U.S. patent application number 15/469929 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-12 for ventillation insert for an apparel item.
The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to JACOB R. ARNOLD, LINDSEY V.J. MARTIN.
Application Number | 20170290383 15/469929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59999059 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170290383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARNOLD; JACOB R. ; et
al. |
October 12, 2017 |
VENTILLATION INSERT FOR AN APPAREL ITEM
Abstract
An apparel item having an insert configured to provide
ventilation to the wearer is provided herein. The apparel item is
formed by at least a front panel having a posterior edge, a back
panel having an anterior edge, and an insert made for coupling the
front panel and the back panel. An anterior edge of the insert is
coupled to the posterior edge of the front panel while a posterior
edge of the insert is attached to the back panel at a position
posterior to the back panel's anterior edge.
Inventors: |
ARNOLD; JACOB R.; (PORTLAND,
OR) ; MARTIN; LINDSEY V.J.; (PORTLAND, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59999059 |
Appl. No.: |
15/469929 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62319342 |
Apr 7, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2500/52 20130101;
A41D 31/18 20190201; A41D 2300/324 20130101; A41D 2200/20 20130101;
A41D 2300/322 20130101; A41D 27/20 20130101; A41D 27/285 20130101;
A41D 2300/32 20130101; A41D 1/08 20130101; A41D 3/00 20130101; A41B
1/08 20130101; A41D 13/0015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/28 20060101
A41D027/28; A41D 27/20 20060101 A41D027/20; A41B 1/08 20060101
A41B001/08; A41D 1/08 20060101 A41D001/08; A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41D 3/00 20060101 A41D003/00 |
Claims
1. An insert for coupling a front panel of an apparel item and a
back panel of the apparel item, the insert comprising: a panel of
material having at least an anterior edge, a posterior edge, a
superior edge, and an inferior edge, wherein at least a portion of
the anterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to at least a
portion of a posterior edge of the front panel and at least a
portion of the posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled
to the back panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of
the back panel such that at least a portion of an inner-facing
surface of the back panel is positioned adjacent to at least a
portion of an outer-facing surface of the panel of material.
2. The insert of claim 1, wherein the superior edge of the panel of
material is coupled to the back panel.
3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the inferior edge of the panel of
material is coupled to an inferior portion of the back panel.
4. The insert of claim 3, wherein at least a bottom margin of the
front panel is affixed to a bottom margin of the back panel.
5. The insert of claim 4, wherein the superior edge of the panel of
material is coupled to the back panel at location inferior to an
armhole of the apparel item.
6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the panel of material comprises a
mesh material.
7. The insert of claim 6, wherein the mesh material is elastically
resilient.
8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the
posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back
panel between 4 centimeters and 10 centimeters posterior to the
anterior edge of the back panel.
9. The insert of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the
posterior edge of the panel of material is coupled to the back
panel between 10 centimeters and 20 centimeters posterior to the
anterior edge of the back panel.
10. The insert of claim 1, wherein a releasable coupling mechanism
releasably couples the posterior edge of the front panel and the
anterior edge of the back panel.
11. An apparel item comprising: a front panel having at least a
posterior edge; a back panel having at least an anterior edge; and
an insert for coupling the front panel and the back panel, wherein:
the insert comprises a panel of material having an anterior edge, a
posterior edge, a superior edge, and an inferior edge, at least a
portion of the anterior edge of the insert is coupled to at least a
portion of a posterior edge of the front panel, and at least a
portion of the posterior edge of the insert is coupled to the back
panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel
such that at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back
panel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of an
outer-facing surface of the insert.
12. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein the panel of material
comprise a mesh material.
13. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein at least a bottom margin
of the front panel is affixed to a bottom margin of the back
panel.
14. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein the at least a portion of
the posterior edge of the insert is coupled to the back panel at
least 4 centimeters posterior to the anterior edge of the back
panel.
15. The apparel item of claim 11, wherein a portion of the
posterior edge of the front panel and a portion of the anterior
edge of the back panel are configured to be releasably coupled via
a bi-directional zipper having a top zipper pull and a bottom
zipper pull.
16. The apparel item of claim 15, wherein the bi-directional zipper
runs from a location inferior to an armhole of the apparel item to
a bottom margin of the apparel item.
17. A method of manufacturing an apparel item, the method
comprising: providing a front panel of material having at least a
first edge and a second edge; providing a back panel of material
having at least a third edge and a fourth edge; coupling the back
panel to the front panel via at least a first insert, wherein
coupling the front panel to the back panel via the first insert
comprises: attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge of the
first insert to at least a portion of the first edge of the front
panel, and attaching at least a portion of a posterior edge of the
first insert to at least a portion of the back panel at a position
offset from the third edge of the back panel.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first insert comprises a
panel of mesh material.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising affixing a zipper
mechanism along at least a portion of the first edge of the front
panel and along at least a portion of the third edge of the back
panel, wherein the zipper mechanism is configured to releasably
couple the first edge of the front panel to the third edge of the
back panel.
20. The method of claim 17 further comprising coupling the back
panel to the front panel via a second insert, wherein coupling the
back panel to the front panel via the second insert comprises:
attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge of the second
insert to at least a portion of the second edge of the front panel,
and attaching at least a portion of a posterior edge of the second
insert to at least a portion of the back panel at a position offset
from the fourth edge of the back panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application having attorney docket number
NIKE.272198/160011US02 and entitled "VENTILLATION INSERT FOR AN
APPAREL ITEM" claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/319,342, entitled "VENTILLATION INSERT FOR AN
APPAREL ITEM," and filed on Apr. 7, 2016, which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an insert for an apparel
item that provides ventilation to the interior of the apparel
item.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is often desirable to include ventilation features in
apparel items designed to be worn during physical activities.
However, it is often challenging to position the ventilation
features on the apparel item such that they are accessible to the
wearer and provide effective ventilation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Examples of the present invention are described in detail
below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a front, left side perspective view of an
exemplary apparel item having a ventilation insert in accordance
with aspects herein;
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a front, right side perspective view of the
exemplary apparel item having a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 in
accordance with aspects herein;
[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel
item having a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 in accordance with
aspects herein;
[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of
the exemplary apparel item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 in
accordance with aspects herein;
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of an
exemplary apparel item with a ventilation insert having an
alternative configuration in accordance with aspects herein;
[0010] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the exemplary apparel
item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 with portions of the
exemplary apparel item cut away in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0011] FIG. 7 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel
item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 with a bi-directional
closure mechanism being opened from the bottom in accordance with
aspects herein;
[0012] FIG. 8 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel
item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 with the bi-directional
closure mechanism being opened from the top in accordance with
aspects herein;
[0013] FIG. 9 depicts a left side view of the exemplary apparel
item with a ventilation insert of FIG. 1 with the bi-directional
closure mechanism being opened from the bottom and the top in
accordance with aspects herein;
[0014] FIG. 10 depicts a left side view of an exemplary apparel
item having an alternative configuration for the ventilation insert
in accordance with aspects herein;
[0015] FIG. 11 depicts a front view of an inner-facing surface of
the exemplary apparel item having the alternative configuration of
FIG. 10 in accordance with aspects herein; and
[0016] FIG. 12 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method of
manufacturing an apparel item having a ventilation insert in
accordance with aspects herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The subject matter of the present technology is described
with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However,
the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the
claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other
ways, to comprise different steps or combinations of steps similar
to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other
present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step"
and/or "block" might be used herein to connote different elements
of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as
implying any particular order among or between various steps herein
disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is
explicitly stated.
[0018] During exercise, athletes often generate a large amount of
heat. Too much heat may cause discomfort and can negatively impact
the athlete's performance. Fabrics having high air permeability may
be used for all or a majority of an apparel item to keep the
athlete ventilated. However, this solution may not be appropriate
for outerwear. For example, outerwear may be wholly or partially
formed from materials having low air permeability, such as
materials with wind resistant and/or water resistant properties.
With this type of outerwear, an air permeable membrane may be used
to increase breathability and air permeability. But these solutions
may not always provide sufficient ventilation to the wearer during
exercise. Accordingly, additional ventilation features may be used,
such as ventilation openings. Aspects herein contemplate locating
ventilation openings on the apparel item such that they are easily
accessible by the wearer but yet are effective in helping to
ventilate high heat producing areas of the wearer's body.
[0019] The insert for an apparel item described herein is optimized
to provide ventilation to high heat-producing areas of a wearer,
including a wearer's back, while being easily accessible. For
example, a ventilation opening may be provided between a front
panel and a back panel of the apparel item. The ventilation opening
may be opened or closed by partially uncoupling or coupling the
front panel and the back panel via a releasable coupling mechanism,
such as a zipper. An insert, such as a panel of mesh material, may
further be used to couple the front panel and the back panel. The
insert may help the apparel item retain its structure (e.g.,
prevent the front and back panels from being completely disengaged
when the ventilation opening is in an open state) while allowing
ambient air to enter into the interior of the apparel item through
the ventilation opening to cool off the wearer.
[0020] In exemplary aspects, the insert may be coupled to the front
panel at or adjacent to an edge of the front panel defining the
ventilation opening and may be coupled to the back panel at a
position posterior to or offset from the edge of the back panel
defining the ventilation opening. By attaching to the back panel at
a position posterior to or offset from the edge of the back panel
defining the ventilation opening, the insert may extend posteriorly
around the back side of the apparel item in order to provide
ventilation to a wearer's underarm, side, and back regions when the
apparel item is worn. As the back region of a wearer tends to
produce a large amount of heat during exercise, ventilation over
this area may dissipate heat generated by the wearer more
efficiently. Additionally, by including the ventilation opening
between the front panel and the back panel and attaching the insert
such that it spans the opening, this ventilation feature remains
easily accessible so that a wearer can easily open and close the
ventilation opening at the wearer's side. Having easy access to
this ventilation opening for adjustment when the apparel item is
being worn allows the wearer to control the amount of ventilation.
For example, when a wearer begins to exercise, the wearer may not
need ventilation and, accordingly, may have the ventilation opening
closed. As the wearer continues to exercise and generates more
heat, the wearer may easily access and open the ventilation
opening. Moreover, the ventilation opening may be configured to be
partially opened to provide a lesser amount of ventilation, and as
more heat is generated, the ventilation opening may be fully opened
to provide more ventilation.
[0021] In exemplary aspects, the front panel and the back panel may
remain completely detached at the bottom margin of the garment. In
other words, a bottom portion of the front panel and a bottom
portion of the back panel may be coupled only indirectly via the
insert or through the releasable coupling mechanism. By leaving the
bottom portions of the front and back panels unattached, the fit of
the apparel item may be adjusted by opening and closing the
ventilation opening. Accordingly, the girth of the apparel item may
be adjusted to accommodate wearers having different body builds or
to accommodate additional layers being worn by the wearer. In other
aspects, the bottom portions of the front and back panels may
releasably affixed together with, for example, a button, hook and
loop fastener, or a snap type fastener, such that the ventilation
opening does not extend to the bottom margin of the apparel item.
In another aspect, the bottom portions of the front and back panels
may be permanently affixed through, for instance, stitching or
bonding. Having the bottom portions of the front and back panels
affixed, either releasably or permanently, may allow for
ventilation while providing a more aerodynamic silhouette because
the front and back panels will not move independently of each other
during exercise, thereby reducing distraction to the wearer and
reducing drag.
[0022] Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure include an insert for
coupling a front panel of an apparel item and a back panel of the
apparel item. The insert may comprise panel of material having at
least an anterior edge, a posterior edge, a superior edge, and an
inferior edge. At least a portion of the anterior edge of the panel
of material may be coupled to at least a portion of a posterior
edge of the front panel, and at least a portion of the posterior
edge of the panel of material may be coupled to the back panel. The
posterior edge of the panel of material may be coupled to the back
panel at a position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel
such that at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back
panel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of an
outer-facing surface of the panel of material.
[0023] In another aspect, an apparel item comprises at least a
front panel having at least a posterior edge, a back panel having
at least an anterior edge, and an insert for coupling the front
panel and the back panel. The insert may comprise a panel of
material having an anterior edge, a posterior edge, a superior
edge, and an inferior edge. At least at least a portion of the
anterior edge of the insert may be coupled to at least a portion of
a posterior edge of the front panel. At least a portion of the
posterior edge of the insert may be coupled to the back panel at a
position posterior to an anterior edge of the back panel such that
at least a portion of an inner-facing surface of the back panel is
positioned adjacent to at least a portion of an outer-facing
surface of the insert.
[0024] A further aspect of the present disclosure includes a method
of manufacturing an apparel item. The method may comprise providing
a front panel of material having at least a first edge and a second
edge, providing a back panel of material having at least a third
edge and a fourth edge, and coupling the back panel to the front
panel via at least a first insert. Coupling the front panel to the
back panel via the first insert may comprise attaching at least a
portion of an anterior edge of the first insert to at least a
portion of the first edge of the front panel and attaching at least
a portion of a posterior edge of the first insert to at least a
portion of the back panel at a position offset from the third edge
of the back panel.
[0025] As used throughout this disclosure, terms such as anterior,
posterior, lateral, medial, and the like are to be given their
common anatomical meaning with respect to the apparel item being
worn by a hypothetical wearer standing in anatomical position.
[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 1-2, these figures provide a front,
left perspective view and a front, right perspective view,
respectively, of an exemplary apparel item 100 in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure. Although shown as a zip-up
jacket, it is contemplated herein that the apparel item 100 may
take the form of a pullover, a hoodie, a shirt, pants, shorts,
capris, and the like. Further, although shown with long sleeves, it
is contemplated herein that the apparel item 100 may comprise no
sleeve, half sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, and the like. Any and
all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being
within the scope herein.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparel item 100 comprises at
least a right front panel 110 adapted to cover a right front torso
of a wearer and a left front panel 120 adapted to cover a left
front torso area of the wearer when the apparel item 100 is worn.
The right front panel 110 and the left front panel 120 may be
releasably secured to one another via a zipper-type mechanism 118
or another coupling mechanism such as buttons, snap fasteners and
the like.
[0028] Continuing, the apparel item 100 further comprises one or
more back panels 130 adapted to cover a wearer's back torso area
when the apparel item 100 is worn. The back panel 130 and the right
front panel 110 may together help to define a right armhole (not
shown) and a left armhole (shown in FIG. 4 as indicated by
reference numeral 410). The apparel item 100 may further comprise
an optional right sleeve panel 114 coupled to the right armhole and
adapted to cover a right arm of the wearer, and an optional left
sleeve panel 124 coupled to the left armhole 410 and adapted to
cover a left arm of the wearer when the apparel item 100 is worn.
Additional front panels, back panels, and/or sleeve panels besides
those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are contemplated. The apparel item 100
may further comprise additional features, such as one or more side
pockets 116 and 126, or another jacket pocket, a collar 112, and/or
a hood (not shown) configured to be donned and doffed by a
wearer.
[0029] The right front panel 110, the left front panel 120, the
right sleeve panel 114, the left sleeve panel 124, and the back
panel 130 may be constructed from variety of textile materials.
Various textile materials may comprise, in one aspect,
water-resistant and/or wind-resistant materials suitable for
outdoor wear. Exemplary materials may comprise, for example, woven
and/or knitted nylon or polyester fabrics, polyurethane laminates,
vinyl, fabrics treated with water repellants such as laminated
cotton, water-resistant/breathable fabrics (e.g., expanded
polytetrafluroethylene), composite fabrics, and the like.
[0030] The apparel item 100 may include one or more inserts for
coupling two or more panels of the apparel item 100 in a
configuration that provides ventilation to a wearer of the apparel
item 100. In exemplary aspects shown in FIGS. 1-2, the apparel item
100 includes a left side insert 140 and a right side insert 150.
Alternative aspects may include only one side insert, multiple
inserts on the left side and/or the right side, one or more back
side inserts, one or more front side inserts, and/or one or more
sleeve inserts.
[0031] Turning to the left side insert 140 shown in FIG. 1, there
may be a ventilation opening 142 between the left front panel 120
and the back panel 130 through which the left side insert 140 is
exposed to the external environment. The left side insert 140
comprises at least one panel of material coupling the left front
panel 120 and the back panel 130. The left front panel 120 and the
back panel 130 may comprise discrete panels of material that form a
part of the apparel item 100. In this case, the ventilation opening
may be formed in whole or in part between edges of discrete panels.
It is contemplated, however, that the apparel item 100 may be
formed from a unitary panel (e.g., formed through, for instance, a
circular knitting process, a flat knitting process, or a weaving
process), rather than from a plurality of discrete panels.
Accordingly, the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may
represent relative regions of the apparel item 100. Accordingly,
the ventilation opening 142 may be formed by incising one or more
portions of the unitary panel. In this aspect, the ventilation
opening 142 may effectively divide a unitary panel into a left
front panel portion and a back panel portion that are, for purposes
of this disclosure, functionally equivalent to a discrete left
front panel and a discrete back panel. As such, for purposes of
this disclosure, the left front panel 120 may refer to a discrete
front panel or a front panel portion of an apparel item 100, and
back panel 130 may refer to a discrete back panel or a back panel
portion of an apparel item 100.
[0032] In addition, though this description focuses on the left
side insert 140, the right side insert 150 comprises a similar
configuration as the left side insert 140. For instance, the right
side insert 150 comprises at least one panel of material that
couples the right front panel 110 and the back panel 130 and is
visible through a ventilation opening 152 between the right front
panel 110 and the back panel 130.
[0033] Turning to the left side, the left front panel 120 and the
back panel 130 may each include a releasable coupling mechanism to
releasably couple the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130
at a location generally inferior to the left armhole. A coupling
mechanism 146, such as a zipper, is shown in FIG. 1, but it is
contemplated that other releasable coupling mechanisms may be used
such as buttons, snap closures, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the
like. In exemplary aspects, the coupling mechanism 146 may be
disposed on a posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120 and on
an anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. When the left front
panel 120 and the back panel 130 are coupled via the coupling
mechanism 146, the ventilation opening 142 may be in a closed
configuration, and when the left front panel 120 and the back panel
130 are not releasably coupled, the ventilation opening 142 may be
in an open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.
[0034] When the ventilation opening 142 is in the open
configuration shown in FIGS. 1-2, at least part of the left side
insert 140 is exposed to the external environment. The left side
insert 140 may comprise a panel of material constructed from a
fabric having permeability properties so that ambient air from the
exterior environment may flow through the left side insert 140 into
the interior of the apparel item 100. In exemplary aspects, the
left side insert 140 may comprise a loosely knitted or loosely
woven mesh-like material. Further, the left side insert 140 may
comprise a material having greater air permeability than, for
instance, the material used for other portions of the apparel item
100, such as the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130. As a
non-limiting example, air permeability may be measured by ASTM
D737-96. For instance, the air permeability, as measured by ASTM
D737-96, for the left side insert 140 may be approximately greater
than 270 cubic centimeters per second per square centimeters
(cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2), 280 cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2,
290 cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2, or 300 cm.sup.3/second per
cm.sup.2, while the air permeability for the left front panel 120
and the back panel 130 may be approximately less than 300
cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2, 290 cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2, 280
cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2, or 270 cm.sup.3/second per cm.sup.2.
Additionally, the left side insert 140 may comprise a singular
material or may be constructed from a combination of materials. The
left side insert 140 may also be at least partially constructed
from yarns having elastic properties, such as spandex, so that the
left side insert 140 may be elastically resilient.
[0035] FIG. 3 provides a left side view of the apparel item 100
with the left sleeve panel 124 raised to better show the left side
insert 140 in accordance with aspects herein. Those portions of the
left side insert 140 that are visible are shown by cross-hatching,
and those portions of the left side insert 140 that are hidden from
view are shown by a dashed line. The left side insert 140 may help
to couple the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 such that
the left side insert 140 traverses or spans the ventilation opening
142 between the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130.
[0036] The ventilation opening 142 between the posterior edge 122
of the left front panel 120 and the anterior edge 132 of the back
panel 130 may be generally positioned beneath or inferior to the
left armhole and extend towards a bottom margin 310 of the apparel
item 100. In the aspect illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the
ventilation opening 142 may begin slightly anterior to the left
armhole and terminate at a position inferior to the left armhole at
the bottom margin 310 of the apparel item 100. By initiating the
ventilation opening 142 at a position slightly anterior to the left
armhole and terminating at a more posterior position, the wearer
has easy access to the coupling mechanism 146 while air flow is
promoted towards posterior regions of the apparel item 100.
Additionally, initiating the ventilation opening 142 at a position
anterior to the left armhole may avoid any discomfort potentially
caused by including the coupling mechanism 146 directly underneath
a wearer's arm when the apparel item 100 is being worn. It is also
contemplated, however, that the ventilation opening 142 may run
vertically, rather than at a diagonal, from a position adjacent to
or inferior to the left armhole towards the bottom margin 310. It
is also contemplated that the ventilation opening 142 may begin
slightly posterior to the left armhole and terminate at a position
inferior to the left armhole at the bottom margin 310 of the
apparel item 100. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof,
are contemplated as being within the scope herein.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, in some exemplary aspects, a superior or
upper portion of the left front panel 120 may be directly affixed
to a superior or upper portion of the back panel 130 to form a
superior margin of the ventilation opening 142. In other words,
when the ventilation opening 142 is in an open configuration, the
left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may be secured together
to form the superior margin of the ventilation opening 142 but may
be uncoupled at a bottom margin 310 of the apparel item 100. In
this way, the bottom portion of the ventilation opening 142 may be
wider than the top portion when in an open configuration. As such,
in addition to providing ventilation, the insert 140 may be used to
adjust the fit of the apparel item 100. For instance, when the
ventilation opening 142 is in an open configuration, the girth of
the apparel item 100 may expand, allowing the apparel item 100 to
accommodate different wearers having different body builds or to
accommodate a wearer having multiple layers underneath the apparel
item 100. In this respect, the left side insert 140 may prevent the
ventilation opening 142 from opening to such an extent that the
apparel item 100 becomes unsightly and/or from becoming a
distraction to the wearer.
[0038] Continuing, the left side insert 140 may be coupled at least
to the left front panel 120 and to the back panel 130.
Specifically, at least an anterior edge 312 of the left side insert
140 may be coupled to the left front panel 120 at or adjacent to
the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120. A posterior
edge 314 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to the back
panel 130, however, at a position offset from the anterior edge 132
of the back panel 130 as illustrated in FIG. 3 by the dashed line.
Specifically, the posterior edge 314 of the left side insert 140
may be coupled to the back panel 130 at a position that is
posterior to the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. For
example, in aspects in which the anterior edge 132 of the back
panel 130 runs diagonally from a position adjacent and anterior to
the left armhole to a position inferior to the left armhole at the
bottom margin 310, the posterior edge 314 of the left side insert
140 may be coupled to a portion of the back panel 130 at a position
inferior to the left armhole and extending to the bottom margin 310
at a location posteriorly offset from the anterior edge 132 of the
back panel 130.
[0039] With this configuration, a portion of the back panel 130 may
be positioned adjacent to a posterior portion of the left side
insert 140 as the left side insert 140 is configured to extend over
a portion of a wearer's back when the apparel item 100 is being
worn. To put it another way, an outer-facing surface of the left
side insert 140 may be positioned adjacent to an inner-facing
surface of the back panel 130. Coupling the left side insert 140 to
the back panel 130 at a position posterior to or offset from the
anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 increases the amount of
area over which ambient air may funneled to help cool down the
wearer. Moreover, the positioning of the left side insert 140 into
posterior regions of the apparel item 100 provides ventilation to
the wearer's back. As the back region may be a high heat-producing
area, ventilation over portions of the back provides an effective
method to dissipate heat generated by the wearer. At the same time,
because the ventilation opening 142 between the left front panel
120 and the back panel 130 remains generally positioned along a
wearer's side, the ventilation opening 142 may be easily opened and
closed by a wearer when the apparel item 100 is being worn.
Additionally, including a ventilation opening 142 along the side of
the apparel item 100 while attaching the posterior edge 314 of the
left side insert 140 to a more posterior portion of the back panel
130 takes advantage of air flow created when the wearer moves in a
forward direction, such as when running. As the wearer moves in a
forward direction, air may naturally flow through the ventilation
opening 142 on the wearer's side and towards a posterior region in
the interior of the apparel item 100. The positioning of the
ventilation opening 142 may also increase air flow into the apparel
item 100 by acting as a scoop to capture air that is traveling over
the front of the apparel item 100.
[0040] Additionally, although the left front panel 120 and the back
panel 130 are not directly secured together at the bottom margin
310 of the apparel item 100 in some aspects, coupling the left side
insert 140 to the back panel 130 at a location offset from the
anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 keeps the left front panel
120 and the back panel 130 from completely disengaging when the
ventilation opening 142 is in an open configuration. Without the
left side insert 140 to couple the left front panel 120 and the
back panel 130, the independent movements of the left front panel
120 and the back panel 130 when the wearer is moving may distract
the wearer and decrease the aerodynamic profile of the apparel item
100.
[0041] Turning to FIG. 4, a view of a portion of the interior of
the apparel item 100 is provided to show the left side insert 140
in accordance with aspects herein. In this view, the left side
insert 140 is visible in its entirety. The left side insert 140 may
comprise the anterior edge 312 and the posterior edge 314 discussed
above. The left side insert 140 may further comprise a superior
edge 416, and an inferior edge 418. As described, the anterior edge
312 of the left side insert 140 may be coupled to the posterior
edge 122 of the left front panel 120, and the posterior edge 314 of
the left side insert 140 may be coupled to the back panel 130 at a
position offset from the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130.
As shown in FIG. 4, the superior edge 416 of the left side insert
140 may include a curvature that generally corresponds to an
inferior margin of the left armhole 410 and may be coupled to the
left armhole 410 at the inferior margin of the left armhole 410. In
other aspects, the superior edge 416 may be coupled to the back
panel 130 at a location inferior to the left armhole 410.
Additionally, the inferior edge 418 of the left side insert 140 may
be coupled to an inferior portion of the back panel 130. In the
aspect shown, the left side insert 140 comprises an asymmetrical
shape such that only a small portion of the inferior edge 418
extends over the back panel 130. In other aspects, such as the one
described shown in FIG. 5, a larger portion of the inferior edge
418 may extend over the back panel 130. In alternative aspects, the
superior edge 416 and/or the inferior edge 418 of the left side
insert 140 may be unattached to the back panel 130.
[0042] The coupling of any of the edges of the left side insert 140
to the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 may be done by
permanently affixing or securing these pieces together by, for
example, stitching, adhesives, bonding, and the like. In other
aspects, the pieces may be removeably affixed to one another by,
for instance, buttons, zippers, snap closures, hook-and-loop
fasteners, and the like such that the left side insert 140 may be
removed. Although the specific type of technology used to secure
the different pieces of the apparel item 100 is not shown in FIG.
4, it is understood that FIG. 4 is meant to encompass any of the
aforementioned types of affixing technologies.
[0043] FIG. 4 also shows an offset distance 420 of the left side
insert 140 between the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 and
the position at which the posterior edge 314 of the left side
insert 140 attaches to the back panel 130. In some aspects, the
offset distance 420 may be in a range between two centimeters and
ten centimeters. In other words, the posterior edge 314 of the left
side insert 140 may couple to the back panel 130 at a position
approximately between two centimeters and ten centimeters posterior
to the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130.
[0044] In alternative aspects, the left side insert 140 may be
larger so that it may be coupled to the back panel 130 at a
position more posterior to the anterior edge 132 of the back panel
130 such as the aspect depicted in FIG. 5. In this aspect, the
offset distance 420 between the posterior edge 314 of the left side
insert 140 and the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130 may be
approximately between ten centimeters to twenty centimeters. By
coupling the left side insert 140 to the back panel 130 at a more
posterior position on the back panel 130, the left side insert 140
may provide air flow over a larger portion of the wearer's back. In
the alternative aspect shown in FIG. 5, the posterior edge 314 of
the left side insert 140 extends to the top or superior margin of
the back panel 130. In some aspects, however, the left side insert
140 may not extend superior to the left armhole 410 of the apparel
item 100. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are
contemplated as being within the scope herein.
[0045] Turning to FIG. 6, an exploded and inner-facing view of the
apparel item 100 with the left side insert 140 with portions of the
apparel item 100 cut away is provided in accordance with aspects
herein. The left side insert 140 may comprise an outer-facing
surface 610 and an inner-facing surface 612. Similarly, the left
front panel 120 may have an outer-facing surface (not shown) and an
inner-facing surface 614 while the back panel 130 may have an
outer-facing surface (not shown) and an inner-facing surface 616.
The left side insert 140 may be positioned within the interior of
the apparel item 100. As such, the outer-facing surface 610 of the
left side insert 140 may be coupled to the inner-facing surface 616
of the back panel 130 and to the inner-facing surface 614 of the
left front panel 120.
[0046] Additionally, as the left front panel 120 and the back panel
130 may be releasably coupled via the coupling mechanism 146,
portions of the coupling mechanism 146 (e.g., zipper tapes) may be
coupled to the inner-facing surface 614 of the left front panel 120
at the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120 and coupled
to the inner-facing surface 616 of the back panel 130 at the
anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. The anterior edge 312 of
the left side insert 140 may be coupled to the left front panel 120
adjacent to the coupling mechanism 146 disposed along the posterior
edge 122 of the left front panel 120. The posterior edge 314 of the
left side insert 140 may be aligned with a portion of the back
panel 130 posterior to the coupling mechanism 146 that is disposed
along the anterior edge 132 of the back panel 130. With this offset
alignment of the left side insert 140, a portion of the
inner-facing surface 616 of the back panel 130 may be positioned
adjacent to a portion of the outer-facing surface 610 of the left
side insert 140.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling mechanism 146 may be a one
directional coupling mechanism in that it includes only one pull.
In alternative aspects, the coupling mechanism 146 releasably
coupling the left front panel 120 to the back panel 130 is a
bi-directional coupling mechanism, or a coupling mechanism that
opens in two directions as shown in FIGS. 7-9. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate
the apparel item 100 having a coupling mechanism 146 that is
bi-directional in various configurations. For example, FIG. 7 shows
the ventilation opening 142 being partially opened by a bottom pull
710, which partially exposes a bottom portion of the left side
insert 140 and keeps the top and middle portions of the left front
panel 120 and the back panel 130 releasably coupled. In FIG. 8, a
top pull 712 partially opens the ventilation opening 142 at a top
portion while the middle and bottom portions of the left front
panel 120 and the back panel 130 remain coupled. Finally, FIG. 9
shows both the top pull 712 used to open a top portion of a
ventilation opening 142 and the bottom pull 710 used to open a
bottom portion of the ventilation opening 142. The middle portions
of the left front panel 120 and the back panel 130 remain coupled.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, a coupling mechanism 146 that is
bi-directional allows the wearer to adjust the amount of
ventilation and the areas receiving direct ventilation.
[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the bottom portions of the left
front panel 120 and the back panel 130 are not directly and
permanently coupled together. FIGS. 10-11 depict an alternative
aspect of an apparel item 1000, however, in which a bottom margin
1010 of a left front panel 1020 is affixed to a bottom margin 1012
of a back panel 1030 such that the ventilation opening 1042 does
not extend to the bottom margin of the apparel. In some aspects,
the bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel 1020 and the bottom
margin 1012 of the back panel 1030 may be releasably affixed
together with, for example, one or more buttons, hook and loop
fasteners, or snap-type fasteners. In another aspect, the bottom
margins 1010 and 1012 of the left front panel 1020 and the back
panel 1030, respectively, may be permanently affixed through
stitching or bonding. Further, in other aspects, the left front
panel 1020 and the back panel 1030 may be constructed from a single
piece of material, and the ventilation opening 1042 may engineered
as a slit in the material, leaving a bottom margin of the apparel
item 1000 intact inferior to the ventilation opening 1042.
[0049] When affixed, the bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel
1020 remains directly coupled to the bottom margin 1012 of the back
panel 1030 when the ventilation opening 1042 is in an open
configuration. Affixing the bottom margins 1010 and 1012 of the
left front panel 1020 and the back panel 1030, respectively,
creates an aerodynamic silhouette but still provides ventilation to
portions of a wearer's back through the ventilation opening 1042
along the wearer's side. Further, because the bottom margin 1010 of
the left front panel 1020 and the bottom margin 1012 of the back
panel 1030 cannot move independently of one another when affixed
together, this configuration may be less distracting to the wearer.
In this alternative aspect, portions of the left front panel 1020
and the back panel 1030 superior to the bottom margins 1010 and
1012, respectively, may also be configured to be releasably coupled
via a releasable coupling mechanism, such as the coupling mechanism
1046.
[0050] FIG. 11 provides a view of the interior of the apparel item
1000 having this alternative configuration. In the aspect shown,
the bottom margin 1010 of the left front panel 1020 is secured to
the bottom margin 1012 of the back panel 1030. In addition to the
posterior edge 1114 of the left side insert 1040, the superior edge
1116 and the inferior edge 1118 of the left side insert 1040 may
also be coupled to the back panel 1030. In some alternative
configurations and as shown in FIG. 11, the superior edge 1116 of
the left side insert 1040 may couple to a portion of the back panel
1030 that is positioned inferior to the left armhole 1110. By
coupling each edge of the left side insert 1040 to either the back
panel 1030 or the left front panel 1020, there are no openings
between the left side insert 1040 and the other panels of the
apparel item 1000 through which ambient air could escape. In this
respect, ambient air entering through the ventilation opening 1042
may be more concentrated on the area of the wearer over which the
left side insert 1040 extends as the air does not diffuse through
other openings between left side insert 1040 and the panels.
[0051] Turning to FIG. 12, a flow diagram illustrating a method of
manufacturing 1200 an apparel item, such as apparel item 100, with
an insert is provided. The method 1200 comprises, at step 1210,
providing a front panel of material having at least a first edge
and a second edge. The front panel of material may be the left
front panel 120, the right front panel 110, or both the left front
panel 120 and right front panel 110. The method 1200 may also
comprise, at step 1220, providing a back panel of material, such as
the back panel 130 described with respect to FIGS. 1-9, having at
least a third edge and a fourth edge.
[0052] At step 1230, the back panel may be coupled to the front
panel via at least a first insert, such as the left side insert
140. The first insert may comprise a panel of mesh material having
an anterior edge and a posterior edge. Coupling the front panel to
the back panel via the first insert may comprise, at step 1230A,
attaching at least a portion of the anterior edge of the first
insert to at least a portion of the first edge of the front panel.
In this way, the first edge of the front panel may be equivalent to
the posterior edge 122 of the left front panel 120. Next, at step
1230B, at least a portion of the posterior edge of the first insert
may be attached to at least a portion of the back panel at a
position offset from the third edge of the back panel. The third
edge of the back panel may be equivalent to the anterior edge 132
of the back panel 130 described above. In some aspects, the method
also includes attaching a superior edge of the first insert to the
back panel and/or attaching an inferior edge of the first insert to
the back panel.
[0053] The method 1200 may further comprise affixing a releasable
closure mechanism such as a zipper mechanism along at least a
portion of the first edge of the front panel and along at least a
portion of the third edge of the back panel. The releasable closure
mechanism, such as the coupling mechanism 146 described with
respect to FIGS. 1-9, may be configured to couple the first edge of
the front panel to the third edge of the back panel. In some
aspects, the releasable closure mechanism is a bi-directional
zipper having a top zipper pull and a bottom zipper pull.
[0054] The method 1200 may also comprise coupling the back panel to
the front panel via a second insert, such as the right side insert
150. Coupling the back panel to the front panel via the second
insert may include attaching at least a portion of an anterior edge
of the second insert to at least a portion of the second edge of
the front panel and attaching at least a portion of a posterior
edge of the second insert to at least a portion of the back panel
at a position offset from the fourth edge of the back panel. Like
with the first insert, a superior edge of the second insert may
attach to the back panel, and an inferior edge of the second insert
may also attach to the back panel. Lastly, a releasable closure
mechanism may also be affixed along at least a portion of the
second edge of the front panel and along at least a portion of the
fourth edge of the back panel to releasably couple the second edge
of the front panel to the fourth edge of the back panel.
[0055] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with
the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative
aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do
not depart from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, a skilled
artisan may develop alternative means of implementing these aspects
without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0056] It will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without
reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many
possible aspects may be made without departing from the scope
thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or
shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *