CYCLING SHELL OR VEST WITH POCKET ACCESS

COQUILLE OU VESTE PROFILEE POUR CYCLISTE AVEC ACCES AUX POCHES

English Abstract

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

French Abstract

Coquille extérieure pour cycliste portée sur un maillot de cycliste comprenant une partie de torse fabriquée de panneaux. Les surfaces avant et arrière du torse recouvrent respectivement la poitrine et le dos du cycliste. Une entaille dans la partie inférieure de la surface arrière est alignée avec les poches du maillot, et comporte un rebord extérieur avec des rebords latéraux opposés, ainsi que des rebords inférieurs et supérieurs. La largeur entre les rebords latéraux de l'entaille et la hauteur entre le rebord inférieur et le rebord supérieur sont généralement égales à celles de poches du maillot. Un panneau transparent situé dans la partie inférieure de la surface arrière de la partie du torse forme une fenêtre située de l'autre côté des poches du maillot. Une fente pratiquée dans la partie inférieure de la surface arrière et située au-dessus des poches du maillot s'ouvre vers l'intérieur de la coquille extérieure, donnant accès aux poches du maillot. La fente a une largeur généralement égale à celle des poches du maillot.

Claims

-8-
CLAIMS:
1. A cycling outer shell worn over a cycling jersey
by a wearer comprising:
at least a torso portion made of panels of at
least one material, the torso portion having a back surface
adapted to cover a back of the wearer when worn, and a front
surface to cover a chest of the wearer when worn; and
a cutout defined in a lower portion of the back
surface of the torso portion and located in alignment with
pockets of the cycling jersey, the cutout having a
peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge portions, a
bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, with a width
dimension between the lateral edge portions of the cutout
generally equal to a width of the pockets of the cycling
jersey, and with a height dimension between the bottom edge
portion and the top edge portion of the cutout generally
equal to a height of the pockets of the cycling jersey.
2. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the
bottom edge portion of the cutout is defined by a strip of
material, the strip of material being an elastic.
3. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the
at least a portion of the peripheral edge comprises a border
of material sown onto the material of the back surface of
the torso portion.
4. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein
upper corners of the cutout are rounded.
5. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein an
inward surface of at least a bottom strip of material
defining the bottom edge portion of the cutout has a
gripping material thereon.

-9-
6. The outer shell according to claim 1, further
comprising a zip fastener in the front surface of the torso
portion.
7. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein a
bottom edge of the torso portion has an elastic member
adapted to surround a waist of the wearer.
8. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the
height dimension between the bottom edge portion and the top
edge portion of the cutout is greater than the height of the
pockets of the cycling jersey.
9. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the
cutout is sized and positioned with the back surface of the
torso portion to have the top edge portion of the cutout
above a top of the pockets of the cycling jersey.
10. The outer shell according to claim 1, further
comprising a removable cover panel, and fastener means
between the removable cover panel and a periphery of the
cutout for releasably securing the removable cover panel to
the torso portion to cover the cutout.

Description

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
- 1 -
CYCLING SHELL OR VEST WITH POCKET ACCESS
FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
The present application pertains to cycling gear
(i.e., clothing), and more particularly to outer shells such
as vests, jackets and rain jackets worn during cycling
activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
In addition to the health benefits, cycling is a
popular sport in that riders generally get to travel on
longer distances. Considering the long distances often
traveled and the need for riders to carry food, gear, tools
and personal effects, cycling jerseys are commonly equipped
with back pockets in a lower portion of the jerseys. The
back pockets are located above the hips of the wearer, in
the waist region, and generally opposite the kidney area.
Such pockets are quite convenient for riders who
do not want to carry large bags on their bicycles in order
not to increase the drag coefficient of the bicycle, or who
want to have access to food, gear, etc within arm's reach.
Due to the longer duration of the cycling
activity, the rider may be exposed to changing environmental
conditions, such as rain and temperature increase.
Moreover, cycling may often include hill climbing and the
subsequent descending. The rider must often produce a
strong effort to climb, resulting in sweat and moist
clothing, and the subsequent downhill velocities cause a
chilling factor on the rider. For these reasons, cyclists
commonly carry additional outer shells in their rear
pockets. For instance, vests are commonly used as a
windbreaker to protect the torso of the rider in downhill
riding. Rain jackets may be used in case of rain.
A disadvantage of such outer shells is that the
rear pockets of the jersey are not readily accessible when
an outer shell is worn. The rider may have to stop to

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
2 -
access the pockets or must be particularly agile so as to
raise the bottom edge of the outer shell to reach an
interior of the pocket. In racing or competitive cycling,
such maneuvers are hazardous and may even cause falls.
Additionally, in racing events, a bib with an
identifying number is typically worn on the back pockets.
The use of an outer shell prevents commissioners from seeing
the rider's identification. A rider does not want to have
to move the bib from the back pockets of the jersey to the
outer shell.
SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure
to provide an outer shell such as a vest or jacket that
addresses issues related to the prior art.
It is a further aim of the present disclosure to
provide an outer shell such as a vest or jacket that
facilitates access to jersey back pockets.
It is still a further aim of the present
disclosure to provide an outer shell such as a vest or
jacket that allows for an identification bib to be seen on
the back of the rider.
Therefore, in accordance with the present
application, there is provided a cycling outer shell worn
over a cycling jersey by a wearer comprising: at least a
torso portion made of panels of at least one material, the
torso portion having a back surface adapted to cover a back
of the wearer when worn, and a front surface to cover a
chest of the wearer when worn; and a cutout defined in a
lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and
located in alignment with pockets of the cycling jersey, the
cutout having a peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge
portions, a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, with
a width dimension between the lateral edge portions of the
cutout generally equal to a width of the pockets of the
cycling jersey, and with a height dimension between the
bottom edge portion and the top edge portion of the cutout

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
3 -
generally equal to a height of the pockets of the cycling
jersey.
Further in accordance with the present
application, there is provided a cycling outer shell worn
over a cycling jersey by a wearer comprising: at least a
torso portion made of panels of at least one material, the
torso portion having a back surface adapted to cover a back
of the wearer when worn, and a front surface to cover a
chest of the wearer when worn; a panel of see-through
material located in a lower portion of the back surface of
the torso portion and forming a window located opposite
pockets of the cycling jersey; and a slit defined in the
lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and
located above pockets of the cycling jersey, the slit
i5 opening to an interior of the outer shell to provide direct
access to the pockets of the cycling jersey, the slit having
a width dimension generally equal to a width of the pockets
of the cycling jersey.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a rider wearing an
outer shell in accordance with the present disclosure, above
a cycling jersey having back pockets;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the outer shell of
Fig. 1, in a long-sleeve configuration;
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the outer shell of
Fig. 1, in a vest configuration;
Fig. 4 is a rear view of an outer shell in
accordance with yet another embodiment, having a see-through
panel and slit; and
Fig. 5 is a rear view of the outer shell of
Fig. 4, with a flap over the slit.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly
to Fig. 1, there is illustrated an outer shell 10 in

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
4 -
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The outer shell 10 is illustrated as being a vest worn over
a jersey A. However, the outer shell 10 could be a jacket
as well, such as a windbreaker jacket or a rain jacket. For
illustrative purposes, the jersey A is illustrated as having
rear pockets B. The jersey A is a conventional jersey and,
therefore, typically has three pockets B, although more or
fewer pockets could be provided as well. The jersey A has
short sleeves C, but could also be a long-sleeve jersey or
midlength-sleeve jersey, or even a sleeveless top. An
identification bib D is also shown in Fig. 1, and the
identification bib D is commonly used in race cycling for
race commissioners to identify the rider.
The outer shell 10 has a torso portion 12. The
torso portion 12 is made of one or multiple panels and is
typically provided with a zip fastener. The torso portion
12 covers the torso of the user and has a back surface 14
and a front surface 16, with the zip fastener typically
provided on the front surface 16. Unless specified, the
material used for the outer shell 10 may be any appropriate
material. For instance, the front surface 16 is typically
made of a windbreaker material, a waterproof material,
and/or a multiple-ply insulation material. The back surface
14 may involve the same material as for the front surface
16. Meshing material is also commonly used for the back
surface 14, as windbreaking properties are not required on
the rider's back. In other words, any appropriate material
may be used for the outer shell 10, and material is
typically chosen as a function of the contemplated use and
the riding conditions.
Still referring to Fig. 1, the outer shell 10 is
sleeveless, but may also feature sleeves, such as shown in
Fig. 2, with the sleeves illustrated at 18.
Referring concurrently to Figs. 1 and 2, the outer
shell 10 is provided with a cutout 20 in the lower back
region of the back surface 14. The cutout 20 is aligned
with the pockets B of the jersey A, and may be generally

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
-
obround, rink-shaped (i.e., with at least some rounded
corners), rectangular, etc. The cutout 20 is defined by a
peripheral edge 22 with a width W and a height H. The
height H (i.e., distance between the top edge portion and
5 the bottom edge portion of the peripheral edge 22) is
typically chosen as a function of the height of the pockets
B, while the width (i.e., distance between the lateral edge
portions of the peripheral edge 22) is selected as a
function of the width of all pockets B. It may be desired
that the top portion of the peripheral edge 22 slightly
cover a top edge of the pockets B. Alternatively, the top
portion of the peripheral edge 22 may be slightly above a
top edge of the pockets B. Similarly, a bottom edge of the
peripheral edge 22 may be slightly below a bottom of the
pockets B or slightly above same. According to an
embodiment, height H of the cutout 20 has a value generally
equal to or greater than a height of the jersey pockets B.
According to the same or another embodiment, width W of the
cutout 20 has a value generally equal to or greater than a
width of the jersey pockets B. By generally equal, it is
meant that the cutout 20 within a few inches of the
dimension of the pockets B.
In Fig. 2, a bottom strip 24 bounds a bottom of
the cutout 20, and forms part of the peripheral edge 22.
The bottom strip 24 may be an elastic. The elastic may be
sized so as to slightly resiliently deform when the outer
shell 10 is worn. Therefore, a bottom portion of the outer
shell 10 contours the upper buttocks/lower back portion of
the rider. Moreover, an elastic used as the bottom strip 24
may wrap around the bosses formed by the contents in the
pockets B. This enhances the tight fitting of the outer
shell 10 at the bottom of the torso of the wearer.
Accordingly, as seen in Fig. 1 and 2, an interior
of the pockets B is accessible despite the outer shell 10
being worn. As outer shells 10 are typically worn tight or
in close fitting relation with the torso, there is no loose
material that prevents access to the pockets B. Also, the

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
6 -
identifying bib D is visible despite the outer shell 10
being worn.
Referring to Fig. 3, the bottom strip 24 may
alternatively be a simple strip of material, as opposed to
an elastic. A border 30 may be sewn or adhered to the
peripheral edge 22, with the border being, for instance, an
elastic material. In both the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 3,
the bottom strip 24 may have an inner surface with a
gripping material such as a rubber or like sticky material
to ensure that the bottom edge of the outer shell 10 remains
in position below the pockets B. The gripping material may
be an additional strip of material adhered or sown to the
strip 24, or may be seams of rubbery filament, among other
possibilities.
Referring to Fig. 3, a removable cover is shown at
25. The removable cover 25 may be provided with the outer
shell 10 (for instance being sold together). The removable
cover 25 is used to close the cutout 20, in instances where
the pockets B should not be exposed. As an example, in
rainy or damp conditions, it may be desired to cover the
pockets B, and thus protect their contents from rain. In
order to be secured to the periphery of the cutout 20, the
cover 25 may be equipped with a peripheral fastener 26, for
cooperative engagement with a fastener shown as the border
30. According to an embodiment, the peripheral fastener 26
is a hook component of VelcroTM strip while the border 30 is
a strip of loop component of VelcroT"' strip, or vice-versa.
Moreover, the fastener may not need to be about the full
periphery. Other fastener systems comprise a zip
closure, etc.
The cover 25 may consist of the same material as
that of the torso portion 12 of the outer shell 10.
Alternatively, the cover 25 may be made from a transparent
material, to allow an identifying bib D to be visible
despite the cover 25 being secured to the outer shell 10.
It is pointed out that the cover 25 may be used on the

CA 02751611 2011-09-12
7 -
configuration of the outer shell 10 with the elastic bottom
strip 24.
Referring to Fig. 4, the back surface 14 of the
torso portion 12 features a see-through panel 40 to cover
the back pockets B of the jersey A. The see-through panel 40
is made of a transparent impermeable material, and is solely
present in the lower region of the torso portion 12, namely
opposite the back pockets B. A slit 42 is defined adjacent
to an upper edge of the see-through panel 40, and is
io positioned slightly above a top edge of the pockets B for
access to the pockets. The slit 42 may be defined in the
see-through panel 40, or in the material of a remainder of
the back surface 14. A width of the slit 42 is generally
equal to the width of the pockets B of the jersey A,
although the slit 42 may be slightly wider. Reinforcements
(i.e., additional material) are typically provided at the
opposed ends of the slits 42 to prevent tears. The slit 42
is typically surrounded by a border 44 for this reason.
Therefore, the presence of the see-through panel
40 in combination with the slit 42 allows the rider to
access the interior of the pockets B, while allowing
commissioners to see the identification bib D through the
see-through panel 40, as the see-through panel defines a
window opposite the identification bib D.
Referring to Fig. 5, a flap 50 is shown above the
slit 42. The flap 50 may be secured to the remainder of the
torso portion by a quick-release fastener such as VelcroTm
52. The flap 50 is to limit the amount of water entering
through the slit 42, for instance in case of rain.
The outer shell 10 may have any other appropriate
features commonly present in cycling outer shells, such as
reflective material, windbreaking flaps over the zip
fastener, waist elastic, branding, etc.

Representative Drawing