Customizable protective athletic jacket
A customizable protective athletic jacket is disclosed. Specifically, a jacket with a construction which maximizes protection through the composition of various layers while maximizing comfort and flexibility through the proper selection of layer materials is disclosed. Further, methods providing for minimally destructive maintenance and customizing are also disclosed.
Although the invention is suitable for a wide variety of applications, the description of the preferred embodiment uses it in a jacket meant to be worn by a person playing baseball, softball, or other similar game. The players of such games have always been in danger of being hit by an errantly thrown ball, especially the batter. While much protective equipment has been developed to help minimize pain and injury caused by such impacts, it obstructs some forms of movement, and can be uncomfortable, ineffective, or overly expensive. The present invention addresses these concerns.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the invention is to provide a customizable protective athletic jacket.
A second object of the invention is to provide a jacket which provides a maximum of protection from impact by a thrown ball while minimizing restriction of the wearer.
A third object of the invention is to provide a jacket which is as comfortable as possible while providing protection from impact by a thrown ball.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a jacket meant to be worn during games which involve balls which are thrown or hit and which may strike a player during said games. The jacket is customizable in that exterior features may be changed easily. The jacket protects the wearer from impact by preventing penetration and providing an energy-absorbent but flexible section of materials between the wearer and the moving ball. Its design also provides protection for the base of the spine and upper pelvis while allowing free movement, and fits a wide variety of physical body types.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims. The descriptions of the preferred embodiment refer to the preceding drawings:
The description of the preferred embodiment uses the invention in a jacket designed to protect batters from errant pitched balls when playing baseball, softball, and other similar games.
By referring to
While the description above details the preferred and best mode(s) of practicing the invention, many other configurations and variations are possible. For example:
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- 1) The invention may be more or less customizable depending on the desired level of changeability. The outer shell and/or fabric liner may be permanently attached to devote the jacket to a given color/team designation.
- 2) The layers of fabric and foam may be supplemented by removable armor panels in areas especially susceptible to impact in the game during which play the jacket will be used.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the claims below and their equivalents.
Claims
1) A customizable protective athletic jacket comprising:
- A) An outer shell;
- B) A fabric cover located under the outer shell;
- C) A plurality of layers of ballistic fabric, located under the fabric cover;
- D) A layer of impact-absorbing foam, located under the ballistic fabric; and,
- E) A fabric liner, located under the ballistic fabric.
2) A customizable protective athletic jacket comprising:
- A) A removable outer shell;
- B) A fabric cover located under the outer shell;
- C) A plurality of layers of ballistic fabric, located under the fabric cover;
- D) A layer of impact-absorbing foam, located under the ballistic fabric; and,
- E) A removable fabric liner, located under the ballistic fabric.
3) A customizable protective athletic jacket comprising:
- A) An outer shell;
- B) A fabric cover located under the outer shell;
- C) A plurality of layers of ballistic fabric, located under the fabric cover;
- D) A layer of impact-absorbing foam, located under the ballistic fabric;
- E) A fabric liner, located under the ballistic fabric; wherein,
- the jacket is shaped to cover an upper torso of a human being, and wherein the jacket has an extended tail area which covers a lower spine and an upper pelvic area on a dorsal surface of the human being.
4) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 1, further comprising:
- F) A removable placard featuring a team logo and/or a player number indicator.
5) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 2, further comprising:
- F) A removable placard featuring a team logo and/or a player number indicator.
6) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 3, further comprising:
- F) A removable placard featuring a team logo and/or a player number indicator.
7) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 1, further comprising:
- F) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
8) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 1, further comprising:
- F) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
9) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 1, further comprising:
- F) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
10) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 4, further comprising:
- G) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
11) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 5, further comprising:
- G) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
12) A customizable protective athletic jacket as in claim 6, further comprising:
- G) A means for opening and closing the jacket which allows the jacket to be held closed in a variety of positions allowing the jacket to be worn by a plurality of different body shapes.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 28, 2006
Inventor: Thomas West (Discovery Bay, CA)
Application Number: 11/398,774
International Classification: A41D 1/02 (20060101);