An energy absorbing member that may be coupled to a chest protector like those worn by baseball or softball catchers and/or umpires is provided. The energy absorbing member may be releasably attachable with, or permanently sewn or riveted into, an upper central region of the chest protector. The energy absorbing member includes a backing plate having low elasticity that abuts the chest protector. The energy absorbing member further includes a front plate attached to the backing plate that preferably projects outwardly from the backing plate to form a hollow interior portion between the plates. The front plate is preferably an arcuate, convex plate that is able to distribute energy and deflects a batted or pitched ball so that absorbing member may absorb and distribute energy from the ball along the chest.

A disclosed method for manufacturing a glove includes forming a base via molding, the base being shaped to include a palm portion and one or more extremity portions. The method also includes forming a top skin via molding, the top skin including one or more compartments, and forming a backhand assembly by attaching one or more edges of the one or more compartments of the top skin to the base. At least one remaining edge of each of the one or more compartments is unattached from the base. The method also includes reversing an orientation of the backhand assembly, filling each of the one or more compartments of the top skin with foam, and attaching the at least one remaining edge of each of the one or more compartments to the base.

A motorcycle safety harness with shock absorbers and cushions channels shock waves caused by a motorcycle accident away from the vital organs of a motorcycle rider to the shoulders and thighs to reduce severe injuries to the rider and save lives.

The present invention is a relocatable protection system that is used to keep the user comfortable while performing physical labor and to protect bones and joints from injury. This system attaches to clothing by using a series of loops attached to the user's clothing in parallel tracks. A relocatable protective pad is shaped in a way to conform to that part of the body being protected. The areas being protected are the knees most of the time but could also be the shins, shoulders, spine or elbows among others. The pad opens and closes in a clamshell fashion and comprises a protective base and a lid together with a hinge mechanism and a fastening mechanism. Typically straps with Velcro which fasten to themselves go through the device and through the loops in the clothing and fasten directly in front of the protective base. The lid portion has a soft cushioning inner portion and a harder outer portion. The lid closes and fastens over the protective base which contains and stores the remaining strap length in spaces designed for this function. This body part pad device is relocatable to better place the device in the exact most useful place on the user's body for the work they are doing.

A protective apparatus for protecting at least a user's neck area from impact forces directed thereto, has a neck-protective structure about the neck area at a distance for bearing and absorbing the impact forces, and a base structure coupled to the protective structure. The protective structure is demountably attachable to an upper body area of the user for supporting the protective structure thereon and for absorbing the impact forces absorbed distributed from the protective structure.

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.

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.

An impact plate system is provided herein comprising a moldable plate having center, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface and the second surface define a thickness therebetween. The thickness is between 4 mm and 7 mm. The moldable plate is defined by a perimeter edge, which comprises one or more curved corners having a predetermined radius of curvature between 18 mm to 28 mm.

A modular protective structure may be formed from an impact absorbing material formed into a repeating pattern of one or more geometrical shapes that may be assembled to a size, shape, and/or configuration desired to protect an athlete from impact. The thickness of the structure may vary in a repetitive fashion along at least a first axis of the structure, and may further vary in a repetitive fashion along a second axis of the structure.