Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to impact mitigating membranes. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the impact mitigating membranes generally include a laminar core having a first lamina and a second lamina coupled to the first lamina and configured to shift relative to the first lamina to dissipate kinetic energy resulting from an oblique impact force. The laminar core may include a lubricating layer or self-lubrication between the lamina to reduce friction. In general, the laminar core is surrounded by first and second encapsulating layers positioned adjacent each lamina. An anchoring attachment coupled to one or more of the first and second encapsulating layer and associating with the laminar core constrains relative lateral motion between the laminar core and the first and second encapsulating layers.

Hockey goalkeeper leg pads wearable on legs of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the legs, in which the hockey goalkeeper leg pads may be configured to enhance performance, comfort and/or other aspects of goalkeeping of the hockey goalkeeper, including when the hockey goalkeeper leg pads drop onto a playing surface (e.g., ice) to lie substantially horizontally on the playing surface with their front facing play (e.g., as in a butterfly position or otherwise).

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A protective article of clothing for weight training comprising including a top adapted to be worn on an upper portion of an athlete. The top include a front surface and a rear surface, left and right arm openings and a head opening. An impact-resistant flexible collar is integrally attached to the top and is sized and positioned to substantially encircle the head opening. The collar is also configured to dampen an impact force to at least a portion of the athlete's shoulders, upper chest and upper back.

A protective article of clothing for weight training including bottoms adapted to be worn on a lower portion of an athlete. The bottoms have a front and a rear surface, a waist opening, and left and right leg portions, each with a foot opening. At least one impact-resistant flexible pad is integrally attached to the bottoms and is sized and positioned to substantially cover a zone of likely contact, including the athlete's shins, knees, thighs, hips, hip creases, shoulders, and upper back. The flexible pad dampens impact forces applied to the zones of likely contact.

The present invention provides protective athletic pants that are constructed from a protective material and a flexible material, in optimal ratios. This invention provides durable pants that provide adequate protection without unduly restricting the movement of the wearer.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A sports product may include a support member and an impact region configured to impact an object. The impact region may be coupled to the support member. The sports product may also include a shear thickening material in at least one of the support member or the impact region. The shear thickening material may be configured to exhibit shear thickening behavior when an impact occurs between the impact region and the object.

Disclosed is a martial arts training device that is worn on a trainer's waist, and a pair of movable leg-strike units provided on the outer surface of both legs of the trainer are controlled at similar directions, speeds and strengths to real kicking, such that defensive and offensive training simulating a real fight may be performed as the trainee defends from and strikes the movable leg-strike units. The martial arts training device according to the present invention includes a waist-mounted unit worn on a trainer's waist, and a pair of movable leg-strike units, each movably connected to opposite sides of the waist-mounted unit and having a handle on the outer surface thereof to allow a trainer to perform a movable operation thereof.

The present invention is directed to a leg guard that provides increased protection while also providing maximum articulation and increased freedom of movement for the user. More particularly, the leg guard includes a toe guard, a shin guard, a knee guard including an extended knee cap wrap, an extended knee guard, a thigh guard, a left hinge, and a right hinge. Through the use of an extended knee cap wrap and a hinged configuration, the leg guard provides additional protection for the knees of a catcher and allows catchers to freely and quickly move to or through different stances without having to re-position the pads of the leg guard. The hinged configuration provides enhanced mobility for the user by preventing the leg guard from shifting and rotating about the shin of the user and allowing the leg guard to remain static without axial rotation or vertical movement.