PROTECTIVE SPORTS EQUIPMENT

A protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer includes an inner layer comprising at least one protective pad, and a suspended panel located inwardly of the inner layer and connected thereto at first and second locations, the suspended panel being tensioned and defining a space with the inner layer, the space being located between the first and second locations. A method of assembling a protective sports equipment is also provided.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/403,097 titled “PROTECTIVE SPORTS EQUIPMENT” and filed Sep. 1, 2022, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to protective sports equipment.

BACKGROUND

Protective sports equipment, such as shin guards, elbow pads, shoulder pads and other protective gear, is commonly used in sports where a participant risks injury from moving objects or collisions with the ground, obstacles, or other persons.

In a sport such as ice hockey, players wear several pieces of protective sports equipment to protect various body parts. While offering protection of to the body part(s), the available protective sports equipment may restrict airflow to the skin of the wearer, and limit sweat withdrawal from the skin. This can cause, for example, sweat and heat build up, zones of local temperature increases, discomfort, skin irritation and the like.

Therefore, in spite of previous efforts, there exists room for improvement in the art for protective sports equipment that can mitigate the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer, including an inner layer, and a suspended panel located inwardly of the inner layer and connected thereto at first and second locations, the suspended panel being tensioned and defining a space with the inner layer, the space being located between the first and second locations and between the suspended panel and the inner layer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment further includes a first portion adapted to cover a joint of the body part of the wearer, and a second portion extending away from the first portion, the suspended panel being located in the second portion.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel is further connected to the inner layer at a third location located between the first location and the second location.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel extends between a first end of the protective sports equipment and a second end of the protective sports equipment, the suspended panel being deformable by a first amount in a first direction defined generally between the first end and the second end of the protective sports equipment, and is further deformable by a second amount in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction, the first amount being greater than the second amount.

In some embodiments, one of the first end and the second end of the protective sports equipment corresponds to one of the first and second locations where the suspended panel is connected to the inner layer.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel is shorter than the inner layer in at least one of the first and second directions.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel defines a plurality of oblong holes extending therethrough, and each oblong hole of the plurality of oblong holes has a major axis thereof extending generally along one of the first and second directions.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel is connected to the inner layer on a majority of a perimeter of the suspended panel.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel extends over a majority of the inner layer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment further includes an outer shell defining at least one opening, the inner layer being connected to and disposed inwardly from the outer shell, and the at least one opening of the outer shell being in fluid communication with the space to provide airflow into the space.

In some embodiments, the outer shell includes first and second protective pads, and the at least one opening is defined between the first and second protective pads.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is a shin guard, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shin guard and a shin when worn by the wearer.

In some embodiments, the shin guard includes a knee portion connected to a shin portion.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel has a first portion having a first width, the first portion being connected to the inner layer, and a second portion having a second width, the second portion being spaced from the first portion, the first width being greater than the second width.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is an elbow pad, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the elbow pad and a forearm when worn by the wearer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment further includes a strap connected to the suspended panel and to the inner layer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is a shoulder pad, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and an upper portion of a torso when worn by the wearer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment comprises a first suspended panel and a second suspended panel, the first suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and the upper portion of the torso when worn by the wearer, and the second suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and a bicep when worn by the wearer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is ice hockey pants, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the ice hockey pants and a lower portion of a torso when worn by the wearer.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is an ice hockey glove, the ice hockey glove having a palm portion and a dorsal portion, the suspended panel located between the palm portion and the dorsal portion and configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the ice hockey glove and the palm portion of the ice hockey glove.

In some embodiments, the ice hockey glove includes protective pads on the dorsal portion, and an opening is defined between adjacent protective pads.

In some embodiments, the suspended panel is shorter than the inner layer in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment is goaltender's body pad, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the goaltender's body pad and a back when worn by the wearer.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer, the method includes providing an outer shell, connecting an inner layer to the outer shell, the inner layer being disposed inwardly of the outer shell, and connecting a suspended panel to the inner layer inwardly of the inner layer at first and second locations such that the suspended panel is tensioned and configured to define a space with the inner layer.

In some embodiments, the outer shell defines at least one opening, and further comprising fluidly connecting the at least one opening with the space to provide airflow into the space.

In some embodiments, the protective sports equipment includes a first portion adapted to cover a joint of the body part of the wearer, and a second portion extending away from the first portion, and wherein the connecting the suspended panel includes connecting the suspended panel to the second portion.

Further details of these and other aspects of the subject matter of this application will be apparent from the detailed description included below and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a shin guard according to one embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2A is a rear, close-up view of the shin guard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a rear, close-up view of a shin portion of the shin guard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a suspended panel of the shin guard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a medial view of the shin guard of FIG. 1, with a knee portion thereof aligned with a shin portion thereof;

FIG. 4B is a rear view of the shin guard of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a medial view of the shin guard of FIG. 1, with the knee portion pivoted relative to the shin portion;

FIG. 5B is a rear view of the shin guard of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an elbow pad according to another embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the elbow pad of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a front view of another embodiment of an elbow pad according to the present technology;

FIG. 8B is a schematic view of a pattern for forming a forearm portion of the elbow pad of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a shoulder pad according to another embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a pattern for forming a front portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a schematic view of a pattern for forming a back portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10C is a inside plan view of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the front portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the back portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bicep portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13A is a schematic view of a pattern for forming the bicep portion of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13B is another perspective view of a bicep portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional, schematic view of the bicep portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9 covering a bicep of a person;

FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the bicep portion of the shoulder pad of FIG. 9 when worn by a person;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional, schematic view of ice hockey pants according to another embodiment of the present technology, the ice hockey pants covering a lower portion of a torso of a person;

FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the ice hockey pants of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a ice hockey glove according to another embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 15B is a bottom plan view of the ice hockey glove of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16A is cross-sectional, schematic view of the ice hockey glove of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16B illustrates a suspended panel of the ice hockey glove of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16C is a schematic view of a pattern for forming the suspended panel of FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16D is a schematic view of a pattern for forming the ice hockey glove of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 17 is an infrared picture showing on the left side a dorsal side of a hand wearing the ice hockey glove of FIG. 15A, and on the right side a dorsal side of another hand wearing a conventional ice hockey glove;

FIG. 18A is a front view of a goaltender's body pad according to another embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 18B is rear view of the goaltender's body pad of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 18C illustrates a suspended panel the goaltender's body pad of FIG. 18a;

FIG. 18D is a left side view of a back portion of the goaltender's body pad of FIG. 18A; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method of assembling a protective sports equipment according to another aspect of the present technology.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure generally describes protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 being embodiments of the present technology. It is to be expressly understood that the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 are merely embodiments of the present technology. The description thereof that follows is intended to be only a description of physical examples of the present technology. This description is not intended to define the scope or set forth the bounds of the present technology. In some cases, what are believed to be helpful examples of modifications to the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 are also set forth hereinbelow. This is done merely as an aid to understanding, and not to define the scope or set forth the bounds of the technology. These modifications are not exhaustive, and, as a person skilled in the art would understand, other modifications are likely possible. Further, it should not be interpreted that where this has not been done, i.e. where no examples of modifications have been set forth, that no modifications are possible and/or that what is described is the sole physical means of embodying that element of the present technology. As a person skilled in the art would understand, this is likely not the case.

Generally described, the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 are designed to increase airflow to the skin and/or an underlayer garment of a person (also referred to herein as a “wearer” or a “player”) wearing the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620. Increasing airflow to the skin and/or underlayer may improve the performance of the person wearing any one of or a combination of the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 during strenuous effort as sweat evaporation is promoted, which leads to improved cooling of the person's skin and thermoregulation. The person wearing any one of or a combination of the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 during strenuous effort can thus maintain, in some circumstances, a high level of performance for a longer time. Increasing airflow to the skin and/or underlayer may also improve, among other things, the comfort of the person wearing any one of or a combination of the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 about to be described. Each one of the protective sports equipment 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 will be described with a focus on features thereof that may contribute, at least in some conditions, to increased airflow, and thus improved comfort by lowering temperatures beneath the present protective sports equipment, as compared to conventional protective sports equipment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5B, there will be described the protective sports equipment 20 being a shin guard 20 according to one embodiment of the present technology. The shin guard 20 includes a knee portion 22a and shin portion 22b. The shin guard has an upper end 24a (FIG. 1) defined by the knee portion 22a, and a lower end 24b defined by the shin portion 22b. The knee portion 22a is adapted to cover the joint formed by the knee of a wearer, and the shin portion 22b extends away (i.e. downwardly) from the knee portion 22a. As best seen in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the knee portion 22a and the shin portion 22b are connected to the inner layer 40. The knee portion 22a can however be functionally connected to the shin portion 22b in alternative ways that are well known in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 5A, the knee portion 22a includes an outer shell 30a covering a majority of a front side of the knee portion 22a, and the shin portion 22b includes an outer shell 30b covering a majority of a front side of the shin portion 22b. Each one of the outer shells 30b may define respective openings 34a, 34b. The outer shells 30a, 30b are made of substantially inflexible polymeric materials to protect a wearer from a shooting puck, contact with hockey sticks, contact with another player, etc.

The shin guard 20 further includes an inner layer 40 connected to the outer shells 30a, 30b. The inner layer 40 is connected to the lateral sides of the outer shells 30a, 30b so that a portion 41 (FIG. 2B) of the inner layer 40 is inwardly spaced from the outer shells 30a, 30b; a protective gap is thus created between the inner layer 40, which is contact with the leg of a wearer and the outer shell 30a, 30b, which is subject to impact during play, for impact protection purposes. The inner layer 40 includes at least one protective pad 42 (FIG. 5B) designed to absorb the shocks to which the outer shells 30a, 30b are subjected to. The inner layer 40 defines openings 44 (shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B) which may be coincident, at least partially, with the openings 34b of the outer shell 30b. Elastic straps 46 are connected to the inner layer 40 and are configured to secure the shin guard 20 to a shin of a wearer of the shin guard 20. In configurations where a calf guard is connected to the lateral side of the inner layer 40, the elastic straps 46 may be connected to the calf guard.

The shin guard 20 further includes a suspended panel 50 located inwardly of the inner layer 40. In other words, the suspended panel 50 is locatable between the inner layer 40 and the body part that the shin guard 20 protects. The suspended panel 50 is made of a breathable fabric and is also referred to herein as a “sling” 50. The suspended panel (or sling) 50 is connected to the inner layer 40 at locations 52a, 52b, 52c (FIGS. 1 and 2B) being spaced apart from one another. Locations 52a, 52b are provided on the lateral sides of the shin guard 20, and location 52c is provided at a lower end 24b of the shin guard 20. The suspended panel 50 thus extends in the shin portion 22b of the shin guard 22a. The suspended panel 50 is connected to the inner layer 40 using seams but could be connected otherwise in other embodiments. The suspended panel 50 is tensioned between the locations 52a, 52b, 52c. The suspended panel 50 defines a space 60 (FIGS. 1, 2B, 4B and 5B) with the inner layer 40. The space 60 is located between the locations 52a, 52b, 52c. The tension in the suspended panel 50 provides that the suspended panel 50 remains spaced from the inner layer 40 while the shin guard 20 is not subjected to external loads (for example, when the wearer is skating). The openings 34b of the outer shell 30b and the openings 44 of the inner layer 40 are in fluid communication with the space 60 to provide airflow (schematically represented by arrows 62 in FIGS. 1 and 4B and 5B) into the space 60. Put differently, the openings 34b, 44 allow air to flow in and out of the space 60, and to the shin that is engaging the suspended panel 50 when the shin guard 20 is worn by a wearer. It is to be noted that the openings 34b could be omitted in some implementations, as air could flow in the space 60 from, for example, the lateral sides of the suspended panel 50. As the suspended panel 50 is tensioned between the locations 52a, 52b, 52c, the suspended panel 50 remains spaced from the inner layer 40 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the body part of the wearer engaging the suspended panel 50. Thus, the suspended panel 50 provides the protective sports equipment with a “sling system” for improved ventilation, at least at, but not limited to, the regions having the sling/suspended panel 50 therein.

In the shin guard 20, the suspended panel 50 extends only in the shin portion 22b in order to improve the stability of the shin guard 20 on a leg of a wearer. It has been found that providing a suspended panel 50 in a portion of the protective sports equipment 20 that covers a joint of a body part may result in a decrease in stability of the protective sports equipment 20, which may lead to undesirable movement of the protective sports equipment 20 over the body part. It is contemplated, however, that in other protective sports equipment, the suspended panel 50 could extend otherwise and be provided in a region of the protective sports equipment covering at least partially a joint of a body part.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the suspended panel 50 will be described in more detail. The suspended panel 50 extends between the upper end 24a and the lower end 24b of the shin guard 20. The suspended panel 50 is made of a stretchable fabric that stretches more in a vertical direction 62a than in a lateral direction 62b being generally transverse to the vertical direction 62a (FIG. 3). Put differently, for a given force applied to the suspended panel 50, the suspended panel 50 is deformable in the vertical direction 62a by an amount that is greater than an amount of deformation in the lateral direction 62b. To provide different directional stretchability and breathability to the fabric forming the suspended panel 50, a plurality of oblong holes 54 are defined in the suspended panel 50. Each one of the oblong holes 54 extends through the suspended panel 50 and has a major axis 54a (FIG. 3) extending generally along the vertical direction 62a, thus providing more stretchability to the fabric in the vertical direction 62a. Holes having different shapes and configurations are contemplated in other embodiments. It is to be noted that the material(s) and/or the configuration of the sling 50 (for example, the shape, size and orientation of the holes 54) is selected such that that the sling 50 defines the space 60 between the portion of the leg of the wearer and the inner layer 40 of the shin guard 20 when the shin guard 20 is not subjected to external loads (for example, when the wearer is skating).

The suspended panel 50 is also shorter than the inner layer 40 in the vertical direction 62a, which assists in providing tension therein when connected to the inner layer 40 to define the space 60. The suspended panel 50 could also be shorter than the inner layer 40 in the lateral direction 62b in some embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3, the suspended panel 50 has upper and lower portions 56a, 56b, and an intermediate portion 56c located between the upper and lower portions 56a, 56b. The upper portion 56a, the lower portion 56b and the intermediate portion 56c have respective width 58a, 58b, 58c (FIG. 3). The widths 58a, 58b are greater than the width 58c, and the suspended panel 50 generally has an hourglass shape (best seen in FIG. 3). Other shapes and configurations are contemplated. The upper portion 56a is connected to the inner layer 40 at locations 52a, 52b of the shin guard 20, and the lower portion 56b is connected to the inner layer 40 at location 52c. In some embodiments, the lower portion 56b is also connected to the inner layer 40 at location 52d (shown in dashed line in FIG. 2A). The intermediate portion 56c remains spaced apart from the inner layer 40 for defining the space 60. As best seen in FIG. 1, the suspended panel 50 extends over a majority of the inner layer 40 of the shin guard 20. It is contemplated that the suspended panel 50 could extend over a minority of the inner layer 40 of the shin guard 20 in other embodiments, and still define the space 60 adapted for providing improved airflow in and out of the shin guard 20 compared to conventional shin guards.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8B, there will be described the protective sports equipment 120 being an elbow pad 120 according to one embodiment of the present technology. The elbow pad 120 includes features that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the elbow pad 120 that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 100 series (for example, inner layer 40 corresponds to inner layer 140), and will not be described again in detail.

The elbow pad 120 includes an elbow portion 122a, a forearm portion 122b extending downwardly from the elbow portion 122a, and a bicep portion 122c extending upwardly from the elbow portion 122a. The elbow pad has an upper end 124a defined by the bicep portion 122c, and a lower end 124b defined by the forearm portion 122b. The elbow portion 122a is adapted to cover the joint formed by the elbow of a wearer, and the forearm portion 122b extends away (i.e. downwardly) from the elbow portion 122a.

The elbow portion 122a includes an outer shell 130a covering a majority of a rear side of the elbow portion 122a, and the forearm portion 122b includes two semi-circular pieces 123 connected together along the axis A, the pieces 123 defining an outer shell 130b covering a majority of a front side of the forearm portion 122b. The outer shell 130b defines openings 134b.

The elbow pad 120 further includes inner layers 140a, 140b (FIG. 7) connected to the outer shell 130a, 130b respectively and disposed inwardly thereof. The inner layer 140b define openings (not shown) being coincident, at least partially, with the openings 134b of the outer shell 130b. Strap 146 is configured to secure the elbow pad 120 to an elbow and forearm of a wearer of the elbow pad 120.

The elbow pad 120 further includes a suspended panel 150 located inwardly of the inner layer 140a, 140b. In the forearm portion 122b, the suspended panel 150 is connected to the inner layer 140b at locations 152a, 152b, 152c (FIG. 7) being spaced apart from one another. The suspended panel 150 thus extends in the forearm portion 122b of the elbow pad 120. The location 152c is located on the axis A intermediate the locations 152a, 152b which are on positioned on either side of the forearm portion 122b. The suspended panel 150 is connected to the inner layer 140b at location 152c, and a strap 170 is further connected to the inner layer 140b and to the suspended panel 150 at location 152c. The strap 170 is configured to further secure the elbow pad 120 to an elbow and forearm of a wearer of the elbow pad 120.

The suspended panel 150 is tensioned between the locations 152a, 152b, 152c. The suspended panel 150 defines spaces 160a, 160b (FIG. 7) with the inner layer 140b. The openings 134b of the outer shell 130b and the openings of the inner layer 140b are in fluid communication with the spaces 160a, 160b to provide airflow (schematically represented by arrows 162 in FIGS. 6 and 7) into the space 160. Put differently, the openings 134b allow air to flow in and out of the space 160a, 160b, and to the forearm that is engaging the suspended panel 150 when the elbow pad 120 is worn by a wearer. The suspended panel 150 also defines oblong holes 154 having a major axis 154a extending generally along a longitudinal direction 162a (i.e. being substantially parallel to an arm of a wearer of the elbow pad 120), thus providing more stretchability to the fabric in the longitudinal direction 162a than in a transverse direction 162b. Holes having different shapes and configurations are contemplated in other embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the protective sports equipment 220 being shown is an elbow pad 220 according to another embodiment of the present technology. The elbow pad 220 includes features that are the same as or similar to those of the elbow pad 120. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the elbow pad 220 that are the same as or similar to those of the elbow pad 120 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 200 series (for example, inner layer 140 corresponds to inner layer 240), and will not be described again in detail.

The elbow pad 220 differs from the elbow pad 120 in that the elbow pad 220 is made of a single piece as opposed to two semi-circular pieces as in the elbow pad 120. There is therefore no location 152c to connect the suspended panel 250 to. The suspended panel 250 is connected to the inner layer 240 on a majority of a perimeter 250a of the suspended panel 250. The space 260 defined between the suspended panel 250 and the inner layer 240 has a greater volume than any one of the volumes of the spaces 160a, 160b defined between the suspended panel 150 and the inner layer 140 in the elbow pad 120. As the space 260 has greater volume, airflow in and out of the space 260 is improved at least in some conditions compared to the airflow in and out of the spaces 160a, 160b in the elbow pad 120.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13D, the protective sports equipment 320 being shown is a shoulder pad 320 according to another embodiment of the present technology. The shoulder pad 320 includes features that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the shoulder pad 320 that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 300 series (for example, inner layer 340 corresponds to inner layer 40), and will not be described again in detail.

The shoulder pad 320 has a front portion 322a, a back portion 322b and tow bicep portions 322c. The front portion 322a includes an outer shell 330a defining openings 334a. The inner layer 340 defines openings 344a that are coincident with the openings 334a. Referring to FIG. 10A, the front portion 322a further includes a front suspended panel 350a connected to the inner layer 340 of the shoulder pad 320 at locations 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d being spaced apart from one another. The front suspended panel 350a is tensioned between the locations 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d. A space 360a (FIG. 11A) is defined between the front suspended panel 350a and the inner layer 340. The space 360a is located between the locations 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d. The openings 334a, 344a allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 360a (schematically represented by arrows 362a in FIG. 11A), and to a chest of a wearer of the shoulder pad 320. As the front suspended panel 350a is tensioned between the locations 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, the front suspended panel 350a remains spaced from the inner layer 340 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the chest of the wearer engaging the front suspended panel 350a.

Referring to FIGS. 10B and 10C, the back portion 322b of the shoulder pad 320 includes an outer shell defining openings. The inner layer 340 defines openings 344b that are coincident with the openings of the outer shell. The back portion 322b of the shoulder pad 320 further has a back suspended panel 350b. The back suspended panel 350b is connected to the inner layer 340 at locations 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h being spaced apart from one another. The back suspended panel 350b is tensioned between the locations 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h. A space 360b (FIG. 11B) is defined between the back suspended panel 350b and the inner layer 340. The space 360b is located between the locations 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h. The openings of the outer shell and the openings 344b allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 360b (schematically represented by arrows 362b in FIG. 11B), and to a back of a wearer of the shoulder pad 320. As the back suspended panel 350b is tensioned between the locations 352e, 352f, 352g, 352h, the back suspended panel 350b remains spaced from the inner layer 340 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the back of the wearer engaging the back suspended panel 350b.

The front and back suspended panels 350a, 350b are thus configured to provide the respective spaces 360a, 360b between the inner layer 340 of the shoulder pad 320 and an upper portion of a torso when the shoulder pad 320 is worn by a wearer.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12 to 13D, each bicep portion 322c of the shoulder pad 320 includes an outer shell 330c defining openings 334c. The inner layer 340 defines openings 344c that are coincident with the openings 334c. Each bicep portion 322c of the shoulder pad 320 further has a bicep suspended panel 350c. The bicep suspended panel 350c is connected to the inner layer 340 at a location 352i (FIG. 13A) that is arcuately shaped, and thus defining spaced apart locations where the bicep suspended panel 350c is connected to the inner layer 340, for example at the ends 352j, 352k and at an apex 352l of the arc defined by location 352i. The bicep suspended panel 350c is shorter than the inner layer 340 at least in the lateral direction (i.e. transverse to a bicep of a wearer of the shoulder pad 320), and since the bicep suspended panel 350c is connected to the inner layer 340 at the arcuately-shaped location 352i, the bicep suspended panel 350c is tensioned. A space 360c (FIGS. 12, 13C and 13D) is defined between the bicep suspended panel 350c and the inner layer 340. The space 360c extends between the ends 352j, 352k and the apex 352l of location 352i. The openings 334c, 344c allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 360c (schematically represented by arrows 362c in FIGS. 12 and 13D), and to a bicep of a wearer of the shoulder pad 320. As the bicep suspended panel 350c is tensioned at location 352i, the bicep suspended panel 350c remains spaced from the inner layer 340 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the bicep of the wearer engaging the bicep suspended panel 350c.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the protective sports equipment 420 being shown is ice hockey pants 420 according to another embodiment of the present technology. The ice hockey pants 420 include features that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the ice hockey pants 420 that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 400 series (for example, inner layer 440 corresponds to inner layer 40), and will not be described again in detail.

The ice hockey pants 420 include has a left side portion 422a and a right side portion 422b. An air permeable belly pad 421 being part of the outer shell 430a extends between the left and right side portions 422a, 422b. The perforated belly pad 421 defines openings 434a. The left side portion 422a further includes a left suspended panel 450a connected to the inner layer 440 of the ice hockey pants 320 at locations 452a, 452b being spaced apart from one another. The left suspended panel 450a is tensioned between the locations 452a, 452b. A space 460a (FIG. 14A) is defined between the left suspended panel 450a and the inner layer 440. The space 460a is located between the locations 452a, 452b. The openings 434a are in fluid communication with the space 460a, and allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 460a (schematically represented by arrow 462a in FIG. 14A), and to a lower left portion of a torso of a wearer of the ice hockey pants 420. As the left suspended panel 450a is tensioned between the locations 452a, 452b, the left suspended panel 450a remains spaced from the inner layer 440 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the lower left portion of the torso of the wearer engaging the left suspended panel 450a.

The right-side portion 422b may also include a right suspended panel 450b connected to the inner layer 440 of the ice hockey pants 420 at locations 452c, 452d being spaced apart from one another. The right suspended panel 450b is tensioned between the locations 452c, 452d. A space 460b (FIG. 14A) is defined between the right suspended panel 450b and the inner layer 440. The space 460b is located between the locations 452c, 452d. The openings 434a are in fluid communication with the space 460b and allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 460b (schematically represented by arrow 462b in FIG. 14A), and to a lower right portion of a torso of a wearer of the ice hockey pants 420. As the right suspended panel 450b is tensioned between the locations 452c, 452d, the right suspended panel 450b remains spaced from the inner layer 440 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the lower right portion of the torso of the wearer engaging the right suspended panel 450b.

Referring to FIGS. 15A to 17, the protective sports equipment 520 being shown is an ice hockey glove 520 according to another embodiment of the present technology. The ice hockey glove 520 includes features that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the ice hockey glove 520 that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 500 series (for example, inner layer 540 corresponds to inner layer 40), and will not be described again in detail.

The ice hockey glove 520 has a palm portion 522a which is adapted to cover a palm side of a hand of a wearer of the ice hockey glove 520. The palm portion 522a includes little to no protective elements and is in contact with the palm and fingers of the wearer. The ice hockey glove 520 further includes a dorsal portion 522b including protective blocks/pads 531 for the palm and fingers of the wearer. The dorsal portion 522b includes an outer shell 530 covering a majority of a dorsal side of a hand. The outer shell 530 includes the protective blocks/pads 531 that are connected to an inner layer 540 (FIG. 16A) of the ice hockey glove 520. Openings 534 are defined in the outer shell 530 between adjacent protective blocks/pads 531. The inner layer 540 is disposed inwardly of the outer shell 530. The inner layer 540 defines openings 544 being coincident, at least partially, with the openings 534 of the outer shell 530. The ice hockey glove 520 further includes a suspended panel 550 located inwardly of the inner layer 540. In other words, the suspended panel 550 is locatable between the inner layer 540 and the dorsal side of a hand of a wearer of the ice hockey glove 520. The suspended panel 550 is connected to the inner layer 540 at locations 552a, 552b, 552c, 552d (FIG. 16D) being spaced apart from one another.

The suspended panel 550 is tensioned between the locations 552a, 552b, 552c, 552d. The suspended panel 550 is also shorter than the inner layer 540 in the lateral direction 562a (FIG. 16D), which assists in providing tension therein when connected to the inner layer 540. The suspended panel 550 could also be shorter than the inner layer 540 in the longitudinal direction 562b in some embodiments. The suspended panel 550 defines a space 560 (FIG. 16A) with the inner layer 540. The space 560 is located between the locations 552a, 552b, 552c, 552d. The openings 534 of the outer shell 530 and the openings 544 of the inner layer 540 are in fluid communication with the space 560 to provide airflow (schematically represented by arrows 562 in FIG. 16A) into the space 560. Put differently, the openings 534, 544 allow air to flow in and out of the space 560, and to the dorsal side of a hand when the ice hockey glove 520 is worn by a wearer. As the suspended panel 550 is tensioned between the locations 552a, 552b, 552c, 552d, the suspended panel 550 remains spaced from the inner layer 540 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the dorsal side of a hand when the ice hockey glove 520 is worn by a wearer.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown on the left side an infrared picture of a dorsal side of a hand of a wearer of the ice hockey glove 520. On the right side of the infrared picture, there is shown a dorsal side of a hand of a wearer of a conventional ice hockey glove. The infrared picture shows that the dorsal side of the hand wearing the ice hockey glove 520 is significantly cooler than the dorsal side of the hand wearing the conventional ice hockey glove. This difference is attributed to the improved airflow in and out of the space 560 defined between the suspended panel 550 and the inner layer 540.

Referring to FIG. 18A to 18D, the protective sports equipment 620 being shown is goaltender's body pad (which may also be referred to as a goalie chest and arm protector or “body armour”) 620 according to another embodiment of the present technology. The goaltender's body pad 620 includes features that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20. Therefore, for simplicity, features of the goaltender's body pad 620 that are the same as or similar to those of the shin guard 20 have been labeled with the same reference numerals, but in the 600 series (for example, inner layer 640 corresponds to inner layer 40), and will not be described again in detail.

Referring to FIG. 18A, a front portion 622 of the goaltender's body pad 620 includes protective pads 624 and is free of suspended panel 650. The front portion 622 could include a suspended panel 650 in some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 18B, a back portion 626 of the goaltender's body pad 620 includes openings 634b that are in fluid communication with the space 660 (FIG. 18D), and a suspended panel 650 is provided inward of the back portion 626 and the space 660. The suspended panel 650 is shaped to engage a back of a wearer and allow for improved airflow in and out of the space 660 (schematically represented by arrows 662 in FIG. 18C), and to either side of the back of a wearer of the goaltender's body pad 620. The suspended panel 650 is connected to the inner layer 640 inwardly of the inner layer 640 at locations 652a, 652b, such that the suspended panel 650 is tensioned between the locations 652a, 652b, and configured to define the space 660. As the suspended panel 650 is tensioned between the locations 652a, 652b, the suspended panel 650 remains spaced from the inner layer 640 at least in some circumstances when worn by the wearer, therefore improving airflow to and from the back of the wearer engaging the suspended panel 650. It is contemplated that the openings 634b and/or the suspended panel 650 could be configured to allow for improved airflow from a lower and an upper portion of the back portion 626, in addition to or instead of the improved airflow on the sides of the back portion 626.

Referring to FIG. 19 and in accordance with another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a method 700 of assembling a protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer. For illustrative purposes and for the sake of clarity, reference will be made to the shin guard 20 described above in the description of the method 700. The method 700 is however applicable to other protective sports equipment, whether the protective sports equipment 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 having been described above or other protective sports equipment.

At step 702, the method 700 involves providing the outer shell 30b with at least one opening 34b. In the shin guard 20, a plurality of openings 34b are defined in the outer shell 30b, but only one opening 34b could be defined in some embodiments. It is contemplated that the outer shell 30b could be free of opening(s) 34b defined therein. At step 704, the inner layer 40 is connected to the outer shell 30b. The connection can be made using fasteners, adhesive, or any other suitable bonding materials and techniques.

The inner layer 40 is disposed inwardly of the outer shell 30b. In some embodiments, the inner layer 40 includes at least one protective pad 42 to absorb the shocks to which the outer shell 30b is subjected to. At step 706, the suspended panel 50 is connected to the inner layer 40 inwardly of the inner layer 40 at locations 52a, 52b, 52c (FIG. 2B) such that the suspended panel 50 is tensioned between the locations 52a, 52b, 52c, and configured to define the space 60. The space 60 thus extends between the inner layer 40 and the suspended panel 50, and between the locations 52a, 52b, 52c. At optional step 710, the at least one opening 34b of the outer shell 30b is fluidly connected to the space 60 to provide airflow into the space 60.

It is to be noted that the suspended panel 50 is connected to the shin portion 22b of the shin guard 20 in order to improve the stability of the shin guard 20 on a leg of a wearer. Hence, the suspended panel 50 is connected to a portion of the protective sports equipment that is adapted to not cover a joint of a body part of a wearer. It is however contemplated that this could be the case in other protective sports equipment being other embodiments of the present technology.

The embodiments described in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present technology. Upon review of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present technology.

Claims

1. A protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer, comprising:

an inner layer; and
a suspended panel located inwardly of the inner layer and connected thereto at first and second locations, the suspended panel being tensioned and defining a space with the inner layer, the space being located between the first and second locations and between the suspended panel and the inner layer.

2. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, further comprising a first portion adapted to cover a joint of the body part of the wearer, and a second portion extending away from the first portion, the suspended panel being located in the second portion.

3. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the suspended panel is further connected to the inner layer at a third location located between the first location and the second location.

4. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the suspended panel extends between a first end of the protective sports equipment and a second end of the protective sports equipment, the suspended panel being deformable by a first amount in a first direction defined generally between the first end and the second end of the protective sports equipment, and is further deformable by a second amount in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction, the first amount being greater than the second amount.

5. The protective sports equipment of claim 4, wherein one of the first end and the second end of the protective sports equipment corresponds to one of the first and second locations where the suspended panel is connected to the inner layer.

6. The protective sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the suspended panel is shorter than the inner layer in at least one of the first and second directions.

7. The protective sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the suspended panel defines a plurality of oblong holes extending therethrough, and each oblong hole of the plurality of oblong holes has a major axis thereof extending generally along one of the first and second directions.

8. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the suspended panel is connected to the inner layer on a majority of a perimeter of the suspended panel.

9. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the suspended panel extends over a majority of the inner layer.

10. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, further comprising an outer shell defining at least one opening, the inner layer being connected to and disposed inwardly from the outer shell, and the at least one opening of the outer shell being in fluid communication with the space to provide airflow into the space.

11. The protective sports equipment of claim 10, wherein the outer shell includes first and second protective pads, and wherein the at least one opening is defined between the first and second protective pads.

12. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the protective sports equipment is a shoulder pad, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and an upper portion of a torso when worn by the wearer.

13. The protective sports equipment of claim 12, wherein the protective sports equipment comprises a first suspended panel and a second suspended panel, the first suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and the upper portion of the torso when worn by the wearer, and the second suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the shoulder pad and a bicep when worn by the wearer.

14. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the protective sports equipment is an ice hockey glove, the ice hockey glove having a palm portion and a dorsal portion, the suspended panel located between the palm portion and the dorsal portion and configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the ice hockey glove and the palm portion of the ice hockey glove.

15. The protective sports equipment of claim 14, wherein the ice hockey glove includes protective pads on the dorsal portion, and an opening is defined between adjacent protective pads, the opening being in fluid communication with the space.

16. The protective sports equipment of claim 14, wherein the suspended panel is shorter than the inner layer in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.

17. The protective sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the protective sports equipment is a goaltender's body pad, and the suspended panel is configured to provide the space between the inner layer of the goaltender's body pad and a back when worn by the wearer.

18. A method of assembling a protective sports equipment for protecting a body part of a wearer, the method comprising:

providing an outer shell;
connecting an inner layer to the outer shell, the inner layer being disposed inwardly of the outer shell; and
connecting a suspended panel to the inner layer inwardly of the inner layer at first and second locations such that the suspended panel is tensioned and configured to define a space with the inner layer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer shell defines at least one opening, and further comprising fluidly connecting the at least one opening with the space to provide airflow into the space.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the protective sports equipment comprises a first portion adapted to cover a joint of the body part of the wearer, and a second portion extending away from the first portion, and wherein the connecting the suspended panel includes connecting the suspended panel to the second portion.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240075375
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 28, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 7, 2024
Inventors: Marie-Jeanne HANDFIELD (Montréal), Ryan BROWNRIDGE (Saint-Basile-le-Grand), Jean-François BÉLAND (Montreal), Samuel MAHEUX (Montréal), François-Olivier DAGNEAU (Dorval)
Application Number: 18/456,948
Classifications
International Classification: A63B 71/12 (20060101); A63B 71/14 (20060101);