Abstract: A wearable protective body appliance for reducing the likelihood of injury to a wearer. One embodiment provides a wearable protective body appliance having an articulating protective shell assembly that includes one or more first shell members formed from a first material having a first hardness, and a second shell member directly connected to the first shell member and formed from a second material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The second shell member is flexible and enables the one or more first shell members to articulate relative to one another, yet still provide impact protection. Another embodiment provides a body appliance including a padding assembly that defines a ventilation hole and includes an inner engagement member. The inner engagement member can surround the ventilation hole and can be adapted to frictionally engage the skin of a wearer to substantially prevent the appliance from moving relative thereto.

Abstract: A conformable shielding for protective equipment including multiple shielding elements constructed from rigid, impact resistant material and a flexible material overlaying the elements. The material can include a connecting element joining the shielding elements. The connecting element can enable adjacent shielding elements to flex about a plurality of axes, relative to one another, and to extend outwardly from one another, and to retract toward one another. The connecting element can include an accordion structure positioned between adjacent shielding elements, and can be aligned with a joint of the appendage of the wearer.

Abstract: A wearable protective body appliance for reducing the likelihood of injury to a wearer. One embodiment provides a wearable protective body appliance having an articulating protective shell assembly that includes one or more first shell members formed from a first material having a first hardness, and a second shell member directly connected to the first shell member and formed from a second material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The second shell member is flexible and enables the one or more first shell members to articulate relative to one another, yet still provide impact protection. Another embodiment provides a body appliance including a padding assembly that defines a ventilation hole and includes an inner engagement member. The inner engagement member can surround the ventilation hole and can be adapted to frictionally engage the skin of a wearer to substantially prevent the appliance from moving relative thereto.

Abstract: A conformable shielding for protective equipment including multiple shielding elements constructed from rigid, impact resistant material and a flexible material overlaying the elements. The material can include a connecting element joining the shielding elements. The connecting element can enable adjacent shielding elements to flex about a plurality of axes, relative to one another, and to extend outwardly from one another, and to retract toward one another. The connecting element can include an accordion structure positioned between adjacent shielding elements, and can be aligned with a joint of the appendage of the wearer. A method of manufacturing the shielding is provided where individual and separate shielding elements can be positioned in a mold, and an elastomeric material can be overmolded over the elements to join them and produce a unitary shielding structure that optionally can be joined with other portions of protective equipment.

Abstract: A wearable protective body appliance for reducing the likelihood of injury to a wearer. One embodiment provides a wearable protective body appliance having an articulating protective shell assembly that includes one or more first shell members formed from a first material having a first hardness, and a second shell member directly connected to the first shell member and formed from a second material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The second shell member is flexible and enables the one or more first shell members to articulate relative to one another, yet still provide impact protection. Another embodiment provides a body appliance including a padding assembly that defines a ventilation hole and includes an inner engagement member. The inner engagement member can surround the ventilation hole and can be adapted to frictionally engage the skin of a wearer to substantially prevent the appliance from moving relative thereto.

Abstract: A wearable protective body appliance for reducing the likelihood of injury to a wearer. One embodiment provides a wearable protective body appliance having an articulating protective shell assembly that includes one or more first shell members formed from a first material having a first hardness, and a second shell member directly connected to the first shell member and formed from a second material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The second shell member is flexible and enables the one or more first shell members to articulate relative to one another, yet still provide impact protection. Another embodiment provides a body appliance including a padding assembly that defines a ventilation hole and includes an inner engagement member. The inner engagement member can surround the ventilation hole and can be adapted to frictionally engage the skin of a wearer to substantially prevent the appliance from moving relative thereto.