An article of apparel includes a base layer and an auxetic layer. The base layer includes a four way stretch material. The auxetic layer is coupled to the base layer and includes an auxetic structure defining a repeating pattern of voids. The base layer is exposed by at least one void of the auxetic layer.

The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

An airbag deployment system includes a helmet, a torso protection assembly, and an airbag assembly. The airbag assembly is coupled to one of the helmet and the torso protection assembly and includes an airbag, an inflation device configured to inflate the airbag, and a first coupling device. The first coupling device is configured to couple to a second coupling device provided on the other of the helmet and the torso protection assembly upon inflation of the airbag. The coupling resists relative movement between the helmet and the torso protection assembly.

The invention includes a protective headpiece and components thereof and methods for their use. Preferred examples comprise a helmet component, a plurality of piers joining said helmet component to a shoulder pad component and an inner hat component permitting the wearer the ability to move the head from side to side and/or up and down within the helmet component without moving the helmet component. The helmet component may comprise a plurality of fluid-filled floating plates or floats on the inner surface thereof to cushion the head against impact during activities including, for example, football, race car driving, military activities and the like.

A chest pad that significantly reduces the occurrence of commotio cordis among athletes is disclosed. The chest pad may be utilized as a stand-alone chest protector intended to provide coverage primarily for the upper chest wall and the cardiac area. The chest pad may also be implanted into or utilized in traditional chest protectors that provide full coverage of the user's torso. The chest pad provides additional protection to the heart of the wearer such that impact in the heart area with a projectile is absorbed by the chest pad.

Body armor comprising a projectile-resistant outer layer and an energy-absorbing inner layer, wherein the energy-absorbing inner layer comprises a superelastic three dimensional construct.

Protective equipment for transmitting sport scores, comprising a sensor positioned between two protective layers, characterised in that it has a foam material containing an elastomer and arranged so as to contact the sensor.

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.

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 materials which can operate to prevent injury.

An impact plate system is provided herein comprising a textile layer comprising at least a first surface and an elastically resilient material. The system further comprises a moldable plate coupled to the first surface of the textile layer. The moldable plate comprises a polymeric material having a tensile strength within the range of 40 MPa to 50 MPa, according to ASTM D638 standards.