Motorcycle racing suit with comfort collar and cuff

Abstract

A protective motorcycle garment is providing having a leather torso, leather sleeves, and a collar of an elastic fabric. The protective motorcycle garment further includes cuffs fabricated of elastic fabric. The cuffs and collar of elastic fabric provide greater freedom of movement and eliminate or reduce chaffing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to protective motorcycle garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The need for a protective garment to be worn during activities such as motorcycle racing is well known. Protective garments are worn to prevent or minimize abrasion and laceration injuries. In order to offer sufficient protection in a high speed-racing environment, the protective garment should be durable and rugged. Fashion leather garments implement a thin leather, typically around 0.8 mm, that would not withstand the abrasive nature of a high-speed motorcycle accident. A preferred material for such garments is leather. High-grade leather of sufficient thickness, preferably close to about 1.5 mm, is required for adequate protection.

[0003] The thickness of the leather, while creating a necessary protective layer around the wearer's body, can create chaffing around the neck and wrists of the wearer and restrict movement of the neck and wrists. Traditionally, the wearer can also suffer from difficulty in fitting motorcycle gloves over the thick leather bulk in the wrist area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, the invention provides an improved protective motorcycle garment having leather fabric defining at least the torso and sleeve section of the garment, and more pliant, supple fabric defining a collar and/or cuffs of the garment. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows freedom of movement in the neck and wrist areas thereby reducing chaffing of the sensitive area of the wearer's skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a fuller understanding of the nature and the objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements and in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the upper body of a garment according to the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the upper body portion of the garment according to the present invention; and

[0008] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cuff of the garment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a garment 1 having a collar 5 affixed to the garment 1 according to the present invention. The garment 1 may be a jacket or a full body suit which is comprised of leather panels that cover the wearer's arms and torso, and may cover the wearer's legs in the case of a full body suit. Collar 5 is comprised of a fabric that is more pliant and supple than the leather fabric used in the sleeve, torso, and/or legs of the garment to allow greater freedom of movement. Preferably, collar 5 is fabricated of an elastomer, such as neoprene. Other elastic fabrics may be used with or instead of neoprene. An elastic fabric has the ability to recover its original shape partially or completely after the deforming force has been removed. Examples of suitable elastic fabrics include elastane, natural rubber, elastomers, and polyamides. Elastane is commonly referred to as spandex. As shown in FIG. 1, collar 5 preferably has an open portion 10 at the front of the protective garment allowing ease in donning the garment. As depicted in FIG. 2, collar 5 allows for freedom of movement of the wearer's neck.

[0010] In the illustrated embodiment, the arms, torso, and legs of garment 1 are preferably constructed of leather. A suitable thickness of the leather of garment 1 is between 1.0 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably 1.3 mm to 1.5 mm. Other protective materials may be used with or instead of leather. As shown in FIG. 3, a cuff 15 is affixed to both sleeves of garment 1. Cuff 15 is comprised of a fabric that is more pliant and supple than the leather fabric used in the sleeve, torso, and/or legs of garment 1. The use of a more pliant and supple fabric allows greater freedom of movement. Preferably, cuff 15 is fabricated of an elastomer, such a neoprene. Other elastic fabrics may be used with or instead of neoprene. Cuff 15 allows for an improved fit for motorcycle gloves over the wrist area. The use of an elastic fabric, such as neoprene, reduces bulk in the wrist area. Motorcycle gloves are more easily slid over cuff 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the illustrated embodiment is equipped with a zipper 20 located on cuff 15, allowing ease of donning and removal of the protective motorcycle garment.

[0011] Although the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3 are illustrated and described as a protective garment, such as for example, a full body suit, it is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in other types of garment such as a jacket or vest.

[0012] The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A protective motorcycle garment comprising a leather torso and leather sleeves, and a collar fabricated from an elastic material.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic material is natural rubber.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic material is an elastomer.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the elastic material is neoprene.

5. A protective motorcycle garment comprising a leather torso and leather sleeves and cuffs of elastic material.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the elastic material is natural rubber.

7. The garment of claim 5, wherein the elastic material is an elastomer.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the elastic material is neoprene.

9. A full body suit having a leather torso, leather sleeves and leather legs, and a collar fabricated from a material more pliant and supple than leather.

10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the collar is fabricated of an elastic material.

11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the elastic material is natural rubber.

12. The garment of claim 9, wherein the elastic material is an elastomer.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the elastic material is neoprene.

14. A full body suit having a leather torso, leather sleeves and leather legs, and a cuffs fabricated from a material more pliant and supple than leather.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein the cuffs are fabricated of an elastic material.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the elastic material is natural rubber.

17. The garment of claim 15, wherein the elastic material is an elastomer.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the elastic material is neoprene.