Contoured chap-style cycling apron

Claim 2

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator, said article comprising a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; said article further including a crotch portion, a partial seatengaging portion adapted to overlay the vehicle seat and to be sat upon by the rider when in use, a separate flexible flap member unitarily and fixedly connected thereto in said crotch portion and seat area, said flap member embodying means for connecting said chap-style apron via said flap member in a positive manner to said vehicle; and said article being of a size and shape adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s legs and lap when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 3

An article as defined in claim 1 for use with vehicles having removably attached seat means and a generally seat-hidden frame member having a reenforced aperture therein to be applied over said free end of the frame member and beneath said seat to facilitate positive but selectively detachable connection and retention of the article to the vehicle.

Claim 4

An article as defined in claim 1 wherein said flap-embodied means for connecting said apron article to said vehicle includes tie or belt means in association therewith for fastening to a portion of said vehicle.

Claim 5

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcyles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. a flexible central panel member having a medial portion adapted to overlay said vehicle seat, and including oppositely elongated portions serving as opposite inner leg-covering portions; c. apron-attaching means for securing removable attachment of said apron article to said vehicle, including hook means on an under, seat-engaging surface, said hook means disposed in a generally opposed manner generally at opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member, and adaptable for engagement beneath lateraLly disposed portions of said vehicle seat; d. said apron-attaching means further including flexible strap means attached to said under, seat-engaging surface generally adjacent said hook means, said strap means adapted to selectively interconnect beneath said seat the opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member; and e. said article being of a size and shape adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s legs and lap when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 6

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcyles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. a flexible central panel member having a medial portion adapted to overlay said vehicle seat, and including oppositely elongated portions serving as opposite inner leg-covering portions; c. apron-attaching means for securing removable attachment of said apron article to said vehicle, including hook means on an under, seat-engaging surface, said hook means disposed in a generally opposed manner generally at opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member, and adaptable for engagement beneath lateraLly disposed portions of said vehicle seat; d. said apron-attaching means further including flexible strap means attached to said under, seat-engaging surface generally adjacent said hook means, said strap means adapted to selectively interconnect beneath said seat the opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member; and e. said article being of a size and shape adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s legs and lap when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 7

An article as defined in claim 4 wherein said flexible central panel member in its medial portion including at least one resiliently expandable and contractable area between said opposed hook means.

Claim 8

An article as defined in claim 4, wherein said flexible strap means of paragraph (d) include two strap assemblies, one (37) being as said connected generally adjacent said hook means, and the other strap assembly (39) spaced apart therefrom to traverse a lower part of said vehicle and connectable with opposite lower portions of said inner leg-covering portions thereof.

Claim 9

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. said article including florescent means on at least certain portions of said apron article to better illuminate said article during night use.

Claim 10

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. said article including florescent means on at least certain portions of said apron article to better illuminate said article during night use.

Claim 11

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. said article including at least some light reflector means on each outer leg covering portion.

Claim 12

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. said article including at least some light reflector means on each outer leg covering portion.

Claim 13

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantiAl part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. wherein said apron is fabricated to include an outer surface of durable abrasion-resistant material having weatherproof and wind-proof characteristics.

Claim 14

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantiAl part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. wherein said apron is fabricated to include an outer surface of durable abrasion-resistant material having weatherproof and wind-proof characteristics.

Claim 15

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said apron including two pair of essentially identical but opposite hand panel elements generally symetrically secured together about a longitudinal center line by plural joinder seam means, one pair being a central pair of elements having a joinder seam constituting said centerline and collectively in part forming said lap-covering portion, said other pair connected to said first pair by joinder seams equally spaced from said centerline and so as to form at least part of said knee-contoured portions and also said outer leg-covering areas; c. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; and d. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 16

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said apron including two pair of essentially identical but opposite hand panel elements generally symetrically secured together about a longitudinal center line by plural joinder seam means, one pair being a central pair of elements having a joinder seam constituting said centerline and collectively in part forming said lap-covering portion, said other pair connected to said first pair by joinder seams equally spaced from said centerline and so as to form at least part of said knee-contoured portions and also said outer leg-covering areas; c. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; and d. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 17

An article as defined in claim 10, also including a further flexible component serving both as a vehicle seat overlaying member and also as partial crotch and opposite inner leg-covering flap-portions, said further flexible component being integrally connected to said previously described panel elements at least partially forwardly adjacent and substantially coextensive with said outer leg-covering areas.

Claim 18

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. further including a crotch portion, and a partial seat-engaging portion adapted to overlay the vehicle seat and to be sat upon by the rider when using said apparel article.

Claim 19

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator and handlebar and steering means spaced from said seat by tank and/or frame means, said article comprising a. a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; b. said article being of a shape and size which excludes covering any substantial part of said vehicle between said seat and said handle bar and steering means when said article is in operative protective use associated with the vehicle operator; c. said article being sized and shaped so as to be adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s lap, thighs, knees, and a substantial major part of the lower legs when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle; and d. further including a crotch portion, and a partial seat-engaging portion adapted to overlay the vehicle seat and to be sat upon by the rider when using said apparel article.

Claim 20

An article as defined in cliam 12, wherein said partial seat-engaging portion also includes a pair of inner leg protective flap portions unitarily formed therewith and substantially coextensive with said outer leg-covering areas.

Claim 21

An article as defined in cliam 12, wherein said partial seat-engaging portion also includes a pair of inner leg protective flap portions unitarily formed therewith and substantially coextensive with said outer leg-covering areas.

Claim 22

An article as defined in claim 13, wherein said outer leg covering portions and inner leg protective flap portions include cooperative quick-attachable and detachable fastener means to facilitate both initial quick attachment and quick detachment of said outer and inner leg portions to and from one another around the operator''s legs, said quick detachment being responsive to removal pressure exertable by the operator''s legs against said fastener means.

Claim 23

An article as defined in claim 14, wherein said quick attachment and detachment fastener means are of Velcro-type patches of a limited extent near peripheral margin areas of said inner and outer leg flap portions.

Claim 24

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator, said article comprising a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; said apron integrally also including a flexible central under panel member having a medial portion adapted to serve as a vehicle-seat-overlaying member, and further having oppositely elongated portions depending on opposite sides a substantial distance and serving as opposite inner leg-covering portions connected with said outer leg-covering portions; and means for attaching said apron article to said vehicle including hook means on an under surface constituting a seat-engaging surface of said flexible central under panel member; said hook means including hook members disposed in a generally opposed manner generally at opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member and adaptable for engagement beneath laterally disposed portions of said vehicle seat; and said article being of a shape and size adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s legs and lap when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.

Claim 25

A protective article of apparel for use by riders of and in association with wheeled and other type of mechanized vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like having a seat for the operator, said article comprising a generally chap-style apron of flexible material including a medial lap-covering portion interconnecting a pair of generally knee-contoured, and knee-and-outer leg-covering portions; said apron integrally also including a flexible central under panel member having a medial portion adapted to serve as a vehicle-seat-overlaying member, and further having oppositely elongated portions depending on opposite sides a substantial distance and serving as opposite inner leg-covering portions connected with said outer leg-covering portions; and means for attaching said apron article to said vehicle including hook means on an under surface constituting a seat-engaging surface of said flexible central under panel member; said hook means including hook members disposed in a generally opposed manner generally at opposite sides of said medial portion of said flexible central panel member and adaptable for engagement beneath laterally disposed portions of said vehicle seat; and said article being of a shape and size adaptable to overlay and essentially protectively enclose the user''s legs and lap when the user is in a generally normal seated position upon the vehicle.