Motorcycle jacket with modular armor and abrasion-resistant layer

Abstract

A motorcycle jacket with a removeable armor and abrasion resistant layer is provided. The motorcycle jacket includes an outer shell with attachment points for the armor and abrasion resistant layer to attach to the outer shell. Because the armor and abrasion resistant layer is removable, the armor and abrasion resistant layer can be installed in multiple different outer shells. Thus, a user can change the outer shells as needed while using one armor and abrasion resistant layer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 752,949, filed on Feb. 3, 2025, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present technology is generally related to motorcycle jackets and more specifically, to a motorcycle jacket with a modular armor and abrasion-resistant layer that is removable from the motorcycle jacket.BACKGROUND

[0003] To minimize risk, motorcyclists currently wear costly, bulky, and heavy jackets with exteriors made of highly abrasion resistant materials such as cowhide or high denier Nylon. Conventional jackets also include expensive armor that is placed within difficult to reach pockets located at the back, shoulders, and elbows. When the user desires different features such as waterproofness or ventilation, styles, or colors of a jacket, they are forced to purchase a different abrasion resistant shell. They either need to go through the tedious task of switching their armor to the next jacket—if it is even compatible in shape—or purchase yet another set of armor. A conventional method around this is to wear a layer of armor beneath an abrasion resistant shell. However, this is inconvenient as it forces the user to put on and remove multiple garments and it is still expensive to purchase the abrasion resistant shell.SUMMARYExample aspects of the present disclosure include

[0004] A motorcycle jacket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an outer shell; and an armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to the outer shell at one or more attachment points on the outer shell, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material.

[0005] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the at least one armor comprises a back armor, a left sleeve armor, and a right sleeve armor.

[0006] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the outer shell comprises a body portion, a right side sleeve, and a left side sleeve.

[0007] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises the right sleeve, the left sleeve, the collar, and the body portion.

[0008] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises an end the right sleeve, an end of the left sleeve, at least three attachment points on the collar, and at least two attachment points at a bottom of the body portion.

[0009] Any of the aspects herein, further comprising an inner liner releasably attached to the outer shell.

[0010] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner, and wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is operable to be removed from the motorcycle jacket without fully separating the inner liner from the outer shell.

[0011] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the inner liner is releasably attached to the outer shell via a zipper.

[0012] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the outer shell and the inner liner are formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

[0013] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the outer shell is formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

[0014] Any of the aspects herein, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

[0015] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the abrasion resistant material comprises at least one of leather, KEPROTEC® fabric, DYNEEMA® fabric, CORDURA® fabric, or KEVLAR® fabric.

[0016] A motorcycle jacket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an outer shell having a body portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, and a collar, the outer shell formed from a non-abrasion resistant material; an inner liner releasably attached to the outer shell; and an armor and abrasion resistant layer positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner, the armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to the outer shell at a plurality of attachment points comprising the right sleeve, the left sleeve, the collar, and the body portion, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material, wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is operable to be removed from the motorcycle jacket without fully separating the inner liner from the outer shell.

[0017] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises an end the right sleeve, an end of the left sleeve, at least three attachment points on the collar, and at least two attachment points at a bottom of the body portion.

[0018] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the inner liner is formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

[0019] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the abrasion resistant material comprises at least one of leather, KEPROTEC® fabric, DYNEEMA® fabric, CORDURA® fabric, or KEVLAR® fabric.

[0020] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the at least one armor comprises a back armor, a left sleeve armor, and a right sleeve armor.

[0021] Any of the aspects herein, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

[0022] Any of the aspects herein, wherein at least a portion of the inner liner is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

[0023] A motorcycle jacket assembly according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first outer shell having one or more first attachment points; a second outer shell having one or more second attachment points; and an armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to at least one of the first outer shell at the one or more first attachment points or the second outer shell at the one or more second attachment points, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material, wherein the first outer shell and the second outer shell are each formed of a different non-abrasion resistant material.

[0024] Any aspect in combination with any one or more other aspects.

[0025] Any one or more of the features disclosed herein.

[0026] Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein.

[0027] Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein in combination with any one or more other features as substantially disclosed herein.

[0028] Any one of the aspects / features / embodiments in combination with any one or more other aspects / features / embodiments.

[0029] Use of any one or more of the aspects or features as disclosed herein.

[0030] It is to be appreciated that any feature described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features come from the same described embodiment.

[0031] The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0032] The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and / or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and / or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X1-Xn, Y1-Ym, and Z1-Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Zo).

[0033] The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

[0034] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

[0035] Numerous additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the embodiment descriptions provided hereinbelow.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a front view of a motorcycle jacket according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the motorcycle jacket of FIG. 1 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a front, interior view of the motorcycle jacket of FIG. 1 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a front view of the motorcycle jacket of FIG. 1 with the outer shell transparently shown to highlight an armor and abrasion resistant layer according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the motorcycle jacket of FIG. 1 with the outer shell transparently shown to highlight an armor and abrasion resistant layer according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,”“comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the present disclosure may use examples to illustrate one or more aspects thereof. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the use or listing of one or more examples (which may be denoted by “for example,”“by way of example,”“e.g.,”“such as,” or similar language) is not intended to and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] A motorcycle jacket (100) according to at least one embodiment is provided herein. Generally, the motorcycle jacket (100) includes an outer shell (102) and an armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) that is removable from the outer shell (102). The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) can be easily removed and installed in the outer shell (102) such that a user can swap the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) between multiple outer shells (102) as needed or desired. Thus, the user can have multiple outer shells (102) and one armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) compatible with each of the outer shells (102) as opposed to having multiple jackets with multiple sets of armor and / or abrasion resistant features. Further, because the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) is removable, the outer shell (102) can be worn as a standalone jacket for everyday use. As such, the motorcycle jacket (100) as described herein beneficially enables a user to have multiple jackets, and specifically, multiple motorcycle jackets at a reduced cost and increased modular use.

[0044] Turning to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a front view of the motorcycle jacket (100) and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the motorcycle jacket (100) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The motorcycle jacket (100) includes the outer shell (102). The outer shell (102) has a body portion (108), a right sleeve (110), a left sleeve (112), and a collar (114). The motorcycle jacket (100) also includes a wrist tightening strap (116) for each of the right sleeve (110) and the left sleeve (112) and a collar tab (118) to secure the collar (114) in place. As shown, the outer shell (102) also includes one or more pockets (120) and one or more zippers (122) (shown in FIG. 2). Further, the outer shell (102) includes a back seam (124) that is vented.

[0045] The zippers (112), when moved to an open position, allow airflow to vent the motorcycle jacket (100), and moved to a closed position, do not allow airflow into the motorcycle jacket (100). The zippers (112) may open to a mesh layer to enable airflow while preventing debris from entering the motorcycle jacket (100).

[0046] It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the outer shell (102) may have more or less portions. For example, the outer shell (102) may include a hood. In other examples, the outer shell (102) may not include the wrist tightening straps (116), zippers (112), or pockets (120) and / or may include short sleeves instead of long sleeves.

[0047] The outer shell (102) may be formed from various materials for different environments and style. For example, the outer shell (102) may be formed from a water resistant or waterproof material. In other embodiments, the outer shell (102) may be formed from a breathable mesh material or canvas material. In still other embodiments, the outer shell (102) may be formed from more than one type of material.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a front, interior view of the motorcycle jacket (100) of FIG. 1 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the motorcycle jacket (100) includes an inner liner (106). The inner liner (106) can be fully removable or at least partially removable from the outer shell (102). The inner liner (106) is attached to the outer shell (102) by an upper zipper (126) sewn into the jacket. In alternative embodiments, the inner liner (106) may be attached by one or more portions of hook and loop attachments (128) (e.g., VELCRO® hook and loop attachments).

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner liner (106) is sewn to the outer shell (102) on a right side and a left side of the outer shell (102), and an upper portion of the inner liner (106) is removably attached to the outer shell (102) by the upper zipper (126). The upper zipper (126) enables access to the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) without removing the inner liner (106) from the outer shell (102). In other embodiments, the upper zipper (126) may extend down the right side and the left side of the outer shell (102) such that the inner liner (106) can be fully removed from the outer shell (102).

[0050] The inner liner (106) can be formed of a material such as a quilted liner, though in other embodiments the inner liner (106) can be formed of any material such as a mesh, a breathable fabric, etc. The inner liner (106) also includes one or more windows (130) through which attachments for the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) to the outer shell (102) can be accessed, as will be described in more detail below.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a front view of the motorcycle jacket (100) of FIG. 1 with the outer shell (102) transparently shown to highlight the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) in the motorcycle jacket (100) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the motorcycle jacket (100) of FIG. 1 with the outer shell (102) also transparently shown to highlight the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) in the motorcycle jacket (100) according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] As shown, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) is removably attached to the outer shell (102) at various attachment points (132) (including an attachment point shown in FIG. 5). More specifically, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) is attached to the outer shell (102) at each end of the right sleeve (110) and the left sleeve (112), at two points on a bottom of the body portion (108) and at three points on the collar (114). It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the outer shell (102) may have more or less attachment points (132) for the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104). The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) may be attached to the outer shell (102) using, for example, snaps, hook and loop attachments, woven loops, elastic cords, magnets, etc.

[0053] The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) can be formed of armor that is sewn to, or otherwise attached to an abrasion resistant material. The abrasion resistant material may be, for example, leather, KEPROTEC® fabric, DYNEEMA® fabric, CORDURA® fabric, or KEVLAR® fabric. In other embodiments, the abrasion resistant material is any material that can withstand or resist surface wear from rubbing and is resistant to tears. As shown, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) has five pieces of armor – a back armor (132), a left arm armor (138), a right arm armor (136), a left shoulder (137) and a right shoulder (139). It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) may have more or less pieces of armor. For example, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) may have only the back armor.

[0054] In some embodiments, the abrasion resistant material covers a front side and a back side of each armor. In other words, each armor may be fully covered by the abrasion resistant material. In other embodiments, the abrasion resistant material may include pockets that can receive corresponding armor. In such embodiments, each piece of armor is removable from the abrasion resistant material. In alternative embodiments, the abrasion resistant material may cover one side of each armor.

[0055] The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) also includes an abrasion resistant material that covers a back portion (140), an outer left sleeve portion (144), and an outer right sleeve portion (142). In other embodiments the abrasion resistant material may extend to more or less portions. For example, in some embodiments, the abrasion resistant material may not include the outer left sleeve portion or the outer right sleeve portion. In still other embodiments, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) may include multiple portions that can be attached to each other to enable the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) to be modular. In other words, a user can choose to add or remove different portions of the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104). For example, the outer right sleeve portion or the outer left sleeve portion can be removed from the back portion.

[0056] The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) beneficially enable a user to switch outer shells (102) as needed or desired. For example, if a user needs to switch to a waterproof jacket instead of a non-waterproof jacket, the user would simply detach the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) from the outer shell (102) at the attachment points (132), open the upper zipper (126) between the inner liner (106) and the outer shell (102), and remove the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) through the opening at the upper zipper (126). The user would then attach the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) to a waterproof shell.

[0057] The armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) also beneficially reduce an overall cost of having multiple motorcycle jackets (100). For example, a first outer shell (102) may have one or more first attachment points (132) and a second outer shell (102) may have one or more second attachment points (132). In such example, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) can be removable attached to either the first outer shell (102) at the one or more first attachment points (132) or the second outer shell (102) at the one or more second attachment points (132). In other words, the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) can be easily changed between the first outer shell (102) and the second outer shell (102). Thus, a user can have different outer shells (102) and use the same armor and abrasion resistant layer (104). For example, one outer shell (102) can be made from insulated materials for cooler temperatures while another outer shell (102) can be made from waterproof materials for rainy weather.

[0058] Further, in a conventional motorcycle jacket, the jacket itself is typically made from abrasion resistant materials, which can be costly. However, because the abrasion resistant layer in the present motorcycle jacket (100) is removable, the outer shell (102) itself does not need to be made from abrasion resistant material. Thus, the outer shell (102) can be made of a non-abrasion resistant material that is less costly than the abrasion resistant material, thereby reducing the overall cost of the motorcycle jacket (100). Further, a user only needs to purchase the armor and abrasion resistant layer (104) once and can then purchase multiple outer shells (102) at a lower cost compared to conventional motorcycle jackets.

[0059] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations, includes components substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and / or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and / or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and / or reducing cost of implementation.

[0060] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and / or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and / or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A motorcycle jacket comprising:an outer shell; andan armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to the outer shell at one or more attachment points on the outer shell, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material.

2. The motorcycle jacket of claim 1, wherein the at least one armor comprises a back armor, a left sleeve armor, and a right sleeve armor.

3. The motorcycle jacket of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a body portion, a right side sleeve, and a left side sleeve.

4. The motorcycle jacket of claim 3, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises the right sleeve, the left sleeve, the collar, and the body portion.

5. The motorcycle jacket of claim 4, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises an end the right sleeve, an end of the left sleeve, at least three attachment points on the collar, and at least two attachment points at a bottom of the body portion.

6. The motorcycle jacket of claim 1, further comprising an inner liner releasably attached to the outer shell.

7. The motorcycle jacket of claim 6, wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner, and wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is operable to be removed from the motorcycle jacket without fully separating the inner liner from the outer shell.

8. The motorcycle jacket of claim 6, wherein the inner liner is releasably attached to the outer shell via a zipper.

9. The motorcycle jacket of claim 6, wherein the outer shell and the inner liner are formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

10. The motorcycle jacket of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

11. The motorcycle jacket of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

12. The motorcycle jacket of claim 1, wherein the abrasion resistant material comprises at least one of leather, KEPROTEC® fabric, DYNEEMA® fabric, CORDURA® fabric, or KEVLAR® fabric.

13. A motorcycle jacket comprising:an outer shell having a body portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, and a collar, the outer shell formed from a non-abrasion resistant material;an inner liner releasably attached to the outer shell; andan armor and abrasion resistant layer positioned between the outer shell and the inner liner, the armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to the outer shell at a plurality of attachment points comprising the right sleeve, the left sleeve, the collar, and the body portion, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material,wherein the armor and abrasion resistant layer is operable to be removed from the motorcycle jacket without fully separating the inner liner from the outer shell.

14. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein the one or more attachment points comprises an end the right sleeve, an end of the left sleeve, at least three attachment points on the collar, and at least two attachment points at a bottom of the body portion.

15. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein the inner liner is formed of a non-abrasion resistant material.

16. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein the abrasion resistant material comprises at least one of leather, KEPROTEC® fabric, DYNEEMA® fabric, CORDURA® fabric, or KEVLAR® fabric.

17. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein the at least one armor comprises a back armor, a left sleeve armor, and a right sleeve armor.

18. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

19. The motorcycle jacket of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the inner liner is formed of at least one of a waterproof fabric, a breathable fabric, or an insulated fabric.

20. A motorcycle jacket assembly comprising:a first outer shell having one or more first attachment points;a second outer shell having one or more second attachment points; andan armor and abrasion resistant layer removably attached to at least one of the first outer shell at the one or more first attachment points or the second outer shell at the one or more second attachment points, the armor and abrasion resistant layer including at least one armor component attached to an abrasion resistant material,wherein the first outer shell and the second outer shell are each formed of a different non-abrasion resistant material.

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