U.S. patent application number 10/710481 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for shoulder protection system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Atlas Sprots and Athletic Products. Invention is credited to Gary R. Fratesi, Marc A. Huschke, Timothy Francis Kelly, Giulivo Tassotti.
Application Number | 20060010590 10/710481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35597825 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060010590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huschke; Marc A. ; et
al. |
January 19, 2006 |
Shoulder protection system
Abstract
This invention is an upper body protection system for contact
sport players with an external semi-rigid articulating system
comprised of a Collar, a Sternal Plate, a Back Plate and three
Epaulets on each side. The entire system is designed to protect the
shoulders and upper body by dissipating the force of a blow and
then redirecting the residual force to the strongest load bearing
parts of the body behind and on the sides of the neck where the
collar section rests. The system protects areas of the upper body
(namely the plexus of nerves exiting at the sides of the neck
[Erb's Point]; the collar bone [clavicle]; the A-C joint
[Acromio-Clavicular Joint]; the shoulder blades [Scapulae]; the
spine; the breast bone [sternum]; the ribs; and underlying vital
organs that are prone to injury. The system offers maximum
protection while also allowing almost complete freedom of
movement.
Inventors: |
Huschke; Marc A.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) ; Fratesi; Gary R.; (Scottsdale,
AZ) ; Tassotti; Giulivo; (Scottsdale, AZ) ;
Kelly; Timothy Francis; (West Point, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARC HUSCHKE
10869 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD #103-169
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85254
US
|
Assignee: |
Atlas Sprots and Athletic
Products
Scottsdale
AZ
|
Family ID: |
35597825 |
Appl. No.: |
10/710481 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0153 20130101;
A41D 27/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/459 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/26 20060101
A41D027/26 |
Claims
1. The Shoulder Protection System is designed to dissipate impact
forces and redirect residual forces to the strongest load bearing
parts of the body, the upper back and medial shoulder. The system
allows the protection above the shoulders to move up allowing the
wearer nearly complete unrestricted movement of the arms. The
exterior shell components are specifically designed to facilitate
anatomical fit, impact resistance and vital area protection.
Therefore, some exterior shell components are flexible to provide a
contoured fit, increased upper body movement and shock absorption;
while other components are rigid in order to provide maximum
strength and impact resistance. All exterior shell components are
shatter proof. All shell materials are light in weight without
sacrificing impact resistance, shell integrity and vital
protection.
2. A Collar section surrounding and protecting the neck is formed
using a mostly rigid material. The collar and the protective
padding beneath it are anatomically specifically contoured so that
this collar and padding assembly rests at the base of the neck
posteriorly and arcs anteriorly on the sides of the neck across the
trapezius muscle and the clavicle and anteriorly across the
superior aspect of the sternum. The collar and padding supports the
entire protection system and is the only point of direct contact
across the shoulder.
3. The collar, from claim 2, is formed to bridge over the clavicle
(collar bone), creating a protective channel for this bone.
4. The collar, from claim 2, is formed to bridge over the superior
aspect of the Sternum creating a protective channel.
5. The collar, from claim 2, is rounded on the sides of the neck in
an outward facing "U" shape. The lower portion of the "U" rests on
foam padding that rests squarely on the body.
6. The collar's, from claim 2, upper portion of the "U" on the
lateral aspect provides a spring shock absorbing platform that
Epaulet 1 is rigidly affixed to.
7. The collar's, from claim 2, upper portion of the "U" on the
posterior aspect provides a cushion for the head or helmet when the
neck is extended backward.
8. The collar's, from claim 2, contiguous rigid design in
combination with the position and shape of the inside aspect of the
sides of the collar create a protective space for the neck and the
brachial plexus of nerves exiting the neck at Erb's Point. This
collar configuration is intended to reduce neck abrasions and blunt
trauma to Erb's Point that may result in the "stinger syndrome"
9. The collar, from claim 2, is formed to create parallel anterior
and posterior articulation pivot points for the support arms of
epaulet 2.
10. The collar, from claim 2, has ventilation holes on each inside
(media)l anterior aspect to allow airflow beneath epaulet 1 and 2
on each side.
11. The assembly of Epaulets 1, 2 and 3 course from the lateral
sides of the collar at an anterior angle of between 10 and 25
degrees. This approximates the scapular angle of the human form and
achieves anatomically specific protective coverage of the superior,
anterior and posterior aspects of the shoulder.
12. The epaulets, from claim 11, location and design of 1, 2 and 3
provide for unrestricted movement of the shoulder in the adduction
(flexion) and rotational planes. Both sides of the system have
epaulets 1, 2 and 3.
13. This 3 epaulet system, from claim 11, creates a supported
channel of space between the epaulets and the superior shoulder
from the outside (or lateral?) aspect of the collar allowing the
epaulets to flex and absorb the impact before the shoulder is
contacted. This configuration in combination with the collar
configuration of claim 3 forms a complete protective channel for
the entire length of each shoulder and collar bone (clavicle).
14. The epaulet's, from claim 11, anterior medial arms of both
epaulet number 2s are channeled at the pivot points to allow
epaulets 2 and 3 to move with the shoulder as the wearer moves.
15. Epaulet 1, from claim 11, is formed with ridges that correspond
directly to the ridges of epaulet 2. These corresponding ridges
allow epaulet 2 to sit firmly on epaulet 1 strengthening the
channel that these two epaulets form over the superior aspect of
each shoulder.
16. Epaulet 2, from claim 11, is supported by two swinging arms
pivoted off of the collar. One of the arms is anterior and the
other is posterior.
17. The contour of epaulet 2, from claim 11, allows for
unrestricted superior adduction (medial flexion) of the
shoulder.
18. Epaulet 2's, from claim 11, downward motion is restricted by
epaulet 1 and 2 stop bars. One bar is attached to the anterior
aspect and the other to the posterior aspect of the collar
section.
19. Epaulet 1, from claim 11, has a stop, positioned on the
posterior aspect of epaulet 1, that engages the superior aspect of
the posterior arm of the epaulet 2 preventing the medial aspect of
epaulet 2 from hitting the lateral neck.
20. Epaulet 2, from claim 11, has two anterior posterior ridges to
increase strength while achieving a unique and readily discernable
"look" and profile beneath a football jersey.
21. Epaulet 3, from claim 11, is connected to epaulet 1 by a strap
allowing for it to rise up and out of the way when the arms are
raised (shoulder flexion) and to return to a protective position
when the arms are lowered. Each strap can be adjusted so that
epaulet 3 fits properly on the player.
22. Epaulet 3, from claim 11, is formed to fit anatomically over
the lateral superior deltoid region of the shoulder.
23. Epaulet 3, from claim 11, has two diagonal corrugations to
increase strength.
24. The Sternal Plate is anatomically specifically contoured to the
pectoral muscles. The Sternal Plate contains a space (cavity) over
the sternum and heart. Padding beneath the Sternal Plate is
configured in an "O" shape around the plate perimeter. This
configuration greatly softens any blow to this area and
redistributes the impact over the anterior portion of the strong
chest muscles.
25. The Sternal Plate, from claim 24, is horizontally hinged off of
the collar's anterior section. This configuration provides a snug
fit, freedom of torso rotational movement and chest expansion when
breathing. This configuration reduces the "handle" available for an
opponent. The hinged movement of the Sternal Plate over the frontal
(anterior) aspect of the collar allows complete access to the chest
if injury occurs. As necessary, the plate can be flipped completely
up and out of the way.
26. The Sternal Plate, from claim 24, is fastened to the inferior
anterior collar section with flexible strapping secured with screw
and post fasteners which allow for easy Sternal Plate replacement
or individual customization with a different size Sternal
Plate.
27. The Sternal Plate, from claim 24, is ventilated with multiple
holes no wider than a typical football cleat. There is no padding
behind the ventilation holes or in the sternal channel itself. This
allows air circulation and promotes the body's natural cooling
process.
28. The Back Plate is anatomically specifically contoured to the
natural curve of the back, the scapula and lattissimus dorsi
muscles. The Back Plate contains a space (channel) over the spine.
Padding beneath the Back Plate is configured in an "O" shape around
the plate perimeter with two strips of padding on either side of
the spinal channel. This configuration greatly softens any blow to
this area and redistributes the impact over the posterior portion
of the strong back muscles.
29. The Back Plate, from claim 28, is horizontally hinged off of
the collar's posterior section. This configuration provides a snug
fit to the specific anatomical contours of the musculature of the
back, freedom of torso rotational movement and chest expansion when
breathing. This configuration reduces the "handle" available for an
opponent.
30. The Back Plate, from claim 28, is fixed superiorly to the
inferior posterior aspect of the collar section with flexible
strapping secured with screw and post fasteners which allow for
easy Back Plate replacement or individual customization with a
different size Back Plate.
31. The Back Plate, from claim 28, is vented with multiple holes no
wider than a typical football cleat. There is no padding directly
behind the ventilation holes. This allows air circulation and
promotes the body's natural cooling process.
32. Semi rigid posterior Wings are connected to the inferior aspect
of the Back Plate on each side in opposing diagonal direction with
hinged material. These flaps are positioned to provide maximum
impact protection to the lower sides of the back and ribs while
contouring to the back musculature.
33. The lateral sides of the Wings, from claim 32, secure straps
that are wide, non-elastic and smooth in nature. They connect the
front and the back panels at their inferior lateral aspect on each
side. A quick disconnect style buckle is positioned anteriorly on
each side. This configuration allows for a quick entry, a snug,
comfortable fit across the back and chest areas and easier
breathing. It also eliminates the abrading (scraping) the
wearer.
34. The Padding System is comprised of closed celled poly ethylene
foam that does not absorb sweat but is excellent at absorbing
impact. The padding will be adhered to the plastic shell in a way
that the entire Shoulder Pad System may be immersed in a tub of
water and cleaning/disinfecting solution for a few seconds and then
air dried. The system will not retain body fluids, bacteria or
smell and will be completely dry, and weigh its original dry
weight, within a few hours at normal room temperature.
35. The Padding, from claim 34, is placed at each point of contact
with the body with the protective semi rigid shell on the outside.
The semi rigid shell is curved and channeled to increase the shock
absorbing capacity. Padding is used on the sides of the spine to
increase the protective capability of the spine channel (cavity).
Additionally, padding is positioned on the outside border of the
sternal plate to increase the protective capability of the cavity
created in this plate to protect the breast bone (sternum) and
heart.
36. The Padding, from claim 34, channeling and vent hole
configuration are expressly designed to enhance the body's own
evaporative cooling efforts.
37. Padding, from claim 34, under the Sternal Plate extends
anteriorly to protect the pectoral muscles, intercostal muscles,
ribs and AC joint.
38. The Padding, from claim 34, with semi rigid material sewn into
the anterior aspect of the front pad further shields The
AcromioClavicular (AC) Joint.
Description
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0001] This is a shoulder and upper body protection system for
contact and action sports. The semi-rigid and foam protection
system protects the structures of the shoulder, upper chest, and
upper back while allowing for nearly complete mobility of the
shoulders, upper arms and torso. The Shoulder Protection System is
designed to dissipate impact forces and redirect any residual
forces to the strongest load bearing part of the body; the upper
back and medial shoulder.
[0002] This is a shoulder and upper body protection system for
contact and action sports. The semi-rigid and foam protection
system protects the structures of the shoulder, upper chest, spine,
ribs and upper back while allowing for nearly complete mobility of
the shoulders, upper arms and torso. The Shoulder Protection System
is designed to dissipate impact forces and redirect any residual
forces to the strongest load bearing parts of the body; the upper
back and medial shoulder. The semi rigid plastic covers
strategically placed and anatomically specific foam padding
eliminating any unnecessary padding and reducing overall weight.
The collar is relatively narrow in relation to the width of the
shoulders in order to provide freedom for upward movement of the
outer part of the shoulders without interference. The first epaulet
is fixed to the collar and the second epaulet rests on top of the
first and is hinged with supporting arms from the front and the
back of the collar. The hinge mechanism is designed so the wearer
can move freely upon upward movement of the outer part of the
shoulders, but locks when downward force is applied creating a
protective channel for the shoulder and related structures.
* * * * *