U.S. patent application number 10/974791 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for chest protector.
This patent application is currently assigned to AJR Communications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Abigail A. Call, James A. Roberts.
Application Number | 20060005306 10/974791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35539724 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Call; Abigail A. ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Chest protector
Abstract
A chest protector for protecting the wearer from
commotio-cortis. A snug-fitting garment, which avoids creating bulk
or restricting movement, includes a pocket over the cardiac region
of the chest. The pocket holds a protective pad. The pad has at
least one layer of a visco-elastic polymer. The pad also may
include another layer of the visco-elastic polymer, or foam,
sandwiching therebetween a rigid plastic layer. Each layer may
include either one sheet or more than one sheet. The visco-elastic
polymer receives impact energy, converts a portion of the impact
energy to heat, and dissipates the heat.
Inventors: |
Call; Abigail A.; (Harveys
Lake, PA) ; Roberts; James A.; (Wilkes-Barre,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
AJR Communications, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35539724 |
Appl. No.: |
10/974791 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60585677 |
Jul 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/463 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0518
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/463 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. A chest protector, comprising: a pad disposed proximate a
cardiac region of the chest, said pad comprising at least one layer
of a visco-elastic polymer structured to absorb impact energy,
convert at least a portion of the impact energy to heat, and
dissipate the heat.
2. The chest protector of claim 1, wherein said pad further
comprises a second layer.
3. The chest protector of claim 1, wherein said pad further
comprises a rigid layer proximate to said at least one layer of
visco-elastic polymer.
4. The chest protector of claim 3, wherein said rigid layer is
sandwiched between said at least one layer of visco-elastic polymer
and a second layer.
5. The chest protector of claim 1, further comprising a garment
having a pocket disposed proximate the cardiac region where the
garment is worn, and wherein said pad is removably inserted in said
pocket.
6. The chest protector of claim 1, wherein said at least one layer
of visco-elastic polymer comprises a plurality of adjacent elevated
portions defining spaces therebetween.
7. The chest protector of claim 6, wherein said elevated portions
are substantially rectangular.
8. The chest protector of claim 2, wherein said second layer is
foam.
9. The chest protector of claim 2, wherein said second layer is a
visco-elastic polymer.
10. A protective garment, comprising: a protective pad comprised of
at least one layer of a visco-elastic polymer structured to absorb
impact energy, convert at least a portion of the impact energy to
heat, and dissipate the heat; and holding means for holding the
protective pad above a body portion to be protected.
11. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein said pad further
comprises a second layer of the visco-elastic polymer.
12. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein said pad further
comprises a rigid layer proximate said at least one layer of
visco-elastic polymer.
13. The protective garment of claim 12, wherein said rigid layer is
sandwiched between said at least one layer of visco-elastic polymer
and a second layer.
14. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein said pad is
removably inserted in a pocket provided in said holding means.
15. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein said at least one
layer of visco-elastic polymer comprises a plurality of adjacent
elevated portions defining spaces therebetween.
16. The protective garment of claim 15, wherein said elevated
portions are substantially rectangular.
17. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein the body part to be
protected is a cardiac region of a human chest.
18. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein said second layer
is foam.
19. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein said second layer
is a visco-elastic polymer.
20. A commotio-cortis protection system, comprising: a garment worn
by an athlete, comprising a pocket over a cardiac region of the
athlete's chest; a protective pad provided in said pocket,
comprising at least one layer of a visco-elastic polymer, and a
rigid layer proximate said at least one layer of visco-elastic
polymer.
21. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 20, wherein said
visco-elastic polymer absorbs impact energy, and coverts at least a
portion of the impact energy to heat.
22. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 20, wherein said
visco-elastic polymer comprises raised portions for receiving the
impact energy, and spaces between said raised portions for
dissipating the heat.
23. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 22, wherein said
protective pad comprises a plurality of adjacent raised
portions.
24. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 23, wherein said
raised portions are generally rectangular.
25. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 20, wherein said
garment comprises a vest.
26. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 20, wherein said
garment comprises a strap harness.
27. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 20, further
comprising a second layer, with said rigid layer sandwiched between
said at least one layer and said second layer.
28. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 27, wherein said
second layer is foam.
29. The commotio-cortis protection system of claim 27, wherein said
second layer is a visco-elastic polymer.
30. A commotio-cortis protection garment, comprising: a pocket over
a cardiac region of an athlete's chest combined with means for
holding the pocket over the cardiac region; and a pad inserted in
said pocket, said pad comprising at least one layer of a
visco-elastic polymer structure to absorb impact energy of a blow
to the cardiac region, convert at least a portion of the impact
energy to heat energy, and dissipate the heat energy.
31. The commotio-cortis protection garment of claim 30, wherein
said holding means comprises a vest.
32. The commotio-cortis protection garment of claim 30, wherein
said holding means comprises a strap.
33. The commotio cordis protection garment of claim 30, wherein
said pad is removable from said pocket.
34. A method of protecting a cardiac region of a human chest,
comprising: positioning over the cardiac region of the chest a pad
including at least one layer of a visco-elastic polymer; and upon
receiving a force, the pad converting at least a portion of the
force to heat, and disseminating the heat.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said pad further comprises a
rigid layer and a second layer.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one layer of
visco-elastic polymer comprises a plurality of adjacent elevated
portions defining spaces therebetween.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein said pad is positioned over the
cardiac region by insertion into a pocket of a garment.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein said second layer is foam.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein said second layer comprises a
plurality of sheets of foam.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein said second layer is a
visco-elastic polymer.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein said second layer comprises a
plurality of sheets of visco-elastic polymer.
42. The method of claim 34, wherein said at least one layer of
visco-elastic polymer comprises a plurality of sheets of
visco-elastic polymer.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application 60/585,677, filed on Jul. 6, 2004, the contents of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a chest protector, and more
particularly to a protective garment for protecting wearers, such
as athletes, from a condition known as commotio-cortis.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Athletes and other individuals who are active in the
vicinity of hard, fast-moving objects, e.g., baseballs, lacrosse
balls, hockey pucks, human fists, or the like, can be subject to a
life-threatening injury known as commotio-cortis. Commotio-cortis,
or "cardiac concussion" can occur when a person receives a powerful
impact force in the cardiac region of the chest, e.g., the force
created by being struck in the cardiac region by a fast-moving
baseball, a lacrosse ball, a hockey puck, or even a human fist. If
the impact occurs when the athlete's heart is between beats, in
some cases, the heartbeat can be stopped altogether, leading to
rapid loss of blood pressure, unconsciousness, coma, and in some
cases death. The occurrence can be especially severe in the case of
very young athletes, such as Little League baseball players.
[0006] Previous attempts have been made to develop protective
garments for athletes to wear, e.g., garments supporting a
protective quilted pad over the cardiac region, but for a variety
of reasons, e.g., the garment is too cumbersome or bulky, or
overly-restricts the athlete's range of motion, the protective pad
is inadequate, or else the pad shifts out of place during athletic
activity, these conventional protective garments are not commonly
worn, and the occurrence of commotio-cortis, especially among young
athletes, continues to rise.
[0007] It is desirable therefore, to develop a protective garment
that is not bulky, does not restrict a wearer's range of motion,
maintains the protective pad in place over the cardiac region, and
has adequate protective padding to reduce an impact force to the
cardiac region of the chest caused by a fast-moving object such as
a baseball, lacrosse ball, hockey puck, fist, or the like, in order
to reduce the risk of commotio-cortis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention, as set forth and broadly embodied
herein, is a protective garment developed in accordance with the
purposes outlined above, and which substantially obviates one or
more of the problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of
the related art.
[0009] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and
attained by the apparatus set forth in the specification, drawings,
and claims below.
[0010] In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as
embodied and broadly described herein, a chest protector is
provided, including a pad held proximate a cardiac region of a
human chest, the pad including at least one layer of a
visco-elastic polymer structured to absorb impact energy, convert
at least a portion of the impact energy to heat, and dissipate the
heat.
[0011] As broadly embodied herein, the pad is held in a pocket over
the cardiac region, the pocket being supported in a garment.
[0012] Preferably the garment is a snug-fitting vest. The garment
also can be a strap harness, or a shirt, structured to fit snugly
and hold the pocket and the pad in place over the cardiac region of
the chest, while not restricting movement of the wearer's arms and
shoulders.
[0013] In accordance with the invention, the visco-elastic polymer
of the pad is generally planar, and configured with a number of
raised platforms, protrusions, or dots, spaced apart by gaps
defined therebetween, the raised platforms being either
rectangular, circular, or oval. It is preferable that the
visco-elastic polymer is Sorbethane.RTM., a known polymer, which
receives an impact force, and converts the impact force to heat.
The heat transfers to atmosphere via the open gaps between the
raised portions, thereby substantially reducing the impact force
applied to the chest.
[0014] In accordance with the invention, the pad further includes a
rigid layer, e.g., plastic, attached to the non-rigid visco-elastic
polymer layer. Preferably, a second non-rigid layer also is
provided, which preferably is made of the same visco-elastic
polymer as the first layer, but which alternatively may be made of
a different visco-elastic polymer, or it may be made of foam. The
second non-rigid layer may include a single sheet or multiple
sheets of visco-elastic polymer or foam. When a second such
non-rigid layer is provided, the rigid layer preferably is
sandwiched between the non-rigid layers.
[0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and provide further explanation of the invention,
as set forth in the attached claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, constitute part of the
specification, and illustrate preferred embodiments of the
invention. Together with the general description above and the
detailed description below, the drawings help explain the
principles of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective pad in
accordance with the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded part view of the protective pad of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a detailed top view of a protective pad in
accordance with the invention.
[0020] FIG. 3A is a detailed top view of a portion of the pad of
FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the pad portion of FIG.
3A.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a human torso wearing a
protective garment in accordance with the invention, the garment
being in the form of a vest, having a protective pad in a pocket
over a cardiac region of the torso;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a perspective view substantially similar to that
of FIG. 4, except that the garment is a strap instead of a
vest.
[0024] FIG. 5B is a perspective view substantially similar to that
of FIG. 5A, except that the garment is a strap harness.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
[0026] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a chest
protector, shown broadly in FIG. 1, and designated by reference
numeral 10.
[0027] In accordance with the invention, chest protector 10
includes a protective pad 12, configured to be disposed and held in
place over a cardiac region of a human chest. Pad 12, as depicted
herein, includes at least one layer 14, preferably having a
thickness of 0.38'' to 0.50''. It is within the scope of the
invention, however, for the first layer 14 to include more than one
sheet of the visco-elastic polymer.
[0028] A visco-elastic polymer absorbs force of an impact to the
polymer, and converts at least a portion of that absorbed impact
force to heat. The heat then dissipates by being exchanged with
atmosphere via an outer surface of the polymer.
[0029] Preferably the visco-elastic polymer layer 14 of pad 12
defines a generally planar surface, with a number of adjacent
elevated portions, protrusions, or "dots" 16 protruding from the
planar surface, preferably 0.12'' in height, the protrusions 16
defining therebetween a series of gaps or spaces 18. The
protrusions 16 are preferably generally rectangular, but may also
be generally circular, or generally oval in shape.
[0030] In accordance with the invention, when an impact force is
applied to the visco-elastic polymer of the first layer 14 of pad
12, e.g., a fast-moving baseball or lacrosse ball strikes the pad,
the impact is received across several of the raised portions 16
(the number of raised portions 16 depends on the size of the
impacting object). The impact generates impact energy. The
visco-elastic polymer converts at least a portion of the impact
energy into heat. The heat is conducted through the pad 12, and
dissipated via heat exchange with the atmosphere, across the pad
surfaces 15 at gaps 16. Any remaining impact force, which is not
converted to heat, is further dissipated by spreading across the
first layer 14.
[0031] Moreover, the first layer can, if desired, include more than
one sheet of the visco-elastic polymer.
[0032] A presently preferred visco-elastic polymer to be used as
the material for first layer 14 of pad 12 is Sorbethane.RTM., which
is commercially available and well known.
[0033] Preferably, as broadly embodied herein and depicted in FIG.
2, protective pad 12, includes one or more additional layers 20 and
22. As embodied in FIG. 2, layer 20 is a rigid layer, preferably
having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the
visco-elastic polymer layer 14. Rigid layer 20 is made preferably
of hard plastic or a suitable substitute material that is both
rigid and lightweight. It is further preferred that another
non-rigid layer 22 be provided, with rigid layer 20 being
sandwiched between the two non-rigid layers, 14 and 22. The second
non-rigid layer 22 has substantially the same shape and dimensions
as first layer 14 and rigid layer 20.
[0034] It is preferable that second non-rigid layer 22 be made of a
visco-elastic polymer, and preferably the same visco-elastic
polymer used to construct the first layer 14. When the second
non-rigid layer 22 is a visco-elastic polymer, it is generally
planar, and can be smooth, as shown in FIG. 2, or have raised
portions and gaps, the same as the first layer of visco-elastic
polymer. Moreover, the second layer can include more than one sheet
of the visco-elastic polymer. As was the case with first layer 14,
the preferred visco-elastic polymer, based on testing, is
Sorbethane.RTM.. A second layer of Sorbethane.RTM. converts a
larger amount of the impact energy to heat, and dissipates the
heat, then can be accomplished with only a single layer of
Sorbethane.RTM.. The invention is not limited to use of
Sorbethane.RTM. in the second non-rigid layer, however, or even to
using the same visco-elastic polymer as in the first layer. It is
possible to use a different visco-elastic polymer for the second
non-rigid layer 22, and it is further conceivable to use another
material altogether in the second non-rigid layer 22, for example,
foam. Although foam will not perform the same force/heat conversion
as a visco-elastic polymer, it nevertheless provides additional
cushioning to help absorb and dissipate a portion of the impact
force and, hence, further protect the cardiac region of the
wearer's chest. Moreover, the second non-rigid layer can consist of
more than one sheet of foam. An embodiment of the invention with
multiple sheets of foam forming the inner layer, will be more bulky
than an embodiment with one or more sheets of visco-elastic
polymer, but as a trade-off, should be lighter in weight.
[0035] In accordance with the invention, a garment 30 is provided,
wearable by an athlete to be protected, for supporting a pocket 32
over the athlete's cardiac region. The protective pad 12 is
configured to be inserted into and held in place inside the pocket
32. Pocket 32 can either be opened and closed, or it can be sealed
shut. An openable and closeable pocket 32 is the preferred
embodiment, since it allows pad 12 to be removed periodically to be
washed, repaired or replaced.
[0036] As embodied in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, the garment 30 can have
one of several possible configurations, depending on the preference
of the wearer.
[0037] Preferably, garment 30 is configured in the shape of a vest
34, as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, vest 34 is a tight,
sleeveless garment, fitting snugly against the wearer's torso, so
as to not create excessive bulk beneath the wearer's outer
garments, and also so as to not restrict arm or shoulder movement.
The vest 34 preferably is made of a fabric capable of stretching to
conform to the shape of the wearer's torso, and also capable of
wicking perspiration or other moisture away from the wearer's skin.
Preferred fabrics include Lycra.RTM., or a blend of Lycra.RTM. and
nylon.
[0038] Alternatively, garment 30 can be configured in the form of a
single strap 36, as shown in FIG. 5A or a strap harness 38, as
shown in FIG. 5B. A strap or strap harness may be preferable to
some athletes, because of even more reduced bulk and less
restriction of movement. When a strap harness 38 or single strap 36
are used as garment 30, nylon is the preferred fabric. It is
further preferred that pocket 32 be made of a breathable fabric to
allow airflow therethrough. A suitable fabric is
Breath-O-Prene.RTM., which is known and commercially available.
[0039] It is further preferred that, whether the garment is a vest
34, strap 36, or a strap harness 38, any connectors needed to hold
portions of the garment together should be low profile hooks and
nylon loops, which provide good peel and shear strength in order to
hold fast, while presenting a low profile to avoid snagging on the
wearer's outer garments.
[0040] A protective garment configured as broadly described above,
i.e., a snug-fitting vest with a pocket over the cardiac region of
the chest, holding a protective pad comprising two generally planar
layers of the same visco-elastic polymer (i.e., Sorbethane.RTM.),
with at least the outer layer having a plurality of raised
protrusions with spaces defined therebetween, and a rigid plastic
layer sandwiched between the two Sorbethane.RTM. layers reduces an
impact force by approximately 45%. Example 1 below depicts the
results of a comparative test, comparing the force reduction
realized by a protective garment in accordance with the present
invention, in comparison with no protection whatsoever, and with a
conventional protective garment. Examples 2 and 3 below depict the
results of tests on different embodiments of the present invention,
realizing force reduction of approximately 41%-58%.
EXAMPLE NO. 1
[0041] A baseball was thrown by a standard pitching machine at
various speeds, against a vertical surface. A sensor was fixed to
the vertical surface, connected to a computer processor programmed
with speed and force analysis software, to measure the impact
force. A series of tests was conducted, pitching the ball against
the vertical surface (1) while it was unprotected; (2) while it was
protected by a pad of the invention, consisting of an outer layer
of a single sheet of 0.5'' thick Sorbethane.RTM., a middle layer of
rigid plastic, and an inner layer of a single sheet of 0.5'' thick
Sorbethane.RTM., designated, for testing purposes, the B-series of
the invention, and (3) while it was protected by a prior art pad,
consisting of quilted padding sewn into a vest. In each test, the
speed of the ball and the resultant impact force was measured. For
purposes of comparison, each measured impact force was normalized
to a ball speed of 60 mph. Table 1 below lists the ball test, the
type of protection, the actual ball speed, the normalized ball
speed, the impact force felt by the sensor on the surface at the
actual ball speed and the impact force at the normalized speed. The
percentage of force reduction was calculated by comparing the
impact force felt in the protected cases, compared to the impact
force felt in the unprotected cases. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Normal-
Ball ized Actual Normal- Reduc- Test Type of Speed Ball Speed Force
ized tion No. Protection (mph) (mph) (lbs) Force (lbs) (%) A-1 None
54.90 60 1370 1497.3 0.2 A-2 None 57.05 60 1430 1504.0 -0.2 Average
1500.7 0.0 B-1 invention 59.87 60 814 815.8 45.6 B-2 invention
58.42 60 813 835 44.4 Average 824 45.0 C-1 prior art 61.38 60 1450
1417.4 5.5 C-2 prior art 58.19 60 1330 1371.3 8.6 Average 1394.4
7.1
[0042] As can be seen from the above data, a 60 mph baseball,
striking an unprotected vertical surface, e.g., an athlete's chest,
applies an average impact force of approximately 1500 lbs. An
athlete wearing a prior art protective garment, with quilted
padding sewn into the fabric of a vest, obtained only a 7%
reduction of force, and still received an average force of 1394
lbs. An athlete wearing the protective garment according to the
present invention of the B-series, as broadly described above,
should receive a 45% reduction of the impact force, and receive an
impact force reduced to 824 lbs.
EXAMPLE NO. 2
[0043] In another test, the same testing apparatus described above
was used to test a second embodiment of the present invention,
having an outer layer of two (2) 0.5'' thick sheets of
Sorbethane.RTM., a middle rigid plastic layer, and an inner layer
of a single 3/8'' thick sheet of foam, designated, for testing
purposes, the D-series of the invention. Table 2 lists the actual
ball speed, the normalized ball speed (at 60 mph), the actual
impact force, the normalized impact force, and the percent of force
reduction. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Normal- Ball ized Actual Normal-
Reduc- Test Type of Speed Ball Speed Force ized tion No. Protection
(mph) (mph) (lbs) Force (lbs) (%) D1-4 Invention 55.95 60 832 892.3
39.3 D2-5 Invention 61.90 60 892 864.7 41.2 D3-6 Invention 60.86 60
866 853.7 41.9 Average 870.2 40.8
EXAMPLE NO. 3
[0044] In a third test, the same testing apparatus was used to test
a third embodiment of the present invention, having an outer layer
of a single sheet of 0.5% thick Sorbethane.RTM., a middle rigid
plastic layer, and an inner layer of two (2) 3/8'' sheets of foam,
designated, for testing purposes, the E-series of the invention.
Table 3 lists the same types of data listed above. TABLE-US-00003
TABLE 3 Normal- Ball ized Actual Normal- Reduc- Test Type of Speed
Ball Speed Force ized tion No. Protection (mph) (mph) (lbs) Force
(lbs) (%) E1-7 Invention 59.81 60 610 611.9 58.4 E2-8 Invention
60.14 60 622 620.6 57.8 E3-9 Invention 57.68 60 602 626.2 57.4
Average 870.2 57.9
[0045] As can be seen, an athlete wearing the protective garment
according to the present invention of the D-series, as broadly
described above, should receive an approximate 41% reduction of the
impact force, and an athlete wearing a protective garment according
to the E-series, as broadly described above, should receive an
approximate 58% reduction of the impact of force. The E-series of
the invention, having two sheets of foam, may be more bulky than,
for example, the B-series, but as a trade-off, should weigh less
than the B-series.
[0046] The present invention reduces of eliminates many of the
problems associated with conventional protective garments, by
providing a snug garment that is not bulky and does not restrict
the wearer's range of motion, with a protective pad, held in place
in a pocket over the cardiac region of the chest, which does not
shift out of place during athletic activity, and which is capable
of receiving an impact, converting impact energy into heat, and
dissipating the heat, thereby obtaining a force reduction of about
45%-58%, and thereby reducing the risk of commotio-cortis.
[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
modifications and variations may be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. It is intended, therefore, that the present invention
cover such modifications and variations, provided they fall within
the scope of the attached claims and their legal equivalents.
[0048] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
the true scope and spirit of the invention being established by the
following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *