A plate carrier (such as a vest) is provided having shock absorption capabilities for absorbing shock in response to movement of a plate within the carrier resulting from movement of the wearer. The plate carrier can include a cradle that supports the plate within a pocket from underneath. Stretchable material may be incorporated into the cradle to provide shock absorption. For example, the cradle may include a limit strap hanging to form a first loop and a shock-absorption strap hanging to form a second loop spaced above the first loop. The shock-absorption strap may be formed from a material more stretchable than the limit strap, for example, so that the limit strap provides a limit of plate deflection and shock absorption provided.

A data collection and display system for use in a combat sport including: i. A trunk protector for a combat sport participant, the trunk protector including: a. protective padding, b. at least one impact sensor, c. at least one microprocessor integral with the protective padding, for collecting and analyzing data from the at least one impact sensor, d. at least one display area, integral with the trunk protector, for displaying information related to the combat sport and combat sport participant; and an energy based method for scoring combat sports.

An impact force dampening and defusing structure includes a plurality of components arranged in a grid array. A component has a three-dimensional geometric shape that includes an impact receiving surface area and an impact defusing surface area. The impact defusing surface area is larger than, and a distance d from, the impact receiving surface area. The component includes a material composition and, when an impact force strikes the impact receiving surface area of the component and the impact force dampening and defusing structure is in position to protect a body part, the component contributes to reducing pressure on the body part based on the material composition, the distance d, the impact receiving surface area, and the impact defusing surface area.

An article of protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads) for protecting an upper body of a wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other contact-sport player), in which the article of protective gear is configured to protect a thorax of the wearer and arms of the wearer against impacts (e.g., with other players, boards, pucks, balls, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, etc., which may be encountered during hockey, lacrosse, football or another contact sport), efficiently and conveniently, such as by integrating thorax (e.g., chest and shoulder) protection and arm protection into a unitary protective garment (e.g., which may be donned, doffed, and carried as a one-piece garment) while remaining lightweight and providing ventilation (e.g., for enhanced heat management, drying, etc.).

A chest protector includes a protective vest portion and a harness portion to hold the vest portion on a user. The harness portion includes a first side strap and a second side strap, each of the first and second side straps being connected to the vest portion on opposing sides of the vest portion; a first slide connected to the first side strap; a second slide connected to the second side strap; a central strap passing through the first slide and the second slide and forming a loop connecting the first and second slides; a vertical strap connected to the central strap; and a strap adjuster connecting the vest portion and the vertical strap. The vertical strap passes through the strap adjuster and a free end of the vertical strap can be pulled to tighten the harness portion around a user. The vertical strap may be the only adjustable strap.

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 material which can operate to prevent injury.

A bulletproof binder may be operable to quickly transform into a wearable shield adaptable to protect a user against firearms projectiles or other weapons. The bulletproof binder may include a removable shield, front cover, rear cover, or spine, which may be made of bullet-resistant or bulletproof materials. The bulletproof binder may include a bulletproof wrap configured to fit around a user's waist, back, or another body part. The wrap may be an optional choice for users who want extra protection. Fasteners may allow removable shield, or another part of the bulletproof binder, to be removed, rearranged, used as a handheld shield, or used as an extension of a bulletproof vest type of configuration.

A system includes an article of clothing, a pull cord, and a quick-release fastener. The article of clothing defines a shoulder region having a conduit. The pull cord is movably-supported upon the shoulder region. The quick-release fastener includes a peelable portion directly connected to a peelable end of the pull cord and a fixed portion directly connected to the shoulder region of the article of clothing. Another system includes a vest having a shoulder region and a waist region. A first quick-release assembly is arranged upon the shoulder region of the vest, and a second quick-release assembly arranged upon the waist region of the vest.

An adaptable protective garment is configured to be donned by a user to cover and identify a sensitive portion of the user. The adaptable protective garment broadly includes an outer garment layer, an inner garment layer, and exposed indicia. The outer garment layer covers the sensitive portion when the garment is donned. At least one of the garment layers defines an interior pocket that is covered by the outer garment layer when the garment is donned so as to be hidden from view. The exposed indicia is secured to the exterior surface of the outer garment layer and is viewable when the garment is donned. The exposed indicia is located adjacent the interior pocket to visibly identify the location of the interior pocket along the exterior surface.

Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a particulate protective article. An example particulate protective article includes one or more structural sections that are formed of a primary material and one or more protective sections connected with the one or more structural sections so as to form an article of clothing. Each protective section is formed of a particulate blocking or filtering material. In an instance in which the article is worn by a user, the one or more protective sections shield one or more corresponding areas of the user's superficial lymphatic system from particulate matter. In some embodiments, the article is formed as a shirt so as to shield the torso, armpits, and/or neck of the user. In other embodiments, the article is formed as an undergarment so as to shield the groin, lower abdomen, and/or buttocks of the user.