Pitcher's mini-jacket

Abstract

Disclosed is a quick-donning mini-jacket with matching left and right segments, either one of which may independently be used to cover and/or protect a baseball pitcher's throwing arm. Upon insertion of the pitcher's arm into either segment, the wearer may experience a snug, comfortable fit of the garment about the perimeter of the wearer's shoulder and arm, by virtue of an inner elastic band. Should the inner elastic band be insufficient for a close and comfortable fit, an adjustment strap is provided, typically of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. By adjusting tightness of the strap, the tensile force about the shoulder joint may be increased a comfortable amount. In this manner, a pitcher's arm can be kept warm, relaxed, and relatively free from muscle tightening or tension that might result from a just-completed pitching session.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective mini-jacket for sheltering the throwing arm of a baseball pitcher, said mini-jacket comprising matching left- and right-armed segments, each adapted for encompassing the arm and shoulder of a wearer, and each segment further having a wrist opening and a shoulder opening;
 wherein each of said segments comprises a flexible, multi-layered material and each said segment further comprising   (a) an expandable, form-fitting portion about the perimeter of said wrist cuff, for securing the cuff around the wrist of the wearer;   (b) a tensioned, expandable portion of material within, the circumference of the shoulder joint proximate said shoulder opening for the purpose of holding the segment around the shoulder of the wearer; and   (c) an elongate strap having one end mounted and coupled to a peripheral edge of said segment, about the periphery of said shoulder opening, and a second end, being a free end portion, having a means for attaching said free end portion to the mounted portion of said strap, for the purpose of increasing the holding tension of said strap about the shoulder of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . A protective mini-jacket as in  claim 1 , wherein said means for attaching the free end portion of said strap to the mounted end of said strap comprises a hook-and-loop fastener with-the free end portion further comprising the felt component and the mounted end of said strap comprising the hook component. 
     
     
         3 . A protective mini-jacket as in  claim 1 , wherein said means for attaching the free end portion of said strap to the mounted end of said strap comprises a frame-and-prong belt buckle mechanism, in which the free end of said strap comprises symmetrically-spaced holes and the mounted end of said strap comprises a frame-and-prong belt buckle.