CA2287662A1 - Protective sports garment for the upper and lower torso - Google Patents

Description

DAVID W. CITRA
867 Walfred Rd.
Victoria, B.C.

Canada PROTECTIVE SPORTS GARMENT FOR THE UPPER AND LOWER TORSO
This invention is a protective sports garment specially designed to provide the wearer with flexibility, insulation from the cold, keep them dry in wet weather conditions, wick away body moisture and protect against discomfort or injury from hard surfaces such as hard packed snow, ice and pavement. The garment is suitable for a variety of activities such as snowboarding, skiing, rollerblading, figure skating, kayaking, snowmobiling, expeditions, stunt people, rock climbing, cycling, karate and horseback riding.
DESCRH"TION OF INVENTION
The sportswear garment is similar to a vest that covers the general torso and may extend down to include the tailbone and lower back, buttock and hip and further extend to include the front of the lower body. The garment is made from material similar to nylon fabric stitched together and lined with a fleece or other moisture wicking fabric. The fleece material will cover the padded area and may extend to other parts of the garment.
The pad consists of foam, gel or other impact resistant material that is waterproof. The pad is located between the nylon on the outside and the fleece lining the inside. The pad is one piece and covers the back or front of the general torso extending down from the waist line in front and back portions and may extend to include those areas described in the vest. A separate pad may be applied to the shoulder area and wrap around to the sides of the torso.
The garment is stitched together through the outer layer of nylon, the impact resistant pad and the inner layer of fleece, making the first stage one piece when completed. The stitching patterns are designed to facilitate flexibility, comfort and fit.
The garment is equipped with an athletic weight built-in kidney belt made from elastic material and adjusted by means of fasteners such as buckles or Velcro straps.
A layer or layers of impact absorbing pads varying in density may be applied to the vest in areas of the body needing protection. These are fixed to the vest by means of fasteners, sewing or other means so as not to shift during body movement.
An additional layer of dense, impact resistant material such as polycarbonate or polyethylene may be applied to the vest in areas needing protection at various levels in the said layering. These materials are flexible. This layer is attached by means of sewing or other fastening devices.
Pads, impact absorbing and impact resistant materials may be inserted in the vest at various levels or on the outer layer.

HOW THE INVENTION WORKS
This invention offers a solution to several problems encountered during a variety of activities as mentioned above. The problem involves the combination of adequate insulation from the cold, keeping dry in wet weather conditions, an accumulation of body moisture on the inside of the garment, adequate protection from discomfort or injury, the ability to remain flexible, the ability to adjust the position of support and adequate support for the mid torso and kidney during activity.
Insulation from the cold is important to perform activities for prolonged periods of time and to protect against hypothermia. Other contributing factors that can increase the risk of hypothermia include wet clothing from adverse weather conditions. Providing a continuous barrier against the cold and wet without any spaces in protection is vital.
Constant contact with a cold, wet environment can lead to the loss of body heat. The insulation and waterproof nature of the closed cell foam, gel or other similar materials provide an excellent barrier against cold and wet. The closed cells provide a natural insulation as they guard against the transfer of cold inward towards the wearer and will not let body heat out of the garment. The closed cells also provide a surface layer and interior of the pad that is not only waterproof on the surface but also will not soak up water even when immersed. Some garments have separate pads that leave areas open between the pads to get wet and cold. The pad area of this invention provides a continuous cover over the torso. This is the portion of the body that is most likely to cause a drop in the core temperature of the wearer.
Another problem in some padded sports garments is the accumulation of body moisture inside a garment. The inside of this garment is lined with fleece or other moisture wicking materials covering the pad and may extend to include other areas of the garment.
The fleece liner serves to wick away body moisture keeping the wearer dry.
Another problem in many sports is a garment that offers adequate protection from injury or discomfort caused by falling. This can lead to a shortened activity period or a definite cessation towards continuing to learn a sport. Common injuries in some sports involve the general torso including the upper and lower spine or back, tailbone, chest, hip, general lower torso and buttock. Some garments offer protection through a series of separate pads. These offers no continuous protection and can lead to vulnerable areas between the pads. This invention offers a continuous surface of protection in the from of a single pad covering the common injury areas. This single pad is made of materials such as gel or closed cell foam. These materials are resilient and provide more impact protection per inch of thickness than do other padding materials. This garment layers impact absorbing materials and impact resistant materials increases protection and has the ability to spread out or disperse the impact load. Some garments have a rigid back support that can only flex in some directions. This garment uses the flexible properties of materials such as polycarbonate and polyethylene that are flexible in any direction or twist into a helix. Application of this material allows flexibility while retaining a continuous impact resistant layer rather than one of individual plates. Some garments have separate pads located in selected areas that can shift during activity or be pushed to the side during a fall, leaving the wearer vulnerable to injury. This unique sports garment has a single pad that is sewn inside the garment rather than sewn on the surface and is therefore fixed in position. The stitching pattern anchors the outer layer of nylon, the pad and the inner lining of fleece together so the garment functions as one unit.
The built-in kidney belt serves to eliminate shifting of the padded area during activity.
The stitching patterns are sewn in a design that facilitates flexibility in the whole garment, especially in the region of the lower back. Similar stitch patterns exist in other padded areas such as the shoulders.
A series of separate pads as found in other garments move independent of the garment and may shift leaving areas exposed to possible injury. In order to provide a pad that stays in a fixed position and allows flexibility in the garment this sports garment uses a built-in kidney belt and side straps under the arms. These form a means of stabilizing the front and back and allow the garment to move as the wearer moves. This unique feature eliminates pad shift and provides flexibility and movement for the wearer.
An area that has been overlooked in the past is protection from cold, wet and injury or discomfort in the lower back or kidney. This area is prone to these problems especially while exposed to harsh weather conditions or falling. Becoming wet in this area can cause muscle tension or spasm and continual exposure can Lead tv kidney malfunction.
The insulated, waterproof and impact resistant pad in this invention extends to cover the lower back and kidney giving added protection in any position.
Another problem with some garments is a lack of adjustment to fit different sizes and torso lengths. This garment has adjustable shoulder straps that effectively raise or lower the front and back of vest and built-in kidney belt allowing for differences in torso lengths as well as providing a means of supporting this area at a variety of levels.
This garment combines the materials mentioned below and with this unique combination, provides a useful garment that protects against cold, wet, excess accumulation of body moisture, injury or discomfort, provides flexibility with support and protection for the upper and lower torso, shoulders and kidney all in one garment.

ASSEMBLY PROCESS
The nylon and the fleece fabric are cut out using standard methods of the garment industry. The nylon or similar fabric is cut out in the appropriate pattern to fabricate the vest like garment illustrated. The pattern is made in such a manner that there is a front and back to the garment.
The pad material is cut out in the shape illustrated using standard cutting instruments.
The fleece is then cut out in a shape so that it will cover the pad material and may extend to include other areas of the garment such as the sides of the chest. The pattern is made in such a manner as to create a front and back. The fleece will become the lining of the garment.
The pad section is then inserted between the outer nylon material and the fleece liner.
The nylon and fleece are then sewn together along the edge outlining the padded area.
The stitching patterns are then marked on the garment. These patterns are sewn through the outer layer of nylon, the pad and the inlter fleece lining. The stitching patterns are sewn in where the garment is to form to the curves of the body.
The padded areas may include the shoulders and would be sewn in a similar sequence.
The built-in kidney belt is fastened on by sewing or other means of fastening and fabricated from athletic weight elastic and nylon webbing or similar materials.
Shoulder straps, kidney belt and side straps are used to join the front and back of the garment. Shoulder pads may be added using fasteners.

. CA 02287662 1999-10-21 Unique features include:
~ The built-in kidney belt helps eliminate movement of the pad area during activity ~ The use of a single pad eliminates individual pad shift during activity The pad has a unique shape to conform to the contows of the body ~ The pad is be made of a material that is waterproof and impact resistant such as gel or closed cell foam ~ The pad can be layered with similar or different density materials ~ The pad may be layered with materials that absorb impact ~ The pad may be layered with materials that disperse impact load ~ The pad is made of non-porous material ~ The pad varies in thickness up to 1/2 inch thick The pad must be made from a material that provides insulation from cold on the outside and helps retain body heat inside ~ The pad should be flexible The pad is one solid piece and is not a number of separate pads ~ The pad provides a constant level of protection for all areas covered and does not leave some areas vulnerable because of open areas between pads ~ The pad covers the general torso including the tailbone and lower back, buttock and hip and further extend to include the chest, shoulder and front of the lower body ~ The pad is sewn between the outside layer of nylon and the inside layer of fleece ~ The pad has no need for perforations or vents as the fleece wicks away body moisture ~ The padded area may extend above to include a separate pad for the shoulder ~ The vest may have an impact resistant, flexible and continuous layer of protection ~ The shoulder pad has a similar fabrications process as the vest ~ The pad covers the entire vest giving protection from cold and wet ~ The fleece covers all padded areas and serves to wick away body moisture during activity ~ The fleece may extend to other areas of the gazment such as under the sides of the chest to wick away additional body moisture ~ The garment combines the above mentioned materials and with this unique combination, provides a useful garment that protects against injury, cold, wet and provides maximum flexibility all in one garment ~ The garment has a bunt-in kidney belt to support and protect the kidney and mid to lower torso.
~ The garment is stitched through the nylon, the pad and the fleece liner. The stitch lines are designed in a pattern to facilitate flexibility ~ The stitching through the garment serves to keep the pad in the proper protective position eliminating individual pad shift during falls or movement of the garment during activities ~ The kidney belt serves to keep the vest in position ~ The kidney belt and straps are used to join the back and front of the vest ~ The shoulder straps are used to raise and lower the back and front of the vest for changes in torso lengths ~ The shoulder straps are used to raise and lower the position of the kidney belt ~ The pad is not removable and eliminates the need for a pocket to facilitate removal ~ The pad is light weight and does not require perforations or other measures to reduce weight ~ The garment is washed as one piece ~ The garment fits close to the body and eliminates the need for special trims or buckles

Claims