Abstract
Protective shoulder pads to be worn by an individual engaged in a contact sport, such as football, lacrosse or hockey, are provided. The shoulder pads protect an individual wearing the protective shoulder pads against impact to the superior, anterior, posterior and/or lateral regions of the shoulder and upper arm regions. The shoulder pads include a release mechanism that releasably couples left and right arch members of the shoulder pads and allows for removal of the shoulder pads from the individual while he or she is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of further injuring the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads.
Claims
1. Protective shoulder pads to be worn by a player participating in a contact sport, comprising: a first pad member and a second pad member, wherein each of the first and second pad members have an inner pad element affixed thereto; the first and second pad members each having a superior portion, an anterior portion depending from the superior portion and a posterior portion depending from the superior portion opposite the anterior portion, wherein the first and second pad members collectively define a central opening; a release mechanism comprising at least one strap and operably coupling the posterior portion of the first and second pad members to one another, the release mechanism also extending: (i) from the posterior portion of the first pad member, (ii) across the superior portion of the first pad member, and (iii) to the anterior portion of the first pad member, wherein an extent of the release mechanism is accessible when the player is in a supine position; and, wherein when the player wearing the shoulder pads is in the supine position, the release mechanism being operable to separate the first pad member in an opposite lateral direction from the second pad member from underneath the wearer while the wearer remains in the supine position.
2. The shoulder pads of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises: the at least one strap secured to the posterior portion of the second pad member and extending transversely between the posterior portions of the first and second pad members; a loop formed at an end portion of the strap; and at least one aperture disposed on the posterior portion of the first pad member, wherein the aperture is dimensioned to receive the loop.
3. The shoulder pads of claim 2, wherein the release mechanism further comprises: a removable elongated coupler that extends through the loop to secure the strap to the posterior portion of the first pad member and thereby operably couple the first and second pad members in an assembled position.
4. The shoulder pads of claim 3, wherein the end portion of the strap is fed through the aperture whereby the loop resides against an inner surface of the posterior portion of the first pad member in the assembled position.
5. The shoulder pads of claim 3, wherein an extent of the strap resides against an inner surface of the posterior portion of the first pad member in the assembled position.
6. The shoulder pads of claim 3, wherein the elongated coupler extends from the posterior portion of the first pad member across the superior portion of the first pad member proximate the central opening, wherein a first end of the elongated coupler is accessible at said anterior portion.
7. The shoulder pads of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises an elongated coupler that extends from the posterior portion of the first pad member across the superior portion of the first pad member proximate the central opening, wherein a first end of the coupler is accessible at said anterior portion.
8. The shoulder pads of claim 7, wherein an extent of the elongated coupler is positioned between the first pad member and the inner pad element affixed to the first pad member.
9. The shoulder pads of claim 7, wherein the superior portion of the first pad member includes a guidance channel extending along an inner edge of said superior portion, and wherein an extent of the elongated coupler is slidingly received by the guidance channel.
10. The protective shoulder pads of claim 1, wherein the first and a second pad members are configured to dissipate energy created by an impact to a portion of either the first or second members.
11. Protective shoulder pads to be worn by a player participating in a contact sport, comprising: a first curvilinear arch member and a second curvilinear arch member, wherein each of the first and second curvilinear arch members have an inner pad element affixed thereto; the first and second curvilinear arch members each having a superior portion, an anterior portion depending from the superior portion and a posterior portion depending from the superior portion opposite the anterior portion, wherein the first and second curvilinear arch members collectively define a central opening; and a release mechanism comprising at least one strap and operably coupling the posterior portion of the first and second curvilinear arch members to one another, the release mechanism also extending from the posterior portion of both the first and second curvilinear arch member and across an extent of the superior portion of the first curvilinear arch member, wherein when the player wearing the protective shoulder pads is in a supine position, an extent of the release mechanism is accessible to allow an operator to actuate the release mechanism to separate the first curvilinear arch member in an opposite lateral direction from the second curvilinear arch member from underneath the wearer while the wearer remains in the supine position.
12. The shoulder pads of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism comprises: the at least one strap strap secured to the posterior portion of the second curvilinear arch member and extending transversely between the posterior portions of the first and second curvilinear arch members; a loop formed at an end portion of the strap; and at least one aperture disposed on the posterior portion of the first curvilinear arch member, wherein the aperture is dimensioned to receive the loop.
13. The shoulder pads of claim 12, wherein the release mechanism further comprises: a removable elongated coupler that extends through the loop to secure the strap to the posterior portion of the first curvilinear arch member and thereby operably couple the first and second curvilinear arch members in an assembled position.
14. The shoulder pads of claim 13, wherein the end portion of the strap is fed through the aperture whereby the loop resides against an inner surface of the posterior portion of the first curvilinear arch member in the assembled position.
15. The shoulder pads of claim 13, wherein an extent of the strap resides against an inner surface of the posterior portion of the first curvilinear arch member in the assembled position.
16. The shoulder pads of claim 11, wherein the elongated coupler extends from the posterior portion of the first curvilinear arch member across the superior portion of the first curvilinear arch member proximate the central opening, wherein a first end of the elongated coupler is accessible at said anterior portion.
17. The shoulder pads of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism comprises an elongated coupler that extends from the posterior portion of the first arch member across the superior portion of the first curvilinear arch member proximate the central opening, wherein a first end of the coupler is accessible at said anterior portion.
18. The shoulder pads of claim 17, wherein an extent of the elongated coupler is positioned between the first curvilinear arch member and the inner pad element affixed to the first curvilinear arch member.
19. The shoulder pads of claim 17, wherein the superior portion of the first curvilinear arch member includes a guidance channel extending along an inner edge of said superior portion, and wherein an extent of the elongated coupler is slidingly received by the guidance channel.
20. The protective pad assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and a second curvilinear arch members are configured to dissipate energy created by an impact to a portion of either the first or second members.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In order to assist the understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a distal plan view of one embodiment of the present invention, in which hinges with the elongated couplers intact are shown as the mechanical connections.
(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a partial distal plan view of the same embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, in which one elongated coupler is removed from the hinge.
(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a distal plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a removable cable retains the straps that couple both the left and right halves of the protective shoulder pads.
(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a partial lateral prospective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the removable elongated coupler is channeled towards the anterior portion of the protective shoulder pads.
(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a partial frontal prospective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, in which a loop on the anterior end of the elongated coupler is used to remove the elongated coupler from the straps that couple both the left and right halves of the protective shoulder pads.
(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the left and right halves of the protective shoulder pads are decoupled.
(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a frontal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, in which the wearer is in the supine position.
(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, in which the wearer is in the supine position and the release mechanism has been activated while the wearer remains in the supine position.
(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a frontal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, in which the wearer is in the supine position and the release mechanism activation is complete and the pads are removed while the wearer remains in the supine position.
(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a frontal plan view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the elongated coupler is a belt.
(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10.
(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10, wherein the elongated coupler has been partially activated.
(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a distal plan view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the elongated coupler comprises a zipper portion.
(15) FIG. 14 illustrates a distal plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(16) FIG. 15 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the elongated coupler is partially removed.
(17) FIG. 16 illustrates a distal plan view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the elongated coupler is partially removed.
(18) FIG. 17 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the elongated coupler is fully removed.
(19) FIG. 18 illustrates a distal plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.
(20) FIG. 19 illustrates a distal plan view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 18 wherein the elongated coupler has been removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(21) Embodiments of this invention relate generally to protective shoulder pads such as those worn by individuals participating in athletic activities, including contact sports, such as, but not limited to, football, hockey, and lacrosse. In particular, these embodiments improve currently available protective shoulder pads providing a feature that allows emergency medical personnel or others to more safely and easily remove the protective shoulder pads from the individual wearing the shoulder pads in case of suspected neck or cervical spine injury without sacrificing the ability of the pads to dissipate the force of an impact while the pads are in normal use. Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(22) As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention are shoulder pads 2 for use in a contact sport, comprising a left shoulder pad portion 9 and a right shoulder pad portion 9, each with anterior 3, superior 4 and posterior 8 portions, wherein the anterior portions 3 depend from an anterior face of the superior portions 4 and the posterior portions 8 depend from a posterior face of the superior portions 4, wherein the left 9 and right 9 shoulder pad portions are in communication at the anterior 3, superior 4, and posterior 8 portions. The superior portions 4 are spaced a distance apart and define a central opening that is configured to receive the player's head when the shoulder pads 2 are worn by the player, as shown in FIG. 7. The protective shoulder pads 2 protect the chest, shoulders, upper back, and upper arms of the individual wearing the shoulder pads 2. The anterior portions 3 of the shoulder pads 2 protect the individual's chest, the superior portions 4 of the protective shoulder pads 2 protect the individual's shoulders, the posterior portions 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2 protect the individual's upper back, and, if present, the lateral portions 6 of the protective shoulder pads 2 protect the individual's upper arms. As shown in FIG. 1, an internal pad assembly 11 comprised of internal pad members 11a extends along the inner surface of the left portion 9 and right portion 9 of pads 2. The left and right portions 9, 9 are formed from a rigid material such that the pads 2 are sufficiently rigid when assembled to dissipate the energy created by an impact to a portion of the left and right portions 9, 9 across substantially the entire shoulder pad 2, including the internal pad assembly 11. As shown in various Figures, the left and right portions 9, 9 have a curvilinear configuration to accommodate the anatomy of the player wearing the pads 2, and thus the left and right portions 9, 9 are referred to as an arch member or collectively as arches. Therefore, the pads 2 comprise a left and right arches 9, 9 wherein each arch has an internal pad member 11a extending along the inner surface of the respective arch 9, 9.
(23) Shoulder pads 2 comprise a release mechanism 7 enabling removal of the shoulder pads 2 while the wearer is in the supine position. A portion of the release mechanism 7 is disposed on the posterior portion 8 of the pads, and the release mechanism 7 is operable to separate a first removable portion of the pad from a second removable portion of the pad while the wearer remains in the supine position. The first removable portion of the pad may comprise the posterior portion 8 and the second removable portion may comprise the superior portion 4. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first removable portion may comprise the left shoulder pad portion 9 and the second removable portion may comprise the right shoulder pad portion 9.
(24) As can be seen in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention release mechanism 7 comprises a hinge-like assembly 10. The hinge assembly 10 may comprise a first hinge knuckle 12, a second hinge knuckle 16, and a removable elongated coupler 20 capable of insertion through the hinge knuckles 12, 16, wherein the first hinge knuckle 12 is disposed on a first removable portion of the pads and the second hinge knuckle 16 is disposed on a second removable portion of the pads, wherein the elongated coupler 20 is threaded through the first knuckle 12 and the second knuckle 16 when the first removable portion of the pads is assembled to the second removable portion of the pads. The removal of the elongated coupler 20 from the first 12 and second 16 knuckles is operable when the wearer is in the supine position. The removal of the elongated coupler 20 decouples the first removable portion from the second removable portion while the wearer remains in the supine position. The elongated coupler 20 may be comprised of a cable, cord, pin, strap, tie, filament, wire, tether, any other suitable structure, or any combination thereof, and may be comprised of metal, plastic, polymer, synthetic, textile, elastic, or any other suitable material.
(25) By way of example only as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the following discussion assumes that the first removable portion of the pads are the superior portions 4 and the second removable portions are the posterior portions 8. The knuckles 12 are in communication or disposed on the first removable portion of the pads, or in this example, superior portion 4, and knuckles 16 are in communication with or disposed on the second removable portion of the pads, or in this example, posterior portion 8. The posterior portions 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2 are mechanically coupled to the superior portions 4 of the protective shoulder pads 2 by a release mechanism 7. An elongated coupler 20 is inserted into the hinge opening 22 formed by the apertures in each of the hinge knuckles 12 and the hinge knuckles 16, mechanically and rigidly connecting the superior portion 4 of the protective shoulder pads 2 to the posterior portion 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2. The outer end of the elongated coupler 20 may have a curved end 24 to allow for a person other than the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads to remove the elongated coupler 20 laterally out of the hinge opening 22 while the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads is lying in the supine position.
(26) In one embodiment, comprising hinge leaves 14 and 18, the hinge knuckles 12 of the hinge leaf 14 that is attached to the superior portion 4 of each protective shoulder pad 2 mate at the hinge knuckles 16 of the hinge leaf 18 that is attached to the posterior portion 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2. The hinge leaves 14 and 18 may be chemically bonded, mechanically fastened, or otherwise attached to or molded into the pads by any other suitable means. Alternatively, the superior hinge knuckles 12 and the posterior hinge knuckles 16 can be manufactured into each of the superior portions 4 and posterior portions 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2. In one embodiment hinge knuckles 12 and 16 may be disposed on, or in otherwise communication with, the posterior portion 8 of the left portion 9 and posterior portion 8 of right portion 9.
(27) FIG. 2 illustrates the state of the protective shoulder pads after one of the elongated couplers 20 is removed from the hinge opening 22 of the hinge assembly 10. Subsequent to removing elongated couplers 20 from each hinge opening 22 on each side of the protective shoulder pads 2, the anterior 3, superior 4, and in this example, lateral 6 portions of the protective shoulder pads 2 can be removed from the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 by separating the anterior portion 3, the superior portion 4, and lateral portion 6 of the protective shoulder pads 2 from the posterior portions 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2. A full diagnosis of the individual who was wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 can then be performed without moving the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 to any detrimental degree. The posterior portions 8 of the protective shoulder pads may be recoupled to the superior portions 4 of the protective shoulder pads 2 for future use.
(28) As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first removable portion of the pad may comprise the left shoulder pad portion 9 and the second removable portion of the pad may comprise the right shoulder pad portion 9. As shown in FIG. 18, release mechanism 7 comprises a hinge-like assembly 10. The hinge assembly 10 may comprise a first hinge knuckle 12, a second hinge knuckle 16, and a removable elongated coupler 20 capable of insertion through the hinge knuckles 12, 16, wherein the first hinge knuckle 12 is disposed on a first removable portion of the pads and the second hinge knuckle 16 is disposed on a second removable portion of the pads, wherein the elongated coupler 20 is threaded through the first knuckle 12 and the second knuckle 16 when the first removable portion of the pads is assembled to the second removable portion of the pads. The removal of the elongated coupler 20 from the first 12 and second 16 knuckles is operable when the wearer is in the supine position. The removal of the elongated coupler 20 decouples the first removable portion from the second removable portion while the wearer remains in the supine position. The elongated coupler 20 may be comprised of a cable, cord, pin, strap, tie, filament, wire, tether, any other suitable structure, or any combination thereof, and may be comprised of metal, plastic, polymer, synthetic, textile, elastic, or any other suitable material.
(29) By way of example only as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the following discussion assumes that the first removable portion of the pads are the left shoulder pad portion 9 and the second removable portions are the right shoulder pad portion 9. The knuckles 12 are in communication or disposed on the first removable portion of the pads, or in this example, left shoulder pad portion 9, and knuckles 16 are in communication with or disposed on the second removable portion of the pads, or in this example, right shoulder pad portion 9. The left shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2 are mechanically coupled to the right shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2 by a release mechanism 7. An elongated coupler 20 is inserted into the hinge opening 22 formed by the apertures in each of the hinge knuckles 12 and the hinge knuckles 16, mechanically and rigidly connecting the left shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2 to the right shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2. The outer end of the elongated coupler 20 may have a curved end 24 to allow for a person other than the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads to remove the elongated coupler 20 laterally out of the hinge opening 22 while the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads is lying in the supine position.
(30) In one embodiment, comprising hinge leaves 14 and 18, the hinge knuckles 12 of the hinge leaf 14 that is attached to the left shoulder pad portion 9 of each protective shoulder pad 2 mate at the hinge knuckles 16 of the hinge leaf 18 that is attached to the right shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2. The hinge leaves 14 and 18 may be chemically bonded, mechanically fastened, or otherwise attached to or molded into the pads by any other suitable means. Alternatively, the superior hinge knuckles 12 and the posterior hinge knuckles 16 can be manufactured into each of the left shoulder pad portion 9 and right shoulder pad portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2. As such, hinge knuckles 12 and 16 may be disposed on, or in otherwise communication with, the posterior portion 8 of the left portion 9 and posterior portion 8 of right portion 9.
(31) FIG. 19 illustrates the protective shoulder pads as the elongated coupler 20 is removed from the hinge opening 22 of the hinge assembly 10. Following removal of elongated coupler 20 from hinge assembly 10, the left portion 9 and right portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2 can be removed from the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 by separating the left portion 9 and right portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2. A full diagnosis of the individual who was wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 can then be performed without moving the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 to any detrimental degree. The left portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads may be recoupled to the right portion 9 of the protective shoulder pads 2 for future use.
(32) FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The release mechanism 7 may comprise a loop 42 disposed on the first removable portion of the pads, an aperture 46 disposed on the second removable portion of the pads, and a removable elongated coupler 40 with a first extent 40a and a second extent 40b. The loop 42 is received by the aperture 46, wherein the loop 42 passes through or is threaded through the aperture 46. The loop 42 is then retained in its position through or in the aperture 46 by the insertion of the first extent 40a of the removable elongated coupler 40 through the loop 42 following the insertion of loop 42 passing through the aperture 46, thereby assembling the first and second removable portions of the pad. Removal of the elongated coupler 40, namely the first coupler extent 40a, from the loop 42 permits egress of the loop 42 back through or from the aperture 46 and permits disassembly of the first removable portion from the second removable portion while the wearer remains in the supine position. The loop 42 may be in communication with or disposed on the posterior portion 8 of the right portion 9 of the pad and the aperture 46 may be in communication with or disposed on the posterior portion 8 of the left portion of the pad 9, or vice versa. In an alternative embodiment, the loop 42 may be in communication with or disposed on the superior portions 4 of the pad and the aperture 46 may be in communication with or disposed on the posterior portions 8 of the pad, or vice versa.
(33) The elongated coupler 40 may be routed from the posterior portion 8 of the pads to the superior portion 4 of the pads, or, in an alternative embodiment, from the posterior portion 8 of the pads, over the superior portion 4 of the pads, and terminating on or near the anterior portion 3 of the pads. The elongated coupler 40 may be comprised of a cable, cord, pin, strap, tie, filament, wire, tether, any other suitable structure, or any combination thereof, and may be comprised of metal, plastic, polymer, synthetic, textile, elastic, or any other suitable material.
(34) By way of example only, in this immediate discussion, the first removable portion of the pads is the left portion 9, and the second removable portion of the pads is the right portion 9. As can be seen in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongated coupler 40 passed through retaining loop 42 that are fabricated onto one end 45 of the straps 44 that couple the left 9 posterior portion 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2 to the right 9 posterior portion 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2. The elongated coupler 40, namely the first coupler extent 40a, prevents the retaining loop 42 from passing back through aperture 46 in the body of the protective shoulder pads 2. The elongated coupler 40 is guided along its desired path via superior guidance channel 48 and posterior guidance channel 50 to assist in ease of removal during actuation. In one embodiment, elongated coupler 40 comprises anterior end terminating in an actuation member, such as loop 54. A posterior end of elongated coupler 40 may terminate in a terminating channel 52 disposed on posterior portion 8 of the pads 2.
(35) As FIG. 4 illustrates, the elongated coupler 40, namely the second coupler extent 40b, is routed through the superior guidance channel 48 that extends along the superior portion 4 and towards the anterior portion 3 of the protective shoulder pads 2. As discussed below, the coupler 40, namely the second extent 40b, is slidingly received in the guidance channel 48 to allow for actuation of the coupler 40. As FIG. 5 illustrates, the second coupler extent 40b and the actuation loop 54 of the elongated coupler 40 terminate near the anterior portion 3 of the protective shoulder pads 2. Returning to FIG. 3, during actuation, with the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 maintained in the supine position, the elongated coupler 40, namely the first coupler extent 40a, is removed through retaining loops 42, superior guidance channel 48, posterior guidance channel 50, and terminating channel 52 by pulling on the actuation loop 54 of the elongated coupler 40, effectively releasing the elongated coupler 40, including the first coupler extent 40a, from the retaining loops 42, superior guidance channel 48, posterior guidance channel 50, and terminating channel 52. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the retaining loops 42 are now capable of passing back through the apertures 46 in the left 9 posterior portion 8 of the protective shoulder pads 2 with the elongated first coupler extent 40a evacuated from the retaining loops 42. With the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 still maintained in the supine position, the anterior coupling that attaches the two anterior portions of the shoulder pads may be separated, thus providing two separate left 9 and right 9 portions of the protective shoulder pads 2. The separate shoulder pads 2 can subsequently be removed laterally from underneath the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 without moving the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 to any detrimental degree. A full diagnosis of the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads 2 is now possible. The left protective shoulder pad 9 and the right protective shoulder pad 9 may be recoupled to form complete protective shoulder pads 2 for future use.
(36) As shown in FIGS. 14-16, a first extent or portion 40a of the elongated coupler 40 is routed along an inner surface of the posterior portion 8 of the left portion 9 of pad 2, so as not to be exposed on the outer surface of the posterior portion 8 of pad 2. Thus, the first extent 40a of the coupler 40 may extend beneath and along the underside of posterior portion 8 of pad 2, and a second extent 40b of the coupler 40 exits near the superior portion 4 of pad 2. Referring to FIG. 14, the second extent 40b of elongated coupler 40 may extend over superior portion 4 and is generally exposed and visible before terminating on anterior portion 3 of pads 2. The elongated coupler 40 may be comprised of a cable, cord, pin, strap, tie, filament, wire, tether, any other suitable structure, or any combination thereof, and may be comprised of metal, plastic, polymer, synthetic, textile, elastic, or any other suitable material. Strap 44 extends between the left portion 9 and right portion 9 of pads 2 and comprises a loop 42 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) that passes through aperture 46 and that engages the first extent 40a of the coupler 40. Referring to FIGS. 14-17, the first extent 40a of the elongated coupler 40 passes through loop 42 on the underside of posterior portion 8 to retain strap 44 in place and to attach left portion 9 and right portion 9 of pads 2.
(37) As shown in FIG. 15, elongated coupler 40 may be removed from pad 2 while the wearer is in the supine position. FIG. 16 illustrates the removal of elongated coupler 40 and the release of strap 44 through aperture 46. Also as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the elongated coupler 40 is positioned between the left portion 9 of pad 2 and the internal pad assembly 4, including a superior portion of pad element 11a. FIG. 17 illustrates the complete removal of elongated coupler 40 and the separation of the left portion 9 and right portion 9 of pads 2.
(38) FIG. 7 illustrates a wearer of pads 2 lying in the supine position with the head being stabilized by another. Pads 2 are fully assembled, and elongated coupler 40 and anterior end 54 are visible and accessible from the anterior portion 3 of pad 2. As shown in FIG. 8, release mechanism 7 is actuated by exerting a pulling force on anterior end 54 of elongated coupler 40, accessed from anterior portion 3 of pads 2 while the wearer remains in the supine position. FIG. 9 illustrates full actuation of release mechanism 7 by the removal of elongated coupler 40, and the separation and removal of pads 2 while the wearer remains in the supine position.
(39) FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front of pads 2 comprising two elongated couplers 40 with anterior ends 54 disposed on the anterior portion 3 of pads 2. Elongated coupler 40 is belt-like in structure and comprises eyelets 56 disposed on at least the portion of elongated coupler 40 that is accessible from anterior portion 3 of pads 2. Buckle 58 is attached to anterior portion 3 of pads 2 and receives anterior end 54 of elongated coupler 40. Buckle 58 comprises prong 60 having a first end and a second end, the first end fixedly or pivotally attached to one wall of buckle 58 and the second end designed to pass through eyelet 56 and rest on a second wall of buckle 58 when elongated coupler 40 and pads 2 are in the assembled position.
(40) As shown in FIG. 11, guidance channels 48 are disposed on the posterior portion 8 of pads 2, and act to guide elongated coupler 40 through left shoulder pad portion 9 and right shoulder pad portion 9. When elongated coupler 40 is secured by buckle 58 and prong 60 on anterior portion 3 of pads 2, pads 2 are assembled. Upon disengagement of prong 60 and buckle 58 from elongated coupled 40 on anterior portion 3 of pads 2, as shown in FIG. 11, elongated coupler 40 may be extracted from guidance channels 48 by exerting a pulling force on either anterior end 54 of elongated coupler 40 accessed from anterior portion 3 of pads 2 while the wearer remains in the supine position. FIG. 12 illustrates the partial removal of elongated coupler 40 from guidance channels 48, permitting the separation and removal of left shoulder pad portion 9 and right shoulder pad portion 9 and removal of pads 2, while the wearer remains in the supine position.
(41) FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein release mechanism 7 comprises zipper 70 having first portion 72, second portion 74, and elongated coupler 40 comprising slider 78 and tab 76 of zipper 70 and anterior end 54. First portion 72 of zipper 70 is attached to posterior portion 8 of left shoulder pad portion 9 and second portion 74 of zipper 70 is attached to posterior portion 8 of right shoulder pad portion 9. The portion of elongated coupler 40 comprising tab 76 and slider 78 of zipper 70 is disposed on posterior portion 8 of pads 2. Elongated coupler 40 extends from slider 78 and tab 76 from posterior portion 8, over superior portion 4, with anterior end 54 disposed on and accessible from anterior portion 3 of pads 2. As shown in FIG. 13, release mechanism 7 is partially actuated by exerting a pulling force on anterior end 54 of elongated coupler 40 disposed on anterior portion 3 of pads 2, allowing first portion 72 of zipper 70 and second portion 74 of zipper 70 to disengage while the wearer is in the supine position. As release mechanism 7 is fully actuated, first portion 72 and left shoulder pad portion 9 are disengaged from second portion 74 and right shoulder pad portion 9 and pads 2 may be removed from the wearer while the wearer remains in the supine position.
(42) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover all such modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
