U.S. patent application number 14/196385 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for football shoulder pads.
The applicant listed for this patent is Scott Williams. Invention is credited to Scott Williams.
Application Number | 20140245528 14/196385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51420125 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140245528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Scott |
September 4, 2014 |
Football Shoulder Pads
Abstract
Football shoulder pads having non-elastic underarm straps for
securing the front panels to the back panels, each underarm strap
being affixed on the interior side of the front panels using low
profile securing members, passing through a ring member on the back
panel, and then brought forward and secured to itself using a
hook-and-loop fastening system.
Inventors: |
Williams; Scott;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Williams; Scott |
Jacksonville |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51420125 |
Appl. No.: |
14/196385 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61772157 |
Mar 4, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0568 20130101;
A63B 71/12 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A41D 13/0153
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/461 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/12 20060101
A63B071/12 |
Claims
1. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a
right shell member, each comprising a front panel and a back panel,
a left side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said
front panel and said back panel of said left shell member, and a
right side releasable, non-elastic strap member connecting said
front panel and said back panel of said right shell member; said
left side strap member having a free end and a fixed end joined to
the interior side of said left side front panel with a low profile
fastener, and said right side strap member having a free end and a
fixed end joined to the interior side of said right side front
panel with a low profile fastener; a left side ring member joined
to the interior side of said back panel of said left shell member
with a low profile fastener and sized to receive said left side
strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member joined to
the interior side of said back panel of said right shell member
with a low profile fastener and sized to receive said right side
strap member therethrough, each said strap member comprising a
hook-and-loop type fastening system comprising a first and second
component, wherein said first component and said second component
are affixed to the same side of said strap member, whereby with
said strap members inserted through said ring members and with said
free ends of said strap members brought toward said fixed ends of
said strap members so as to bring said front panels and said back
panels towards each other, said first and second components are
brought into contact to secure said strap members.
2. The pad of claim 1, wherein said low profile fasteners comprise
rivets.
3. The pad of claim 1, wherein said ring members are joined to said
back panels by ring member straps.
4. The pad of claim 1, further comprising a neoprene layer affixed
to said strap members opposite said first and second
components.
5. The pad of claim 1, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said
football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners.
6. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a
right shell member, each comprising a front panel and a back panel,
said front panels and said back panels having interior sides and
exterior sides; pad members disposed on said interior sides of said
front panels and said back panels; a left side releasable,
non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back
panel of said left shell member, and a right side releasable,
non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back
panel of said right shell member; said left side strap member
having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of
said left side front panel with a low profile fastener such that
said left side fixed end is positioned between said left side front
panel and one of said pad members, and said right side strap member
having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of
said right side front panel with a low profile fastener such that
said right side fixed end is positioned between said right side
front panel and one of said pad members; a left side ring member
retained by a left side ring member strap joined to said interior
side of said back panel of said left shell member with a low
profile fastener such that said left side ring member strap is
positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad
members, said left side ring member sized to receive said left side
strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member retained by
a right side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said
back panel of said right shell member with a low profile fastener
such that said right side ring member strap is positioned between
said right side front panel and one of said pad members, said right
side ring member sized to receive said right side strap member
therethrough, each said strap member comprising a hook-and-loop
type fastening system comprising a first and second component,
wherein said first component and said second component are affixed
to the same side of said strap member, whereby with said strap
members inserted through said ring members and with said free ends
of said strap members brought toward said fixed ends of said strap
members so as to bring said front panels and said back panels
towards each other, said first and second components are brought
into contact to secure said strap members.
7. The pad of claim 6, wherein said low profile fasteners comprise
rivets.
8. The pad of claim 6, further comprising a neoprene layer affixed
to said strap members opposite from said first and second
components.
9. The pad of claim 6, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said
football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners.
10. A football shoulder pad comprising: a left shell member and a
right shell member, each comprising a front panel joined to a back
panel, said front panels and said back panels having interior sides
and exterior sides; pad members disposed on said interior sides of
said front panels and said back panels; a left side releasable,
non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back
panel of said left shell member, and a right side releasable,
non-elastic strap member connecting said front panel and said back
panel of said right shell member; said left side strap member
having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of
said left side front panel with a low profile fastener such that
said left side fixed end is positioned between said left side front
panel and one of said pad members, and said right side strap member
having a free end and a fixed end joined to said interior side of
said right side front panel with a low profile fastener such that
said right side fixed end is positioned between said right side
front panel and one of said pad members; a left side ring member
retained by a left side ring member strap joined to said interior
side of said back panel of said left shell member with a low
profile fastener such that said left side ring member strap is
positioned between said left side front panel and one of said pad
members, said left side ring member sized to receive said left side
strap member therethrough, and a right side ring member retained by
a right side ring member strap joined to said interior side of said
back panel of said right shell member with a low profile fastener
such that said right side ring member strap is positioned between
said right side front panel and one of said pad members, said right
side ring member sized to receive said right side strap member
therethrough, each said strap member comprising a hook-and-loop
type fastening system comprising a first and second component,
wherein said first component and said second component are affixed
to the same side of said strap member, said first component being
affixed adjacent said fixed ends of said strap members and said
second component being affixed adjacent said free ends of said
strap members, whereby with said strap members inserted through
said ring members and with said free ends of said strap members
brought toward said fixed ends of said strap members so as to bring
said front panels and said back panels towards each other, said
first and second components are brought into contact to secure said
strap members.
11. The pad of claim 10, wherein said low profile fasteners
comprise rivets.
12. The pad of claim 10, further comprising a neoprene layer
affixed to said strap members opposite from said first and second
components.
13. The pad of claim 6, wherein all fasteners incorporated in said
football shoulder pads are low profile fasteners.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/772,157, filed Mar. 4, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of protective
shoulder pads, such as for example shoulder pads worn in football
or other athletic activities, and more particularly relates to an
improved underarm strapping system for such shoulder pads.
[0003] Protective shoulder pads for use in football and other
athletic activities involving contact between players are well
known. Modern shoulder pads typically comprise a relatively rigid
and durable plastic shell assembly comprising right and left shell
members in combination with cupped shoulder plates, and a
cushioning system composed of multiple padded bodies positioned
between the wearer and various components of the shell assembly.
The right and left shell members each typically comprise a
generally U-shaped shell member having a front panel and back panel
with a bridging portion connecting the two panels, and are adapted
to extend from the front torso or breast area, across the shoulder
and down the back torso over the shoulder blades. The right and
left shell members are joined laterally across the front and back
of the wearer by lateral joining members such as for example laces,
flexible panels or the like, the combination thereby defining a
head and neck opening.
[0004] In addition, on each of the left and right shell members,
the lower portions of the front and back panels are joined under
the arms by releasable straps, webbing or similar members in a
manner that allows the user to tighten and secure the shoulder pads
to the body. The known shoulder pads utilize elastic or non-elastic
underarm straps, which are typically affixed to the front panels
using buckles, rings or similar structural members of various
design mounted on the exterior of the front panel. In modern
football, and especially for certain positions, the trend is to
provide the athletes with relatively tight or form-fitting jerseys,
some fabrics even having some elastic properties, in order to
minimize the ability of opposing players to grasp the jersey to
slow or control the other player. The presence of buckles, rings or
other structural members extending from the front panel presents
two problems--the first being that the buckles, rings, etc. provide
a protruding body or "handhold" that opposing players can push
against to control the wearer during blocking in a manner similar
to grasping the jersey of the opposing player, and the second being
that the protruding body or handhold typically results in tearing
of the tight jerseys after only one game, thereby dramatically
shortening their useful life and increasing equipment costs.
[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide football or
similar athletic shoulder pads with an improved underarm strapping
system wherein the front and back panels are joined in an
adjustable manner, and wherein the underarm straps are secured to
the interior of the front panels by strap securing members
possessing a low exterior profile, i.e., without relatively large
buckles, rings or other securing devices that extend outwardly from
the front panel, such that a relatively flat surface having no
physical construct or body of adequate dimension is presented on
the front panels to preclude an opposing player from gaining
purchase against the wearer, and further such that the life of the
jerseys are extended.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In general the embodiments of the invention are football (or
other sport) shoulder pads comprising an assembly of laterally
connected right and left plastic shell members, each shell member
comprising a front panel and a back panel, and a cushioning system
comprising a plurality of padded bodies, the cushioning system
being positioned internally to the plastic shell members. The lower
portion of each front panel is joined to the lower portion of its
corresponding rear panel on each side of the wearer's torso by a
releasable, adjustable underarm strapping assembly comprising a
non-elastic flat belt or strap member permanently secured to the
interior side of the front panel using low profile securing
members, preferably rivets. The strap member extends to the rear
and passes through a rectangular or D-ring or loop member mounted
to the interior of the rear panel with low profile securing
members, preferably rivets. In this manner the rivets present no
relatively large physical body on the exterior of the front and
back panels, such that opposing players are not presented within
any handhold or construct on which to gain purchase or leverage,
and such that the jerseys are not subject to excessive wear and
tear from the mechanical fasteners. Other mechanical mechanisms, as
well as bonding or stitching, may also be utilized for the strap
securing members provided that the strap securing members possess a
low external profile such that they do not extend outwardly from
the front and back panels to any great degree. The free end portion
of the strap member is brought forward to tighten and secure the
shoulder plays on the player. The strap member is provided with a
hook-and-loop fastening system, such as sold under the brand
VELCRO.RTM., one member of the hook-and-loop fastening system being
attached to the exterior of the portion of the strap member
extending from the fixed end of the strap member toward to the
mid-portion of the strap and the other member of the hook-and-loop
fastening system being attached to the same side of the strap
member from the mid-portion toward the free end portion. Thus, to
tighten and secure the shoulder pads on the wearer, the free end
portion of the strap member is pulled forward through the rear
panel ring member to draw the front and rear panels together on the
body and the free end portion of the strap member is affixed to the
fixed portion of the strap member by the hook-and-loop fastening
system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is front view of an embodiment of the shoulder pads
showing the laterally joined front panels and non-secured strap
members.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of a back panel showing the
ring member attached to the interior side of the back panel using
low profile fasteners and the strap member passing through the loop
member.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of a front panel showing the
strap member attached to interior side of the front panel using low
profile fasteners and the free end of the strap member secured to
the fixed end of the strap member.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial view of the interior of a strap
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] As shown in the drawings, an embodiment of the invention
comprises a football (or other sport) shoulder pad 10 comprising an
assembly of laterally connected right and left plastic shell
members 11/12, each shell member 11/12 comprising a front panel 13
and a back panel 14, and a cushioning system comprising a plurality
of padded bodies or members 16, the cushioning system being
positioned internally to the plastic shell members 11/12. The
plastic shell members 11/12 are thin in cross-section, having an
interior side and an exterior side, and are formed of a relatively
hard, rigid and durable plastic. The shell members 11/12 are each
formed as a unitary, generally U-shaped member that extends across
one shoulder of the wearer. The front panels 13 are connected to
each other and the back panels 14 are connected to each other by
flexible lateral joining members 15 in known manner. Plastic
shoulder cups or plates 17 are secured to the upper bridging
portion of each shell member 11/12 in known manner.
[0012] The lower portion of each front panel 13 is joined to the
lower portion of its corresponding rear panel 14, i.e., left front
panel 13 to left rear panel 14 and right front panel 13 to right
rear panel 14, by an adjustable underarm strapping assembly
comprising a non-elastic flat belt or strap member 20 comprising a
fixed end 21 permanently affixed to the interior side of the front
panel 13, between the front panel 13 and its corresponding pad
member 16, using low profile securing members or fasteners 30,
preferably rivets. The term "low profile" as used herein defines a
fastener mechanism that projects only a small amount above the
exterior surface of the panel 13/14 to which it is affixed, such as
preferably less than one quarter inch, and which preferably has a
smooth, low-friction surface with a rounded or flat configuration
having no significant protrusions, corners, extensions, etc. The
strap member 20 is preferably composed of a highly flexible
Biothane material which is highly resistant to tear and does not
absorb bacteria. The strap member 20 extends to the rear of the
shoulder pads 10, i.e., is adapted to extend around either the left
or right side of the wearer's torso, and the free end 22 of the
strap member 20 passes through a rectangular ring or loop member 31
mounted to the interior of the rear panel 14, between the back
panel 14 and its corresponding pad member 16, with low profile
fasteners 30 such as rivets, preferably utilizing a ring member
strap 32. In this manner the fasteners 30 present no relatively
large physical construct or handhold on the exterior of the front
and back panels 13/14 that can be used advantageously by opposing
players or which will more readily damage the wearer's jersey.
Other fastening mechanisms such as bonding or stitching may also be
utilized to attach the strap members 20 provided that the strap
fastener members 30 possess a low external profile and do not
extend outwardly from the front and back panels 13/14 to any great
degree. The free end 22 of the strap member is able to be brought
forward to tighten the shell members 11/12 on the wearer's
body.
[0013] The strap member 20 is provided with a hook-and-loop
fastening system, such as sold under the brand VELCRO.RTM., a first
component 23 of the hook-and-loop fastening system (either the hook
or the loop component) being attached along the exterior of the
portion of the strap member 20 extending from the fixed end 21
toward the rear panel ring member 31, i.e., the first half of the
strap 20 adjacent the fixed end 21 and up to the midpoint, and the
second component 24 of the hook-and-loop fastening system being
attached along the same side of the strap member 20 between the
rear panel ring member 31 and the free end portion, i.e., the
second half of the strap 20 adjacent the free end 22. In this
manner the strap member 20 can be secured to itself by folding the
strap member 20 such that the first and second components 23/24 of
the hook-and-loop fastening system are brought together. It is
preferable that the hook-and-loop fastening system comprise a
component having low profile, double hook members, as this design
provides superior retention and longevity. Preferably the strap
member 20 is also provided with a cushioning or padding layer 25 on
the interior side opposite to the hook-and-loop fastening system
for added comfort and protection to the wearer, the cushioning
layer 25 preferably comprising a neoprene material.
[0014] For optimum effectiveness of the multiple purposes for this
shoulder pad design, in addition to the low profile fasteners 30
used to secure the strap members 20, all fasteners used to connect
the various components of shoulder pad assembly which are disposed
on the exterior surfaces of the shell members 11/12, the shoulder
plates 17 or any other exposed component are low profile fasters 30
as well, i.e., no buckles, inserts, latches, etc. are present on
the shoulder pad assembly 10. In this manner, no protuberances,
extensions, corners, etc. are present which may result in tearing
of the jersey or providing purchase handholds for opposing
players.
[0015] To tighten and secure the shoulder pad 10 on the wearer, the
wearer places the shoulder pads 10 onto the shoulders with the head
and neck extending between the left and right shell members 11/12
and the arms extending outwardly between the back and front panels
14/13. The free end 22 portion of each strap member 20 is grasped
by the wearer and pulled through the rear panel ring member 31
toward the front to draw the front and back panels 13/14 of each
shell member 11/12 together. The second half free end portion of
the strap member 20 is then affixed to the first half fixed portion
of the strap member 20 by the hook-and-loop fastening system such
that the rear and front panels 13/14 remain connected by the strap
member 20 until the hook-and-loop fastening system is released.
[0016] It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for
certain elements set forth above may be obvious to one of ordinary
skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of
the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *