A cushioning and impact absorbing pad system with a surface layer of thickness t, and an elastomeric sub-surface structure of height h. The sub-surface structure comprises an array of elastomeric columns wherein each column has a frustoconical column wall surrounding a central void. The cross-sectional thickness of the column wall increases from the first end to the enclosed second end by a percentage within a range of greater than 125% and less than 140%. Column walls are tapered with draft angles in the range of greater than 6 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

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.

Aspects herein are directed to articles of apparel formed from a base textile and including a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the base textile at one or more locations on the article of apparel. When exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo an increase in dimension in at least the z-direction and the base textile undergoes a decrease in dimension in one or more of the x-direction and the y-direction.

Aspects herein are directed to articles of apparel formed from a base textile and including a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the base textile at one or more locations on the article of apparel. When exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo an increase in dimension in at least the z-direction and the base textile undergoes a change in dimension in at least the z-direction to produce stand-off nodes.

A garment includes an impact absorbing pad having a layer of foam material with a body-facing surface, an outer surface that is opposite the body-facing surface, and a set of voids that extend through the layer in a multiple locations. The voids have a repeating pattern of shapes. Each shape includes three void arms having equal lengths that extend from a central vertex point. The impact absorbing pad may also include a second layer overlapping the first layer. The density of the first and second layer may be the same or may be different. The second layer may also have a set of voids overlapping the first set of voids. A covering covers the outer surface of the impact absorbing pad. The impact absorbing pad has a Shore durometer value of about 25 to about 50.

A sports accessory is provided to be worn by a user during a sport activity. The accessory includes a flexure system. The flexure system includes a support structure including a plurality of intersecting grooves disposed along a surface of the support structure, where a plurality of segments are defined along the surface of the support structure between the intersecting grooves such that the support structure is configured to flex along the grooves with segments moving in relation to other segments during use of the sports accessory.

A method of manufacturing a flexible, impact-resistant pad (1), primarily for use in an item of protective wear, comprises the following steps. First, a sheet (16) of impact-absorbing material (3, 4, 4), for example a closed-cell foam is provided. The sheet (16) is cut to provide a piece (16) with a profile required for the pad (1) and this piece (16) is then cut into a plurality of spaced, separate elements (2), which are retained within the required profile of the pad (1). A first, flexible layer (17, 4) of material (3) is provided and one side of same is bonded to the spaced, separate elements (2). The edge (5) of the pad (1) is streamlined by the following additional steps which may be carried out either before cutting of the sheet (16) into the plurality of spaced, separate elements (2) or after bonding of the first, flexible layer (17, 4) of material (3) to the spaced, separate elements (2). First, a contoured mould tool (8) is provided that defines a recess (9) having a shape complementary to the shape required on one side of the pad (1) and a streamlined edge (10) around at least part of its periphery. The impact-absorbing material (3, 4, 4) or the mould tool (8) is heated and the mould tool (8) is then pressed into it to mould it on one side to define the shape that is required. Preferably, the method comprises the further step of bonding a second flexible layer (17, 4) of material (4) to the moulded side of the pad (1). During bonding of this second flexible layer (17, 4) of material (4), the pad (1) is preferably supported on a yielding surface (23) to enable the moulded side of the pad (1) to flatten during bonding. Also provided is a flexible, impact-resistant pad (1) Comprising a first, flexible layer (17, 4) of material (3) and a plurality of spaced, separate elements (2) that are each comprised of an impact-absorbing material (3, 4, 4) and that are bonded to one side of the first flexible layer (17, 4) of material (3). At least some of the elements (2) adjacent the edge (5) of the pad (1) are streamlined around at least part of the periphery of the pad (1).

The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material.

A headband is provided which has a fabric layer defining pockets, padding layers positioned circumferentially around the headband in the pockets, and an impact panel. The impact panel is positioned to be proximate to the forehead of a wearer of the headband. One of the padding layers is positioned behind the impact panel, such that the padding layer is positioned between the impact panel and the forehead of a wearer.

A sports accessory is provided to be worn by a user during a sport activity. The accessory includes a flexure system. The flexure system includes a support structure including a plurality of intersecting grooves disposed along a surface of the support structure, where a plurality of segments are defined along the surface of the support structure between the intersecting grooves such that the support structure is configured to flex along the grooves with segments moving in relation to other segments during use of the sports accessory.