U.S. patent application number 12/882939 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for chest protector.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shock Doctor, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bill Best, Bastien Jourde.
Application Number | 20110167548 12/882939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43012506 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110167548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jourde; Bastien ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
CHEST PROTECTOR
Abstract
Chest protectors (e.g., for use during motocross, or other
high-speed motor sports) for protecting a rider from injury are
provided. A chest protector is made with removable protective
attachments that provide flexibility and has a low neckline, or
removable neck attachment, to facilitate use of the chest protector
with removable neck braces. In some implementations, the neck brace
is be attached to the chest protector, e.g., using hook and loop
fasteners.
Inventors: |
Jourde; Bastien; (Montreal,
CA) ; Best; Bill; (Orono, MN) |
Assignee: |
Shock Doctor, Inc.
Plymouth
MN
|
Family ID: |
43012506 |
Appl. No.: |
12/882939 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61242510 |
Sep 15, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/463 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0512 20130101;
A41D 13/0153 20130101; A63B 2071/1208 20130101; A41D 13/0518
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/463 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/05 20060101
A41D013/05 |
Claims
1. An impact protection device comprising: a harness configured to
be worn over the clavicles or shoulders of a user; a protective
chest portion attached to a front portion of the protective
harness; and a protective back portion attached to a rear portion
of the harness, the chest and back portion defining a neck opening;
wherein the protective chest and back portions each include a
channel sized and shape to removably receive respective front and
back portions of a neck brace that extend downwardly over an upper
portion of the chest and back when worn by the user such that the
neck brace forms a nesting fit with the chest and back portions of
the chest protector.
2. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the front and rear channels comprises a cut-out region sized and
shaped such that the front portion, back portion or both portions
of the neck brace, when worn by the user, are nested in the cut-out
region.
3. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the front and rear channels comprises a sleeve sized and shaped
such that the front portion, back portion or both portions of the
neck brace, when worn by the user, are nested in the sleeve.
4. The impact protection device of claim 3 wherein at least one of
the chest and back portions of the chest protector includes a
flexible inner liner, and wherein the flexible inner liner defines
the sleeve.
5. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the front and rear channels comprises a cavity sized and shaped
such that the front portion, rear portion or both portions of the
neck brace, when worn by the user, are nested in the cavity.
6. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein at least one of
the chest and back portions of the chest protector includes a
flexible inner liner and a rigid outer plate, and wherein the
channel is defined between the liner and the rigid outer plate.
7. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein the protective
chest portion includes an upper chest portion and a lower chest
portion, and wherein at least the upper chest portion is removably
attached to the chest protector.
8. The impact protection device of claim 7 wherein when the upper
chest portion is removed, the channel comprises a cut-out region
sized and shaped such that when worn by the user, the front portion
of the neck brace is nested in the cut-out region.
9. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein the protective
back portion includes an upper back portion and a lower back
portion, and wherein at least the upper back portion is removably
attached to the chest protector.
10. The impact protection device of claim 9 wherein when the upper
back portion is removed, the channel comprises a cut-out region
sized and shaped such that, when worn by the user, the back portion
of the neck brace is nested in the cut-out region.
11. The impact protection device of claim 1 wherein the protective
back portion includes an upper back portion, a middle back portion
and a lower back portion, and wherein at least the middle back
portion is removably attached to the chest protector.
12. The impact protection device of claim 11 wherein when the
middle back portion is removed, the channel comprises a cut-out
region sized and shaped such that, when worn by the user, the back
portion of the neck brace is nested in the cut-out region.
13. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising
protective clavicle portions attached to the shoulder harness.
14. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein the protective
clavicle portions are removably attached to the shoulder
harness.
15. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein each clavicle
portion includes discrete front and rear clavicle portions
removably attached to the shoulder harness.
16. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein at least the
rear clavicle portion is removable.
17. The impact protection device of claim 13 wherein each clavicle
portion comprises a rigid outer plate
18. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising
protective shoulder portions attached to the shoulder harness.
19. The impact protection device of claim 18 wherein the protective
shoulder portions are removable.
20. The impact protection device of claim 18 wherein the protective
shoulder portions are attached to the shoulder harness at a
flexible joint.
21. The impact protection device of claim 20 wherein the flexible
joint comprises a flexible material attached on one side to the
shoulder portions and on the other side to the shoulder
harness.
22. The impact protection device of claim 18 wherein the protective
shoulder portions comprise rigid outer plates.
23. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising
protective rib portions attached to the protective chest portion or
the protective back portion.
24. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein the protective
rib portions are attached to opposing sides of the protective chest
portion or the protective back portion.
25. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein the protective
rib portions are removably attached to opposing sides of the
protective chest portion or the protective back portion.
26. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein the protective
rib portions are attached to opposing sides of the protective chest
portion at flexible joints.
27. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein the flexible
joints comprise a flexible material attached on one side to the
protective chest portion or the protective back portion and on the
other side to the protective rib portions.
28. The impact protection device of claim 23 wherein the protective
rib portions comprise rigid outer plates.
29. The impact protection device of claim 28 wherein the protective
rib portions further comprise protective rib extensions flexibly
secured to the protective rib portions.
30. The impact protection device of claim 29 wherein the rib
extensions are removable.
31. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising a
lower back extension attached to the protective back portion.
32. The impact protection device of claim 31 wherein the back
extension is removable.
33. The impact protection device of claim 1 further comprising
means for connecting the neck brace to the shoulder harness when
the neck brace is worn by the user.
34. The impact protection device of claim 33 wherein the connection
means are disposed on the protective chest or back portions.
35. The impact protection device of claim 33 wherein the connection
means are disposed in the channel of the protective chest or back
portions.
36. The impact protection device of claim 33 wherein the connection
means comprise hook and loop fasteners.
37. The impact device of claim 1 further comprising at least one
horizontal strap for securing the chest protector around the chest
and back of the user.
38. The impact device of claim 37 wherein the harness and strap are
secured together by at least one vertical strap.
39. An impact protection device comprising: a harness configured to
be worn over the clavicles or shoulders of a user; a protective
chest portion attached to a front portion of the protective
harness; and a protective back portion attached to a rear portion
of the harness, the chest and back portion defining a neck opening;
wherein at least one of protective chest and back portions include
a cut-out region along the neck opening, the cut-out region being
sized and shaped to removably receive a respective front or back
portion of a neck brace that extends downwardly over an upper
portion of the chest or back when worn by the user such that the
neck brace forms a nesting fit with the chest or back portion of
the chest protector.
40. The impact protection device of claim 39 wherein the both the
front and back portions of the chest protector include cut-out
regions.
41. The impact protection device of claim 39 wherein the cut-out
region is in the shape of a V, and U, a half-square, a half-circle
or a half-oval or a polygonal portion relative to the neck
opening.
42. The impact protection device of claim 39 further comprising one
or more of clavicle portions, shoulder portions, rib portions, rib
extensions or back extension.
43. The impact protection device of claim 39 wherein one or more of
the clavicle portions, shoulder portions, rib portions, rib
extensions or back extension are removable.
44. An impact protection device comprising: a protective chest
portion adapted to be attached over a chest of a user; a protective
back portion adapted to be attached over a back of the user, the
chest and back portions defining a neck opening; at least one strap
connecting the chest and back portions; and a removable neck brace
including front and rear portions that extend downwardly over an
upper portion of the chest and back of the user; wherein the
protective chest and back portions each include a channel sized and
shaped that receives the respective front and back portions of the
neck brace such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with the
chest and back portions of the chest protector.
45. The impact protection device of claim 44 wherein the channels
comprise one of a sleeve, a cut-out region and a cavity.
46. The impact protection device of claim 44, wherein the back
portion of the neck brace includes a downwardly extending column,
the channel receiving the downwardly extending column of the neck
brace.
47. The impact protection device of claim 44, wherein the neck
brace is releasably attached to the chest protector by fastening
means.
48. The impact protection device of claim 44 further comprising a
shoulder harness connecting the front and back chest plates.
49. The impact protection device of claim 44, further comprising
one or more removable protective attachments selected from a group
consisting of a shoulder cap, a front clavicle cap, a back clavicle
cap, an extended back protector, and an extended rib protector.
50. The impact protection device of claim 44, wherein the front
portion of the removable neck brace includes an upper flange, a
lower flange or both.
51. The impact protection device of claim 50 wherein the lower
flange nests in the channel.
52. The impact protection device of claim 50 wherein the lower and
upper flanges nest in the channel.
53. The impact protection device of claim 44 wherein the back
portion of the neck brace includes a lower extension, and wherein
the lower extension nests in the channel.
54. The impact protection device of claim 44 wherein the neck brace
further includes lower supports adapted to contact a user's
clavicles or shoulders, and wherein the chest protector does not
include a protective portion clavicle or shoulder portion that
prevents contact between the lower supports and the user's
clavicles or shoulders.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC
.sctn.119(e) of provisional application No. 61/242,510, attorney
docket number 73893-378923, filed Sep. 15, 2009, and entitled
"CHEST PROTECTOR," the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
personal protective gear. In particular, various embodiments of the
present invention relate to chest protectors.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Chest protectors are generally worn by motocross
participants, "BMX" participants, participants in other active
sports, as well as contact sport participants such as football,
hockey and lacrosse. Traditional chest protectors used for
motocross are generally designed to protect the participant's
chest, back, shoulders, and clavicle from flying debris, from
injury during a fall or crash, contact with other participants, and
the like.
[0004] Recently, new safety gear has been introduced to motocross
and other active sports to better protect participants. One of the
more significant safety devices that have been introduced in recent
years are neck braces that protect the participant's head from high
velocity forward movement (i.e. toward the chest) and rearward
movement (i.e. toward the back), which are a leading cause of
spinal and head injuries. These neck braces include structure that
extends downwardly from the neck along the upper chest and upper
back to support the neck and limit movement. Commercially available
neck braces are sold, for example, by Alpinestars and Troy Lee
Designs (under the brand name "LEATT").
[0005] Unfortunately, conventional chest protectors are not
necessarily compatible with these neck braces. In particular, the
use of conventional chest protectors in combination with these neck
braces may cause the neck brace to not fit properly due to the
positioning of the extending structure relative to the chest and
back shields included on many chest protectors, and/or due to the
presence of clavicle or shoulder caps that interfere with structure
on the neck brace intended to rest on the clavicle of the
participant. This, in turn, may cause the neck brace to rest too
high on the participant and/or cause the chest protector to fit
improperly or uncomfortably to accommodate the neck brace
extensions.
[0006] The result is that participants have either opted not to
wear either the chest protector or the neck brace, or have worn
both in an ill-fitting manner. In either case, the safety and/or
comfort of the user may be impacted.
SUMMARY
[0007] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to chest
protectors particularly for use in high-speed motor sports (e.g.,
motocross) or other activities to protect the participant from
impact with other participants and/or objects.
[0008] Some embodiments provide for an impact protection device
with a protective harness and a base chest plate. The protective
harness is optionally configured to fit around an upper body of a
user. In some embodiments, the protective harness includes a
shoulder yoke. The protective harness optionally includes one or
more releasable latches and straps, or other fastening means, used
to secure the protective harness to the upper body of the user.
[0009] The base chest plate is optionally attached to a front
portion of the protective harness. In some embodiments, the base
chest plate has a neckline configured to facilitate attachment of a
removable neck brace (e.g., a LEATT.RTM. brace) to the protective
harness. For example, various embodiments include base chest plates
that have a low-neck line to allow for integration of removable
neck braces. Examples of the types of low-neck lines include, but
are not limited to V-shape necklines and U-shape necklines,
although other configurations are contemplated, such as square
necklines or polygonal necklines, for example.
[0010] The removable neck brace is optionally attached to the
protective harness to provide additional protection to the user.
For example, in some embodiments, the removable neck brace limits
tilting movements of a helmeted head of the user in some directions
(e.g., anterior-posterior and/or medial-lateral directions) or in
all directions.
[0011] One embodiment provides an impact protection device
including a harness configured to be worn over clavicles or
shoulders of a user; a protective chest portion attached to a front
portion of the protective harness; and a protective back portion
attached to a rear portion of the harness, the chest and back
portion defining a neck opening. The protective chest and back
portions each include a channel sized and shape to removably
receive respective front and back portions of a neck brace that
extend downwardly over an upper portion of the chest and back when
worn by the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with
the front and back portions of the chest protector.
[0012] Another embodiment provides an impact protection device
comprising a harness configured to be worn over clavicles or
shoulders of a user; a protective chest portion attached to a front
portion of the protective harness; and a protective back portion
attached to a rear portion of the harness, the chest and back
portion defining a neck opening. At least one of protective chest
and back portions include a cut-out region along the neck opening,
the cut-out regions being sized and shaped to removably receive a
respective front or back portion of a neck brace that extends
downwardly over an upper portion of the chest or back when worn by
the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting fit with the
front or back portion of the chest protector.
[0013] A further embodiment provides a protective chest portion
adapted to be attached over a chest of a user; a protective back
portion adapted to be attached over a back of the user, the chest
and back portions defining a neck opening; and a neck brace
including front and rear portions that extend downwardly over an
upper portion of the chest and back of the user. The protective
chest and back portions each include a channel sized and shaped to
removably receive respective front and back portions of a neck
brace that extend downwardly over an upper portion of the chest and
back when worn by the user such that the neck brace forms a nesting
fit with the front and back portions of the chest protector.
[0014] Still another embodiment of the present invention includes a
harness configured to be worn over clavicles or shoulders of a
user; a protective chest portion attached to a front portion of the
protective harness; a protective back portion attached to a rear
portion of the harness; and protective rib portions attached the
chest or back portions at a flexible joint. All previously
described features may also be included in this embodiment.
[0015] Methods of making and using each of the foregoing
embodiments is also provided by the invention.
[0016] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes some illustrative embodiments. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various
aspects, all without departing from the scope of invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention are described and
explained through the use of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0018] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a front view and back view,
respectively, of an exemplary chest protector in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector
shown in FIG. 1a-1b.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a neck brace suitable for use in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate front and rear views of the chest
protector of FIGS. 1-2 in combination with a neck brace.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector
and neck brace shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.
[0023] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a front view and back view,
respectively, of an exemplary chest protector in accordance with
other embodiments of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector
shown in FIGS. 6a-6b.
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate front and rear views of the chest
protector of FIGS. 6-7 in combination with a neck brace.
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the chest protector
and neck brace shown in FIGS. 8A-8B.
[0027] The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may
be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the
embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while the invention
is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however,
is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments
described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
scope of the invention as described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art
that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without
some of these specific details.
[0029] Various embodiments of the present invention generally
relate to personal protective gear, such as chest protectors. As
used herein, the term "chest protector" includes a device that when
worn covers a portion of a torso of a user (not shown), including a
front (anterior) and/or back (posterior) portion of the user. The
torso of the user generally includes the upper body (e.g., neck,
shoulders, chest, abdomen, upper back, and lower back. Though chest
protectors generally are worn on the torso, chest protectors
according to some embodiments also include extensions and/or other
features for protecting the groin, buttocks, thighs, and/or other
portions of users. In some uses, chest protectors are worn
underneath clothing (e.g., a jersey or enduro jacket) or on top of
clothing during motocross, or other high-speed motor sports to
protect a rider from injury.
[0030] In some embodiments, a chest protector is made with dense
foam that provides flexibility that facilitates movement of the
user through a desired range of motion. The chest protector
optionally includes hardened areas (e.g., portions formed of
durable polycarbonate, plastics, nylon, or other materials formed
by injection molding or other appropriate methodology) to protect
the rider from impacts with the ground, flying debris, other
riders, stationary objects (e.g., tree branches, barricades, rocks,
etc). Additionally or alternatively, various portions of the chest
protector are formed of dense foam. As subsequently described, in
some embodiment, the chest protector is adapted to have auxiliary
protection components added or removed from a base unit, the chest
protector defining an assembly formed of multiple pieces that
facilitate specialization for particular uses and/or according to
user preferences.
[0031] In some embodiments, the chest protector includes multiple
connection points that allow the user to add one or more removable
protective attachments, also described as auxiliary protection
components, to a base chest plate and/or protective harness, also
described as a base unit. Examples of removable protective
attachments include, but are not limited to, heart guard, neck
brace, shoulder pads, shoulder caps, front clavicle caps, back
clavicle caps, lower back pads, extended back sections, extended
rib sections, floating bicep protectors, lower back sections, and
others. In some cases, one or more of these protective attachments
may be more permanently affixed (i.e., not intended to be removed
by the user) to the base chest plate while others are intended to
be removable by the user. The chest guard may also include an
integrated back protection system and upper arm guards.
[0032] In some embodiments, the base chest plate is designed to
allow for integration with various styles of neck braces to limit
movement of the user's head. For example, some base chest plates
have a low-neck line that facilitates integration of the neck brace
into the base chest plate as a protective unit. In some
embodiments, the neckline of the base chest plate has a
complementary shape to the neck brace so that the base chest plate
and the neck brace fit together in a complementary fit. Examples of
low-neck lines include, but are not limited to V-shape necklines
and U-shape necklines, although other shapes are contemplated.
[0033] In some embodiments, the chest protector includes an upper
chest portion that is removed from or not included with the base
chest plate to create a low-neck line for receiving a removable
neck brace. When the neck brace is not being used, the user may
reattach the upper chest portion to the base chest plate for
additional protection. Examples of acceptable neck braces include
those available from Leatt Corporation, Inc., 26320 Diamond Place,
Suite 130, Santa Clarita, Calif., 91350, as well as those described
in United States Patent Publication 2007/0010771 to Leatt, entitled
"Neck Brace," (hereinafter referred to as "LEATT.RTM. neck
braces"), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for
all purposes.
[0034] In some embodiments, the neck brace is attached to the
protective device using hook and loop fasteners, such as
VELCRO.RTM.. In some embodiments, a loop strap with both sides made
of the loop material of the fastener is attached to the neck brace
or the protective device (e.g., on the harness or on a protective
attachment). The loop strap is positioned between two fastener
straps for a stronger connection than a single loop and single
fastener.
[0035] FIGS. 1a-1b illustrate a front view and back view,
respectively, of an exemplary chest protector 100 in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 1a-1b, chest protector 100 includes a protective
chest plate 110 and a protective back plate 120 that are attached
via a harness 130, a portion (also referred to as a yolk) of which
is adapted to extend over the shoulders/clavicle of a user. A strap
135 extends around the ribs of a user and attaches to the front 110
and back 120 plates. The harness 130 may include two separate
portions extending along either side of a user's
clavicles/shoulders, or it may be a loop extending around the front
and back as well as the clavicles/shoulders. The strap and harness
may be connected with one or more vertical straps.
[0036] The chest plate 110 in one embodiment includes an upper
chest portion 140 and a lower chest portion 142. The back plate 120
includes an upper back portion 144, a middle back portion 145, a
lower back portion 146 and a lower back extension 147. In one
embodiment, one or more of these chest and/or back portions are
removable. More particularly, the upper chest portion 142, upper
back portion 144 and/or the middle back portion 146 is removable.
As explained in further detail herein, removing these portions
provides the chest protector with a modified neckline that forms
channels for receiving portions of a neck brace optionally worn in
conjunction with the chest protector.
[0037] In addition to chest plate 110, back plate 120, the chest
protector 100 according to the illustrated embodiment includes
clavicle caps 150 160, shoulder caps 170, rib guards 180 and rib
extenders 190. As a matter of clarification, the clavicle caps 150,
160 and shoulder caps 170 shown in both the front and rear views of
FIGS. 1a-1b (and other Figures) illustrate the same components.
Overlap was shown to provide continuity between the views.
[0038] Some or all of the chest protector components referenced
herein may include an inner layer 195 (See FIG. 3) formed from a
flexible compressible material such as a dense foam, and an outer
layer formed from polycarbonate, nylon, and/or other plastics,
although a variety of materials are contemplated. The inner layer
may be continuous throughout the chest protector or segmented
corresponding to the various parts.
[0039] In accordance with various embodiments, one or more of the
harness 130 strap 135, upper chest portion 140, lower chest portion
142, upper back portion 144, middle back portion 145, lower back
portion 146, lower back extension 147, clavicle caps 150, 160,
shoulder caps 170, rib guards 180 and rib extenders 190 may either
be permanently attached (not meant for removal by the user) or
removably attached (meant for removal by the user) to the chest
protector 100. In one embodiment, each of the foregoing parts is
independently attachable and removable to provide a fully
convertible chest protector 100. In other embodiments, some but not
all of the components are removable.
[0040] The various components may be attached by a variety of
attachment means. The illustrated embodiments show a plurality of
attachment points 192 by which many parts are attached. Suitable
attachment points include screws, nuts and rivets, snaps, buttons,
press fit devices, press studs, poppers, buckles, zippers, clips,
latches, hooks, D-ring system, nuts and bolts, hook and loop
fasteners, straps, interference fit, and lock and key
configurations for example.
[0041] The decision of which fastener configuration to utilize for
a particular component depends on the manner in which the component
attaches to the chest protector. For example, rib guards 180
include a flexible joint connection 194 to the chest plate 110 to
allow the protector to wrap around the rib cage of a user. The
flexible joint connection may be achieved by having discrete outer
plates and an inner layer that is continuous across the chest and
rib portions. Alternatively, the flexible joint may be formed by
connecting the parts with a resilient flexible strap that is
secured, for example at one or more connection points 192 so that
the flexible joint 194 is removable. Rubber materials such as
various thermoplastic rubbers may be particularly suitable for form
joint connection 194. Nylon, polypropylene, polyester, leather,
elastics, and others may also be suitable. Similar joint
connections 194 may be formed between the shoulder caps 170 and the
clavicle caps 150, 160, rib guards 180 and rib extenders 190,
and/or between lower back portion 146 and back extension 147.
[0042] In one embodiment, the harness 130 and strap 135 may be
attached by one or more additional vertical straps, which may
extend along the front or back of the chest protector. This allows
for the chest protector to fit snugly to a user even if the lower
back portion 146 is removed, for example.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows a neck brace 300 that may be used in
conjunction with various embodiments of the chest protector 100
described above. Commercially available versions of such neck
braces are available from Troy Lee Designs (the "LEATT") and
AlpineStars, amongst others.
[0044] Although different versions of such neck braces 300 are
available, each have similar features including a front section
305, a rear section 310 and clavicle sections 315, 320 that connect
the front and rear sections 305, 310. In various versions, the
front section 305 further includes an upper flange 325 and a lower
flange 330. The rear portion includes an upper flange 335 and lower
extension 340. The clavicle sections 315, 320 each include a
support 338 in the illustrated embodiment.
[0045] An issue with conventional chest protectors is that the
neckline (i.e., the opening defined by the front, rear and clavicle
portions of the chest protector) is not designed to accommodate
such neck braces 300. For example, certain chest protectors push
the neck brace 300 upwardly via contact between neck brace and
chest protector, potentially reducing the comfort and/or
effectiveness of the brace. Even if the neck brace is properly
positioned, the chest protector then does not fit properly.
[0046] As further shown in FIGS. 4A-B and 5, the chest protector
100 of the present invention accommodates the neck brace 300. In
one embodiment, the neckline and surrounding regions of the chest
protector allows portions of the neck brace 300 to nest with
portions of the chest protector 100. In the illustrated examples,
the chest portion 110 and/or back portion 120 include a channel
410, 420 adapted to receive the front section 305 or rear section
310 of the neck brace.
[0047] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower flange
330 on the front section 305 of the neck brace nests in a channel
410 underneath upper front portion 140 while the upper flange 325
nests adjacent to or over upper front portion 140. In another
example, the lower extension 340 of the rear section 310 of the
neck brace 300 nests underneath the upper back portion 144 of chest
protector 100, while the upper flange 335 rests over or adjacent
the upper back portion 144. The channels have a complimentary shape
to the lower flange 330 or lower extension 340 to allow
nesting.
[0048] In the above embodiment, the channels 410, 420 include a
cavity corresponding generally to size and shape of the neck brace
portions shown in phantom into which the portions of the neck brace
nest. In another example, the channels 410, 420 may be provided on
an exterior surface of the chest and back portions. In a further
example, the channels 410, 420 may include sleeves into which the
neck brace portions reside. These sleeves may be formed between the
rigid portion of the chest and back portions and the corresponding
inner liner 195. Alternatively, a separate sleeve may be provided.
These embodiments may be particularly suitable for placement over a
racing jersey.
[0049] For the sake of consistency, FIGS. 4A and 4B have been
illustrated in the same form as FIGS. 1A-1B so that the shoulder
portions 170 and clavicle portions 150, 160 are visible. It will be
appreciated from FIG. 5 that the neck brace 300 actually rests on
the clavicle portions, when worn by a user.
[0050] In particular, the supports 338 of clavicle sections 315,
320 of the neck brace 300 are designed to rest on the
clavicles/shoulder of a user. Depending on the configuration of the
chest protection, the supports 338 may rest on top of the clavicle
caps 150, 160, and/or one or more of the clavicle caps 150, 160 can
be independently removed such that the supports 338 rest directly
on the harness 130 (or padding sections dispose on the harness
130). Removal only of clavicle caps 160 may be particularly
suitable depending on the neck brace configuration.
[0051] FIGS. 6A-6B and 7 show various views of a chest protector
600, in which the rigid plate sections of upper front portion 140
and upper back portion 144 have been removed or are otherwise
absent from the configuration. The inner liner 195 is still present
as illustrated, but could be removed if desired. The result is a
neckline having channels in the form of additional cut-out regions
610 and 612, into which the lower flange 330 and lower extension
340, respectively, of the neck brace may nest. The cut-out regions
610 may form the shapes of a "V," "U," half-circle, half-square, or
half-oval and a variety of other polygonal shapes, for example.
[0052] FIGS. 8A-8B and 9 show various views of the chest protector
600 in combination with the neck brace 300. In this embodiment, the
lower flange 330 nests substantially or entirely within the space
defined by cut-out region 610 such that there is no overlap or
reduced overlap with the lower chest portion 142. The lower
extension 340 nests substantially or entirely within the space
defined by cut-out region 612 such that there is no overlap or
reduced overlap with the middle back portion 145 or lower back
portion 146.
[0053] Due to the cut-out regions, the chest protector 600 may have
a lower thickness profile than other chest protectors and may be
comfortable worn under a jersey even when used in combination with
a neck brace.
[0054] Depending on the size and shape of the lower extension 140,
and the preference of the user, the middle back portion 145 may
also be removed to further alter the neckline.
[0055] Some embodiments include attachment points with fastening
means 810 (shown schematically in phantom in FIG. 4B) for securing
the neck brace 300 to the chest protector 100. Some suitable
fastening means include, but are not limited to, loop and fastener
straps, snaps, straps, buttons, screws, press fit devices, press
studs, poppers, buckles, zippers, clips, latches, hooks, D-ring
system, nuts and bolts, hook and loop fasteners, fasteners, straps,
and other mechanisms. Embodiments that include connections to the
neck brace may be particularly suitable if a harness 130 is not
desired. In this configuration, the strap 135 and the neck brace
300 support the chest protector 100.
[0056] In some embodiments, neck brace 300 is connected to the
chest protector 100 using hook and loop fasteners such as
VELCRO.RTM.. In some embodiments, a loop strap with both sides made
of the loop material of the fastener is attached to the neck brace
300 and/or the chest protector 100 (e.g., on the harness 130 or on
a protective attachment). The loop strap is optionally positioned
between two hook fastener straps making a stronger connection than
a single loop and single fastener would allow. Of course, other
hook and loop configurations are also encompassed by the present
invention.
[0057] Various modifications and additions can be made to the
exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described
above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention
also includes embodiments having different combinations of features
and embodiments that do not include all of the described features.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as
fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents
thereof.
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