Abstract: This invention relates to items of clothing, in particular headwear, which has protective qualities. The protective clothing (1) is provided in a number of shock absorbent sections (2) which are joined together to make the basic structure. Air vents are provided in the form of either elastic material or slits (6), and one or more of the vents can be provided with an adjustable fastener (7) which allows the clothing to expand to fit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a protective enclosure is provided. The protective enclosure is used to form a fabric barrier surrounding a patient to prevent contamination from the patient from spreading. The protective suit provides access panels so that a limited area of the patient may be accessed for treatment purposes. The method and apparatus allows a patient to be retained within the protective suit during transport and while receiving treatment. The protective suit thereby limits the spread of contamination to the surrounding environment, including health care personnel and diagnostic machinery.

Abstract: A body protection device in the form of an inflatable vest includes an inflation mechanism that is actuated upon separation or removal of the wearer from a vehicle. A compressed gas cartridge is held in an interior pocket of the vest and attached to an inflatable bladder. The compressed gas cartridge communicates with the interior of the bladder through a cartridge actuation mechanism and an inflation tube. The cartridge actuation mechanism includes a triggering device that operates an actuation lever to open the cartridge. The actuation lever is actuated in response to a pulling force of predetermined magnitude that detaches the triggering mechanism from the actuation mechanism. The actuation lever is connected to the vehicle by a lanyard, which lanyard, when a wearer of the vest is forcibly separated from the vehicle, actuates the triggering device before detaching from the actuation mechanism, thereby opening the cartridge to inflate the vest.

Abstract: A pressure-applying garment particularly suited for locating and applying pressure to transmitters is formed by a main inflatable bladder inflated to first pressure to press its inner wall toward a wearer and conform the inner wall to contours of said wearer and to apply the desired pressure between the wearer and a transmitter interposed between the main bladder and the wearer. A plurality of auxiliary inflatable bladders positioned relative to the main bladder and oriented to having their inner walls facing toward said wearer. The auxiliary bladders are provided with separate inflating systems so that at least some of said auxiliary bladders are inflated to a selected pressure different from (higher than) the first pressure to deform inner wall of its auxiliary bladder to conform with and press towards adjacent portions of said wearer and preferably to apply the desired pressure between the wearer and a transmitter interposed between the auxiliary bladder and the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a multi parts garment having multiple means for the protection of motor bikers and/or of athletes practicing various sports against traumas from accidental falls and violent impacts; said garment has in cooperation a jacket having seam sections in preset tearing yarn, a gilet internally joined thereto and integrally associated to plural pockets in a fabric having a predetermined porosity and preset to be inflated by means of compressed gas bottles, which are advantageously overlapped, or adhering to a back protector protecting the spine and having a rigid polymeric structure, and an electronic unit, receiving pulses from acceleration sensors between the motor biker and the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A one piece protective garment to be worn by children or adults while playing paintball has padding sewn into it at spots where injury is anticipated due to collision with other players and obstacles. There are also a belted waist, a collar, central zipper, and adjustable safety closures on the sleeves, pant legs, and ankles for adjusting the garment's fit. A removable padded bib covers the chest for extra protection. Mesh-like material on the armpits and chest ventilates the player to avoid overheating. Accessible compartments store accessories specific to the game of paintball. The garment's material is a camouflage design, or dark color, in order for the user to blend into the landscape and effectively hide from other players. The material is also water resistant and strong enough to resist normal wear and tear. A quilted pattern is aesthetically pleasing and increases the material's strength.

Abstract: A well styled, single layer shell jacket is resistant to inclement conditions, yet possesses the various characteristics of conventionally comfortable clothing, and permits the stitching of emblems thereon without impairing waterproof and windproof characteristics. Superposed on the waterproof and windproof fabric of each sleeve and forming a pocket thereon is a patch. In the patch is a zipper or other closure. This closure, when opened, permits entry into the pocket and sewing of an emblem or the like on the packet without affecting the waterproof and windproof construction of the remainder of the jacket.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an articulated joint for a pressure vessel, especially a pressure suit, by separately forming a structural fabric and a gas barrier layer into a series of alternating peaks and valleys. The structural fabric can be formed into the three dimensional shape by patterning or heat shrinkage. The resulting articulated joint, pressure vessels and pressurized suits are also described.

Abstract: An eyes and ears protection device provides a forehead beam supporting a depending goggle-like eyes shield and laterally opposed depending side shields. The lateral portions of the forehead beam pivotally support rearwardly extending temple beams, the rearward portions of which each movably interconnect a rearwardly extending ear beam by a ball and socket joint. The rearward portion of each ear beam movably interconnects an earplug structure by a ball and socket joint. Each earplug structure movably supports an earplug positionable for use in a user's auditory canal and for storage in a cavity or space defined by the ear beam.

Abstract: The present invention is a padded garment covering the lower torso and upper legs of paraplegics, who have lost not only control of their legs but any sensation of pain, said garments providing protection against bruises and abrasions caused by sliding about on floors, collisions with edges and corners, and/or other activities involved in moving about, the padding of said garment having a resilient core resistent to complete collapse and covered with a surface resistent to puncture or wear by the described activities and devoid of seams, fasteners, and other protrusions which could cause injury by chafing, said garment capable of conforming to any of several body positions.

Abstract: A radiation-curable low stress relaxation elastomeric material with improved elastic and mechanical properties. The elastomeric material may be used alone or with skin layers to form elastomeric films, webs, laminates and products containing them.

Abstract: In a protective garment, such as a firefighter's garment, of a type comprising an outer shell and a reflective strip, which is sewn to the outer shell, the reflective strip is spaced from the outer shell, except where the reflective strip is sewn to the outer shell, whereby to reduce risks of thread abrasion and to provide thermal insulation. The reflective strip may be thus spaced by a single strip interposed between two opposite margins of the reflective strip, along which margins the reflective strip is sewn to the outer shell, or by two spaced strips interposed therebetween. If two spaced strips are used, the reflective strip may be also sewn to the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other or, alternatively, the reflective strip is detached from the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other so as to define an air space between the reflective strip and the outer shell where the spaced strips are spaced from each other.

Abstract: A protective garment for preventing injury to the head, neck and torso. A helmet is rotatable mounted on a vest. The helmet includes a visor and a front section that is partially coextensive with the neck section and which is capable of being opened. The vest includes a back section and a left front section and a right front section. The left front section and the right front section are both mounted to rotate on the back section to be folded together to close the vest and to hold the helmet on the vest. Both the left front section and the right front section have an upper section which is rigid and a lower section which is flexible.

Abstract: A camouflaged material for outdoor wear has an inside liner material with a fine mesh to prevent the passage of insects therethrough. An outside layer overlays the inside layer and is die-cut to have a plurality of leaf tabs cut therein with the leaf tabs having a substantially elliptical shape having a cut perimeter on opposite sides and a cut end therebetween, with an opposite end to the cut end forming a live hinge with respect to the outside layer, to permit the leaf tabs to deflect from the outside layer in a random fashion to create an outer appearance of random leaves.

Abstract: An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.

Abstract: A method of graft polymerization in order to covalently bond groups that are antimicrobial or can be made antimicrobial by subsequent chemical modification. These groups are bonded to fabrics, which can be used in a variety of applications without impairing the physical properties of the fabric. Additionally, the treatment may be made renewable by exposing the fabric to specific chemical reagents.

Abstract: A personal protective system for providing additional protection from hostile environments resulting from natural disasters.

Abstract: A well styled, single layer shell jacket is resistant to inclement conditions, yet possesses the various characteristics of conventionally comfortable clothing, and permits the stitching of emblems thereon without impairing waterproof and windproof characteristics. Optionally, a liner is attachable to the interior of the jacket without disturbing the functionality of the shell jacket. Superposed on the waterproof and windproof fabric of each sleeve and forming a pocket thereon is a superposed upper patch, which appears to be a continuation of the yoke and the edges of which are joined to the sleeve by seams of stitching. In the patch is a zipper or other closure. This closure, when opened, permits entry into the pocket and sewing of an emblem or the like on the patch without affecting the waterproof and windproof construction of the remainder to the jacket.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant garment and method of producing same. A garment that is highly ventilated while providing abrasion protection for a wearer during a slide, as for instance that may occur during a fall from a motorcycle. A material is produced wherein abrasion-resistant, low sliding friction, beads are held within a matrix of high-tensile strength, abrasion-resistant, cords. The beaded matrix within the garment can be augmented with layers to form a lining and exterior layers to enhance visibility. The force of a sliding rider is retained over the beaded matrix, away from the road surface. Under abrasive sliding friction, the beads additionally rotate to an extent which tightens the cord matrix and thereby helps constrain the skin surface of the wearer from making contact with the roadway surface.

Abstract: A protective body garment including a body covering for protecting the body from injury during sporting events and having a plurality of pads, a torso portion having a neck opening therein and two sleeve portions fixedly coupled thereto. Each of the pads is covered by a panel made from cloth and sewn to the garment. A plurality of cushions is fixedly coupled to the garment and is covered by a panel, which is sewn to the garment. Each of the cushions has a base portion and a hollow collapsible member directed away from the garment wherein the collapsible member is fixedly coupled to the base portion. A first cushion is fixedly coupled to a right elbow portion of the garment and a second cushion is fixedly coupled to a left elbow portion of the garment.

Abstract: Protective body apparel, comprising, one or more foundation components adapted to be removably worn proximate one or more parts of said body; and one or more pads comprising, a polymeric material capable of absorbing impact energy, which comprises a plurality of microspheres and which is viscoelastic at room temperature, wherein one or more of said pads is carried by one or more of said foundation components; and method for shaping said polymeric material.

Abstract: A garment for pets, designed for minimizing the distribution of hair from the pet while maximizing comfort for the pet. The garment is lightweight and, in particular, allows air to flow through unimpeded. The garment has a body panel and fasteners for fastening said body panel onto the back, sides and breast of a pet, and, in particular, the body panel is a mesh fabric.

Abstract: A transparent protective swimsuit covering garment that will be worn by an individual entering a common swimming or bathing area over their swimsuit to prevent exposure to germs existing in water including a body portion adapted for adhering a body of an individual user. The body portion is constructed of a transparent and waterproof material. The body portion has an open neck portion to allow a head of the user to protrude therethrough. The body portion is capable of completely enclosing the body of the individual user. A head cover is adapted for adhering to the head of the individual user. The head cover is constructed of a transparent and waterproof material. The head cover is adapted for coupling with the body portion. The head cover has an open face portion. The head cover completely encloses the head of the individual.

Abstract: Lower body, upper body, and hood garments formed of a textile that inhibit the ability of insects or small animals to bite or sting the wearer. The textile of the garments have a base fabric and a cover fabric separated by a spacer layer. The base fabric is open to facilitate breathability. The cover fabric is sufficiently closed to inhibit insects, spiders, or other small animals from passing through the cover fabric, and sufficiently open so as not to inhibit the breathability of the textile. The spacer layer separates the base fabric from the cover fabric with sufficient distance to inhibit insects, spiders, or other small animals from probing through the textile to reach the wearer.

Abstract: A protective body vest for protecting against impact upon torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities. The invention comprises a multi-section, one-piece garment comprising of a vest sized and shaped to be worn on the torso of an athlete with a multi-layered protective padding that automatically adjusts for varying body sizes and can be customized by the wearer based on safety, comfort and athletic performance concerns. The invention further comprises a shoulder portion with oversized apertures for the arms, an anterior portion, a pair of lateral portions and a tapered-design posterior portion. The invention further utilizes an offset opening located off set from the medial line of a human torso to protect the heart and a flap or overlap to protect the region of the offset opening and cover the vest area about the offset opening.

Abstract: A garment for use in watersports to protect one or more than one vulnerable region of a person's body considered susceptible to injury associated with repetitive contact with a hard surfboard surface, comprising a body garment (10) having an inside surface and an outer surface; and one or more than one cushioning pad (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) connected to the body garment (10), disposed adjacent the inside surface, or the outer surface, or the inside surface and the outer surface, and positioned in juxtaposition to the one or more than one vulnerable region of the body, and one or more than one insert pad (44) for insertion into one or more than one pocket (26). The vulnerable regions may be optionally selected from the group consisting of the body area in proximity to the ribs, upper hips, elbows, inner elbows, knees, ankles, front of ankles adjacent the feet, and lower back.

Abstract: Injury protective clothing for children and the elderly would help protect them from injury of the neck, breast area, upper and lower back, knees and ankles. The clothing consists of either inflated or energy-absorption annular, moisture-proof, non-inflammable closures placed around injury-susceptible areas of the body. The protective clothing could be decorative with stars, stripes, flowers, birds, butterflies, animals, rings, diamond shapes, hearts and whatever else would be appealing to children and the elderly. Persons of all ages could wear the protective gear, but this application targets those most vulnerable to injury,—children because of their being so active, climbing trees, fences, ladders, and jumping off high places. Children take chances more than adults would. The protective accessory includes injury protection within the vehicle.

Abstract: A laminate of thermoplastic over foam is well suited for making plates to be used in a protective paint-ball vest. The vest is constructed of many such plates mounted to fabric to provide good ventilation and freedom of movement with adequate protection levels against commonly encountered hazards. The vest can be made reversible to facilitate team games and is highly suitable for use in paint ball games.

Abstract: A protection implement, particularly suitable for sports applications, constituted by at least one first outer protective element which is advantageously rigid and optionally by one or more second elastically compressible elements which are arranged internally. At least one third element, advantageously constituted by a two-sided vertical-warp knitted fabric, is arranged below the at least one first outer protective element.

Abstract: A protective uniform for a high-risk or high-impact activity or sport has a rear rigid shell, an artificial spine which may articulate at two sections attached to the shell, and a damper mechanism between the shell and artificial spine. In addition, the artificial spine may be attached to conventional or modified back and hip pads and/or a harness such as worn by rappellers or skydivers. The shell preferably extends from the wearer's head to the tailbone and across the back. The top portion of the shell together with side shields and a face shield form a protective enclosure for the head, inside of which a conventional helmet may be worn. The side shields preferably are movably connected to the rigid shell and are also connected to conventional or modified shoulder pads. The artificial spine is preferably formed in three sections, each section being connected to the other by a limited range universal joint to provide a range of motion comparable to the human neck and the human back.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of a wearer includes a first inner layer that is adapted to reflect a portion of radar energy back toward its source. A second outer layer is disposed over the first inner layer and it provides a texture and visual appearance that is preferred. For some applications, an especially easy to spot brightly colored visual appearance is preferred for the second outer layer. For other applications, a more subdued visual appearance is preferred. For still other applications, a camouflage appearance is preferred. A space is provided intermediate the first inner layer and the second outer layer accordingly to a modification and an additional material is used to fill the space. The additional material must be substantially transparent to radar energy and it may provide additional floatation capability or additional insulating capability or both to the garment, as desired.

Abstract: A protective element, particularly for cycling shorts, which is constituted by a double-stretch support with which at least one double-stretch padding is associated.

Abstract: A new and improved article of clothing that will severely reduce, and possibly eliminate, the chances that a person who falls down will injure himself or herself The present invention would preferably be a jacket, with the jacket including at least two internal air bags. Both air bags could be in the front portion of the jacket, or the jacket could have one air bag in front and another air bag in back. When the air bags are located on the present invention, each air bag would be located beneath the outer covering of the jacket, effectively hiding it from view. Each air bag would automatically inflate by an activation means. The activation means would either be triggered by a sudden change in position by a user of the jacket or voluntarily triggered by a user by activating an activator that would be attached to a user's wrist and connected to the air bags.

Abstract: A protective body heat retaining pod that is carried in a folded condition within a pod containment envelope at the rear of a personal floatation device (i.e. a lifejacket) so as to be accessible to and worn over the lifejacket by both civilian and military personnel who find themselves in or about to enter a cold water environment while awaiting rescue from an emergency situation. A hood to be pulled over the head of the wearer is carried in a rolled up condition within a fold-over collar of the lifejacket. The protective pod creates a sealed chamber around the wearer within which a small volume of water is trapped and heated by the wearer's body heat to slow a drop in the wearer's body temperature to better enable him to survive his environment while awaiting rescue.

Abstract: Novel gels and gel composites for direct contact with the body and capable of substantially preventing the generation moisture from said body in extreme cold weather use.

Abstract: A continuous protective garment provides a matrix of cells each containing a cube-like protective element. Continuous layers of fabric bonded along intersecting lines provides an individual cell for each of plural protective elements sandwiched between the fabric layers. An outer rigid protective surface of each protective element absorbs externally applied forces, while a middle cushioning layer provides dispersion and buffering of such externally applied forces. An innermost layer of a fluid-resistant material helps prevent perspiration from being absorbed, while a ventilation hole through the center of each protective element provides air circulation without compromising protective qualities. A substantially continuous array of cells containing the protective elements provides comprehensive surface coverage over the torso and arms of the wearer.

Abstract: A fully enclosable backpack style baby carrier which protects the baby from sun exposure, insects, rain, snow and light impacts such as from overhanging branches. The carrier remains enclosed while the carrier is being carried and while it is set on the ground. The configuration of the fabric enclosure allows the stand, carrying straps, etc. to be attached to the frame without penetrating the inner layer, preserving the integrity of the enclosure. Mesh panels are used throughout to provide ventilation while excluding insects. A head enclosure encloses and protects the baby's head while providing significant ventilation.

Abstract: A close-fitting garment, especially a swimsuit, has panels of elastic stretch fabric joined at seams and shaped to conform with muscle groups of the body, in particular in the abdominal region and at the gluteal region.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge garment is formed from material having a grid of conductors for conducting static electricity. The conductors are overlapped at the seams of the garment and interconnected with conductive flat ribbons that extend throughout the garment. The garment also has external grounding fasteners which are joined to the grid and ribbons. A hole is formed in the garment at the site of each fastener. Each hole extends through the fabric, grid, and ribbons. An epoxy applicator injects a small amount of conductive epoxy adjacent to the hole and saturates the various elements. The fastener is then installed while the epoxy is still wet. After the epoxy cures, a flexible but resilient joint is formed between it, the fastener, the grid, and the ribbon.

Abstract: A combination clothing/safety harness for fall arresting and rescue from confined spaces provides the advantages of ease of use, distribution of forces over a wide surface area, protection of the harness portion, and ease of enforcing regulations that the harness be worn. The safety harness may be attached to various articles of clothing, such as a jacket, vest, overalls, or coveralls, so that donning the article of clothing automatically positions the harness for use. The harness may be used by employees working at dangerous heights or in confined spaces, or by hunters using tree stands. Combination clothing/safety harness systems can be made to meet OSHA requirements.

Abstract: A protective garment for preventing injury to the head, neck and torso. A helmet is rotatable mounted on a vest that includes a back section and a left front section and a right front section. The left front section are both mounted to rotate on the back section to be folded together to hold the helmet on the vest.

Abstract: A protective suit is provided for a snowmobile rider. The protective suit includes a torso portion having a front and a back. A first set of protective plates is disposed in the front of the torso portion. The protective plates of the first set of the protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a flexible shield in the front of the protective suit. Similarly, a second set of protective plates is disposed in the back of the torso portion. The protective plates of the second set of protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a second flexible shield in the back of the protective suit.

Abstract: A device for protecting the body of an individual from impacts, comprises a first layer 10 of plastics material e.g. polypropylene which acts to protect from impacts the body of an individual wearing the device. To layer 10 is bonded a second layer 12 is of cross-linked polyethylene foam which acts to cushion the body of the individual The outer margin of layer 12 extends beyond the outer margin of layer 10 by between 5 and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm. A third textile fabric, e.g. terry towelling, layer 14 is attached to the second layer 12 and is generally coincident therewith. The layers 10, 12 and 14 are adhesively bonded together. Means for holding the device around the torso of an individual comprises a strip of textile fabric 22 comprising of or supporting hook-and-eye material for co-operation with a patch of hook-and-eye material 26, the strip of fabric material 22 and the patch 26 of book and eye material adhesively bonded to the surface of layer 10 at opposite ends 20, 38 of layer 10.

Abstract: A fabric, which can be used more especially as a pierce-proof fabric but also as a decorative fabric, includes a plurality of interconnected scales, which have bores to connect them to one another, and into which connecting members extend. The connecting members are directly formed on the scales. Because the scales overlap one another in the manner of roof tiles (form an imbrication) and because, in order to make a flat connection, the scale itself in the fabric overlaps at least two adjacent scales and is overlapped by at least two additional adjacent scales, the fabric can also meet increased safety requirements in an advantageous manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defeating high-velocity projectiles. A plurality of disks of equal size and having a thickness greater than 0.100″ are milled in a plurality of places. Each milled place having a radius of curvature approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the disk. The disks are then laid out in an imbricated pattern row by row such that each disk in a row is in substantially a straight line with the other disks in the row and overlaps a milled place of a disk in a row above its row and has its milled place overlapped by a disk in the row below its row. The imbricated pattern is then adhered to a flexible, high tensile strength substrate and overlaid by a second high tensile strength layer such that the imbricated pattern is enveloped between the substrate and the second layer. The envelope is then coupled to a soft body armor backing.

Abstract: An athletic garment with protective guard members on the inner thighs. The garment preferably will be compression shorts or pants. The guard members are supported in pockets formed on the inside of each thigh portion of the shorts. The guard member preferably is adapted to both deflect impacts and to absorb shock from impacts, particularly from balls in sports such as baseball. The guard member preferably is formed of an inner flexible, hard plastic deflective layer and an outer flexible, shock absorbing foam layer. Thus, the garment of this invention is particularly suited for use by a baseball catcher and the other infielders, but will be useful to athletes in any sport. This protective garment will reduce the discomfort and injury caused by the impact of a ball or other equipment or objects employed in virtually any sports activity.

Abstract: A protective suit is provided for a snowmobile rider. The protective suit includes a torso portion having a front and a back. A first set of protective plates is disposed in the front of the torso portion. The protective plates of the first set of the protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a flexible shield in the front of the protective suit. Similarly, a second set of protective plates is disposed in the back of the torso portion. The protective plates of the second set of protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a second flexible shield in the back of the protective suit.

Abstract: A combination clothing/safety harness for fall arresting and rescue from confined spaces provides the advantages of ease of use, distribution of forces over a wide surface area, protection of the harness portion, and ease of enforcing regulations that the harness be worn. The safety harness may be attached to various articles of clothing, such as a jacket, vest, overalls, or coveralls, so that donning the article of clothing automatically positions the harness for use. The harness may be used by employees working at dangerous heights or in confined spaces, or by hunters using tree stands. Combination clothing/safety harness systems can be made to meet OSHA requirements.

Abstract: A protective system including a garment-shaped inflatable member for surrounding at least upper portions of the body of a rider of a non-enclosed vehicle, and apparatus for exposing the interior of the inflatable member to the pressurized gas source for rapidly inflating the inflatable member in response to a sudden separation of the rider from the vehicle by at least a predetermined distance. The inflatable member has a garment-shaped configuration when in a non-inflated orientation, and when inflated, has an expanded, generally bulbous configuration such that large magnitude concentrated forces experienced thereby on impact with an object subsequent to the sudden separation of the rider from wherein the vehicle are prevented from transfer directly to the rider, thereby protecting the surrounded upper portions of the rider's body from serious injury.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. The pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In use, the porous pads are compressed and rebound to create a pumping effect that circulates air into and out of the pads drawing heat and perspiration from the athlete's body and keeping the athlete cool and dry. If desired, the pad can be secured directly to the athlete's jersey to enhance this pumping effect as well as the dissipation of the force of any impact.