AIRBAG PAD FOR SPORTS CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

An airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system including: an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly including: an airbag pad having a front-surface; a back-surface; and an inner-volume air compression pocket. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system is in integral function combination an airbag pad, being defined by a front-surface and a back-surface. The airbag pad wherein defined by a front-surface and a back-surface contains an inner volume air compression pocket of the airbag pad suitable for use in injury prevention.

Claims

1. An airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system comprising: an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly including: an airbag pad having a front-surface; a back-surface; and a inner-volume air compression pocket; wherein said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system comprises said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly; wherein said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment comprises in integral function combination said airbag pad, being defined by said front-surface and said back-surface; wherein said airbag pad defined by said front-surface and said back-surface contains said inner volume air compression pocket of said airbag pad suitable for use in injury prevention.

2. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a plastic-type material covering of said front-surface.

3. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a synthetic-type covering of said back-surface.

4. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a synthetic-type second layer against said front-surface.

5. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises high pressure air captured within fabric of said airbag pad.

6. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises said inner-volume air compression pocket to absorb external forces.

7. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket comprises a sensor system of said airbag pad.

8. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket provides impact cushioning for the wearer of said airbag pad.

10. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises said inner-volume air compression pocket to protect impact injury.

11. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a contour to match that of one of: a helmet, a jockstrap, a shin guard, a knee pad, an elbow pad and a wrist guard.

12. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a flexible contour to match that of said sports clothing.

13. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 1 wherein said airbag pad comprises a flexible contour to match that of equipment.

14. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 4 wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket envelopes and contains said high pressure air.

15. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 4 wherein said high pressure air is able to absorb in-coming shock and disperse force.

16. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 4 wherein said high pressure air is able to disperse said force outwardly from a point of impact.

17. An airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system comprising: an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly including: an airbag pad having a front-surface; a back-surface; and a inner-volume air compression pocket; wherein said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system comprises said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly; wherein said airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment comprises in integral function combination said airbag pad, being defined by said front-surface and said back-surface; wherein said airbag pad defined by said front-surface and said back-surface contains said inner volume air compression pocket of said airbag pad suitable for use in injury prevention. wherein said airbag pad comprises a plastic-type material covering of said front-surface; wherein said airbag pad comprises a synthetic-type covering of said back-surface; wherein said airbag pad comprises a synthetic-type second layer against said front-surface; wherein said airbag pad comprises high pressure air captured within fabric of said airbag pad; wherein said airbag pad comprises said inner-volume air compression pocket to absorb external forces; wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket comprises a sensor system of said airbag pad; wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket provides impact cushioning for the wearer of said airbag pad; wherein said airbag pad comprises said inner-volume air compression pocket to protect impact injury; wherein said airbag pad comprises a contour to match that of a helmet; wherein said airbag pad comprises a flexible contour to match that of said sports clothing; wherein said airbag pad comprises a flexible contour to match that of equipment; wherein said inner-volume air compression pocket envelopes and contains said high pressure air; wherein said high pressure air is able to absorb in-coming shock and disperse force; and wherein said high pressure air is able to disperse said force outwardly from a point of impact.

18. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of claim 21, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system is arranged as a set or a kit.

19. A method of use for the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system, the method comprising the steps of: providing an airbag pad clothing and equipment assembly: an airbag pad having; a front-surface; a back-surface; and an inner volume air compression pocket; donning the airbag pad for use in a sporting competition as an event.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: adjusting as needing during the course of the event; and removing from the person or equipment when the event has ended.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for an airbag pad wherein defined by a front-surface and a back-surface contains an inner volume air compression pocket of the airbag pad suitable for use in injury prevention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparel, including side impact torso protector, body cover, and guard or protector and more particularly to an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment containing an inner volume air compression pocket for use in injury prevention.

[0016] Generally, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment is characterized as clothing or equipment with integrated airbags to absorb external forces such as balls, pucks, or player hits or the like. The safety system is comprised of high pressure air captured within the fabric for the sole use of absorbing external shock, as to protect the body, legs or head. The air pockets are permanently filled and sealed during manufacture, and are at around 90% capacity to provide a deflection effect (as opposed to absorption) while still having some flexibility for movement. The exterior layer is somewhat plasticized, to be harder than just fabric, with the degree depending on the body part covered and the sport (football/hockey would be harder, soccer/rugby softer, for example).

[0017] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 during an in-use condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to prevent injury. As illustrated, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 may comprise an airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment assembly 104 including: an airbag pad 110 having a front-surface 112; a back-surface 114; and an inner-volume air compression pocket 116. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment comprises in integral function combination an airbag pad 110, being defined by said front-surface 112 and said back-surface 114. The airbag pad 110 defined by the front-surface 112 and the back-surface 114 contains the inner volume air compression pocket 116 of the airbag pad 110 suitable for use in injury prevention. Specific protective equipment incorporating the airbag pad 100 may include jockstraps 140 and knee pads 142. Depending on the sport/activity, other protective equipment (e.g. shin guards, wrist guards) may incorporate the airbag pad 100 as well.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 showing various views of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 preferably comprises a plastic-type material covering of the front-surface 112 of the airbag pad 110, and the airbag pad 110 comprises a synthetic-type covering of the back-surface 112. Additionally, the airbag pad 110 comprises a synthetic-type second layer 118 against the front-surface 112. Other materials may be used. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 comprises high pressure air captured (enveloped) within fabric of the airbag pad 110 and sealed therearound. The inner-volume air compression pocket 116 of the airbag pad 110 is configured to absorb external forces. Further, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 comprises a sensory system 120 within the inner-volume air compression pocket 116 of the airbag pad 110. Various sensing means may be used. The inner-volume air compression pocket 116 of the airbag pad 110 provides impact cushioning for the wearer of the airbag pad sports clothing and equipment system 100.

[0020] The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 comprises an airbag pad 110 that is sufficiently flexible to contour to match that of a helmet 130. The airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 comprises a flexible airbag pad 110 that is able to contour to match that of sports clothing 132. Additionally, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 comprises a flexible airbag pad 110 able to contour to match that of equipment 134. The inner-volume air compression pocket 116 of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 envelopes and contains high pressure air 136. The high pressure air 136 of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 is able to absorb in-coming shock and disperse force. Additionally, the high pressure air 136 is able to disperse the force outwardly from a point of impact such that it is dissipated rather than injury being caused.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 may be arranged as a set or as a kit. In particular, the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 such that the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner. Various shaped air bags may be included for different body appendages and for different pieces of equipment.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 500 for airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 suitable for use in injury prevention, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 500 may include one or more components or features of the airbag pad for sports clothing and equipment system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing an airbag pad clothing and equipment assembly: an airbag pad having; a front-surface; a back-surface; and an inner volume air compression pocket; and step two 502, donning the airbag pad for use in a sporting competition (or practice); and step three 503, adjusting as needing during the course of the event; and step four 504 removing the present invention from the person or equipment when the event has ended.

[0023] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.