PROTECTIVE GARMENT

Abstract

A garment includes a wearer protection assembly for a driver of an open vehicle, such as a motorcycle. The wearer protection assembly is operative to automatically detect for the driver wearing the garment, the driver's departure, for example, as a consequence of a highway accident, from the vehicle. In response to such detection, the wearer protection assembly deploys a normally (prior to departure from the motor vehicle) deflated bladder-like gas reservoir to be explosively inflated with a previously-stored compressed gas. The inflated bladder-like gas reservoir provides a gas-filled volume between an outer surface of the garment and body parts of the thrown person. That gas-filled volume is compressible and the gas within absorbs some of the energy encountered by the thrown person in response to external forces resulting from the accident or other separation-causing event.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective garments designed for use by, for example, motorcycle riders.

BACKGROUND

Motorcycles are typically two-wheeled open motor vehicles adapted for riding by a single person driver, in the course of general recreational purposes, or in race competition. Often in connection with general recreational purposes, a passenger rides behind a driver. Sometimes, in connection with general recreational purposes, a motorcycle has a connected sidecar, making it a three-wheeled vehicle. Sometimes, such a vehicle has a partially open semi-enclosure extending partially about the passenger. In all of these situations, in the event of an accident, the driver and/or passenger, may incur serious injuries, particularly in the event any of such persons are separated from the vehicle pursuant to the accident.

Gear has been developed in the prior art for motorcycle riders to reduce chances of incurring serious injury during accidents.

Such gear worn by motorcycle riders should be relatively rugged to protect the rider in the event of a spill from the vehicle at any speed. Such protective gear preferably includes not only a helmet to protect the rider's head from injury, but also garments or outerwear which provide protective coverings for the rider's torso, arms and legs to prevent or minimize injuries that might arise from abrasion and laceration. Materials for the protective outerwear should be durable and rugged, yet relatively flexible and lightweight, aerodynamic, and aesthetically appealing.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,704,064, 5,507,042, 5,752,277 and 5,596,769, 6,070,274, issued to van der Sleesen and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, disclose representative protective garments for motorcycle riders. Although such garments are preferably made of a durable material, such as leather, additional protection may be conferred to the rider by including protective armor or shielding in portions of the garments which cover vulnerable areas of the rider's body, such as, for example, the elbows, knees, shoulders, ribs, stomach, and lower back. Such protective garments are effective in eliminating, or reducing the severity of, injuries to riders during accidents or most other events.

However, in the prior art, there has been little development of effective protection for a rider, or passenger, of a motorcycle, or similar vehicle, who has been thrown, or otherwise separated, from a such a vehicle in the course of an accident, or other event. The present disclosure addresses the shortcoming of the prior art and provides improved garments which particularly address that shortcoming.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An improved garment is presented with a wearer protection (WP) assembly integral with the improved garment, which automatically detects for a driver, and/or passenger wearing the improved garment, a departure of one or both such persons, or other persons, from an open motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle. In most cases. The detected departure will be a consequence of a highway or track accident.

In response to such detection, a normally (i.e., prior to departure from the motor vehicle) deflated bladder-like gas reservoir is explosively inflated by an on-board previously-stored compressed gas. The garment is fitted with expandable portions to accommodate the increased size of the newly inflated gas reservoir.

The inflated bladder-like gas reservoir provides a closed gas-filled volume between an outer surface of the garment and body parts of the thrown persons. That gas-filled volume is compressible and the gas within absorbs some of the energy encountered by the thrown person in response to external forces resulting from the accident or other event. That absorption of energy is effective to reduce the effects of external forces on the thrown person, arising from the accident.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a single-zipper outer shell of an exemplary garment embodying the protective technology of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows a front view of a twin- (or dual-) zipper outer shell of an exemplary garment embodying the protective technology of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the outer shell of exemplary garments of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a form of another exemplary garment embodying the protective technology of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A shows a front view of a first exemplary Wearer Protection Section adapted for residing in the interior of the single-zipper outer shell of the protective garment of FIGS. 1A and 2, prior to deployment of a gas to an interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 4B shows a rear view of the Wearer Protection Sections of FIG. 4A, adapted for residing in the interior of the outer shell of the protective garments of FIGS. 1A and 2, prior to deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 4C shows a front view of the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIG. 4A, after deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 4D shows a rear view of the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIG. 4A, after deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 5A shows a front view of a second exemplary Wearer Protection Section adapted for residing in the interior of the dual-zipper outer shell of the protective garment of FIGS. 1B and 2, prior to deployment of a gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 5B shows a rear view of the Wearer Protection Sections of FIG. 5A, adapted for residing in the interior of the outer shell of the protective garments of FIGS. 1B and 2, prior to deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 5C shows a front view of the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIG. 5A, after deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 5D shows a rear view of the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIG. 5A, after deployment of gas to its interior gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the outer shell of the protective garment of FIGS. 1A and 2, with the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIGS. 4A-4D residing in the interior of the outer shell of FIGS. 1A and 2;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the outer shell of the protective garment of FIGS. 1B and 2, with the exemplary Wearer Protection Section of FIGS. 5A-5D residing in the interior of the outer shell of FIGS. 1B and 2;

FIG. 8 shows, in schematic diagram form, an exemplary a gas fill trigger/release assembly of the outer shell of the protective garments of FIGS. 1A-3;

FIG. 8A shows, in schematic diagram form, an exploded view of the cartridge gas-fill controller and trigger/release assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 shows a front view of an alternate the form of a full-body suit embodying the protective technology of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a side view the garment of FIG. 3 with the right-side sleeve raised to show areas which expand to accommodate inflation of an underlying gas containment reservoir;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show side-frontal views of an exemplary protective garment of FIGS. 1A and 2, before and after deployment of gas from its interior gas containment reservoir, respectively;

FIGS. 12A-12D, illustrate a front view, a left (viewed from the front) side view, a right (viewed from the front) side view and a rear view, respectively, of an exemplary single-zipper full body suit embodying the technology of the disclosure, including, in phantom, rectangular blocks representative of a “serpentine” double inverted-U balloon-like gas containment reservoir underlying an outer shell of the upper (jacket-like) portion of the full body suit;

FIG. 12E illustrates a front view of an exemplary dual-zipper full body suit embodying the technology of the disclosure, including, in phantom, rectangular blocks representative of a “serpentine” double inverted-U balloon-like gas containment reservoir underlying an outer shell of the upper (jacket-like) portion of the full body suit; and

FIG. 13 shows an end of an exemplary sleeve for receiving the reservoir of a jacket or upper (jacket-like) portion of a full body suit embodying the technology of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

A protective garment of the disclosure can have a two-part form which includes a Jacket

Section defining an outer shell which is similar to, but not entirely the same as, a motorcycle jacket of the prior art and having a disposed-in-its-interior, and integral, novel Wearer Protection Section. In an alternative form, a protective garment of the disclosure can have a one-part form which includes a Wearer Protection Section. In the latter form, the Wearer Protection Section is similar, not entirely the same as, that of the two-part form, and is adapted for removable fixation to an interior portion of an outer shell of a jacket. In both forms, the outer shell forming the Jacket Section, and the Wearer Protection Section, are adapted to be positioned about or adjacent to at least a portion of a body of a wearer of the garment,

Exemplary Jacket Section and Full-Body Suit Section

FIGS. 1A and 2 illustrate the front and rear of a “single-zipper” (or 1-zipper) exemplary

Jacket Section of a protective garment 10 in the form of a single-zipper jacket constructed with an outer shell 11 adapted to form an enclosure about the upper torso of a wearer, according an embodiment of the subject disclosure. The single-zipper Jacket Section includes a single zipper assembly comprising selectively joinable zipper sections along opposing edges 38L and 38R of outer shell 11, enabling selective user-driven closure of the front of the outer shell 11.

FIGS. 1B and 2 illustrate the front and rear of a “dual-zipper” (or 2-zipper) exemplary Jacket Section of a protective garment 10 in the form of a dual-zipper jacket constructed with an outer shell 11 adapted to form an enclosure about the upper torso of a wearer, according an embodiment of the subject disclosure. The illustrated dual-zipper Jacket Section includes a pair of single zipper assemblies Z disposed on either side of a central bib section 32, and comprising selectively joinable zipper sections along opposing edges 36L and 38L, and edges 36R and 38R of outer shell 11, enabling selective user-driven closure of the bib section 32, spanning opposing edges of the front of the outer shell 11.

The outer shell 11 can have the form of a jacket, for example, of the type that may be used during a recreational use by a motorcycle rider. FIG. 3 shows a side view of an exemplary dual-zipper Full-Body Suit Section, an alternative exemplary protective garment 10A forming a full-body racing suit constructed with an outer shell 11A to form an enclosure about both the torso of a wearer and the wearer's lower body. The outer shell 11A can have the form of a racing suit, for example, of the type that may be used in a race competition by a motorcycle racer. Although illustrated as jackets in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, and as a full-body racing suit in FIG. 3, the garment 10 can be in other forms, such as a vest, or pants-only, or other protective garments adapted for disposition about a wearer's body parts in combination with a similarly constructed Wearer Protection Section.

The outer shell 11 of garment 10, and the upper portion of the outer shell 11A of garment 10A, are similar, with each defining an inward facing surface (adapted to fit about the contour of a wearer) and including left and right (as viewed from inside the outer shell) front panels 12L and 12R, respectively, and a rear panel 14. The left and right front panels 12L and 12R, are joined to lateral edges of the of the rear panel 14. Left and right sleeves 17L and 17R extend from junctions of rear panel 14 and respectively ones of front panels 12L and 12R. In the exemplary dual zipper form of FIG. 1B, together, front panels 12L and 12R, rear panel 14 and sleeves 17L and 17R form a jacket-like structure, except that, if worn by a wearer, without more, the jacket-like structure is dimensioned such that it could not be closed about an appropriately sized wearer's body because there would be a gap between facing edges of front panels 12L and 12R.

As shown in the exemplary dual zipper form of FIG. 1B, between a top (collar) region 26 and bottom (waist) region 28, there is a wearer-openable bib element 32 removably disposed in the gap between the facing edges of front panels 12L and 12R. In a preferred form, a 2-element closure assembly is structured to allow a wearer, who is wearing the garment, to selectively couple or de-couple the left edge 36L of the bib element 32 to the left 38L edge of the left front panel 12L, and selectively couple or de-couple the right edge 36R of the bib element 32 to the right edge 38R of the right front panel 12R. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1B, the closure assembly Includes a 2-zipper assembly formed by a first zipper having complementary left zipper elements Z extending along edges 36L and 38L and a left zipper joinder element, and a second zipper having complementary zipper elements Z extending along edges 36R and 38R and a right zipper joinder element. In other embodiments, alternatives to zippers are used to effect reversible closure.

With the illustrated configuration of FIG. 1B, the opposed elements of the respective zippers Z are adapted to selectively engage under the control of the wearer, permitting the wearer to maintain the closure element at or between (1) a “garment-closed” position whereby the bib element 32 fully spans the gap between top-to-bottom-running edges at the ends of left and right front panels 12L and 12R, and a (2) “garment-fully open” position whereby the bib element 32 is fully unzipped, whereby the material portions of the top-to-bottom-running edges at the ends of left and right front panels 12L and 12R are mutually spaced apart. When the garment 10 is in the garment-fully closed position, the wearer's upper torso is maximally enclosed by the outer shell 11. A front panel and bib element and zipper assembly are similarly configured in shell 11A of garment 10A, shown in FIG. 3.

The back panel 14 includes an open topped air scoop 37 (which may have the form of a conic section), which overlies an air permeable layer which allows relatively cool outer air to enter as the rider leans forward, via the scoop to the interior of the outer shells 11 or 11A in use. That air may exit through conventional-style jacket vents. Scoop 37 also provides a portion of the Wearer Protection Section described below

Also as shown in FIG. 2, front-to-back highly stretchable (compared to the material of front and rear panels 12L, 12R and 14) corrugated material, or other forms of similarly highly elastic regions 39L and 39R, are disposed beside and below the junction of sleeves 17L and 17R to their respective front and rear panels 12L and 12R, and rear panel 14, of the outer shells 11 and 11A. A left-to-right similarly highly stretchable region 40 of outer shells 11 and 11A is underlies air scoop 37. Those highly stretchable regions contribute to the functionality of the Wearer Protection Section as described below.

In a form, as may be seen from FIGS. 1B and 3, when the bib element 32 is engaged with the front panels 12L and 12R by the zipper elements Z so that they effect closure of garment 10 about the wearer. For example, as may be desired during a motorcycle race, the overall height of the garment 10 (H2 in FIG. 3) is reduced relative to the height of the opened garment 10 (H1 in FIG. 1B). Similarly, the curvature of the garment is more pronounced when the panels are closed about the wearer, as shown by the relative heights H1 and H2 in FIGS. 1B and 3, where H1>H2. The zipper elements preferably, but not necessarily, operate to reduce the bulk of the outer shell 11 of garment 10 by forcing the “closed” garment into a curved profile that conforms to the profile the wearer would naturally assume when he is riding the vehicle while wearing the garment, as shown in FIG. 3. Also, in the exemplary embodiments, the zipper elements Z follow a curved track along the front of the outer shell 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and this configuration forces the garment, when closed about the wearer, to assume a generally C-shaped upper torso profile that is aerodynamically and thermally beneficial for a rider.

Thus, FIG. 1B illustrates a 2-closure (e.g., “dual-zipper”) bib-type front for a garment, defined by two closures, for example, effected by zippers that extend from the collar area 26 of the garment to at least the waist or crotch area 28 or perhaps lower. When the bib is zipped up, the garment is closed and conforms to a curve that is suitable for aerodynamic performance as well as air-cooling of the wearer. Other configurations for the closure element are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the garment might not include bib section 32 with two spaced apart zipper closure elements Z, but rather may include only a single closure element Z which extends centrally between front panels 12L and 12R (as shown on FIG. 1A), or extends along the side of the front of the outer shell of the garment between asymmetrical front and rear panels, or which extends angularly across the front of the outer shell of the garment.

Much of the above-described Jacket Section and Full-Body Suit Section are somewhat similar to jackets and full-body suits of the prior art. However, there are a number of important differences which are adapted to contribute to the function of the Wearer Protection Section described below, for example, including but not limited to:

1. a portion of the interior of outer shells 11 and 11A, which includes a portion (not shown in FIGS. 1A-3) of an affixation assembly for coupling (either permanently, or removably), for example, a Wearer Protection Section of the type described below in conjunction with FIGS. 4A-7; for example, such affixation assemblies may be constructed by zippers or hook-and-loop fasteners, or other alternative fasteners;

2. a rear panel scoop 37; and

3. stretchable corrugated (or otherwise highly stretchable relative to panels 12L, 12R and 14) regions 39L, 39R and 40 of the outer shells 11 and 11A.

Exemplary Wearer Protection Sections

A first exemplary form of the Wearer Protection Section (or Structure) 100 of the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. A second exemplary form of the Wearer Protection Section (or Structure) 100 of the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

Those exemplary Wearer Protection Sections (or Structures) 100 generally reside, or are adapted to reside, within the interior of the outer shells of the exemplary garments of FIGS. 1A-3, and, therefore, are not visible in those figures. FIG. 6 shows an outer shell 11 of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 2 disposed about the exemplary Wearer Protection Section (or Structure) 100 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. FIG. 7 similarly shows an outer shell 11, but of the type shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, disposed about the exemplary Wearer Protection Section (or Structure) 100 of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

The Wearer Protection Sections (or Structures) 100 are adapted to be affixed removably or permanently to outward-facing surfaces of structure 100 and underlie at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer shell 11 of garment 10. The method of fixation is reversible in some forms, for example by a zipper assemblies Z as in FIGS. 4A-5D or is permanent in other forms.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4D and 5A-5D, Wearer Protection Sections (or structures) 100 are vest-like, having a left front panel 112L, a right front panel 112R, and a rear panel 114, joined-together in a manner defining “sleeve openings” 117L, 117R at the junctions of panels 112L/114L and 112R/114R. Preferably, but not necessarily, an air permeable material (for example, a mesh material) is used for the base structure of panels 112L, 112R and 114, permitting, when the closure elements along edges 38L and 38R define the jacket 11 to be at least partially open, airflow through the jacket 11 and out through a vent in the back panel, for user cooling/comfort purposes. In the illustrated forms of Structure 100, the sleeve openings 117L, 117R are reversibly coupled to the outer shell 11 by zipper assemblies Z.

Each of the exemplary embodiments of Wearer Protection Sections (or Structures) 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and 5A-5D, includes an interior gas containment reservoir (sometimes referred to below as an “air bag”) 119 disposed adjacent to and removably or permanently affixable to the outer surface of front panels 112L, 112R and rear panel 114 of structure 100, or in some embodiments, to an inward-facing surface of outer shell 11. The interior gas containment reservoir 119 is a gas-impervious, flexible (as opposed to rigid), and preferably elongated, closed structure having at least one inflatable (and highly stretchable) tubular region, defining an interior gas region. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-7, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 includes a first inverted U-shaped portion 119-1 affixed to front panels 112L and 112R and a second inverted U-shaped portion 119-2 affixed to rear panel 114. U-shaped portions 119-1 and 119-2 are pneumatically coupled, establishing an inflatable inverted double U-shaped balloon-like closed tube structure which defines the interior gas region.

As described in detail below, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is adapted for rapid automatic inflation by an on-board compressed capsule, providing a closed, compressible and protective air volume disposed between an open vehicle rider/wearer and an external object, as might be encountered pursuant to a highway accident.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show front and rear views of an exemplary single-zipper Wearer Protection Section 100 as adapted for disposition in the interior of the outer shell 11 of the protective garment 10 of FIGS. 1A and 2, prior to deployment of gas to the inflatable interior gas containment reservoir (or “air” bag) 119 from an on-board compressed gas cartridge 150. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is deflated (denoted by parallel diagonal lines).

FIGS. 4C and 4D show front and rear views of that single-zipper Wearer Protection Section 100 after deployment of the gas to the interior gas containment reservoir, and resultant inflation of the reservoir 119. In FIGS. 4C and 4D, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is inflated (denoted by cross-hatched diagonal lines).

Similarly, FIGS. 5A and 5B show front and rear views of an exemplary dual-zipper Wearer Protection Section 100 as adapted for disposition in the interior of the outer shell 11 of the protective garment 10 of FIGS. 1B and 2, prior to deployment of gas to an inflatable interior gas containment reservoir from an on-board compressed gas cartridge 150. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is deflated (denoted by parallel diagonal lines).

FIGS. 5C and 5D show front and rear views of that dual-zipper Wearer Protection Section 100 after deployment of the gas to the interior gas containment reservoir, and resultant inflation of the reservoir 119. As shown in FIG. 5A and 5C, Structure 100 includes zip-in extenders 122L and 122R to provide supplementary extensions to left panel 112L and right panel 112R, respectively, enabling full closure of the Structure 100 about the user's torso. Preferably, extenders 122L and 122R are constructed of a mesh material, to permit cooling air inflow when the bib section 32 is unzipped to be in its open or partially open state. In FIGS. 5C and 5D, the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is inflated (denoted by cross-hatched diagonal lines).

A gas fill port 120 is disposed at one end of interior gas containment reservoir 119. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, the entire interior gas containment reservoir 119, except for the potions pneumatically coupling the portions 119-1 and 119-2, is tubular and inflatable (and expandable about an elongated central axis 119AA extending at least partially along its length). Gas fill port 120 can be located at other positions in alternate embodiments.

In a form, the respective portions 119-1 and 119-2 of interior gas containment reservoir 119 are disposed within an overlying 2-portion elongate, highly expandable (compared to panels 112L, 112R and 124), tubular volume control sleeve assembly 119A, the portions of which are in turn respectively affixed to front panels 112L and 112R, and to rear panel 114. The volume control sleeve assembly 119A allows ready replacement by a user, of the gas containment reservoir 119. In an alternate form, the respective portions 119-1 and 119-2 of interior gas containment reservoir 119 are connected (permanently or user-replaceable) without an exterior sleeve, directly to the outer surface of front panels 112L and 112R, and to rear panel 114.

In a form of the type shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, a volume control sleeve assembly 119A is disposed along an elongated curved central sleeve axis 119AA and about at least the inflatable tubular regions of the respective portions 119-1 and 119-2 of interior gas containment reservoir 119. In the form described above, a 2-piece sleeve 119A includes two opposing sleeve sections disposed along the sleeve axis 119AA. A first sleeve section is relatively stretchable between a rest state and a circumferentially stretched state, and a second sleeve section is relatively non-stretchable. The first sleeve portion faces away from the interior of the shell 11, and the relatively non-stretchable second section faces toward the interior of the shell 11 and is affixed to panels 112 and 114. An alternative form for volume control sleeve assembly 119A is shown below in FIG. 13 and is described conjunction therewith.

As described below, with the exemplary disclosed configurations, inflation of the inflatable tubular portion(s) of the interior gas containment reservoir 119 is selectively effected by a gas released from an on-board (and preferably user-replaceable) capsule 150 containing a compressed gas in response to and Under control of a cartridge gas fill controller and trigger/release assembly 140 (hereinafter referred to as trigger/release assembly 140). Preferably, the gas is released automatically upon sensing of conditions that are dangerous to a rider wearing the garment 10, such as pursuant to a highway accident. The resultant released-to-reservoir 119 gas causes the gas containment reservoir 11 to rapidly inflate, expanding the reservoir 119 to establish a closed, gas-filled, energy absorbing region along at least portions of the gas reservoir containment sleeve axis 119AA and between the outward-facing surface of structure 100 and the inward-facing surface of shell 11.

In the exemplary forms of FIGS. 4A-5D, trigger/release assembly 140) is coupled to right front panel 12R (for example, illustrated schematically by a rectangular pouch overlying gas containment reservoir 119 as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, 5A and 5C).

A schematic representation of a trigger/release assembly 140, shown in FIG. 8, includes a housing plate 144 supporting a cartridge support 148 for receiving a gas cartridge 150, and an associated trigger sub-assembly 157 and a gas fill actuator sub-assembly 172. In the forms of FIGS. 4A-6, for example, trigger/release assembly 140 is removably disposed in a pouch affixed to the right front portion of structure 100, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, 5A and 5C. In other forms, trigger/release assembly 140 is affixed to outer shell 11 with a flexible pneumatic coupling to interior gas containment reservoir 119.

Cartridge support 148 of trigger/release assembly 140, is adapted for receiving a gas cartridge 150, having a compressed gas (for example, carbon dioxide) in a gas impervious interior cartridge reservoir 150A. Gas cartridge 150 is “field replaceable”, making the trigger/release assembly 140 re-useable by a wearer/user of the garment 10. Gas cartridge 150 has a cartridge port 152, which, when the cartridge is disposed along a cartridge axis 154 in the cartridge support 148, and actuated as described below, is pneumatically coupled by way of a gas coupler port 120A in housing 144, to the gas fill port 120 of interior gas containment reservoir 119. Prior to deployment of the compressed gas, the cartridge port 152 is spanned by a gas impervious, but pierceable membrane 150-1, extending transverse to the cartridge axis 154 and preventing gas from escaping from the interior cartridge reservoir 150A.

Trigger sub-assembly 157 of trigger/release assembly 140, includes a piston/piercing pin assembly 161 extending in the direction of cartridge axis 154 and having at a cartridge-facing end, a piercing pin 161-1 axially aligned with the cartridge port 152 and transverse to the membrane 150-1 spanning cartridge port 152.

Piercing pin 161-1 and pusher block 161-2 are spring-biased by a compression spring 160 to selectively drive a piston/pusher block 161-2 supporting piercing pin 161-1, toward and through the membrane 150-1 when released by a release element 174-1. The piercing pin 161-1, piston/pusher block 161-2, and spring 160 are disposed within a trigger housing 158.

In a form, piercing pin 161-1 is side-ported and hollow, and includes an associated gasket so that when deployed, a substantially non-leaking junction is formed at port 152. Upon release, i.e., deployment, by the release element 174-1, a gas flow path is established between the cartridge interior reservoir 150A to the interior of interior gas containment reservoir 119, permitting expanded gas from cartridge 150 to pass through ports 120 and 120A to inflate the-inflatable tubular portion of interior gas containment reservoir 119.

The gas-fill actuator sub-assembly 172 of trigger/release assembly 140, includes a cable/lanyard 176 connected, via a 2-element user-operated detachable clip assembly 180 (comprising a first element 181 and a second element 186), between a motorcycle, or other vehicle of interest, and release element 174-1. Operation of the assembly of FIG. 8 is described below in connection with the exemplary form of FIG. 8A.

An exploded view of the mechanical cartridge gas-fill controller and trigger/release assembly 140′ is shown in FIG. 8A. Assembly 140′ includes a 2-element trigger housing 158 (including elements 158-1 and end cap 158-2) affixed to a cartridge support plate 144 by a cartridge guide bracket 159A and an end cap bracket 15913. Support plate 144 is adapted for fixture to an inward facing portion of the outer shell 11 by way of three machine screws (not shown) extending from juncture points on outer shell 11, to associated nut and washer assemblies A1, A2 and A3 on support plate 144. Trigger housing 158 includes a forward element 158-1 and an end cap 158-2, joined together to define a contiguous interior trigger region.

Trigger housing 158 together with cartridge support plate 144, support a compressed gas-filled cartridge 150 disposed along a cartridge axis 154. Cartridge 150 includes a gas port 152 which, prior to activation, is initially sealed with pierceable membrane 150-1 traversing cartridge axis 154 and spanning gas port 152.

A spring-biased seal-piercing assembly 161 is disposed in the interior region of trigger housing 158. The assembly 161 includes a piston/piercing pin (comprising side-ported hollow pin 161-1 pneumatically coupled to port 120A, and a pusher block 161-2) adapted for selectively-initiated sliding motion along the cartridge axis 154. At an end facing gas port 152, elongated pin 161-1 extends along the cartridge axis 154, and at the opposite end, pusher block 161-2 is disposed, adjacent to an end of a coaxial compression spring 164 extending between the pusher block 161-2 and an interior surface of the end cap 158-2.

A trigger release assembly 172 controls activation of the seal-piercing assembly 161.

Trigger release assembly 172 includes (i) an activation/blocking element 174 and (ii) a separate trigger cable/lanyard 176. Activation/locking element 174 includes at a first end, a lock element 174-1 adapted for selective interfering engagement with the piston/piercing pin assembly 161, and at a second end, a first coupling element 181. Trigger cable/lanyard 176 includes a cable having at a first end, a vehicle coupler 182, adapted to selectively engage or disengage a vehicle, and at a second end, a second coupling element 186 adapted to allow a user to selectively couple or de-couple with the first coupling element 181.

In alternative forms, the mechanical cartridge gas-fill controller and trigger/release assembly 140, is replaced by an electronically controlled (as opposed to mechanically controlled) assembly, for example including an inertial sensor-based trigger assembly, in place of the cable/lanyard 148 assembly of the form of FIG. 8A.

In use, a rider first might load a compressed gas-filled cartridge (preferably filled with pressurized CO₂) to the cartridge support structure 144/148, and then couple one end of the cable/lanyard 176 to the trigger/release assembly 140. Then, before riding the vehicle, couple the other end of the cable/lanyard 176 to the vehicle. Before activation, the piston/piercing pin assembly 161 is held in a position with a distal tip of elongated pin 161-1 spaced apart from membrane 151-1 by lock element 174-1 of the activation/locking assembly 174. Then the rider is ready to go. In the event the rider is unexpectedly separated from the vehicle, the cable/lanyard 176 which is coupled to the vehicle, pulls the lock element 174-1 from the trigger housing 158, thereby causing the pin 161-1 to puncture the membrane 150-1, releasing the compressed gas to inflate the bladder-like structure within the outer shell 11 of the garment 10.

In use, when the wearer of garment 10 is separated from his or her motorcycle, for example, by an accident, the wearer/user generally goes in a first direction and the motorcycle goes in a second direction. As the wearer and the motorcycle go in their respective directions, the cable/lanyard 176 first becomes taunt and then pulls the release element 174-1 from piston/piercing pin assembly 161, indicative of detection of an accident. Thus, the gas-fill actuator sub-assembly 156 automatically “detects” when a connected garment 10 worn by a rider, is thrown, or otherwise separated from the motorcycle or other vehicle, by the cable 176 pulling the release element 174-1 from the spring-loaded pin 161-1 of piston/piercing pin assembly 161 of the trigger assembly 140 attached to front panel 112R, thereby establishing entry into a “protect mode”.

In response to detection of an accident, in the “protect mode”, trigger/release assembly 140 drives the spring-loaded pin 161-1 of piston/piercing pin assembly 161, through the membrane 150-1, piercing it and establishing the gas flow path from the cartridge reservoir 150A of cartridge 150 to the gas fill port of reservoir 119.

A cartridge gas release controller is thus effected by the trigger/release assembly 140, which is coupled to the cartridge gas release port 152 of a cartridge 150 received in the cartridge support structure 144/148.

The compressed gas from then-open cartridge 150 passes via a port 120A and enters port 120 and inflates the pneumatically coupled “double inverted-U” balloon-like gas containment reservoir 119. The highly stretchable region 39L, 39R and 40 of outer shells 11 (and 11A), which overlie the inflatable tubular portion(s) of gas containment reservoir 119, readily expand as the tubular portions inflate. The resultant gas-filled double inverted-U balloon-like gas containment reservoir 119 provides a highly effective absorber of energy involved in the accident, thereby effecting a significant reduction in injury for the wearer/user of the garment 10. The gas containment reservoir 119 can have other shapes than the double inverted-U shape illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7. Such other shapes are determined by the manufacturer, sometimes in a “custom” shape requested by the purchaser.

The exemplary gas containment reservoir 119 is shown in FIGS. 12A-12D disposed within sleeve 119-A, in a front view, left (viewed from the front) side view, right (viewed from the front) side view and rear view, respectively, of an exemplary jacket 10. In those figures, reservoir 119, and sleeve 119A, form a “serpentine” double inverted-U balloon-like gas containment reservoir structure disposed between the outer shell 11 and panels 112L, 112R and 114. Reservoir 119 is shown in phantom in FIGS. 12A-12D by a series of uniformly spaced apart double lined sections in each of FIGS. 12A-12D, filled with a multiple rectangle array. The various sections in the aggregate, represent a continuous balloon-like “serpentine” tubular structure of reservoir 119 that underlies outer shell 11. A first inverted-U section extends from an end point under shell 11 near the bottom (see FIG. 12A) of left front panel 12L, to the back panel 14 and around an upper, or “neck”, region and back to underlie the right front panel 12R to an end point under shell 11 near the bottom (See FIG. 12A) of right front panel 12R. The lowermost portions of the first inverted U-section extend from their respective end points, across left and right sides panels (see FIGS. 12B and 12C), to form a second inverted U-section underlying back panel 14 and looping up (see FIG. 12D) and joining at a point near the neck region. The tubular structure of reservoir 119 is joined (not shown) to the gas fill port 120A of the trigger/release assembly 140′, permitting sudden, rapid,“explosive”-like filling (and expansion) of the reservoir 119 in the event of an emergency encountered by a rider during use.

The reservoir 119 may take one of many forms. For example, the reservoir 119 described above, may be formed from a pair of elongated rectangular sheets sewn along their lateral edges wherein an innermost sheet is relatively non-stretchable and adapted for fixture to panels 112L, 112R and 114, and an outermost sheet which is relatively highly transversely (with respect to a central axis 119AA) stretchable elastic and is disposed between the innermost sheet and outer shell 11. Together, the sheets form an inflatable tubular sleeve 119A affixed permanently, for example by an adhesive, to the outer surface of panels 112 and 114 of Wearer Protection Section 100.

In another form, for example as shown in FIG. 13, the reservoir 119 may be disposed within a relatively flexible, expandable (compared to the material comprising panels 112L, 112R and 114 of shell 11 to which it is attachable). Reservoir containment sleeve 119A, for example, is constructed from a single piece rectangular material, which is elongated (along central sleeve axis 119AA) and is relatively highly stretchable transverse to its central sleeve axis 119AA and relatively non-stretchable in directions parallel to that axis. In a form, sleeve 119A may be constructed from a Spandex material. As shown in FIG. 13, the main portion of reservoir containment sleeve 119A has a C-shaped cross-section 204A, where its lateral edges are folded inward and joined together about one-half of a coil zipper assembly 204 having a linear array of flexible teeth/elements (exemplified by coil tooth element 204B in FIG. 13), for example, made from coiled monofilament such as nylon, extending outward through tubular structure of reservoir containment sleeve 119A from a flexible zipper tape 204C joined between the inward-folded lateral edges of the main portion of reservoir containment sleeve 119A.

A second, and mating, half of the coil zipper assembly 204 (similar to coil tooth elements 204C and zipper tape 204B, but not shown in FIG. 13) is affixed at its flexible tape element to the outer surface of one or more of panels 112L, 112R and 114 of the Wearer Protection Section 100. With that configuration, sleeve 119A can be removably attached to Section 100 by selectively joining the flexible teeth of the two halves of coil zipper assembly 204. The use of a “coil zipper” is advantageous because it allows the tubular structure of reservoir containment sleeve 119A to be relatively highly flexible along its length, so that the tubular structure can take a desired shape between Structure 100 and the outer shell 11 depending on the placement of the second half of the coil zipper assembly 204. Coil zippers offer highly flexible reversible coupling structures compared to otherwise-similar zipper structures constructed of rigid interlocking teeth, for example, zippers made with metal or plastic teeth, but the latter could be used in some configurations. By selective placement of the second half of coil zipper assembly 204, the jacket 10 (and/or jacket 10A) may be constructed with nearly any desired pattern of the inflatable tubular structure of reservoir 119. In various embodiments, the mating half of the zipper assembly 204 for connecting to the teeth 204C extending from sleeve 119A, can be located on various elements, for example, the outer surface of Structure 100, the inward-facing surface of Structure 100 or the inward-facing surface of outer shell 11 (or 11A). In this form too, the volume control sleeve 119A allows ready replacement by a user, of the gas containment reservoir 119.

In the illustrated embodiments, the scoop 37 overlies a highly stretchable (compared to the surrounding material of back panel 14) air permeable vent panel 40 in back panel 14. In normal usage, that scoop 37 allows flow-through ventilation (for example, from a flow path commencing at adjustable ports disposed on the front panels), cooling the wearer, and exiting through air permeable vent panel 40. At least portions of scoop 37 and vent panel 40 both overlie an inflatable tubular portion of gas containment reservoir 119, and act in concert to allow expansion of gas containment reservoir 119.

In some embodiments, multiple trigger/release assemblies 140 are incorporated in jacket 10, particularly where distinct gas containment reservoirs 119 are within the shell 11 of garment 10. For example, in the general configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the two inverted-U portions of the front of garment/jacket 10 and the rear of garment/jacket 10 shell might not be pneumatically connected. Instead they may be separately controlled by separate trigger/release assemblies 140. In such configurations, each of the trigger/release assemblies 140 would act as a distinct cartridge gas release controller and an associated trigger assembly.

Views of various embodiments are set forth in FIGS. 9-11B. FIGS. 5A-5D shows a garment embodying the technology of the disclosure, with user-removable extenders 122L and 122R in Structure 100. Fin contrast, FIG. 9 shows a garment embodying the technology of the disclosure, without user-removable extenders 122L and 122R in Structure 100. FIG. 10 shows a side view image of a full body garment of FIG. 3 with raised arm 17, showing the expandable portions 39R of outer shell 11A, after deployment of gas to interior gas containment reservoir 119. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show side-frontal views of an exemplary protective garment of FIGS. 1A and 2, before and after deployment of gas to interior gas containment reservoir 119, respectively.

Although the foregoing description of the embodiment of the present technology contains some details for purposes of clarity of understanding, the technology is not limited to the detail provided. There are many alternative ways of implementing the technology. The disclosed embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

an outer shell having an inward facing surface, wherein the outer shell is adapted to be positioned about at least a portion of a body of a wearer of the garment, including:

A. at least one wearer protection structure adapted for detachable coupling to a vehicle, and to be affixed to and underlie at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer shell, and defining an interior gas containment reservoir, wherein the interior gas containment reservoir includes at least one inflatable tubular region, and a gas fill port adapted to establish a gas containment reservoir input flow path from points exterior to the gas containment reservoir to the interior gas containment region,

B. at least one elongated tubular volume control sleeve disposed along a sleeve axis and about at least a portion of the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir,

C. a cartridge housing structure affixed to the outer shell for receiving at least one gas cartridge defining an interior cartridge reservoir region adapted to store a compressed gas therein, and including a cartridge gas release port adapted to selectively couple the interior cartridge reservoir region along a cartridge exit flow path to points external to the interior cartridge reservoir region,

D. a cartridge gas release controller and an associated trigger assembly, coupled to the cartridge gas release port of a cartridge received in the cartridge housing structure, wherein the controller and the trigger assembly are selectively operable to: i. with the at least one wearer protection structure coupled to the vehicle, in a closed state, establish the interior cartridge reservoir region to be fully enclosed, whereby the compressed gas in the interior cartridge reservoir region remains in the interior cartridge reservoir region, ii. upon separation of the at least one wearer protection structure from the vehicle, in an open state, establish a cartridge outlet flow path exiting the interior cartridge reservoir region by way of the gas release port, and entering the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir by way of the gas fill port of the at least one wearer protection structure, whereby at least a portion of the compressed gas in the interior cartridge reservoir region passes to the tubular region and inflating the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir of the at least one wearer protection structure.

2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes two opposing sleeve portions disposed along the sleeve axis and joined at lateral edges thereof to for a tubular structure, wherein a first sleeve portion is relatively stretchable between a rest state and a circumferentially stretched state, and a second sleeve portion is relatively non-stretchable.

3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a tubular sleeve portion disposed along the sleeve axis, wherein a sleeve portion is relatively stretchable between a rest state and a circumferentially stretched state, and further including a first joinder region along the sleeve axis which is adapted for joinder to a second joinder region on an outer surface of the wearer protection structure.

4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the joinder is permanent.

5. A garment according to claim 4, wherein the permanent joinder is effected by an adhesive.

6. A garment system according to claim 3, wherein the joinder is reversible.

7. A garment according to claim 6, wherein the reversible joinder is effected by a zipper assembly having a first zipper element attached to the first joinder region and a second zipper element attached to the second joinder region.

8. A garment according to claim 7, wherein the zipper assembly is coil zipper.

9. A garment according to claim 1, when the cartridge gas release controller and an associated trigger assembly are in the open state, compressed gas from the interior gas containment reservoir is disposed both in the interior cartridge reservoir and the interior gas containment region, and the interior gas containment region within the sleeve is stretched from its rest state toward its circumferentially stretched state.

10. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir is expandable.

11. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the compressed gas is carbon dioxide (CO2).

12. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wearer protection structure is adapted for fitment about at least a portion of the upper torso of a wearer.

13. A garment according to claim 12, wherein the second sleeve portion is affixed to the inward facing surface of the outer shell.

14. A garment according to claim 13, wherein the garment is a jacket.

15. A garment according to claim 11, wherein the at least one wearer protection structure includes a liner underlying at least a portion of the outer shell.

16. A garment according to claim 15, wherein the second sleeve portion is disposed between the shell and the second sleeve portion is affixed to the liner.

17. A garment according to claim 13, wherein the garment is a jacket.

18. A garment according to claim 1, wherein:

A. the cartridge gas release port includes: i. a rigid closed frame having a pierceable membrane spanning the frame transverse to the cartridge exit flow path, and

B. the trigger assembly includes i. an elongated pointed-end lance element movable along a lance axis transverse to the cartridge exit flow path, wherein the lance element is spring-loaded toward the pierceable membrane, and wherein the pointed tip is displaced from the membrane in the closed state in response to an applied restraining force, and extends through the membrane in the open state following release of the restraining force, and ii. an activation element for selectively releasing the restraining force applied to maintain the lance element in the closed state.

19. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is a jacket wherein the outer shell includes:

i. a back panel adapted to be positioned adjacent to the back of the wearer of the jacket, and a portion of the back panel is air permeable within a vent boundary,

ii. a scoop element affixed to the back panel adjacent to the vent boundary, wherein the scoop element includes an upward-facing inlet aperture and an inward-facing outlet aperture spanning the air permeable portion of the back panel, thereby defining an air flow path from regions outside the shell, through the air permeable portion of the back panel and out through the inward-facing aperture,

wherein the scoop element includes at least one void region therein adapted to receive the at least one gas cartridge, and wherein the at least one gas cartridge-to-gas containment reservoir coupler is elongated to establish the gas flow path coupling the cartridge outlet flow path to the reservoir inlet flow path by way of the interior gas confinement region.

20. A garment according to claim 16, wherein a portion of the outer shell opposite the second sleeve portion attached to the liner, is stretchably corrugated, wherein the corrugated portion is attached to a stretchable intermediate layer.

21. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell is stretchably corrugated in at least one region adjacent to the at least one inflatable tubular regions of the interior gas containment reservoir.

22. A garment comprising:

A. an outer shell having an inward facing surface, wherein the outer shell is adapted to be positioned about at least a portion of a body of a wearer of the garment,

B. an inner protective structure adapted for detachable coupling to a vehicle, and disposed within the outer shell, including: i. at least one wearer protection structure adapted to be affixed to and underlie at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the outer shell, and defining an interior gas containment reservoir, wherein the interior gas containment reservoir includes at least one inflatable tubular region, and a gas fill port adapted to establish a gas containment reservoir input flow path from points exterior to the interior gas containment reservoir to the at least one inflatable tubular region, ii. at least one elongated tubular volume control sleeve disposed along a sleeve axis and about at least a portion of the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir, wherein the sleeve includes two opposing sleeve portions disposed along the sleeve axis, wherein a first sleeve portion is relatively stretchable between a rest state and a circumferentially stretched state, and a second sleeve portion is relatively non-stretchable, iii. a cartridge housing structure affixed to the outer shell for receiving at least one gas cartridge defining an interior cartridge reservoir region adapted to store a compressed gas therein, and including a cartridge gas release port adapted to selectively couple the interior cartridge reservoir region along a cartridge exit flow path to points external to the interior cartridge reservoir region, iv. a cartridge gas release controller and an associated trigger assembly, coupled to the cartridge gas release port of a cartridge received in the cartridge housing structure, wherein the controller and the trigger assembly are selectively operable to: a. with the inner protective structure coupled to the vehicle, in a closed state, establish the interior cartridge reservoir region to be fully enclosed, whereby the compressed gas in the interior cartridge reservoir region remains in the interior cartridge reservoir region, and b. upon separation of the inner protective structure from the vehicle, in an open state, establish a cartridge outlet flow path exiting the interior cartridge reservoir region by way of the gas release port, and entering the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir by way of the gas fill port of the at least one wearer protection structure, whereby at least a portion of the compressed gas in the interior cartridge reservoir region passes to the tubular region and inflating the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir of the at least one wearer protection structure.

23. A garment according to claim 22, when the cartridge gas release controller and an associated trigger assembly are in the open state, compressed gas from the interior gas containment reservoir is disposed both in the interior cartridge reservoir and the interior gas containment region, and the interior gas containment region within the sleeve is filled whereby the first portion of the sleeve is stretched from its rest state toward its circumferentially stretched state.

24. A garment according to claim 22, wherein the tubular region of the interior gas containment reservoir is expandable.