US20200305521A1

US20200305521A1 - Compactable jacket

Info

Publication number: US20200305521A1
Application number: US16/834,517
Authority: US
Inventors: Margaux J. Elliott; Evan B. Turpen; Joshua Rebol
Original assignee: Bell Sports Inc
Current assignee: Bell Sports Inc
Priority date: 2019-03-28
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2020-10-01
Also published as: CN111820488A

Abstract

A jacket configured for compact storage, the jacket including a body having a neck opening and a torso opening, the body being configured to transition from an expanded state to a compacted state, a hem comprising pairs of hem openings, an elastic cord extending through the hem and the pairs of hem openings, clamps corresponding to the pairs of hem openings, each clamp dividing the elastic cord protruding from a 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 the portion of the elastic cord protruding from the corresponding pair of hem openings to the body, the first cord portion or second cord portion being configured to apply an elastic tension force to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state to thereby maintain the body in the compacted state.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/825,727, titled “JACKET BICYCLE STORAGE” and filed Mar. 28, 2019.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, offer an enjoyable way to spend time in nature, while engaging in a fun endeavor and obtaining possible benefits of physical toil and exercise. Because such activities take place outdoors, weather conditions may vary. To reduce the impact of inclement weather, such as rain, outdoor adventurers, such as mountain bike riders, may utilize clothing, such as rain jackets or wind jackets, to stay warm and dry and help shield themselves from environmental moisture and/or cold wind.
However, weather conditions often change, and many times, when riding or otherwise being active outdoors, the wind and/or rain and/or other inclement weather conditions may not persist during the entire time the outdoor activity takes place. Outdoor clothing, such as rain jackets or wind jackets, may not breathe or otherwise ventilate extremely well and can feel bulky or cumbersome for the wearer.
Therefore, it may be desirous for an outdoor enthusiast, such as a mountain bike rider, to avoid wearing clothing, such as a rain jacket, when the wearing of such clothing is not necessitated or otherwise compelled by weather conditions, yet still have the clothing accessible, if the weather changes in a manner prompting the enthusiast to want to wear the clothing.
Various attempts have been made to provide a way for an outdoor adventurer, such as a mountain bike rider, to stow or otherwise carry outdoor clothing with them during their outdoor activities. One solution is to attach clothing, when not in use, around a user's body, such as by tying the arms of a rain jacket around the wearer's waist. However, clothing attached in such a manner can impede physical movement, may become unattached fairly easily, may be cumbersome, and can present safety issues, particularly if the clothing engages equipment such as mountain bike wheels. Another solution is to store the clothing in a backpack, a fanny-pack or some other bag or pouch. But, packs, bags and pouches suffer from similar drawbacks like being cumbersome, possibly impeding movement, and creating a need to for the user to carry not only the clothing, but also the pack, bag or pouch.
Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts, such as mountain bike riders, often desire to find alternative storage solutions apart from a wearer's body. Some bikes, or other outdoor equipment, may be designed with integral and/or external storage compartments that may potentially fit various clothing items. However, such equipment, like bikes having integral or external storage bays, suffer from drawbacks of increased size and weight, which can adversely affect equipment performance. Other attempts have been made to secure clothing to outdoor equipment, such as a mountain bike, by tying the clothing to the equipment, like tying a jacket to a bike. Yet those attempts introduce the added burden of carrying separate ropes, straps, or other securing implements, to make sure the clothing is securely stowed, when not being worn by an outdoor adventurer.
Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in compactable clothing and compactable jackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 illustrates multiple stages of compaction of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hem and hem openings of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of the hem openings, elastic cord, and clamp of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the compactable jacket in a compacted state and bound by the elastic cord according to an exemplary embodiment.

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

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While structures, articles of clothing, and methods are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that the compactable jacket and methods for compacting, binding, securing, and/or attaching the compactable jacket are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and description are not intended to be limited to the particular form disclosed. Rather, 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.
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, 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 particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.
The word “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 an “example” 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 this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.
While this disclosure includes a number of implementations in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular implementations 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 implementations illustrated.
The present application is directed to a compactable jacket (hereinafter “jacket”), that is configured for compact and secure storage on a bicycle, such as on the handle bars, on the top tube, and/or on the down tube. A variety of different implementations are discussed below. Generally, these implementations may comprise a jacket having at least one cinch strap, elastic cord, elastic draw string, or other wrapping implement, and a clamp or other mechanical fastening member configured to lock the strap, string or other wrapping implement into place with regard to itself, wherein the strap, string or wrapping implement is formed with, integrated into, a part of, or otherwise attached to the jacket, and positioned on the jacket so as to compressively secure the jacket to a bicycle part around which the strap, string or wrapping implement is wrapped and fixed into place by the mechanical fastening member.
Such implementations generally function by allowing the jacket to be folded and rolled into a compact dimension with the strap, string or other wrapping implement still easily accessible and functional to wrap around not only the jacket, when in a compact configuration, but also the bicycle part, such as a handlebar, so as to be securely fastened to the bicycle part. It should be understood that the components depicted and discussed are non-limiting examples, and that the contemplated components may be combined with any of the other components in other implementations.
Implementations of the presently disclosed jacket may include a rain jacket, windbreaker, lightweight poncho, pullover, hoodie, lightweight coat, or other clothing implement configured for wearing on a user's body. The jacket may include a hood, an extended neck covering, full sleeves, and/or shortened sleeves; it may come in a variety of sizes and be shaped to fit men, women and/or children; it may include a center zipper facilitating easy dressing and undressing; it may include one or more pockets; it may be comprised of one or more layers and may, for example, include an outer waterproof or water resistant layer and an inner breathable liner layer; it may be formed of synthetic, or non-synthetic materials and/or any operable combination of both types of materials; and, it may be formed via any operable stitching, seaming, joining or other textile and clothing forming processes.
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 is zipped up. However, the functionality of the jacket may operate with embodiments having no central zipper, with embodiments having a central zipper that is unzipped or partially zipped, and/or embodiments having buttons or other closure mechanisms.
The body can take various forms, depending on the specific type and style of jacket. For example, for a light bicycling jacket, the body can have a breathable inner lining layer and an outer water resistant layer.
The body 100 of the jacket is configured transition from an expanded state, in which the compactable jacket is wearable, to a compacted state, in which the compactable jacket is not wearable and in which the jacket can be compactly and securely stowed. In order to transition from an expanded state to a compacted state, the jacket may be folded, rolled and/or otherwise compressed into a compact condition facilitating efficient storage (such as on a bicycle part).
FIG. 2 illustrates multiple stages of compaction of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. The jacket can be laid flat as shown at numeral 1. The jacket compaction process can then be executed in a series of actions. For example, the sleeves can be folded inward, as shown at numeral 2, such that the jacket in arranged in a narrow elongated strip. It should be appreciated that the manner and process by with the jacket is compacted can vary, with differing folding, rolling, and squishing actions that can facilitate an adequately and operably compacted jacket that can then be attached to some object for ease of transport (such as bicycle handlebars).
Once the jacket has been narrowed, a further compaction step can include rolling the jacket, as shown at numeral 3. The jacket can be rolled-up by starting at the top, or at the neck opening and rolling toward the bottom or torso opening of the jacket. Rolling the jacket in the manner described results in the jacket being in the final compacted state. The compacted state can be the cylindrically-shaped rolled configuration of the jacket shown at numeral 4 of FIG. 2.
Of course, other shapes can be utilized for the compacted state that also facilitate effective attachment of the jacket to an object such as a part of a bicycle. One benefit of compacting the jacket for bicyclists is that the impact of the jacket on bike handling is minimized after it is compacted and attached to a bicycle part. Another benefit is that the jacket can be stored securely within or on the small frame of a bicycle.
The jacket additionally includes a hem that is located on the body proximate to the torso opening. The hem itself includes one or more pairs of hem openings, each pair of hem openings comprising two openings in the hem. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the hem houses an elastic component (such as an elastic cord) that emerges from the hem openings and is used to maintain the compacted form of the jacket and secure the jacket onto objects.
FIG. 3 illustrates a hem and hem openings of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the body 100 of the jacket has a hem 103 that is located proximate to the torso opening 102 and that has two pairs of hem openings, shown in dashed rectangles and denoted 105(1) and 105(2). The first pair of hem openings is located on the hem proximate to the left side of the jacket and the second pair of hem openings are located on the hem proximate to the right side of the jacket (i.e., opposite the first pair of hem openings).
The hem also has an elastic cord 104 that runs through a cavity in the hem and that emerges at each of the pairs of hem openings 105(1) and 105(2). The elastic cord extends through the hem and any pairs of hem openings within the hem. The elastic cord can be constructed of any suitable material that provides suitable elasticity. For example, the elastic cord can be paracord (also known as parachute chord) or a cord comprised of any type of synthetic material that provides elasticity. Alternatively, the jacket can utilize a number of other constricting and binding mechanisms, such as cinch straps, hook and loop straps, non-elastic cord, belts, drawstrings, etc.
The elastic cord/cinch straps/binding mechanism helps to securely fasten and store the jacket on an object, such as handlebars. The one or more elastic cords, or portions thereof, may be positioned on and/or in portions of the jacket. For example, the one or more elastic cords may reside in a tube-like hem located at the bottom torso opening of the jacket.
One function of the elastic cord, in operable combination with the fastener member(s), such as spring cord lock(s), may be to bunch, tighten, or otherwise reduce the size of the torso opening of the jacket. Such size-reducing functionality may permit a wearer of the jacket to cinch-up the bottom of the jacket tight against their lower torso and/or hips, thereby helping to keep the jacket in place around their body (preventing it from flapping around) and also helping to prevent wind and/or moisture from penetrating the bottom torso opening of the jacket while worn by a user. Another function pertinent to the present disclosure may involve the provision, locating and utilization of the elastic cord(s), in operable combination with the fastener members, such as spring cord lock(s), in a manner so as to efficiently and effectively secure the jacket into place on a bicycle part, such as the handlebars of a mountain bike, for efficient storage thereon. A portion, or portions, of the elastic cord(s) may protrude from openings of the tube-like hem of the jacket. It may be advantageous to locate the protruding location(s) of the cord portion(s) on the jacket in a manner that facilitates easy access of the cord portion(s) 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, the jacket can have as little 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 the one or more pairs of hem openings. As will be shown in FIGS. 4-5, each clamp can divide a portion of the elastic cord that protrudes from a corresponding pair of hem openings into at least a first cord portion protruding from a first hem opening in the pair of hem openings and a second cord portion protruding from a second hem opening in the pair of hem openings.
The jacket further includes 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 body.
The elastic cord can be looped through or otherwise engaged with anchors located on the jacket. The anchors may be loops of strong material securely sewn onto the jacket in locations potentially near where the elastic cord(s) protrude out from the openings of the tube-like hem. The anchors may extend from and be sewn into the hem. The anchors afford various advantages, such as serving as reinforcement structures allowing users to stretch, pull, apply tension, or otherwise exert significant force upon the elastic cords, without the elastic cords tearing out of the tube-like hem, or otherwise breaking off from the jacket.
Another advantage afforded by the anchors is that they may help keep the corresponding elastic cord portions in proper location and orientation with respect to the jacket, such as a condition when the jacket is fully expanded, by being laid flat or by being worn by a user, and/or such as when the jacket is compacted into a compact state.
Still another advantage afforded by the anchors is that a single elastic cord may be looped through the tube-like hem of the jacket, protruded through the opening(s) of the hem, extended through or otherwise made to physically interact with the clamp(s) or fastener members, such as a spring cord lock, and then joined back with itself, either by being tied to itself, thermally joined or welded to itself, mechanically fastened to itself, such as by sewing or with assistance of an added mechanical joining member, chemically fastened to itself, such as by adhesive, and/or by any operable joining process and/or combinations thereof. The anchors, therefore, permit the secure and operable attachment of the clamp(s), such as spring cord locks, to the elastic cord in a manner that prevents the clamp(s) of fastener member(s), such as spring cord locks, from simply slipping off or otherwise disengaging from an end portion or loop extension of the elastic cord. In addition, the anchors may facilitate manual gripping and handling of the jacket during attachment and storage of the jacket onto an object, such as onto bicycle handlebars.
FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of the hem openings, elastic cord, and clamp of the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates the component parts of the jacket proximate to a single pair of hem openings, 106A and 106B, in the hem 103. The clamp 107 divides the portion of the elastic cord 104 that protrudes/emerges from the pair of hem openings 106A and 106B into a first cord portion 104A that protrudes/emerges from hem opening 106A and a second cord portion 104B that protrudes/emerges from hem opening 106B.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the clamp 107 can also divide the cord 104 into a third cord portion in the form of a cord loop 104C protruding from the clamp 107. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the anchor 108 can be a loop of material that engages with the cord loop 104C protruding from the clamp 107. The anchor material can be comprised of metal, leather, fabric, plastic, synthetic fiber, or some combination of these materials. The other end of the anchor, opposite the portion of cord to which it is attached, can extend from and be attached to the body of the jacket. For example, anchor can be sewn into the hem of the jacket.
Of course, the anchor can couple the portion of the elastic cord protruding from a corresponding pair of hem openings to the body in other ways. For example, if the clamp divides the portion of elastic cord into only two cord portions, then the anchor can directly engage with the clamp (such as by looping through the aperture in the body of the clamp) and couple the clamp to the body of the jacket, thereby coupling the portion of elastic cord to the body. Alternatively, the anchor can engage with 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 constructed such that one or more of the first cord portion and the second cord portion are configured to apply an elastic tension force to the body of the jacket when stretched over the body in the compacted state. This elastic tension force minimizes the overall volume of the jacket and maintains the body of the jacket in the compacted state.
The jacket is further constructed such that one or more of the first cord portion and the second cord portion are configured to apply an elastic tension force to an object when stretched over the object, such as the handlebars of a bicycle. This elastic tension forces serves to secure the jacket to the object. The use of the elastic cord of the jacket for this purpose eliminates the need for persons to carry any additional materials to secure or store the jacket.
FIG. 5 illustrates the jacket in a compacted state according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the compacted state can be a cylindrical shape formed by folding and rolling the jacket as discussed earlier. The cylindrical shape can be very compact for minimal wind resistance and bulk (for the use-case where a user has attached the jacket to a bicycle). For example, when the jacket is a light jacket such as a windbreaker, the cylindrical shape can have a diameter of less than 8 centimeters and a length of less than 25 centimeters. In order to achieve these dimensions in the compacted state, the thickness of the body of the jacket can be approximately 1 millimeter or less than 1 millimeter.
As shown in FIG. 5, the hem of the jacket has two pairs of hem openings, which have corresponding clamps 107(1) and 107(2). Each clamp (107(1) and 107(2)) divides the part of the cord 104 that protrudes from the corresponding pair of hem openings into a first cord portion, a second cord portion, and a cord loop. Both of the cord 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 greater detail. FIG. 6 illustrates a view of the structure of a clamp in the compactable jacket according to an exemplary embodiment.
Each clamp is configured to lock the elastic cord in place to thereby prevent and/or restrict movement of the cord through the clamp. As shown in FIG. 6, clamp 107 can be a spring cord lock. The elastic cord resides in a pass-through opening of the spring cord lock. The spring cord lock includes an expansion spring 107A configured to apply pressure to a cord engagement member inside the clamp 107 to thereby prevent movement of the cord 104 through the pass-through opening.
The spring cord lock can include a toggle button 107B that, when compressed, acts to compress the expansion spring 107A and temporarily release the cord engagement member from engagement with the cord 104. The toggle button 107B, when compressed, acts to compress the expansion spring and release the cord engagement member from engagement with the elastic cord. As such, a user may depress or otherwise push down on 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 expansion spring again expands against strap engagement member, which engages the elastic cord and clamps or otherwise fastens it into a locked and secure position with regard to the spring cord lock.
The spring cord lock can further include a handle-shaped aperture 107C built into the body of the spring cord lock. This handle-shaped aperture 107C can be used to attach items to the jacket and/or to pass additional cords, strings, or fastening members through the jacket. The handle shape can also be utilized as a latching mechanism to secure the end of the elastic cord after it has been stretched around the body of the compacted jacket and/or object to which the jacket is to be attached.
The clamp can be implemented using a variety of different structures, such as fasteners, including a mechanical fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a latch, and/or a clip. For example, the clamp can be hook and loop type fasteners existent on a portion, or portions of the elastic cord and/or the jacket, buttons, clips, latches and/or other like implements configured to facilitate fastening and securing of the elastic cord. If a different type of clamp is used, then alternative toggle components can be used, such as latches, locks, bindings, etc.
Additionally, when a cinch strap is used, a mechanical fastener can include a knot element, pre-created or created by the user, wherein the knot element serves to mechanically fasten strap portions together in a manner that facilitates securing of the rain jacket to a bicycle.
Embodiments having a clamp, such as a spring cord lock, may have an expansion spring set in compression against a strap engagement member, wherein the strap engagement member is configured to engage the cinch strap, as the cinch strap (often embodied as a bungee-like elastic para cord) resides in a pass-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 an object will now be discussed. As shown in in FIG. 5, for each pair of hem openings, one of the cord portions formed by the clamps is stretched around the body of the jacket in the compacted state. The cord portion that is stretched over the body of the jacket in the compacted state can be configured to apply an elastic tension force to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state to thereby maintain the body in the compacted state. For example, the cord portion can be short enough that when it is expanded to fit at least partially around the compacted jacket, the tension in the cord portion increases and prevents slippage of jacket.
Each second cord portion formed by the clamps (the cord portion that is not stretched over the jacket) can then be used to secure the jacket to an object. In this case, each second cord portion can be configured to apply an elastic tension force to the object when stretched over the object to thereby secure the jacket to the object. For example, the second cord portion can have a very short length while maintaining sufficient elasticity to stretch over a bicycle handlebar and maintain a high level of tension on the outer circumference (or a portion thereof) of the handlebar.
Of course, various different techniques can be used to couple the compacted jacket to an object and to maintain the compacted state of the jacket. For example, when each clamp divides the portion of the elastic cord protruding from a 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 can be stretched around both the body of the jacket in a compacted form and the object to which the jacket is to be secured. In this case, one of the first cord portion or the second cord portion can be configured to apply an elastic tension force to the body of the jacket and the object when stretched over the body in the compacted state and the object, to thereby maintain the body in the compacted state and secure the jacket to the object.
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a method for securing the 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 a loop shape and stretched around a circumference of the compacted jacket body and the circumference of a bicycle handlebar. FIG. 7B illustrates that this loop shape can then be fastened in place through engagement with the clamp (such as by looping it around the clamp) and the tension in the cord will hold the clamp in place. The constriction of the cord and the elastic tension will additionally keep the jacket in a compacted state and keep the jacket closely attached to the handlebar of the bicycle.
When a portion of an elastic cord is wrapped around a portion of the compacted jacket and also a portion of a bicycle part, that wrapped-around portion of the elastic cord may be clamped and fastened by the clamp, such as a spring cord lock. The clamp can be located in a position to facilitate binding of the compacted jacket and attachment. The clamp or fastener member, such as a spring cord lock, may have a dimension that is larger than the combined dimension of the operably engaged elastic cord as it is wrapped around the clamp. Thus, when under tension, that is effectuated, at least in part, by an elastic resistive nature of an elastic cord in its stretched condition while wrapped around a portion of the jacket and a portion of the object, the elastic cord can remain securely wrapped around the clamp. In such a fastened condition, the elastic cord may maintain secure attachment of the rain jacket 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 trail, or during high winds.
As discussed above, in a compacted configuration, the jacket exists in a condition more conducive to efficient attachment to an object, such as bicycle handlebars. As depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B, a first elastic cord portion of the jacket can be wrapped around the jacket and also around a portion of the bicycle part and fastened in place to help secure the compacted jacket to the bicycle part. Moreover, as depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B, a second elastic cord portion can additionally be wrapped around the jacket and also another portion of the bicycle part, and likewise fastened in place to help further secure the jacket to the bicycle part, such as a handlebar.
To disengage the jacket from the object, or otherwise to unfasten the elastic cord from a securely wrapped position around the object, a user may apply force to purposefully and particularly unfasten the clamp or fastener. For example, where the clamp or fastener is a spring cord lock, a user may stretch or otherwise maneuver the elastic cord out and around the corresponding clamp, such as the spring cord lock, thereby freeing the cord from its engaged position around the clamp. Once the elastic cord is freed from its location around the clamp, the elastic cord can then be unwrapped from around the object and the jacket can be removed from its secure storage position. If a plurality of elastic cords or elastic cord portions, along with a corresponding plurality of clamps, such as spring cord locks, are included in the jacket and utilized to secure the jacket to a bicycle part, then the methods of engaging and securing the jacket to the object, such as handlebars, as well as disengaging and releasing the jacket from secure attachment to the bicycle part, may be carried forth in like manner.
When securely attached to and stored on a bicycle part, such as bicycle handlebars, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, the jacket may be located generally on top of the bicycle part and may extend approximately axially along the bicycle part, such as handlebars, so as to be substantially centered with regard to the approximate axis of the bicycle part. It should be appreciated that other locations and orientations may be utilized for secure attachment and storage of jacket embodiments on a bicycle part. For example, handlebar geometry and dimensions may vary from bike to bike, and users may mount and store jacket embodiments on bicycle handlebars in any manner that is operably effective with regard to the particular handlebar geometry and dimensions. Moreover, users may store the jacket on or along a top tube of a bicycle. Moreover, depending on bike geometry, users may also store a jacket embodiment on or along a down tube of a bicycle. Depending on the length of a bicycle seat post, various embodiment may facilitate storage of the jacket along the seat post. The jacket may be configured to match the geometry and size of one or more bicycle parts, to facilitate storage on various sized and shaped.
It will be understood that the compactable jacket is not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as any components consistent with the intended operation of the jacket can be utilized. Accordingly, for example, it should be understood that, while the drawings, images and accompanying textual description show and disclose particular jacket implementations, any such implementation may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, 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 implementations shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in the jacket can be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations that can readily be formed, joined, and/or assembled into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operation of the jacket. For example, the elemental components may be formed of: organic materials, synthetic materials, blends or organic materials, synthetic materials and/or combinations thereof, and/or other like materials; rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; elastomers and/or other like materials; polymers and/or other like materials; metals and/or metal alloys; and/or any combination of the foregoing.
Furthermore, 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 with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, may involve sewing, threading, weaving, stitching, hemming, sealing, stretching, joining, screening, fastening, attaching, or otherwise appropriately assembling. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a plastic weld (thermally or chemically), or via clothing and/or textile manufacturing implements and processes, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s) forming the components.
Having described and illustrated the principles of our invention with reference to the described embodiment, it will be recognized that the described embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It should be understood that the programs, processes, or methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computing environment, unless indicated otherwise. Elements of the described embodiment 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 our invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

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 being configured transition from an expanded state, in which the jacket is wearable, to a compacted state, in which the jacket is not wearable;

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

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

one or more clamps corresponding to the one or more pairs of hem openings, each clamp dividing a portion of the elastic cord protruding from a corresponding pair of hem openings into at least a first cord portion protruding from a first hem opening in the pair of hem openings and a second cord portion protruding from a second hem opening in 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 body;

wherein one or more of the first cord portion and the second cord portion are configured to apply an elastic tension force to the body when stretched over the body in the compacted state to thereby maintain the body in the compacted state; and

wherein one or more of the first cord portion and the second cord portion are configured to apply an elastic tension force to an object when stretched over the object to thereby secure 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 hem openings comprise a first pair of hem openings and a second pair of hem openings opposite the first pair of hem openings on the hem.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. The jacket of claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises a spring cord lock including an expansion spring configured to apply pressure to a cord engagement member to thereby prevent movement of the cord.

14. The jacket of claim 13, wherein spring cord lock comprises a toggle button that, when compressed, acts to compress the expansion spring and release the cord engagement member from engagement with 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: a mechanical fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a latch, or a clip.

17. The jacket of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a breathable inner lining layer and an outer water resistant layer.

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

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

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