Abstract: A protective body pad comprising a thermoformable base component and a shock dispersing prominence component. In the preferred embodiment thereof, the prominence is integral with said base component. A plurality of swivel components having flexible strapping attached thereto enables the user to fasten the invention to various points on the body. The strapping is preferably a neoprene material with hook and loop material for the fastening.

Abstract: A unisize type lifting belt containing basically three elements: the underlying wrap assembly with expandable back panel and overlapping closure ends; suspenders with four adjustable ends to secure to the underlying wrap assembly at varying positions in front and at two positions varying vertically in the rear; and expandable side pull portions which have a pair of elastic band portions and removably secured end tabs is disclosed. The expandable side pulls are normally applied by snugly securing the side pulls to the underlying wrap assembly prior to lifting.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly for contact sports such as hockey is described. Two separate shoulder assemblies, in the form of generally U-shaped shoulder bands, are each pivotally connected fore and aft to chest and back pieces. Preferably the pivotal connections are co-axial, so that there are just two pivot points, namely fore and aft pivot points centrally located on the chest and back pieces, thus generally defining a V-shape for the shoulder portions of the pad. Preferably, the flexibility is limited by the use of a pivot clip at each pivot point, the pivot clip having at least one post disposed from the pivot axis and projecting from the clip through an arcuate slot in each shoulder band, the arcuate slots being of finite length such that further pivoting is prevented once the post reaches an end of the slot.

Abstract: A football shoulder pad includes left and right body arches and left and right arch pads. An outer face of each of the left and right arch pads includes a first hook fastener securely attached to each of anterior and posterior portions thereof. An inner face of each of the left and right body arches includes a strip securely riveted to each of anterior and posterior portions thereof, each strip having a first loop fastener securely mounted to one face thereof which faces the outer face of the left and right arch pads for releasably engaging with the first hook fastener.. The connecting shoulder portion of each of the left and right arch pads includes a strap with one end thereof securely attached to a mediate section thereof, the strap extending in a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the connecting shoulder portion and having a second hook fastener provided to one face thereof.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for rigidly supporting a human arm and shoulder, having a positioning rod for infinitely varying the elevation of the arm through a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment, and having universal joints on the positioning rod for infinitely varying the orientation of the arm.

Abstract: A shoulder brace is provided with two support members each attached at one of its ends to a belt of adjustable length worn about the torso of the user. The support members extend diagonally upwardly across opposite sides of the body whereby their opposite ends are positioned outwardly and above the user's torso. The support members pass through a sleeve adapted to rest on the shoulder of an arm to be supported by the brace. The respective opposite ends of the support members are joined to a support bar from which an arm-receiving sleeve is suspended. By adjustment of the lengths of the support members and by selective bending of said members, the shoulder brace is adapted to fit different body sizes and to suspend the user's arm in a desired position.

Abstract: A Shoulder Protector Guard harness having a appearance as suspenders with attached shoulder pads to protect each shoulder of a wearer from bruises, lacerations and other injuries caused by heavy construction materials. Each pad is held in place by a vertical suspender strap at its front and back. The vertical straps attach to the wearer's belt or pants with clamps to hold the shoulder protector in place. A horizontal center strap attached to each vertical strap holds each vertical strap in place thereby assisting the secure placement of the shoulder pads on the shoulders of the wearer.

Abstract: A knee pad includes a base member which, when unassembled, is planar. A top member is operatively connected to the base member. In a preferred embodiment, the top member is also, when unassembled, planar. The base member has first and second points of attachment and, when unassembled, are at a first distance from each other. The top member has first and second points of attachment which, when unassembled, are also a first distance from each other. Provided are means for securing the top member to the base member at the points of attachment wherein, when assembled, the first and second points of attachment of the base member are at a second distance from each other. The second distance is less than the first distance wherein the base member forms a cupped region. Also provided is a means for attaching the base and top members to a user's knee.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to renovate collars on existing athletic shoulder pads, which can be utilized either for replacing or covering worn collars. The collar renovation system includes a uniquely shaped replacement collar cover which is stretched over and around the existing shoulder pad cover and then fastened to and around the existing shoulder pad cover.

Abstract: A harness for minimizing possible back injury from excessive or improper bending and lifting includes a flexible back strap, a pair of flexible shoulder straps attached to the back strap, and an anchor holding the back strap to the wearer's pants. The pair of shoulder straps fit over the wearer's shoulders and below the wearer's shoulder blades so that the wearer has free movement of his scapula and arms. The anchor and pants restrain back bending by the wearer beyond a predetermined maximum angle by the interference of the wearer's pants with the anatomic structure of the wearer's groin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective device for the chest for use in athletic activities such as baseball, softball and hockey. The present invention provides a protective body or plate for the center of the chest and includes a first lobe which extends vertically along the mid portion of the sternum, second and third lobes which respectively extends along the right and left lower portion of the rib cage adjacent to the sternum, and a fourth lobe which extends downward over the solar plexus of the user. The protective plate is also provided with a domed profile which assists in maintaining the proper positioning of the plate and in absorbing and dissipating impact energy.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly for protecting the upper body and shoulders. The shoulder pad assembly includes a substantially rigid outer shell having left and right body members. Each of the body members has a generally horizontally disposed arched portion for spanning one of the shoulders. A chest plate portion and a back plate portion depend from the arched portion. The shoulder pad assembly also includes a cantilever support extending between the plate portions for supporting the outer shell above the shoulders to substantially reduce the impact of the outer shell on the shoulders. The cantilever support is configured to support the outer shell above the trapezius muscle such that, when the muscle is substantially developed, the generally horizontally disposed arched portion is evenly supported on the trapezius muscle by the cantilever support.

Abstract: A body protector for athletes, particularly those engaged in motocross or motorcycle racing, having an outer semirigid plastic shell and an inner layer of air cell material for absorbing the impact of a fall or collision. The air cell material comprises a closed network of cells that are interconnected with channels. The channels slow the air movement away from the impact area, thereby distributing the energy of the impact throughout the cell network. An integral pump allows the wearer to maintain the air cell material at the desired pressure. An inflation indicator allows the wearer to estimate the pressure level of the air cells.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for protective equipment comprised of relatively soft inner cushioning material and relatively rigid outer shell-like material. The fastening is comprised of a main strap which has a fixed end and free end. The fixed end is sewn in place to both inner and outer fabric surfaces of a cushion. The free end of the strap is threaded through a series of three slots and through an opening formed by a transverse strap. The circuitous path of the main strap prevents separation of the cushion from the shell. Hook-and-loop fastening surface areas on different portions of the main strap allow it to be completed with one hand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sports useable body protector primarily for use as a chest protector and comprising a rigid frame with forward padding and a rearward suspension strap on the frame. The rigid frame is formed with rearwardly extending wrap around rib covering portions and wrap over collar bone and shoulder covering portions all of which are shaped to pull the rigid frame rearwardly when worn by a user such that the suspension strap is snug against the user with the rigid frame in a tight body fitting position.

Abstract: A shoulder brace comprising a resilient shoulder means conformable to the shoulder and upper arm of the wearer. The shoulder brace also includes a plurality of resilient torso straps each having a shoulder end which is attached to the shoulder means and an anchor end, and a plurality of resilient side straps each having a sleeve end which is attached to the shoulder means and a waist end. A waist belt is also provided which includes an overlap means for releasably affixing the waist belt about the waist of the user and a plurality of loop means in spatial relationship about the waist belt for removably securing each of the anchor ends and waist ends to the waist belt.

Abstract: A football shoulder pad includes a pair of relatively rigid arch portions which extend over the shoulders of a wearer and a pair of resilient pads which are removably secured to the rear surfaces of the arch portions. The pads reduce the tendency of a football to bounce off of the arch portions.

Abstract: The apparatus relieves the weight of a garment from a wearer's shoulders and transfers the weight to the wearer's midsection, specifically the hips. The apparatus comprises a padded saddle adjustable to conform to the wearer's hips, adjustable length uprights attached to the saddle and supporting shoulder guards, pads and a strap to hold the uprights near to but not touching the wearer's back. The uprights are adjusted so that the shoulder guards are close to but not touching the wearer's shoulders.

Abstract: A shoulder-joint bandage having an elastic sleeve receiving the upper arm of the patient and a cap passing over the shoulder, has extension belts wound in opposite helical senses along the sleeve and cap and forming a crossover point at the apex of the cap from which the belts extend diagonally downwardly across the back and chest of the patient to a lower crossover point below the armpit of the opposite arm at which the belts are stitched together and have frontal and dorsal connecting segments passing around the back and chest of the patient to be joined by a connecting element at their ends.

Abstract: A shoulder pad/chest protector combination is provided for use in lacrosse or other sports in which the individual's arm is raised above shoulder level. The shoulder pad is pivoted to the chest protector by a lacing arrangement and is adjustable down the length of the arm by adjustment of the pivot point on the chest protector, with the shoulder pad being made to pivot with the arm by strapping the distal end of the pad to the arm. In one embodiment, the pivotal motion is provided by virtue of the twisting of the laces between the chest protector portion and the overlying shoulder pad. In another embodiment the shoulder pad includes a cuff for securing the distal end thereof to the arm of the individual. In one embodiment, lateral adjustment of the pivot point is made possible by providing laterally running lacing apertures at the top of the chest protector over the shoulder, with the lace passing through two apertures in the chest protector and four apertures in the shoulder pad.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a football shoulder pad which includes a pair of rigid arches and a less rigid pad member associated with each rigid arch. Each pad has opposite pockets which open toward each other, and terminal edges of the rigid arches are received in the pockets whereby the arches and the pad members can be readily assembled and disassembled. Snap fasteners or the like are utilized to hold the arches and associated pads assembled while facilitating the ease of release thereof.

Abstract: A shoulder pad comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and has a chestplate portion, a backplate portion and an arch connecting the plate portions, the arches being laterally spaced to provide an opening for the neck of the wearer. Each of the members is fabricated from lightweight synthetic resin sheet material having a corrugated central layer formed with parallel corrugations, and a pair of generally parallel outer layers forming opposite exterior surfaces of the sheet material. The corrugations are resiliently deformable upon application of an impact load to the sheet material to attenuate the shock of the impact load on the wearer.

Abstract: A clavicle bandage with two adjustable-length strips, wherein one end of each strip is secured to a ring that accordingly fastens the two together, in that the strips are made of a material that essentially does not stretch, and in that their free ends have means of establishing loops.

Abstract: A shoulder pad which has auxiliary pads designed to conform to the shape of the wearer's shoulder. In one embodiment of the invention, a hook-and-loop fastening strap is used to enable a series of wedge-like pads to be moved to various positions on the inside of the shoulder pad. The series of auxiliary pads may be a group of three individual pads, each pad being independently positionable, or the auxiliary pads may be a group of hingedly connected pads positionable as a unit. To allow the auxiliary pads to be positioned at various locations, the shoulder area of the main cushion of the shoulder pad is equipped with a hook-and-loop fabric. The moveable auxiliary pads can be placed at any location on the fabric. The auxiliary pads of the present invention distribute impact forces in such a way as to reduce the chance of sustaining injury.

Abstract: An athletic brace to be worn with conventional shoulder pads for reducing the chance of subluxation of the shoulder which includes a wide elastic member that is internally wrapped about the upper arm and brought across the chest for attachment to the front of the shoulder pads. The elastic member tends to limit both abduction and external rotation of the upper arm of the user thereby reducing the chance of the athlete reaching the point that tends to stress the glenohumeral joint to the point of subluxation or dislocation.

Abstract: A football shoulder pad includes a pair of relatively rigid arch portions which extend over the shoulders of a wearer and a pair of resilient pads which are removably secured to the front surfaces of the arch portions. The pads reduce the tendency of a football to bounce off of the arch portions.

Abstract: A protective pad for body parts comprising an elongate protective outer plate of a substantially stiff but flexible material having a concave inner surface, and an inner ply of padding extending across the inner surface of the plate. A closed loop of stitching secures the inner ply to the marginal edges of the inner surface of the outer plate to suspend the inner ply taut and spaced inwardly from the central portion of the inner surface of the plate.

Abstract: A shoulder brace appliance comprising a pressure exerting element positionable about the human shoulder to exert at least anteroposterior pressure, and preferably both inferior and anteroposterior pressure, on the superior aspect of the shoulder. One or more positionig elements may be positionable on the patients body, (e.g. around the thorax) and attachable to the pressure exerting element to hold the pressure exerting element in a desired position on the patients shoulder. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure exerting element comprises first and second curved members attached at their top ends by way of a hinge. The hinges is positionable over top of the human shoulder such that the first curved member extends downwardly over the anterior shoulder and the second curved member extends downwardly over the posterior shoulder.

Abstract: Shock absorbing body protective pads for use by athletes in contact sports and comprising a pair of heat sealable woven scrim-reinforced plastic film members sealed together to form a plurality of cooperating and interconnected chamber elements therebetween. Each chamber element contains a foam pad constrainably retained within the chamber, and with the interior volume of at least two of the chamber elements being interconnected. A plurality of rigid tubular exhaust ports are arranged to communicate between the chambers and the ambient, with the exhaust ports being disposed along the lateral edges of certain of the chambers, and with these exhaust ports being arranged in oppositely disposed relationship, one to another, so as to insure continued communication with the ambient.

Abstract: A cantilever strap for a shoulder pad for a football player has a central portion which overlies the acromioclavicular area of the shoulder of the football player, and has a width which is substantially greater than two inches.

Abstract: An orthopedic prosthesis including a trunk engaging means, an arm engaging means and a lift assist means. The trunk engaging means includes a shoulder engaging means comprised of a strap which passes over the injured shoulder and a support plate attached to each end of the shoulder strap, the support plates being positioned in front of and behind the shoulder to be supported. The trunk engaging means also includes a lateral support strap, one end of the strap being connected to one of the support plates and around the body of the wearer under the arm opposite of the shoulder to be supported where it is connected to the second support plate. The arm engaging means includes a strap passing around the humerus of the arm of the wearer. The lift assist means utilizes two pulley systems, one mounted on the arm engaging means and one on the support plate of the shoulder engaging means.

Abstract: A protective garment construction (10) for weight lifters comprising a jacket member (13) having a plurality of internal compartments (30) which are dimensioned to receive a plurality of padded members (40) including: a neck pad member (41); an upper back pad member (42); a pair of shoulder pad members (43); and, a pair of upper chest pad members (44); wherein, the padded jacket member (13) prevents a metal bar (100) from bruising the neck and upper torso of a weight lifter during normal weight lifting exercises.

Abstract: An elastic shoulder truss (3) possessing a rear portion (9) which covers at least both shoulder-blades. The tension of the material transversely across the back and longitudinally along the tension straps (7) when measured with a 10% elongation on 5 cm wide and 10 cm long straps is between about 400 g and about 1200 g, preferably 500 g to 800 g, at a displacement speed of 5 cm per minute. When measured in the same conditions the tension of the material longitudinally over the back and transversely across the tension straps is between about 200 g and about 500 g, preferably 300 g to 400 g. In this way, the shoulder joint (6) of the carrier (1) is enclosed, for example, in a socket-like cavity (6) which is formed of the back portion (9) and the widened application area (7') of a tension strap (7) connected with the back portion by means of the shoulder seam (5). Both tension straps (7) are secured to the back section (9) of the carrier (1 ), e.g. to the side seam (12) under the armpit (4).

Abstract: A shoulder-joint bandage having an elastic sleeve and a pair of belts which extend helically around the sleeve in opposite senses from the distal end thereof to then run along opposite lateral edges of a cap of the sleeve overlying the shoulder. The belts cross again behind the back of the patient and one belt passes around the other arm through the armpit and joins the other belt, e.g. at a buckle permitting longitudinal adjustment of the belts.

Abstract: A spring arch system for a shoulder pad, such as a football shoulder pad. The spring arch system comprises inner and outer arches of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side. The outer arch extends substantially over the inner arch from a forward portion of the inner arch to a rearward portion of the inner arch. The spacing between the arches is such that the arches form a generally wedge-shaped configuration at least in the area of the top of the inverted U-shape. Impact on the outer arch causes deformation thereof relative to the inner arch, and thus some of the energy of the impact is absorbed through such relative deformation.

Abstract: A shoulder pad truss arch system for a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad has a generally inverted U-shape arch member adapted to fit over a shoulder of a wearer, and the arch member has chestplate and backplate portions interconnected by a curved shoulder portion. The shoulder pad truss arch system comprises a first truss extending from the chestplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, a second truss extending from the backplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, and a truss bridge. One end of the truss bridge is attached to the first truss, and the other end of the truss bridge is attached to the second truss so as to suspend the truss system and thus the shoulder pad on the shoulder of the wearer such that impact on the shoulder portion of the arch member causes the chestplate and backplate portions to be pulled toward one another.

Abstract: A shoulder brace having an elastic web that is anchored to provide tension to force and guide the humerus upward along its longitudinal axis into the glenoid fossa. The brace restricts elevation of the humerus and opposes both anterior and posterior rotation of the humerus. The brace provides a guided tension force to the humerus along its longitudinal axis, and that force is provided perpendicular to the medial (anterior/posterior) plane and circumferentially around (360.degree.) the humerus axis. Specifically, the elastic web comprises a sleeve region and a shoulder region connected to the sleeve region. In use, the anchors tense the shoulder region inferiorly and medially and tense the sleeve region longitudinally along the arm away from the shoulder.

Abstract: A shoulder brace of the type having a generally figure-8 configuration with right and left shoulder loops. Each of the shoulder straps that define the brace's right and left loops are provided with a cushioned inner surface adapted to extend over the wearer's trapezius muscle, over the anterior surface of the wearer's shoulder, and under the wearer's axilla so that the strap does not tend to bite into the wearer's body when the brace is worn. Each shoulder strap also is provided with an adjustable fastener connectable on the anterior surface of the wearer's shoulder between the wearer's trapezius muscle and the wearer's axilla, the fastener permitting the tightness or looseness of the shoulder loop to be adjusted by the wearer as desired while the brace is being worn.

Abstract: A recoil protection system is disclosed which includes a fabric yoke. A leather panel is stitched to the yoke with a foam pad confined in the volume between the leather panel and the yoke. The foam pad is sized with its rest volume somewhat larger than the volume defined by the leather panel and the yoke such that the foam pad is in a constant state of compression. The foam pad is formed of a material having a high Loss Factor, and the yoke is held in place on the shoulder of the user by means of a harness which includes first and second straps, each of which passes under a respective arm of the user. Preferred materials for exceptionally effective foam pads are disclosed.

Abstract: A comfort garment particularly characterized as a jogging support for the upper female anatomy which may assume various forms, as (1) a vest which includes the use of a nonelastic front panel and elastic straps attached thereto which combine to restrict upward and downward breast movement, a nonelastic back panel, and an expandable bottom and side panel which permits stretching action during jogging or like activity; (2) a similar form to that of (1) where, however, the entire garment is made from an elastic material and/or where the bottom and side and the back panels are unitary and expandable, or variations of the preceding; and, (3) a continuous wrapped unit serving the same restrictive breast movement functions, but maintained on the torso in halter/strap fashion.

Abstract: A strap retained shoulder protection device for absorbing loads directed to a user's shoulder area by reason of rifle or similiar firearm recoil. The device includes a shoulder protection pad and a strap assembly which cooperates with the pad to form a shoulder harness for locating and retaining the pad in its proper operative position upon the user's shoulder area. The strap assembly is adjustable to facilitate use of the device by different users. The protection pad may be provided with various amounts or load absorbent material according to the desires of the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved device for supporting arms. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved device to be worn by runners to support arms and to guide arm movements so as to increase running efficiency.