CAPTIVE CLOTHING INSERTS

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, at least one bladder coupled to the at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed in the at least one protective insert. According to a second exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert; and at least one bladder coupled to the protective insert. According to a further exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protective insert.

Description

BACKGROUND

Protective equipment and clothing are used in countless activities to protect a user's body. Traditional protective gear includes reinforced garments having protective material or padding integrated in the garment itself. Other traditional protective gear includes padding or reinforcement that is independent of a user's garments and is held to a user's body by straps, harnesses, elastic fabric or the like. Independent protective gear may be worn inside of or outside of a user's garments. The straps and harnesses used to secure traditional protective gear may be uncomfortable and may restrict a user's movement. Integrating the protective material or padding into a garment restricts use of that garment to times when a user wishes to have the extra, protective material. A user therefore may be required to change garments between various activities.

Exemplary conventional protective garments may include form-fitting garments of elastic fabric that secure padding adjacent critical areas. Some more casual conventional protective garments may be loose fitting for comfort, but may still offer protection from incidental impacts. Despite the variety of conventional protective garments, a user is still limited to either specialized garments with integrated protection, specialized garments with features for accommodating the protective material, or protective gear secured by straps, harnesses, or additional fabric.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, at least one bladder coupled to the at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed in the at least one protective insert.

According to a second exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert; and at least one bladder coupled to the protective insert.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protective insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

Exemplary FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lower body captive clothing insert;

Exemplary FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a lower body captive clothing insert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 3 shows a side view of the lower body captive clothing insert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 4 shows a top view of a lower body captive clothing insert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 5 shows a front view of an upper body captive clothing insert; and

Exemplary FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an upper body captive clothing insert in a flexed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a protective insert may be disclosed. The insert may be for placement in a user's clothing. An exemplary insert may create a secure, protective layer. The protective layer may guard a user from impacts, abrasions, punctures, harmful temperatures, ballistics or other trauma, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. A protective insert may be substantially flexible, to mold to a user's body. A protective insert may vary in thickness, but may fit at least within a user's outer garment. A protective insert may further come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different body types and user sizes, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The shape and sizes of the protective insert may be such that the user's body and the user's clothes secure the insert. The shape may prevent shifting due to movement or gravitational forces. Using the shape and features of the user and the user's clothing to secure the protective insert may be consistent, but various inserts may be used to protect different body areas, such as the chest, shoulders, back, posterior, and legs. Different configurations may also be utilized for different activities. For example, inserts for an activity such as snowboarding may project further down a user's legs, while an insert for an activity that involves running may not project as far, so as not to interfere with the motion of the user's legs. The protective insert may have increased comfort and flexibility over traditional protective equipment utilizing straps and harnesses. Further, a protective insert may work with any ordinary garment and may be easily removed when not needed.

Some exemplary protective inserts may be constructed from a single piece of material of uniform thickness, such as a piece of foam padding with a thickness of about 5 mm to about 40 mm. It may be appreciated that the piece of material may have a thickness of 24 mm or any other desired value. In other exemplary embodiments, material of varying density and thickness may be used. For example, material from about ½ inch to about 1 inch in thickness may be used. Varying thicknesses may be used to balance a desired protection level and comfort. Still further, inserts may be constructed from a plurality of individual cells of padding. The material may include hard, soft, or a combination of hard and soft material. In an exemplary embodiment, the material may be a material such as cross-linked EVA foam or a non-Newtonian fluid. Additionally, the non-Newtonian fluid may be D30. It may be further appreciated that the material may be polyurethane, cast into a quilted pad of trapped air pockets or any desired material. The material may further be enclosed in a protective outer fabric. Outer layers of fabric may further facilitate sliding the material into outer garments. In some embodiments, the material of the insert may cause the insert to be in a substantially flat state when not in use. Alternatively, the material of the insert may remain in a flexed form when not in use. The flexed form may be substantially conforming to a user's body.

Now referring to exemplary FIG. 1, a protective insert for posterior protection 100 may be provided. Protective insert for posterior protection 100 may have a top edge 102, at least one vertical retention contour 104, and at least one anti-bunching contour 106. In an exemplary embodiment, there may be two anti-bunching contours 106. The at least one vertical retention contour 104 and anti-bunching contours 106 may form flap portions 112/114. When inserted within a garment, such as a pair of pants, top edge 102 may align under the waistband of the garment. The waistband may be sufficiently tight or adjustable to prevent insert 100 from sliding upward, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around a user's body or during use. Insert 100 may be disposed between the garment and the user's body or between two layers of garments, such as a pair of pants and an undergarment. Vertical retention contour 104 may further secure protective insert 100 by aligning with an inseam of the crotch of the user's outer garment. By engaging the inseam, vertical retention contour 104 may prevent protective insert 100 from sliding down, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around a user's body during use. Protective insert 100 may be substantially flexible such that flap portions 108 may wrap around a user's hips, thighs, and upper leg regions to conform between the user's body and the outer garment. In an exemplary embodiment, flaps 112/114 may include waist flaps 112 and thigh flaps 114. Waist flaps 112 may wrap around a user's hips just below the waist. Thigh flaps 114 may be larger than waist flaps and may substantially cover a user's posterior and outer thighs. The size and weight of larger thigh flaps 114 may assist in maintaining a desired orientation of the protective insert 100 and may prevent protective insert 100 from sliding vertically, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around a user's body during use.

Exemplary FIG. 2 may show a protective insert 100 in a flexed orientation. The flexed orientation of protective insert 100 may be caused by protective insert 100 conforming to the body and clothing of a user. As can be seen in FIG. 2, anti-binding contours 106 may facilitate bending along a horizontal axis when protective insert 100 is in a flexed position. Bending along a horizontal axis may facilitate the user's ability to bend at the waist when wearing a protective insert 100. The user may bend more freely at the waist in a forward, backward, or side-to-side direction due to anti-binding contours 106.

Anti-bunching contours 106 may facilitate movement by preventing insert 100 from being compressed in a manner that leads to bunching or shifting. This may also allow all portions of insert 100 to remain in proximity to a user's body, even when contorted. In some alternative embodiments, anti-bunching contours may be areas of thinner or more flexible material rather than complete cutouts of material. Anti-bunching contours may further allow airflow to improve ventilation around the padding. Ventilation may also be achieved through vent holes disposed on the protective insert. In yet other embodiments, bladders may be used with check valves to pump air as the body moves and the protective insert contorts. The pump may inflate and circulate air around the insert as the user moves. In still some other exemplary embodiments, a fluid bag may be used and may permit fluid transfer between compartments within the protective insert through restrictive orifices.

Exemplary FIG. 3 may show a side view of protective insert 100 in a flexed orientation and exemplary FIG. 4 may further show a top view of protective insert 100 in a flexed orientation. It will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the flexed orientation shown in FIG. 2-4 is exemplary and may vary to accommodate a user's body.

Protective insert 100 may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes to protect the front, back, or sides of a user. Protective insert 100 may further be configured to work in conjunction with other protective inserts.

Exemplary FIGS. 5 and 6 may show a protective upper body captive clothing insert 200. An upper body captive clothing insert 200 may have securing contours 204. Securing contours 204 may align with seams or contours of a user's garment. For example, securing contours 204 in exemplary FIGS. 5 and 6 may align with the underarm seam adjoining the sleeves to the body of the user's garment. Securing contours 204 may be configured to allow mobility of a user's arm and may form sleeve flaps 212 and body flaps 214. Sleeve flaps 212 may be inserted in a garment's sleeves, such that securing contours 204 rest on the underarm seam, preventing protective insert 200 from sliding vertically, twisting or shifting side to side during use. An exemplary embodiment of sleeve flaps 212 may prevent protective insert 200 from moving around a user's torso and thus may ensure rotational stability in addition to protection. Sleeve flaps 212 may vary in length and may offer protection to a user's arms. Body flaps 214 may conform between a user's body and an outer garment, protecting portions of a user's torso. An exemplary embodiment of protective insert 200 may be configured to protect either the back or front of a user. In other exemplary embodiments, multiple protective inserts 200 may be used in conjunction to protect a front and back of a user. In yet other exemplary embodiments, a single protective insert 200 may be configured to protect both the front and back of a user. In some embodiments, flaps 214 may be shaped to wrap substantially around the abdominal area of a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom edge 202 of insert 200 may rest on a top edge of a user's waist, preventing insert 200 from sliding vertically. The bottom edge 202 may rest on the user's waist if the outer garment of the user is tucked into a belt or lower garment with a waistline able to prevent insert 200 from sliding. In some exemplary embodiments, an upper body insert 200 may further have at least one anti-binding contour disposed therein. For example, anti-binding contours may be disposed horizontally proximate the bottom of securing contours 204. At least one anti-binding contour may also be disposed vertically from a bottom edge 202 of upper body insert 200.

Insert 200 may further have a neck contour 216. Neck contour 216 may allow insert 200 to conform to a user's body without bunching, causing discomfort, or interfering with the motion of the user's neck. Neck contour 216 may also be configured to match or rest just below the neck of a user's garment. This may prevent insert 200 from sliding vertically. In some further exemplary embodiments, upper body inserts 200 may extend over a user's shoulders and neck contour 216 may accommodate a user's head and neck.

In an exemplary embodiment, all contour may prevent protective insert from sliding down, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around a user's body during use. It may be appreciated that the shape, the size and the weight of contours may secure the protective insert in its intended position, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Protective body inserts may offer simple, economically constructed body protection. Some embodiments may be rolled or folded, resulting in convenient storing and transport. The inserts may further be customized to fit a specific user. In some embodiments utilizing a single cut of uniform material, the insert may simply be trimmed by the user. The securing features of the protective inserts allow a user to add protection to conventional clothing of various weights or materials depending on the circumstances. The inserts may further be deployed or transferred between different outfits or even different users with little effort.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A captive clothing insert comprising:

at least one protective insert;

at least one bladder coupled to the at least one protective insert; and

at least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protective insert.

2. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one bladder is used with at least one check valve to inflate and circulate air around the at least one protective insert as the user moves.

3. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one bladder permits fluid transfer between compartments within the at least one protective insert through one or more restrictive orifices.

4. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is secured between a user's body and at least one conventional garment. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is made of a substantially flexible material, so as to mold to a user's body and the at least one conventional garment.

6. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is enclosed on a protective outer fabric facilitating sliding the material into a conventional garment.

7. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert remains in a flexed form when not in use.

8. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert remains in a substantially flat form when not in use.

9. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is a posterior protective insert and includes at least one top edge, at least one vertical retention contour, and at least one anti-bunching contour.

10. The captive clothing insert of claim 9, wherein the at least one vertical retention contour and at least one anti-bunching contour forms one or more flap portions.

11. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is an upper body protective insert and comprises at least one anti-binding contour, at least one neck contour, and at least one securing contour.

12. The captive clothing insert of claim 11, wherein the at least one securing contour is a sleeve flap inserted in a conventional garment sleeve and rests on an underarm seam or a body flap.

13. The captive clothing insert of claim 12, wherein the body flap conforms between a user's body and a conventional garment, protecting portions of a user's torso, and is configured to protect at least one of a user's back or a user's front.

14. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is made of at least one material.

15. The captive clothing insert of claim 14, wherein the material has a thickness from about 5 mm to about 40 mm and the material includes at least one of synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, shock absorbing foam, cross-linked EVA foam, non-Newtonian fluid and polyurethane cast into a quilted pad of trapped air pockets.

16. The captive clothing insert of claim 15, wherein the material has a thickness of about 24 mm.

17. A captive clothing insert, comprising:

at least one protective insert; and

at least one bladder coupled to the protective insert.

18. The captive clothing insert of claim 17, further comprising at least one ventilation hole

disposed in the at least one protective insert.

19. A captive clothing insert, comprising:

at least one protective insert; and

at least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protective insert.

20. The captive clothing insert of claim 19, further comprising at least one bladder coupled to the protective insert.