Abstract: Methods of maintaining or restoring joint function in a canine in need thereof by allowing the canine to lie on a pad are provided. The pad includes one or more layers of a spacer textile, where the spacer textile includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of spacer fibers therebetween. The one or more layers of a spacer textile, when in contact with a joint of a canine, provides an upward force attenuation onto the joint.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a body extremity, such as an arm or a leg. The sleeve includes a spacer textile formed into a self-supporting tube for protecting the extremity from pressure, friction, shear, skin tears and bruising. The tube can have a wide end and a narrow end. The extremity slides through the wide end of the tube and the narrow tube end then slides over the foot or hand. Because these tubes are self-supporting, the sleeve can remain coextensive with the extremity while maintaining a loose fit, even during vigorous exercise. The spacer textile provides for both pressure relief and moisture transmission from the skin.

Abstract: A thin, light weight, flexible, washable protective hip pad is incorporated into a pocket of washable underwear at the hip. This pad comprises a hermetically sealed plastic envelope extending substantially throughout the pocket, a solid foam insert layer having a configuration that extends substantially throughout the envelope in contiguity with the inner walls of the envelope, and a junction arrangement between the insert layer and at least one inner face of the envelope. The arrangement is such that the extent of the configuration of the insert layer is maintained substantially throughout the envelope, flexibility is maintained by slippage between contiguous faces of the insert layer and at least a wall of the envelope, and compression and redistribution of air occurs where and when any point of the hip pad assemblage is subject to impact. The arrangement remains intact when the pad is repeatedly bent, twisted or otherwise deformed during washing or wearing.

Abstract: A thin, lightweight, flexible, washable protective pad is incorporated into a pocket of a washable garment, such as at the hip. This pad comprises an air-holding envelope extending substantially throughout the pocket, a compressible insert having a configuration that extends substantially throughout the envelope and a junction arrangement between the insert and the envelope. The arrangement is such that the extent of the configuration of the insert is maintained substantially throughout the envelope. The arrangement remains intact when the pad is repeatedly bent, twisted or otherwise deformed during washing or wearing, maintaining the pad's protective function. In other configurations, the insert may be captured by a seal that joins the sheet or sheets that form the walls of the envelope. The disposition of the insert with respect to the envelope may thereby be maintained.

Abstract: A thin, lightweight, flexible, washable protective pad is incorporated into a pocket of a washable garment, such as at the hip. This pad comprises an air-impermeable envelope extending substantially throughout the pocket, a compressible insert having a configuration that extends substantially throughout the envelope and a junction arrangement between the insert and the envelope. The arrangement is such that the extent of the configuration of the insert is maintained substantially throughout the envelope. The arrangement remains intact when the pad is repeatedly bent, twisted or otherwise deformed during washing or wearing, maintaining the pad's protective function. In other configurations, the insert may be captured by a seal that joins the sheet or sheets that form the walls of the envelope. The disposition of the insert with respect to the envelope may thereby be maintained.

Abstract: An air-holding protective foam pad construction where open cell foam is enveloped in an air-holding cavity formed by top and bottom air-holding sheets. The foam is not attached to the top and bottom air-holding sheets and the sheets are totally and continuously sealed together around a narrow common perimeter. Upon potentially destructive impact, the open cell foam first absorbs some of the impact force, and secondly the air expelled from the foam bloats the air-holding cavity. The result of the latter is a redistribution of impact forces over a larger surface area, reducing the intensity of force at the site of initial impact. The pad construction thereby has a dual action attenuation of both absorbing and redistributing the intensity of an initial localized impact force.

Abstract: An air-holding protective foam pad construction where open cell foam is enveloped in an air-holding cavity formed by top and bottom air-holding sheets. The foam is not attached to the top and bottom air-holding sheets and the sheets are totally and continuously sealed together around a narrow common perimeter. Upon potentially destructive impact, the open cell foam first absorbs some of the impact force, and secondly the air expelled from the foam bloats the air-holding cavity. The result of the latter is a redistribution of impact forces over a larger surface area, reducing the intensity of force at the site of initial impact. The pad construction thereby has a dual action attenuation of both absorbing and redistributing the intensity of an initial localized impact force.