SHOULDER PADS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR UPPER BODY PROTECTION
An article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting an upper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other contact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear is configured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the wearer against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey, lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).
This disclosure generally relates to protective athletic equipment and, more particularly, to shoulder pads and other protective gear for upper body protection of players playing contact sports such as hockey, lacrosse and football and other users.
BACKGROUNDShoulder pads are worn by players of contact sports, such as hockey, lacrosse and football, for upper body protection. Typically, shoulder pads comprise front and back members for respectively protecting front and back regions of a player's thorax and left and right shoulder protectors for respectively protecting the player's left and right shoulders.
However, existing shoulder pads typically leave players' arms mostly unprotected. To remedy this, some players may wear a padded undergarment including arm padding (e.g., elbow pads). However, this system is relatively heavy, uncomfortable, heat retaining, and complexifies donning, doffing and carrying processes.
For these and other reasons, improvements in shoulder pads and other articles of protective gear for upper body protection would be welcomed.
SUMMARYIn accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, there is provided an article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting an upper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other contact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear is configured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the wearer against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey, lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).
For example, in accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts. The article of protective gear comprises: a front member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer; a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of the wearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of the wearer; sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of the wearer; and openings configured to leave at least part of a left side of the thorax of the wearer and at least part of a right side of the thorax of the wearer uncovered by the article of protective gear.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts. The article of protective gear comprises: a front member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer; a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of the wearer; shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of the wearer; and sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of the wearer. The front member, the back member, the shoulder protectors and the sleeves are donnable and doffable all at once.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The article comprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of the wearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of the wearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer, the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member; arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapezius regions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and right sleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer, the sleeves comprising a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of the left and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves connected to the arch and shoulder protectors, and are separate and spaced from the front member and from the back member.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The article comprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of the wearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of the wearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer, the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member; arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapezius regions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and right sleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer, the sleeves comprising a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of the left and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves and arch and shoulder protectors define openings configured to uncover left and right armpit regions of the wearer.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a unitary article of protective gear for a wearer. The article comprises: a front member for protecting a front side of a thorax of the wearer; a back member for protecting a back side of the thorax of the wearer; a collar for protecting a sternal angle region of the wearer, the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member; arch and shoulder protectors for protecting left and right trapezius regions and left and right shoulders of the wearer; and left and right sleeves for receiving left and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves comprise a plurality of arm protectors for protecting regions of the left and right arms of the wearer. The sleeves comprise a base which supports the arm protectors. The arm protectors comprise elbow caps for protecting left and right elbows of the wearer. The elbow caps are affixed to the base of the sleeves.
These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
A detailed description embodiments is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:
The description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 protect a thorax 12 of the player and arms LA, RA of the player against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, hockey sticks, etc.) during hockey, efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece article) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).
The shoulder pads 10 protect various regions of an upper body of the player. As shown in
The thorax 12 of the player further has a lateral direction and a medial direction representing directions extending farther and closer from the midline of the thorax 12 of the player, respectively. The left and right sides LS, RS of the thorax 12 respectively comprise left and right lateral rib regions LLR, RLR overlying the lateral sides of the ribs of the player. The thorax 12 additionally comprises left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player which join the left and right arms LA, RA of the player to the thorax 12. Each of the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS has a clavicle region CR, a scapular region BR, an acromioclavicular joint region ACR, and a deltoid region DR respectively overlying a clavicle, a scapula, an acromioclavicular joint, and a deltoid muscle of that shoulder.
The thorax 12 of the player has a front-back (i.e., a dorso-ventral) axis FBA (which is perpendicular to the front and back views shown in
As shown in
The panel 22 may comprises a liner 25 and a foam body 26 covering at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or an entirety of) the liner 25. In this example, the liner 25 may comprise a fabric, such as a synthetic fabric, such as LYCRA™, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane, etc., and any combination thereof. The foam body 26 may comprise one or more layers of foam. For instance, in this embodiment, the foam body 26 may comprise a plurality of layers 28 of foam laminated onto one another. More specifically, in this embodiment, the foam body comprises three layers 28 of foam laminated onto one another. In some embodiments, also, the foam body 26 may comprise layers of non-foam material. For example, in some embodiments, the foam body 26 may comprise one or more layers 28 of foam, an inner layer 27 of non-expanded polymeric material (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an inner side of the one or more layers 28 of foam, and an outer layer 29 of non-expanded polymeric material (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an outer side of the one or more layers 28 of foam. In this embodiment, the panel 22 may further comprise an outer cover 52 covering the foam body 26 on an outer side and defining an outermost surface of the panel 22. The outer cover may comprise any suitable material. In this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may comprise mesh and/or fabric. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may comprise VELCRO™ loops configured to allow attachment of VELCRO™ hooks. In this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may span over at least part of the foam body 26. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may span over at least a majority of the foam body 26. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 52 may span over an entirety of the foam body 26.
The front shield 24 may be configured to substantially cover the sternum region SR of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the front shield 24 may span an area of at least 500 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 700 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 900 cm2, and in some embodiments of even more (e.g., of at least 1000 cm2). The front shield 24 may have any suitable shape. For instance, in this embodiment, the front shield 24 may have an overall diamond shape. The front shield 24 may also have a variable thickness TFS. For instance, in front shield 24 may comprise a first set of portions 92 having a reduced thickness of no more than 10 mm, a second set of portions 93 having a thickness of at least 12 mm, and a third set of portions 94 having a thickness of at least 15 mm. In this embodiment, the second set of portions 92 may span a majority of a surface of the front shield, in some embodiments at least 60% of the surface area of the front shield, in some embodiments at least 70% of the surface area of the front shield, and in some embodiments even more.
The front shield 24 may be affixed to the panel 22 on an outer side of the panel 22 in any suitable way. More specifically, in this embodiment, the front shield 24 may be stitched to the panel 22. In some embodiments, the front shield 24 may be glued, fused or otherwise fastened to the panel 22.
The front shield 24 may comprise one or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in this embodiment, the front shield 24 may comprise at least two, three or four layers 54 of foam, and at least one layer 55 of non-expanded polymeric material. The non-expanded polymeric material may be any suitable polymeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE), etc. The front shield 24 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or all of) the front shield 24 may be molded into shape in a mold.
As shown in
The panel 32 may comprises a liner 35 and a foam body 36 covering at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or an entirety of) the liner 35. In this example, the liner 35 may comprise a fabric, such as a synthetic fabric, such as LYCRA™, polyester, nylon, polyamide, elastane, etc., and any combination thereof. The foam body 36 may comprise one or more layers of foam. For instance, in this embodiment, the foam body 36 may comprise a plurality of layers 38 of foam laminated onto one another. More specifically, in this embodiment, the foam body comprises three layers 38 of foam laminated onto one another. In some embodiments, also, the foam body 36 may comprise layers of non-foam material. For example, in some embodiments, the foam body 36 may comprise one or more layers 38 of foam, an inner layer 37 of non-expanded polymeric material (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an inner side of the one or more layers 38 of foam, and an outer layer 39 of non-expanded polymeric material (such as a polymeric sheet) laminated on an outer side of the one or more layers 38 of foam. In this embodiment, the panel 32 may further comprise an outer cover 56 covering the foam body 36 on an outer side and defining an outermost surface of the panel 22. The outer cover may comprise any suitable material. In this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may comprise mesh and/or fabric. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may comprise VELCRO™ loops configured to allow attachment of VELCRO™ hooks. In this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may span over at least part of the foam body 36. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may span over at least a majority of the foam body 36. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer cover 56 may span over an entirety of the foam body 36.
The back shield 34 may be configured to substantially cover the thoracic spinal region TSR of the thorax of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the back shield 34 may span an area of at least 1000 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 1200 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 1400 cm2, and in some embodiments of even more (e.g., of at least 1500 cm2). The back shield 34 may be larger than the front shield 24. For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of a total surface area of the back shield 34 over a total surface area of the front shield 24 may be at least 1.1, in some embodiments at least 1.3, in some embodiments at least 1.5, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least 1.7). The back shield 34 may have any suitable shape. For instance, in this embodiment, the back shield 34 may have an overall diamond shape. The back shield 34 may also have a variable thickness IFs. For instance, in back shield 34 may comprise a first set of portions 96 having a reduced thickness of no more than 10 mm, a second set of portions 97 having a thickness of at least 12 mm, and a third set of portions 98 having a thickness of at least 15 mm. In this embodiment, the second set of portions 97 may span a majority of a surface of the back shield, in some embodiments at least 60% of the surface area of the back shield, in some embodiments at least 70% of the surface area of the back shield, and in some embodiments even more.
The back shield 34 may be affixed to the panel 32 on an outer side of the panel 32 in any suitable way. More specifically, in this embodiment, the back shield 34 may be stitched to the panel 32. In some embodiments, the back shield 34 may be glued, fused or otherwise fastened to the panel 32.
The back shield 34 may comprise one or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in this embodiment, the back shield 34 may comprise at least two, three or four layers 58 of foam, and at least one layer 59 of non-expanded polymeric material. The non-expanded polymeric material may be any suitable polymeric material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE), etc. The back shield 34 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, at least part of (i.e., part of, a majority of, or all of) the back shield 34 may be molded into shape in a mold.
In this example, the panels 22, 32 are continuous and integral with one another. In particular, the panels 22, 32 are connected to one another over the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the player. In some embodiment, the panels 22, 32 may be distinct and separate from one another and may be connected to one another directly or indirectly over the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the player.
In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise rib protectors 40 for protecting front lower rib regions, back lower rib regions and lateral rib regions of the player. The rib protectors 40 comprise left and right rib protectors which are configured to substantially overly the front lower rib regions LFL, RFL, the back lower rib regions LTR, RTR and the lateral rib regions LLR, RLR of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player.
The rib protectors 40 may further connect the panels 22, 32 to one another. In particular, the rib protectors 40 may be affixed to bottom portions 57 of the back panel 32 and back shield 34, e.g., by being disposed between or over the back panel 32 and the back shield 34 and stitched to the back panel 32 and the back shield 34.
As shown in
Each rib protector 40 may comprise a chest strap 46 affixed to the main body 51 (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened) and detachably attachable to the front member 20. In this embodiment, the chest straps 46 are flexible and elastic. The chest straps 46 may be detachably attachable via any suitable connection, such as hook-and-loop connections. More specifically, each flexible chest strap 46 may comprise a connector portion 47 which, in this example, may include VELCRO™ hooks, and the front member 20 may comprise a corresponding connector portion 48 which, in this example, may include VELCRO™ loops.
In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 comprise a collar 50 for protecting the sternal angle region SAR of the player. The collar 50 is configured to substantially overly the sternal angle region SAR of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. As shown in
The collar 50 may optionally comprise a liner 54 defining an external surface of the collar 50. More specifically, in this embodiment, the liner 54 may comprise fabric material and may be a fabric liner. More specifically, in this embodiment, the fabric material may be a synthetic fabric such as LYCRA™, polyester, elastane, polyamide, etc., and any combination thereof. The collar 50 may be affixed to the front member 20, to the back member 30 and to arch and shoulder protectors 60 of the shoulder pads 10, in any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened).
In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise arch and shoulder protectors 60 for protecting the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR and the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player. The arch and shoulder protectors 60 comprise left and right arch and shoulder protectors 60 which are configured to substantially overly the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR and the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. The arch and shoulder protectors 60 (hereinafter referred-to as “protectors” for conciseness) may be disposed over upper portions 49 of the front and back members 20, 30 and may be affixed to at least one of the front and back members 20, 30 and the collar 50 by any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened). In particular, in this example, the protectors 60 may be stitched to the collar 50.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the padding 62 of the protectors 60 may comprise shoulder caps 68 for protecting the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player. The shoulder caps 68 may comprise left and right shoulder caps configured to substantially overly the left and right shoulders LSS, RSS of the player when the shoulder pads 10 are worn by the player. The shoulder caps 68 may comprise one or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in some embodiments, the shoulder caps 68 may comprise EXPANCELL™ foam. In some embodiments, the shoulder caps 68 may also comprise a film of non-expanded polymeric material such as TPU, PE, TPE, etc., covering the foam material.
The shoulder caps 68 may be manufactured in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the shoulder caps 68 may be molded into shape in a mold and the foam is a molded foam.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may comprise arm protectors 71 for protecting regions of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player. The arm protectors 71 may be configured to overly these regions of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. Each of the arm protectors 71 may be configured to absorb and dissipate at least a majority of (i.e., a majority of or an entirety of) impacts received thereon. That is, when subject to an impact, each arm protector 71 may be configured to absorb and dissipate more energy than the other components of the sleeves 70 that are also subject to said impact.
In this embodiment, the sleeves 70, including the arm protectors 71, may be integrated with the remainder of the shoulder pads 10, including the front member 20, the back member 30, the collar 50, the protectors 60, etc., such that the front member 20, the back member 30, the rib protectors 40, the collar 50, the protectors 60, and the sleeves 70 are donnable and doffable all at once. That is, the front member 20, the back member 30, the rib protectors 40, the collar 50, the protectors 60, and the sleeves 70 may be assembled into a unitary article of protective gear that can be donned and doffed by the player all at once, by passing his/her head into an opening of the collar 50, e.g., by inserting his/her arms into the sleeves 70 and positioning the arm protectors 71 on his/her arms LA, RA.
In this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may be strapless. That is, the sleeves 70 may be free of any strap that would be required for attaching the sleeves 70 to a remainder of the shoulder pads 10, to secure the shoulder pads 10 to arms of the player in a tight/comfortable fashion, and/or to secure padding components to the sleeves 70.
For instance, in this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may comprise a base 72. The base 72 may comprise a fabric and may be configured to face and/or contact the skin of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10.
The base 72 of the sleeves 70 may connect the sleeves 70 to a remainder of the shoulder pads 10. In particular, the base 72 of the sleeves 72 may be connected to the protectors 60 of the shoulder pads 10. More specifically, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may be continuous with the inner liner 64 and the outer cover 66 of the protectors 60. In particular, the fabric of the inner liner 64 and the fabric of the outer cover 66 may be continuous with the fabric of the base 72 of the sleeves 70, e.g., such that the fabric of the inner liner 64 and of the outer cover 66 extends beyond the protectors 60 and forms the base 72 of the sleeves 70. As such, in this embodiment, the sleeves 70 may be only connected to the protectors 60 and may be free of a connection to a remainder of the shoulder pads 10.
In this embodiment, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may support the arm protectors 71.
For instance, the sleeves 70 may comprise pockets to accommodate at least some of (i.e., some of, a majority of, or an all of) the arm protectors 71. In particular, each pocket may be configured to removably or permanently receive the arm pads 74 and may be connected to the base 72 of the sleeves 70. To facilitate insertion and removal of the arm protectors 74, the pockets may be light, flexible, and elastic. For example, some of the pockets may be located in portions configured to substantially overly biceps, triceps and/or forearms of the player. The base 72 of the sleeves may be affixed or attached to at least some of the arm protectors 71, e.g., by stitching, gluing, fusing or otherwise fastening.
In particular, in this embodiment, the arm protectors 71 comprise arm pads 74 for protecting upper arms of the player. The arm pads 74 may comprise left and right arm pads 74 configured to substantially overly the left and right triceps and/or the left and right biceps of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10. More specifically, some of the arm pads 74 may be biceps arm pads configured to substantially overly the left and right biceps of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10, and some of the arm pads 74 may be triceps arm pads configured to substantially overly the left and right triceps of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10.
In this example, as shown in
As shown in
During use, respective ones of the arm pads 74 may be inserted in the bicep pockets 88 for protecting the biceps of the player during play. The floating construction of the bicep pockets 88 may allow the user to move the bicep pockets 88 and the arm pads 74 encased therein when the player wears the shoulder pads 10 in order to have a more comfortable fit.
As shown in
During use, respective ones of the arm pads 74 may be inserted in the triceps pockets 89 for protecting the triceps of the player during play.
As shown in
The elbow caps 76 may be manufactured in any suitable way. In this embodiment, at least part of the elbow caps 76 may be molded into shape in a mold. For instance, the layer 104 may be injection molded. In some embodiments, every layer of the elbow caps 76 may be placed in a mold to form the elbow caps 76. The elbow caps 76 may be affixed to the base 72 of the sleeves by any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened).
As shown in
In this embodiment, the forearm protectors 78 may be configured to cover a majority of a circumference of the player's forearms. More specifically, the forearm protectors 78 are configured to cover an entirety of the circumference of the player's forearms.
The pockets of the sleeves 70 may comprise left and right forearm pockets 110 configured to receive the padding inserts 80 of the forearm protectors 78. Each forearm pocket 110 may be open at one end to allow insertion and removal of a respective padding inserts 80. In this example, the forearm pocket 110 may comprise mesh or fabric forming the forearm pocket 110. In some embodiments, the forearm pockets 110 may be similar in construction as the triceps pockets 89. In some embodiments, the sleeves 70 may comprise forearm protection covers 82 to cover the inserts 80 once they are in place in their respective pocket, and comprising one or more layers of expanded and non-expanded polymers (e.g., TPU, PE, TPE, etc.). For instance, in some embodiments, the forearm protection covers 82 may comprise a layer 107 of non-expanded polymeric material sandwiched between two layers 109 of foam material. The forearm protection cover 82 may be affixed to the base 72 of the sleeve 70 (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened) to form the forearm pocket 110. The forearm protection covers 82 may be manufactured in any suitable way. In this embodiment, at least part of the forearm protection covers 82 may be molded into shape in a mold. In some embodiments, every layer of the forearm protection covers 82 may be placed in a mold to form the forearm protection covers 82 and the forearm pocket 110.
The base 72 of the sleeves 70 may also form part of the forearm pocket 110 such that the forearm pocket 110 may not be a floating pocket in this example. Specifically, in this embodiment, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may form a wall of the forearm pocket 110. The forearm protection covers 82 may be affixed to the base 72 of the sleeves 70 by any suitable way (e.g., by being stitched, glued, fused or otherwise fastened).
During use, the padding inserts 80 of the forearm protectors 78 may be inserted in the forearm pockets 110 for protecting the left and right forearms LFA, LRA of the player.
The sleeves 70 may further comprise wrist guards 84 for protecting left and right wrists LW, RW of the player. The wrist guards 84 may comprise left and right wrist guards configured to overly left and right wrists LW, RW of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads. The wrist guards 84 may be affixed to the base 72 at distal ends 75 of the sleeves 70. This may be achieved in any suitable fashion, such as by stitching, gluing, fusing or otherwise fastening the wrist guards 84 may be affixed to the base 72. The wrist guards 84 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the wrist guards 84 may comprise one layer of non-expanded polymer (e.g., PU) and one layer of foam. More specifically, in this embodiment, the wrist guards 84 may comprise a liner of IXPE foam affixed to a molded layer of polyethylene (PE). The wrist guards 84 may also comprise a cover of synthetic material.
With additional reference to
Each opening 100 may have any suitable size which may be sufficient for cooling and/or providing comfort to the player during play. For instance, in some embodiments, the opening covers an area of at least 300 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 350 cm2, in some embodiments of at least 400 cm2, and in some embodiments even more.
The shoulder pads 10 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
In this embodiment, the shoulder pads 10 may comprise an attachment mechanism 120 for connecting the removable rib protectors 40 to the back member 30. The attachment mechanism 120 may comprise a first set of connectors 122 provided on the back member 30 and a second set of connectors 124 provided on the main body 41 of the rib protectors 40. The first and second set of connectors 122, 124 may be configured to be removably attachable to one another. For instance, in some embodiments, the first and second set of connectors 122, 124 may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.
In some embodiments, the first and second set of connectors 122, 124 may only be attachable at pre-determined positions. For instance, in some embodiments, the first set of connectors 122 may comprise buttons 126 connectable to respective connectors of the second set of connectors 124, and the second set of connectors 124 may comprise slits 128 each configured to receive a respective connector of the first set of connectors 122. In other embodiments, the first set of connectors 122 may comprise the slits buttons 128 and the second set of connectors 124 may comprise the buttons 126.
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As another example, in some embodiments, the sleeves 70 may be compression sleeves configured to compress the left and right arms LA, RA of the player when the player wears the shoulder pads 10, which may increase power capabilities of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player, increase endurance of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player, and/or reduce recovery times for the muscles of the left and right arms LA, RA of the player. The compression sleeves may also improve body tissues (e.g., blood) circulation through compression. For instance, in this embodiment, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may comprise a synthetic fabric, such as nylon, polyester, polyamide, elastane, etc., or any mix thereof. In some embodiments, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may be configured to provide a compression level of at least 10 mmHg, in some embodiments of at least 20 mmHg, in some embodiments of at least 30 mmHg, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least 35 mmHg). In some embodiments, the base 72 of the sleeves 70 may be configured to provide a compression that decreases from wrist to upper arm to facilitate body tissues circulation improve blood body tissues circulation.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.
Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.
In describing embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of description but this is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.
In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.
Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was purposes of describing, but should not be limiting. Various modifications will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled.
Claims
1. An article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts, the article of protective gear comprising:
- a front member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer;
- a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of the wearer;
- shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of the wearer;
- sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of the wearer; and
- openings configured to leave at least part of a left side of the thorax of the wearer and at least part of a right side of the thorax of the wearer uncovered by the article of protective gear.
2. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the front member, the back member, the shoulder protectors and the sleeves are donnable and doffable all at once.
3. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the sleeves are separate and spaced from the front member and the back member.
4. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the openings are configured to leave armpit regions of the wearer uncovered by the article of protective gear.
5. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein each opening covers an area of at least 300 cm2.
6. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein: the at least part of the left side of the thorax of the wearer comprises an upper region of the left side of the thorax of the wearer; the at least part of the rights side of the thorax of the wearer comprises an upper region of the right side of the thorax of the wearer; the article of protective gear comprises lower rib protectors configured to cover a lower region of the left side of the thorax of the wearer and a lower region of the right side of the thorax of the wearer; and the openings extends between the front member, the back member, the sleeves, and the lower rib protectors.
7. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the front member comprises a front panel configured to cover at least part of the front side of the thorax of the wearer, and a front shield disposed over the front panel to cover a sternum region of the thorax of the wearer.
8. The article of protective gear of claim 7, wherein the front panel comprises a fabric liner and a foam body covering at least part of the fabric liner.
9.-11. (canceled)
12. The article of protective gear of claim 7, wherein the front shield is molded into shape.
13.-22. (canceled)
23. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein: the front member comprises a front panel for covering the front side of the thorax of the wearer, and a front shield disposed over the front panel to cover a sternum region of the thorax of the wearer; and the back member comprises a back panel to cover the back side of the thorax of the wearer, and a back shield disposed over the back panel to cover a thoracic spinal region of the thorax of the wearer.
24. The article of protective gear of claim 23, wherein the front panel and the back panel are continuous and integral with one another.
25. (canceled)
26. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a collar configured to protect a sternal angle region of the wearer, the collar being affixed to the front member and to the back member.
27. The article of protective gear of claim 26, wherein the collar comprises a foam core and a fabric liner.
28. The article of protective gear of claim 27, wherein the collar is affixed to the front member, to the back member and to the shoulder protectors of the article.
29.-36. (canceled)
37. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the sleeves are integrated with at least one of the front member, the back member and the shoulder protectors.
38. The article of protective gear of claim 37, wherein: the shoulder protectors comprise an inner liner comprising a fabric, an outer cover comprising a fabric, and a padding disposed between the liner and the cover; and the fabric of the inner liner and the fabric of the outer cover extend beyond the shoulder protectors and form a base of the sleeves.
39. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is configured to enclose at least a majority of a surface area of a respective one of the arms of the wearer.
40. (canceled)
41. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is configured to enclose a respective one of the arms of the wearer along at least a majority of a length of the respective one of the arms of the wearer.
42.-45. (canceled)
46. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the sleeves are strapless.
47. The article of protective gear of claim 1, wherein the sleeves comprise a base which supports the arm protectors.
48. The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the base defines at least one pocket to accommodate at least one of the arm protectors.
49. (canceled)
50. (canceled)
51. The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the arm protectors comprise elbow caps for protecting elbows of the wearer.
52. (canceled)
53. The article of protective gear of claim 51, wherein the elbow caps are affixed to the base of the sleeves.
54.-57. (canceled)
58. The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the arm protectors comprise forearm protectors for protecting left and right forearms of the wearer.
59.-62. (canceled)
63. The article of protective gear of claim 47, wherein the sleeves comprise wrist guards for protecting left and right wrists of the wearer.
64. The article of protective gear of claim 62, wherein the wrist guards are affixed to the base at distal ends of the sleeves.
65-79. (canceled)
80. An article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts, the article of protective gear comprising:
- a front member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer;
- a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of the wearer;
- shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of the wearer;
- sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, and comprising a plurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of the wearer; and
- openings configured to leave left and right armpit regions of the wearer uncovered by the article of protective gear.
81. An article of protective gear for protecting an upper body of a wearer against impacts, the article of protective gear comprising:
- a front member configured to protect a front side of a thorax of the wearer;
- a back member configured to protect a back side of the thorax of the wearer;
- shoulder protectors configured to protect shoulders of the wearer;
- sleeves connected to the shoulder protectors, configured to receive arms of the wearer, comprising a plurality of arm protectors configured to protect the arms of the wearer, the sleeves comprising a base for supporting the arm protectors, the arm protectors comprising elbow caps configured to protect left and right elbows of the wearer, the elbow caps being affixed to the base of the sleeves.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2023
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2024
Inventors: Marco Beauregard (Gore), Ingrid Laflamme Gordon (Montreal), Mathieu Desjardins (Beaconsfield)
Application Number: 18/220,943