EP3155914B1

EP3155914B1 - Garment or clothing accessory having at least one separable part

Info

Publication number: EP3155914B1
Application number: EP16002195.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cinzia SORGIOVANNI
Original assignee: Caradonna Danilo
Current assignee: Caradonna Danilo
Priority date: 2015-10-13
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2018-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-12
Also published as: EP3155914A1

Description

The present invention relates to a garment or clothing accessory having at least one disassemblable part.
More in particular, the present invention relates to a garment or clothing accessory having at least one separable part and comprising disassemblable connection means between said at least one separable part and a main body of the same garment or clothing accessory.
There are currently known, in the state of the art, different types of garments or clothing accessories having at least one separable part.
In particular, there are known garments such as padded jackets or the like (for example, to be used in winter sports), which have one or more separable components, such as a further inner liner or sleeves.
Usually, according to the prior art, the connection between the garment or clothing accessory and said one or more separable components takes place through disassemblable connection means such as zip fasteners (preferably made of metal), buttons, or Velcro®.
In this way, it is possible for the user to enjoy an appreciable level of versatility of the same garment, according to needs.
As an example, prior art related to a garment or clothing accessory having at least one disassemblable part is disclosed in Canadian Patent Application Publication No. 2 507 705 A1 , the disclosure of which relates to a multi-purpose protective garment comprising a jacket and a pair of pants, wherein both the jacket and the pair of pants include an inner module and an outer module, the inner module being suitable for being worn both separately, and in combination with the outer module.
However, the prior art garments or clothing accessories described above have some types of problems.
Firstly, for obvious structural reasons, the risk of undesired total or partial separation of said at least one separable component with respect to the main body of the same garment or clothing accessory.
Moreover, for the same reasons, it is possible for any rain or snow to filter through said disassemblable connection means, with the consequences this entails in terms of affecting the comfort of the user.
Moreover, said prior art garments or clothing accessories still have an essentially moderate level of versatility. For example, said prior art garments or clothing accessories do not allow the user to choose between a large number of possible configurations of different separable elements, also on the basis of preferences of a prevalently aesthetic nature.
Moreover, said known garments or clothing accessories are often not particularly user-friendly for the purposes of the related use, and somewhat uncomfortable for the wearer.
The present invention, starting from the notion of the aforesaid problems, intends to provide a solution.
An object of the present invention is to provide a garment or clothing accessory having at least one disassemblable part which is capable of greatly reducing the risk of undesired total or partial separation of said at least one separable component with respect to the main body of the same garment or clothing accessory.
Moreover, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a garment or clothing accessory as said, which prevents the undesired passage of any rain or snow through said disassemblable connection means, thereby preserving the comfort of the user.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a garment or clothing accessory as specified, which has a high level of versatility, allowing the user to choose between a large number of possible configurations of separable elements, also based on preferences of an aesthetic nature.
Moreover, an object of the present invention is to provide a garment or clothing accessory as specified, which is easy to use, and capable of ensuring a high level of comfort for the wearer.
In view of these objects, the present invention provides a garment or clothing accessory having at least one disassemblable part, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject matter of claim 1.
Further advantageous features are described in the dependent claims.
The aforesaid claims are intended as fully incorporated herein.
In particular, according to the present invention said garment or clothing accessory having at least one separable part and comprising disassemblable connection means between said at least one separable part and a main body of the of the same garment or clothing accessory includes the features of claim 1. Said disassemblable connection means may include a first disassemblable joining means of two opposite flaps, one of the body of the garment or clothing accessory and the other of the separable part, configured as a zip fastener including a first and a second continuous tape made of flexible plastic material, each fixed on a respective of said flaps and opposite each other, and a second disassemblable joining means of said opposite continuous tapes, configured as hook and loop fastener of Velcro® type and produced in two continuous strips fixed respectively on said two opposite continuous tapes.
The present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description below, with reference to the accompanying drawing, illustrating an example of embodiment of the garment or clothing accessory having at least one separable part according to the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of an example of embodiment of a garment, in the form of a jacket, having at least one separable part according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view in open condition of disassemblable connection means of two opposite flaps, one of the body of the garment or clothing accessory and the other of the separable part according to the invention, in which a slider part is omitted;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, in closed condition an also having said slider part;
Fig. 4 s a cross sectional view of the disassemblable connection means of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view in enlarged scale of said slider part;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view in enlarged scale of the disassemblable connection means of Fig. 3.

In the aforesaid Fig. 1, the letter A indicates, as a whole, a garment or clothing accessory having at least one separable part according to an example of embodiment of the present invention.
In particular, the aforesaid Fig. 1 refers, purely by way of example, to a jacket having separable sleeves, one of said sleeves in turn comprising a further separable part, essentially positioned at the height of the elbow of the wearer, so as to be able to obtain, according to the preferences of the wearer, a sleeveless jacket, a long-sleeved jacket or a short sleeved jacket.
Naturally, it is understood that different types of garments or clothing accessories having at least one separable part (not shown) are also possible according to the present invention.
Said garment or clothing accessory A, having at least one separable part B, comprises, according to the prior art, disassemblable connection means 10 between said at least one separable part B and a main body C of the same garment or clothing accessory A.
Advantageously, according to the present invention, said disassemblable connection means 10 include a first disassemblable joining means 11 of two opposite flaps C1, B1, one of the body C of the garment or clothing accessory A and the other of the separable part B, configured as zip fastener including a first 11.1 and a second 11.2 continuous tape made of flexible plastic material, each fixed on a respective of said flaps B1, C1 and opposite each other, and a second disassemblable joining means 12 of said opposite continuous tapes 11.1, 11.2, configured as hook and loop fastener of Velcro® type and produced in two continuous strips 12.1, 12.2 fixed respectively on said two opposite continuous tapes 11.1, 11.2 (in particular, Fig. 2).
More in particular, as can be seen in the embodiment illustrated, said first disassemblable joining means 11 configured as zip fastener comprises (Figs. 2 - 6):

said first continuous flexible tape 11.1, provided on one face 11.3 thereof with a continuous longitudinal groove 11.4, delimited by corresponding flexible edges 11.5;
said second continuous flexible tape 11.2 provided, on one face 11.6 thereof opposite said face 11.3 of said first continuous tape 11.1, with a continuous longitudinal flexible rib 11.7, provided complementary to said groove 11.4 of said first continuous tape 11.1, so that said groove 11.4 and said rib 11.7 can produce between them a shape fit and/or force fit and/or elastic coupling;
a continuous longitudinal edge 11.8 provided at the free end of said first continuous tape 11.1 and configured as continuous linear guide, parallel with respect to said continuous groove 11.4, and
a slider 13, with an essentially U-shaped cross section, coupled slidingly, by means of a intermediate portion 13.1 thereof, with respect to said edge 11.8 configured as linear guide of said first continuous tape 11.1, and having a pair of free branches 13.2, 13.3 opposite each other and configured, together with said intermediate portion 13.1, as elastic gripper that acts elastically with pressure, on one side, on said first continuous tape 11.1 and, on the other, on said second continuous tape 11.2, so as to produce the disassemblable coupling between said rib 11.7 and said groove 11.4 of said first joining means 11, by means of sliding (in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 3) of the same slider 13 along said guiding edge 11.8.

In this way, it is possible to obtain an essentially stable connection between said main body C of said garment or clothing accessory A and said at least one separable part B, thereby preventing any phenomena of undesired separation during use.
Moreover, in particular by virtue of the presence of said second disassemblable joining means 12, the passage of any rain or snow through said joining means 11, 12 is greatly inhibited, thereby ensuring the complete comfort of the wearer of the same garment or clothing accessory A.
Said garment or clothing accessory according to the present invention can be a garment or clothing accessory for adults or for children. In this latter case, the present invention offers the further advantage of allowing, by means of replacement of said separable part (for example, sleeves or trouser legs) with a further separable part of greater length during the different stages of growth of the child, use of the same garment or clothing accessory for a longer period of time.
Advantageously, according to the present example of embodiment of the invention said first joining means 11 comprise means 14 for mutual alignment of said first continuous tape 11.1 and second continuous tape 11.2 and which are configured as mutual and disassemblable coupling means of male/female type (in particular, Fig. 2).
In this way, it is even easier for the user to produce the connection between said main body C of said garment or clothing accessory A and said at least one separable part B.
Advantageously, as visible in Fig. 2, said second hook and loop joining means 12 configured as Velcro® type closure comprise a first continuous closing strip 12.1 with loops, respectively with hooks, fixed on said face 11.3 of said first continuous tape 11.1 of said first joining means 11, and a second continuous closing strip 12.2 with hooks, respectively with loops, fixed on said face 11.6 of said second continuous tape 11.2 of said first joining means 11 and opposite with respect to said first strip 12.1 of said second joining means 12, so that, when disassemblable coupling between said rib 11.7 and said groove 11.4 of said first joining means 11 is implemented, disassemblable coupling between said first 12.1 and said second 12.2 continuous strip of said second joining means 12 is implemented jointly.
In this way, a high level of seal is obtained.
Again with reference, in particular, to the aforementioned Fig. 2, wherein said flap C1 of the main body C of said garment or clothing accessory A has a first free end area C2 and said flap B1 of the separated part B has a second free end area B2, it can be noted how said first continuous tape 11.1 of said first joining means 11 is advantageously fixed in said first area C2, respectively in said second area B2, while said second continuous tape 11.2 of said first joining means 11 is fixed in said second area B2, respectively in said first area C2, so that said groove 11.4 and said continuous rib 11.7 of said first joining means 11 can be arranged opposite each other.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described here with reference to disassemblable connection means including a zip fastener as specified and a hook and loop fastener as indicated, it is also possible for said means to be configured with a zip fastener and a hook and loop fastener with a different structure.
As is evident from the above, it is apparent how said garment or clothing accessory having at least one disassemblable part according to the present invention is capable of greatly reducing the risk of undesired total or partial separation of said at least one separable component with respect to the main body of the same garment or clothing accessory.
In addition, said garment or clothing accessory as said is capable of preventing the undesired passage of any rain or snow through said disassemblable connection means, thereby preserving the comfort of the user.
Moreover, said garment or clothing accessory as specified has a high level of versatility, allowing the user to choose between a large number of possible configurations of said separable part, also based on preferences of aesthetic nature.
Moreover, said garment or clothing accessory as specified is easy to use, and capable of ensuring a high level of comfort for the wearer.
As is apparent from the above, the present invention allows the objects specified in the introduction to be achieved in a simple and advantageous manner.

Claims

Garment or clothing accessory (A) having at least one separable part (B) and comprising disassemblable connection means (10) between said at least one separable part (B) and a main body (C) of the same garment or clothing accessory (A), wherein said disassemblable connection means (10) include a first disassemblable joining means (11) of two opposite flaps (C1, B1), one of the body (C) of the garment or clothing accessory (A) and the other of the separable part (B), configured as a zip fastener including a first (11.1) and a second (11.2) continuous tape made of flexible plastic material, each fixed on a respective of said flaps (B1, C1) and opposite each other, and a second disassemblable joining means (12) of said opposite continuous tapes (11.1, 11.2), configured as hook and loop fastener and produced in two continuous strips (12.1, 12.2) fixed respectively to said two opposite continuous tapes (11.1, 11.2),
characterized in that said first disassemblable joining means (11) configured as zip fastener comprises:
- said first continuous flexible tape (11.1), provided on one face (11.3) thereof with a continuous longitudinal groove (11.4), delimited by corresponding flexible edges (11.5);

- said second continuous flexible tape (11.2) provided, on one face (11.6) thereof opposite said face (11.3) of said first continuous tape (11.1), with a continuous longitudinal flexible rib (11.7), provided complementary to said groove (11.4) of said first continuous tape (11.1), so that said groove (11.4) and said rib (11.7) can produce between them a shape fit and/or force fit and/or elastic coupling;

- a continuous longitudinal edge (11.8) provided at the free end of said first continuous tape (11.1) and configured as continuous linear guide, parallel with respect to said continuous groove (11.4), and

- a slider (13), with an essentially U-shaped cross section, coupled slidingly, by means of a intermediate portion (13.1) thereof, with respect to said edge (11.8) configured as linear guide of said first continuous tape (11.1), and having a pair of free branches (13.2, 13.3) opposite each other and configured, together with said intermediate portion (13.1), as elastic gripper that acts elastically with pressure, on one side, on said first continuous tape (11.1) and, on the other, on said second continuous tape (11.2), so as to produce the disassemblable coupling between said rib (11.7) and said groove (11.4) of said first joining means (11), by means of sliding of the same slider (13) along said guiding edge (11.8).
Garment or clothing accessory (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first joining means (11) comprise means (14) for mutual alignment of said first continuous (11.1) and second continuous (11.2) tape and which are configured as mutual and disassemblable coupling means of male/female type.
Garment or clothing accessory (A) according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in that said second disassemblable hook and loop joining means (12) comprise a first continuous closing strip (12.1) with loops, respectively with hooks, fixed on said face (11.3) of said first continuous tape (11.1) of said first joining means (11), and a second continuous closing strip (12.2) with hooks, respectively with loops, fixed on said face (11.6) of said second continuous tape (11.2) of said first joining means (11) and opposite with respect to said first strip (12.1) of said second joining means (12), so that, when disassemblable coupling between said rib (11.7) and said groove (11.4) of said first joining means (11) is implemented, disassemblable coupling between said first (12.1) and said second (12.2) continuous strip of said second joining means (12) is implemented jointly.
Garment or clothing accessory (A) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said flap (C1) of the main body (C) of said garment or clothing accessory (A) has a first free end area (C2) and said flap (B1) of the separated part (B) has a second free end area (B2), characterized in that said first continuous tape (11.1) of said first joining means (11) is fixed in said first area (C2), respectively in said second area (B2), while said second continuous tape (11.2) of said first joining means (11) is fixed in said second area (B2), respectively in said first area (C2), so that said groove (11.4) and said continuous rib (11.7) of said first joining means (11) can be arranged opposite each other.