Lacrosse Arm Padding with Segmented Foam for Impact Diffusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective sports gear lacks customizability and effective protection for the upper arm area, particularly in women's lacrosse, where minimal protective gear is available, leading to increased risk of bruising and contact injuries due to the lack of tailored padding systems.
Innovation Solution
A compression fabric sleeve with a pocket containing padding made from closed-cell foam, featuring half-cylindrically shaped portions that spread laterally to absorb impact, providing customizable and effective protection for the upper arm without hindering mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional protective sports gear is used, then basic protection is provided, but customizability and effectiveness for specific areas like the upper arm are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The padding system is divided into separate modular components: a compression fabric sleeve and removable padding inserts. The padding can be segmented into different configurations (e.g., half-cylindrically shaped portions spaced apart) to customize protection for specific body areas while keeping the base sleeve design simple and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding inserts are designed with specific local characteristics - half-cylindrically shaped portions spaced apart by gaps - to provide targeted protection to the upper arm area. This allows different padding configurations to be used on different body parts without redesigning the entire protective system.
2Ease of operation
If minimal protective gear is worn, then mobility is maintained, but risk of bruising and contact injuries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The padding system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid - the compression fabric sleeve can flex and move with the body, and the padding inserts can compress and deform during impact to absorb force. This dynamic behavior maintains natural movement while providing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding inserts are positioned in advance on the compression fabric sleeve to create a cushioning layer before impact occurs. The half-cylindrically shaped portions are pre-configured to compress and spread laterally upon impact, absorbing the force before it reaches the skin.
3Ease of manufacture
If padding is integrated into the supporting system, then protection is provided, but manufacturing flexibility and customizability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The padding inserts are extracted from the main protective system and made as separate removable components. This allows the compression fabric sleeve to be manufactured as a standard base product, while padding inserts can be custom-manufactured and inserted as needed, separating the base design from the customizable elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding inserts are nested within pockets in the compression fabric sleeve. This nesting arrangement allows the padding to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining a integrated appearance when worn, and enables different padding configurations to be used with the same base sleeve.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional padding materials are used, then impact absorption is provided, but hygiene and comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The padding inserts are made from closed-cell foam material, which is impervious to bacteria and mildew. This composite material choice provides both impact absorption and hygiene benefits, as the closed-cell structure prevents moisture absorption that would lead to odor and bacterial growth.
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 effectively prevents bruising by diffusing the impact of lacrosse stick hits and falls, maintaining mobility and hygiene through the use of impervious and shock-absorbing materials, while allowing for easy trimming and customization to fit individual arm shapes.
Implementation Method 1
In response to a force of impact from a lacrosse stick against the half cylindrically shape portions, the half cylindrically shaped portions spread laterally into the gaps as they absorb the force of the impact and prevent bruising of the upper arm
Implementation Method 2
The padding is made from any conventional closed cell foam, such as a cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), polyethylene foam roll, neoprene, and polyethylene. Such is preferable because of its excellent strength and shock absorbing qualities that diffuse the impact of hits and falls without degrading.
Data Source
AI summary
A compression fabric to which is attached a pocket into which is fitted padding that has a base and a plurality of half cylindrical shape portions that are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by respective gaps and that project outward from the base. The compression fabric may be a short or long sleeve of a sports jersey or an arm band. The padding is thin enough to be trimmed with scissors to suit the length of the upper arm of the wearer as desired.