Disclosed herein are flexible energy absorbing systems and methods of manufacturing flexible energy absorbing systems. The systems include one or more cells of a strain rate sensitive material and having a re-entrant geometry. Some of the systems have an anisotropic geometry to provide a different response to impacts from different directions.

An impact absorbing structure includes a first inter-engaging main planar part and a second inter-engaging main planar part. The first main planar part includes a plurality of cylindrical projections engageable in corresponding flexible hollow members such that as the cylindrical projections enter and subsequently deform the hollow members, impact absorption takes place.

This invention relates to a structure for absorption and/or dissipation of mechanical shocks comprising: connectors forming an aerated base with a base surface; protuberances, each of the protuberances comprising a central axis along which it extends from the aerated base, the central axis being normal to the base surface, two adjacent protuberances being connected to each other by a connector.

It also relates to a body protector at least partly made using the structure and protective clothing comprising at least one such protector.

A body impact protection system includes an inner layer and an impact force dampening and defusing structure. The inner layer includes a material composition and is adjacent to a body part when the body impact protection system is worn. The impact force dampening and defusing structure is juxtaposed to the inner layer and includes a plurality of components. The components function to reduce pressure on the body part from an impact force on a layer by layer basis. Each layer of the system dampens and defuses the impact force such that, by the time it reaches the body part, it has been substantially attenuated and spread over a large area.

Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.

An impact absorbing pad includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first body-facing surface configured to be positioned adjacent a garment and a first outer surface opposite the first body-facing surface. The first layer comprises a first foam having a first density. The first layer defines a first plurality of voids that extend through the first layer at a first plurality of positions. The second layer has a second body-facing surface positioned adjacent the first outer surface of the first layer and a second outer surface opposite the second body-facing surface. The second layer comprises a second foam having a second density that is different than the first density. The second layer defines a second plurality of voids that extend through the second layer at a second plurality of positions. Portions of the first outer surface of the first layer are visible through the second plurality of voids of the second layer.

A compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing is provided. Also provided is an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings and a three-dimensional surface configuration to allow for consistent mechanical properties throughout the padding layer as a whole.

Disclosed is a panel that is produced by assembling a plurality of adjacent individual absorption blocks; each block in the panel is in the shape of a polyhedral pyramid frustum, of which the base is a regular six-sided polygon; each individual block including six lateral walls surrounded by a lower peripheral lip of which each section is provided with a complementary tenon or a mortise arranged so as to allow two adjacent individual blocks to be assembled, in particular by engagement, in the vertical direction, of a tenon and a mortise belonging respectively to one and the other of the two adjacent individual blocks.

A protective garment assembly for preventing a constricting snake from attacking a user includes a suit that may be worn by the user. A body portion of the suit may be worn on the user's torso. A pair of arm portions of the suit each may be positioned around an associated one of the user's arms. A plurality of leg portions of the suit each may be positioned around an associated one of the user's legs. A plurality of blades is coupled to each of the body, arm and leg portions of the suit. A constricting snake cannot constrict the user without being injured by the plurality of blades.