WO2005032289A2

WO2005032289A2 - Garment with ventilation assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005032289A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/028957
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Van Der Sleesen
Original assignee: Michael Van Der Sleesen
Priority date: 2003-09-03
Filing date: 2004-09-03
Publication date: 2005-04-14
Also published as: WO2005032289A3

Abstract

A garment includes a pocket having a first air permeable sheet spanning a void region in the garment, a second air permeable sheet coupled to the peripheral portions of the interior void region, a flexible air impervious cover sheet releasably coupled to the second air permeable sheet. A garment includes an upper air impervious panel, a lower air impervious panel, an air permeable vent panel disposed between and joined with the upper air impervious panel and the lower air impervious panel, and an air impervious underlay panel underlying the vent panel. The underlay panel includes a selectively operable closure assembly. A garment with full silhouette ventilation assembly includes an air permeable front panel, and an air impervious lining sheet underlies and spans the air permeable panel. The air impermeable lining sheet defines an opening, and a cover sheet, which has peripheral edges attached to peripheral portions of the opening by a selectively operable closure assembly.

Description

GARMENT WITH VENTILATION ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to ventilated garments, and, in particular, to a ventilating panel and pocket assembly for a garment, garment with subpanel ventilation assembly and garment with full silhouette ventilation assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When operating fast moving, relatively open vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, and some aircraft, the use of protective apparel is important. However, to be useful, protective apparel must be comfortable enough to wear. Many of the garments commonly used for such applications, such as leather suits and jackets, are unacceptably uncomfortable because they provide poor ventilation. Poor ventilation can be a serious problem during warm or moderate weather.

Wearing poorly ventilated protective apparel is uncomfortable on warm days because poor ventilation causes excessive heat buildup. As a result, the wearer may discard the apparel on warm days. Alternatively, the wearer may partially unfasten the front of the garment to provide some ventilation. However, wearing an unfastened garment can be hazardous when traveling at high speed. Air trapped by the opened garment causes billowing or ballooning of the garment and generates unstable forces on the wearer.

Ventilation systems for protective garments are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,715 issued to Miller et al. discloses a vented garment having a linear closure element, e.g., a zipper, provided on the garment, with an air permeable material extending in a rough "C" shape from the edges of the closure element. The vents are adjustably opened by an associated zipper. With the vents opened, the garment would distort in use, providing a poor fit to the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,451 issued to Brown discloses a garment with openings that are spanned by a stretchable mesh fabric. Variable closure elements adjustably cover the openings to permit selective control of the effective area of the opening, and thus selective control over the air flow through the opening. The Brown garment does provide effective ventilation; however, because of the stretchable nature of the mesh fabric, it provides a relatively poor fit to the wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,099 to Kratz discloses a ventilated protective garment having mesh vents at various locations on the garment, particularly at locations requiring little protection, such as the armpits and throat. Air scoops in the garment allow airflow into the mesh vents and through the garment. The Kratz garment does not, however, permit the wearer to selectively control the amount and location of ventilation.

One type of the prior art garment includes a ventilating assembly having mesh vents at various locations on the garment, particularly at locations requiring little protection, such as the armpits and throat. Air scoops in the garment allow airflow into the mesh vents and through the garment. The garment does not, however, permit the wearer to selectively control the amount and location of ventilation. The prior art ventilating assembly for the garment also is uncomfortable for the wearer, and is hard use for control of ventilation. The prior art garment with a ventilating assembly generally requires that a relatively large area of the garment to be cut to form a ventilation opening. The relatively large ventilation area defined in the garment may degrade aesthetic effect of the garment.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ventilating panel for a garment with an improved ventilation system. It is also an object of the invention to provide a ventilating panel for a garment that offers increased comfort and simplicity of design.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ventilating panel for a garment with an adjustable ventilation system that provides increased ventilation over the body of the wearer. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the appended drawings and description thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a ventilating panel and pocket assembly for a garment. According to one aspect of the present invention, the panel is preferably made of an air impervious sheet and includes an interior void region, which forms a venting opening allowing air to pass through the panel. The interior void region is defined by a border, which includes two opposing side portions, a top portion extending between first ends of the two opposing side portions, and a bottom portion extending between the second ends of the two opposing side portions. In a prefeπed embodiment, the interior void region has a substantially rectangular shape. The interior void region also can be defined with other shapes, for example, a trapezoidal shape.

A first at least partially air permeable sheet spans the interior void region. The peripheral edges of the air permeable sheet are attached to the side, top and bottom portions of the interior void region by stitches or by other means. The first air permeable sheet is made of an air permeable material, such as a mesh or otherwise perforated material, which admits air into and out of the garment.

A second at least partially air permeable sheet is attached to the panel, preferably along portions of the border of the first air permeable sheet, forming a pocket with the first at least partially air permeable sheet. The second air permeable sheet includes two opposing edges coupled to the two opposing side portions of the interior void region, and a bottom edge coupled to the bottom portion of the interior void region. The top edge of the first air permeable sheet and the top edge of the second air permeable sheet define an opening for the pocket formed by the two sheets. The second sheet can be entirely air permeable or partially air permeable, and also is made of a mesh or other air permeable materials.

In one prefeπed embodiment, the pocket is provided with peripheral panels. The peripheral panels include two side panels and one bottom panel. The two side panels are connected to the two opposing side edges of the second sheet and the two opposing side portions the interior void region. The bottom panel is connected to the bottom edge of the second sheet and the bottom portion of the interior void region. The first air permeable sheet, the second air permeable sheet, and the peripheral panels form the pocket, which has a height H. The height H can vary as desired. The peripheral panels are preferably air impermeable.

The panel also includes a flexible air impervious cover sheet disposable over the second air permeable sheet. The cover sheet includes a top edge fixedly coupled to the second air permeable sheet near the top edge thereof. The cover sheet also includes two opposing side edges and a bottom edge adapted for releasable coupling respectively to the side edges and the bottom edge of the second air permeable sheet by a closure assembly, when the cover sheet overlies the second air permeable sheet. The closure assembly is preferably a hook and loop fastener, or a zipper, such that the cover sheet may be selectively attached to or offset from the side edges or bottom edge of the second air permeable sheet to adjust the venting area of the venting opening, thus to regulate the air flow into and through the garment. The closure assembly is preferably water proofed.

The panel further includes a flap extending from the top portion of the border of the interior void region to a distal end. A fixation assembly is disposed on the distal end of the flap and the cover sheet at the back side, which faces the second air permeable sheet when the cover sheet overlies the second air permeable sheet. When the cover sheet is rolled up, to adjust the venting area of the venting opening, the cover sheet is attached to the flap by the fixation assembly. In one prefeπed embodiment, the fixation assembly includes a hook and loop fastener. In an alternative form, the fixation assembly uses a magnetic fastener, instead of a hook and loop fastener. Other fasteners may be used as well.

The aπangement of the panel and the pocket assembly combines a ventilation system with a storage pocket, thus providing the wearer with an increased comfort and convenience.

The panel and the pocket assembly with air venting system is preferably used in jacket as illustrate in the figures, but the panel described herein are also applicable to any type of garment, including, for example, pants, vests, leggings, chaps, gloves, and full-body suits.

The present invention also provides a garment with subpanel ventilation assembly. According to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the garment panel includes an upper air impervious panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, a lower air impervious panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, an air permeable vent panel having a top edge continuously joined with the bottom edge of the upper air impervious panel, and a bottom edge continuously joined with the top edge of the lower air impervious panel, and an air impervious underlay panel underlying and spanning the vent panel. The underlay panel includes peripheral edges affixed to the peripheral edges of the vent panel. The garment panel is preferably used as a back panel of a jacket, and the side edges of the garment panel are preferably joined to the upper portion of the sleeves and the front panel of the jacket.

The underlay panel further defines a slit extending along a vent axis. A selectively operable closure assembly extends along the slit for selectively opening or closing the slit. In one prefeπed embodiment, the closure assembly is a zipper with multiple zip heads. In one prefeπed form, the zipper includes one pair of oppositely directed, facing or non-facing zip heads. In an alternative form, the zipper includes two pairs of oppositely directed, facing or non-facing zip heads. A wearer can adjust the zip heads to control the amount and location of ventilation. In another prefeπed embodiment, the closure assembly is a hook and loop fastener. A wearer also can adjust the hook and loop fastener to control the amount and location of ventilation.

The present invention further provides a garment with full silhouette ventilation assembly. In a prefeπed embodiment, the silhouette ventilation assembly comprises an air permeable panel, and an air impervious lining sheet underlies and spans the air permeable panel. The air impermeable lining sheet includes peripheral edges, which is attached to peripheral edges of the air permeable panel, such that there is no stitches on the front panel other than the peripheral edges of the panel. The air impervious lining sheet defines an opening, and a cover sheet shaped to cover the opening. The cover sheet has peripheral edges attached to peripheral portions of the opening by a selectively operable closure assembly, which extends along the peripheral portions of the opening and the peripheral edges of the cover sheet. The cover sheet is preferably air impermeable. The entire air permeable panel preferably uses an air permeable material, such as perforated leather or mesh, so that there is no need to cut a relatively large ventilation opening in the panel. The air permeable panel is preferably a perforated leather, which is substantially non-stretchable. Most preferably, the air permeable panel is a unitary sheet of perforated leather, and no cuts or stitches on the panel, so that graphics, such as advertisement, can be painted on or attached to the panel at any locus on the panel as desired, and the panel can still provide ventilation to a wearer. The garment generally includes only outer panels and inner lining sheets, so that less material is used in the garment, and the weight of the garment is relatively small and the price is relatively cheap. In one prefeπed form, the selectively operable closure assembly is a zipper, which preferably includes multiple zip heads. In an alternative form, the closure assembly is a hook and loop fastener. The cover sheet may be fully or partially detachable from the air impermeable lining sheet when the closure assembly is fully or partially opened. The closure assembly is preferably water proofed. The panel with the improved air venting assembly can be used with any type of garment, including, for example, pants, vests, leggings, chaps, gloves, and full-body suits.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and the objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and in which:

FIG. 1-1 shows a front view of a jacket having ventilating panels and pocket assemblies according to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1-2 shows an exploded schematic view of a ventilating panel and pocket assembly according to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1-2 A shows a side exploded view of the ventilating panel and pocket assembly shown in FIG. 1-2;

FIG. 1-2B shows a side view of the ventilating panel and pocket assembly of FIG. 1- 2, with the exploded sheets attached together, forming a pocket; FIG. 1-3 shows a schematic view of a panel with a cover sheet partially rolled up to show a closure assembly according to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1-4 shows a schematic view of a panel with a cover sheet partially rolled up to show a closure assembly according to another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1-5 shows a schematic view of a panel with a cover sheet rolled up, showing a fixation assembly according to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1-6 shows a schematic view of a panel with a cover sheet rolled up, showing a fixation assembly according to another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 1-7 shows a schematic view of a panel with a cover sheet rolled up, showing a fixation assembly according to a further prefeπed embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2-1 shows a front schematic view of a garment panel with a ventilating assembly in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, wherein the panel is used as a back panel of a jacket;

FIG. 2-2 shows a rear schematic view of a garment panel having a ventilating assembly in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention,, with a closure assembly partially opened;

FIG. 2-3 A shows a rear schematic view of a garment panel having a ventilating assembly in accordance with another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, showing that the vent opening is completely closed; FIG. 2-3B shows a rear schematic view of a garment panel having a ventilating assembly in accordance with another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, showing that the vent opening is partially open; FIG. 2-3 C shows a rear schematic view of a panel having a ventilating assembly in accordance with another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, showing that the vent opening is fully open;

FIG. 2-4 shows a rear schematic view of a garment panel with a ventilating assembly having a pair of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads, in accordance with another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2-5 shows a rear schematic view of a panel with a ventilating assembly having two pairs of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads, in accordance with a further prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2-6 shows a rear schematic view of a panel with a ventilating assembly having three zip heads, in accordance with a further prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2-7 shows a rear schematic view of a panel with a ventilating assembly having a hook and loop fastener in accordance with a further prefeπed embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3-1 shows a front schematic view of a full silhouette ventilation assembly in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, wherein the full silhouette ventilation assembly is used as a front panel of a jacket;

FIG. 3-2 shows a rear perspective view of a full silhouette ventilation assembly in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.3-2A shows a rear perspective view of a full silhouette ventilation assembly in accordance with another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3-3 shows an opened up jacket designed in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1-1 shows a front view of a jacket 100, which is equipped with a central zipper 102, arms 104, and two front panels 106 which are fabricated in accordance with the present invention. According to one aspect of the present invention, each front panel 106 is preferably made of an air impervious sheet and includes an interior void region 108, which forms a venting opening, allowing air to pass through the panel 106. As shown in FIGS. 1- 2, 1-2A and 1-2B, the interior void region 108 is defined by a border, which includes two opposing side portions 112 and 114, a top portion 116 extending between first ends of the two opposing side portions 112 and 114, and a bottom portion 118 extending between the second ends of the two opposing side portions 112 and 114. FIG. 1-1 illustrates a prefeπed embodiment, in which the interior void region 108 has a rectangular shape. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the interior void region 108 can be of any shape, for example, trapezoidal shape, which provides the garment with a venting opening, as well as aesthetic appeal and simplicity of design. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, 1-2A, and 1-2B, a first at least partially air permeable sheet

120 spans the interior void region 108. The peripheral edges, including two side edges 122 and 124, a top edge 126, and a bottom edge 128, of the permeable sheet 120 are respectively attached to the side, top and bottom portions of the interior void region 108 by stitches or by other means. The first air permeable sheet 120 is preferably entirely air permeable, but also can be partially air permeable. The sheet 120 is made of an air permeable material, such as a mesh or otherwise perforated material, which admits air into and out of the garment.

A second at least partially air permeable sheet 130 is disposed over the first air permeable sheet 120, forming a pocket with the first air permeable sheet 120. In the embodiment shown in the figures, in which the interior void region 108 has a rectangular shape, the second at least partially air permeable sheet 130 includes two opposing edges 132 and 134 coupled to the two opposing side portions 112 and 114 of the interior void region 108, and a bottom edge 138 coupled to the bottom portion 118 of the interior void region 108. The top edge 126 of the first air permeable sheet 120 and the top portion 126 of the interior void region 108 define an opening for the pocket formed by the two air permeable sheets 120 and 130. The second air permeable sheet 130 can be entirely air permeable or partially air permeable, and is also made of a mesh or other air permeable materials. In another prefeπed embodiment, the two opposing side edges 132, 134 and the bottom edge 138 of the second air permeable sheet 130 are coupled to the two opposing side portions 112, 114 and the bottom portion 118 of the interior void region 108 by peripheral panels. The peripheral panels include two opposing side panels 135A, 135B and one bottom panel 135C. In one prefeπed form, the two opposing edges 132 and 134 of the second air permeable sheet 130 are connected to one side of the two side panels 135A and 135B, and the two opposing side portions 112 and 114 of the interior void region 108 are connected to the opposite side of the side panels 135A and 135B, and the bottom edge 138 of the second air permeable sheet 130 is connected to one side of the bottom panel 135C, and the bottom portion 118 of the interior portion 108 is connected to the other side of the bottom panel 135C, thereby the first air permeable sheet 120, the second air permeable sheet 130, and the peripheral panels 135 A, 135B and 135C form the pocket, which has a height H. The height El of the pocket may be zero (no peripheral panels) or any other values as desired. The peripheral panels 135A, 135B and 135C are preferably air impermeable. The panel 100 further includes a flexible air impervious cover sheet 140 disposable over the second air permeable sheet 130. The cover sheet 140 includes a top edge 146 fixedly coupled to the second air permeable sheet 130 near the top edge 136 thereof. The cover sheet 140 also includes two opposing side edges 142 and 144, and a bottom edge 148 adapted for releasable coupling respectively to the side edges 132, 134 and the bottom edge 138 of the second air permeable sheet 130 when the cover sheet 140 overlies the second air permeable sheet 130.

A closure assembly 150 extends along the side edges 142 and 144, and the bottom edge 148 of the air impervious cover sheet 140, and along the side edges 132 and 134, and the bottom edge 138 of the second air permeable sheet 130, for attaching the side and bottom edges of the cover sheet 140 to the side and bottom edges of the second air permeable sheet 130. The closure assembly is preferably a hook and loop fastener as denoted by 150A in FIG. 1 -3 , or a zipper as denoted by 150B in FIG. 1 -4, such that the side edges' 142, 144 and the bottom edge 148 of the cover sheet 140 may be selectively attached to or offset from the side edges 132 and 134 or the bottom edge 138 of the second air permeable sheet 130. When the bottom edge 148 and lower part of the two side edges 142 and 144 of the cover sheet 140 are detached from the bottom edge 138 and side edges 132 and 134 of the second air permeable sheet 130 (e.g., the lower portion of the closure assembly 150 is released), the lower portion of the cover sheet 140 may be rolled up to expose part of the venting opening. By adjusting the closure assembly 150 and the cover sheet 140, a wearer can adjust the venting area of the venting opening and to regulate the airflow into and through the garment. The closure assembly 150 is preferably water proofed, so that when the closure assembly 150 is closed, the garment is water proofed.

The panel 100 further includes a flap 160 extending from the top portion 116 of the border of the interior void region 108 to a distal end. A fixation assembly 162 is disposed on the distal end of the flap 160 and the cover sheet 140. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, and 1-7, when the cover sheet 140 is rolled up to adjust the exposing area of the venting opening, the cover sheet 140 is attached and secured to the flap 160 by the fixation assembly 162. In one prefeπed embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1-5, the fixation assembly 162 includes a hook and loop fastener. The hook and loop fastener is mounted on the cover sheet 140 at the back side, which faces the second permeable sheet 130 when the cover sheet 140 overlies the second permeable sheet 130. In an alternative form, the fixation assembly 162 uses a magnetic fastener, as shown in FIG. 1-6, instead of a hook and loop fastener.

In one prefeπed form, the hook and loop fastener or the magnetic fastener of the fixation assembly 162 includes a pair of hook and loop tabs or magnetic tabs, one tab attached to the flap 160, and the other tab attached to the back side of the cover sheet 140 near the top edge of the cover sheet 140, so that when the cover sheet 140 is rolled up to fully expose the venting opening, the cover sheet 140 can be attached to the flap 160 by the fixation assembly 162. In another prefeπed form, as shown in FIG. 1-7, the fixation assembly 162 may includes an aπay of hook and loop tabs or magnetic tabs attached the back side of the cover sheet 140, such that when the cover sheet 140 is partially rolled up, the cover sheet 140 also can be attached to the flap 160 by attaching one tab in the aπay to the tab on the flap 160. By this prefeπed embodiment, the exposing area of the venting opening can be adjusted by rolling up the cover sheet 140 and selectively coupling one hook and loop tab or magnetic tap on the cover sheet 140 to the associated tab on the flap 160.

The panel with air venting system is used in jacket as illustrated in the figures, but the panel described herein are applicable to any type of garment, including, for example, pants, vests, leggings, chaps, gloves, and full-body suits. FIG. 2-1 shows a front view of a panel 212 designed with a ventilating assembly in accordance with the present invention, which is used as a back panel of a jacket. According to one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the panel 212 includes an upper air impervious panel 214, a lower air impervious panel 216, an air permeable vent panel 218 positioned between the upper air impervious panel 214 and the lower air impervious panel 216 and joining the two air impervious panels 214 and 216 together, and an air impervious underlay panel 220 underlying and spanning the vent panel 218.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the upper air impervious panel 214 includes two opposing edges, a top edge 222 and a bottom edge 224. The lower air impervious panel 216 also includes two opposing edges, a top edge 226 and a bottom edge 228. The air permeable vent panel 218 extends along a vent axis X, and also includes a top edge 230 and a bottom edge 232 on either side of the vent axis X. The top edge 230 of the vent panel 218 is continuously joined with the bottom edge 224 of the upper panel 214 by stitches or by other suitable means. The bottom edge 232 of the vent panel 218 is continuously j oined to the top edge 226 of the lower panel 216. The vent panel 218 is made of an air permeable material, such as a mesh or otherwise perforated material, which admits air into and out of the garment. The side edges of the panels may either coupled to the upper portion of the sleeves or the front panel of the jacket 210.

FIG. 2-2 shows the rear view of the panel 212. As shown in FIG. 2-2, the air impervious underlay panel 220 underlies and spans the air permeable vent panel 218. The underlay panel 220 also includes a top edge 234 and bottom edge 236 respectively affixed to the top edge 230 and bottom edge 232 of the vent panel. The underlay panel 220 further defines a slit 240 extending along the vent axis X. A selectively operable closure assembly 242 extends along the slit 240 for selectively opening or closing the slit 240. In one prefeπed embodiment, the closure assembly 242 is a zipper with multiple zip heads, for example, four zip heads as shown in FIG. 2-2, two zip heads as shown in FIG. 2- 4, and three zip heads as shown in FIG. 2-6. The zipper can be adjusted to open some part of the slit to admit air in or out of the panel. For instance, when the zip heads 252 are positioned as shown in FIG. 2-2, portions as denoted by A of the slit 240 are open and the vent panel 218 exposes, forming vent openings, and portions as denoted by B are closed by the zipper. Thus, a wearer can adjust the zip heads to control the amount and location of ventilation.

FIGS. 2-3 A, 2-3B, and 2-3C show another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention with a pair of oppositely directed, facing zip heads 252. FIG. 2-3 A shows that the two zip heads 252 are positioned at one end of the zipper 242, and the slit 240 is fully closed by the zipper 242. At this time, no ventilation is allowed. FIG. 2-3B shows that the slit 240 is partially opened by the zipper 242, forming a relative small vent opening A. FIG. 2-3 C shows that the two zip heads 252 are positioned at two ends of the zipper. At this time, the slit 240 is fully opened, forming a relatively large vent opening A. The zipper 242 may include multiple zip heads 252 directed in the same directions, or in opposite directions. FIG. 2-2 shows a prefeπed embodiment, in which the zipper 242 includes two pairs of oppositely directed, facing zip heads 252. FIG. 2-4 shows another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, in which the zipper 242 includes a pair of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads 252. FIG. 2-5 shows another prefeπed embodiment, in which the zipper 242 includes two pairs of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads 252. FIG. 2-6 shows yet another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, in which the zipper 242 includes odd number zip heads, for example, three zip heads.

FIG. 2-7 shows another prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, in which the closure assembly 242 is a hook and loop fastener. A wearer also can adjust the hook and loop fastener 242 to control the amount and location of ventilation.

The panel with improved air venting assembly described herein is not only able to be used as a back panel of a jacket as illustrated in the figures, but also applicable to any type of garment, including, for example, front panel of a jacket, pants, vests, leggings, chaps, gloves, and full-body suits. FIG. 3-1 illustrates a jacket 300 having two air permeable front panels 302 in accordance with one prefeπed embodiment of the present invention. Each of the air permeable front panels 302 are preferably made of a unitary sheet of perforated leather, which is substantially non-stretchable, and no cuts or stitches on the panel, so that graphics, such as advertisement, can be painted on or attached to the panel at any locus on the panel as desired, and the panel can still provide ventilation to a wearer. FIG. 3-2 illustrates a perspective rear view of the air permeable front panel 302. An air impermeable lining sheet 304 underlies and spans the inner surface of the air permeable panel 302. The air impermeable lining sheet 304 includes peripheral edges, which are attached to peripheral edges of the air permeable panel 302. The air impermeable lining sheet 304 defines a vent opening 308, preferably in an upper portion or in a central area of the air impermeable lining sheet 304. An air impermeable cover sheet 310, which is shaped to fully cover the vent opening 308, is attached to peripheral portions of the vent opening 308 by a selectively operable closure assembly 312. The air impermeable cover sheet 310 may be made of the same material as the air impermeable lining sheet 304. The closure assembly 312 extends along the peripheral edges of the air impermeable cover sheet 310 and the peripheral portions of the opening 308. The closure assembly 312 is preferably a zipper or a hook and loop fastener. As shown in FIG. 3-2, when the closure assembly 312 is opened, the cover sheet 310 can be rolled up, and a portion of the air permeable panel 302 is exposed through the vent opening 308, thereby allowing air to pass through the front panel 302. A wearer can adjust the closure assembly 312 and selectively roll up the cover sheet 310 to control the amount of ventilation.

In one prefeπed embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3-2A, the vent opening 308 and the cover sheet 310 are trapezoidal-shaped. A bottom edge of the air impermeable cover sheet 310 is affixed to a bottom portion of the vent opening 308, and two side edges of the air impermeable cover sheet 310 are attached to two side portions of the opening 308 by the selectively operable closure assembly 312, wherein the selectively operable closure assembly 312 includes two zippers respectively extend along the two side edges of the air impermeable cover sheet 310 and the two side portions of the opening 308. In one prefeπed embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 3 -2 A, a sheet, preferably a mesh sheet 314 is affixed to the air impermeable lining sheet 304 near the bottom edge of the vent opening 308, forming a pocket with the air impermeable lining sheet 304, with an opening defined by an upper edge of the mesh sheet 314 and the air impermeable lining sheet 304. The cover sheet 310 can be rolled up and put into the pocket formed by the mesh sheet 314 and the lining sheet 304. In FIG. 3-3, the jacket 300 is opened up to view the inside of the jacket. As seen in the figure, the jacket 300 employs two front panels as illustrated in FIGS. 3-2 and 3-2A. The air permeable front panels 302 preferably use perforated material or mesh, most prefeπed, perforated leather, so that there is no need to cut a relatively large ventilation opening in the front panel. The jacket generally includes only outer panels and inner lining sheets, so that the weight of the jacket is relatively small and the price is relatively cheap, because less material is used in the jacket. In an alternative embodiment, a mesh sheet is disposed between the front panel and the inner lining sheet of the front panel.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ventilating panel for a garment comprising:

A. a panel made of an air impervious sheet, said panel having an interior void region defined by a border having two opposing side portions, a top portion extending between first ends of said side portions and a bottom portion extending between second ends of said side portions;

B. a first at least partially air permeable sheet extending from and spanning said interior void region;

C. a second at least partially air permeable sheet having opposing side edges and a bottom edge, coupled respectively to said side and bottom portions of said border, and having a top edge opposite said bottom edge, said first and second sheets forming a pocket having an open end defined by said top portion of said border and said top edge of said second sheet;

D. a flexible air impervious cover sheet disposable over said second air permeable sheet, and having a top edge fixedly coupled to said second air permeable sheet near said top edge thereof, and having two opposing side edges and a bottom edge adapted for releasable coupling respectively to said side edges and said bottom edge of said second air permeable sheet when said flexible air permeable cover sheet overlies said second air permeable sheet.

2. A ventilating panel according to claim 1, further comprising:

E. a closure assembly extending along said side edges and said bottom edge of said air impervious cover sheet and along said side edges and said bottom edge of said second air permeable sheet, whereby said air impervious cover sheet may selectively be offset from said edges of said second air permeable sheet.

3. A ventilating panel according to claim 2 further comprising:

F. a flap extending from said top portion of said border of said interior void region to a distal end; G. a fixation assembly disposed on said distal end of said flap and on said cover sheet, whereby, when said cover sheet is rolled up, said fixation assembly may selectively be enabled to releasably join said flap to said rolled cover sheet.

4. A ventilating panel according to claim 2 wherein said closure assembly is a zipper.

5. A ventilating panel according to claim 2 wherein said closure assembly is a hook and loop fastener.

6. A ventilating assembly according to claim 3 wherein said fixation assembly is a magnetic fastener.

7. A ventilating assembly according to claim 3 wherein said fixation assembly is a hook and loop fastener.

8. A ventilation assembly according to claim 1, wherein said opposing side edges and said bottom edge of said second at least partially air permeable sheet are coupled respectively to said opposing side portions and bottom portion of said border by two side panels and a bottom panel.

9. A ventilation assembly according to claim 2, wherein the closure assembly is water proofed.

10. A garment panel comprising: A. an upper air impervious panel having two opposing side edges, a top edge extending between first ends of said side edges, and a bottom edge extending between second ends of said side edges; B. a lower air impervious panel having two opposing side edges, a top edge extending between first ends of said side edges, and a bottom edge extending between second ends of said side edges; C. an air permeable vent panel extending along a vent axis, and having a top edge and a bottom edge opposite thereto on either side of said vent axis, said top edge of said vent panel being continuously joined with said bottom edge of said upper panel, and said bottom edge of said vent panel being continuously joined with said top edge of said lower panel; D. an air impervious underlay panel underlying and spanning said vent panel, and having peripheral edges affixed to said vent panel, and wherein said underlay panel includes a slit extending in the general direction of said vent axis, said slit having a selectively operable closure assembly extending therealong.

11. A garment panel according to claim 10, wherein said closure assembly is a hook and loop fastener.

12. A garment panel according to claim 10, wherein said closure assembly is a zipper.

13. A garment panel according to claim 12, wherein said zipper includes multiple zip heads.

14. A garment panel according to claim 13, wherein said zipper includes a pair of oppositely directed , facing zip heads.

15. A garment panel according to claim 13, wherein said zipper includes a pair of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads.

16. A garment panel according to claim 13, wherein said zipper includes two pairs of oppositely directed, facing zip heads.

17. A garment panel according to claim 13, wherein said zipper includes two pairs of oppositely directed, non-facing zip heads.

18. A garment panel comprising: A. an air permeable panel having peripheral edges; B. an air impervious lining sheet underlying and spanning said air permeable panel and having peripheral edges attached to the peripheral edges of said air permeable panel, and wherein said air impervious lining sheet defines an opening, and wherein said garment panel further includes an air impermeable cover sheet shaped to cover said opening, said cover sheet having peripheral edges attached to peripheral portions of said opening by a selectively operable closure assembly, which extends along the peripheral portions of the opening and the peripheral edges of the cover sheet.

19. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said selectively operable closure assembly is a hook and loop fastener.

20. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said selectively operable closure assembly is a zipper.

21. A garment panel according to claim 20, wherein said zipper comprises multiple zip heads.

22. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said selectively operable closure assembly is water proofed.

23. A garment panel according to claim 18 further comprising a sheet having two opposing edges and a bottom edges affixed to the air impervious lining sheet near a bottom edge of said opening, wherein said sheet and said air impervious lining sheet form a pocket with an opening defined by an upper edge of said sheet and the air impervious lining sheet.

24. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said air permeable panel is substantially non-stretchable.

25. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said air permeable panel is a unitary sheet.

26. A garment panel according to claim 18, wherein said air permeable panel is a sheet of perforated leather.

27. A garment comprising a front panel made according to claim 18.