Abstract: A tug-resistant unit in which the first and second relatively inextensible members overlap one another. A shear-thickening composition having dilatant flow characteristics is disposed between the first and the second inextensible members. The composition provides a variable resistance to linear movement of the second inextensible member relative to the first inextensible member as a function of the shear forces exerted upon the dilatant fluid. The inextensible members may be enclosed within an extensible enclosure to form an elastic strap. Alternatively, one inextensible member may form a portion of the enclosure while the second inextensible member is disposed within the strap so as to overlap the first inextensible portion of the enclosure. The strap provides low resistance to slowly-varying tensile forces and high resistance to rapidly-changing tensile forces, thereby moderating the velocity of relative motion between the ends.

Abstract: A garment, in one embodiment of the invention, reduces the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part near the skin surface when the vulnerable region is proximate to a soft tissue region lacking a bone part near the skin surface. The garment has an arrangement for shunting a substantial portion of the impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where such energy may be safely absorbed and/or dissipated. In a further embodiment, there is utilized a dilatent material that is relatively stiff near the time of impact and relatively fluid at other times. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A garment, in one embodiment of the invention, reduces the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part near the skin surface when the vulnerable region is proximate to a soft tissue region lacking a bone part near the skin surface. The garment has an arrangement for shunting a substantial portion of the impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where such energy may be safely absorbed and/or dissipated. In a further embodiment, there is utilized a dilatent material that is relatively stiff near the time of impact and relatively fluid at other times. Related methods are also provided.