An air injection apparatus is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. The air injection apparatus includes a main body in which an air passage is formed, and an opening and closing part which is coupled to one end of the main body and in which an opening and closing protrusion having a predetermined length, protruding toward the air passage, and configured to open or close the air passage is formed on an inner surface thereof, wherein at least a part of the opening and closing protrusion may be inserted into the air passage to seal the air passage when the opening and closing part is moved in a first direction toward the main body.

An air injection apparatus is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. The air injection apparatus includes a main body in which an air passage is formed, and an opening and closing part which is coupled to one end of the main body and in which an opening and closing protrusion having a predetermined length, protruding toward the air passage, and configured to open or close the air passage is formed on an inner surface thereof, wherein at least a part of the opening and closing protrusion may be inserted into the air passage to seal the air passage when the opening and closing part is moved in a first direction toward the main body.

An impact absorbing pad includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first body-facing surface configured to be positioned adjacent a garment and a first outer surface opposite the first body-facing surface. The first layer comprises a first foam having a first density. The first layer defines a first plurality of voids that extend through the first layer at a first plurality of positions. The second layer has a second body-facing surface positioned adjacent the first outer surface of the first layer and a second outer surface opposite the second body-facing surface. The second layer comprises a second foam having a second density that is different than the first density. The second layer defines a second plurality of voids that extend through the second layer at a second plurality of positions. Portions of the first outer surface of the first layer are visible through the second plurality of voids of the second layer.

An impact absorbing pad includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first body-facing surface configured to be positioned adjacent a garment and a first outer surface opposite the first body-facing surface. The first layer comprises a first foam having a first density. The first layer defines a first plurality of voids that extend through the first layer at a first plurality of positions. The second layer has a second body-facing surface positioned adjacent the first outer surface of the first layer and a second outer surface opposite the second body-facing surface. The second layer comprises a second foam having a second density that is different than the first density. The second layer defines a second plurality of voids that extend through the second layer at a second plurality of positions. Portions of the first outer surface of the first layer are visible through the second plurality of voids of the second layer.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

A shoulder pad assembly has main body cushions consisting of a plurality of different types of foam material joined together to result in a hybrid pad structure constructed from slow-response foam and open-cell foam. A main body cushion is constructed from a first sheet or panel of slow-response foam disposed over the torso of the wearer, a second sheet or panel of slow-response foam disposed over the back of the wearer, joined together by a third sheet or panel of open-cell foam positioned between the first sheet and second sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder. Optionally, a fourth sheet or pad of slow-response foam is disposed on the third sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder, preferably at the location that is most likely to suffer blows during football play. Optionally, a fifth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the first sheet, on the side of the first sheet in contact with the wearer and a sixth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the second sheet.

A connector for connecting inner and outer layers of an apparatus, the connector comprising: an anchor point configured to be connected to one of the inner and outer layers; a resilient portion arranged to at least partially surround the anchor point about a first axis extending in a first direction and connected to the anchor point; a peripheral portion arranged to at least partially surround the resilient portion about a second axis extending in the first direction and connected to the resilient portion, and configured to be connected to the other of the inner and outer layers; and attachment means on a surface of the connector opposite to the anchor point, for attaching the connector to the inner or outer layer not to be connected to the anchor point; wherein the resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in the first direction, in a connected state in which the connector is connected to the inner and outer layers, and deform to allow the anchor point to move relative to the peripheral portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Wearable item comprising a motion control system and a method of manufacturing thereof. The wearable item comprises a body-close wearable item which, when worn by a user, at least a part of the wearable item is positioned adjacent to the body of the user. The motion control system comprises at least one layer of strain-rate sensitive material configured to control motion of one or more body parts of the user.

A pad may be worn to prevent abrasion or provide a fulcrum during exercise. The pad has a tapering thickness profile to provide support and leverage to the wearer. The pad may have an adhesive side for adhering either to a garment or directly to a wearer. Also disclosed is a variety of garments including pockets in which the pad may be removably retained.