An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

Instrumented mouthguards include components such as accelerometer modules that enable monitoring of head movements of a mouthguard wearer. Various embodiments that provide instrumented mouthguard devices and components configured for use in instrumented mouthguard devices, including flexible circuit board substrates. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board substrate is configured to allow sizing irregularities resultant from customization of the mouthguard body to a specific wearer.

A sports pad for use in estimating a force exerted by an external object on the sports pad is provided. The sports pad comprises: an array of sensors, the sensors being spaced apart from one another across a grid of sensor positions of the sports pad, each sensor being configured to independently collect data indicative of the force acting on the respective sensor; and a data receiver configured to receive the collected data from each of the array of sensors such that data from a plurality of the sensors may be used to estimate a force.

A sports pad for use in estimating a force exerted by an external object on the sports pad is provided. The sports pad comprises: an array of sensors, the sensors being spaced apart from one another across a grid of sensor positions of the sports pad, each sensor being configured to independently collect data indicative of the force acting on the respective sensor; and a data receiver configured to receive the collected data from each of the array of sensors such that data from a plurality of the sensors may be used to estimate a force.

A protective structure for protective garments and equipment is disclosed having a flat curved plate like object which includes a mesh structure having a multitude of holes. The holes in the mesh structure or parts of the holes in the mesh structure have rim structures extending towards a user of the protective structure when the protective structure is in use. Between the rim structures are channels. The channels improve air circulation beneath the protective structure and the rim structures enhances the impact spreading and elasticity of the protective structure. A continuous border frame surrounds the mesh structure. The protective structure has a first surface and a second surface, and the second surface is oriented towards the user when the protective structure is in use.

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.

The interchangeable mouth shields disclosed herein include a lip-anterior portion and teeth tray that can be releasably coupled together. The lip-anterior portion includes a panel positioned anterior to a lip shield. The panel can be customized to be different shapes and have decorative features. The interchangeable mouth shield includes a vent enabling a user to breathing through the interchangeable mouth shield during use. The teeth tray can be selectively flavored.

This patent describes devices and methods to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of protective equipment in providing protection to players of contact sports, and to determine if a given protective product (pad) is compliant with a specified performance standard. To simulate the impacts experienced by these players, a pad-protected specially modified and instrumented manikin is impacted with solid loads of various weights at various speeds. The impacts are designed to model the impact forces and impact times encountered in typical game collisions. For each impact, measurements are made of the force exerted onto the pad, and the parts of this force that are transmitted through the pad onto various locations on the manikin, as a function of time. Five numbers that quantify the ability of each pad to protect the user are extracted from these measured force verses time data: (1) the maximum force applied on the pad, (2) the average applied force, (3) the maximum force measured under the pad, (4) the sum of the maximum forces measured under the pad, and (5) the ratio of the rebound load speed and the incident load speed. For a given impact, the pad that reduces the magnitudes of these quantities the most is the pad that provides the greatest measure of safety for the game players.

This patent describes devices and methods to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of protective equipment in providing protection to players of contact sports, and to determine if a given protective product (pad) is compliant with a specified performance standard. To simulate the impacts experienced by these players, a pad-protected specially modified and instrumented manikin is impacted with solid loads of various weights at various speeds. The impacts are designed to model the impact forces and impact times encountered in typical game collisions. For each impact, measurements are made of the force exerted onto the pad, and the parts of this force that are transmitted through the pad onto various locations on the manikin, as a function of time. Five numbers that quantify the ability of each pad to protect the user are extracted from these measured force verses time data: (1) the maximum force applied on the pad, (2) the average applied force, (3) the maximum force measured under the pad, (4) the sum of the maximum forces measured under the pad, and (5) the ratio of the rebound load speed and the incident load speed. For a given impact, the pad that reduces the magnitudes of these quantities the most is the pad that provides the greatest measure of safety for the game players.

A mouthguard assembly that includes a U-shaped body, a protective member, and a trough member. The body includes a posterior wall, an anterior wall, and a middle bite portion disposed between the posterior wall and the anterior wall. The posterior wall and the anterior wall extend from the middle bite portion to define a groove. The protective member is at least partially embedded within the body, if not completely embedded within the body. The protective member comprises a rigid material composition that provides added protection to a user of the mouthguard assembly and a degree of rigidity to the body. The trough member can be a cushioning member that cushions the force of an impact or a brace member that braces a user's teeth. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating the mouthguard assembly.