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.

The invention relates to personal injury protection means for protecting, for example, the neck, which can be used in sports such as football, hockey, basketball, handball, rugby, etc. The invention is directed toward increasing the level of protection against impact injuries and improving thermoregulation of the human body. This is achieved by virtue of a flexible structural element (1), and a guard (2) for protecting the back of the neck, these being made of a polymeric material capable of absorbing and dissipating impact energy, in the form of a strip in the form of a collar. The structural element consists of a centre portion (8) and two side portions (9).

The invention relates to personal injury protection means for protecting, for example, the neck, which can be used in sports such as football, hockey, basketball, handball, rugby, etc. The invention is directed toward increasing the level of protection against impact injuries and improving thermoregulation of the human body. This is achieved by virtue of a flexible structural element (1), and a guard (2) for protecting the back of the neck, these being made of a polymeric material capable of absorbing and dissipating impact energy, in the form of a strip in the form of a collar. The structural element consists of a centre portion (8) and two side portions (9).

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 invention relates to personal injury protection means for protecting, for example, the neck, which can be used in sports such as football, hockey, basketball, handball, rugby, etc. The invention is directed toward increasing the level of protection against impact injuries and improving thermoregulation of the human body. This is achieved by virtue of a flexible structural element (1), and a guard (2) for protecting the back of the neck, these being made of a polymeric material capable of absorbing and dissipating impact energy, in the form of a strip in the form of a collar. The structural element consists of a centre portion (8) and two side portions (9).

The invention relates to personal injury protection means for protecting, for example, the neck, which can be used in sports such as football, hockey, basketball, handball, rugby, etc. The invention is directed toward increasing the level of protection against impact injuries and improving thermoregulation of the human body. This is achieved by virtue of a flexible structural element (1), and a guard (2) for protecting the back of the neck, these being made of a polymeric material capable of absorbing and dissipating impact energy, in the form of a strip in the form of a collar. The structural element consists of a centre portion (8) and two side portions (9).

The dynamic accessory for protection, bracing, and stabilization of the tibial plateau, kneecap, and knee designed in the specified form, embodied by a single, open, continuous piece, including elastic microfiber fabric, neoprene, foam padding, and breathable and non-breathable fabric that surrounds the perimeter of the user's leg under the knee and in an enveloping maneuver surrounds the tibial plateau and knee, encircling it and closing onto itself and its ends, without covering the popliteal fossa. The stabilizers, specially designed to be situated inside the sectorized pocket that is designed in a concave and convex curved shape, used to promote the kinesthetic function. They also create an air chamber in order to avoid condensation from sweat and allow ventilation, as well as providing space to adapt to the users leg according to the activity carried out. Connected devices are added to implement the function of the accessory.

The dynamic accessory for protection, bracing, and stabilization of the tibial plateau, kneecap, and knee designed in the specified form, embodied by a single, open, continuous piece, including elastic microfiber fabric, neoprene, foam padding, and breathable and non-breathable fabric that surrounds the perimeter of the user's leg under the knee and in an enveloping maneuver surrounds the tibial plateau and knee, encircling it and closing onto itself and its ends, without covering the popliteal fossa. The stabilizers, specially designed to be situated inside the sectorized pocket that is designed in a concave and convex curved shape, used to promote the kinesthetic function. They also create an air chamber in order to avoid condensation from sweat and allow ventilation, as well as providing space to adapt to the users leg according to the activity carried out. Connected devices are added to implement the function of the accessory.

The disclosed apparatus, system and method includes at least a protective garment that prevents concussive effects on internal organs. The garment many include a garment body; and, embedded in the garment body, at least one multi-sectional pad. At least two of the multi-sections may comprise: at least one aramid layer; at least one multi-durometer foam layer having a substantially similar surface area to that provided by the at least one aramid layer; and at least one shield layer.

An article of protective equipment for protecting a body part of a user includes a lattice structure with a plurality of struts forming three dimensional volumetric structures. The lattice structure includes a plurality of internal layers, each internal layer having at least one different physical property from the other internal layers, wherein the plurality of internal layers comprises at least one internal layer having physical properties such that the at least one internal layer is capable of compressing more than at least one other internal layer in response to an impact to the article of protective equipment.