Athletic unitard to position and secure protective equipment

Abstract

A one piece, athletic garment designed to secure in position various types of protective padding used in contact sports without restricting movement or flexibility.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION[0001]This Patent Application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 776,413 filed Feb. 24, 2006 and which Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated in its entirety, by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention is generally in the field of athletic equipment. More specifically, it is characterized as an athletic undergarment, and precisely, it is an athletic undergarment designed to help position and secure protective equipment so as to maximize the protective function of the equipment and simultaneously minimize restrictions on the movement or flexibility of the athlete. It is designed to enhance the both the safety and comfort of the athlete and to improve the overall appearance of the athlete in full uniform.BACKGROUND[0003]Contact sports have become increasingly popular in most age / ability-level groups from young, grammar school students to professional athletic teams. The increased participation has led t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]It is an purpose or goal of the invention to enhance the protective function of certain athletic equipment by securing such equipment in proper position by means of an athletic unitard worn under the uniform of an athlete and to minimize restriction of movement resulting from wearing the protective equipment. It is a further purpose or goal of the invention to limit the displacement or movement of the protective padding during competition to maximize the protective function of the equipment. It is a still further purpose and goal of the invention to improve the fit of uniform pants and jerseys thereby improving overall appearance, minimizing loose material that can be grasped by an opponent, and reducing the general discomfort and distraction of ill-fitting uniforms, and in one best mode the unitard includes padding incorporated into the garment, such as modified shoulder pars, knee, hip, and thigh pads.

Problems solved by technology

In the case of the pocket inserts, commonly the padding rotates away from the optimum position on the leg as the athlete moves, thereby reducing protection, or the padding is secured by tape over the uniform pants that may restrict the athlete.

The “slip-on” pads may move; an additional criticism is that if tight enough to be held in place, movement is too restricted.

Rib protection is not common to all positions and frequently is provided by a separate “jacket” that is bulky and restricts movement excessively in many instances.

Such pads are markedly more restrictive than lighter pads designed for positions in which flexibility is critical, and intense, violent contact on the tops of the shoulders is less common, such as kickers or the a quarter back.

As note, to some degree restricted movement is a problem for all protective equipment, and the weight and positioning of the padding restrict movement.

Without the jersey to hold it down in its protective position, the leaf or shell “flops” on its hinge, reducing protection to the athlete, potentially restricting movement, distracting the athlete and others, and even to some extent representing a potential danger to other athletes contacting the unprotected shell.

Examples suggest that restriction of movement resulting from padding and other protective device placement and distribution would be a serious problem or otherwise have limited, specific applicability.

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