Interlocking Athletic Protective Pad Core Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional athletic protective pads, such as hockey goaltender leg pads, are often heavy and rigid, restricting speed and agility due to their construction methods, including sewing leather and using deer hair or foam padding, which can lead to inconsistent weight distribution and reduced maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

A core assembly for athletic protective pads comprising a backing member with tenons and a deflection shield, where the deflection shield is overlaid on the backing member using cooperating holes and tenons, allowing for interlocking and frictional engagement without adhesives, enabling customizable flexibility and uniform weight distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If foam padding is used in the prior art for protective gear, then impact resistance is improved, but weight increases and consistency deteriorates due to manual glue application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidpad weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The foam pad is divided into multiple sections (three adjacent longitudinal sections) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for more consistent weight distribution and reduces the need for excessive glue, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pad combines foam material with laminated layers and synthetic materials to create a composite structure. This composite approach provides sufficient impact resistance with reduced weight compared to solid foam padding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If foam padding with sufficient shock absorbance is used, then protection is improved, but weight increases or even exceeds deer hair pads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorbanceVSAvoidpad weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the pad have different foam densities and material compositions tailored to specific protection needs. This allows sufficient shock absorbance in critical areas while using lighter materials in less critical areas, reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pad incorporates thin foam layers and flexible laminated structures that provide adequate shock absorbance without the bulk and weight of traditional thick foam padding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If conventional foam pads are made rigid for protection, then impact resistance is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pad structure incorporates flexible joints and movable sections that allow the pad to adapt dynamically to the goaltender's movements. The laminated foam sections can flex independently, providing impact resistance while maintaining maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pad uses flexible foam layers and thin laminated structures that bend and flex with the goaltender's leg movements, maintaining protection while enabling full range of motion and agility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If glue is spread manually during manufacture, then assembly is simplified, but weight consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidweight consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is segmented into pre-manufactured sections with standardized weights. This segmentation reduces reliance on manual glue application and ensures consistent weight distribution across all pads, improving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the manufacturing approach from manual glue spreading to a more controlled assembly process using interlocking sections. This parameter change in the manufacturing method ensures consistent material distribution and weight uniformity across all pads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution results in a lightweight, flexible, and balanced protective pad that enhances the wearer's speed, agility, and maneuverability by eliminating the need for glue and providing consistent weight distribution across the pad.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection shield overlaid on the backing member and frictionally engaged to the backing member using cooperating interlocking members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8161569B2Core assembly for an athletic protective pad

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 SPORT MASKA

AI summary

A core assembly for an athletic protective pad is provided. The core assembly comprises a backing member and a deflection shield overlaid on the backing member. The backing member includes a plurality of backing pieces that are assembled together. The deflection shield is located on the backing member using cooperating interlocking members provided on the deflection shield and at least one of the backing pieces. The core assembly may be inserted within an outer envelope to form a protective hockey goaltender leg pad.