Chest protector in sports medicine

Abstract

A chest protector, in sports medicine, adapted for players of the athletic games, is light in weight and reasonably comfortable to wear. It will protect the heart and chest cavity area of players in such games as lacrosse, field hockey, and baseball. The chest protector includes a shirt, preferably of two-way stretch fabric, having a large front pocket across its chest area. A protector plate is positioned within the pocket. The protector plate is an assembly of molded layers, comprising inner-most and outer-most layers of plastic, preferably polyethylene sheets; a central layer of a high impact polymer pad, preferably a dry polyurethane gel; and two layers of high impact resistant fabric of high tensile strength fibers, preferably para-aramid fibers, with the polymer pad being sandwiched between the two layers of impact resistant fabric.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to athletic equipment and more particularly to a sports medicine chest protector to protect the chest cavity and heart of players in contact sports, particularly lacrosse. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] At the present time a number of chest protectors, to protect players during athletic games, are widely used. For example, padded chest protectors are used in baseball, for the catcher, and they are used in lacrosse, field hockey, and in ice hockey for the goal keeper. [0003] However, in many sports, chest protectors are not used because the players must run in order to play the game and they do not want to wear heavily padded garments. This is less of a problem in those sports using large or soft balls. In those sports, such as soccer and basketball, the force of the ball, because it is large, is less likely to cause any damage to the body. However, in some sports the ball or puck is small and hard and may be propelled a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The chest protector of the present invention is especially useful in some sports, such as lacrosse and baseball. However, it is sufficiently light and comfortable so that it may be worn to protect players, particularly children, in other sports including soccer, field hockey, softball and touch football.

Problems solved by technology

However, in many sports, chest protectors are not used because the players must run in order to play the game and they do not want to wear heavily padded garments.

However, in some sports the ball or puck is small and hard and may be propelled at high speed.

In the past few years a number of injuries and deaths have resulted when children were hit in the chest by a lacrosse ball.

This program is limited, due to the cost of such defibrillators and the strong possibility that when they are needed neither the defibrillator nor someone trained in its use would be available.

The victims are most often suffering from ventricular fibrillation, a fast heartbeat rhythm which is life threatening.

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