Articulated Protective Apparatus Hinge Puncture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional protective apparatuses, such as shin guards, often fail to effectively resist puncture forces and provide a comfortable fit due to the use of foam-like materials and rigid shells that do not adapt to individual wearers' shapes.
Innovation Solution
A protective apparatus featuring a two-part impact shell with moveable hinges and an impact attenuating structure that serves as both a hinge and puncture prevention element, with channels on its posterior surface to guide articulation, allowing the shell to conform to the wearer's shape and distribute impact forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid shell is used to resist puncture forces, then puncture resistance is improved, but adaptability to various wearers is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid shell is divided into two separate shell portions that can move relative to each other, allowing the shell to adapt to different wearer shapes while maintaining puncture resistance through the rigid material properties of each portion
Solution Approach 2:
An impact attenuating structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the two shell portions, serving as a hinge that allows articulation while the rigid shell portions maintain puncture resistance
2Adaptability or versatility
If foam-like material is used for protection, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but puncture resistance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective apparatus is segmented into a rigid shell portion for puncture resistance and a separate impact attenuating structure for comfort and adaptation, with each portion performing its specialized function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines rigid shell material for puncture resistance with impact attenuating material for comfort, creating a composite protective apparatus that achieves both puncture resistance and adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two-part hinged shell is used to adapt to wearers, then adaptability is improved, but structural strength at the hinge junction is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The impact attenuating structure is positioned beforehand at the hinge junction to cushion and absorb forces that would otherwise weaken the connection between shell portions, preventing force concentration at the articulation point
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The articulated protective apparatus effectively reduces impact perception by distributing force and preventing punctures, while adapting to various wearer sizes through its flexible design, providing both energy absorption and puncture resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an impact attenuating structure that functions to attenuate an impact force
Implementation Method 2
one or more channels on a posterior surface of the impact attenuating structure to aid in guiding the articulation of the impact attenuating structure
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective apparatus that is comprised of an impact shell and an impact attenuating structure. The impact shell includes two discrete portions that are moveably hinged to one another to conform to the underlying protected portion, such as an athlete's shin region. The protective apparatus also utilizes an impact attenuating structure that functions to attenuate an impact force as well as serve as a hinge between the two-part shell. Additional aspects include a puncture prevention element that is positioned between the two shell portions to resist impalement at the hinge junction formed between the two shell portions. Further, additional aspects utilize one or more channels on a posterior surface of the impact attenuating structure to aid in guiding the articulation of the impact attenuating structure in a location related to the shell articulation joint.