Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into protective garments, vests and/or other items, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve garment durability, improve wearer athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces and trauma to the wearer's body.

The present invention provides for a scoring system for martial arts with a plurality of zonal areas with a plurality of sensors for determining the location of a strike, and a plurality of proximity sensors distinguish incidental contact from a valid point.

The present invention relates to a fastening strap 45; 180; 211; 250 for fastening to a loop 35, 40 of protective clothing 10, 50 formed of a metal-ring mesh 26 as well as to such protective clothing 10; 50, the fastening strap 45; 180; 211; 250 comprising at least one engagement element 70; 185 as well as a recess 90; 205 correspondently configured with regard to the engagement element 70; 185, the engagement element 70; 185 and the recess 90; 205 engaging with each other and forming a loop section 155 which is configured to grip the loop 35, 40 of the protective clothing 10; 50 and to fix the fastening strap 45; 180; 211; 250 to the loop 35, 40 of the protective clothing 10; 50.

Composite materials having superior material properties useful as impact absorbing devices can be fabricated by embedding a lattice structure (e.g., polymer lattice structure) within a foam, so that the foam reinforces the lattice structure under impact. Materials and dimensions of the foam and the lattice structure may be selected to achieve composite materials having tailored impact absorbing elastic and/or viscoelastic responses over a wide range of temperatures.

An integrated riot vest including a riot shell, a first carrier, a first envelope, and a second envelope. The riot shell having an impact resistant layer and adapted to be worn on a torso of a user with an inner side proximate the user and an opposing outer side. The first carrier having an inner side and an opposing outer side secured to the riot shell, wherein the outer side of the first carrier is proximate the inner side of the riot shell. The first envelope located between the outer side of the first carrier and the inner side of the riot shell. The second envelope formed between the inner side and the outer side of the first carrier and having a second envelope opening located on the inner side of the first carrier.

An impact protective structure including a plurality of individual impact members assembled in a scaled and/or overlapped configuration. As a result, upon impact, an individual flexible impact member bends and spreads the impact to adjacent, overlapping impact members to gradually slow the acceleration to a stop. An advantage of the present scaled configuration of impact members provide a gradual deceleration during impact, therefore, improving the protection of a user's body. The base or receiver of the impact members is rigid, and can be a separate from the impact members. A further advantage of the present invention is that the impact members can be configured in a curved structure, doubly-curved structure, and planar structure.

Systems for holding tactical gear, such as firearm magazines, weapons, etc., and for connecting such holders to a harness are described and may include a carrier, and an accessory holder that is configured to attach to the carrier. The carrier and/or the accessory holder may be formed from substantially rigid materials, such as plastic or the like, and may be configured to be easily attached and detached from one another, using preconfigured, integral connectors. The connectors may be configured to resist rotation of the carrier and accessory holder with respect to each other, and/or to secure the accessory holder at a fixed angle with respect to the carrier. The accessory holder may also include flanges, surface treatments, or other features, that assist in holding the accessory in the holder.

A protective, wearable carriage device and method is provided such that the device conforms more substantially to the user's body, facilitates heat dissipation and facilitates modular attachment of different shapes and configurations of armor. In one embodiment of the present invention, a substantially rigid outer frame is provided with an outer surface material and an inner surface mesh material, and the outer frame is secured to an inner frame comprising a cloth netting such that the inner frame and outer frame create a gap between the inner frame and the spacer mesh material. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more bowing stiffeners are secured to the outer frame so as to facilitate the desirable features of the present invention.

Protection device (1) for protecting the sides/the ribs, the back and the chest of a user comprising a main body (2) designed to protect the sides/the ribs and the back of the user, a front protection element (4) designed to protect the chest of the user and removably connected to the main body (2), the main body (2) and the front protection element (4) being movable there between and delimiting an inner space (S) for the body of the user. The protection device (1) further comprises connection means (6) for removably connecting the front protection element (4) to the main body (2) and adjustment means (42) designed to be handled by the user for adjusting the size of the inner space (S) according to the size of the body of the user. The connection means (6) and the adjustment means (42) are distinct there between and are at least partially and operatively associated there between.

A protective article of clothing for weight training comprising including a top adapted to be worn on an upper portion of an athlete. The top include a front surface and a rear surface, left and right arm openings and a head opening. An impact-resistant flexible collar is integrally attached to the top and is sized and positioned to substantially encircle the head opening. The collar is also configured to dampen an impact force to at least a portion of the athlete's shoulders, upper chest and upper back.