Abstract: Goalie pants provided with a space within the pants in which the upper protective pad of the goalie can be received. This space enables the goalie to freely move without causing any bunching of the upper pad or the pants that may lead to a lack of comfort. A second innovative feature of the improved goalie pants resides in the provision of overlapping thigh and knee padding elements that can move between a retracted and an extended position. In the extended position, the thigh and the knee padding elements are arranged such that they provide a continuous protection of the thigh and the knee. The overlapping relationship between the knee and the thigh padding elements allow them to retract when the goalie is in a position such that other protective equipment (such as the pads covering the legs) interferes with the goalie pants. A third innovative feature resides in the provision of a groin padding element that is mounted on the outside of the pants and forms a flap that overlaps the thigh padding element.

Abstract: One or more generally wedge shaped foam support cushions (20A, 20B) covered by a soft, washable, and close fitting material (29) for supporting an enlarged abdomen (24). The support cushions (20A, 20B) are uniquely and adjustably secured adjacent to the abdomen by hook and loop fasteners (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D) on an elastic belt (21). The elastic belt (21) encompasses the person (23) and the support cushions (20A, 20B) and has opposite ends that overlap and engage adjustably with hook and loop fasteners (22E, 22F).

Abstract: A protective garment is provided including a chest protector being formed of solid foam. Also included is an abdominal protector including a plurality of inflatable tubular mechanisms. The abdominal protector is connected to the chest protector. Next provided is a groin protector connected to the abdominal protector and formed of solid foam. Finally, a strap assembly is provided for securing the protectors on a user.

Abstract: An improved impact absorbing pad comprising a foam core attached to and enclosed within a generally air impermeable covering, having at least one selected air permeable region, and wherein at least a portion of the covering enclosing one side of the core is comprised of stretch fabric.

Abstract: A radiation-attenuating garment which includes a main body portion covering the chest and thighs of a user, and a pair of flexible securing straps designed to wrap snugly around the user's lower back and abdomen to form a support segment. During use, variable degrees of lumbar/abdominal compression and support are obtained by circumferentially adjusting the support segment. This additionally results in a transference of the weight of the garment from the shoulders to the hips.

Abstract: A chest pillow for use by a post-surgical patient has a flexible plate and padding surrounding and covering all sides and edges of the plate. A fabric cover surrounds and encloses the padding and the plate. Separable straps extend between upper and lower edges of the pillow, the straps having sufficient length to pass around the upper body of the patient, thereby to hold the pillow in a desired position, ready for use.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a vest constructed using woven tubing which generally forms a mesh throughout the vest. The tubing is connected with a reservoir, wherein the tubing and reservoir are filled with electrically conductive fluid. The fluid communicates with a pair of leads to maintain a constant, low-level electrical contact therebetween. The woven tubing is covered with cloth-like material and a hardening substance, such as epoxy. Hence, the tubing will break when the vest receives a significant impact. When the tubing is broken, the fluid escapes from the tubing and breaks the electrical contact between the leads, whereby a transmitter is activated to send a recorded message. In addition, a position sensor is attached to the transmitter for activating the transmitter to send the recorded message if the apparatus is maintained in a non-vertical position for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The chest protector of the present invention consists of an upper guard portion and a lower padding portion, the upper guard portion comprising a right and a left shoulder guard panels, a chest guard panel and a plurality of abdomen guard panels, each being injection molded from engineering plastic and provided with a plurality of holes, so that respective guard panels are connected with one another by means of a plurality of connecting plates and the buttons provided on the connecting plates.When the upper guard portion is assembled into a proper shape and size, the lower padding portion with corresponding shape and size can be selected with the upper guard portion being laid on the lower padding portion, and then having rivets driven into those holes on the guard panels not occupied by the buttons of the connecting plates, so that the upper guard portion is secured to the lower padding portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective gear having a primary front protective pad and a rear protective pad, the front and rear pads being flexibly connected to one another and being adjustable relative to one another. This allows the primary front protective pad to extend to a greater or lesser extent downwardly over the player's abdomen, so as to accommodate the desired positioning of the front protective pad on the player's body. The protective gear also has arm sections that are adjustable in length to permit desired positioning on the player's arms. In a variant, the protective gear of the invention also has an adjustable secondary front pad which is attached to the primary front pad and the rear pad and which is configured to cover the player's upper chest and clavicle areas. The protective gear according to the invention is particularly useful for ice hockey players and particularly goaltenders.