Lacrosse Pad Assembly with Loop-Finger Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing athletic pads for contact sports, such as lacrosse, either restrict mobility due to their rigid design or offer inadequate protection with soft pads, and existing solutions like Rhinoskin do not fully address the need for both mobility and effective impact absorption.

Innovation Solution

A garment with an undershirt featuring removable and adjustable hard pads that are secured using mounting loops and fingers, allowing for customizable protection and ease of cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hard shoulder pads with ridged structure are used, then protection against impact is improved, but mobility and ease of maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against impactVSAvoidmobility and ease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder pad assembly is divided into multiple independent pads (first pad, second pad, third pad) that can be separately positioned and secured. Each pad is attached to the garment via separate mounting loops, allowing individual adjustment and removal for cleaning while maintaining protective coverage across the shoulder area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If soft pads are used, then mobility is improved, but protection against hard hits deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidprotection against hard hits

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder pad assembly combines multiple pad materials with different protective properties. The first pad, second pad, and third pad can be made from different materials (e.g., foam, gel, hard plastic) to provide both soft cushioning for mobility and hard protection against impact, creating a composite protective system that balances both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If pads are permanently fixed within garment pockets, then protection is maintained, but ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidease of cleaning and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting loops and fingers create a dynamic attachment system that allows pads to be easily attached and detached. The fingers engage with the loops to secure pads during play, but can be quickly released for cleaning or replacement, transitioning from a fixed state to a movable state for maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If a one-piece ridged shoulder pad assembly is used, then protection is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder pad protection is segmented into multiple independent pads (first pad at rear, second pad at front, third pad at side) rather than a single one-piece assembly. This segmentation reduces complexity by allowing each pad to be independently attached, adjusted, and cleaned, while collectively providing comprehensive protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8533871B2Lacrosse shirt and protective pad assembly

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

A garment comprising an undershirt having a plurality of first pads, at least two mounting loops extending from the undershirt, a plurality of second pads, each of the plurality of second pads having at least two fingers, and wherein the at least two fingers are engaged with the at least two mounting loops to secure the plurality of second pads to the undershirt.