DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to an impact protection garment, more particularly to the impact protection garment used as a protective rider gear.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A bike rider, for example, a motorcycle rider and/or a motor-trike rider and/or a quad rider and/or a scooter rider and/or a moped rider, is exposed to considerably higher risk in road traffic as compared to other automobiles. This is because of the different driving physics and the constantly unstable state of balance, as well as the particular physical and psychological stress when riding a motor bike and the limited field of view. At the same time, motor-bike riders are considerably exposed to weather factors and sensitive to disturbance factors e.g., poor road conditions or unexpected traffic conditions. Further, there is no impact dampening frame provided in the case of two-wheeled vehicles which can prevent the rider from getting seriously injured during a road accident neither is the frame of a two wheeled vehicle designed for absorbing crash energy since the rider is typically thrown off the vehicle in the event of an accident. Motor-bike riders are unprotected road users during collisions or crashes due to the lack of passive safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b exemplarily illustrates an impact protection garment comprising an upper body impact protection garment, a lower body impact protection garment and one or more protection pocket, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates the sectional view of pouches provided in pockets of the impact protection garment. The pouches provided inside the pockets consists of water and corn starch, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter
[0006] Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b and Fig.3c exemplarily illustrates formation of a non-Newtonian fluid in the pouches, whenever there is an impact due to collision or crash, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 4a exemplarily illustrates a pocket with fastening means which is detachably attached to the impact protection garment, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 4b exemplarily illustrates the pouch being provided in a rubber bag with fastening means for attaching the pocket with the pouch to the garment, according to another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 4c exemplarily illustrates another embodiment with only one fastening means, provided to store the water and corn starch pouches in the pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00010] The use of protective gear is one of the most important aspects to ensure safety of a rider during personal vehicle operation. The use of such gear when riding motorcycles greatly reduces the risk of serious injury or death. While the use of protective headgear such as helmets is widespread, there is a paucity of effective gear for the protection of a rider's body and torso area. Many accidents involve physical contact of the upper and lower body area, whether from collision with standing objects or the skidding resulting in the rider being thrown off a vehicle. Also, many accidents involving motor vehicles are a result of unavoidable collisions when the rider either encounters an unexpected obstacle or loses control of the vehicle in some manner. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which suitable anti-impact protection can be provided for body of riders.
[00011] During an event of motorcycle crashing, impact of injuries due to the accident can be significantly reduced if the rider is wearing a safety gear. However, such gear may not completely dampen the load applied to body during a fall or crash. Conventional motorcycle riders and/or bike riders use an air-filled safety jacket to reduce the impact of serious injuries. The safety jacket has shock-absorbing air bag that can mitigate the impact when a driver of a motorcycle or a bicycle or a passenger falls onto the ground in the event of an accident while driving. However, the airbags connected to the safety jacket frequently burst when high pressure gas is fully charged into the airbag in the event of an accident. Instead of saving the rider from the impact of an accident, the bursting of airbag during accidents may add to the injuries suffered by the rider. Further, sometimes in a safety jacket, airbag and gas cartridge provided in the jacket are connected by a hose, the hose may twist in the process of wearing the vest. Since accidents occur in exceptional circumstances, the user wears a safety vest, while the hose is placed inside the vest and is not visible to the user, leaving the hose twisted as it is. If a twist of the hose occurs, the compressed gas cannot be transmitted to the airbag properly in the event of an accident, and the shock absorbing function cannot be exhibited.
[00012] Further, in the existing system, the rider’s jacket may not be flexible enough due to the usage of thick clothing or plastic material over it. It is especially problematic when the rider wants to bend while performing daily activities. Further, these jackets are bulkier and bring down the overall aesthetic appeal of the safety jacket.
[00013] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved safety garment that can overcome the above-mentioned problems and other problems of known art.
[00014] The present invention discloses a rider jacket which uses the combination of water and corn starch in a riding jacket. The mixture of corn-starch becomes a non-Newtonian fluid which is used to dampen the impact of collision and prevents serious injuries that may occur to the rider.
[00015] Most common fluids, such as water and oil, are Newtonian. Their viscosity remains constant no matter how fast they are forced to flow through a pipe or channel. So, the only factor affecting their viscosity is temperature. But the viscosity of some fluids is affected by factors other than temperature. These fluids are termed as the non-Newtonian fluids. The viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid will change due to agitation or pressure, technically known as shear stress. A shear stress will not affect the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid.
[00016] Non-Newtonian fluids are polymers. A polymer is composed of long chains of repeated units known as monomers that are strung together to yield giant macromolecules. The most common synthetic polymers are plastic, rubber, and fabrics, such as polyester and spandexTM. Natural polymers include DNA, proteins, and starch.
[00017] Non-Newtonian fluids respond in the opposite way to a shear stress. If a shear stress is applied, they become more viscous. These fluids are termed shear-thickening. A mixture of corn starch and water is an excellent example of a shear-thickening fluid. When squeezed it appears to solidify. One can run across the surface of a swimming pool filled with a mixture of corn starch and water. When a stress is applied slowly to a shear-thickening fluid, the polymer chains have time to move out of the way and rearrange themselves, thus the viscosity is not affected. But if a quick stress is applied, the polymer chains do not have time to rearrange and they become entangled, assuming a solid-like consistency as the viscosity greatly increases. This property of mixture of corn starch and water is applied in the present invention.
[00018] The present invention discloses an impact protection garment comprising an upper body impact protection garment, a lower body impact protection garment and one or more protection pocket. The upper body impact protection garment comprises of a pair of sleeves, a front panel, a back panel and one or more protection pocket provided on localized areas and detachably attached to the impact protection garment. The front panel may or may not be divided into two parts secured through fastening means. Further, a lower body impact protection garment comprises of a pair of trouser legs, a fastening means and one or more protection pocket provided at a predetermined localized area and detachably attached to the impact protection garment. The protection pocket provided on localized area and detachably attached to impact protection garment comprises of plurality of pouches which holds a combination of corn starch and water wherein combination of corn starch and water creates the Non-Newtonian fluid. The impact protection garment comprises of plurality of pockets being configured to cover critical body parts.
[00019] The pouches provided inside the pockets consists of water and corn starch. Whenever, there is an impact due to collision or crash, the water will ingress in the corn starch portion and create the non-Newtonian fluid. The pouches are packed in extremely thin membrane material made of natural rubber so that when force is applied on the pockets, water can easily ingress into the corn start pouch to create the non-Newtonian fluid. The plurality of pockets being configured to cover critical body parts covering upper body part and lower body part. The dimensions of the pockets provided over the critical parts of the body is also disclosed in the present invention. In an embodiment, the pockets provided over rib area of human body of dimension being 10-20 cm in length and 10-20 cm in breadth. Further, the pockets provided over shoulder area of human body being of dimension 5-20 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth. Further, the pockets provided over back area of human body being of dimension 10-50 cm in length and 10-50 cm in breadth. The pockets provided over hip area of human body being of dimension 10-50 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth and the pocket provided over legs area of human body being of dimension 10-20 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth.
[00020] Further, the pockets have plurality of pouches consisting of corn starch and water in 7:1 ratio in separate pouches, for example, 7 parts of corn starch are mixed with 1 part of water. Further, the length or breath of pouches may vary according to the requirements, however the thickness will remain consistent. The thickness of the water region can be 0.10-0.50 mm and thickness of the corn starch region is 1 - 10 mm. The water region is configured on both sides of the corn starch region which together is disposed in the pouch.
[00021] The material used for manufacturing the impact protection garment may be at least one of nylon, rayon, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material. The material required during manufacturing of the outer layer of the pocket is made of at least one of nylon, rayon, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material and inner layer comprises of water and corn starch pouch whereas per an embodiment, the pouches are integrally combined together with the outer layer.
[00022] The impact protection garment comprises of one or more protection pocket provided on localized area and secured through a fastening means where the pocket is detachably attached to the impact protection garment. Here, the fastening means could be buttons, hooks, zippers, toggles, velcro. These can be applied if the manufacturer wants to provide temporary fastening means. However, to provide permanent fastening means, the manufacturer can stitch the pockets on the impact protection garment.
[00023] The protection pockets may be used separately and can be provided as pads to prevent the injury in high intensity activities.
[00024] One aspect of the present invention is to provide the protection pockets on the critical parts of the body such as ribs, shoulders, back, ankles, elbows, joints etc., as impact dampening cushions to reduce the impact of collision or crash. Apart from providing a thick clothing in the impact protection garment, the dampening cushions will reinforce extra protection of critical body parts.
[00025] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a material which is light weight and not bulky for the rider to feel uncomfortable while wearing it.
[00026] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide the protection pockets on the localized areas of the body so that in case the rider wants to bend and do normal routine activities, he may do so when he temporarily gets down from the vehicle. When the rider bends, in conventional rider jackets cloth material being thick, slight resistance will be perceived owing to the material being resistant to bending. However, in the present invention, the protection pockets are provided on localized areas which eases the bending because the clothing material will deform easily to provide comfortable bending experience to the rider.
[00027] Another aspect of the present invention is to improve the impact load bearing capacity as compared to the conventional riding jackets thereby increasing the durability of the jacket.
[00028] Another aspect of the present invention is that the impact protection garment is cost effective as it uses water and corn starch which is readily available and is inexpensive.
[00029] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b exemplarily illustrates a front and a rear view of an impact protection garment (100, 102) comprising an upper body impact protection garment (100), a lower body impact protection garment (102) and one or more protection pocket (101). The upper body impact protection garment (100, 102) comprises of a pair of sleeves (107), a front panel (109), a back panel (110) and one or more protection pocket (101) provided on localized areas and detachable attached to the impact protection garment (100,102). The front panel (109) may or may not be divided into two parts secured through fastening means (111). Further, a lower body impact protection garment (102) comprises of a pair of trouser legs (108), a fastening means (111) to secure pair of trousers legs together and one or more protection pocket (101) provided on localized area and detachably attached to the impact protection garment (100,102). The protection pocket (101) provided on localized area and detachably attached to impact protection garment (100,102) comprises of plurality of pouches (101) which further comprises of corn starch and water wherein combination of corn starch and water creates the Non-Newtonian fluid held inside the pouches. The impact protection garment (100,102) comprises of plurality of pockets (101) being configured to cover critical body parts.
[00030] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates local sectional view of the pouches (103,104) provided in the pockets (101) of impact protection garment (100,102). The pouches provided inside the pockets consists of water and corn starch where corn starch is sandwiched between water on either sides. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more pouch (101) may be provided on one of an inside and an outside region of the impact protection garment (100, 102).
[00031] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b exemplarily illustrate that whenever there is an impact due to collision or crash, the water will ingress in the corn starch portion and create the non-Newtonian fluid thereat. The pouches (103, 104) are packed in extremely thin membrane material made of natural rubber so that when force is applied on the pockets (101), water form water pouch (104 can easily ingress into the corn start pouch (103) to create the non-Newtonian fluid. In an embodiment, the pouches (103,104) can be made of an extremely thin permeable membrane material, which is capable of releasing liquid stored only when the pressure is applied. In an embodiment, the pouches (103,104) can be made of thin nonpermeable membranes, which are capable of bursting and releasing fluid stored within, upon application of a sudden pressure. Fig. 3c exemplarily illustrates that upon exertion of force on the pocket (101), the water from water pouch (104) will ingress in corn starch pouch (103) and creates the non-Newtonian fluid which will dampen the impact of the force applied on the pocket (101) and hence save the critical parts of the rider’s body from getting seriously injured.
[00032] The plurality of pockets (101) being configured to cover critical body parts covering upper body part and lower body part. The dimensions of the pockets (101) are also provided. In an embodiment, the pockets (101) provided over rib area of human body is of dimension is 10-20 cm in length and 10-20 cm in breadth. Further, the pockets (101) provided over shoulder area of human body is of dimension 5-20 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth. Further, the pockets (101) provided over back area of human body is of dimension 10-50 cm in length and 10-50 cm in breadth. The pockets (101) provided over hip area of human body is of dimension 10-50 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth and the pocket (101) provided over legs area is of human body of dimension 10-20 cm in length and 5-20 cm in breadth.
[00033] The pockets (101) having plurality of pouches (103,104) consisting of corn starch and water in 7:1 ratio in separate pouches, where 7 parts of corn starch are mixed with 1 part of water. Further, the length or breath of pouches (103,104) may vary according to the requirements, however the thickness will remain consistent. The thickness of the water pouch (104) is 0.10-0.50 mm and thickness of the corn starch pouch (103) is 1-10 mm. The water pouch (104) is provided on both sides of the corn starch pouch (103).
[00034] The material used for manufacturing the impact protection garment (100,102) may be at least one of nylon, rayon, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material. The material required during manufacturing of the outer layer (112) of the pocket (101) is made of at least one of nylon, rayon, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material and inner layer (113) includes water (104) in direct contact with inner layer (113) and corn starch pouch (103) sandwiched between the water on either side. As per alternate embodiments, the pouches (101) are either attached together or integrally formed with the outer layer (112).
[00035] The impact protection garment (100,102) comprises of one or more protection pocket (101) provided on localized area is secured through a fastening means (105) where the pocket (101) is detachably attached to the impact protection garment (100,102). Here, the fastening (105) means could be buttons, hooks, zippers, toggles, velcro. These are temporary fastening means. However, to provide permanent fastening means, the manufacturer may stitch the pockets on the impact protection garment (100,102). The pockets (101) may be provided on the inner surface or outer surface of the garment (100, 102).
[00036] The protection pockets (101) may be used separately and can be provided as pads as a protection of critical body parts to prevent the injury in high intensity activities. For e.g., the protection pockets may be used as elbow and knee pads to prevent the injury on joints during some activity.
[00037] Fig. 4a exemplarily illustrates a pocket (101) with fastening means (105) which is detachable attached to impact protection garment (100, 102). In an embodiment, there are two fastening means (105) provided wherein the corn starch pouch (103) and water pouch (104), kept in one and the other fastening means (105), is required to attach the pocket to the garment (100,102). Further, Fig. 4b exemplarily illustrates another embodiment wherein the corn starch pouches (103) and water pouches (104) may be provided in a rubber bag and fastening means (105) by which it attaches the pocket to the garment (100,102). Further, Fig. 4c exemplarily illustrates yet another embodiment with only one fastening means (105) which is provided to keep the water pouches (104) and corn starch pouches (103) together and which is directly fastened to the garment (100,102).
[00038] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:
100- upper body impact protection garment
101- protection pocket
102- lower body impact protection garment
103- corn starch pouch
104- water pouch
105- fastening means provided on the protection pocket
106- non-Newtonian fluid
107- sleeves
108- trouser leg
109-front panel
110-back panel
111-fastening means
112-outer layer of protection pocket
113-inner layer of protection pocket
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An impact protection garment (100,102) to protect human body from injuries comprising:
an upper body impact protection garment (100);
a lower body impact protection garment (102); and
one or more protection pocket (101) provided on localized area, said protection pocket (101) being detachably attached to said impact protection garment (100,102);
wherein,
said one or more protection pocket (101) being configured to cover critical body parts, said one or more protection pocket (101) includes plurality of pouches (103’,104’),
said plurality of pouches (103’,104’) comprises of one or more corn starch pouch (103’) and one or more water pouch (104’) wherein said corn starch pouch (103’) and said water pouch (104’) combine to form a non-Newtonian fluid.
2. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said upper body impact protection garment (100) comprises of a pair of sleeves (107), a front panel (109), a back panel (110), and said one or more protection pocket (101) provided at localized area covering critical human body parts.
3. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said lower body impact protection garment (102) comprises of a pair of trouser legs (108), and said one or more protection pocket (101) being provided at localized area and being detachably attached to said impact protection garment (100,102).
4. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said critical body parts include an upper body part and a lower body part, said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a rib area of said human body and being in a range of dimension from 10cm to 20 cm in length and in range of 10cm to 20 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a shoulder area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 5cm to 20 cm in length and 5cm to 20 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a back area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 50 cm in length and range of 10 cm to 50 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a hip area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 50 cm in length and from 5cm to 20 cm in breadth; and said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a leg area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 20 cm in length and from 5cm to 20 cm in breadth.
5. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more corn starch pouch (103’) and said one or more water pouch (104’) being provided in a volumetric ratio of 7:1 where 7 parts of corn starch being capable of mixing with 1 part of water through permeation process.
6. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thickness of said one or more water pouch (104’) being in range from 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm and a thickness of said one or more corn starch pouch (103) being in range from 1 mm to 10 mm.
7. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said impact protection garment being made from one or more of a nylon material, a rayon material, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material.
8. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more protection pocket (101) being provided at a one or more predetermined localized area, said protection pocket (101) being detachably secured to said garment (100, 102) through a fastening means (105).
9. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more protection pocket (101) being detachably attached to one of an inside and an outside region of said impact protection garment (100,102).
10. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer layer (112) of said pocket (101) being made from one or more of a nylon material, rayon material, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material; and an inner layer (113) being configured for holding said one or more water pouch (104’) and said one or more corn starch pouch (103’).
11. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pouches (103, 104) are combined together with said outer layer (112).
12. An impact protection garment (100,102) including a one or more protection pocket (10), said protection pocket (101) being provided at a predetermined localized area on said impact protection garment (100,102), said predetermined area being configured to cover critical body parts of a human body for preventing injuries, said protection pocket (101) including:
plurality of pouches (103’,104’), each pouch (103’, 104’) of said plurality of pouches (103’, 104’) comprising of á one or more corn starch pouch (103’) capable of holding corn starch (103) and a one or more water pouch (104’) capable of holding water (104), further wherein a combination mixing of said corn starch and water through permeation, creates a non-Newtonian fluid capable of absorbing impact loads.
13. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said critical body parts being an upper body part and lower body part of a human body, said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a rib area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10 cm to 20 cm in length, and 10cm to 20 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a shoulder area of said human body and being in range of dimension 5 cm to 20 cm in length and from 5cm to -20 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a back area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 50 cm in length and range of 10cm to 50 cm in breadth; said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a hip area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 50 cm in length and range of 5cm to -20 cm in breadth; and said one or more pocket (101) being provided over a leg area of said human body and being in range of dimension from 10cm to 20 cm in length and range of 5cm to 20 cm in breadth.
14. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said said one or more corn starch pouch (103’) and said one or more water pouch (104’) being in a volumetric ratio of 7:1 where 7 parts of corn starch being capable of mixing with 1 part of water through permeation process.
15. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein thickness of said one or more water pouch (104) ‘being in range from 0.10 mm to -0.50 mm and a thickness of said one or more corn starch pouch (103’) being in a range from 1 mm to 10 mm.
16. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said one or more protection pocket (101) being secured through a fastening means (105) and said pocket (101) being detachably attached to said impact protection garment (100,102).
17. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein an outer layer (112) of said pocket (101) being made from one or more of a nylon material, rayon material, vinyl material, polyester, rubber or any artificial textile material, and inner layer (113) being configured for holding said one or more water pouch (104’) and said one or more corn starch pouch (103’).
18. The impact protection garment (100,102) as claimed in claim 17, wherein said pouches (103,104) are combined together with said outer layer (112).