Garment system

Abstract

The present application relates to a garment system comprising: a) a first upper body garment comprising a front portion, a back portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, a right side connector and a left side connector; wherein the front portion comprises a vertically oriented centerline, located approximately equidistant from the right sleeve and the left sleeve; and b) a bolero jacket comprising a right front panel, a right bolero connector, a left front panel and a left bolero connector; wherein the right side connector is releasably connectable to the right bolero connector and the left side connector is releasably connectable to the left side bolero connector; and wherein the right side connector and the left side connector are proximate to the centerline of the front portion.

Description

GARMENT SYSTEMFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a garment system comprising an upper body garment and a removable jacket component. In some embodiments, the removable component may be a bolero jacket.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Cycling outdoor, cyclists are exposed to a wide range of climatic conditions, in particular with regard to temperature and wind. But also the body temperature of a cyclist varies depending on the terrain for example in mixed road conditions comprising uphill and downhill sections.

[0003] A cyclist typically gets very hot when cycling uphill. On the way downhill the airstream will provide intense cooling particularly to the torso. This cooling effect is even more intensified when the cyclist's jersey is saturated with sweat from the exertion while cycling uphill. But also when cycling for longer periods, the cyclist may encounter diverse conditions such as sun paired with high temperatures, shade or high altitude with colder temperatures.

[0004] In order to cater for all these different conditions during a ride, cyclists often wear several layers which can be taken off or put on as required. However, this is not particularly practical for amateur cyclist and even more so for cyclists taking part in competitive cycling as there is no storage for jackets.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure has therefore been to provide a solution to this problem of allowing cyclists to adapt their clothing to the temperature conditions.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a garment system comprising a first upper body garment comprising a front portion, a back portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, a right side connector and a left side connector. The front portion comprises a verticallyoriented centerline, located approximately equidistant from the right sleeve and the left sleeve. The garment system further comprises a bolero jacket comprising a right front panel, a right bolero connector, a left front panel and a left bolero connector. The right side connector of the first upper body garment is releasably connectable to the right bolero connector and the left side connector of the first upper body garment is releasably connectable to the left side bolero connector. The right side connector and the left side connector of the first upper body garment are proximate to the centerline of the front portion.

[0007] The first upper body garment may further comprise a first connector releasably securing the left front portion to the right front portion of the first upper body garment. The first connector may be oriented approximately vertically over or proximate to the centerline of the front portion of the first upper body garment.

[0008] The right side connector and the left side connector may be oriented parallel to the centerline, or the right side connector and the left side connector may be oriented at an angle from greater than 0 degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to the centerline of the first garment.

[0009] The bolero jacket may be configured to be worn over the first upper body garment. The right and left front panels of the bolero jacket extend about 1 to 20 centimeters below an armpit of a wearer.

[0010] The first upper body garment may be short-sleeved and / or the bolero jacket may be a long-sleeved jacket. The bolero jacket may have a back panel. The back panel of the bolero jacket may have a lower portion and optionally said lower portion may comprise at least one connection means to releasably secure the lower portion of the bolero jacket to the back portion of the first upper body garment. The connection means in said lower portion of the back panel of the bolero jacket may be a magnet, a zipper, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button or a combination thereof. The back portion of the first upper body garment may comprise a counterpart for engaging with the connection means of the bolero jacket.

[0011] The first upper body garment may comprise a right connector cover and a left connector cover, the right connector cover and the left connector cover covering the right side connector and the left side connector, respectively. The connector covers may form a part of the first upper body garment and optionally may have a length that is at least as long as the right side connector and the left side connector, respectively, preferably at least 10 percent longer and optionally up to 50 percent longer.

[0012] The back portion of the first upper body garment may further comprise a first pocket and a second pocket. The second pocket may comprise a vertically oriented opening. The second pocket may comprise a zipper, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a magnet, a button, or a combination thereof to close the vertically oriented opening. The second pocket may at least partially overlay the first pocket. The first pocket may comprise a horizontally oriented opening. The first pocket may have at least two sections, optionally vertically separated from one another.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The features of the disclosure will be better understood by anyone skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings, provided by way of nonlimiting examples, in which:

[0014] Fig. 1 is a front view of a garment system comprising a first upper body garment and a bolero jacket.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a back view of a garment system comprising a first upper body garment and a bolero jacket.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a front view of a first upper body garment.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a back view of a first upper body garment showing the first pocket.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a view of the second pocket.

[0019] Fig. 6 is a front view of the bolero jacket.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] While the various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure and do not delimit the scope of the disclosure.

[0021] To facilitate the understanding of this disclosure, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present disclosure. Terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the disclosure, but their usage does not delimit the disclosure, except as outlined in the claims.

[0022] The present disclosure uses the phrases "upper body garment" and "bolero jacket". As used herein, the phrase "upper body garment" refers to a shirt or a jacket that can be worn next to the skin of a wearer or as a layer next to an undergarment layer. The upper body garment may be a vest, a short-sleeved garment or a garment with sleeves that reach to the elbow of a wearer. The sleeves of the upper body garment are shorter than the sleeves of the bolero jacket. The length of the torso portion of the upper body garment will generally be waist length or slightly longer than waist length. As used herein, the "bolero jacket" is intended to mean a jacket that has sleeves that are longer than the upper body garment and a torso length that is shorter than the upper body garment. The bolero jacket is a jacket, wherein the torso portion may have a length that is just below the armpits of a wearer to just above the waist of a wearer. The torso portion of the bolero jacket is shorter than the torso portion of the upper body jacket.

[0023] The disclosure relates to a garment system comprising a first upper body garment and a bolero jacket. The first upper body garment comprises a front portion, a back portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, a right side connector and a left side connector. The first upper body garment may be a T-shirt, vest or a jacket. The sleeves may be made from a different material than the rest of the T-shirt or jacket.The bolero jacket may be made from a different material than the first upper body garment.

[0024] If the first upper body garment is a T-shirt or a jacket, the sleeves may be relatively short compared to the bolero jacket. If the first upper body garment is a vest, the sleeves may be a border around the opening for the arms. The sleeves may be of a length that the sleeves end above the elbow of the wearer. The sleeves may be of a length such that they end at or below the elbow of the wearer. The first upper body garment may be a vest having no sleeves. The back portion of the upper body garment may be longer at the bottom end than the bottom end of the front portion. The first upper body garment may comprise a collar. The first upper body garment may comprise a hood.

[0025] The front portion of the first upper body garment may comprise a left half and a right half. The left half and the right half may be releasably secured to each other with a first connector. The front portion may comprise a centerline which is vertically oriented from the top to the bottom of the front portion. The centerline is equidistant from the right sleeve and the left sleeve. The first connector may be oriented approximately vertical on the front portion of the first upper body garment. The first connector may be located over the centerline on the front portion of the first upper body garment. If a collar is present, the first connector may also connect a left portion and a right portion of the collar. The first connector may comprise a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons, one or more snaps or a combination thereof.

[0026] The bolero jacket comprises a right front panel with a right bolero connector and a left front panel with a left bolero connector. The right bolero connector may be attached to a left most edge of the right front panel where the left most edge is closest to the centerline. The left bolero connector may be attached to a right most edge of the left front panel where the right most edge is closest to the centerline. The bolero jacket may be worn on top of the first upper body garment.

[0027] The first upper body garment further comprises a right side connector and a left side connector. The left bolero connector can be releasably connected to the left side connector of the first upper body garment and the right bolero connector can bereleasably connected to the right side connector of the first upper body garment. Wearing and even more when connecting the bolero jacket to the first upper body garment the wearer is provided with more protection against the elements.

[0028] In some embodiments, the right and left side connectors and the right and left bolero connectors are zippers. A zipper is typically a two-piece connector with one half having a slider that engages the teeth of the second half to engage and disengage the connection. In some embodiments, each half of the zipper having the slider mechanism is attached to the bolero jacket and the second half of the zipper is attached to the upper body garment.

[0029] The bolero jacket comprises a left sleeve and a right sleeve. The sleeves of the bolero jacket may be long sleeves, that is, the sleeves of the bolero jacket are relatively long when compared to the sleeves of the upper body garment. The sleeves of the bolero jacket may end around the wrists of the wearer. The sleeves of the bolero jacket may comprise a cuff. The cuffs may comprise at least partially an elastic material. The cuffs may comprise a hook and loop fastener to adjust the cuff size.

[0030] The garment system provides the cyclist with a garment quickly and easily adaptable to different conditions. For example, when cycling uphill or in warmer climates the cyclist can take off the bolero jacket to allow cooling of the upper body. When going downhill or when the temperatures become colder, the bolero jacket can be put on and attached to provide additional insulation. Releasably connecting the bolero jacket to the first upper body garment prevents the front panels of the bolero jacket from flapping in the wind.

[0031] The left and right side connectors of the first upper body garment may be covered by a left and a right connector cover, respectively. These connector covers not only provide a more pleasing appearance, especially when the bolero jacket is not being worn, but also protect the left and right side connectors from dirt getting caught therein.

[0032] The right side connector and the left side connector may be oriented parallel to the centerline of the first upper body garment. The right side connector and the leftside connector may be oriented at an angle from the centerline of the first upper body garment. The angle may be greater than 0 degrees to about 45 degrees. The right side connector and the left side connector may be positioned proximally to the centerline. The right side connector and the left side connector may be positioned half way between the sleeve and the centerline. The closer the right side connector and the left side connector are positioned to the centerline, the more the front panels overlap over the chest of the wearer. This way the bolero jacket provides further insulation for the torso of the wearer.

[0033] The right and left side connector may independently comprise a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons, one or more magnets, one or more snaps or a combination thereof. The right and left bolero connector may independently comprise a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons, one or more magnets, one or more snaps or a combination thereof. The right side connector of the first upper body garment may be the counterpart of the right bolero connector and the left side connector of the first upper body garment may be the counterpart of the left bolero connector in order to releasably connect the left and right side connectors to the respective left and right bolero connector.

[0034] The bolero jacket further may comprise a back panel. At a lower portion of the back panel of the bolero jacket one or more connection means may be positioned. The first upper body garment may comprise one or more upper body garment connection means on the back portion corresponding to the connection means of the bolero jacket. When the one or more connection means of the bolero jacket are releasably connected to the one or more upper body garment connection means the lower portion of the bolero jacket is connected to the underlying upper body garment, which can minimize the back panel of the bolero jacket from flapping in the wind. This provides further insulation from low temperatures or wind. The one or more connection means of the bolero jacket may independently comprise a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons, one or more magnets, one or more snaps or a combination thereof. The one or more first upper body garment connection means may independently comprise a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons, one or more magnets, one or more snaps or a combination thereof. The one or more first upper body garment connector means may be the counterpart of the one or moreconnector means of the bolero jacket releasably connecting the lower portion of the back panel of the bolero jacket to the back portion of the first upper body garment.

[0035] The first upper body garment may comprise a first pocket located on the back portion. The first pocket may be located near the bottom end of the back portion of the first upper body garment. The first pocket may comprise a horizontally oriented opening at the top of the pocket. The wearer may store bidons, food, and / or tools in this pocket. The pocket may comprise pocket sections. These pocket sections may have been provided by vertical seams. The first pocket may comprise one, two, or three pocket sections.

[0036] The first upper body garment may comprise a second pocket. The second pocket may overlay partly or totally the first pocket. The second pocket may be located partly or totally underneath the first pocket. The second pocket may comprise one or two vertically oriented openings. The openings of the second pocket may be located on the left side and / or the right side of the second pocket. The second pocket may comprise one or two pocket sections divided by a vertical seam with a pocket opening on one or both outward facing sides. The second pocket may be used in order to store the bolero jacket when the bolero jacket is not being worn. The bolero jacket can either be crumpled while cycling or folded tidily and then placed into the second pocket. The one or two pocket openings of the second pocket may comprise one or more snaps, a zipper, one or more hook and loop fasteners, one or more buckles, one or more magnets or a combination thereof. As the pocket openings of the second pocket are oriented vertically the above mentioned fasteners prevent anything stored in the second pocket from falling out.

[0037] The different parts of the garment system can be made from the same or different materials selected from textiles made from synthetic fibers, textiles made from natural fibers, or textiles made from a combination of both synthetic and natural fibers. The textiles can be made from elastic fibers, for example, elastane, from non-elastic fibers, or a combination thereof. The textiles may also be made from non-elastic fibers but by imparting elasticity into the textiles for example by particular yarn spinning or knitting processes.

[0038] Preferred textiles may be made from synthetic fibers, for example, polyamides (e.g. nylon), polyester or mixtures thereof. Additionally, the textiles may comprise at least a portion of elastic fibers for stretch. The textiles may act as a wind barrier or have low air-permeability. Advantageously the fabrics have a weight of not greater than 100 g / m2.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a front view of a garment system 100 comprising a first upper body garment 200 and a bolero jacket 400. The bolero jacket 400 has a right sleeve 490 and a left sleeve 480, a right front panel 410 and a left front panel 420. A right bolero connector 430 is attached to the right front panel 410 and a left bolero connector 440 is attached to the left front panel 420.

[0040] The first upper body garment 200 comprises a front portion 210. This front portion 210 comprises a left half 310 and a right half 320 which are connected by a first connector 300. The first connector 300 is depicted in this embodiment as being located along the centerline 270. In other embodiments the front portion 210 is not divided into left 310 and right 320 halves, i.e. the first upper body garment 200 may be a T-shirt.

[0041] The back portion 220 of the first upper body garment 200 may be visible as the back portion 220 extends at the bottom end below the bottom end of the front portion 210. The bolero jacket 400 is releasably connected to the first upper body garment 200. The right side connector 250 is releasably connected to the right bolero connector 430 and the left side connector 260 is releasably connected to the left bolero connector 440.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the back view of a garment system 100 comprising a first upper body garment 200 and a bolero jacket 400 on top of the first upper body garment 200. The bolero jacket 400 has a right sleeve 490 and a left sleeve 480. The back panel 450 has a lower portion 460 comprising connection means 470. In the depicted embodiment there are two connection means 470, however, there may be only one connection means or more than two connection means.

[0043] The lower back portion 220 of the first upper body garment 200 is visible below the bolero jacket 400. On the lower back portion of the first upper body garment 200 the second pocket 340 overlaying the first pocket (not visible) is shown. On the right side of the second pocket 340 a vertically oriented opening 350 is shown. This vertically oriented opening may be closable by one or more snaps, a zipper, one or more hook and loop fasteners, one or more buckles, one or more magnets or a combination thereof. When the bolero jacket 400 is removed, the bolero jacket may be stored in this second pocket 340.

[0044] Figure 3 shows the front view of a first upper body garment 200. In this embodiment the first upper body garment 200 comprises a left half 310 and a right half 320 of the front portion 210 with both halves being releasably connected by a first connector 300. The first connector 300 overlays the centerline 270. It is also possible that the first upper body garment 200 is a T-shirt where the front is a continuous panel not requiring a first connector. Further it is possible that the first upper body garment may be a vest with the left and right sleeve only having a border around the openings for the arms. A right side connector 250 and a left side connector 260 are attached to the front portion at the left and right side of the centerline 270. The back portion 220 of the first upper body garment 200 is longer than the front portion 210 and therefore the inside of the back portion 220 is visible at the bottom of the first upper body garment 200 in this front view. The first upper body garment 200 has a left sleeve 240 and a right sleeve 230. The left sleeve 240 and right sleeve 230 are short sleeves.

[0045] Figure 3 also shows connector covers 280 and 290 overlaying the right side connector 250 and a left side connector 260, respectively. The connector covers 280 and 290 form a part of the first upper body garment 200 and have a length that is at least as long as the right side connector 250 and a left side connector 260, preferably at least 10 percent longer and up to 50 percent longer. The extra length allows the connection to be made between the upper body garment and the bolero jacket to be made more easily.

[0046] Figure 4 is a back view of a first upper body garment 200. The first upper body garment 200 has a back portion 220, a right sleeve 230, a left sleeve 240 and a first pocket 330. The first pocket 330 may be divided into three pocket sections 370 whichhave horizontally oriented openings 360 at the top. These pocket sections 370 are useful for storing bidons, food and / or tools. Not visible in Figure 4 is a second pocket 340 which is shown in Figure 5. This second pocket 340 is overlaying or positioned underneath the first pocket 330 and has a vertically oriented opening 350 at one or both sides. The vertically oriented opening 350 may be closable by one or more snaps, a zipper, one or more hook and loop fasteners, one or more buckles, one or more magnets or a combination thereof. The second pocket 340 may be used for storing the bolero jacket (as shown in Figure 6) when not in use. The back portion 220 of the first upper body garment 200 further comprises counter connection means 380 which engage with the connection means 470 of the bolero jacket 400 shown in Figure 2.

[0047] Figure 6 is a front view of a bolero jacket 400. The bolero jacket 400 has a left sleeve 480, a right sleeve 490, a back panel 450, a right front panel 410 and a left front panel 420. A right bolero connector 430 is attached to the right front panel 410 and a left bolero connector 440 is connected to the left front panel 420. The left 440 and right 430 bolero connectors may be connected to the left 260 and right 250 side connectors of a first upper body garment 200 as shown in Figure 1. The bolero jacket provides insulation and warmth to the torso of the wearer.

Claims

Claims1 . A garment system comprising: a) a first upper body garment comprising a front portion, a back portion, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, a right side connector and a left side connector; wherein the front portion comprises a vertically oriented centerline, located approximately equidistant from the right sleeve and the left sleeve; and b) a bolero jacket comprising a right front panel, a right bolero connector, a left front panel and a left bolero connector; wherein the right side connector is releasably connectable to the right bolero connector and the left side connector is releasably connectable to the left side bolero connector; and wherein the right side connector and the left side connector are proximate to the centerline of the front portion.

2. The garment system of claim 1 , wherein the first upper body garment further comprises a first connector releasably securing the left front portion to the right front portion of the first upper body garment.

3. The garment system of claim 2, wherein the first connector is oriented approximately vertically over or proximate to the centerline of the front portion of the first upper body garment.

3. The garment system of any one claims 1 to 3, wherein the right side connector and the left side connector are oriented parallel to the centerline, or wherein the right side connector and the left side connector are oriented at an angle from greater than 0 degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to the centerline of the first garment.

4. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bolero jacket is configured to be worn over the first upper body garment.

5. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the right and left front panels of the bolero jacket extend about 1 to 20 centimeters below an arm pit of a wearer.

6. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first upper body garment is a short-sleeved and the bolero jacket is a long-sleeved jacket.

7. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bolero jacket has a back panel; wherein the back panel of the bolero jacket has a lower portion and said lower portion comprises at least one connection means to releasably secure the lower portion of the bolero jacket to the back portion of the first upper body garment.

8. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first upper body garment comprises a right connector cover and a left connector cover, the right connector cover and the left connector cover covering the right side connector and the left side connector, respectively.

9. The garment system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the back portion of the first upper body garment further comprises a first pocket and a second pocket; optionally wherein the second pocket comprises a vertically oriented opening and the first pocket comprises a horizontally oriented pocket opening.

10. The garment system of claim 9, wherein the second pocket comprises a zipper, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a buckle, a magnet, a button, or a combination thereof.

11. The garment system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the second pocket at least partially overlays the first pocket.

12. The garment system of any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the first pocket has at least 2 sections, optionally vertically separated from one another.

Images