Shoulder Pad Foam Padding System Impact Energy Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder pads concentrate impact energy on the acromioclavicular area, leading to injuries in contact sports, as they do not effectively disperse energy across the entire shoulder pad.
Innovation Solution
A protective apparatus featuring a foam padding system with adjustable channels, cantilever yoke systems, and swivels that distribute impact energy 360 degrees across the shoulder pad, incorporating multiple layers of foam for enhanced protection and adjustability to fit various shoulder shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional shoulder pads with cantilever straps are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the impact energy is concentrated on the acromioclavicular area causing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder pad is divided into multiple independent foam elements (front body pad, rear body pad, shoulder pad) that can be separately positioned and configured. These segmented components work together to distribute impact forces across different areas of the shoulder, preventing concentration on the acromioclavicular joint while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional single-plane cantilever structure to a three-dimensional configuration with front and rear body pads positioned at different depths and angles. This spatial arrangement creates multiple impact dispersion pathways in different dimensions, effectively distributing force away from the vulnerable acromioclavicular area while preserving ease of manufacture through standardized component design.
2Device complexity
If traditional cantilever design is used, then the device complexity is low, but the energy dispersion capability is insufficient and injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into multiple functional components (front body pad, rear body pad, shoulder pad, arches) that can be independently designed and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific protection functions while maintaining overall design simplicity through modular construction and standardized connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoulder pad incorporates adjustable and movable elements including removable foam pads, adjustable arches, and configurable positioning systems. These dynamic features allow the device to adapt to different player anatomies and impact scenarios, enhancing protection effectiveness while maintaining design simplicity through standardized adjustment mechanisms rather than complex fixed structures.
3Device complexity
If conventional shoulder pads are used, then the structure is straightforward, but the protection does not disperse energy throughout the entire shoulder pad
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges front and rear body pads with the shoulder pad into an integrated protective system that works together to disperse impact energy. The arches connect these components, creating a unified structure that distributes forces across the entire shoulder region rather than localized areas, while maintaining structural straightforwardness through cohesive design and standardized connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shoulder pad are designed with locally optimized foam density and positioning - the front body pad addresses anterior impacts, the rear body pad addresses posterior impacts, and the shoulder pad provides lateral protection. This local quality differentiation ensures comprehensive energy dispersion throughout the entire shoulder pad structure while maintaining overall design simplicity through consistent component architecture.
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 apparatus provides improved protection by dispersing impact energy throughout the shoulder pad, reducing pressure on the acromioclavicular area and accommodating different shoulder anatomies, thus minimizing the risk and severity of injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The concentration of the energy from the forces of impact transmitted to the acromioclavicular area of the shoulder by the conventional cantilever strap causes such shoulder injuries
Implementation Method 2
the one piece CYS disperses energy from contact throughout the entire shoulder pad, as opposed to a traditional cantilever which disperses energy on only one side of the shoulder pad
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a protective apparatus that includes a left and a right generally arched shaped portion with a foam padding system. The foam padding system comprising an adjustable channel that accommodates a shape of a shoulder, the foam padding system including a shoulder pad removably attached to an upper end of at least one of the generally arched shaped portions, and a pair of adjustable body pads removably attached to beneath the shoulder pad in a variable configuration that creates the adjustable channel.