Sports Shoulder Pads With Slow-Response Foam Epaulettes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder pads fail to effectively absorb shocks during sports play due to the lack of resilience in Styrofoam additions, which are crushed upon impact and do not provide adequate protection for the wearer's torso.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating slow-response foam inserts, such as PORON® foam, into the epaulets of the shoulder pads to disperse impact energy and reduce the amount of energy transferred to the body, combined with shock-absorbing liners in the arches and shoulder caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If Styrofoam additions are used in epaulets to muffle sound, then sound muffling is improved, but shock absorption capability deteriorates because the foam is crushed at first impact and does not rebound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from Styrofoam to slow-response foam, which has different viscoelastic properties that allow it to maintain shock absorption capability while still providing sound muffling. The slow-response foam responds gradually to impact forces, maintaining its structural integrity and rebound capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining slow-response foam with the epaulet structure, creating a multi-layer system that integrates both sound muffling and shock absorption functions. The foam is positioned within the epaulet to provide both acoustic damping and mechanical cushioning.
2Strength
If epaulets are made of hard plastic to maintain structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but shock absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating slow-response foam specifically in the epaulet regions where shock absorption is needed, while maintaining the hard plastic structure in areas requiring structural integrity. This localized approach allows different parts of the epaulet to have different material properties optimized for their specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining hard plastic for structural strength and slow-response foam for shock absorption. This composite approach allows the epaulet to simultaneously maintain its structural integrity while providing effective shock absorption during impact events.
3Reliability
If separate epaulet padding is added to absorb shock, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shock absorption function directly into the epaulet structure by incorporating slow-response foam within the epaulet itself, rather than adding separate padding layers. This integration combines multiple functions (structural support, shock absorption, sound muffling) into a single unified component, reducing overall device complexity.
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 slow-response foam inserts in the epaulets act as a first line of defense, dispersing impact energy and minimizing the energy absorbed by the main body cushion, thereby enhancing the protective performance and comfort of the shoulder pads.
Implementation Method 1
each of the epaulets containing a shock absorbing insert comprised of slow-response foam, slow-rebound foam or memory foam
Implementation Method 2
The arches and shoulder caps are in contact with the wearer's body (over the jersey or other basic clothing) and are provided with inner padding to absorb shock
Data Source
AI summary
A shoulder pad assembly for protecting the body during sports play has a pair of arches connected to each other in the front and in the back by connecting straps, webs, or similar connectors. Shoulder caps are connected to the arches by a flexible connecting structure, for example, webs, straps, or bands. Epaulets are attached by webs, straps, or bands, at the top of each arch. The arches and shoulder caps are lined with a shock-absorbing liner. Each of the epaulets contains a shock absorbing insert made of slow-response foam, slow-rebound foam or memory foam, encased in a nylon or fabric shell. Redundant pads, made of slow-response foam, slow-rebound foam or memory foam, encased in a nylon or fabric shell may be inserted below the top of each of the left arch and right arch, to provide additional padding in those areas.