Protective sports equipment with layered segmented padding

Abstract

A protective device for providing impact protection to a wearer is provided. The protective device has protective elements connected together by flexible connecting means and a padding element covering the flexible connecting means. This configuration increases the level of impact protection and allows flexibility of movement by providing padding in the areas related by the connecting means, while minimizing the overall size of the device. It can be used by a variety of users, including those who play contact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, etc.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of protective apparel, and more particularly to protective equipment for providing impact protection to wearers playing contact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Players of contact sports have a need for padded protective equipment such as shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, gloves, chest protectors, and the like. The primary protection provided by such equipment is generally provided by protective molded foam panels, which are usually banded to the wearer's body to provide protection to specific areas of the body. The foam can be formed by methods such as molding or die-cutting and can be made from several materials with various densities, such as sponge foam, hard foam, open-cell foam, or closed-cell foam. These molded, rigid panels are usually connected by intervening elastic material to allow the wearer to flex and stretch as needed without being restricted by the rigid protective padding. The intervening elastic material allows the wearer to move and change body position while reducing slippage in the padding during such movement.

[0003] However, unlike molded rigid foam panels, the intervening elastic material typically does not provide sufficient protection from impact. Protective foam padding is typically not used in the intervening areas of these devices because the foam, when used in these intervening areas, tends to be inelastic and therefore can restrict movement. Thus, there are gaps in protection, leaving the areas of the wearer's body beneath the intervening elastic material vulnerable to impact.

[0004] Therefore, despite the progress that has been made to date in the development of protective equipment for contact sports, there is room for improvement to address the above-referenced problems and shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (Summary of the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new protective device for providing impact protection to wearers playing contact sports.

[0007] Thus, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a protective device comprising a padding element configured to at least partially cover a flexible connecting means, which connects a first protective element to a second protective element.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a protective device comprising: (a) a first protective element connected to a second protective element by a flexible connecting means, the first protective element having a first position and a second position relative to the second protective element, the flexible connecting means allowing the first protective element to reversibly move from the first position to the second position; and (b) a padding element configured to at least partially cover the flexible connecting means when the first protective element is in the first position or the second position.

[0009] Therefore, the inventors have developed a protective device that provides protection in areas of the wearer's body that were previously more vulnerable to impact when conventional protective devices were worn. The protective device provides protection from impact to areas where conventional protective devices are joined by reducing gaps in the protection, allowing flexibility of movement and minimizing padding volume. The protective device has application in various contact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, etc.

[0010] To the inventor's knowledge, no protective device has been previously known that has such a combination of features.

[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals describe like parts.

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1(A) is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the protective device, illustrating a front view of the protective device in a rest state (first position), and Figure 1(B) is a schematic diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1(A), illustrating a front view of the protective device in an extended (second) position.

[0014] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the protective device when used to complement the protective portion of a shin guard, illustrating (A) a front view of the inner layer of the shin guard, (B) a further view of the shin guard with the top layer removed, and Figure 2(C) illustrates a cross-section of the protective device looking in the direction of the arrows along line 2C-2C' in Figure 2(A).

[0015] [Figure 3A]Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the protective device when used to complement the protective portion of a shoulder pad, showing (A) a front view, (B) a cross-section of the protective device taken in the direction of the arrow along line 3B-3B' in Figure 3(A), and (C) a side view thereof. [Figure 3B] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the protective device when used to complement the protective portion of a shoulder pad, showing (A) a front view, (B) a cross-section of the protective device taken in the direction of the arrow along line 3B-3B' in Figure 3(A), and (C) a side view thereof. [Figure 3C] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the protective device when used to complement the protective portion of a shoulder pad, showing (A) a front view, (B) a cross-section of the protective device taken in the direction of the arrow along line 3B-3B' in Figure 3(A), and (C) a side view thereof.

[0016] [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an abdominal pad embodying the present protective device, showing (A) a front view and a cross-sectional view along line A-A', and (B) a further front view in an extended (second) position. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an abdominal pad embodying the present protective device, showing (A) a front view and a cross-sectional view along line A-A', and (B) a further front view in an extended (second) position. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an abdominal pad embodying the present protective device, showing (A) a front view and a cross-sectional view along line A-A', and (B) a further front view in an extended (second) position.

[0017] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of hockey pants embodying the present invention, showing (A) a side view, (B) a further view in a stretched position, and (C) a cross-sectional view along line C-C'. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention relates to a protective device comprising a padding element configured to at least partially cover a flexible connecting means, which connects a first protective element to a second protective element.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a protective device comprising: (a) a first protective element connected to a second protective element by a flexible connecting means, the first protective element having a first position and a second position relative to the second protective element, the flexible connecting means allowing the first protective element to move reversibly from the first position to the second position; and (b) a pad element configured to at least partially cover the flexible connecting means when the first protective element is used in the first position or the second position.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following exemplary information, which should not be used to limit or construe the present invention.

[0021] The protective equipment may be worn to reduce the likelihood of injury to the wearer's body from external forces, preferably from objects or other people, during contact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, etc. The protective equipment may be configured to protect specific areas of the wearer's body and may take the form of, but is not limited to, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, gloves, chest protectors, etc.

[0022] 1 is a front view of a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present protective device 100. Protective device 100 comprises a first protective element 105 connected to a second protective element 110 by a flexible connecting means 120. In this embodiment, both first protective element 105 and second protective element 110 are also connected to a third protective element 115 by a flexible connecting means 120. In some embodiments, the first protective element is connected only to the second protective element, while in other embodiments, the first protective element is connected to three, four, five or more protective elements by one or more flexible connecting means.

[0023] The protective elements 105, 110, 115 are typically rigid and can comprise any suitable material, including but not limited to shaped foam, which can be made from several materials having various densities, including sponge foam, low or high density polypropylene foam, hard foam, open cell foam, or closed cell foam.

[0024] The protective elements 105, 110, 115 may be contained within any suitable fabric, including, but not limited to, moisture-wicking fabric, and stretchy or compressible materials such as fabrics, optionally including spandex fibers or Lycra® (not shown). The protective devices 105, 110, 115 may also be contained within a single housing having an outer cover (not shown), which may be made of nylon, GORE-TEX®, or similar non-moisture-wicking, water-resistant, waterproof, protective material, which may be natural or synthetic.

[0025] The flexible connecting means 120 may comprise any suitable flexible material, including, but not limited to, a stretchable fabric.

[0026] The flexible connecting means allows for movement and changes in body position of the wearer without being constrained by a rigid protective element. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the first protective element 105 has a first position relative to the second protective element 110 (as depicted in FIG. 1A) and a second position relative to the second protective element 110 (as depicted in FIG. 1B), whereby the flexible connecting means 120 allows the first protective element 105 to reversibly move back and forth from the first position to the second position. As further depicted in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the first protective element 105 has a first position relative to the third protective element 115 (as depicted in FIG. 1A) and a second position relative to the third protective element 115 (as depicted in FIG. 1B), whereby the flexible connecting means 120 allows the first protective element 105 to reversibly move back and forth from the first position to the second position.

[0027] 1(B), when the first protective element 105 is in the second position, there may be a gap in protection for the wearer if there is no further protection under the flexible connecting means 120. The protective device further comprises a padding element (not shown in FIG. 1, see part 225 in FIG. 2, 325 in FIG. 3B) configured to at least partially cover the flexible connecting means 120, whereby when the first protective element 105 moves from the first position to the second position, the padding element operates to supplement protection for the wearer by providing padding in areas of the protective device not covered by the protective devices 105, 110, and 115.

[0028] In some embodiments, the padding elements 225, 325 are oriented along the direction of extension of the flexible connecting means and are secured at one end to the interior surface of the protective device (i.e., on the side of the protective device adjacent to the wearer's body). In other embodiments, the padding elements may be secured to the exterior surface of the protective device. In yet other embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 2(C), the padding elements 225, 325 may be connected to both the exterior and interior surfaces of the protective device, with stitching 250 applied perpendicular to the direction of extension of the flexible connecting means 120, 220 connecting the padding elements 225 to both the exterior and interior surfaces. The padding elements may be secured within the protective device by stitching, adhesive, or some other means known in the art. Preferably, the padding elements 225 are secured at only one end, so that the remainder of the padding elements 225 float in place relative to the flexible connecting means 120 (not shown in FIG. 1, but see part 220 in FIG. 2 and part 320 in FIG. 3B).

[0029] The padding element can comprise any suitable material, including, but not limited to, foam. For example, in some embodiments, the padding element comprises radiation cross-linked polyethylene (IXPE) foam, sponge foam, or the like. In some embodiments, the padding element comprises IXPE foam layered on top of sponge foam (not shown). Various thicknesses can be used for the padding element, depending on the body part and surface area desired to be covered. The thickness is preferably between about 0.5 mm and 15 mm, and more preferably about 5-10 mm. The padding element may further comprise vents to promote circulation.

[0030] 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present protective device 200. In this embodiment, the protective device is a shin guard. However, as noted above, the protective device can be configured to protect any number of specific areas of the wearer's body.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2(A), the protective device comprises a first protective element 205 connected to a second protective element 210 by a flexible connecting means 220. As shown in Figure 2(B), the protective device 200 further comprises a padding element 225 on the inner surface (i.e., on the side of the protective element closer to the wearer's body), which is located below the flexible connecting means 220. In other embodiments, the padding element may be secured to the outer surface or to both the inner and outer surfaces by being sewn.

[0032] The flexible connecting means 220 may be made of an elastic material. Alternatively, it may be made of a non-elastomeric accordion-pleated material. Those skilled in the art will recognize the material or construction options for the flexible connecting means 220 to achieve the required flexibility.

[0033] This embodiment of the protective device is further illustrated in Figure 2(C), which is a cross-section of protective device section 200 taken along line 2C-2C' in Figure 2(A) and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Referring to Figure 2(C), padding element 225 covers the entire flexible connecting means 220. In yet another embodiment, padding element 225 covers only a partial area of ​​flexible connecting means 220.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, only the first end 225a of the padding element 225 is secured to the protective device, while the second end 225b of the padding element 225 remains free. This allows the padding element 225 to float in place relative to the flexible connecting means 220, so that the padding element 225 remains below the flexible connecting means 220 when the first protective element 205 is reversibly moved from a first position to a second position relative to the second protective element 210. In this manner, protective coverage is provided to the wearer even when the flexible connecting means 220 is stretched.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2(C), in some embodiments, the protective device further comprises a liner 230 (see 330 in Figure 3(B)) disposed between the wearer's body and the padding element 225. The liner is useful for providing an intervening layer between the padding element 225 and the user's body when the first protective element 205 moves from the first position to the second position relative to the second protective element 210 and back. The liner may be made from a variety of materials, including polyester, Lycra®, cotton, or other similar materials.

[0036] 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present protective device, in this embodiment the protective device is an elbow pad 300.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the protective device includes a first protective element 305 connected to a second protective element 310 by a flexible connecting means 320. As shown in FIG. 3(B), which shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B', the elbow pad 300 further includes a padding element 325 located internally on the inner surface of the elbow pad 300, which is secured to the protective device only at a first end (not shown), while a second end 325b of the padding element 325 remains unsecured. As a result, the padding element 325 floats in place relative to the flexible connecting means 320. In this embodiment, the padding element 325 may have a layered structure, e.g., IXPE layered on a sponge foam. In FIG. 3(D), a side view of the protective device is shown, illustrating how the first protective element 305, second protective element 310, and flexible connecting means 320 are arranged in the completed elbow pad 300.

[0038] 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present protective device. In this embodiment, the protective device is an abdominal pad 400 that can be attached to the end of a belt used with hockey pants.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(A), the protective device includes first protective elements 405, each connected to a second protective element 410 by a flexible connecting means 420. FIG. 4(A) shows the abdominal pad 400 in its first position, not in its "rest" or stretched configuration. FIG. 4(B) shows the abdominal pad 400 in its stretched configuration (second position), with the first protective elements 405 subjected to forces pulling them in opposite directions relative to each other, causing the flexible connecting means 420 to stretch. FIG. 4(C) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 4C-4C'. Although not visible in the figure, beneath the flexible connecting means 420, the pad elements may float in space or may be fixed at one end and the other end free and floating. In either embodiment, the padding element provides protection to the wearer underneath the flexible connecting means 420, providing additional protection in areas that were previously vulnerable to impact due to the thin elastic material being stretched over the body surface during active wear. The internally located padding element may not be secured at one end; rather, the padding element may be loosely positioned underneath the flexible connecting means 420 and will still remain in place due to the limited features of the internal layer.

[0040] 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the protective device, in this embodiment, the protective device is a hockey pant 500 with protection for both the waist and buttocks.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the protective device includes a first protective element 505 and a second protective element 510 connected by a flexible connecting means 520. FIG. 5(C) shows a cross-sectional view along line 5C-5C'. FIG. 5(A) shows the pants 500 in a "rest state," i.e., a first position, rather than a stretched configuration. FIG. 5(B) shows the pants 500 in a stretched configuration (second position) when worn by a user, with the first protective element 505 displaced away from the second protective element 510 by the presence of the wearer's buttocks when the pants 500 are worn. As shown in FIG. 5(B), wearing the pants 500 over the buttocks causes stretching of the intervening flexible connecting means 520. Although not visible in this view, beneath the flexible connecting means 520, the padding element may float in space or may be fixed at one end and the other end may be free and floating. In either embodiment, the padding element provides protection to the wearer beneath the flexible connecting means 520, providing additional protection to the buttocks, which may previously be more vulnerable to impact due to the thin elastic material being stretched over the buttocks during active wear.

[0042] Protective devices having joined areas may also be constructed utilizing the teachings of the present invention. For example, knee pads, goalkeeper pads, and hockey gloves may also be formed using padding elements to protect areas having flexible connection means. The invented protective structures are versatile and can be easily adopted in many types of garments that provide impact protection.

[0043] Thus, what is provided is a configuration for providing internal padding under stretch areas in protective garments used for sports, where the internal padding may be free-floating under the stretched area or may be fixed at one end so that the internal padding moves with the wearer but continues to cover the body parts located under the stretched area. Such a configuration is beneficial because it represents an improvement to the protective garment by providing additional padding that is unobtrusive and can move with the wearer as needed during active play or wear.

[0044] The present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, and the description is not intended to be construed in a perfunctory sense. Thus, modifications of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this description.

Claims

1. 1. A wearable article of protective equipment for protecting a body part of a user, the wearable article comprising: a. a first protective element for shielding the user from impact; b. a second protective element for shielding the user from impacts; c. a flexible connecting means joining said first protective element and said second protective element, said flexible connecting means comprising: d. the first protective element has a first position and a second position relative to the second protective element, the flexible connecting means allowing the first protective element to reversibly move from the first position to the second position; e. Pad elements; Equipped with The wearable article, wherein the padding element is configured to at least partially overlap the flexible connecting means in the first position and the second position, thereby shielding the user from further impact.

2. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article further comprises an interior lining that faces the body of the user when the wearable article is being worn.

3. The wearable article of claim 2 , wherein the padding element is positioned between the protective element and the inner liner.

4. 10. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the padding element completely overlaps the flexible connecting means in the first position and the second position.

5. 3. The wearable article of claim 2, further comprising an outer cover positioned opposite the inner lining, whereby the protective element, the flexible connecting means, and the padding element are disposed between the outer cover and the inner cover.

6. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the flexible connecting means is constructed from an elastomeric material or a pleated material.

7. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the padded element is between 0.5 and 15 mm thick.

8. The wearable article of claim 7, wherein the padded element is 5 to 10 mm thick.

9. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a shin guard.

10. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a shoulder pad.

11. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is an elbow pad.

12. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is hockey pants.

13. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a glove.

14. The wearable article of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a goalkeeper pad.

Images