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: Here is disclosed a garment a device and a method for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part, e.g. the greater trochanter near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region lacking a bone part near the skin surface. The garment comprises at least one protective device shaped in accordance with anatomical features of the vulnerable region and the soft tissue region so that the impact energy is shunted for the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where such energy may be safely dissipated and mounting means for removable mounting the at least one protective device on the subject in a manner permitting the shunting of impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region.

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: In one embodiment, a particular state of a body is sensed. In response to the sensing, at least one action is taken to modulate a projected adverse interaction between the body or a portion thereof and at least one object in the environment of the body.

Abstract: A single or plurality of fasteners attached spaced along dynamic center and general periphery of a protective pad, such as a hip or coccyx pad, to releaseably secure the pad, through a small hole or holes in ordinary clothing, at the bodily joint to be protected. The fasteners being capable of applying a clamp load to the clothing without damaging the material of the clothing, wherein one part of the fastener having a head with a cylindrical nut inserted through a hole in the protective pad and the other part of the fastener having a headed screw inserted through a hole in the clothing to allow the protective pad to be quickly secured to the inside or outside of the clothing. The ordinary clothing is then suited as impact protection for use in high impact sports activities.

Abstract: A protective hip pad includes a shield, a shock absorbing assembly and a cushioned connector. The shield is substantially elliptical and has an outer shield surface having an inner surface and a central through hole. The shock absorbing assembly abuts the inner surface of the shield and has a curved plate, a mounting hole and a sealed air cushion. The mounting hole is formed through the curved plate and corresponds to and aligns with the central through hole in the shield. The sealed air cushion is hollow and is formed around the mounting hole in the curved plate. The cushioned connector is mounted in the central through hole in the shield and the mounting hole in the curved palate and has an outer end protruding from the outer-shield surface of the shield.

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 protective hip pad includes a shield, a shock absorbing assembly and a cushioned connector. The shield is substantially elliptical and has an outer surface having an inner surface and a central through hole. The shock absorbing assembly abuts the inner surface of the shield and has a curved plate, a mounting hole and a sealed air cushion. The mounting hole is formed through the curved plate and corresponds to and aligns with the central through hole in the shield. The sealed air cushion is hollow and is formed around the mounting hole in the curved plate. The cushioned connector is mounted in the central through hole in the shield and the mounting hole in the curved plate and has an outer end protruding from the outer surface of the shield.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to active protective garments which are inconspicuously worn by an individual and which activate upon certain conditions being met. Activation causes inflation of regions of the active protective garment to provide padding and impact cushioning for the wearer. The invention is an active protective garment such as pair of shorts or pants, a jacket, a vest, underwear, and the like. The garments comprise multiple layers of material that constrain pockets or regions that are inflatable by a source of compressed gas or foam. The garments also comprise sensors to detect ballistic parameters such as acceleration, distance, relative acceleration, and rotation. The sensor information is used to determine whether activation is required. Detection and activation are accomplished in a very short time period in order to offer maximal protection for the individual wearing the garment.

Abstract: A bed sore prevention assembly includes a flexible panel that has a first side, a second side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of cushion members is attached to the first side of the panel. A fastening member selectively secures the panel in a loop formation. The fastening member includes a first engaging member that is attached to the first side of the panel and positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge and a second engaging member that is attached to the second side of the panel and positioned adjacent to the second lateral edge of the panel. The first engaging member is adapted for removably coupling with the second engaging member to define a body wrap.

Abstract: This invention relates to active protective garments which are inconspicuously worn by an individual and which activate upon certain conditions being met. Activation causes inflation of regions of the active protective garment to provide padding and impact cushioning for the wearer. The invention is an active protective garment such as pair of shorts or pants, a jacket, a vest, underwear, and the like. The garments comprise multiple layers of material that constrain pockets or regions that are inflatable by a source of compressed gas or foam. The garments also comprise sensors to detect ballistic parameters such as acceleration, distance, relative acceleration, and rotation. The sensor information is used to determine whether activation is required. Detection and activation are accomplished in a very short time period in order to offer maximal protection for the individual wearing the garment.

Abstract: A vest to be worn by a driver/passenger of a two-wheeled vehicle or the like provided with a plurality of air chambers which are folded and housed wherein the air chambers instantaneously expand in two stages by being filled with carbon dioxide gas injected through a carbon dioxide gas cylinder connected to the activating device, creating a buffer effect to cushion the impact on the driver/passenger, who is thrown out onto a road surface, a construction on the road, a wall surface, or the like, which is a circumstance typical to traffic accident disasters of two-wheeled vehicles or the like.

Abstract: A hip protecting device for minimizing risk of hip breakage upon a fall having a belt from which one or two gas inflatable pockets are suspended substantially over the hip joint or hip joints of a wearer. The hip protecting device further has a means for detecting rate and degree of attitudinal changes of the wearer, a microprocessor and inflation means. Upon detection of both a rate and degree of change in attitude of the wearer outside certain preprogrammed limits, the microprocessor sends a signal to the inflation means thereby causing the pocket or pockets to inflate and cushion the hips from the fall.

Abstract: Hip protector (10) worn primarily by the elderly, preventing/reducing hip fractures, resulting from a fall. The protector is made of all-soft materials using a matching pair of hip protective holsters (14/24) interconnected by a waist encircling belt (16) from which a pair of protective pad pouches (20) are suspended in the holsters over the user's hips and secured in place by leg encircling bands (18/26). The protective pouches include foam bodies (54) with underlying, intermediate, spacer elements (42) and a bottom cover (50), all in combination creating an enclosed, moisture-holding, air chamber (80). The protector is worn under clothing (under pants, bed clothes or swimming trunks, etc.), light weight, easily put on & removed, does not interfere in daily living (sleeping, usual body movements, restroom or bathing activities, etc.), and, when the user sweats, the surface of the user's skin under the hip protector is maintained dry using “one-way-moisture flow” material.

Abstract: A disposable adult diaper that protects against hip injuries, and in particular those resulting from impact to the bony prominence known as the greater trochanter, comprises a center panel that extends from the wearer's anterior waist, under the wearer's crotch, to the wearer's posterior waist, and ventral and dorsal wings that extend out from the center panel to cover the wearer's abdomen and backside, respectively. The ventral and dorsal wings are supplied with cushioning means and extend from the wearer's waistline to below the wearer's crotch line. The cushioning means can take the form of closely packed air filled cells, foam, or other shock-absorbing materials. The lateral aspects of the cushioned dorsal and ventral wings overlap one another and overlay the upper and lower bony prominence of the structures of the hip. The center panel may contain a moisture absorbent means to absorb moisture from human waste. Briefs and pull-ups having the same design and construction are also described.

Abstract: A device for protecting a pedestrian from bone fractures in the event of a fall, including an airbag, an impact sensor, a cold gas generator, an igniting agent, a processor, an energy store, a charging circuit for recharging the device, and electronic and/or electrical components, which may be predominantly located on a flexible printed-circuit board. Accelerations in both the horizontal and the vertical directions may be measured by the impact sensor, which may include, for example, an acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A thin, lightweight, flexible, washable protective pad is incorporated into a pocket of a washable garment, such as at the hip. This pad comprises an air-holding envelope extending substantially throughout the pocket, a compressible insert having a configuration that extends substantially throughout the envelope and a junction arrangement between the insert and the envelope. The arrangement is such that the extent of the configuration of the insert is maintained substantially throughout the envelope. The arrangement remains intact when the pad is repeatedly bent, twisted or otherwise deformed during washing or wearing, maintaining the pad's protective function. In other configurations, the insert may be captured by a seal that joins the sheet or sheets that form the walls of the envelope. The disposition of the insert with respect to the envelope may thereby be maintained.

Abstract: A reconfigurable orthopedic sleep aid that is adapted to be worn by a patient about the hips and legs, a knee, a portion of the back, a shoulder, and or another symptomatic anatomical location for injury prevention, trauma amelioration, and optimized comfort, and when applicable for reduced periods of post-trauma convalescence. The sleep aid incorporates a stretchable, stretchably conformable, or loose fitting garment, such as a girdle or trouser that is adapted to be worn during sleep. The garment includes one or more attachments and bears a coordinate indicia pattern, and orientation indicia that can correspond to an anatomical location of the patient such as a greater trocanter, a posterior superior iliac crest, a coccyx, an anterior ventral navel-aligned position, a medial or lateral patella border, a lateral or medial compartment of a respective inferior or superior knee joint, and a hamstring tendon, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Hip protector (10) worn primarily by the elderly, preventing/reducing hip fractures, resulting from a fall. The protector is made of all-soft materials using a matching pair of hip protective holsters (14/24) interconnected by a waist encircling belt (16) from which a pair of protective pad pouches (20) are suspended in the holsters over the user's hips and secured in place by leg encircling bands (18/26). The protective pouches include foam bodies (54) with underlying, intermediate, spacer elements (42) and a bottom cover (50), all in combination creating an enclosed, moisture-holding, air chamber (80). The protector is worn under clothing (under pants, bed clothes or swimming trunks, etc.), light weight, easily put on & removed, does not interfere in daily living (sleeping, usual body movements, restroom or bathing activities, etc.), and, when the user sweats, the surface of the user's skin under the hip protector is maintained dry using “one-way-moisture flow” material.

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 ventilated protective garment particularly for wear by operators, occupants, and passengers of sports motor vehicles, such as motorcycles for example, includes a garment body which may be configured as a jacket or coat, and which includes an especially configured vent structure at sleeves of the garment, which vent structure provides for selective opening of a vent passage on the sleeve forearm portion, while also insuring against the sleeves sliding up the wearer's arms in the event of a fall from the moving vehicle followed by a tumble and slide on gravel or pavement, for example. Thus, the wearer of the garment may select to be provided with desirable ventilation, or to close the forearm ventilation openings, and is protected against forearm abrasion regardless of whether the forearm vent openings are opened or closed.

Abstract: A reconfigurable orthopedic sleep aid that is adapted to be worn by a patient about the hips and legs, a knee, a portion of the back, a shoulder, and or another symptomatic anatomical location for injury prevention, trauma amelioration, and optimized comfort, and when applicable for reduced periods of post-trauma convalescence. The sleep aid incorporates a stretchable, stretchably conformable, or loose fitting garment, such as a girdle or trouser that is adapted to be worn during sleep. The garment includes one or more attachments and bears a coordinate indicia pattern, and orientation indicia that can correspond to an anatomical location of the patient such as a greater trocanter, a posterior superior iliac crest, a coccyx, an anterior ventral navel-aligned position, a medial or lateral patella border, a lateral or medial compartment of a respective inferior or superior knee joint, and a hamstring tendon, and combinations thereof.

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 pair of protective undershorts for absorbing shock and protecting the hips of the wearer against the shock is disclosed. The undershorts include a pair of large pockets on the inside over the hips, and protective pads in the pockets. Each of the pads extends round approximately ⅓ of the circumference of the wearer. The pads are of a rounded shape, with the upper edge slightly concave, and extend vertically from the hip-bone to below the enarthrodial joint of the hip. The pads are ⅛″ thick, and comprise closed-cell foam material with a density of 10.0 to 13.0 lbs/cu. ft., a compression resistance of 9.0 to 13.0 psi, and a tensile strength of at least 150 psi.

Abstract: An impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium, to absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with helmets and a variety of sporting equipment. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or titanium—lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon the equipment to hold the spring in place. Thus, a helmet, chest protector or the like may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein.

Abstract: A knee pad for providing fall protection of a knee is disclosed. The knee pad is a flexible single piece flat pad made of encased resilient polymeric material and is configured to have a top edge portion having a crown for protecting patella of a knee, a pair of first and second side edge portions, and a bottom edge portion. The first side edge portion has an extended flap for protecting a side of the knee. The knee pad can be reversed, front to back, for selectively protecting either medial aspect or lateral aspect of the knee. Furthermore, the knee pad can be held in position by a body tight garment without additional attachment devices. Also disclosed is a multifunctional body protection pad that can be used interchangeably for providing fall protection of a knee or a hip.

Abstract: The invention provides hockey pants comprising a main body, a fixed belt, and a floating belt. More specifically, the main body includes a pelvic area portion, a right thigh area portion, and a left thigh area portion. The fixed belt, which is integrally connected to the main body, comprises a plurality of padding elements that are selectively positioned and that act to protect the user's midsection. The selectively positioned padding elements include an adjustable dorsal protector adapted to extend over and protect the lower spine region of the wearer. Moreover, the fixed belt also includes an adjusting component capable of modifying the positioning of the dorsal protector relative to the back of the wearer's body. Overlying the fixed belt is the floating belt which, due to its flexible coupling with the main body, allows access to the adjusting component.

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: This invention provides a pair of pads for covering the area of the femur nearest the hip joint to distribute trauma forces to surrounding soft tissue areas, thereby protecting the bones proximate the hip joint from direct insult from injury when a person falls. The pads thereby spare the weak and osteoporatic bone from fractures. Each pad includes an inner core of linear density polyethylene molded to a shape to fit the proximal femur. The inner core of polyethylene or other suitable plastic covers an inner foam layer, with the inner core and inner foam layer being sandwiched between a secondary inner polyethylene foam layer and a primary outer layer of polyethylene foam laminated together at their edges.

Abstract: Protective sports gear includes a buttocks and tail bone protector which is secured to a user of the gear by means of an adjustable waist band and a pair of leg bands.

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: An appliance for protection against impact and strain injury and comprising an inner flexible web or sleeve (10, 15) adapted to be worn about a part of the body such as the lower leg and to conform closely to the shape thereof, and a series of interconnected outer rigid plates (18) attached to the inner web or sleeve (10, 15) such as to provide impact absorption and distribution whilst permitting relative movement between the plates and maintaining its position in use without restraining the wearer's bodily movement. The device is particularly intended to prevent injuries to sports people.

Abstract: A waist protection member comprises a primary chamber (33) to be placed against at least an area of the human body surface in correspondence to a greater trochanter (1a) of a femur (1), and is fined with a gel-like substance (32). The waist protection member also comprises at least two auxiliary chambers (34) which are vertically juxtaposed to be placed against an area of the human body surface forwardly of the area covered with the primary chamber (33), and which are each filled with the gel-like substance (32) and have a smaller contact area with the human body than does the primary chamber.

Abstract: A life jacket with a cushioning air-bag comprises a jacket body (1), which includes a continuous torso air-bag portion (7) having a chest air-bag portion (2), a back air-bag portion (3), and a side air-bag portion (4), and further includes a neck air-bag portion (5) and a waist air-bag portion (6). The jacket body is provided with a gas generator (8) having a gas cartridge. Each of the air-bag portions (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) has a dual structure composed of an outer bag (9) and an inner bag (10), which bags (9 and 10) are made of synthetic resin such as urethane or vinyl chloride. The gas generator (8) is connected to the outer bag (9) and inner bag (10) of each of the air bag portions (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).

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 garment and insert combination for decreasing the risk of trauma to the hip joint in the greater trochanter region of the human body, and comprising a garment that fits over the hips and having a pocket to securely hold in place a generally planar but configured resilient hip pad. The pad is in the form of an annulus of generally inverted “U” configuration with the outer edges being coincidental with the outer periphery of the elliptical form, and with the annulus being open in the area covering the greater trochanter region.

Abstract: A body protector for being custom fitted to a body part to be protected formed of a flexible garment member shaped to lie over the body part to be protected. The garment member is made with two spaced, inner and outer sheets of material forming an inner pocket between the layers. An opening for access into the pocket is formed along at least one of said edges and includes a closure fastener for opening and closing the opening. An insert made with a moisture curable, resin impregnated material is shaped to fit into and dimensionally conform to the pocket to provide a rigid barrier for the body part when the resin is hardened. Straps are provided to secure the protector to the user.

Abstract: This invention concerns a protective body vest for protecting against impact upon a human 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. The vest comprises of an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion with oversized apertures for the arms, a front portion, a pair of side portions and a back tapered design back portion. The front and back portions being sized and shaped in a tapered design. The invention further utilizes an offset opening located off a center axis of the vest to protect vital body parts. The invention further utilize an overlap to protect the body areas below the offset opening.

Abstract: Protective pads for baseball players for protecting arms, hips, ribs and calves. The protective pads for baseball players include an arm guard for protecting an elbow and forearm of a user. The arm guard comprises a first domed member and a second domed member attached to a cloth is adapted for wrapping around an arm. The cloth has a fastening system thereon for binding the cloth around the user's arm. A rib guard protects a rib area of a user. The rib guard comprises a generally rectangular cloth adapted to fit around a chest an upper torso of a user having two protective shields on a side area of the user. The cloth has a fastening system thereon for binding the cloth around the user's chest. A hip guard protects a hip and thigh area of a user. The hip guard comprises a cloth adapted to wrap around a user's leg. The cloth has a fastening system thereon for binding the cloth around the user's thigh area.

Abstract: A jockey jacket actuates upon sensing a particular event, such as the jockey falling from the horse during a race. A series of air tracks are inflated by a gas generator to pump up a series of air-pockets, mini-airbags, and a collar protection region, preferably with a series of concentric circular cylinders which expand and provide resistance to motions that are transverse to the concentric axis. A plurality of caps are telescopically disposed within the tracks and are forced upwards by the injected gas. These caps form a column that, together with the other columns and a support member Within the jacket collar, forms an exoskeleton around the jockey's neck. A base webbing provides support for the columns. The jacket includes microelectronics to control the jacket actuation. The jacket is usable for other activities, such as motorcycling.

Abstract: An improved rigid safety-vest structure intended for general use in hazardous-construction environments, such as encountered by trench and tunnel workers. Sudden cave-in situations are said by the U.S. Federal-agency O.S.H.A. to tragically take many lives annually to insidious suffocation, attributable to simple impairment of a workers'upper-abdomen/thorax region by suddenly surrounding cave-in earth. The notion of the HardJacket.TM. being to prevent these fatalities, by providing the worker a light-weight aerated upper-torso safety-vest within which an earthen immobilized worker can maintain their vital breathing action, -while efforts are being made to bodily extricate them. The disclosure includes a three-paneled frontally opening self-donning structure fabricated with an interlaced metal truss-structure, preferably enveloped in a bright-colored aerating nylon-fabric; plus a generic-variant embodiment, formed of inner and outer rigid-skins separated by a rigid foam-core interior.

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 garment with sleeves, worn on a baseball player's upper torso, which has rib cage-protective padding beneath a so-called pad-positioning sleeve so that, in use, a baseball player batting right-handed inserts a left hand through the pad-positioning sleeve and, after turning the garment around, a baseball player batting left-handed inserts a right hand through the pad-positioning sleeve and, by following this simple fitting procedure in both instances the single garment positions the protective pad in covering relation over the player's rib cage.

Abstract: An improved body protection pad which can be formed to protect a variety of body parts from impact, constructed with a rigid central layer and having a soft outer covering which absorbs impacts and disperses energy. This softer outer layer protects the wearer of the pad, as well as protects the impacting object or person. An inner cushioning layer is also provided between the pad wearer and the rigid central layer. An abrasion resistant coating can also be added over the soft covering. When used for contact sports such as football, this pad construction is effective in preventing injuries resulting when the pad is used as a striking object. The covering may be applied in segmented pieces or as a continuous layer over both sides of the rigid central layer. The central layer can be solid or can form a frame-like structure.

Abstract: An adjustable chest protector to prevent athletic injuries, particularly in baseball. The chest protector is C-shaped in a horizontal plane and designed to fit comfortably and unnoticeably underneath clothing of the user. It is also designed to allow free, unhindered movement by the athlete. The chest protector nevertheless is strong enough to prevent potentially fatal injuries. A portion of the protector is contoured convexly away from the user to assume the natural shape of the user's hemithorax.

Abstract: A garment for protecting the hip and coccyx area while roller blading without inhibiting the freedom of maneuverability. It comprises a generally triangular garment worn over the derriere increasing in thickness from the sides to the center and tapering down between the legs. Straps around the upper legs and waist secure it to the user.

Abstract: A form-fitting garment having side pockets that allow hip pads for the protection of the greater trochanter, to be securely positioned and centered above the greater trochanter region is described. The hip pads have a slit extending through the planar surface that is centered over the greater trochanter region and disperses any impact forces against the pad away from the greater trochanter region.

Abstract: A lower body garment apparatus for a patient, which protects a lower region of the patient while facilitating dress, undress and accessibility to the lower region of said patient, with minimal movement and reorientation of said patient, to, in turn, minimize the risk of trauma and injury to the patient, comprises a front panel, an encircling panel, two attachment members and a padded member. The front panel includes two side edges and covers a lower front region of a patient. The encircling panel includes two side edges and likewise extends around at least one of a right and left hip region and at least a portion of a lower rear region of a patient. Attachment members releasably attach the front panel side edges to the encircling panel at either side edges of the encircling panel.

Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.