Abstract: This invention relates to a reinforced support device suitable for the protection of a body part against overextension. In particular, this invention relates to a device comprising at least one reinforcement spine used to protect a body part against overextension and a plate disposed below a portion of the spine used to provide additional support and comfort. The reinforcement spine can flex in direction of the body part's natural movement and is substantially inflexible in the direction of overextension. Together, the reinforcement spine and plate prevent overextension of the protected body part and disperse the incident forces by transferring those forces from the reinforcement spine to the plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective covering with a hard outer layer and a soft inner layer. The hard outer layer comprises a plurality of substantially rigid shape-retaining and interworking tiles anatomically conformed to a contoured object. The outer layer has sufficient flexibility to adjust its conformity to the object as the object's contour changes. The soft inner layer comprises a plurality of impact absorbing units. The protective covering provides impact resistance and is designed to remain securely in place and protective of the object even when the contour of the object changes.