Abstract: Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad including a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient disposed in a central recess of the cushion such that the pad is recessed a selected distance below the upper surface of the cushion. The resilient pads may advantageously incorporate a plurality of gas-filled cells, and a solid gel pad may also be disposed in the mid-sole of the footwear below the ball of the wearer's foot for increased protection.

Abstract: An improved support belt, support apparel, along with a process for creating such products. A mechanism by which support belts provide protection to the user is disclosed, which mechanism is generally applicable to all human joints.

Abstract: Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad including a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient disposed in a central recess of the cushion such that the pad is recessed a selected distance below the upper surface of the cushion. The resilient pads may advantageously incorporate a plurality of gas-filled cells, and a solid gel pad may also be disposed in the mid-sole of the footwear below the ball of the wearer's foot for increased protection.

Abstract: Footwear providing enhanced protection against extreme landing impacts includes a sole having an elastomeric mid-sole with elastomeric pads combined in a heel recess thereof such that the pads act in series with each other and in parallel with the mid-sole during conjoint compression thereof. At least one of the pads includes a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient. In another embodiment, the heel of the mid-sole is replaced by a toroidal gas cushion and an elastomeric pad including a solid gel having a relatively high damping coefficient disposed in a central recess of the cushion such that the pad is recessed a selected distance below the upper surface of the cushion. The resilient pads may advantageously incorporate a plurality of gas-filled cells, and a solid gel pad may also be disposed in the mid-sole of the footwear below the ball of the wearer's foot for increased protection.

Abstract: An improved support belt, support apparel, along with a process for creating such products. A mechanism by which support belts provide protection to the user is disclosed, which mechanism is generally applicable to all human joints.

Abstract: A vibration attenuating member includes at least a first layer composed of a viscoelastic material having a Shore 00 durometer of less than 50 and a rebound percentage of less than 20. Preferably the vibration dampener also includes second and third layers, coterminous with the first layer, which are composed of a foam material. The viscoelastic layer may have a non-uniform shape, such as precurved, tapered, or the like. The viscoelastic material may be creased to facilitate bending. The member has a transmissibility no greater than 1.0 in the range of from 31.5 to 200 Hz, and a transmissibility of no more than 0.6 in the range of from 200 Hz to 1250 Hz. The vibration attenuating member may form a glove, a glove liner, a portion of a glove liner, a portion of a glove, a sports glove, a wrap for a tool, or be used in some other application where vibration attenuation is desirable.

Abstract: An antivibration glove includes a glove body with a front and back and a vibration dampener essentially disposed in the interior of the glove toward the palm side of the glove. The vibration dampener has at least a first layer composed of a viscoelastic material having a Shore 00 durometer of less than 50 and a rebound percentage of less than 20. Preferably the vibration dampener also includes second and third layers, coterminous with the first layer, which are composed of a foam material. The viscoelastic layer may have a non-uniform shape, such as precurved, tapered, or the like. In one embodiment the layer of viscoelastic material is relatively thicker near the glove palm area and ball of the thumb and relatively thinner adjacent the finger portion of the glove. The viscoelastic material may be creased to facilitate bending of the glove. The glove attenuates at least 40% of the applied vibration occurring in the range of from 200 Hz to 1250 Hz.

Abstract: A back support for a human user includes an elastic support belt having first and second free ends, members secured to the support belt for releasably joining the free ends for maintaining the belt in a closed position in which it forms a closed surface adapted to encircle a human user, and structure secured to the support belt for releasably maintaining the belt in an open position in which the support belt free ends are unattached to each other. A related back support garment includes a garment body having a garment front and a garment back defining an inside and an outside of the garment, the garment body being suitably sized for a human wearer. An elastic support belt is disposed inside the garment body and secured thereto. The elastic support belt has first and second free ends and also has structure for releasably joining the free ends for maintaining the support belt in a closed position in which the support belt forms a closed surface adapted to encircle the human wearer.