U.S. patent application number 11/364080 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for cycling upper garment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shimano Inc.. Invention is credited to Shinpei Okajima.
Application Number | 20060277653 11/364080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37440204 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060277653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okajima; Shinpei |
December 14, 2006 |
Cycling upper garment
Abstract
A cycling upper garment is provided that enables the wearer's
elbows to bend more readily while suppressing the resulting
increase in air resistance. The cycling upper garment is provided
with an upper garment main body and a pair of sleeves. The sleeves
are attached to both sides of the upper garment main body with each
of the sleeves having an expanded section that is provided in a
portion corresponding to a wearer's elbow joint and configured to
expand from both adjacent sections.
Inventors: |
Okajima; Shinpei; (Sakai,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
Shimano Inc.
Sakai
JP
|
Family ID: |
37440204 |
Appl. No.: |
11/364080 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/10 20130101;
A41D 2600/104 20130101; A41D 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/093 |
International
Class: |
A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2005 |
JP |
2005-172619 |
Claims
1. A cycling upper garment for a rider to wear when riding a
bicycle, comprising: an upper garment main body; and a pair of
sleeves attached to the upper garment main body, each of the
sleeves having a first expanded part that is provided in a portion
corresponding to a wearer's elbow joint and that is expanded
relative to both adjoining sections of the sleeve.
2. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 1, wherein each of
the sleeves has a cuff with a second expanded part provided at the
cuff.
3. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 2, wherein the
first expanded parts are larger than the second expanded parts.
4. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the
sleeves are attached to the upper garment main body in such a
fashion that the cuffs are oriented in a generally forward
direction.
5. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a pair of side ventilation arrangements, each of the
ventilation arrangements extending from a corresponding one of the
sleeves to a bottom hem of the upper garment main body such that
each of the ventilation arrangements extends through an underarm
portion formed between the upper garment main body and the
corresponding sleeve.
6. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 5, wherein each of
the ventilation arrangements has an air passage part made of an air
permeable material and an open-close part configured and arranged
to selectively expose and cover the air passage part from outside
of the cycling upper garment.
7. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 2, wherein the
sleeves are attached to the upper garment main body in such a
fashion that the cuffs are oriented in a generally forward
direction.
8. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 2, further
comprising a pair of side ventilation arrangements, each of the
ventilation arrangements extending from a corresponding one of the
sleeves to a bottom hem of the upper garment main body such that
each of the ventilation arrangements extends through an underarm
portion formed between the upper garment main body and the
corresponding sleeve.
9. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 8, wherein each of
the ventilation arrangements has an air passage part made of an air
permeable material and an open-close part configured and arranged
to selectively expose and cover the air passage part from outside
of the cycling upper garment.
10. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 3, wherein the
sleeves are attached to the upper garment main body in such a
fashion that the cuffs are oriented in a generally forward
direction.
11. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 3, further
comprising a pair of side ventilation arrangements, each of the
ventilation arrangements extending from a corresponding one of the
sleeves to a bottom hem of the upper garment main body such that
each of the ventilation arrangements extends through an underarm
portion formed between the upper garment main body and the
corresponding sleeve.
12. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 11, wherein each
of the ventilation arrangements has an air passage part made of an
air permeable material and an open-close part configured and
arranged to selectively expose and cover the air passage part from
outside of the cycling upper garment.
13. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 4, further
comprising a pair of side ventilation arrangements, each of the
ventilation arrangements extending from a corresponding one of the
sleeves to a bottom hem of the upper garment main body such that
each of the ventilation arrangements extends through an underarm
portion formed between the upper garment main body and the
corresponding sleeve.
14. The cycling upper garment as recited in claim 13, wherein each
of the ventilation arrangements has an air passage part made of an
air permeable material and an open-close part configured and
arranged to selectively expose and cover the air passage part from
outside of the cycling upper garment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-172619. The entire
disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-172619 is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention generally relates to an upper garment. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a cycling upper
garment for a rider to wear when riding a bicycle.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of
recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover,
bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both
amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for
recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is
constantly improving the products that the rider uses during the
bicycling. For example, there are many types of garments that are
especially designed for use during the bicycling.
[0006] Jerseys and other cycling upper garments intended for use
when riding a bicycle, particularly long-sleeved upper garments,
are often used in winter road races and mountain bike races.
Cycling upper garments are designed to fit closely to the wearer's
body in order to reduce the air resistance experienced as much a
possible when worn during riding. An example of a cycling upper
garment for a rider (cyclist) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,298,485.
[0007] In order to enable the cycling upper garment to fit closely,
conventional cycling upper garments are made using a stretchy
fabric. Meanwhile, upper garments intended for use in the winter
are sometimes made of materials that are not very stretchy in order
to limit the passage of air. When an upper garment that fits the
body closely or has a low degree of stretchiness is worn, it is
sometimes difficult for the wearer to bend his or her elbows. While
wearing such an upper garment, it can be difficult for a rider to
move freely during a bicycle race or the like and there is the
possibility that the rider's ability to steer and change gears will
be inhibited. If the entire sleeve is made to have a fuller fit in
order to allow the elbow to bend more readily, wrinkles can develop
and cause the air resistance to increase.
[0008] Moreover, even in cold weather, sometimes the rider gets too
warm and wishes to cool off. A conceivable way to allow the rider
to cool off with out taking off the cycling upper garment is to
provide a ventilation opening in the cycling upper garment to
improve the air permeability. An example of such an upper garment
is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2004/0133962. The upper garment described in patent application
publication has two side ventilation arrangements arranged
diagonally along each of a pair of front body sections. Each of the
side ventilation arrangements can be opened and closed as desired
with a slide fastener and has an air permeable part made of mesh is
provided therein.
[0009] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an
improved cycling upper garment. This invention addresses this need
in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One object of the present invention is to provide a cycling
upper garment that enables the wearer's elbows to bend more readily
while suppressing the resulting increase in air resistance.
[0011] The foregoing object can be attained by providing a cycling
upper garment that basically comprises an upper garment main body
and a pair of sleeves. The sleeves are attached to the upper
garment main body. Each of the sleeves has a first expanded part
that is provided in a portion corresponding to a wearer's elbow
joint and that is expanded relative to both adjoining sections of
the sleeve.
[0012] In this upper garment, the first expanded part of each
sleeve is provided in a portion corresponding to a wearer's elbow
joint and configured to expand from both sections adjoining
thereto. Since a first expanded part is provided in a portion of
each sleeve corresponding to the wearer's elbow joint, only the
portion corresponding to the elbow joint is made more roomy while
the rest of the sleeve can be made to fit closely to the arm.
Consequently, a cycling upper garment is obtained which enables the
wearer to bend his or her elbows readily and operate the brakes,
gear shifters, etc., of a bicycle smoothly while also suppressing
the increase in air resistance that results from making the elbow
sections more roomy.
[0013] In the cycling upper garment in accordance with a second
aspect of the present invention, each of the sleeves has a cuff
with a second expanded part provided at the cuff. With this cycling
upper garment, since second expanded parts are provided at the
cuffs, the wearer's hands can easily pass through the cuffs and the
upper garment is easier to put on. Also, the wearer can operate the
brakes, gear shifters, etc., of a bicycle smoothly because the
cuffs are not excessively tight against the wearer's wrists.
[0014] In the cycling upper garment in accordance with a third
aspect of the present invention, the first expanded parts are
larger than the second expanded parts. With this cycling upper
garment, the expanded parts can be optimized because the first
expanded parts, which correspond to the elbow joints, are larger
than the second expanded parts, which are provided at the
cuffs.
[0015] In the cycling upper garment in accordance with a fourth
aspect of the present invention, the sleeves are attached to the
upper garment main body in such a fashion that the cuffs are
oriented in a generally forward direction. Since the cuffs of the
sleeves are oriented in a generally forward direction, when a
wearer mounts a bicycle, it is more comfortable for the wearer to
assume a riding posture and more difficult for wrinkles that
adversely affect the air resistance to develop.
[0016] In the cycling upper garment in accordance with a fifth
aspect of the present invention, provided with at least a pair of
side ventilation arrangements, such that each of the ventilation
arrangements extends from a corresponding one of the sleeves to a
bottom hem of the upper garment main body such that each of the
ventilation arrangements extends through an underarm portion formed
between the upper garment main body and the corresponding sleeve.
With this cycling upper garment, large ventilation arrangements can
be obtained because the ventilation arrangements run from the
sleeves to the bottom hem of the upper garment main body in such a
fashion as to pass through the underarm portions. Consequently, a
large quantity of air can be efficiently taken into the upper
garment and discharged through the ventilation arrangements,
thereby enabling sufficient ventilation performance to be obtained.
Additionally, since the underarm portions are comparatively
difficult to see from the front, the ventilation arrangements do
not easily degrade the cosmetic appearance of the upper
garment.
[0017] In the cycling upper garment in accordance with a sixth
aspect of the present invention, each of the ventilation
arrangements has an air passage part made of an air permeable
material and an open-close part configured and arranged to
selectively expose and cover the air passage part from outside of
the cycling upper garment. With this cycling upper garment, when
the open-close parts of the ventilation arrangements are opened,
the ventilation arrangements do not readily undergo cyclical
flapping due to the flow of air because the air passage parts are
arranged on the inside.
[0018] With the present invention, since a first expanded part is
provided in a portion of each sleeve corresponding to the wearer's
elbow joint, only the portion corresponding to the elbow joint is
made more roomy while the rest of the sleeve can be made to fit
closely to the arm. Consequently, a cycling upper garment is
obtained which enables the wearer to bend his or her elbows readily
so as not to inhibit operation of the brakes, gear shifters, etc.,
of a bicycle and suppresses the resulting increase in the air
resistance experienced when the cycling upper garment is worn.
[0019] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front side elevational view of a cycling upper
garment in the form of a cycling rain jacket in accordance with a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear side elevational view of the cycling upper
garment illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front side elevational view of the cycling upper
garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, similar to FIG. 1, but with
the side ventilation arrangements in their opened states.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the various sections of the
cycling upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 after they have
been cut from fabric using pattern paper and prior to being sewn
together;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front side elevational view of a cycling upper
garment in the form of a cycling rain jacket in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a rear side elevational view of the cycling upper
garment illustrated in FIG. 5 in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the various sections of the
cycling upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 after they have
been cut from fabric using pattern paper and prior to being sewn
together;
[0028] FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the cut fabric for
making the right-hand sleeve of the cycling upper garment
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6; and
[0029] FIG. 9 is a front side elevational view of a cycling upper
garment in the form of a cycling rain jacket in accordance with a
third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are
provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting
the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
First Embodiment
[0031] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, a cycling jacket 10 is
illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention. The cycling jacket 10 is intended for a rider (cyclist)
to wear when riding a bicycle and exemplifies a cycling upper
garment in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, the cycling jacket 10 is a cold weather jacket for
protection from the cold and/or a rain jacket intended to be worn
over a jersey chiefly when riding a road bike, mountain bike, or
other bike for sports purposes. The cycling jacket 10 is preferably
a long-sleeve front-opening upper garment having raglan sleeves
that extend from an area adjacent the neck opening.
[0032] The cycling jacket 10 basically comprises an upper garment
main body 12, a pair of sleeves 14 and 15 attached to both sides of
the upper garment main body 12 and at least a pair of side
ventilation arrangements 16. The surfaces of the upper garment main
body 12 and the sleeves 14 and 15 have been subjected to a
waterproofing treatment. As a result, the air permeability of these
parts of the upper garment 10 is poorer than that of a typical
cycling jersey. The side ventilation arrangements 16 serve to
improve the air permeability, i.e., the ventilation.
[0033] The sleeve 14 is a tubular member that has a cuff 14a at its
free end. Likewise, the sleeve 15 is a tubular member that has a
cuff 15a at its free end. The side ventilation arrangements 16
extend from a position near the cuffs 14a and 15a to a bottom hem
part 12a of the upper garment main body 12 in such a fashion as to
pass through underarm portions 14b and 15b, respectively. The side
ventilation arrangements 16 serve to take air inside the rain
jacket 10.
[0034] The upper garment main body 12 is made of a polyester fiber
or polyurethane fiber fabric. The upper garment main body 12 has a
left front body section 21 and a right front body section 22, a
back body section 23, a left side member 26, a right side member 27
and a collar 30, all of which are sewn together. The front body
sections 21 and 22 are separated so that the rain jacket 10 opens
in the front. The front body sections 21 and 22 have upper outside
portions to which the sleeves 14 and 15 are sewn. The back body
section 23 is arranged to face opposite the front body sections 21
and 22. The back body section 23 has the sleeves 14 and 15 sewn
thereto. The side members 26 and 27 are arranged between the front
body sections 21 and 22 and the back body section 23. The back body
section 23 is arranged facing opposite the front body sections 21
and 22.
[0035] As shown on the upper left of FIG. 4, the front body
sections 21 and 22 are shaped to be linearly symmetrical with a
vertical line of symmetry. The front body section 21 has a first
(left) sleeve attaching part 21a, a first (left) front-to-back
attaching part 21b, a first neckline part 21c, a slide fastener
attaching part 21d and a front hem part 21e. Similarly, the front
body section 22 has a first (right) sleeve attaching part 22a, a
first (right) front-to-back attaching part 22b, a first neckline
part 22c, a slide fastener attaching part 22d and a front hem part
22e.
[0036] The bottom hem part 12a of the upper garment main body 12
includes a pair of front hem parts 21e and 22e of the front body
sections 21 and 22, a back hem part 23e of the back body section 23
and a pair of side hem parts (not numbered) of the side members 26
and 27. The back hem part 23e of the back body section 23 is
arranged to be lower than the front hem parts 21e and 22e of the
front body sections 21 and 22.
[0037] A slide fastener 32 is installed between the front body
sections 21 and 22 such that the front body sections 21 and 22 can
be selectively separated from each other. The slide fastener 32 is,
for example, an open ended slide fastener configured such that the
left and right strips of tape can separate at the bottom end of the
slide fastener.
[0038] The sleeves 14 and 15 are made of the same fabric as the
upper garment main body 12. The sleeves 14 and 15 have seams 14c
and 15c, respectively, for connecting the longitudinal ends of the
sleeve material to form a tubular shape for each of the sleeves 14
and 15. In this embodiment, the side ventilation arrangements 16
are arranged to run along the seams 14c and 15c from positions near
the opening portions of the cuffs 14a and 15a toward the underarm
portions 14b and 15b.
[0039] As shown in the lower right portion of FIG. 4, the sleeves
14 and 15 are long sleeves that are linearly symmetrical with a
vertical line of symmetry. The sleeves 14 and 15 are arranged so as
to cover the portions of the shoulders that protrude beyond the
front body sections 21 and 22 and the back body section 23. The
sleeve 14 includes the cuff 14a, a first sleeve forming part 14d, a
second sleeve forming part 14e and a V-shaped part 14f. The first
and second sleeve forming parts 14d and 14e turn and extend in a
curved fashion from both sides of the cuff 14a and are connected
together so as to form a seam 14c. The V-shaped part 14f is cut in
a V-shape from the first sleeve forming part 14d and sewn to the
side member 26. The sleeve 14 also has a first seam part 14g and a
second seam part 14h. The first seam part 14g is sewn to the first
sleeve attaching part 21a. The second seam part 14h extends from
the second sleeve forming part 14e and is sewn to the second sleeve
attaching part 23a.
[0040] The sleeve 14 also has a first expanded part 14i and a
second expanded part 14j. The sleeve 15 also has a first expanded
part 15i and a second expanded part 15j. The first expanded parts
14i and 15i are provided in a portion corresponding to the elbow
joint of a wearer and configured to expand from both adjoining
sections. The second expanded parts 14j and 15j are configured to
expand gradually wider toward the tip of the cuff 14a and 15a. As
shown in FIG. 4, the first expanded parts 14i and 15i have the
circumference L3 that are larger than the circumference L4 of the
second expanded parts 14j and 15j at the cuffs 14a, 15a. The first
expanded parts 14i, 15i are provided to enable the wearer to move
his or her elbows more freely when wearing the jacket 10. The
second expanded parts 14j and 15j are provided to allow the
wearer's hands to pass easily through the cuffs and make the jacket
10 easier to put on.
[0041] The side ventilation arrangements 16 also extend between the
front body sections 21 and 22 and the back body section 23 from the
underarm portions 14b and 15b toward the bottom hem part 12a. More
specifically, each of the side ventilation arrangements 16 runs
along the seam between the respective one of the front body
sections 21 and 22 and the respective one of the side members 26
and 27 to the respective one of the front hem parts 21e and 22e. As
shown in FIG. 3, each of the side ventilation arrangements 16 has
an air passage part 34 made of an air permeable material and an
open-close part 36 configured to cover the air passage part 34 in
such a fashion that the air passage part 34 can be opened and
closed from the outside. The air passage part 34 includes a
perforated mesh part 38, while the open-close part 36 has a slide
fastener 40 configured such that it can selectively open and close
the passage part 34. The perforated mesh part 38 is made of a
stretchy material having numerous through holes. Each of the slide
fasteners 40 is a closed end slide fastener that is closed at the
end thereof that is near the cuff 14a and 15a such that the left
and right strips of tape of the slide fastener 40 cannot completely
separate from each other at the end near the cuff 14a and 15a.
[0042] Excluding the slide fastener 32, the side ventilation
arrangements 16, and the collar 30, the shapes of the various parts
mentioned above will now be described in more detail with reference
to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the state of the various parts after they
have been cut from, for example, a waterproof polyester fabric
using a pattern paper. In FIG. 4, the parts are depicted such that
the outer fabric side that is exposed to the outside is visible.
The fine lines shown just inside the perimeters of the various
parts are stitch lines or fold lines, and the portions between the
stitch lines or fold lines and the outside perimeter are stitch
margins or fold margins.
[0043] As shown on the upper left of FIG. 4, the first sleeve
attaching part 21a is arranged on the outward side of an upper
portion of the front body section 21 and curves diagonally such
that the respective shoulder of the rider protrudes there-beyond.
The first front-to-back attaching part 21b is arranged below the
first sleeve attaching part 21a on the outward side of the front
body section 21. The first neckline part 21c turns inward from the
first sleeve attaching part 21a and curves in generally the shape
of a circular arc. The slide fastener attaching part 21d runs
downward from the inward side of the first neckline part 21c. The
front hem part 21e joins the slide fastener attaching part 21d and
the first front-to-back attaching part 21b.
[0044] Similarly, as shown on the upper left of FIG. 4, the first
sleeve attaching part 22a is arranged on the outward side of an
upper portion of the front body section 22 and curves diagonally
such that the respective shoulder of the rider protrudes
there-beyond. The first front-to-back attaching part 22b is
arranged below the first sleeve attaching part 22a on the outward
side of the front body section 22. The first neckline part 22c
turns inward from the first sleeve attaching part 22a and curves in
generally the shape of a circular arc. The slide fastener attaching
part 22d runs downward from the inward side of the first neckline
part 22c. The front hem part 21e and 22e joins the slide fastener
attaching part 22d and the first front-to-back attaching part
22b.
[0045] The first sleeve attaching parts 21a and 22a are configured
to slant generally diagonally downward and outward such that they
are shaped generally like a letter S so as to be curved convexly
outward at an upper portion and concavely inward at a lower
portion. The first front-to-back attaching parts 21b and 22b turn
downward from the first sleeve attaching parts 21a and 22a and are
shaped generally like a combination of a slightly concave curve and
a straight line. One of the tape strips of each slide fastener 40
(which form the side ventilation arrangements 16) is sewn to each
of the first front-to-back attaching parts 21b and 22b. The first
neckline parts 21c and 22c are configured to curve downward and
inward in a circular arc-like shape. The slide fastener 32 (FIG.
1), which connects the front body sections 21 and 22 together, is
attached to the slide fastener attaching parts 21d and 22d.
[0046] As shown in the upper middle section of FIG. 4, the back
body section 23 is provided with a pair (left and right) of second
sleeve attaching parts 23a and 23b, and a pair (left and right) of
second front-to-back attaching parts 23c and 23d. The second sleeve
attaching parts 23a and 23b are arranged on both outward sides of
an upper portion of the back body section 23 and curve diagonally
such that the shoulders of the rider protrude there-beyond. The
second front-to-back attaching parts 23c and 23d are arranged below
the second sleeve attaching parts 23a and 23b on both outward sides
of the back body section 23, and are connected to the first
front-to-back attaching parts 21b and 22b through the side members
26 and 27. The back body section 23 also has the back hem part 23e
that joins the bottom ends of the second front-to-back attaching
parts 23c and 23d and a second neckline part 23f that is curved
convexly downward between the second sleeve attaching parts 23a and
23b.
[0047] The second sleeve attaching parts 23a and 23b are curved
convexly outward over the entire lengths thereof and configured to
slant diagonally downward and outward from the second neckline part
23f. The second front-to-back attaching parts 23c and 23d are
configured to have a slightly concave shape that curves inward. The
back hem part 23e is configured to protrude downward so as to be
longer than the front body sections 21 and 22. Thus, the back body
section 23 is quite a bit longer than front body sections 21 and
22. As a result, the rain jacket can cover the rider's pants even
when the rider's torso is bent forward and the rider's pants are
less likely to become wet.
[0048] As shown in the lower right portion of FIG. 4, the sleeves
14 and 15 are long sleeves that are linearly symmetrical with a
vertical line of symmetry. The sleeves 14 and 15 are arranged so as
to cover the portions of the shoulders that protrude beyond the
front body sections 21 and 22 and the back body section 23. The
sleeve 14 includes the cuff 14a, a first sleeve forming part 14d, a
second sleeve forming part 14e and a V-shaped part 14f. The first
and second sleeve forming parts 14d and 14e turn and extend in a
curved fashion from both sides of the cuff 14a and are connected
together so as to form a seam 14c. The V-shaped part 14f is cut in
a V-shape from the first sleeve forming part 14d and sewn to the
side member 26. The sleeve 14 also has a first seam part 14g and a
second seam part 14h. The first seam part 14g is sewn to the first
sleeve attaching part 21a. The second seam part 14h extends from
the second sleeve forming part 14e and is sewn to the second sleeve
attaching part 23a.
[0049] Likewise, the sleeve 15 includes the cuff 15a, a first
sleeve forming part 15d, a second sleeve forming part 15e and a
V-shaped part 15f. The first and second sleeve forming parts 15d
and 15e turn and extend in a curved fashion from both sides of the
cuff 15a and are connected together so as to form a seam 15c. The
V-shaped part 15f is cut in a V-shape from the first sleeve forming
part 15d and sewn to the side member 27. The sleeve 15 also has a
first seam part 15g and a second seam part 15h. The first seam part
15g is sewn to the first sleeve attaching part 22a. The second seam
part 15h extends from the second sleeve forming part 15e and is
sewn to the second sleeve attaching part 23b. The border portions
between the V-shaped parts 14f and 15f and the first sleeve forming
parts 14d and 15d form the underarm portions 14b and 15b.
[0050] Additionally, the first expanded parts 14i and 15i are
provided at intermediate portions of the first sleeve forming parts
14d and 15d and the second sleeve forming parts 14e and 15e that
correspond to the elbow joints of a wearer. The second expanded
parts 14j and 15j are provided at the cuffs 14a and 15a.
[0051] The left and right side members 26 and 27 are shaped to be
linearly symmetrical with a vertical line of symmetry. The side
member 26 has a first connecting part 26a, a second connecting part
26b and a protruding part 26c. The first connecting part 26a is
sewn to the first front-to-back attaching part 21b of the front
body section 21. The second connecting part 26b is arranged
opposite the first connecting part 26a and sewn to the second
front-to-back attaching part 23c of the back body section 23. The
protruding part 26c is configured to protrude upward in a circular
arc-like shape and sewn to the V-shaped part 14f of the sleeve 14.
Likewise, the side member 27 has a first connecting part 27a, a
second connecting part 27b and a protruding part 27c. The first
connecting part 27a is sewn to the first front-to-back attaching
part 22b of the front body section 22. The second connecting part
27b is arranged opposite the first connecting part 27a and sewn to
the second front-to-back attaching part 23d of the back body
section 23. The protruding part 27c is configured to protrude
upward in a circular arc-like shape and sewn to the V-shaped part
15f of the sleeve 15.
[0052] The mesh parts 38 and the slide fasteners 40 of the side
ventilation arrangements 16 are indicated in FIG. 4 with hatching
lines that slant downward to the left. More specifically, the mesh
parts 38 and the slide fasteners 40 are sewn between the first
sleeve forming parts 14d and 15d and the second sleeve forming
parts 14e and 15e starting at a position that is, for example,
approximately 1 to 15 centimeters from the respective cuffs 14a and
15a. The mesh parts 38 and the slide fasteners 40 also pass through
underarm portions 14b and 15b and are the sewn between the first
front-to-back attaching parts 21b and 22b of the front body
sections 21 and 22 and the first connecting parts 26a and 27a of
the side members 26 and 27. Each mesh part 38 has a width such that
each of the side ventilation arrangements 16 can open, for example,
approximately 1 to 10 centimeters.
[0053] With the cycling jacket 10 in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention, the side ventilation
arrangements 16 are closed when the sliders 40a of the slide
fasteners 40 are positioned at the bottom hem part 12a as shown in
FIG. 1 and fully open when the sliders 40a are grasped and pulled
upward and moved along the sleeves 14 and 15 to the cuffs 14a and
15a as shown in FIG. 3. The cross sectional ventilation area of the
side ventilation arrangements 16 can be adjusted as appropriate by
varying the amount by which the slide fasteners 40 are moved. When
the side ventilation arrangements 16 are open, the mesh parts 38
(which serve as the air passage parts 34) are exposed and air can
be taken into and discharged from the inside of the jacket 10. As a
result, the ventilation performance is improved.
[0054] Since a first expanded part 14i and 15i is provided in a
portion of each of the sleeves 14 and 15 corresponding to a
wearer's elbow joint, i.e., the portions that will contact the
elbow joint when the jacket 10 is worn, only the portion
corresponding to the elbow joint is made more roomy while the rest
of the sleeves 14 and 15 can be made to fit closely to the arm.
Consequently, a cycling upper garment is obtained which enables the
wearer to bend his or her elbows readily so as not to inhibit
operation of the brakes, gear shifters, etc., of a bicycle and
suppresses the resulting increase in the air resistance experienced
when the cycling upper garment is worn.
[0055] Also, the ventilation arrangements 16 are not limited to the
upper garment main body 12 but, instead, span from positions on the
sleeves 14 and 15 near the cuffs 14a and 15a to the bottom hem part
12a of the upper garment main body 12 in such a fashion as to pass
through the underarm portions 14b and 15b. As a result, the cross
sectional areas of the ventilation arrangements 16 are larger than
in a conventional upper garment in which ventilation arrangements
are provided only in the front body sections 21 and 22.
Consequently, a large quantity of air can be taken into and
discharged from the jacket 10 through the ventilation arrangements
16, thereby enabling sufficient ventilation performance to be
obtained. Additionally, since the underarm portions 14b and 15b are
comparatively difficult to see from the front, the ventilation
arrangements 16 do not easily degrade the cosmetic appearance of
the jacket 10.
[0056] Additionally, since second expanded parts 14j and 15j are
provided at the cuffs 14a and 15a, it is easier for a wearer's
hands to pass through the cuffs and thus easier to put the jacket
10 on. Also, the wearer can operate the brakes, gear shifters,
etc., of a bicycle smoothly because the cuffs are not excessively
tight against the wearer's wrists.
Second Embodiment
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, a cycling jacket 60 is
illustrated in accordance with a second embodiment. In view of the
similarity between the first and second embodiments, the
descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are
identical or substantially identical to the parts of the first
embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity. Rather, it will
be apparent that the descriptions of the parts of the first
embodiment that are identical or substantially identical to the
parts of the second embodiment apply to the second embodiment,
unless otherwise indicated.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cycling jacket 60 is
preferably a long-sleeve front-opening upper garment having raglan
sleeves that extend from the neck opening. The cycling jacket 60 in
accordance with the second embodiment is a cycling jersey that is
designed to fit closely to a wearer's body and intended to be worn
chiefly when riding a road bike, mountain bike, or other bike for
sports purposes. The cycling jacket 60 comprises an upper garment
main body 62, a pair of sleeves 64 and 65 attached to both sides of
the upper garment main body 62 and a pair of side ventilation
arrangements 66. The surfaces of the upper garment main body 62 and
the sleeves 64 and 65 have been subjected to a waterproofing
treatment. As a result, the air permeability of these parts of the
upper garment 60 is poorer than that of a typical cycling jersey.
The side ventilation arrangements 66 serve to improve the air
permeability, i.e., the ventilation. In the first embodiment, the
ventilation arrangements 16 are provided between the front body
sections 21 and 22 and the back body section 23, but in the second
embodiment the sleeves 64 and 65 are configured to face forward as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0059] The sleeve 64 is a tubular member that has a cuff 64a at its
free end. Likewise, the sleeve 65 is a tubular member that has a
cuff 165a at its free end. The first and second side ventilation
arrangements 66 extend from a position near the cuffs 64a and 65a
of the sleeves 64 and 65 to a bottom hem part 62a of the upper
garment main body 62 in such a fashion as to pass through underarm
portions 64b and 65b, the side ventilation arrangements 66,
respectively. The first and second side ventilation arrangements 66
serve to ventilate the inside the jacket 60.
[0060] The upper garment main body 62 has a left front body section
71 and a right front body section 72, a back body section 73, a
left side member 76, a right side member 77 and a collar 80, all of
which are sewn together. The front body sections 71 and 72 are
separated so that the rain jacket 10 opens in the front. The front
body sections 71 and 72 have upper outside portions to which the
sleeves 64 and 65 are sewn. The back body section 73 is arranged to
face opposite the front body sections 71 and 72. The back body
section 73 has the sleeves 74 and 75 sewn thereto. The side members
76 and 77 are arranged between the front body sections 71 and 72
and the back body section 73. The back body section 73 is arranged
facing opposite the front body sections 71 and 72. The back hem
part 73e of the back body section 73 is arranged to be lower than
the front hem parts 71e and 72e of the front body sections 71 and
72. A slide fastener 82 is installed between the separate left and
right front body sections 71 and 72 such that the front body
sections 71 and 72 can be separated from each other. The slide
fastener 82 is, for example, an open ended slide fastener
configured such that the left and right strips of tape of the slide
fastener 82 can separate completely at the bottom end of the slide
fastener 82.
[0061] The sleeve 64 has a sleeve main body section 74 and a lower
sleeve section 78 configured to be arranged on a bottom portion of
the sleeve main body section 74. Likewise, the sleeve 65 has a
sleeve main body section 75 and a lower sleeve section 79
configured to be arranged on a bottom portion of the respective
sleeve main body section 75. The sleeves 64 and 65 have seams 64c,
64d, 65c, 65d for forming a tubular shape (only 64c and 64d are
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), and the side ventilation arrangements 66
are arranged to run along the seams 64c and 65c from positions near
the opening portions of the cuffs 64a and 65a toward the underarm
portions 64b and 65b.
[0062] The sleeve 74 also has a first expanded part 74i and a
second expanded part 74j. The sleeve 75 also has a first expanded
part 75i and a second expanded part 75j. The first expanded parts
74i and 75i are provided in a portion corresponding to the elbow
joint of a wearer and configured to expand from both adjoining
sections. The second expanded parts 74j and 75j are configured to
expand gradually wider toward the tip of the cuff 74a and 75a. As
shown in FIG. 7, the first expanded parts 74i and 75i have
circumferences L3 that are larger than the circumference L4 of the
second expanded parts 74j and 75j at the cuffs 74a and 75a. The
first expanded parts 74i and 75i are provided to enable the wearer
to move his or her elbows more freely when wearing the jersey 60.
The second expanded parts 74j and 75j are provided to allow the
wearer's hands to pass easily through the cuffs and make the jersey
60 easier to put on.
[0063] The side ventilation arrangements 66 also run between the
front body sections 71 and 72 and the back body section 73 from the
underarm portions 64b and 65b toward the front hem part 62a. More
specifically, each first ventilation opening 66 runs along the seam
between the respective one of the front body sections 71 and 72 and
the respective one of the side members 76 and 77 to the respective
the respective one of the front hem parts 71e and 72e. Meanwhile,
each of the second ventilation openings 67 extends generally
vertically along the back body section 73 along a curved path from
the respective one of the underarm portions 64b and 65b to a
position just above the back hem part 73e. Each of the side
ventilation arrangements 66 has an air passage part made of an air
permeable material and an open-close part configured to cover the
air passage part in such a fashion that the air passage part can be
opened and closed from the outside in the same manner as shown in
FIG. 3 for the side ventilation arrangements 16. Each of the air
passage parts has a perforated mesh part and each of the open-close
parts has a slide fastener 90 configured such that it can open and
close the passage part. Each of the slide fasteners 90 is a closed
end slide fastener that is closed at the end thereof that is near
the respective one of the cuffs 64a and 65a such that the left and
right strips of tapes of the slide fasteners 90 cannot separate
from each other. The perforated mesh part is made of a stretchy
material having numerous through holes.
[0064] Excluding the slide fastener 82 and the side ventilation
arrangements 66 and 67, the shapes of the various parts mentioned
above will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
7. FIG. 7 shows the state of the various parts after they have been
cut from, for example, a waterproof polyester fabric using a
pattern paper. In FIG. 7, the parts are depicted such that the
outer fabric that is exposed to the outside is visible. The fine
lines shown just inside the perimeters of the various parts are
stitch lines or fold lines, and the portions between the stitch
lines or fold lines and the outside perimeter are stitch margins or
fold margins.
[0065] As shown on the lower right of FIG. 7, the front body
sections 71 and 72 are shaped to be linearly symmetrical with a
vertical line of symmetry. The front body section 71 has a first
(left) sleeve attaching part 71a, a first (left) front-to-back
attaching part 71b, a first neckline part 71 c, a slide fastener
attaching part 71d and a front hem part 72e. Similarly, the front
body section 72 has a first (right) sleeve attaching part 72a, a
first (right) front-to-back attaching part 72b, a first neckline
part 72c, a slide fastener attaching part 72d and a front hem part
72e.
[0066] The first sleeve attaching parts 71a and 72a are configured
to slant generally diagonally downward and outward and shaped
generally like a letter S so as to be curved convexly outward at an
upper portion and concavely inward at a lower portion. The first
front-to-back attaching parts 71b and 72b turn downward from the
first sleeve attaching parts 71a and 72a and are shaped generally
like a combination of a slightly concave curve and a straight line.
The first neckline parts 21c and 22c are configured to curve
downward and inward in a circular arc-like shape. The slide
fastener 82 (FIG. 5), which connects the front body sections 71 and
72 together, is attached to the slide fastener attaching parts 71d
and 72d. The front hem parts 71e and 72e are configured to curve
concavely upward along a middle portion thereof. As a result, the
jacket 60 does not readily become wrinkled even when the rider
bends forward.
[0067] As shown in the upper middle section of FIG. 7, the back
body section 73 is provided with a pair (left and right) of second
sleeve attaching parts 73a and 73b, a pair (left and right) of
second front-to-back attaching parts 73c and 73d, a back bottom
edge part 73e and a second neckline part 73f. The sleeve attaching
parts 73a and 73b are arranged on both outward sides of an upper
portion of the back body section 73. The sleeve attaching parts 73a
and 73b are curved diagonally such that the shoulders of the rider
protrude there-beyond. The second front-to-back attaching parts 73c
and 73d are arranged below the second sleeve attaching parts 73a
and 73b on both outward sides of the back body section 73. The
second front-to-back attaching parts 73c and 73d are connected to
the first front-to-back attaching parts 71b, 72b through the side
members 76 and 77, respectively. The back bottom edge part 73e
joins the bottom ends of the second sleeve attaching parts 73a and
73b. The second neckline part 73f protrudes from a middle portion
of the top of the back body section 73.
[0068] The second sleeve attaching parts 73a and 73b are curved
convexly outward over the entire lengths thereof and configured to
slant diagonally downward and outward from the second neckline part
73f. The second front-to-back attaching parts 73c and 73d are
configured to have a slightly concave shape that curves inward. The
back bottom edge part 73e is curved so as to bulge in generally the
shape of a circular arc along a middle portion thereof. Thus, the
back body section 73 is longer than front body sections 71 and 72.
As a result, the jersey 60 can cover the rider's pants even when
the rider's torso is bent forward. The second neckline part 73f is
configured such that it protrudes upward and is concave in the
general shape of a circular arc.
[0069] The left and right sleeve main body sections 74 and 75 are
arranged so as to cover the portions of the shoulders that protrude
beyond the front body sections 71 and 72 and the back body section
73. The sleeve main body section 74 includes an upper cuff 74a, a
first sleeve forming part 74b, a second sleeve forming part 74c, a
first seam part 74d, a second seam part 74e and a neck opening 74f.
The first and second sleeve forming parts 74b and 74c turn and
extend in a curved fashion from both sides of the upper cuff 74a,
and are connected together through a lower sleeve section 78. The
first seam part 74d is sewn to the first sleeve attaching part 71a,
and has a V-shaped cut part 83 that is cut in a V-shape from the
first sleeve forming part 74b. The second seam part 74e extends
from the second sleeve forming part 74c, and is sewn to the second
sleeve attaching part 73a. The neck opening 74f joins the first
seam part 74d and the second seam part 74e together.
[0070] The sleeve main body section 75 includes an upper cuff 75a,
a first sleeve forming part 75b, a second sleeve forming part 75c,
a first seam part 75d, a second seam part 75e and a neck opening
75f. The first and second sleeve forming parts 75b and 75c turn and
extend in a curved fashion from both sides of the upper cuff 75a,
and are connected together through a lower sleeve section 79. The
first seam part 75d is sewn to the first sleeve attaching part 77a,
and has a V-shaped cut part 84 that is cut in a V-shape from the
first sleeve forming part 75b. The second seam part 75e extends
from the second sleeve forming part 75c, and is sewn to the second
sleeve attaching part 73b. The neck opening 75f joins the first
seam part 75d and the second seam part 75e together.
[0071] Additionally, the first expanded sections 74i and 75i are
provided at intermediate portions of the first sleeve forming parts
74d and 75d and the second sleeve forming parts 74e and 75e that
correspond to the elbow joints of a wearer. The second expanded
sections 74j and 75j are provided at the cuffs 74a and 75a.
[0072] Each of the upper cuffs 74a and 75a is substantially linear.
The first sleeve forming part 74b and the second sleeve forming
part 74c extend from the upper cuff 74a in an inwardly concave
manner. Likewise, the first sleeve forming part 75b and the second
sleeve forming part 75c extend from the upper cuff 75a in an
inwardly concave manner. The first sleeve forming parts 74b and 75b
are arranged more forward than the second sleeve forming parts 74c
and 75c, respectively. The first sleeve forming part 74b and 75b
are shorter in length than the second sleeve forming part 74c and
75c. Thus, the sleeves 74 and 75 are configured this way so that
the upper cuffs 74a and 75a will face forward.
[0073] The first seam part 75d will now be explained with reference
to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the right sleeve 75. Since the left-hand
sleeve main body section 74 is linearly symmetrical with the
right-hand sleeve main body section 75 and has the same shape, an
explanation of the first seam part 74d is omitted here for the sake
of brevity.
[0074] The V-shaped cut part 84 of the first seam part 75d has a
small curve section 84a and a pair of large curve sections 84b and
84c that extend from both ends of the small curve section 84a in
such a fashion as to gradually spread apart. The radius of
curvature R1 of the small curve section 84a about a center O1 is
equal to or larger than 3 mm and smaller than or equal to 20 mm,
preferably equal to or larger than 5 mm and smaller than or equal
to 10 mm. In this embodiment the radius of curvature R1 is 7 mm.
The large curve section 84b extends in a curved fashion toward the
first sleeve forming part 75b from one end of the small curve
section 84a. The radius of curvature R2 of the large curve section
84b about a center O2 is equal to or larger than 200 mm and smaller
than or equal to 600 mm, preferably equal to or larger than 300 mm
and smaller than or equal to 400 mm. In this embodiment the radius
of curvature R2 is 333 mm. Meanwhile, the large curve section 84c
extends in a curved fashion toward the neck opening 75f from the
other end of the small curve section 84a. The radius of curvature
R3 of the large curve section 84c about a center O3 is equal to or
larger than 200 mm and smaller than or equal to 600 mm, preferably
equal to or larger than 300 mm and smaller than or equal to 400 mm.
In this embodiment the radius of curvature R3 is 333 mm. The second
angle of intersection .alpha.2 between the large curve sections
84b, 84c is preferably equal to or larger than 20.degree. and
smaller than or equal to 80.degree. and is set to 45.degree. in
this embodiment. The second angle of intersection .alpha.2 is the
smaller of the angles formed by the intersection of a tangent line
C2 that is tangent to the large curve section 84b at the lengthwise
midpoint of the large curve section 84b and a tangent line C3 that
is tangent to the large curve section 84c at the lengthwise
midpoint of the large curve section 84c.
[0075] When the angle of the V-shaped cut part 84 is set as
described above, the sleeve 65 is lifted up about a substantially
horizontal axis centered on the small curve section 84a of the
jacket 60 (i.e., rotated clockwise about said horizontal axis when
the jacket 60 is viewed from the left side) and the cuff 65a is
oriented more upward than downward. The degree to which the cuff
65a is oriented upward increases as the second angle .alpha.2
decreases.
[0076] Also, a first angle .alpha.1 formed by the intersection of a
first straight line L1 that is a substantially perpendicular
bisector with respect to the cuff 65a and a second straight line
that runs along the apex of the rider's shoulder from the neck
opening 65f toward a shoulder opening is equal to or larger than
30.degree. and smaller than or equal to 90.degree., preferably
equal to or larger than 30.degree. and smaller than or equal to
90.degree.. In this embodiment, the first angle .alpha.1 is
57.degree.. If the first angle .alpha.1 exceeds 90.degree., the
jacket 60 will feel restrictive when worn. Conversely, if the first
angle .alpha.1 is less than 30.degree., the sleeve 65 will be
oriented toward the side, causing wrinkles and tension to develop
easily when the jacket 60 is worn. By configuring the jacket 60
such that the first and second straight lines L1 and L2 intersect
with a first angle .alpha.1, the entire sleeve 65 is rotated
(swung) inward about an approximately vertical axis of the garment
in accordance with the intersection angle so as to be oriented in a
forward direction, thereby causing the cuff 65a, too, to be
oriented in a forward direction.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, each of the second seam parts 74e and
75e are configured in the shape of a smooth generally circular arc
and are sewn to the second sleeve attaching parts 73a and 73b of
the back body section 73, respectively. A sharp angle is formed
between the second seam parts 74e and 75e and the second sleeve
forming parts 74c and 75c of each of the sleeve main body sections
74 and 75, respectively.
[0078] The neck openings 74f and 75f are configured to turn at
intermediate positions so as to link to the first neckline parts
71c and 72c of the front body sections 71 and 72 and the second
neckline part 73f of the back body section 73 in a continuous
fashion. The collar 80 is placed on top of and sewn to the neckline
parts 71c, 72c and 73f and the neck openings 74f and 75f.
[0079] The left and right side members 76 and 77 are shaped to be
linearly symmetrical with a vertical line of symmetry. The side
member 76 has a first connecting part 76a, a second connecting part
76b, a first arm hole part 76c, a bottom hem part 76d, and a third
sleeve attaching part 76e. The first connecting part 76a is sewn to
the first front-to-back attaching part 71b of the front body
section 71. The second connecting part 76b is arranged opposite the
first connecting part 76a and sewn to the second front-to-back
attaching part 73g of the back body section 73. The first arm hole
part 76c is arranged on top and configured to be concave in a
circular arc-like shape. The bottom hem part 76d is arranged on the
bottom and configured to slant upward toward the front, and a third
sleeve attaching part 76e that curves from the second connecting
part 76b and connects to the first arm hole part 76c in such a
fashion as to form a sharp angle.
[0080] The side member 77 has a first connecting part 77a, a second
connecting part 77b, a first arm hole part 77c, a bottom hem part
77d, and a third sleeve attaching part 77e. The first connecting
part 77a is sewn to the first front-to-back attaching part 72b of
the front body section 72. The second connecting part 77b is
arranged opposite the first connecting part 77a and sewn to the
second front-to-back attaching part 73h of the back body section
73. The first arm hole part 77c is arranged on top and configured
to be concave in a circular arc-like shape. The bottom hem part 77d
is arranged on the bottom and configured to slant upward toward the
front. The third sleeve attaching part 77e curves from the second
connecting part 77b and connects to the first arm hole part 77c in
such a fashion as to form a sharp angle.
[0081] Forming the side members 76 and 77 in this way enables the
jacket 60 to fit the human body better and reduces the air
resistance by suppressing the formation of wrinkles. It also
suppresses the development of tension between the front body
sections 71 and 72 and the back body section 73 on both sides of
the wearer's body and improves the comfort of the jacket 60.
[0082] The left and right lower sleeve sections 78 and 79 are
shaped to be linearly symmetrical with a vertical line of symmetry.
The lower sleeve section 78 includes a lower cuff 78a, a third
connecting part 78b, a fourth connecting part 78c, a second arm
hole part 78d and a third arm hole part 78e. The lower cuff 78a is
arranged below the upper cuff 74a of the respective sleeve main
body section 74 and forms the cuff 64a together with the upper cuff
74a. The third connecting part 78b extends from the front side of
the lower cuff 79a and runs along first sleeve forming part 74b of
the sleeve main body section 74. The fourth connecting part 78c
extends from the back side of the lower cuff 78a runs along the
second sleeve forming part 74c of the respective sleeve main body
section 74. The second and third arm hole parts 78d and 78e join
the third and fourth connecting parts 78b and 78c together along a
convexly shaped path. The third connecting part 78b is sewn to the
first sleeve forming part 74b. The fourth connecting part 78c is
sewn to the entire second sleeve forming part 74c, except for a
portion of the armhole side of the second sleeve forming part 74c.
The second armhole part 78d is sewn to the first armhole part 76c
of the side member 76. The third armhole part 79e is sewn to the
second armhole part 74c of the sleeve main body section 74. The tip
end portion of the armhole side of the second sleeve forming part
74c is sewn to the third attaching part 76e of the side member
76.
[0083] The lower sleeve section 79 includes a lower cuff 79a, a
third connecting part 79b, a fourth connecting part 79c and a
second arm hole part 79d and a third arm hole part 79e. The lower
cuff 79a is arranged below the upper cuff 75a of the respective
sleeve main body section 74 and forms the cuff 65a together with
the respective upper cuff 75a. The third connecting part 79b
extends from the front side of the lower cuff 79a and runs along
first sleeve forming part 75b of the sleeve main body section 75.
The fourth connecting part 79c extends from the back side of the
lower cuff 79a runs along the second sleeve forming part 75c of the
sleeve main body section 75. The second and third arm hole parts
79d and 79e join the third and fourth connecting parts 79b and 79c
together along a convexly shaped path. The third connecting part
79b is sewn to the first sleeve forming part 75b. The fourth
connecting part 79c is sewn to the entire second sleeve forming
part 75c, except for a portion of the armhole side of the second
sleeve forming part 75c. The second armhole part 79d is sewn to the
first armhole part 77c of the side member 77. The third armhole
part 79e is sewn to the second armhole part 75c of the sleeve main
body section 75. The tip end portion of the armhole side of the
second sleeve forming part 75c is sewn to the third attaching part
77e of the side member 77.
[0084] Providing lower sleeve sections 78 and 79 configured as just
described enables the jacket 60 to fit the upper arms of the wearer
better and reduces the air resistance by suppressing the formation
of wrinkles. It also suppresses the development of tension in the
sleeves 64 and 65 and improves the comfort of the jacket 60.
[0085] The mesh parts (which serve as air passage parts) and the
slide fasteners 90 of the ventilation arrangements 66 are sewn to
the portions indicated in FIG. 7 with hatching lines that slant
downward to the left. More specifically, the mesh part and the
slide fastener 90 of each of the ventilation arrangements 66 is
sewn between the first sleeve forming part 74b and 75b of the
respective sleeve main body 74 and 75 and the third connecting part
78b and 79b of the respective lower sleeve member 78, 79 and
between the first front-to-back attaching part 71b and 72b of the
respective front body 71 and 72 and the first connecting part 76a
and 77a of the respective side member 76 and 77.
[0086] In a cycling jersey 60 in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention, the sleeves 64 and 65 are
configured such that the first straight line L1 and the second
straight line L2 intersect with a first angle .alpha.1. As a
result, when the sleeves 64 and 65 are sewn to the front body
sections 71, 72 and the back body section 73, the entire sleeves 64
and 65 are rotated (swung) inward about an approximately vertical
axis of the garment in accordance with the first angle .alpha.1 so
as to be oriented in a forward direction, thereby causing the cuffs
64a and 65a, too, to be oriented in a forward direction.
Additionally, since a V-shaped cut part 84 having a second angle
.alpha.2 is provided, when the sleeves 64 and 65 are sewn to the
front body sections 71 and 72, the forwardly oriented sleeves 64
and 65 are rotated about a substantially horizontal axis of the
jersey 60 so as to be even further oriented toward the front. As a
result, since the sleeves 64 and 65 are oriented toward the front
of the jersey 60, the jersey 60 does not readily become
uncomfortably tight at the backs of the rider's shoulders or
develop wrinkles in the front portions of the rider's shoulders
when the rider mounts a bicycle, bends forward, and extends his or
her arms forward to grip the handlebar, e.g., the drop handlebar of
a road bike. Thus, the comfort of the jersey 60 when a drop
handlebar is gripped is improved and the air resistance of the
garment is reduced.
[0087] Also, the ventilation arrangements 66 are not limited to the
upper garment main body 62 but, instead, span from positions on the
sleeves 64, 65 near the cuffs 64a and 65a to the bottom hem part
62a of the upper garment main body 62 in such a fashion as to pass
through the underarm portions 64b and 65b. As a result, the cross
sectional areas of the ventilation arrangements 66 are larger than
in a conventional upper garment in which ventilation arrangements
are provided only in the front body sections 71 and 72.
Consequently, a large quantity of air can be taken into and
discharged from the jersey 60 through the ventilation arrangements
66, thereby enabling sufficient ventilation performance to be
obtained. Additionally, since the underarm portions 64b and 65b are
comparatively difficult to see from the front, the ventilation
arrangements 66 do not easily degrade the cosmetic appearance of
the jacket 60.
Third Embodiment
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 9, a cycling jacket 160 is illustrated
in accordance with a third embodiment. In view of the similarity
between the third and first embodiments, the descriptions of the
parts of the third embodiment that are identical or substantially
identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for
the sake of brevity. Rather, it will be apparent that the
descriptions of the parts of the first embodiment that are
identical or substantially identical to the parts of the third
embodiment apply to the third embodiment, unless otherwise
indicated.
[0089] In this third embodiment, it is acceptable for the
open-close parts 36 of the first embodiment to be replaced with
hook-and-loop fasteners 190 instead of slide fasteners 40. For
example, FIG. 9 shows the cycling rain jacket 160 having an upper
garment main body and a pair of sleeves that are provided with a
pair of side ventilation arrangements 166. The side ventilation
arrangements 166 are the same as those of the first embodiment,
except that the slide fasteners are replaced with hook-and-loop
fasteners 190. In such a case, the respective seam portions can be
formed to have overlapping portions and the tape having the hooks
and the tape having the loops can be sewn separately to opposing
overlapping portions to form the hook-and-loop fasteners. By using
hook-and-loop fasteners 190, the side ventilation arrangements 166
can be partially opened at any desired portion or opened at
multiple portions.
[0090] In this example, too, the sleeves have a first expanded
section 164i or 165i and a second expanded section 164j or 165j.
These expanded sections 164i, 165i, 164j and 165j are provided in
the same positions as the expanded sections of the previous
embodiments.
Other Embodiments
[0091] In each of the embodiments described herein, it is
acceptable for the mesh part 38 to be made of a net-like material
instead of a material have a large number of through holes. Also in
the prior embodiments, the side ventilation arrangements 16, 66 and
67 are configured to run to positions near the cuffs 14a and 15a,
64a, 65a of the sleeves 14 and 15, 64 and 65. However, it is also
acceptable to provide side ventilation arrangements that cut
through the cuffs.
[0092] Although in the first and second embodiments the ventilation
arrangements 16 or 66 are configured to run to positions near the
cuffs 14a, 15a, 64a, 65a of the sleeves 14, 15, 64, 65, the present
invention is not limited to such an arrangement. The effects of the
invention can be realized so long as ventilation arrangements are
provide which run from the sleeves to the bottom hem of the main
body of the garment in such a fashion as to pass through the
underarm portions. For example, it is acceptable for the
ventilation arrangements to start from positions in the vicinity of
the wearer's elbows when the upper garment is worn. In such a case,
the cross sectional areas of the ventilation arrangements will be
slightly smaller than in the previous embodiments, but the
ventilation performance will still be improved significantly in
comparison with the prior art. Furthermore, since the ventilation
arrangements are not provided in the forearm area, the sleeves fit
the wearer's arms more closely and do not disturb the wearer's
ability to change grips on the handlebar, shift gears, operate the
brakes, etc., while riding.
[0093] Although in the previously described embodiments the front
body is divided in to a pair of left and right members, the present
invention can also be applied to a cycling upper garment in which
the front body is constructed as a single member.
[0094] Although the previously described embodiments illustrate
cases in which the invention is applied to a rain jacket whose
surface has been treated to make it waterproof, the present
invention can also be applied to a regular cycling jersey.
[0095] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as
"substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a
reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the
end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms
can be construed as including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the
modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the
word it modifies.
[0096] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *