Abstract: A Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women has a protective shell structure with integral “Pelvic Yoke and Crotch Post”, “Breast Plate”, structural “Abdominal Bridge/Shell” over the abdomen between the “Pelvic Yoke” and the “Breast Plate”, “Shoulder Belt Retainer”, and appropriate padding and fill material, all of which work in conjunction with the standard automotive Type II lap and shoulder belt restraint system as required to be installed in all new passenger cars manufactured for sale in the United States by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 (FMVSS 208). The purpose of the “Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women” is to reduce the likelihood of injury to a pregnant mother and her unborn child during maneuvering, crash, or other non-impact event of a motor vehicle while the mother is driving or riding in the vehicle.

Abstract: Protective components may include a plate element and a cushioning element that are secured together with a hook-and-loop fastening system. The cushioning element may include a pair of material layers and a plurality of pads located between the material layers. The plate element may include a polymer material and the pads may include a polymer foam material, with the polymer material of the plate element having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material of the pads.

Abstract: A fabric for protecting a wearer thereof from an energy weapon. The fabric is made of a plurality of coupled strands. Each strand is made from at least two fibers, an electrically non-conductive fiber and an electrically conductive fiber. The electrically non-conductive fiber at least partially encloses the electrically conductive fiber.

Abstract: A compression undergarment may include a fabric enclosure that is configured to fit about at least a portion of a wearer's chest and back. In some instances, the compression undergarment may include one or more protective pads that can, if desired, be removed to accommodate a neck brace. The protective pads may be left in place when no neck brace is being used.

Abstract: A garment comprising: at least one pocket; and at least one protective pad located within said at least one pocket; and at least one connecting structure for securing at least one optional protective pad to the garment the at least one connecting structure being capable of cooperating with a complementary connecting structure operatively connected to the at least one optional protective pad.

Abstract: A multi-piece chest protector includes a front section connected to side sections by straps or other connectors that provide independent and relative movement between the front section and the side sections. The front and side sections include padding for absorbing impact. Additional padding, such as shoulder pads, may optionally be removably or permanently attached to the chest protector.

Abstract: A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding inwardly from a base section. The pads are arranged to rest against the body of a wearer. Ventilation channels are located between neighboring rows of padding to provide multiple paths for heat dispersion. The rows of padding are able to flex relative to one another such that the chest protector may conform to the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a chest wall protector comprises determining a flight time to impact on a subject of a projectile launched using a bow, determining an actuation time of a mechanism configured to release a string of the bow to launch the projectile based upon a desired time of receipt of energy from the projectile by a heart of the subject, determining an external location on an exterior surface of the subject corresponding to where a left ventricle of the heart of the subject is desirably close to the external surface, arranging at least one of the subject and the bow such that a flight path of the projectile is directed at the determined external location, disposing a protector device in the projectile's flight path in contact with the subject, actuating the mechanism at the actuation time, and monitoring a heartbeat of the subject before and after transfer of energy from the projectile to the subject.

Abstract: A modular body armour system (100) includes an upper shoulder harness (102) in which shoulder straps (106, 108) are pivotally rotatable relative to each other and also to front and back connecting bridges (112, 114) that define a closed loop for the harness (102). Armour plates (124, 126) are attachable to the bridges (112, 114) and extend generally downwardly to protect the front and back torso regions of a wearer of the body armour (100). Pivotal articulation of the body armour (100) permits the armour to roll advantageously with the movement of its wearer such that movement, such as crouching or the adoption of a firing position, is not generally restricted. A lower girdle (104) incorporates additional plates and panels (140, 142, 105, 152) to provide enhanced protection to the wearer, which lower girdle (104) may be entirely independent of the upper shoulder harness (102).

Abstract: Chest protectors (e.g., for use during motocross, or other high-speed motor sports) for protecting a rider from injury are provided. A chest protector is made with removable protective attachments that provide flexibility and has a low neckline, or removable neck attachment, to facilitate use of the chest protector with removable neck braces. In some implementations, the neck brace is be attached to the chest protector, e.g., using hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A hydrating chest protector is disclosed having a reservoir for providing hydrating fluid to a wearer of the chest protector without removing the chest protector. The reservoir can be located in a back portion of the chest protector with the tube extending to the front of the protector. The tube provides access to hydrating fluid in the reservoir for drinking. The tube can be protected from impacts from a hardball or softball baseball by a flap attached to the front of the protector. The protector can be used in hardball or softball baseball games by catchers or umpires.

Abstract: The pneumatic toy gun has a nozzle through which a soft ball travels. At one end of the nozzle there is an outlet from which the ball is expelled and at the other end there is an inlet for receipt of a stream of gas under pressure. Four or more fins are mounted within the tube and function to inhibit the use of the gun to fire balls having a diameter smaller than that of balls which are intended to be shot from the gun.

Abstract: An article of adjustably fitted protective apparel includes a vest and an adjustable tensioning system for selective tensioning of the vest into a snug fit on a body of a wearer of the vest. The adjustable tensioning system includes a rotary tension adjuster disposed on the vest and including a housing and a first spool disposed within the housing, and a tensioning line extends from the housing. The tensioning line is attached directly or indirectly to the vest. A portion of the tensioning line is configured to be wound upon the first spool during manipulation of the rotary tension adjuster in a first rotational direction thereof. Winding of the portion of the first tensioning line draws together first portions of the vest for providing a snug fit of the first portions.

Abstract: A chest protector formed of a base, upper and lower shoulder straps, a neck pad, neck cushions, shoulder cushions, chest cushions, upper and lower abdomen cushions, lateral cushions, bottom cushions and breathing cloths. Each upper abdomen cushion is formed of an inner low bounce foam, an outer low bounce foam and an intermediate hard plastic board sandwiched in between the inner low bounce foam and outer low bounce foam. Each lower abdomen cushion is formed of an inner low bounce foam and an outer low bounce foam. The inner low bounce foam of each abdomen cushion is shorter and relatively softer than the associating outer low bounce form so that a buffer space is defined between the outer low bounce foam of each abdomen cushion and the base below the associating inner low bounce foam and the outer low bounce foams of the abdomen cushions are respectively held in a sloping status after stitching of the breathing cloths to the base.

Abstract: Fumble Flaps are disclosed which are cradles strategically located on a vest or shirt to prevent the fumbling of a ball by an offensive player.

Abstract: A heart protector is described that comprises of an angular body. The angular body will have at least two contact points wherein the angular body is capable of being attached to a garment at said contact points such that the angular body is positioned in front of the heart of a user and said contact points are positioned at locations around the pectoral muscles of the user when said garment is worn by the user.

Abstract: A protective athletic garment includes a pair of shoulder protection plates, a pair of epaulets coupled to the shoulder protection plate, and at least one rear arch plate adapted to cover an upper lumbar region of a back of a user and wrap about each side of a user and at least one front arch plate adapted to cover at least a portion of a chest of a user and having a body portion defining a forwardly-facing first surface and a pair of relief areas extending outwardly from the first surface defining a cavity that is adapted to receive a pectoral area of a user, a lower portion that is adapted to cover an upper abdominal area of a user, and a pair of second side portions adapted to wrap about each side of a user.

Abstract: A neck protector comprising a collar sized and shaped to provide a continuous closure around a neck of a wearer. The collar has a first pair of opposed ends, with one end having a first tongue and the other a first groove. The first tongue fits into the first groove to form a first tongue and groove interlock, which is maintained with a closure. Also, an upper body protector which may be used in combination with the neck protector. The upper body protector comprises a body portion and a spine protector shield system, and/or a chest protector shield system attached to the body portion. Both shield systems comprise at least two overlapping shield sections sized, shaped and positioned to cover at least a portion of the wearer's spine or sternum, while permitting flex, freedom of movement, and venting.

Abstract: A garment comprising an undershirt having at least one first pad disposed proximate a wearer's sternum, and at least one second pad dimensioned wider than the wearer's sternum and secured to the undershirt at the at least one first pad, wherein the at least one second pad is removably secured to the undershirt.

Abstract: A jacket and method for surviving an avalanche. The method includes inflating an expandable member to generally encapsulate a head of a person. The jacket may comprise a pair of expandable members disposed in pockets of the jacket, and a canister communicating with one of the expandable members. Apparel comprising an inflated expandable member having a depending inflated portion that at least partly covers another inflated expandable member.

Abstract: A protective garment for a torso is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a screen layer disposed below the outer surface.

Abstract: An energy absorbing and displacing structure for athletic protective equipment, such as an athletic shin-guard, is provided using a flexible web-shaped body to hold a rigid band-shaped member in place. The inner rigid band-shaped member follows the contour of the desired area to protect. The outer flexible web-shaped body is made of a softer rubber like material and works as a locator and supporter keeping the inner, rigid band-shaped member, in proper location.

Abstract: An elastic support top 1 is provided having fasteners 4, 5 for attaching to a breast shield 10 for protecting from blows to the breast area. Thus, an improved protective breast shield 10 is provided having an elastic support top 1 attached to the breast shield whereby the support top fits to a body.

Abstract: A chest protector to reduce risk of commotio cordis. The chest protector includes an inner protector member and an outer shell. The inner protector member includes a protector plate and one or more supporting members. The protector plate has a first surface facing the user's chest and a second surface facing away from the user's chest, and the first surface has a central portion and side portions. The one or more supporting members are attached to the side portions of the first surface of the protector plate but not to the central portion of the first surface such that an air space is defined by the central portion of the first surface and the one or more supporting members. The protector plate and the one or more supporting members are configured such that the central portion of the first surface of the protector plate is spaced apart from the chest.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a bone conduction communication apparatus with a housing having a shape which is conformable to at least a portion of at least one tooth of a user; a transceiver mounted in the housing; and a transducer disposed within or upon the housing and in vibratory communication with a surface of the at least one tooth to transmit sound through the at least one tooth. A positioning system is provided to transmit positional information to the transceiver to be delivered to the transducer; and a communication device links the transceiver with a second person. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: An epaulet-free athletic shoulder pad arrangement covers the shoulders of an athlete and has a pair of arches of rigid moldable material made up of a chest panel, a back panel and a curved crest connected between the chest and back panels. The crest is shaped and sized to cover one shoulder of the athlete and has an outer end for covering an outer end of the shoulder. The chest and back panels are connected to each other over the chest and back of the athlete and no portion of the arrangement is over or above an upper surface of the crest so that there is no epaulet needed or present in the arrangement.

Abstract: To enable a front portion of a chest protector to be easily undone to allow cooling down while maintaining the protection performance for the chest protector fitted to a garment. A chest protector detachably fitted to an interior surface of a body garment includes left and right protective shell members, with the left and right protective shell members engaging in a separable manner.

Abstract: An infant caregiver's padded pillow garment has a single shoulder strap on one side. An outer breathable water resistant cover shields an inner memory foam pad. Teething items and toys on tethers are removably clipped to an edge of the garment. The garment covers the upper front torso and shoulders for holding the infant to cushion the infant's head banging the caregiver's bones. The garment folds in half vertically along a stitched vertical fold line and flips over to the back of the caregiver with the strap over the front for normal activity without holding the infant. The padding conforms to the shape of the caregiver's body from thick over the boney body portions tapering to thin over the upper breast.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular garment having: a thick and relatively inflexible protective first garment, intended for optional wear; and an electronic garment having a flexible central part at the back and two side parts; the width of the central part is adjustable so that it can be made narrow or wide (depending on whether the electronic garment is worn on its own or over the first garment); several electrical and/or electronic devices are supported by the side parts; and at least one electrical cable runs across the inside face of the electronic garment between the electrical devices, the at least one electrical cable being attached to the side parts without being attached to the central part in front of which it runs freely along a curved path so as to be able to adapt to the modifications in the width of the central part.

Abstract: A baseball catcher's equipment includes a baseball catcher's uniform sized to be worn by a child, a chest guard, and a shin guard. The baseball catcher's uniform includes a baseball catcher's uniform shirt and a baseball catcher's uniform pants. The baseball catcher's uniform, the chest guard, and the shin guard include corresponding hook-and-loop fastener pads configured to removably secure the chest guard and the shin guard to the baseball catcher's uniform.

Abstract: A one piece athletic garment provides protection in a sport such as hockey and includes a unitary body enclosure having a torso section, legs, and sleeves and that includes protection for elbows, knees, shins, shoulders, and chest and protective pants.

Abstract: A multi-piece chest protector includes a front section connected to side sections by straps or other connectors that provide independent and relative movement between the front section and the side sections. The front and side sections include padding for absorbing impact. Additional padding, such as shoulder pads, may optionally be removably or permanently attached to the chest protector.

Abstract: An air bag apparatus comprising a front portion, a back portion and a collar portion in inflatable communication with and between the front portion and the back portion. A lumbar attachment portion may be in inflatable communication with a bottom end of the back portion at a mid portion of the lumbar attachment portion and a first end removably attached to the front portion and a second end removably attaches to the front portion at the bottom left of the front portion. An air generator may be communication with at least one of the front portion, back portion and lumbar attachment portion for expanding the air bag apparatus; wherein the at least one air bag is capable of protecting an operator in response to expansion of the air bag by the air generator.

Abstract: Outer protective shell is made from a sheet or plate of rigid polymer. It has a plurality of partial incisions suitable for defining substantially jointed motifs, for imparting to the said shell a degree of overall flexibility, and local rigidity, and also breathability.

Abstract: The aqua sport shield is used while spear fishing. The shield distributes the force of loading a spear gun over a body area such as a chest area or the thigh area of a person's leg, greater than the butt end of the spear gun. The shield is comprised of a waterproof layer, a force absorbing layer and a force distributing layer. The shield can be a separate unit and attached to the user or can be a releasable or permanent part of a wet suit. Further it can be of various shapes to fit different body shapes as long as it effectively distributes the force of loading the spear gun to prevent body bruising or undue comfort.

Abstract: A garment (1) for providing compressive forces to a torso to help eliminate or reduce swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the torso region. An embodiment of the present invention includes an outer covering (10) of compression fabric, wide shoulder straps (22, 24), front and back panels of compression fabric (12, 14, 16, 18), a non-rolling rib band (72), axilla gussets (82, 84), and both front closure (40) and back closure (50). The garment may also include one or more princess seams (102, 104, 102?, 104?) so as to enable the front panel(s) to encapsulate and hold the user's breasts in place at the same time that compressive forces are applied, as well as one or more front shelves (132, 134) in the front panel(s) for providing upward compressive support to the breast tissue, thereby holding the tissue in a proper neutral position so that inward compressive forces acting on the tissue provide maximum effect.

Abstract: A chest wall protector comprises a shell made of a relatively hard, rigid material, a cushion attached to the shell such that the cushion is disposed between the shell and a thoracic wall of a person outside of a region over a heart of the person when the protector is worn by the person, and a garment configured to be worn by the person and to retain the shell and cushion in positions to protect a portion of the thoracic wall of the person when the garment is worn by the person.

Abstract: A protective athletic garment for use in contact sports is formed by first forming a layer of foam. All or a portion of the foam is then compression molded to a desired shape. A layer of a durable coating is then applied to the compression foam to a desired thickness. The compression foam is then optionally coupled to a backing structure. A material overlay may then be coupled around the edges of the coated foam and optional backing structure to form a finished durable edge. Additional protective padding may then be coupled to the material overlay of the durable edge to provide additional protection.

Abstract: A upper body protective garment for cushioning blows imparted upon the wearer's body includes a chest protector portion, a back protector portion, and a pair of telescopic shoulder protector portions. These protector portions preferably form a single integral unit. Each telescopic shoulder protector portion includes an inner-shoulder protector portion and an outer-shoulder protector portion that is telescopically coupled to the inner-shoulder protector portion. The outer-shoulder protector portion is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position for allowing an individual wearing the protective garment to raise his arm without interference from the telescopic shoulder protector portion.

Abstract: In a wearable air bag system which a rider puts on beforehand, a prominent impact load can be dispersed by hard protectors, and an impact on the rider can be effectively cushioned by air bags. In one embodiment, a front air bag for covering a chest portion of a rider is provided in a front main section of a jacket worn by the rider. A rear air bag for covering a back portion of the rider is provided in a rear main section of the jacket. Front and rear hard protectors are provided on the outer surfaces of the air bags, respectively.

Abstract: A protective garment comprising a form-fitting, stretchable inner garment for covering part of a body of a wearer, the inner garment including a plurality of cushioning pads attached thereto with portions of the inner garment being free of the cushioning pads, and an outer shell partially overlying the inner garment, the outer shell including a plurality of flexibly interconnected protective pads cooperating with the cushioning pads to protect at least a major part of the portion of the body, the protective pads being more rigid that the cushioning pads, and the outer shell being separable from the inner garment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protecting against impact. Said device consists of an inflatable valve made of sheets of high-strength PVC (1) provided with an inflating end (3). Fitted within this valve using a method of thermal bonding (4) are walls (2) configured as a labyrinth in order to better regulate the air flow.

Abstract: A personal debris shield for use as a personal protection device to protect against falling or wind-driven debris, such as during a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or the like, includes a body-conforming impact absorption shield that may be quickly positioned over a user's body and that may be removed and/or jettisoned if needed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to patients who need vertical support in the cleavage area due to symmastia repair or reconstruction of the chest cleavage for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The support garment is designed not to support the breast or nipple area of the chest. The Y support which fits the patient close to the neck and between the breasts is attached to a full back panel using self adjusting velcro closures. This unique design creates a force much like a bow to provide constant pressure from front to back on the cleavage area only to allow scar tissue to form during the healing process. The cross link high density foam insert maintains even pressure during healing and does not lose its resiliency or permit permanent deformation.

Abstract: A protective plate assembly comprises a plurality of overlapping rigid plates (1, 2, 3) for covering a wearer's chest and abdomen, the plates being attached together such that the amount of overlap between successive plates is variable. Elements (13, 16) of compressible material are provided, distributed on an inner side of the assembly, such that when the amount of overlap between the plates (1, 2, 3) increases, the elements move closer together in the direction in which said overlap increases, and vice versa. Two adjacent plates of the assembly are attached to each other by means of a peg (12) extending from one of said plates, which peg is captive within a slot (9) on the other of said plates, the slot running substantially perpendicular to the overlapping edges of the plates.

Abstract: A chest protector, in sports medicine, adapted for players of the athletic games, is light in weight and reasonably comfortable to wear. It will protect the heart and chest cavity area of players in such games as lacrosse, field hockey, and baseball. The chest protector includes a shirt, preferably of two-way stretch fabric, having a large front pocket across its chest area. A protector plate is positioned within the pocket. The protector plate is an assembly of molded layers, comprising inner-most and outer-most layers of plastic, preferably polyethylene sheets; a central layer of a high impact polymer pad, preferably a dry polyurethane gel; and two layers of high impact resistant fabric of high tensile strength fibers, preferably para-aramid fibers, with the polymer pad being sandwiched between the two layers of impact resistant fabric.

Abstract: A vest for protecting areas of the chest or torso of the body of a wearer, in particular, vertically from the next to the waist, includes a number of protective panels, characterized in that at least some of these protective panels are joined to one another by a stitching (C) serving as a seam, made by hand or with the aid of a sewing matching whereby forming an articulated connection between two stitched panels for forming at least one set (32) of protective panels.

Abstract: A protective device for protecting the upper thorasic portion of a wearer's body made of stretchable material formed into a tubular shirt like body covering garment having a shape conforming to the wearer's body. The garment includes front and rear sides, a lower opening, head opening and arm openings and further includes a plurality of pockets, a first pocket being located on the front side of the garment and pockets located on the rear side of the garment. The first pocket is formed with an upper edge generally shaped in a sinusoidal wave, the apex of which is located above the heart area when worn by the user. The rear pockets also have an upper sinusoidal shape extending across the back of the wearer, the apex of which is located across the upper back area of the wearer. A plurality of rigid, impact absorbing plates are positioned in the pockets. The plates are contoured and shaped to fit the body configurations of the wearer to provide maximum protection against a variety of impacts.

Abstract: A heart protector is described that comprises of an angular body. The angular body will have at least two contact points wherein the angular body is capable of being attached to a garment at said contact points such that the angular body is positioned in front of the heart of a user and said contact points are positioned at locations around the pectoral muscles of the user when said garment is worn by the user.

Abstract: A protective garment is provided and includes a jacket having various releasably mounted protective components. The jacket includes a protective collar of ballistic resistant fabric for protecting the neck of a wearer and has front and rear portions which are releasably connected together at opposed side portions of the collar so that the front and rear portions can fold down when not in use. A protective plate is releasably fastened to the front of the jacket and the fastening mechanism allows the plate to be held in a number of different vertical positions. The jacket also includes a rear pocket for housing a rear protective plate. The sleeves of the jacket include a sleeve extension which is slideably mounted to the main sleeve to vary its effective length.