U.S. patent application number 12/723464 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for chest protector including internal heat dispersion channels.
Invention is credited to Matthew Arndt, Thomas Hoke, David Perreault, Dmitry Rusakov.
Application Number | 20110219524 12/723464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44558494 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110219524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perreault; David ; et
al. |
September 15, 2011 |
CHEST PROTECTOR INCLUDING INTERNAL HEAT DISPERSION CHANNELS
Abstract
A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding inwardly
from a base section. The pads are arranged to rest against the body
of a wearer. Ventilation channels are located between neighboring
rows of padding to provide multiple paths for heat dispersion. The
rows of padding are able to flex relative to one another such that
the chest protector may conform to the body of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Perreault; David; (Laval,
CA) ; Rusakov; Dmitry; (Montreal, CA) ; Arndt;
Matthew; (Woodland Hills, CA) ; Hoke; Thomas;
(West Hills, CA) |
Family ID: |
44558494 |
Appl. No.: |
12/723464 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/463 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/1208 20130101;
A41D 13/0518 20130101; A63B 71/12 20130101; A41D 27/28
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/463 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/05 20060101
A41D013/05 |
Claims
1. A chest protector, comprising: a base section; a plurality of
rows of pads protruding inwardly from the base section, wherein the
rows of pads are spaced apart from one another by a plurality of
ventilation channels; and means for securing the base section to a
wearer such that the rows of inwardly protruding pads engage the
front torso of the wearer.
2. The chest protector of claim 1 further comprising a rear section
attached to an upper region of the base section, wherein the means
for securing comprises: at least one strap directly or indirectly
attached to the rear section; an attachment element attached to the
strap; and a receiving element directly or indirectly attached to a
side region of the base section.
3. The chest protector of claim 2 wherein the rear section is
directly or indirectly attached to a harness that supports the at
least one strap.
4. The chest protector of claim 3 wherein the harness includes at
least one opening through which the at least one strap passes.
5. The chest protector of claim 2 wherein the at least one strap
includes two ends each attached to an attachment element, and
wherein a corresponding receiving element is directly or indirectly
attached to each of two side regions of the base section.
6. The chest protector of claim 2 wherein the at least one strap is
made of an elastic, stretchable material.
7. The chest protector of claim 1 further comprising at least one
upper arm pad removably connected to the base section.
8. The chest protector of claim 1 wherein the base section includes
padded upper regions configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders
toward the back of the wearer.
9. A chest protector, comprising: an outwardly facing base section;
a plurality of rows of pads protruding inwardly from the base
section and arranged to engage the front torso of a wearer, wherein
the rows of pads are spaced apart from one another by a plurality
of heat dispersion channels; a rear section attached to an upper
region of the base section; at least one first fastening element
attached directly or indirectly to a side portion of the base
section; at least one second fastening element, configured to
engage the first fastening element, attached directly or indirectly
to the rear section.
10. The chest protector of claim 9 further comprising at least one
strap directly or indirectly attached to the rear section, wherein
the second fastening element is attached to the strap.
11. The chest protector of claim 10 further comprising a harness
directly or indirectly attached to the rear section, wherein the at
least one strap is supported by the harness.
12. The chest protector of claim 11 wherein the at least one strap
includes two ends each attached to a second fastening element, and
wherein a corresponding first fastening element is directly or
indirectly attached to each of two side portions of the base
section.
13. The chest protector of claim 10 wherein the at least one strap
is made of an elastic, stretchable material.
14. The chest protector of claim 9 further comprising at least one
upper arm pad removably connected to the base section.
15. The chest protector of claim 9 wherein the upper region of the
base section includes padding and extends over a wearer's shoulders
toward the back of the wearer.
16. A chest protector, comprising: a base section including upper
regions configured to rest on a wearer's shoulders; a plurality of
pads protruding inwardly from the base section and arranged to
engage the front torso of the wearer, wherein the pads are spaced
apart from one another by a plurality of ventilation channels; a
rear section connected to the upper regions of the base section and
configured to engage the rear torso of the wearer; at least one
strap directly or indirectly attached to the rear section; at least
one fastening element attached to the at least one strap; at least
one receiving element attached directly or indirectly to the base
section for receiving the at least one fastening element.
17. The chest protector of claim 16 further comprising a harness
directly or indirectly attached to the rear section, wherein the at
least one strap is supported by the harness.
18. The chest protector of claim 17 wherein the at least one strap
includes two ends each attached to a fastening element, and wherein
a corresponding receiving element is directly or indirectly
attached to each of two side regions of the base section.
19. The chest protector of claim 16 wherein the at least one strap
is made of an elastic, stretchable material.
20. The chest protector of claim 16 further comprising at least one
upper arm pad removably connected to the base section.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Chest protectors, such as those worn by baseball catchers,
traditionally have external padding for absorbing impact from
pitched balls, opposing players, and so forth. The chest protectors
are typically made from a relatively flexible material into which
the padding is sewn. The padding often is in the form of a series
of blocks arranged in rows. The padding is typically secured to a
relatively flat, flexible base, which rests against the torso of
the wearer. The padding may extend over the shoulders of the wearer
to offer additional protection. Straps are commonly included on the
chest protector for securing it around the sides and back of the
wearer.
[0002] While many existing chest protectors have been effective at
protecting wearers from impact-related injuries, they typically are
not well ventilated. As a result, when chest protectors are worn in
very warm or humid conditions, such as during summer baseball games
played in warm climates, wearers often are uncomfortable and can
become overheated.
SUMMARY
[0003] A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding
inwardly from a base section. The pads are arranged to rest against
the body of a wearer. Ventilation channels are located between
neighboring rows of padding to provide multiple paths for heat
dispersion. The rows of padding are able to flex relative to one
another such that the chest protector may conform to the body of
the wearer. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter.
The features described above can be used separately or together, or
in various combinations of one or more of them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates
the same element throughout the views:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front-perspective view of a chest protector,
according to one embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a rear-perspective view of the chest protector
shown in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of Section A-A of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described.
The following description provides specific details for a thorough
understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One
skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may
be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some
well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in
detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant
description of the various embodiments.
[0009] The terminology used in the description presented below is
intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even
though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description
of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may
even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be
interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and
specifically defined as such in this detailed description
section.
[0010] Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also
include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless
the word "or" is expressly limited to mean only a single item
exclusive from the other items in a list of two or more items, then
the use of "or" in such a list is to be interpreted as including
(a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list,
or (c) any combination of items in the list.
[0011] Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, in one embodiment, a chest protector 10 includes a
forward-facing base section 12. The base section 12 preferably is
made of a flexible material, such as nylon or another suitable
material. A plurality of inwardly protruding pads 16 are attached
to the base section 12. The pads 16 may optionally protrude forward
from the base section 12, as well. The pads 16 are preferably
covered by a flexible material, such as nylon or another suitable
material. The pads may be made of a foam material, such as "memory
foam," or of any other material suitable for absorbing impact and
protecting the wearer.
[0012] The rearward-facing pads 16 are preferably aligned in rows,
which are spaced apart from one another by heat dispersion or
ventilation channels 18. The relative spacing of the rows allows
pads in neighboring rows to flex relative to one another. As used
herein, the term "row" may refer to a linear series of pads 16, or
to a curved or non-linear series of pads 16. When worn as intended,
the pads 16 engage or rest against the front torso of the wearer.
Accordingly, when the wearer moves or bends, the rows of pads 16
can flex to accommodate the wearer's movements.
[0013] The base section 12 optionally includes padded upper regions
24 configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders toward the back
of the wearer. The upper regions 24 are preferably sewn or
otherwise fixedly attached to a rear or back section 26 that
engages the rear torso of the wearer when the chest protector 10 is
worn as intended. The back section 26 optionally includes padding
for providing additional comfort to the wearer.
[0014] The back section 26 preferably is attached, directly or
indirectly, to one or more adjustable straps 28, or other suitable
connectors, having attachment elements 30 at their free or distal
ends. In one embodiment, the back section 26 is attached, directly
or indirectly (e.g., via an adjustable strap 25), to a harness 27
that supports the one or more adjustable straps 28. The harness 27,
for example, may include openings through which the one or more
adjustable straps 28 pass, as shown in FIG. 1. The adjustable
straps 28 are optionally made of an elastic material, such as nylon
or spandex, such that they are stretchable under loading conditions
and able to return to their original lengths when the load is
removed.
[0015] One or more receiving elements 32 are preferably attached,
directly or indirectly (e.g., via straps), to lower side regions of
the chest protector, for receiving the attachment elements 30.
Alternatively, the attachment elements 30 may be attached to the
lower side regions of the chest protector and the receiving
elements 32 may be attached to the adjustable straps 28. A wearer
may don the chest protector 10 by pulling it over his or her head,
such that the upper regions 24 rest on the wearer's shoulders and
the back section 26 rests against the back of the wearer. The
wearer may then insert the attachment elements 30 into the
corresponding receiving elements 32. If necessary, the wearer (or
another person) may tighten or loosen the adjustable straps 28 to
provide a proper, secure fit. Any other suitable connecting
mechanisms or fastening elements may of course be used to secure
the chest protector 10 to the wearer.
[0016] When the adjustable straps 28 are adequately tightened, the
flexible rows of pads 16 conform well to the front and sides of a
wearer's torso, while providing heat dispersion channels between
the neighboring rows. In a conventional chest protector,
conversely, a relatively flat base pad rests against the wearer's
body but does not conform particularly well to the wearer's torso
and does not provide heat dispersion channels along the wearer's
torso. Thus, the chest protector 10 described herein better allows
for heat dispersion from a wearer's body, which allows the wearer
to remain cooler in warm playing conditions.
[0017] Additional padding may optionally be permanently or
removably attached to the chest protector 10. Shoulder pads or
upper arm pads, for example, may be removably attached to upper
regions of the base section 12 via hook and loop fastening material
or via any other suitable connectors. Including removable pads
provides a catcher with the option to remove, for example, a pad
that would otherwise protect the catcher's throwing shoulder, thus
providing increased freedom of movement when throwing a ball.
Alternatively, a catcher could remove a pad that would otherwise
protect the catcher's non-throwing shoulder, thus providing
increased freedom of movement when reaching for a pitched, batted,
or thrown ball. Other additional pads may optionally be included to
protect various regions of the wearer's body.
[0018] Chest protectors having inwardly protruding padding for
engaging a wearer's body and providing heat dispersion channels, as
described herein, may be used in many applications. For example,
such a protector could be used as a catcher's chest protector, an
umpire's chest protectors, a lacrosse player's chest protector, a
motocross rider's chest protector, and so forth. For some
applications, additional padding may be added to the back or the
sides of the protector to provide additional protection.
[0019] Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or
in combination with one another. Furthermore, the chest protector
may include additional features not described herein. While several
embodiments have been shown and described, various changes and
substitutions may of course be made, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should
not be limited, except by the following claims and their
equivalents.
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