Cycling Shell Back Cutout for Jersey Pocket Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cycling outer shells, such as vests and jackets, hinder access to jersey back pockets and obscure identification bibs, posing hazards during racing and competitive cycling.

Innovation Solution

A cycling outer shell design featuring a cutout or see-through panel and slit in the lower back portion, aligned with jersey pockets, allowing direct access and visibility of the identification bib, while maintaining a snug fit and protection from the elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an outer shell is worn over the cycling jersey, then the rider is protected from wind and rain, but access to the back pockets becomes difficult and the identification bib is obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from wind and rainVSAvoidaccess to back pockets
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell is segmented with a cutout or transparent panel in the lower back portion, separating the protective covering into regions: a covered upper back area and an open/transparent lower area that exposes the pockets. This allows the shell to provide protection where needed while maintaining access to pockets without requiring the rider to stop or adjust the shell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an outer shell is worn over the cycling jersey, then the rider is protected from wind and rain, but the identification bib on the back pockets becomes invisible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from wind and rainVSAvoidvisibility of identification bib
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell is segmented with a cutout or transparent panel in the lower back portion, separating the protective covering into regions: a covered upper back area and an open/transparent lower area that exposes the pockets. This allows the shell to provide protection where needed while maintaining access to pockets without requiring the rider to stop or adjust the shell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a transparent or see-through panel in the lower back portion of the outer shell, allowing commissioners and spectators to see through the material to the identification bib on the pockets. This transparent material maintains the protective function while eliminating the obscuring effect of opaque materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If the rider raises the bottom edge of the outer shell to access pockets, then pocket access is achieved, but the rider may lose balance and cause falls during racing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to back pocketsVSAvoidrider stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell is segmented with a cutout or transparent panel in the lower back portion, separating the protective covering into regions: a covered upper back area and an open/transparent lower area that exposes the pockets. This allows the shell to provide protection where needed while maintaining access to pockets without requiring the rider to stop or adjust the shell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2567629B1Cycling shell or vest with pocket access
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 LOUIS GARNEAU SPORTS
  • EP2567629B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2567629B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2567629B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cycling outer shell (10) worn over a cycling jersey comprises a torso portion (12) made of panels. Front and back surfaces of the torso portion (12) cover the front and back of the wearer, respectively. A cutout (20) in the lower portion of the back surface is in alignment with the jersey pockets, and has a peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge portions, and bottom and top edge portions. The width between the lateral edge portions of the cutout (20) and the height between the bottom and top edge portions are generally corresponding to those of the jersey pockets. A see-through panel located in the lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion (12) forms a window located opposite the jersey pockets. A slit defined in the lower portion of the back surface and located above the jersey pockets opens to the interior of the outer shell (10), providing access to the jersey pockets. The slit has a width generally corresponding to that of the jersey pockets.