An impact diffusing system for protecting a user's head includes a headpiece cage coupled to a thoracic framework. In one aspect, the headpiece cage includes at least two support bars, a plurality of rigid bars surrounding at least a portion of the forehead, top, and sides of the head, and a face mask that encloses at least a portion the user's face. The thoracic framework covers at least a portion of a chest, upper back, and shoulders of the user, and the thoracic framework is attached to the support bars of the headpiece cage in a manner that prevents movement of the headpiece cage relative to the thoracic framework. In another aspect, the system includes a helmet component (formed of e.g., carbon fiber) coupled to a thoracic cage, wherein the helmet component is a solid, unitary piece that surrounds the top, back, and sides of the user's head.

An impact force dampening and defusing structure includes a plurality of components arranged in a grid array. A component has a three-dimensional geometric shape that includes an impact receiving surface area and an impact defusing surface area. The impact defusing surface area is larger than, and a distance d from, the impact receiving surface area. The component includes a material composition and, when an impact force strikes the impact receiving surface area of the component and the impact force dampening and defusing structure is in position to protect a body part, the component contributes to reducing pressure on the body part based on the material composition, the distance d, the impact receiving surface area, and the impact defusing surface area.

An article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting an upper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other contact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear is configured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the wearer against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey, lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).

A chest protector includes a protective vest portion and a harness portion to hold the vest portion on a user. The harness portion includes a first side strap and a second side strap, each of the first and second side straps being connected to the vest portion on opposing sides of the vest portion; a first slide connected to the first side strap; a second slide connected to the second side strap; a central strap passing through the first slide and the second slide and forming a loop connecting the first and second slides; a vertical strap connected to the central strap; and a strap adjuster connecting the vest portion and the vertical strap. The vertical strap passes through the strap adjuster and a free end of the vertical strap can be pulled to tighten the harness portion around a user. The vertical strap may be the only adjustable strap.

A shoulder-pad system includes various components, including a set of shoulder pads that comprises a right-shoulder pad assembly, a left-shoulder pad assembly, an anterior plate, and a posterior plate. Each shoulder-pad assembly may include an epaulette and a discrete shoulder sleeve that is releasably attachable to the epaulette. The discrete shoulder sleeve may further include an epaulette attachment mechanism that releasable attaches the discrete shoulder sleeve to the epaulette when the epaulette is positioned within the cavity.

Disclosed herein are wearable articles and methods for the manufacture and use thereof. The wearable articles can comprise compression elements, gripping elements, and support elements containing a rate-sensitive material which can operate to prevent injury.

An anti-concussion helmet attachment collar assembly includes a cowl body attached to a curved helmet attachment ring segment at its upper end, and to a cowl support ring at its lower end. A circular rolling element bearing is interposed between the bottom of the cowl support ring and the interior shoulder of an underlying central ring, facilitating rotation of the cowl support ring with respect to the central ring. A modified helmet incorporates a flange with keyhole openings coupleable with standoff rivets on the helmet attachment ring segment. A base attached to equipment, such as football shoulder pads, is configured to selectively couple with the central ring during use.

An athletic wear includes at least one of an athlete garment, a helmet, a glove, a wristband, a headband, a mouth guard, and a pad. A plurality of sensors and at least one camera are integrated into the at least one of the athlete garment, the helmet, the glove, the wristband, the headband, the mouth guard, and the pad. A processor is in signal communication with the plurality of sensors and the at least one camera for receiving, analyzing, and transmitting data signals obtained by the plurality of sensors and the at least one camera. The plurality of sensors are configured to obtain a wearer's physiological data, position data and movement data.

Protective gear for protecting individuals from impact forces by transferring axial forces into tangential forces directed away from the individual. The protective apparatus includes a first plate assembly including a first end and a second end; a second plate assembly including a first end and a second end; a load-bearing hinge connecting the first end of the first plate assembly to the first end of the second plate assembly; a first toothed plate attached to the second end of the first plate assembly; and a second toothed plate attached to the second end of the second plate assembly. The load-bearing hinge and the toothed plates tangentially distribute impact forces between the plate assemblies and around, rather than axially toward, the body or object being protected. The apparatus may further include sensors and electronics for detecting a physical property of the protective apparatus, and transmitting signals to a remote server.

A protective foam material and pads are disclosed herein. The material is a rounded foam pellet having a hole through the center of the pellet. The pellets may be arranged and interconnected to form a pad. These pads may be applied to persons, animals, or other objects for protective functions.