Provided herein are multi-layered protective coverings, wearable multi-layered protective devices, and methods of using the multi-layered protective coverings and wearable multi-layered protective devices.

Load carriage systems are described including one or more of a first chest panel, a first back panel, and a self-adjusting cummerbund connecting the first chest panel and the first back panel. The self-adjusting cummerbund may include a tensioning mechanism configured to allow the cummerbund to extend and retract, and may be configured to provide varying resistive force. The tensioning mechanism may include one or more of a sliding portion, a continuous patterned length of material that is folded over itself, and an elastic member that is attached to the sliding member and the length of material. Body armor plates may be held between outer and inner chest panels and/or between outer and inner back panels. A strip of webbing may be used to secure the body armor plate between the outer and inner panels.

A catcher protector includes: a first protective portion that protects a part of a torso of a catcher; and a second protective portion that protects another part of the torso of the catcher. The second protective portion has a back surface facing the torso of the catcher and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. When air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent by a blower from the front surface to the back surface of the second protective portion, the wind speed of the air passing through the back surface is faster than 0.20 m/sec.

Embodiments of universal adapter system including a receiver component having base portion configured to be coupled to a base belt worn by an individual and a locking mechanism which is operative to be engaged to a mounting bar of an adapter component that is secured to a dynamic load carriage apparatus, wherein the mounting bar is capable of a sliding action that compensates for a shift in load that is associated with the individual are disclosed. In operation, the receiver component may be engaged and disengaged from the adapter component while being worn by the individual using a single-handed operation.

A helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell impact layer. The outside gas cell impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside gas cell impact layer includes the at least one gas cell layer. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell inflatable impact layer. The inside gas cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable gas cell layer and a check valve.

An apparatus having a plurality of inflatable members, the inflatable members worn in a vertical orientation on a human torso; a collar portion connected to the plurality of inflatable members; and at least one inflation tube connected to the plurality of inflatable members, wherein the inflation tube includes a mouthpiece and a valve to controllably inflate and deflate inflatable members in the plurality. The apparatus is worn by a person underneath a protective vest to provide ventilation of body heat between the person and the protective vest.

The present invention is directed to a chest pad that significantly reduces the occurrence of commotio cordis among athletes. The chest pad may be utilized as a stand-alone chest protector intended to provide coverage primarily for the upper chest wall and the cardiac area. The chest pad may also be implanted into or utilized in traditional chest protectors that provide full coverage of the user's torso. The chest pad of the present invention provides additional protection to the heart of the wearer such that impact in the heart area with a projectile is absorbed by the chest pad.

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.

A panel covers a release mechanism of a garment and enables the mounting of pouches and equipment thereon. The panel includes a reinforcement structure, a fabric having mounting slots wound over the reinforcement structure, and a securing mechanism that secures the panel to the release mechanism of the garment. Also, a garment may include a built-in panel that covers a release mechanism and enables mounting of pouches and equipment thereon. The garment includes a main garment portion, a release mechanism extending from an open end of the garment, and the built-in panel incorporated into the main garment portion.

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.