Cycling jacket

Abstract

A cycling garment for the upper body comprising: a jacket (A) with an integrated waistcoat (B); the jacket has a front zip (3) which closes by sliding from the bottom upwards; the waistcoat, which is joined to the inner surface of the jacket along appropriate joining lines, has a front zip (5) which closes by sliding from the top downwards.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sports clothing for cycling. In particular, the invention concerns a cycling garment for the upper body.Prior art

[0002] Garments specifically designed for cycling must meet a number of technical requirements. A cycling garment must protect against the weather and at the same time be able to expel sweat and ensure effective heat regulation during intense effort. In addition, a cycling garment must provide a good fit, i.e. adapt to the body without forming creases which, especially during intense use, can be uncomfortable.

[0003] The thermal stress to which the cyclist is subjected varies greatly due to both the weather conditions and the kind of the route, which typically includes alternating uphill and downhill stretches and / or greater or lesser exposure to wind. The variability of thermal stress is perceived even more in intermediate climates, when along the same route the cyclist can move rapidly from a situation of overheating and intense sweating (with accumulation of moisture) to a situation of sudden cooling and evaporation caused by exposure to the air, for example when riding uphill and then downhill. In these situations, the torso is the most exposed part of the body, as it has a large surface area directly in contact with the air and is more sensitive to cold than the limbs. In addition, during stops, the cyclist often feels the need to lighten up, because there is no impact with the air at speed, but it is inconvenient to take off a cycling suit and then put it on again for a break of a few minutes.

[0004] Cycling clothing should be able to cope with such temperature change situations, but the state of the art does not yet offer a satisfactory solution to meet this need. Clothing to withstand rain or wind is generally made of a membrane fabric, where this term indicates a material comprising a layer of water and / or wind barrier material (e.g. polyurethane-based) coupled to one or more layers of supporting fabric. However, a membrane fabric is inherently "heavy" and can lead to overheating in intermediate climate conditions.

[0005] The solution normally used by cyclists is to wear a "first layer" garment adapted for direct contact with the skin and a jacket to protect against external elements such as rain or wind, to be used when necessary. However, this solution is not optimal because it requires the use of two items of clothing. It proves to be impractical in variable conditions; moreover, the two layers can interfere in such a way as to worsen the fit and wearability.

[0006] The applicant also noted that the correct wearability and fit in the waist area are particularly difficult to achieve. In particular, due to their structure, membrane or "barrier" fabrics cannot guarantee the desired wearability in this area of the body.Summary of the invention

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a solution to the limitations of the state of the art, aiming at an improvement of cycling garments, in particular cycling jackets.

[0008] The aim of the invention is to provide a cycling garment for the upper body that is particularly adapted to conditions of varying thermal stress. The objectives of the invention include: allowing for proper thermal and moisture management; avoiding the formation of creases, especially in the position of use (riding position while pedalling); improving the fit in the "critical" hip and waist area; for women's versions, avoiding excessive pressure on the breast area.

[0009] This is achieved by means of a cycling garment according to the claims. This garment comprises a jacket and a waistcoat joined to the inside of the jacket. The jacket has a zip fastening from the bottom upwards; the inner waistcoat has its own zip, which, however, has a reverse slider which closes from the top downwards and opens from the bottom upwards.

[0010] The jacket preferably comprises two panels used for closing the jacket at the front that extend from the neck to approximately mid-bust of the wearer, and a rear portion that extends down the wearer's back. The lower end of the waistcoat is preferably aligned with the lower end of the rear portion of the jacket. Preferably the waistcoat extends lower than the two front panels of the jacket when the garment is worn, so that the waistcoat is wrapped around the hips and waist.

[0011] The garment thus configured presents particular flexibility of use. The material of the jacket may be different from the material of the waistcoat, and the waistcoat may have an optimised wearability for the area of the body it is wrapped around. The waistcoat that extends beyond the front panels of the jacket and with a bottom-opening zip makes it possible, for example, to partially open or close the waistcoat without having to open the jacket, so as to change the ventilation and adapt the garment to changing thermal conditions.Description of the invention

[0012] A cycling garment for the upper body according to the invention comprises a jacket and a waistcoat joined to the jacket i.e. integrated with it. The jacket has a first zip, said first zip includes a first slider which slides from the bottom to the top for closing the jacket; the waistcoat has a second zip, said second zip includes a second slider which slides from the top to the bottom for closing the waistcoat and, consequently, from the bottom to the top for opening it.

[0013] The waistcoat is integrated with the jacket: this term means that the waistcoat cannot be separated from the jacket without destroying the garment. Preferably the waistcoat is sewn inside the jacket along at least one joining line.

[0014] The first zip and the second zip are preferably located at the front of the jacket and waistcoat. The garment of the invention can be made in both men's and women's versions. References in this description to a user or a cyclist are to be understood as addressing both genders.

[0015] The jacket preferably comprises a rear portion extending down the user's back and two panels located at the front in the upper torso and integrated laterally into said rear portion of the jacket. The two front panels are preferably constrained to the rear portion of the jacket by means of first joining lines. These two panels are connected by the first zip, which in the closed position joins the two panels at the front, allowing the jacket to be closed around the upper torso. Said first zip consists of a first row of teeth constrained to one panel of said two front panels and a second row of teeth constrained to the other panel of said two front panels. Said two front panels of the jacket preferably extend from the neck of the wearer to the waist of the user, said rear portion preferably extending from the neck to the hips of the user.

[0016] Advantageously, the waistcoat extends lower than said two front panels of the jacket when the garment is worn, so that the lower part of the waistcoat protrudes from the front panels of the jacket when the jacket is closed. The lower end of the waistcoat is preferably aligned with the lower end of the rear portion of the jacket. As a result, the garment is essentially a relatively short jacket with an integrated waistcoat that extends to cover the hips and waist. Furthermore, since the waistcoat is "longer" than the front panels of the jacket, a lower portion of the waistcoat zip remains accessible even when the jacket is closed; since the waistcoat zip opens upwards, the advantage is that the user can partially open or close the waistcoat (by opening or closing the zip for a lower portion of its stroke) even while keeping the jacket fully closed.

[0017] The waistcoat can have various shapes and preferably comprises a main central part and two shoulder straps. Said main part preferably extends to hip height and is shaped to be wrapped around the front of the cyclist's torso. The two shoulder straps preferably form an integral part of the waistcoat and form a continuation of the main part of the waistcoat. Generally, a cycling outfit involves the use of tight-fitting shorts that are typically constrained to the torso by braces. Preferably the two waistcoat shoulder straps according to the invention are positioned so that they cover said braces of the shorts or of tights. The superposition of shoulder straps and braces is advantageous in order to avoid an excessive addition of material on the upper part of the body that could be uncomfortable or restrict movement.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, said central part of the waistcoat is joined to the inside of the jacket along second joining lines preferably placed laterally along the hips. The shoulder straps are joined internally to the jacket along third joining lines, which are preferably at shoulders height. Said joining lines are preferably seams. Said second joining lines are preferably at least partially superimposed with the first joining lines.

[0019] Preferably the waistcoat is shaped so that said main part of the waistcoat ends below the wearer's chest when the garment is worn. For example, the shoulder straps are joined at the front, forming a front neckline that remains below the chest. For example, said line defines a V- or U-shaped front neckline. One advantage of this configuration is that it allows the cyclist more freedom in the upper torso and, in a women's garment, avoids uncomfortable pressure on the breasts.

[0020] References such as "above" or "below" are understood with respect to the vertical, considering a user wearing the garment of the invention and standing upright.

[0021] The first and second zips conventionally include an upper and lower stop as well as a slider for opening and closing. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the zips are partially superimposed along the vertical direction, i.e. the upper stop of the second zip is above the lower stop of the first zip when the jacket and waistcoat are both closed.

[0022] A preferred aspect of the invention involves differentiating the properties of the materials used for the jacket and waistcoat, respectively. The jacket and waistcoat perform different functions, so they may have different breathability and / or elasticity properties, for example, obtained with different fabrics or with the same fabric of different thickness and / or subjected to different processing. According to an embodiment of the invention, the jacket and waistcoat are made of one or more materials adapted for intermediate climates such as spring and autumn. Preferably the jacket is made of a wind and water barrier material, preferably a membrane fabric, and the waistcoat is made of a soft gauze fabric.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the rear portion of the jacket is made of a first material, the two front panels of the jacket are made of a second material, and the waistcoat is made of a third material, wherein the first material, the second material and the third material are different. The first material, second material and third material may comprise the same fabric which is processed differently, giving different characteristics and properties to said first material, second material and third material.

[0024] According to an embodiment, said first material used to make the rear portion of the jacket is an at least partially insulating and / or breathable fabric. Preferably said first material is a bi-elastic fabric.

[0025] The term bi-elastic refers to a fabric that exhibits elastic behaviour and stretches significantly under tensile stress in both a longitudinal and transverse direction. This fabric is also called 4-way stretch. A particularly favoured embodiment involves a bi-elastic three-layer intermediate-weight fabric ("softshell").

[0026] According to an embodiment, said second material used for the front panels of the jacket is a membrane fabric, wherein this term indicates a material comprising a membrane coupled to one or more layers of fabric. The membrane is preferably made of polyurethane or a polyurethane-based material. The membrane fabric is advantageously able to act as a barrier against water and wind and at the same time be permeable to the passage of water vapour, from the inside to the outside, to expel sweat. Preferably said second material is a bi-elastic fabric.

[0027] The third material (waistcoat material) is preferably a gauze fabric, more preferably the fabric is warp-knit. Preferably said third material is a bi-elastic fabric.

[0028] The advantages of the invention essentially lie in its innovative design with a waistcoat integrated inside the jacket and with zips with opposite opening / closing directions, whereby the waistcoat zip is configured to close when the slider slides from the top downwards and to open when the slider slides from the bottom upwards. The garment of the invention may be considered as a combined garment integrating the functions of a jacket and a waistcoat.

[0029] One of the advantages of the invention is the possibility of optimising the spatial distribution of materials with different properties in the garment. For example, the use of a membrane fabric is limited to the jacket or portions of it, since the jacket is intended to protect against wind and at least light rain; the inner waistcoat, on the other hand, can be made of a more comfortable material that expels sweat and fits to the body, reducing the formation of wrinkles or unwanted folds. In particular, the invention makes it possible to create a garment that integrates a "short" jacket, shaped to protect the upper torso, and a waistcoat that protrudes below the jacket to be wrapped around the hips and waist with a more precise fit than can be obtained from the jacket; moreover, the waistcoat can be partially opened while keeping the jacket closed thanks to the operating direction of the respective zip.

[0030] Due to the configuration of the zips, when the waistcoat is closed, the zip slider is located at the lowest end of the waistcoat, below the hips, where it does not cause discomfort and, being below the front panels of the jacket, is easily accessible if the user wishes to open it partially for more freedom or to increase ventilation. It should be noted that a zip with a conventional upward fastening would bring the slider to a position below the chest where it could be uncomfortable, especially in a bent-forward position for pedalling.

[0031] Another great advantage of the invention is that it provides a cycling garment that allows protection from external agents such as wind and rain but also facilitates the expulsion of sweat. The cycling garment according to the invention achieves the purpose of preventing overheating and optimising moisture management. In addition, the inner waistcoat with its upward-opening zip allows for an improvement in the contour of the waist and gives the cyclist freedom to ease the tension on the hips, according to his or her preferences, while still maintaining protection at the abdomen. The fabric used to make this garment can also be designed to prevent excess creases in the driving position with the body bent. Finally, in the women's version, the garment of the invention reduces pressure on the breast area.Description of the figures

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a garment for cycling, comprising a jacket A and a waistcoat B integrated with the jacket, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows the garment in Fig. 1 with open jacket and closed waistcoat. Fig. 3 shows the garment in Fig. 1 with both the jacket and waistcoat opened.

[0033] In Fig. 1 both the jacket A and the waistcoat B are shown closed. The jacket A includes a rear portion 20, two front panels 21, 22 and two sleeves 1, 2 for the arms. The two front panels 21, 22 are constrained to the rear portion of the jacket 20 by means of first joining lines 23, 24 which make the two panels and the rear portion of the jacket a single body. The two front panels 21, 22 comprise a first zip 3 which allows the jacket A to be closed at the front in the upper torso. Said first zip 3 includes a slider 4 that slides from the bottom upwards for closing, and from the top downwards for opening.

[0034] The waistcoat B is integrated inside the jacket A and includes a second zip 5 having a slider 6 which slides in the opposite direction to the slider 4, i.e. from the top downwards for closing and from the bottom upwards for opening. Then the slider 6 in the closed position is at the lower end of the second zip 5.

[0035] The zips 3 and 5 include appropriate stops for their respective sliders; the figures show a lower stop 17 of the first zip 3 and an upper stop 18 of the second zip 5.

[0036] The waistcoat B is shaped to be wrapped around the lower torso at the hips and waist; the two panels 21, 22 of the jacket A cover the upper torso at the front above the hips; the rear portion 20 of the jacket A covers the user's back.

[0037] The waistcoat B extends downwards beyond the front panels 21, 22 of the jacket A: the figures show that the lower end 8 of the waistcoat B is below the lower end 7 of the front panels 21, 22 of the jacket, while it is aligned with the lower end of the rear portion 20 of the jacket A. Accordingly, the zip 5 of the waistcoat and the zip 3 of the jacket are superimposed for a certain stretch of their length when in the closed position.

[0038] Looking at Fig. 1 it can be seen in particular that the lower part of the zip 5 of the waistcoat remains accessible even with the jacket closed. This allows to operate on the slider 6 by partially opening the waistcoat without having to open the jacket (since the zip 5 of the waistcoat is opened from the bottom).

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the garment in which the jacket A is open while the waistcoat B is closed. In this figure, it can be observed the construction of the waistcoat B which comprises a main central part 19, extending below the chest area, and comprising two shoulders straps 15, 16 forming a front neckline 14.

[0040] The waistcoat B is joined to the inner surface 9 of the jacket A by means of second joining lines 10, 11 and third joining lines 12, 13. The second joins 10, 11 are made between the main body 19 of the waistcoat B and the jacket A, and extend laterally along the hips. The third joins 12, 13 are made between the shoulder straps 15, 16 and the inside of the jacket A, and are located in the upper torso at shoulders height. The joins 10, 11, 12, 13 join the waistcoat B to the jacket A, making the waistcoat B an integral part of the jacket A. Said joins can be made with seams or the like.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows the garment with the jacket A and waistcoat B open. In this figure it can be seen that the rear portion 20 of the jacket A extends to the hips, and is aligned with the lower end 8 of the waistcoat B. The panels of the jacket are laterally constrained to the rear portion by the first joining lines 23, 24 as shown in Fig. 1. The rear portion 20 of the jacket A and the front panels 21, 22 of the jacket are integrated and together form a single body. The second joining lines 10, 11 joining the main body of the waistcoat to the jacket are preferably at least partially superimposed with said first joining lines 23, 24. As seen in Fig. 2, the joining lines 10, 11 constrain the main body of the waistcoat to the jacket, extending below the underarm area to hip height, while the two shoulder straps 15, 16 are constrained to the jacket A at shoulder height.

[0042] The jacket A and waistcoat B are preferably made of different materials. The jacket A is preferably made of a material that can withstand external weather conditions, e.g. a fabric laminated with a membrane, while the waistcoat B is preferably made of a breathable material that can transport sweat to the outside, preferably a gauzed fabric.

Claims

1. Cycling garment for the upper body comprising: a jacket (A) including a first zip (3), the first zip includes a first slider (4) which slides from the bottom upwards to close the jacket; a waistcoat (B) including a second zip (5), the second zip includes a second slider (6) which slides from the top downwards to close the waistcoat; wherein the waistcoat (B) is integrated with the jacket, said waistcoat being joined to the inner surface (9) of the jacket along at least one joining line.

2. A cycling garment according to claim 1, wherein said first zip (3) and said second zip (5) are located frontally on the jacket and waistcoat.

3. A cycling garment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the jacket (A) comprises at least one rear portion (20) and two front panels (21, 22) constrained to said rear portion (20) by first joining lines (23, 24), wherein the first zip (3) connects said two front panels.

4. A cycling garment according to claim 3, wherein the waistcoat extends lower than said two front panels (21, 22) of the jacket when the garment is worn, such that the lower part of the waistcoat extends with respect to said two front panels (21, 22) of the jacket when the jacket is closed.

5. A cycling garment according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lower end (8) of the waistcoat is aligned with the lower end of the rear portion (20) of the jacket.

6. A cycling garment according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the waistcoat extends so as to be wrapped around the hips and waist.

7. A cycling garment according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the waistcoat comprises a main central part (19) and two shoulder straps (15, 16), wherein said main part is joined to the jacket along second joining lines (10, 11) and said two shoulder straps are joined to the jacket along third joining lines (12, 13).

8. A cycling garment according to claim 7 wherein said second joining lines (10, 11) are located laterally along the sides of the garment and said third joining lines (12, 13) are located at shoulders height.

9. A cycling garment according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said second joining lines are at least partly superimposed with the first joining lines.

10. A cycling garment according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the material of the rear portion (20) is different from the material of which said two front panels (21, 22) of the jacket are made.

11. A cycling garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waistcoat has a neckline (14) below the user's chest when the garment is worn.

12. A cycling garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first zip (3) includes a lower stop (17) and the second zip (5) includes an upper stop (18), the upper stop (18) of the second zip being above the lower stop (17) of the first zip when the jacket and the waistcoat are both closed.

13. A cycling garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket and the waistcoat have different elasticity and / or breathability characteristics.

14. A cycling garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jacket is made of a wind and water barrier material, preferably a membrane fabric, and the waistcoat is made of a soft gauze fabric.

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