U.S. patent application number 13/834299 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for interlocking impact protection system for contact sports.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nike, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, INC.. Invention is credited to Nathan Demarest.
Application Number | 20140259327 13/834299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51520430 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140259327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Demarest; Nathan |
September 18, 2014 |
Interlocking Impact Protection System For Contact Sports
Abstract
Interlocking protective devices may comprise components that are
joined by interlocking edge connections formed by mating
interlocking edges of individual components. Components may be made
of impact resistant materials that are semi-rigid. Interlocking
edge connections may provide a degree of flexibility for the
protective device while mechanically and/or frictionally retaining
components together.
Inventors: |
Demarest; Nathan; (Portland,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, INC. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nike, Inc.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
51520430 |
Appl. No.: |
13/834299 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/455 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/02 20130101;
A63B 71/1225 20130101; A63B 2243/007 20130101; A41D 13/005
20130101; A63B 2071/1241 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/455 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. An interlocking protective device to protect a portion of a
wearer's anatomy, the interlocking protective structure comprising:
a first component that extends in three dimensions to conform to a
first sub-portion of the portion of the wearer's anatomy, the first
component having at least a first interlocking edge having a first
configuration; and a second component that extends in three
dimensions to conform to a second sub-portion of the portion of the
wearer's anatomy, the second component having at least a second
interlocking edge having a second configuration, the second
configuration interlocking with the first configuration to form an
interlocking edge connection to retain the second component to the
first component, such that the first component and the second
component conform to the first sub-portion and the second
sub-portion of the portion of the wearer's anatomy when the
interlocking protective device is worn.
2. The interlocking protective device of claim 1, wherein the first
interlocking edge comprises a first plurality of tabs and notches
and the second interlocking edge comprises a second plurality of
tabs and notches that mate with the first plurality of tabs and
notches.
3. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, further
comprising a third component that extends in three diminesions to
conform to a third sub-portion of the wearer's anatomy, and
wherein: the second component further comprises a third
interlocking edge having a third plurality of tabs and notches, and
the third component has a fourth interlocking edge having a fourth
plurality of tabs and notches that mate with the third plurality of
tabs and notches of the third interlocking edge to form a second
interlocking edge connection.
4. The interlocking protective device of claim 3, wherein the first
interlocking edge, second interlocking edge, third interlocking
edge, and fourth interlocking edge extend in a substantially
vertical direction in an as worn position.
5. The interlocking protective device of claim 3, wherein the first
interlocking edge, second interlocking edge, third interlocking
edge, and fourth interlocking edge extend in a substantially
horizontal direction.
6. The interlocking protective device of claim 1, further
comprising a third component with a third interlocking edge having
a third configuration having a third configuration, and wherein the
second component has at least a fourth interlocking edge having a
fourth configuration, the third configuration interlocking with the
fourth configuration to form an interlocking edge connection to
retain the third component to the second component, such that the
third component is retained in a position forming a gap between the
third component and the first component.
7. The interlocking protective device of claim 1, wherein the first
interlocking edge comprises a first hinge component and the second
interlocking edge comprises a second hinge component adapted to
mate with the first hinge component, the protective device further
comprising a pin that flexibly joins the first hinge component to
the second hinge component.
8. The interlocking protective device of claim 1, wherein the first
interlocking edge comprises at least a first a ball and the second
interlocking edge comprises at least a first socket that mates with
the at least a first ball.
9. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the first
component and the second component are made of a copolyester.
10. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first component and the second component are made of a nylon.
11. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first component and the second component are made of acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene.
12. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first component and the second component are made of
polypropylene.
13. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first component and the second component are made of moldable
carbon fibers.
14. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first interlocking edge and the second interlocking edge are formed
by cutting the first component and the second component from an
integrally formed piece having the size, shape, and configuration
of the intended assembled interlocking protective device.
15. The interlocking protective device of claim 14, wherein the
integrally formed piece is formed by molding.
16. The interlocking protective device of claim 14, wherein the
integrally formed piece is formed by an additive manufacturing
process.
17. The interlocking protective device of claim 2, wherein the
first component and the second component are formed separately.
18. A protective device comprising: at least two components, each
of the components configured in three dimensions to conform to a
sub-portion of a wearer's anatomy, each of the components having at
least one interlocking edge; at least one interlocking edge
connection formed by mating two interlocking edges from two
different components of the at least two components, such that the
at least two components joined by the at least one interlocking
edge form the protective device such that the protective device
conforms to a portion of the wearer's anatomy when worn.
19. The protective device of claim 18, wherein the two interlocking
edges forming each of the interlocking edge connections mate in two
dimensions.
20. The protective device of claim 18, wherein the two interlocking
edges forming each of the interlocking edge connections mate in
three dimensions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to athletic safety and injury
prevention. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
impact protection device to be worn by an athlete participating in
a contact sport, such as American football.
SUMMARY
[0003] Many sports, such as American football, inherently involve
physical contact between players, with the ground, and/or with
equipment. Numerous efforts have been made to prevent or at least
reduce the occurrence of injuries to players as a result of such
contact. Protective equipment such as helmets, shoulder pads, and
pads have been used for protecting portions of the body of
athletes. Such protective equipment has often been constructed, at
least in part, of a compressible material such as foam. These types
of equipment have decreased, but not completely eliminated,
injuries occurring due to playing and/or practicing contact sports
such as American football.
[0004] The use of protective equipment has been mandated by various
organizations that promulgate the rules of contact sports for
participants. Often, the very athletes at risk for injury resist
the use of additional protective equipment, whether mandated or
voluntary. While every individual athlete may have his or her own
reason for eschewing required or suggested protective gear, common
explanations are complaints that the protective gear is
uncomfortable, restricts motion, distracts the athlete, or
otherwise negatively impacts the athlete's performance.
Accordingly, athletes participating in contact sports with a risk
of injury may benefit from improved protective gear that protects
the athlete from injury with minimal or no negative impact on the
athlete's performance. Such protective gear should be comfortable
and permit a full range of movement by the wearer, while still
providing sufficient protection from impacts that may typically
occur during participation in the sport.
[0005] A protective device in accordance with the present invention
provides improved impact protection for athletes participating in
contact sports such as American football, soccer (world football),
hockey, lacrosse, or any other contact sport permitting
participants to wear protective gear. A protective device in
accordance with the present invention may be particularly suitable
for protecting large muscle areas of the wearer from impact, but
may be used to protect other portions of a wearer's anatomy without
the party from the scope of the present invention. One example of a
large muscle area that may be protected using a device in
accordance with the present invention are the thighs of an American
football player.
[0006] Protective devices in accordance with the present invention
may comprise at least two interlocking components that join along
interlocking edge(s). Each component may be shaped in three
dimensions to conform to a sub-portion of the anatomy of the wearer
to be protected, such that when the components are interlocked the
protective device conforms to the portion of the anatomy to be
protected when worn. Components of a protective device may be
fabricated from semi-rigid, impact resistant materials. Examples of
suitable materials may be various nylons, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS), polypropylene, copolyesters, moldable carbon fibers,
plastics, composites, rubbers, nylons, elastomers, and the like.
Interlocking edges of components may mechanically and/or
frictionally retaining the components together along the
interlocking edge(s) while still permitting a degree of flex or
movement along the interlocking edge(s). Interlocking edges may
provide a plurality of tabs and notches that mate with
corresponding notches and tabs of an interlocking edge of an
adjacent component. A protective device may comprise any number of
components and any number of interlocking edges.
DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected examples.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a football player that may wear a
protective device in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an example of a protective device in
accordance with the present invention formed by interlocking
components;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a further example of a protective device
in accordance with the present invention formed by interlocking
components;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of interlocking edges that may
be used for components of a protective device in accordance with
the present invention; and
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a further example of interlocking
edges that may be used for components of a protective device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a further example of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates yet a further example of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate yet a further example of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates yet a further example of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, an athlete 100 wearing protective
gear is illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the athlete
100 is an American football player, but athletes participating in
any other contact sport may likewise benefit from protective
devices in accordance with the present invention. Player 100 is
shown wearing a helmet 110 and shoulder pads 120 beneath a jersey
102. In the example shown in FIG. 1, player 100 is also wearing
chest protection 130, which may comprise a flak jacket or similar
item, and abdominal protection 140 beneath jersey 102. Player is
further illustrated wearing a right elbow pad 150 and a left elbow
pad 152. Player 100 is also wearing a right thigh pad 160 and a
left thigh pad 162 and a right knee pad 170 and a left knee pad 172
beneath pants 104. Pants 104 may have pockets (not shown) on either
the outside or, more typically, the inside to retain pads such as
thigh pads 160, 162 and knee pads 170, 172. Player 100 is further
shown wearing shoes 108 and socks 106. While not currently typical
in American football, socks 106 may retain additional pads such as
a shin pad (not shown) as more commonly occurs for soccer.
[0018] While the example shown in FIG. 1 depicts an American
football player 100 wearing specific examples of protective
devices, the present invention is not limited to American football
or the protective devices illustrated in the present example.
Subsequent examples described below provide effective devices that
may be used as thigh pads 160, 162, but protective devices in
accordance with the present mention may be used in conjunction with
other types of protection provided in the example shown in FIG. 1
or to protect portions of the wearer's anatomy other than those
shown in the example of FIG. 1.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, an example of a protective
device 200 formed from interlocking components in accordance with
the present invention is illustrated. A protective device 200 may
comprise a first component 210 and a second component 220 joined
along an interlocking edge connection 230. Protective device 200
may have a thickness 214 that may be constant or may vary at
different locations on protective device 200. Protective device 200
may have a three-dimensional shape when component 210 and a second
component 220 are assembled along interlocking edge connection 230.
The three-dimensional shape of protective device 200 may be
determined by the portion of a wearer's anatomy to be protected by
protective device 200. The three dimensional shape of protective
device 200 may comprise a complex curve in three dimensions to
conform to the portion of the wearer's anatomy to be protected by
protective device 200. The first component 210 may conform to a
sub-portion of the anatomy to be protected by protective device
200, and the second component 220 may conform to a second
sub-portion of the anatomy to be protected by protective device
200. For example, first component 210 may conform to a medial
portion of a thigh 290 while second component 220 may conform to a
lateral portion of a thigh 290. The dimensions of the assembled
protective device 200 and any and all components (such as first
component 210 and second component 220) may also vary based upon
the type of material used, the portion of a wearer's anatomy to be
protected when the device is worn, the sport for which the
protective device is to be used, the gender/size/position played by
the athlete wearing the device, the types of impacts intended to be
protected against, etc. In the example of a protective device 200
intended to be worn by an adult male American football player to
protect his thigh, appropriate dimensions for an assembled
protective device in accordance with the present invention may be
between approximately 15 and 20 centimeters from top to bottom in
an as worn position, between approximately 10 and 22 centimeters
from side to side in an as worn position, and up to several
millimeters in thickness. Other dimensions may be used for devices
to protect different body parts, and the thickness of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention may vary from about
1 to 3 millimeters for some material selections and uses to a
centimeter or more for other materials (such as layers involving
compressible materials) and uses. As shown in the examples of FIGS.
2A-2C, protective device 200 has a concave side 270 and a convex
side 280. In the example of a thigh pad as illustrated in the
example of FIGS. 2A-2C, concave side 270 may partially enclose the
thigh of a wearer, either directly or indirectly. Protective device
200 may be retained in position to protect the desired anatomical
portion of a wearer using garments, sleeves, tape, adhesives,
straps, or any other mechanism. In the present example, may
comprise a thigh pad retained within a pocket of pants 104 to be
retained over a thigh 290 of a wearer.
[0020] Various materials may be used to form first component 210,
second component 220, and any additional components used to form an
interlocking protective device in accordance with the present
invention. Different sports, athletes, and/or portions of a
wearer's anatomy may require different physical properties for a
protective device in order to protect against the impacts likely to
be encountered by the wearer. Examples of suitable materials are
various nylons, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
polypropylene, copolyesters, moldable carbon fibers, plastics,
rubbers, composites, and the like.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, a further example of a protective
device 300 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.
The example protective device 300 comprises a first component 310,
a second component 320, and a third component 330. A first
interlocking edge connection 340 may join first component 310 to
second component 220, while a second interlocking edge connection
350 may join second component 320 to third component 330. In this
example, protective device 300 possesses a top terminal edge 391
and a bottom terminal edge 392 comprised of a portion of each of
first component 310, second component 320, and third component 330.
The other hand, protective device 300 possesses a first side edge
393 comprised entirely of first component 310 and a second side
edge 394 comprised entirely of third component 330. In this
example, protective device may have a height 301 and a width 302
conforming to the anatomical portion to be protected when the
device 300 is worn, while device may have a thickness 303 selected
based upon the material(s) used and the types of impacts
anticipated while the device 300 is worn.
[0022] While the examples depicted herein show interlocking edge
connections that extend in a substantially vertical fashion, other
types of interlocking edge connections may be utilized for
protective devices in accordance with the present invention. For
example, interlocking edge connections may extend substantially
horizontally, diagonally, or in an irregular fashion. Further,
different orientations of interlocking edge connections may be used
to join different components of a single protective device in
accordance with the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 4, an
example of a protective device 400 comprised of a first component
410 in a second component 420 is shown with the first component 410
and second component 420 not interlocked to form an interlocking
edge connection. Interlocking edge 431 of first component 410 may
comprise a plurality of tabs 412 and a plurality of notches 413
that mate with a plurality of tabs 422 and a plurality of notches
423 that comprise interlocking edge 432 of second component 420.
The mating of the first interlocking edge 431 of the first
component 410 with the second interlocking edge 432 of the second
component 420 may form an interlocking edge connection when
protective device 400 is assembled.
[0023] Protective device 400 may have an assembled height 401 of
between approximately 15-20 centimeters, an assembled width 402 of
approximately 10-22 centimeters, and a thickness 403 of
approximately 1-5 millimeters. Each tab 412, 422 may extend a
length 404 from an adjoining notch 413, 423. Tab length 404 may be
approximately 2 centimeters, or within a range of about 1-3
centimeters for the present example.
[0024] The frictional force between first interlocking edge 431 and
second interlocking edge 432 may secure first component 410 to
second component 420. The connection between first component 410
and second component 420 may be further enhanced by a property
referred to as `stiction,` whereby materials in contact resist
moving laterally with one another. The materials selected to form
the components of a protective device in accordance with the
present invention may, in some examples, comprise materials with
high stiction properties. For example, copolyesters may have
particularly desirable stiction properties for use in protective
devices in accordance with the present invention. One example of a
suitable copolyester is available from Eastman Chemical Company
under the trade name TRITAN. Further, the structural integrity of
an interlocking edge connection between a first component 410, a
second component 420, or any number of components utilized in a
protective device in accordance with the present invention may be
enhanced by the structure, such as a pocket, that retains a
protective device over the portion of the wearer's anatomy to be
protected. However, the presence of an interlocking edge
connection, rather than a single continuous component, may provide
a degree of flexibility along the interlocking edge connection,
thereby enhancing the comfort and mobility of the wearer.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, a further example of the
interlocking edges 531, 532 of a first component 510 and a second
component 520 of a protective device 500 in accordance with the
present invention is illustrated. In this example, first component
510 may have a first interlocking edge 531 comprising a plurality
of tabs 512 and a plurality of notches 533. Second component 520
may have an interlocking edge 532 comprising a plurality of tabs
522 and a plurality of notches 523 that mate with the corresponding
tabs 512 and notches 533 of the first interlocking edge 531 of the
first component 510. To provide further strength of the
interlocking edge connection formed by mating first interlocking
edge 531 and second interlocking edge 532, the notches 523 of the
second interlocking edge 532 may possess a thin backer 570 that
further mates with tabs 512 of the first interlocking edge 531. As
can be seen more particularly with regard to FIGS. 5B and 5C, tabs
512 may have a thickness 591 corresponding to a notch thickness 592
that is less than the thickness 590 of first component 510 and
second component 520. Tab thickness 591 may be at least as thick as
backer thickness 593, and tab thickness 591 may be greater than,
for example by fifty percent, backer thickness 593. Accordingly,
first interlocking edge 531 and second interlocking edge 532 may
engage along three dimensions to provide a stronger interlocking
edge connection between first component 510 and second component
520 than may be attainable without backers 570. In some examples of
a protective device in accordance with the present invention
backers may be additionally provided in notches 533 of first
interlocking edge 531. If used, backers need not be present for all
of the notches of a given interlocking edge.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, yet a further example of a portion
of a protective device 600 in accordance with the present invention
is shown. Protective device 600 may comprise a first component 610
joined vertically to a second component 620 by connecting edge 660.
Second component 620 may further connect laterally to fourth
component 640 by connecting edge 670, and fourth component 640 may
join vertically to third component 630 by connecting edge 680. In
this example, first component 610, second component 620, third
component 630, and fourth component 640 may connect via connecting
edges 660, 670, 680 to leave a gap 690 between first component 610
and third component 630 to permit the assembled protective device
600 to flex and bend more during use than might be the case without
a gap 690. If desired, a gap 690 may be used with any number of
components and/or connecting edges rather than the four illustrated
in the example of FIG. 6, and any gap provided in accordance with
the present invention may have a different shape, orientation, and
size relative to the protective device than the example illustrated
in FIG. 6. Further components of a protective device 600 beyond the
four illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 6 may be assembled
into a single protective device. Further, any number of gaps may be
provided in the assembled protective device to enhance the
flexibility of the protective device.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B, a further example of a
protective device 700 in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. Protective device 700 may comprise a first component
710 having a first hinge assembly 712 that mates with a second
hinge assembly 722 of a second component 720. A pin 730 may be
insertable through the mated first hinge component 712 and the
second hinge component 722 to flexibly affix first component 710
and second component 720. The relative location, orientation,
and/or size of a hinge used to affix components of a protective
device in accordance with the present invention may vary from that
illustrated in this example. Further, more than a single hinge may
be used to flexibly affix any number of components to assemble a
protective device in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 8, yet a further example of a
protective device in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. Protective device 800 may comprise a first component
810 joined to a second component 820 by joining at least one ball
812 with at least one socket 822 to provide a flexible connection.
More than a single ball and socket joint may be used in a
protective device in accordance with the present invention, and one
or more ball and socket joints may be used with connecting edges
that are straight (as illustrated in FIG. 8), shaped in whole or in
part as described in other examples herein, or shaped in any other
way. The number of individual components joined using ball and
socket joints may exceed the two illustrated in the example of FIG.
8. Further, the location of a ball and socket joint may differ from
that shown, and may have different sizes, locations, and/or
orientations relative to components of a protective device than
what is shown in the present example.
[0029] Protective devices in accordance with the present invention
may be formed in a variety of fashions. For example, an entire
protective device may be formed via molding, machining, additive
manufacturing processes, or any other technique and then cut (for
example, with a saw, knife, or die) to form components with
interconnecting edges. Alternatively, individual components with
desired interconnecting edges may be formed via molding, machining,
additive manufacturing processes, etc.
[0030] Interlocking edges for components of protective devices may
have a variety of configurations beyond those described in the
examples herein. Interlocking edges may comprise triangular tabs,
posts and grooves, more complicated three dimensional structures
than the examples provided, etc. Different degrees of protection
desired, different anatomical portions to be protected, different
types of sports, and/or different ability levels of athletes may
benefit from different configurations of interlocking edges,
different materials, and/or different configurations of protective
devices in accordance with the present invention.
* * * * *