Abstract: An impact reduction device including a pad having a first layer and a second layer. At least one of the first and second layers defines at least one impression. The impact reduction device is arranged and configured to at least partially collapse upon application of a force and to regain its shape after removal of the force.

Abstract: A seat pad for a cyclist garment, including a first side, an opposing second side, perforations formed through the seat pad so as to traverse from the first side to the second side and allowing passage of fluid therethrough, and at least one channel defined in the first side connecting together at least two of the perforations and being configured to direct fluid flow when the garment is worn.

Abstract: This invention concerns improved protective rib and lower back pads for protecting an individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads against impact to the ribs and/or lower back region of the human body. The improvement comprises protective rib and lower back pads with release mechanisms that allow the protective rib and lower back pads to be safely and easily detached from its corresponding pair of protective shoulder pads while the individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of a secondary injury to the individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads as the protective rib and lower back pads and associated protective shoulder pads are removed.

Abstract: A seat pad for a cyclist garment, a method of manufacture thereof, and a cyclist garment including the same, are provided. The multi-layer seat pad includes an inner layer for contacting the cyclist, an outer layer for affixing to the garment, and a compressible, resilient middle layer disposed between the outer and inner layers, wherein the outer layer covers less than all of the inner layer.

Abstract: A wearable spinal protective apparatus is presented which will protect all parts of the human spinal column from cervical to lumbosacral vertebrae during high velocity activities. The apparatus is worn by user to cover the entire backside from neck and shoulders down, to be secured around the hips. This apparatus has many sections each uniquely designed to work together to reduce all forms of spinal injury. Protection provided by this apparatus is most valuable during high velocity activities. Because of its unique sectional design this apparatus can be tailored to match any size individual and any level of protection desired. The design of this apparatus goes well beyond the prior art of simple hard shell and padding.

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: An orthopedic protective assembly is disclosed. The orthopedic protective apparatus includes a foam shaped collar to conform to a user's neck area. The foam shaped collar comprises a multi-layer polymer material having a pliable outermost protective layer to absorb initial impact energy and additional layer(s). The additional layer(s) require(s) greater impact energy to deform than those of the pliable outermost protective layer. In one embodiment, shim extension(s) customize(s) impact energy absorption properties of the foam shaped collar by filling a gap between an underside of the foam shaped collar and a shoulder region of a user.

Abstract: A foul protector is comprised of an undergarment, a pair of protective pads and a protective cup. The undergarment is in the shape of a pair of short pants. It is fabricated from an elastic material and has an elastic waistband. It has attachment members for attachment to mating attachment members on a pair of boxing trunks and has a pocket in the groin area into which the protective cup is inserted. It has a pair of side pockets formed into opposing sides. On each side, the bottom leg portion is form fit to the user's leg. A pad is inserted into each side pocket. Each pad is shaped to protect a portion of the user's thigh, midsection and hip. The pads are covered by waterproof material. The upper periphery is positioned at the navel level of the user. The foul protector has an unprotected center section.

Abstract: A foul protector is comprised of an undergarment, a pair of protective pads and a protective cup. The undergarment is in the shape of a pair of short pants. It is fabricated from an elastic material and has an elastic waistband. It has attachment members for attachment to mating attachment members on a pair of boxing trunks and has a pocket in the groin area into which the protective cup is inserted. It has a pair of side pockets formed into opposing sides. On each side, the bottom leg portion is form fit to the user's leg. A pad is inserted into each side pocket. Each pad is shaped to protect a portion of the user's thigh, midsection and hip. The pads are covered by waterproof material. The upper periphery is positioned at the navel level of the user. The foul protector has an unprotected center section.

Abstract: A combination waist pack is worn comfortably about the waist and unfolds to provide a protective accessory such as a seat cushion, water resistant or insulated barrier to kneel or lay down upon, or other apparel or padded articles providing protection to various parts of a person for use in outdoor sports and recreation. The invention is convertible to a seat or other protective device while unfolded and a warm & protective waistband, hand warmer & padded pack while folded. A user is not required to attach a seat accessory as an addition to the invention nor does he/she have to take up additional space by placing it in a pocket. Therefore, the invention is less bulky even when using thicker materials for padding. The invention is also simpler to utilize than previous inventions. The invention provides seating, padding, & warmth. It is more desirable, more fashionable, more convenient, less noticeable, and more comfortable for sports and leisure.

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: The invention is directed to a garment, such as a tank top, camisole, bra top, shirt, athletic shorts or athletic pants, unitards or leotards, comprising a cushion for comforting the spine during activities performed while laying on the back, such as yoga, pilates, bodysculpting, exercising, etc. The garments of the present invention may further comprise a means for cushioning the clavicle, sternum, shoulder blades, hips or pelvis.

Abstract: The invention seeks primarily to provide a means capable of securely protecting physical parts such as the lumbar part and femur part from a shock even imparted intensively to a narrow area of the physical part to be protected, and secondarily to provide a shock absorbent and a protective pad and protective clothes using the shock absorbent, which can be brought into close contact with the physical part to be protected while improving air permeability around the physical part covered with the protective pad or clothes and vary the area contacting with the physical part to be protected. To attain the objects described above according to the invention, there is provided a shock absorbent used for a protective pad for protecting physical parts such as the lumbar part and femur part from an external shock exerted thereto and featured by embedding a shock dispersing member 2 in a shock absorbing member 1 for absorbing the external shock.

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 lower back protection system is provided by a lower back protection apparatus for protecting the lower back region of a user, the apparatus comprising a first piece of lower back armor; a first strap coupled with the lower back armor; a second strap coupled with the lower back armor; wherein the first strap and the second strap are configured to couple the first piece of lower back armor with an article of clothing so as to provide armored back protection to the user when the article of clothing is being worn by the user.

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: 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: An electrician's vest provides a more convenient vest configuration and facilitates easy access to the tools and supplies stored therein. The vest also incorporates a carrying handle and reinforcement webbing to increase the stiffness of the vest. The vest includes a back brace or back support belt which is allowed to move relative to the vest to keep the support brace in a proper position on the user's lower back while still allowing adequate freedom of movement.

Abstract: A protective element, particularly for shorts, for example for cycling, comprising a support that has, in an upper region, regions that protrude differently and, in a lower region, a layer of material that can be coupled detachably by simple resting on the shorts.

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: An article of clothing has a main body formed of high-tightness, main-body knitting fabric made of power net. The article of clothing includes front and back support pieces disposed around the waist and having no elasticity in a longitudinal direction thereof. The front support pieces are sewn to a front body at positions inside the left and right ilia of the abdominal pelvis. The back support pieces are sewn to a back body at left and right positions near the sacrum of the pelvis in central hip portions. Side waist pieces disposed between the front and back support pieces are formed by sewing high-tightness, net-like knitting fabric to the main-body knitting fabric at the top edge while leaving the bottom edge unsewn. The article of clothing has a pant-like shape with left and right leg parts that can be tightly fitted around the thighs.

Abstract: A garment designed to provide support to the major muscle groups of the back and legs in order to reduce muscle fatigue and stress on the vertebrae and their disks. The garment is comprised of several semi-rigid rods (314) that are attached to a lumbar support belt (310) but are free to move vertically within channels of material (410) along the back and the posterior area of the upper thighs. This movement gives the user flexibility and range of motion, both vertically and laterally. The support rods (314) are comprised of a semi-rigid material that will have enough flexibility to bend with the user but enough rigidity to assist the muscles in holding the user's body in a semi-upright position. The garment is comprised of a form fitting material so that the support rods are snug to the body, providing optimum support for the large muscle groups.

Abstract: An item of clothing, such as a light jacket, heavy jacket, sports jacket or the like, comprising, at the inside of the back, a fastener for fastening to the upper body of a user which comprises two shoulder straps which are adapted to allow the item of clothing to hang from the upper body when it is not being worn.

Abstract: An arrangement for protecting the back against bumps, comprising a shield and a plurality of plates, which are linked with each other and fastened on to the shield. Each plate overlaps by an extent corresponding to approximately half of its length the adjacent plate and is kept jointed together with all other plates by a connection element which extends along the longitudinal axis of the arrangement and is provided with integral means for connecting with the various plates so as to enable each plate to rotate to a limited extent, but freely in all directions.

Abstract: A protective harness for a motorcycle rider includes a back plate having an upper section hingedly attached to a lower section. Received within the upper section are an inflatable neck collar and a shoulder bladder. Received within the lower section is an inflatable rib cage bladder. If a rider is displaced from the motorcycle, a CO2 dispensing mechanism automatically inflates and deploys the bladders to encompass and protect the wearer's neck, rib cage and back.

Abstract: A seat element for being inserted into a pair of cycling pants comprises a seat pad (10) for padding a seat surface in the bottom region. Further, the seat element comprises a bowl-shaped protective element (12) for the protection of the male genital region. The protective element (12) is connected with the seat pad (10). In the middle portion of the seat element, i.e., following the protective element (12), a vein protection channel (24) is provided. Because of the vein protection channel (24), a constriction of the vein extending in that region is avoided. Thereby, a circulation of blood to the male genitals will even be ensured if one sits on a cycle saddle for a long time.

Abstract: A diving vest with adjustable buoyancy mainly has a back pad filled with a soft polyurethane gel body therein and disposed additionally on a back portion on an inner side of a regular vest; two left and right sides at the lower ends of the back pad extend respectively to form lashing waist bands; the protruding back pad leans against a human body's concave waist spine portion for obtaining a good ergonomic support and protecting the waist spine portion; the lashing waist band penetrates through a ring band on a waist bag of the vest thereby linking the waist bag to tightly lash a diver onto the vest. The lashing waist band lashes from the back pad as the beginning point such that it is more capable of tightly pulling the vest from the rear to the front for lashing the diver.

Abstract: A lumbar fixed belt that mainly holds a lumbar and a pelvic fixed belt that mainly holds the pelvis are integrally provided, and the pelvic fixed belt is inclined to the lumbar fixed belt 2 at 20° to 30° toward a lumboabdominal region, correspondingly to a physiological pelvic angle of inclination ?.

Abstract: A back protector, in particular for motorcyclists, including two vertically aligned supports provided with elements for fixing them to a motorcyclist's body, each of the supports containing a plurality of substantially rigid elements fixed thereto, the lower support being hinged to the upper support by a pin.

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 traction belt, including a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion oriented generally parallel to the first elongated portion and connected thereto, a first plurality of biasing members operationally connected to the first elongated portion, and a second plurality of biasing members operationally connected to the second elongated portion. Each biasing member is oriented generally perpendicular to a respective elongated portion. Each biasing member is adapted to provide a biasing force through a respective elongated portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective body vest for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities. The protective body vest comprises a multi-section, one-piece garment or vest sized and shaped to be worn on the torso of an athlete. The garment includes 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 body vest further comprises a shoulder portion with oversized apertures for receiving a wearer's arms, an anterior portion, a pair of lateral portions and a tapered-design posterior portion. The body vest further comprises at least one opening located off set from the medial line of a wearer's torso and at least one flap or overlap to cover the region of the offset opening as well as the vest area about the offset opening.

Abstract: A spinal protection system having a pad of energy-absorbing material with wings extending outward from a longitudinal axis. There are gaps between adjacent wings to allow flexing of the pad. Score lines cut between the wings allow the pad to twist and flex to conform to movement.

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: 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 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: There is described a wearable garment capable of supplying air to a user comprising a plurality of compartments disposed about the garment, a plurality of air storage vessels for fitting into respective ones of the compartments, an air regulator, a connector for connecting the plurality of air storage vessels to the regulator, and a breathing member connected to the regulator in fluid communication therewith, wherein the breathing member allows a user to receive air from the plurality of air storage vessels.

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 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 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 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: 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: Disclosed is a detachment type waist protecting belt wherein hook and loop fastener strips are attached to distal ends and heightwise middle portions of left and right bands, a pair of connecting plates made of a soft plastic material are secured to proximal ends of the left and right bands, connection rings are rotatably fastened to the connecting plates by pins to be spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction by a predetermined distance, both ends of a pair of pulling cords respectively pass zigzag from upper and lower ends of the connecting plates through the connection rings so as to be freed at heightwise middle portions of the connecting plates, and a pair of tightening bands are connected to the freed both ends of the pulling cords. The detachment type waist protecting belt includes a waist support which fits a contour of the waist of the human body. Guide projections are formed at both sides of an outer surface of the waist support.

Abstract: The headrest provides support to the person's head, thereby relieving neck fatigue and other various discomforts. A one-piece headrest (10) is formed as a single piece and includes a back mounted support plate (14) having concave central body portion (16) and side wings (17 and 18) which straddle the person's spine to increase comfort, reduce movement of the head rest, and increase stability of the back mounted support plate when attached to the person's upper back. The second embodiment is a two-piece headrest (110) that includes a separate head support portion (120) and a back mounted support plate (114). The head support portion is pivotally connected to the back mounted support plate and a spring (125) urges the head support portion toward the person's head so that support can be provided to the person's head over a continuous angle range of backwardly tilted head positions.

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 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 wrap-around insulating garment for the thigh and buttocks region. The garment, similar to a kilt, is worn over the clothes, and serves to insulate the buttocks and thigh regions from cold and wet weather. The garment has a cutaway in the front which allows the wearer to easily raise his legs and assume a sitting position. An inverted v-shaped cut, smaller in width than the cutaway, is found directly above the cutaway, which allows for a larger range of motion for the wearer during use.

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.