed onto the outlet section 22. the protrusions 24. 26, 28 engage in the apertures 34. 30. 32.

A resilient clip member 35 is provided on the upper or outer surface of the inlet section 20 and overlies the aperture 34 and central protrusion 24 of the outlet section.

The resilient clip member 35 is connected to the inlet section 20, proximate the inlet end and extends along the duct member substantially towards the outlet end.

Referring also to Figure 3, the front end of the inlet section 20 presents a substantially crescent shaped opening, which is subdivided by a pair of supporting struts 36 extending substantially perpendicularly across the crescent. The supporting struts 36 serve to give the front region of the inlet section 20 rigidity. A peripheral waIl 38 is provided around the end of the open inlet section 20 against which an outer edge region of the mesh 18 engages. The mesh 18 also abuts against the rear of the supporting struts 36. Retaining means 40, in the form of a plurality of resilient arms extend from the peripheral waIl 38 at the lower side of the inlet section 20 (as viewed). An internal slot or groove indicated generally at 42 is provided around the internal upper side of the crescent shape of the inlet section 20 adjacent the peripheral wall 38. In the assembly of the duct member 12, the lower edge of the mesh 18 is engaged between the retaining members 40 and the peripheral wall 38 and is then pushed towards the supporting struts 36 and the peripheral wall in order to engage an upper edge of the mesh 18 in the slot or groove 42. The retaining means 40 also include apertures 44 extending perpendicularly therethrough, which receive locking pins 46. Once the mesh is assembled to the inlet section 20, then the inlet section can be pushed onto the outlet section 22, the pins 46 engaged in the apertures 44 and the protrusions 24, 26, 28 engaged in the respective apertures 34. 30, 32. Tn an alternative arrangement, the mesh may be provided part way along the duct member or at the outlet.

The components of the vent 10 may be constructed from plastics, for example plastics mouldings or may be made from metal or metal alloys, as desired. The upper surface of the resilient clip member 35 provides a convenient surface for the display of indicia, since in use, this will lie on the outside of a ridcr's cuff as explained further below.

In use, for example in warm weather, a motorcycle rider wearing a protective leather jacket may insert the vent 10 between his wrist and the cuff area on his sleeve. The crescent shape of the duct member 12 is designed to sit comfortably on the wrist area and the tapering of the device enables the device to easily be inserted into the sleeve and be held. The resilient clip 35 passes over the outside of the cuff and holds the duct member to the cuff. The inlet 14 of the duct member 12 is in a forward facing direction, and as the motorcyclist moves forwards, air is captured by the inlet and passes through the duct member. The mesh 18 substantially prevents the ingress of insects and other matter into the duct member and subsequently into the sleeve of the rider. Because the cross-sectional area of the duct member 12 reduces as the air advances through the duct, the air will naturally be accelerated and the cooling effect will be enhanced. Furthermore, by the Joule-Thompson principle, the air will also be cooled somewhat as it passes through the duct and expands into the jacket on exiting the duct member. If vents 10 are worn on both of a rider's sleeves, then a significant air flow can be ducted through the jacket which may exit through the collar region of the rider's jacket, thus keeping him cool.

hi a further embodiment of the invention, not shown, the mesh may be provided in a removable member at the front of the inlet section 20, which facilitates cleaning of the device but also takes away the restriction provided by the mesh 18. This may be desirable in certain particularly hot conditions. Furthermore, a valve or closure member may be provided for controllably restricting or substantially preventing airflow through the duct member. This is useful, for example, when the ambient weather conditions change during use of the vent. The closure member may be a flap, which can be extended or retracted across the aperture through the duct member progressively.

It is envisaged that use of the device will allow riders to keep cool whilst riding in hot weather, without risking their safety by taldng off or undoing theirjackets.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A vent adapted to be removably located in a sleeve of a garment comprising a duct member for directing air into the sleeve of a garment, the duct member having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet and outlet ends being co-axial, and a mesh provided across the duct for substantia'ly preventing the ingress of insects into the garment through the duct.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A vent as claimed in claim 1, in which the inlet end has a first cross-sectional area, the oudet end has a second cross-sectional area, and the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A vent as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, in which the cross section of the duct is crescent shaped.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cross-sectional area reduces graduafly from the inlet end to the outlet end.</claim-text> <claim-text>S. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, in which attachment means is disposed on the outer surface of the duct member for engaging a sleeve cuff.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A vent as c'aimed in c'aim 5, in which the attachment means is a clip is fixed proximate the inlet end, the clip extending along the duct member towards the outlet end and being biased towards the duct member.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A vent as claimed in claim 6, in which an indicia display area is provided on an outer area of the clip member, which lies on top of a cuff in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inlet end of the duct member has a peripheral wall forming a frame for retaining the mesh.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A vent as claimed in claim 8, in which retaining means is provided for securing the mesh against the peripheral wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A vent as claimed in claim 9, in which the retaining means includes at least one retaining member, spaced from the peripheral wall, the mesh being enagaged between the at least one retaining member and the peripheral wail.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which an internal slot or groove is provided around at east a part of the duct member adjacent the peripheral wall for receiving an edge region of the mesh.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the mesh is provided in a movable member attached to the inlet end of the duct member.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the duct member includes an inlet section and an outlet section.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A vent as claimed in claim 13, in which the mesh is mounted to the inlet section.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A vent as claimed in claim 13 or 14, in which at least one recess is provided on one of the inlet section and outlet section, and a corresponding detent is provided on the other of the inlet section and outlet section which resiliently engages in the at least one recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an end face of the duct member at the inlet end is angled relative to a central axis of the duct member.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim in which the duct member is made from plastics.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A method of venting a long-sleeved garment comprising inserting a vent as claimed in any preceding claim between a cuff of the garment and a wrist of a person weanng the garment.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A vent substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in figures Ito 4 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>