A garment includes a first plurality of panels including a rigid material and a second plurality of panels including a stretch fabric material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first plurality of panels are selectively positioned so as to correspond in location to desired anatomical regions of a wearer of the garment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second plurality of panels are selectively positioned to facilitate independent movement of each of the first plurality of panels relative to one another.

Garments having gripping mechanisms integrated therein, gripping mechanisms, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In one example, the garment is a motorcycle vest or motorcycle jacket that includes one or more handgrip pockets integrated therein. In another example, the garment is a motorcycle vest or motorcycle jacket that includes one or more handgrip loops integrated therein. In yet another example, the garment is a motorcycle vest or motorcycle jacket that includes a harness and one or more handgrips integrated therein. In one example, each of the handgrips includes a baseplate, a collapsible handle, and a padded grip.

A neck protection device (10) includes a ring (14) that is configured to extend around a wearer's neck and that includes a plurality of elements (12) each defining a passage (16). A tether (18) extends along the passages (16) and a tension device (38) is configured to grip the tether (18) releasably and hold it under tension. The elements (12) are free to move relative to one another, when the tether (18) is not under tension, so that the ring (14) is flexile and can be fitted around the neck, but the elements (12) are drawn into abutting relationship to form a stiff ring (14), when the tether (18) is under tension.

A motorcycle safety harness with shock absorbers and cushions channels shock waves caused by a motorcycle accident away from the vital organs of a motorcycle rider to the shoulders and thighs to reduce severe injuries to the rider and save lives.

A rider's apparel assembly for indicating turns includes a jacket that is configured to position over a torso and arms of a user. A power module and a plurality of first lights are coupled to the jacket. The first lights are positioned on and distributed between sleeves of the jacket. Each of a pair of controllers is positioned below an end of a respective sleeve proximate to a respective hand of the user. The controller is coupled to the power module and the first lights that are positioned on the respective sleeve. The controller is positioned to selectively couple the first lights to the power module to indicate the user's intent to execute a turn corresponding to the respective sleeve. A second light is reversibly couplable to the jacket and is operationally couplable to the power module. The second light is configured to render the user visible to others.

A rider's apparel assembly for indicating turns includes a jacket that is configured to position over a torso and arms of a user. A power module and a plurality of first lights are coupled to the jacket. The first lights are positioned on and distributed between sleeves of the jacket. Each of a pair of controllers is positioned below an end of a respective sleeve proximate to a respective hand of the user. The controller is coupled to the power module and the first lights that are positioned on the respective sleeve. The controller is positioned to selectively couple the first lights to the power module to indicate the user's intent to execute a turn corresponding to the respective sleeve. A second light is reversibly couplable to the jacket and is operationally couplable to the power module. The second light is configured to render the user visible to others.

A garment for cycling, having indicating lights associated with sleeves of the garment; first and second accelerometers provided on respective sleeves; and a controller configured to receive data from the accelerometers and determine from the date whether a wearer of the garment has raised an arm to indicate a maneuver. The controller is further configured to illuminate the appropriate indicating light depending on which arm has been raised, and to compare the data from the first and second accelerometers to filter out movements common to both the first and second accelerometers and determine when the sleeves are being moved independently of one another in a manner to indicate a turn.

A base layer of a garment includes a waist section, an upper leg section, and a lower leg section. The waist section is positioned to correspond with and receive a waist and crotch region of a wearer. The waist section includes a base portion, a mesh portion, a compressive portion, and a durable portion. The upper leg section is positioned to correspond with and receive a thigh and knee region of the wearer. The upper leg section includes the base portion and the mesh portion. The lower leg section is positioned to correspond with and receive a shin and calf region of the wearer. The lower leg section includes the base portion and the compressive portion.

A garment comprising an inflatable protective device. The inflatable protective device includes at least one inflatable bag, an inflator unit designed for inflating the at least one inflatable bag, sensors designed for monitoring the user's body for detecting shocks or unexpected movements, and a control unit designed for processing the data provided by the sensors and for activating the inflator unit if, on the basis of the data received by the sensors, a danger situation is identified. The control unit includes storing means containing at least two different setup parameter sets and/or firmwares of the control unit for controlling the activation of the inflator unit. The control unit is further provided with selecting means for selecting one of the said at least two different setup parameter sets and/or firmwares. Also a method for adjusting the operational modes of the inflatable protective device of the garment.

A heated apparel system comprises: a garment, a printed circuit board (PCB), a heating element, a first power source, and a second power source. The PCB is coupled to one or both of the first and second power sources and comprises a first resistor coupled to a first junction; a second resistor coupled to said first junction and a second junction; a negatively doped bipolar junction transistor (BJT), having a base terminal, an emitter terminal, and a collector terminal, said base terminal coupled to said first junction and said emitter terminal coupled to said second junction; an integrated circuit coupled to said collector terminal of said BJT and said second junction; and an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), having a source terminal and a drain terminal, with the source terminal coupled to the integrated circuit and the drain terminal coupled to the heating element.