Inflatable Football Protector Using Pneumatics for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing American football protectors are bulky and heavy, failing to provide lightweight, anatomically adapted protection for players.
Innovation Solution
A protector using an inflatable element that absorbs energy without external armor, with a textile structure and varying yielding capacities to conform to the body, providing impact protection and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid armor with plates is used to protect the player, then impact protection is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inflatable element filled with gas to provide impact protection. The inflatable element can be inflated to the required pressure before use, creating a protective cushion that absorbs impact forces without requiring heavy rigid plates. This pneumatic approach significantly reduces the weight and bulk of the protector while maintaining effective impact protection.
2Strength
If rigid armor with plates is used to protect the player, then impact protection is improved, but bulk and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable element provides the necessary protective volume when inflated, but in its deflated or partially inflated state occupies minimal space. This allows the protector to have small dimensions when not in use or during transport, while expanding to provide adequate protection during gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector transitions from a compact, low-volume state to an expanded, high-volume protective state as needed. The inflatable element can be quickly inflated before use and deflated after use, providing dynamic adaptation of volume to match the actual protection requirements at different times.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inflatable element conforms to body anatomy, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable element is constructed from flexible materials that can be molded into anatomical shapes. The flexible nature of the inflated element allows it to conform to the player's body contours, providing custom anatomical adaptation without requiring complex rigid structures or multiple adjustable components.
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 inflatable protector offers effective energy absorption and comfort by conforming to the player's anatomy, reducing bulk and weight while maintaining protection during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the energy absorption function is performed by an inflatable element
Implementation Method 2
opposite portions of the inflatable element are structured or configured so that there is a difference between the expansion of the inner side facing the user and the expansion of an outer side opposite the inner side
Data Source
AI summary
Protector for an American football player, including, as impact absorption device, an inflatable element defining an inner chamber adapted to receive an inflation fluid and adapted to assume an active inflated condition. Use of an inflatable element as a protector for an American football player and a method for protecting an American football player are also described.