U.S. patent application number 14/911842 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-28 for athletic gear providing enhanced moisture management.
The applicant listed for this patent is BAUER HOCKEY, INC.. Invention is credited to Stacey Leigh COPENHAVER, Beth Ellen CROWELL, Arianna Correll PIPER.
Application Number | 20180177249 14/911842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56553570 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180177249 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
PIPER; Arianna Correll ; et
al. |
June 28, 2018 |
ATHLETIC GEAR PROVIDING ENHANCED MOISTURE MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Athletic gear, such as an athletic garment and/or protective
athletic equipment, providing enhanced moisture management to a
wearer (e.g., a hockey, lacrosse, football, or other sports
player). For example, the athletic gear may have a quick-drying
capability to increase a rate of evaporation of moisture.
Inventors: |
PIPER; Arianna Correll;
(Barrington, NH) ; CROWELL; Beth Ellen;
(Portsmouth, NH) ; COPENHAVER; Stacey Leigh;
(Exeter, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BAUER HOCKEY, INC. |
Exeter |
NH |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160219946 A1 |
August 4, 2016 |
|
|
Family ID: |
56553570 |
Appl. No.: |
14/911842 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
August 13, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/050934 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
February 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61865416 |
Aug 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/10 20130101;
A41B 1/08 20130101; A41D 13/05 20130101; A41D 31/12 20190201; A41D
13/0015 20130101; A63B 71/1291 20130101; A63B 71/1225 20130101;
A63B 71/14 20130101; A41D 31/24 20190201 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A63B 71/12 20060101 A63B071/12; A63B 71/10 20060101
A63B071/10; A63B 71/14 20060101 A63B071/14; A41D 31/00 20060101
A41D031/00; A41B 1/08 20060101 A41B001/08 |
Claims
1. An athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer under or
over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer, the athletic
garment comprising: a) a surface to contact the protective athletic
equipment; and b) a material comprising active elements to manage
moisture as the wearer sweats, said material having mechanical
properties to resist damage due to contact between the athletic
garment and the protective athletic equipment.
2. (canceled)
3. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the material
comprises a base substance and the active elements are connected to
the base substance.
4. The athletic garment claimed in claim 3, wherein the material is
a fabric and the base substance is a fibrous substance.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the active
elements comprise activated carbon.
9.-22. (canceled)
23. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the active
elements are responsive to heat generated by the wearer's body to
vaporize liquid moisture in contact with the material.
24. The athletic garment claimed in claim 3, wherein a specific
heat capacity of the active elements is less than a specific heat
capacity of the base substance.
25. The athletic garment claimed in claim 3, wherein a molar
absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of the active elements is
greater than a molar absorptivity at the infrared wavelength of the
base substance.
26. (canceled)
27. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the material
has an abrasion resistance of at least 10000 rubs according to ASTM
4966--Option 1.
28. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the material
has a bursting strength of at least 40 psi if the material weighs
3.4 oz./yd..sup.2 or less or at least 55 psi if the material weighs
3.5 oz./yd..sup.2 or more, according to ASTM D3788.
29. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, wherein the material
has a snagging resistance of at least 3 according to ASTM
D3939.
30.-34. (canceled)
35. The athletic garment claimed in claim 1, comprising a protector
for protecting a body part of the wearer.
36. The athletic garment claimed in claim 35, wherein the athletic
garment is a shirt, the body part of the wearer is a neck of the
wearer, and the protector comprises a neck guard to protect the
wearer's neck.
37.-81. (canceled)
82. An athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer under or
over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer, the athletic
garment comprising: a) a surface to contact the protective athletic
equipment; and b) a material to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats, the material comprising: i. a base substance; and ii.
active elements connected to the base substance, wherein a specific
heat capacity of the active elements is less than a specific heat
capacity of the base substance.
83.-88. (canceled)
89. An article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by a
wearer to provide impact protection, the article of protective
athletic equipment comprising: a) an inner surface for facing
towards the wearer; b) an outer surface for facing away from the
wearer; and c) a material comprising active elements to manage
moisture as the wearer sweats.
90. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements are configured to facilitate drying
of the material.
91. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the material comprises a base substance and the active
elements are connected to the base substance.
92. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
91, wherein the material is a fabric and the base substance is a
fibrous substance.
93. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
91, wherein the material is a foam and the base substance is a
cellular substance.
94. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, comprising protective padding and an inner liner, wherein the
material constitutes at least part of a given one of the protective
padding and the inner liner.
95. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
94, wherein the given one of the protective padding and the inner
liner is the inner liner.
96. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
94, wherein the given one of the protective padding and the inner
liner is the protective padding.
97. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements are active particles.
98. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
97, wherein the active particles are microporous particles.
99. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
97, wherein the active particles comprise activated carbon.
100. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements adsorb liquid moisture as the
wearer sweats.
101. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein a drying rate of the material is at least 2.1 ml/hr
according to AATCC Test Method 201.
102. (canceled)
103. (canceled)
104. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein a drying rate of the material is at least 15 ml/hr
according to AATCC Test Method 200.
105. (canceled)
106. (canceled)
107. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein a surface area of the material is at least 300 cm.sup.2
per square centimeter of the material.
108. (canceled)
109. (canceled)
110. (canceled)
111. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein a surface area of the active elements is at least 200
m.sup.2 per gram of the active elements.
112. (canceled)
113. (canceled)
114. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements are responsive to heat generated by
the wearer's body to vaporize liquid moisture in contact with the
material.
115. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
91, wherein a specific heat capacity of the active elements is less
than a specific heat capacity of the base substance.
116. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
91, wherein a molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of the
active elements is greater than a molar absorptivity at the
infrared wavelength of the base substance.
117. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements are configured to exothermically
react with liquid moisture.
118. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
90, wherein a drying rate of a first area of the article of
protective athletic equipment is greater than a drying rate of a
second area of the article of protective athletic equipment.
119. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
118, wherein the first area of the article of protective athletic
equipment is disposed to overlie a first region of the wearer's
body expected to generate more sweat than a second region of the
wearer's body and the second area of the article of protective
athletic equipment is disposed to overlie the second region of the
wearer's body.
120. (canceled)
121. (canceled)
122. (canceled)
123. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
118, wherein a concentration of the active elements in the first
area of the article of protective athletic equipment is greater
than a concentration of the active elements in the second area of
the article of protective athletic equipment.
124. (canceled)
125. (canceled)
126. (canceled)
127. The article of protective athletic equipment in claim 123,
wherein the concentration of the active elements in the second area
of the article of protective athletic equipment is substantially
zero.
128. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein a concentration of the active elements in a first area
of the article of protective athletic equipment is greater than a
concentration of the active elements in a second area of the
article of protective athletic equipment.
129. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
128, wherein the concentration of the active elements in the second
area of the article of protective athletic equipment is
substantially zero.
130. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements are configured to provide a cooling
effect perceivable by the wearer as the wearer sweats.
131. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
130, wherein the material is configured to cool down when absorbing
moisture as the wearer sweats.
132. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
130, wherein the material is configured to cool down when absorbing
heat from the wearer's body as the wearer sweats.
133. (canceled)
134. (canceled)
135. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the material is a first material, the active elements
are first active elements configured to facilitate drying of the
first material as the wearer sweats, and the article of protective
athletic equipment comprises a second material comprising second
active elements configured to provide a cooling effect perceivable
by the wearer as the wearer sweats.
136. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
135, wherein the second material is configured to cool down when
absorbing moisture as the wearer sweats.
137. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
135, wherein the second material is configured to cool down when
absorbing heat from the wearer's body as the wearer sweats.
138. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
135, wherein the second material comprises a base substance and the
second active elements are connected to the base substance of the
second material.
139. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
138, wherein the second material is a fabric and the base substance
of the second material is a fibrous substance.
140. (canceled)
141. (canceled)
142. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
135, wherein a quantity of the first material in the article of
protective athletic equipment is greater than a quantity of the
second material in the article of protective athletic
equipment.
143. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
135, wherein the second material is disposed to be located adjacent
to a quick-cooling spot of the wearer's body.
144. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
143, wherein the quick-cooling spot of the wearer's body is a neck,
a wrist, an elbow, a forehead, a knee, an ankle, or an inner
thigh.
145.-151. (canceled)
152. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the active elements comprise first active elements
configured to facilitate drying of the material as the wearer
sweats and second active elements configured to provide a cooling
effect perceivable by the wearer as the wearer sweats.
153. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, comprising a vent for ventilation.
154. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
153, wherein the vent comprises an opening.
155. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
154, wherein the vent comprises a mesh material disposed within the
opening.
156. (canceled)
157. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the article of protective athletic equipment is
shoulder pads.
158. The article of protective athletic equipment claimed in claim
89, wherein the article of protective athletic equipment is an arm
pad, a protective pant, a leg pad, a protective glove, or a
helmet.
159.-166. (canceled)
167. Athletic gear to be worn by a wearer, the athletic gear
comprising: a) an article of protective athletic equipment as
defined in claim 89; and b) an athletic garment to be worn under or
over the article of protective athletic equipment.
168. The athletic gear claimed in claim 167, wherein the athletic
garment comprises: a) a surface to contact the protective athletic
equipment; and b) a material comprising active elements to manage
moisture as the wearer sweats.
169.-244. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Patent
Application 61/865,416 filed on Aug. 13, 2013 and hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to athletic gear and, more
particularly, to athletic garments and protective athletic
equipment worn by individuals engaged in sports such as hockey,
football and lacrosse.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Individuals engaging in various sports, such as hockey,
football, and lacrosse, typically wear protective athletic
equipment (e.g., shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, helmets, etc.)
to protect themselves against impacts with other people and/or
objects (e.g., pucks, sticks, playing surfaces, boards, etc.),
often over and/or under athletic garments (e.g., baselayer shirts,
pants and socks worn under the protective athletic equipment, team
jerseys worn over the protective athletic equipment, etc.).
[0004] For example, a hockey player typically wears a baselayer
shirt, baselayer pants and socks under shoulder pads, elbow pads,
protective pants, and leg pads, a team jersey over the shoulder
pads and elbow pads, as well as protective gloves and a helmet, and
possibly other gear (e.g., a jockstrap, a jock short, etc.). The
player's protective athletic equipment increases sweating and
humidity and reduces air circulation about the player's body. The
player's "micro-climate" therefore tends to be relatively highly
humid with limited ventilation. While the player's baselayer shirt
and pants may be made of moisture-wicking fabric that moves sweat
towards their outer surfaces, the protective athletic equipment
considerably impedes air circulation at the baselayer shirt and
pants' outer surfaces and, therefore, tends to keep moisture within
the player's micro-climate.
[0005] Similar issues often arise in other sports, such as football
and lacrosse, in which players wear protective athletic
equipment.
[0006] For these and other reasons, there is a need for
improvements in athletic gear worn by individuals engaged in sports
involving protective athletic equipment.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided
an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer under or over
protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The athletic
garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective athletic
equipment; and a material comprising active elements to manage
moisture as the wearer sweats.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material comprising active elements to
facilitate drying of the material as the wearer sweats.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats. The material comprises: a base substance; and active
elements connected to the base substance.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 2.1 ml/hr
according to AATCC Test Method 201.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 15 ml/hr
according to AATCC Test Method 200.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats. A surface area of the material is at least 300 cm.sup.2 per
square centimeter of the material.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material comprising active elements to
manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A surface area of the active
elements is at least 200 m.sup.2 per gram of the active elements.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an
athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer under or over
protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The athletic
garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective athletic
equipment; and a material to manage moisture as the wearer sweats.
The material is responsive to heat generated by the wearer's body
to vaporize liquid moisture in contact with the material.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an athletic garment configured to be worn by a wearer
under or over protective athletic equipment worn by the wearer. The
athletic garment comprises: a surface to contact the protective
athletic equipment; and a material comprising active elements to
provide a cooling effect perceivable by the wearer as the wearer
sweats.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to manage moisture as the wearer sweats.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to facilitate drying of the material as the wearer
sweats.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture
as the wearer sweats. The material comprises: a base substance; and
active elements connected to the base substance.
[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture
as the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 2.1
ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 201.
[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture
as the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 15
ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 200.
[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture
as the wearer sweats. A surface area of the material is at least
300 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of the material.
[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A surface area of
the active elements is at least 200 m.sup.2 per gram of the active
elements.
[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture
as the wearer sweats. The material is responsive to heat generated
by the wearer's body to vaporize liquid moisture in contact with
the material.
[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an article of protective athletic equipment to be worn by
a wearer. The article of protective athletic equipment comprises:
an inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface
for facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to provide a cooling effect perceivable by the wearer as
the wearer sweats.
[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material
comprising active elements to manage moisture as the wearer
sweats.
[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material
comprising active elements to facilitate drying of the material as
the wearer sweats.
[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material to
manage moisture as the wearer sweats. The material comprises: a
base substance; and active elements connected to the base
substance.
[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material to
manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material
is at least 2.1 ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 201.
[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material to
manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material
is at least 15 ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 200.
[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material to
manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A surface area of the
material is at least 300 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of the
material.
[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises: an article of protective athletic equipment; and an
athletic garment to be worn under or over the article of protective
athletic equipment. A given one of the article of protective
athletic equipment and the athletic garment comprises a material
comprising active elements to manage moisture as the wearer sweats.
A surface area of the active elements is at least 200 m.sup.2 per
gram of the active elements. According to another aspect of the
invention, there is provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer.
The athletic gear comprises: an article of protective athletic
equipment; and an athletic garment to be worn under or over the
article of protective athletic equipment. A given one of the
article of protective athletic equipment and the athletic garment
comprises a material to manage moisture as the wearer sweats. The
material is responsive to heat generated by the wearer's body to
vaporize liquid moisture in contact with the material.
[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided athletic gear to be worn by a wearer. The athletic gear
comprises an article of protective athletic equipment. The article
of protective athletic equipment comprises a vent. The athletic
gear comprises an athletic garment to be worn under or over the
article of protective athletic equipment. The athletic garment
comprises a vent. The vent of the article of protective athletic
equipment and the vent of the athletic garment overlap when the
athletic gear is worn by the wearer.
[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to manage moisture as the wearer sweats.
[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to facilitate drying of the material as the wearer
sweats.
[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture as
the wearer sweats. The material comprises: a base substance; and
active elements connected to the base substance.
[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture as
the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 2.1
ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 201.
[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture as
the wearer sweats. A drying rate of the material is at least 15
ml/hr according to AATCC Test Method 200.
[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture as
the wearer sweats. A surface area of the material is at least 300
cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of the material.
[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to manage moisture as the wearer sweats. A surface area of
the active elements is at least 200 m.sup.2 per gram of the active
elements.
[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material to manage moisture as
the wearer sweats. The material is responsive to heat generated by
the wearer's body to vaporize liquid moisture in contact with the
material.
[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a skate to be worn by a wearer. The skate comprises: an
inner surface for facing towards the wearer; an outer surface for
facing away from the wearer; and a material comprising active
elements to provide a cooling effect perceivable by the wearer as
the wearer sweats.
[0041] These and other aspects of the invention will now become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the
following description of embodiments of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is
provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 shows an example of athletic gear wearable by a user
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in which the
athletic gear comprises an athletic garment configured to be worn
under or over protective athletic equipment;
[0044] FIGS. 2 and 3 show front and rear views of the athletic
garment;
[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 show front and rear views of shoulder pads of
the protective athletic equipment;
[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 show side and rear views of an elbow pad of
the protective athletic equipment;
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate portions of a material making up at
least part of the athletic garment;
[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an active
element of the material of FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a protector of the
athletic garment;
[0050] FIGS. 12 and 13 show front and rear views of a variant of
the athletic garment in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0051] FIG. 14 shows a front view of another variant of the
athletic garment in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0052] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate portions of a material making up
at least part of the athletic garment of FIG. 14;
[0053] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate portions of a variant of the
material making up at least part of the athletic garment in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIGS. 19 and 20 show front and rear views of another variant
of the athletic garment in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention;
[0055] FIG. 21 illustrates a portion of a material making up at
least part of the athletic garment of FIGS. 19 and 20;
[0056] FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a
front of the shoulder pads;
[0057] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate portions of a material making up
at least part of the front of the shoulder pads;
[0058] FIG. 25 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an active
element of the material of FIGS. 23 and 24;
[0059] FIGS. 26 to 29 illustrate cross-sectional views of portions
of other parts of the shoulder pads;
[0060] FIGS. 30 and 31 show front and rear views of a variant of
the shoulder pads in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 32 shows a front view of another variant of the
shoulder pads in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0062] FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate portions of a material making up
at least part of the shoulder pads of FIG. 32;
[0063] FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate portions of a variant of the
material making up at least part of the shoulder pads in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention;
[0064] FIG. 37 illustrates a portion of a material making up at
least part of a variant of the shoulder pads in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention;
[0065] FIG. 38 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of
the elbow pad;
[0066] FIGS. 39 and 40 show views of an example of a protective
glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0067] FIG. 41 shows an example of protective pants in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention;
[0068] FIGS. 42 and 43 show views of an example of a leg pad in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIGS. 44 and 45 show views of an example of a helmet in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0070] FIG. 46 shows an example of a neck guard in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention;
[0071] FIGS. 47 and 48 show a perspective view and an exploded view
of an example of a skate in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention;
[0072] FIGS. 49 and 50 show front and rear views of another variant
of the athletic garment in accordance with another embodiment of
the invention;
[0073] FIGS. 51 and 52 show front and rear views of another variant
of the shoulder pads in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0074] FIG. 53 illustrates another variant of the athletic gear in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0075] FIGS. 54 and 55 illustrate another variant of the shoulder
pads in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
and
[0076] FIGS. 56 and 57 show front and back views of regions of an
upper body of the user.
[0077] It is to be expressly understood that the description and
drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain
embodiments of the invention and are an aid for understanding. They
are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0078] FIGS. 1 to 7 show an example of athletic gear 11 wearable by
a wearer when engaging in a sport (e.g., hockey, lacrosse,
football, etc.) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
The athletic gear 11 comprises protective athletic equipment 12 and
an athletic garment 10 that is configured to be worn by the wearer
under or over the protective athletic equipment 12. In this
embodiment, the athletic garment 10 is an undergarment configured
to be worn by the wearer under the protective athletic equipment
12. More particularly, in this embodiment, the undergarment 10 is a
baselayer garment configured to be worn in contact with the
wearer's body. In this example, the baselayer garment 10 is a
baselayer shirt. The protective athletic equipment 12 is wearable
by the wearer to provide impact protection, i.e., to protect the
wearer's body against impacts with another person and/or an object
(e.g., a puck, a ball, a stick, a playing surface, a board, a post,
or any other object involved in the sport) as the wearer engages in
the sport. In this example, the protective athletic equipment 12
includes a plurality of articles of protective athletic equipment
(i.e., protective athletic devices), namely shoulder pads 13 for
protecting a chest, an upper back, and shoulders of the wearer and
elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2 for protecting elbows and adjacent
parts of the wearer's arms. Specifically, in this embodiment, the
wearer is a hockey player playing hockey such that the shoulder
pads 13 are hockey shoulder pads, the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2
are hockey elbow pads, and the baselayer shirt 10 is a hockey
baselayer shirt.
[0079] As further discussed below, in this embodiment, the athletic
gear 11 provides enhanced moisture management to deal with sweat
produced by the player's body. Notably, in this embodiment, the
athletic gear 11 has a quick-drying capability to increase a rate
of evaporation of moisture within a "micro-climate" of the player.
This is particularly useful in view of the protective athletic
equipment 12 worn by the player that increases sweating and
humidity and reduces air circulation about the player's upper body.
In other words, the quick-drying capability of the athletic gear 11
helps to deal with the player's micro-climate that is affected by
the protective athletic equipment 12.
1. Athletic Garment
[0080] The shirt 10 comprises an inner surface 17 for facing
towards the player and an outer surface 19 for facing away from the
player. In this embodiment in which the shirt 10 is a baselayer
shirt to be worn under the protective athletic equipment 12, the
inner surface 17 is configured to contact the player's body and the
outer surface 19 is configured to contact the protective athletic
equipment 12.
[0081] The shirt 10 comprises a torso portion 14 including a front
16, a back 18, a top opening 20 for passing a neck and head of the
player, and a lower opening 22 for fitting around a lower torso
region (e.g., a waist and hips) of the player. In this embodiment,
the shirt 10 also comprises a pair of sleeves 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2
for receiving arms of the player. In this example, the sleeves
24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 are long sleeves extending to wrists of the
player. The sleeves 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 may be short sleeves (e.g.,
the shirt 10 may be a T-shirt) in other examples. In other
embodiments, the shirt 10 may be sleeveless.
[0082] The shirt 10 comprises a material 30 making up at least part
of the shirt 10. That is, the shirt 10 is at least partly (i.e.,
partly or entirely) made of the material 30. In this embodiment,
the shirt 10 is at least mainly (i.e., mainly or entirely) made of
the material 30. More particularly, in this embodiment, the
material 30 makes up at least part of the torso portion 14 and each
of the sleeves 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2.
[0083] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 8, the
material 30 is a fabric. The fabric 30 is a thin pliable textile
material comprising a fibrous base substance 29 including fibers
31.sub.1-31.sub.F arranged in a network by weaving, knitting,
interlacing, felting or otherwise crossing them. The fibers
31.sub.1-31.sub.F may include any suitable natural or synthetic
fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, spandex (elastane), or other
fibers, or blends of these fibers). In this embodiment, the fabric
30 includes yarns 32.sub.1-32.sub.Y that comprise respective ones
of the fibers 31.sub.1-31.sub.F. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the fabric 30 is a woven or knit fabric.
[0084] In this example of implementation, the shirt 10 is a
compression shirt, i.e., a form-fitting shirt that has a
compression fit when worn by the player. This may help to keep
muscles warm to reduce muscle strain and fatigue, wick sweat away
from the player's body, and prevent or reduce chafing and rashes.
To that end, the fibers 31.sub.1-31.sub.F of the fabric 30 may
include spandex (elastane) fibers or other stretchable fibers
having suitable elasticity. The shirt 10 may not be a compression
shirt in other examples of implementation.
[0085] For example, in this embodiment, the fibers
31.sub.1-31.sub.F of the fabric 30 include polyester and spandex
fibers. For instance, the fabric 30 may comprise at least 75%
polyester fibers and at least 10% spandex fibers (e.g., the fabric
30 may comprise 87% 75D/72F or 75D/48F textured polyester and 13%
40 denier spandex, may be a single jersey construction weighing 155
g/m.sup.2, and may have wicking finish applied to it). The fabric
30 may have any other suitable composition in other
embodiments.
[0086] The fabric 30 is configured taking into account an interface
between the shirt 10 and the protective athletic equipment 12 worn
by the player. Notably, the fabric 30 has mechanical properties to
resist tearing or other excessive damage due to friction or other
contact between the shirt 10 and the protective athletic equipment
12. For example, in some embodiments, the fabric 30 may have an
abrasion resistance of at least 10000 rubs according to ASTM
4966--Option 1. As another example, in some embodiments, the fabric
30 may have a bursting strength of at least 40 psi if the fabric 30
weighs 3.4 oz./yd..sup.2 or less, or at least 55 psi if the fabric
30 weighs 3.5 oz./yd..sup.2 or more, according to ASTM D3788. As
another example, in some embodiments, the fabric 30 may have a
snagging resistance of at least 3 according to ASTM D3939 (Mace
Snap). These properties of the fabric 30 may have any other
suitable values in other embodiments.
[0087] In this embodiment, the fabric 30 is a quick-drying
material, i.e., a material exhibiting a drying rate which is
relatively high, to quickly evaporate moisture as the player
sweats. For example, in some embodiments, the drying rate of the
fabric 30 may be at least 2.1 ml/hr, in some cases at least 2.3
ml/hr, in some cases at least 2.5 ml/hr, and in some cases even
more, according to AATCC Test Method 201 of the American
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).
Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the drying rate
of the fabric 30 may be at least 15 ml/hr, in some cases at least
20 ml/hr, in some cases at least 25 ml/hr, and in some cases even
more, according to AATCC Test Method 200 of the AATCC. The drying
rate of the fabric 30 may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments.
[0088] More particularly, in this embodiment, to facilitate
moisture evaporation, the fabric 30 is configured to (1) spread
moisture over a large surface area and (2) harness heat generated
by the player's body to vaporize liquid moisture.
[0089] For example, in some embodiments, a surface area of the
fabric 30 may be at least 300 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of
fabric, in some cases at least 400 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter
of fabric, in some cases at least 500 cm.sup.2 per square
centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 600 cm.sup.2 per
square centimeter of fabric, and in some cases even more.
Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a surface area
of a constituent of the fabric 30 may be at least 200 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 400 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 600 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 800 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 1000 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent and in some cases even more. The surface
area of the constituent of the fabric 30 may have any other
suitable value in other embodiments.
[0090] To harness heat generated by the player's body to vaporize
moisture, a constituent of the fabric 30 captures this heat to
raise its temperature and cause vaporization of liquid moisture in
contact with it. For example, in some embodiments, a specific heat
capacity of a constituent of the fabric 30 (i.e., an amount of heat
required to increase the temperature of a unit mass of the
constituent of the fabric 30 by one degree) may be relatively low.
For instance, in some embodiments, the specific heat capacity of
the constituent of the fabric 30 may be less than polyester's
specific heat capacity and less than spandex's specific heat
capacity. The specific heat capacity of the constituent of the
fabric 30 may have any other suitable value in other embodiments.
Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a molar
absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of a constituent of the
fabric 30 (i.e., a measurement of how strongly a chemical species
of the constituent of the fabric 30 absorbs electromagnetic
radiation at the infrared wavelength) may be relatively high. For
instance, in some embodiments, the molar absorptivity at an
infrared wavelength of the constituent of the fabric 30 may be
greater than polyester's molar absorptivity at that infrared
wavelength and greater than spandex's molar absorptivity at that
infrared wavelength. The molar absorptivity at the infrared
wavelength of the constituent of the fabric 30 may have any other
suitable value in other embodiments.
[0091] Also, in some embodiments, a constituent of the fabric 30
may be configured to manifest an exothermic reaction releasing heat
to accelerate the drying process. That is, a constituent of the
fabric 30 may be configured to exothermically react (i.e., produce
heat when reacting) with liquid moisture. The exothermic reaction
may be chemical and/or physical. For example, in some embodiments,
the exothermic reaction manifested by the constituent of the fabric
30 may be adsorption of liquid moisture by the constituent of the
fabric 30, such that heat is released when the liquid moisture is
adsorbed by the constituent of the fabric 30.
[0092] With additional reference to FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the
fabric 30 comprises active elements 40.sub.1-40.sub.P to manage
moisture as the player sweats, including to enhance evaporation of
liquid moisture in the fabric 30. The active elements
40.sub.1-40.sub.P are "active" in that they have a property
allowing them to induce a chemical and/or physical reaction in
response to a stimulus at their surface. In this example, this
reaction induced by the active elements 40.sub.1-40.sub.P helps
accelerate the drying process of the fabric 30. The fabric 30 thus
dries faster than if the active elements 40.sub.1-40.sub.P were
omitted but the fabric 30 was otherwise identical (i.e., dries
faster than a comparative fabric identical to the fabric 30 but
without the active elements 40.sub.1-40.sub.P).
[0093] In this example of implementation, the active elements
40.sub.1-40.sub.P are connected to the fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.K of
the fibrous base substance 29. In other examples of implementation,
the fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.K of the fabric 30 may themselves be the
active elements 40.sub.1-40.sub.P that enhance the drying process
of the fabric 30 on their own, without having distinct active
elements connected to the fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.K.
[0094] More particularly, in this embodiment, the active elements
40.sub.1-40.sub.P are active particles distributed within the
fabric 30. In this example, the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P
have an adsorptive property that causes them to adsorb liquid
moisture as the player sweats. This reaction, i.e., adsorption,
caused by the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P helps evaporating
the liquid moisture.
[0095] With additional reference to FIG. 10, in this embodiment,
each of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P is a microporous
particle that includes a multitude of pores 42.sub.1-42.sub.T
(e.g., several thousands of pores) which can trap the liquid
moisture.
[0096] Because of their pores 42.sub.1-42.sub.T, the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P have a surface area which is very
large, thereby vastly spreading the liquid moisture to aid
evaporating it. For example, in some embodiments, the surface area
of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be such that the
surface area of the fabric 30 is at least 300 cm.sup.2 per square
centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 400 cm.sup.2 per
square centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 500 cm.sup.2
per square centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 600
cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of fabric, and in some cases even
more. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the
surface area of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be at
least 200 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 400 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 600 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 800 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 1000 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle and in some cases
even more. The surface area of the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments.
[0097] Also, in this embodiment, the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P use heat generated by the player's body to
vaporize moisture. For example, in some embodiments, a specific
heat capacity of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be
relatively low. For instance, in some embodiments, the specific
heat capacity of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be less
than a specific heat capacity of the fibrous base substance 29 of
the fabric 30. Thus, in this example, the specific heat capacity of
the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be less than polyester's
specific heat capacity and less than spandex's specific heat
capacity. The specific heat capacity of the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a
molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be relatively high. For instance,
in some embodiments, the molar absorptivity at an infrared
wavelength of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be greater
than a molar absorptivity at that infrared wavelength of the
fibrous base substance 29 of the fabric 30. For instance, in some
embodiments, the molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of
the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be greater than
polyester's molar absorptivity at that infrared wavelength and
greater than spandex's molar absorptivity at that infrared
wavelength. The molar absorptivity at the infrared wavelength of
the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may have any other suitable
value in other embodiments.
[0098] Furthermore, the adsorption of liquid moisture by the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P is an exothermic reaction releasing
heat that helps to accelerate the drying process.
[0099] The active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be implemented in
any suitable way. In this embodiment, the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P comprise activated carbon. The activated carbon
may be produced in various known ways. For instance, the activated
carbon may be produced from carbonaceous materials such as wood,
nutshells, coconut husk, coir, peat, lignite, coal, or other
carbonaceous substances using known processes (e.g., physical
reactivation using hot gases which involves carbonization and/or
oxidation, or chemical activation using chemicals on raw material
prior to carbonization), or synthetically using known processes
(e.g., pyrolysis of polystyrene beads). In other embodiments, the
active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may comprise activated alumina
(aluminum oxide), silica gel, soda ash, aluminum trihydrate, baking
soda, cinoxate (p-methoxy-2-ethoxyethyl ester cinnamic acid), zinc
oxide, zeolites, titanium dioxide, or any other suitable
material.
[0100] The active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be incorporated
into the fabric 30 using any suitable process. For example, in some
embodiments, the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be joined
to the fibrous base substance 29 of the fabric 30 using: an air
dispersion process in which the active particles are entrained in a
gaseous carrier onto the fibrous base substance 29 of the fabric 30
where they are fixed; a padding process in which the fibrous base
substance 29 of the fabric 30 is passed through a bath of the
active particles; a liquid suspension or mixture of a binder and
the active particles applied to the fibrous base substance 29 of
the fabric 30; or a xerographic process using electrostatic or
magnetic attraction to transfer a toner formulation including the
active particles towards the fibrous base substance 29 of the
fabric 30. In some cases, a protective substance may be provided
onto the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P to protect these active
particles during manufacturing of the fabric 30 and subsequently
removed. Examples of such processes are described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,998,155, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0121141 and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,374, which are incorporated by reference
herein.
[0101] Examples of materials that can be used for the fabric 30
including the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P may be
commercially obtained from Cocona Inc., Boulder, Colo.
[0102] In addition to its quick-drying fabric 30 which enhances
moisture management, in this embodiment, the shirt 10 has
functional features to interact with the protective athletic
equipment 12, protect the player, and/or otherwise enhance the
player's comfort and performance.
[0103] For instance, in this embodiment, the shirt 10 comprises
grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 for engaging and gripping the protective
athletic equipment 12 to help hold it in place. In this example,
the grippers 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 are located on the sleeves
24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 to engage the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2,
while the gripper 44.sub.3 is located on the torso portion 14 to
engage the shoulder pads 13.
[0104] The grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 can grip the protective
athletic equipment 12 in any suitable way to help hold it in place.
In this embodiment, each of the grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 is a
frictional gripper that helps to hold the protective athletic
equipment 12 in place by friction. That is, a frictional force
exerted by a gripper 44.sub.x on an underside of the protective
athletic equipment 12 is greater than a frictional force exerted by
the fabric 30 on the underside of the protective athletic equipment
12 (i.e., a coefficient of friction between the gripper 44.sub.x
and the underside of the protective athletic equipment 12 is
greater than a coefficient of friction between the fabric 30 and
the underside of the protective athletic equipment 12).
[0105] The grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may comprise any suitable
material to exert sufficient friction. For example, in this
embodiment, each of the grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 comprises a
tackifying material 43 such as a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g.,
Santoprene.TM.), polyurethane (thermoplastic or thermoset),
polyvinyl chloride (e.g., Plastisol), silicone, or any other
suitable material providing tackiness. More particularly, in this
example, each of the grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 includes frictional
gripping members 45.sub.1-45.sub.B which are made of the tackyfing
material 43.
[0106] Any other suitable material providing a high coefficient of
friction may be used in other embodiments. For instance, in some
embodiments, each of the grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may comprise
hooks or loops of a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro.TM.)) to
engage the underside of the protective athletic equipment 12. In
some cases, the underside of the protective athletic equipment 12
may include complementary loops or hooks of the hook-and-loop
fastener to engage the hooks or loops of the grippers
44.sub.1-44.sub.3. In other cases, the underside of the protective
athletic equipment 12 may not include complementary loops or hooks,
in which case the grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may have hooks that
anchor themselves in a material (e.g., fabric) on the underside of
the protective athletic equipment 12.
[0107] The grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may be provided in the shirt
10 in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the
grippers 44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may be printed (e.g., screen-printed)
onto the fabric 30. In other embodiments, the grippers
44.sub.1-44.sub.3 may be adhesively bonded to the fabric 30,
stitched to the fabric 30, or provided using any other suitable
process.
[0108] In this embodiment, the shirt 10 comprises a protector 48
for protecting a body part of the player. In this example, the
protector 48 comprises a neck guard at a collar 39 of the shirt 10
to protect the player's neck against cuts from and possibly other
impacts with skates, hockey sticks, pucks, or other objects.
[0109] More particularly, in this embodiment, with additional
reference to FIG. 11, the neck guard 48 comprises a cut-resistant
material 50 to provide resistance against cuts from a skate's
blade. In this example, the cut-resistant material 50 is a
cut-resistant fabric. More specifically, in this example, the
cut-resistant fabric 50 is a para-aramid fabric (e.g., Kevlar.TM.).
The cut-resistant material 50 may be implemented in any other
suitable way in other examples (e.g., using high performance
polyethylene (HPPE), fiberglass, etc.).
[0110] Also, in this embodiment, the neck guard 48 comprises
padding 51 to provide padded protection and comfort to the player.
The pad 51 may comprise foam, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
foam, expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam, expanded polyethylene
(EPE) foam (e.g., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foam), vinyl
nitrile (VN) foam, polyurethane foam, or any other suitable foam,
and/or may comprise any other shock-absorbing material (e.g., a
gel).
[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the neck guard 48 comprises
an outer covering 52 disposed over the cut-resistant material 50
and the padding 51 and forming an external surface of the neck
guard 48. In this example, the outer covering 52 is a fabric. More
particularly, in this example, the fabric 52 is a quick-drying
fabric as described above in respect of the fabric 30.
[0112] The neck guard 48 is configured to receive the player's neck
when the player puts on the shirt 10 and to be removed from the
player's neck when the player takes off the shirt 10. In this
embodiment, the neck guard 48 is openable to receive and be removed
from the player's neck. More particularly, in this example, the
neck guard 48 includes a closure 53 that is selectively openable
and closable to allow the player's neck to be received by and
removed from the neck guard 48. In this case, the closure 53
includes a fastener (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener, a button,
etc.) to keep it closed, and cooperates with a zipper 27 extending
in the back of the shirt 10. In other examples, the neck guard 48
may be stretchable to permit it to be stretched over the player's
head and then closed by contracting around the player's neck when
the player puts on the shirt 10.
[0113] Although it comprises a neck guard in this embodiment, the
protector 48 may be provided to protect another body part of the
player in other embodiments (e.g., a pad secured to the fabric 30
to protect a chest, back, shoulder, elbow, or other body part of
the player).
[0114] While the shirt 10 is constructed in a particular way in
this embodiment, the shirt may be constructed in various other ways
in other embodiments.
[0115] For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13, the drying rate of the shirt 10 may differ over a plurality of
areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10. That is, the drying rate
of a given one of the areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10 may
be different from (i.e., greater or lesser than) the drying rate of
another one of the areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10. For
instance, the drying rate of a first one of the areas
60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10 that is disposed to (i) be
covered by the protective athletic equipment 12 and/or (ii) overlie
a first region of the player's body which is expected to generate
more sweat may be greater than the drying rate of a second one of
the areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10 that is disposed to (i)
not be covered by the protective athletic equipment 12 and/or (ii)
overlie a second region of the player's body which is expected to
generate less sweat.
[0116] For instance, in this embodiment, the area 60.sub.1 of the
shirt 10 is an area of the torso portion 14 of the shirt 10 that is
disposed to overlie a front region of the player's torso and be
covered the shoulder pads 13, the area 60.sub.2 of the shirt 10 is
an area of the torso portion 14 of the shirt 10 that is disposed to
overlie a back region of the player's torso and be covered the
shoulder pads 13, the areas 60.sub.3, 60.sub.4 of the shirt 10 are
areas of the torso portion 14 of the shirt 10 that are disposed to
overlie lateral regions of the player's torso and not be covered by
the shoulder pads 13, the areas 60.sub.5, 60.sub.6 of the shirt 10
are areas of the sleeves 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 of the shirt 10 that
are disposed to overlie elbow regions of the player's arms and be
covered by the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2, and the areas
60.sub.7, 60.sub.8 of the shirt 10 are areas of the sleeves
24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 of the shirt 10 that are disposed to overlie
upper arm regions of the player's arms and not be covered by the
elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2.
[0117] As an example, the drying rate of the areas 60.sub.1,
60.sub.2, 60.sub.3, 60.sub.4 of the shirt 10, which overly regions
of the player's torso that may generate more sweat, may be greater
than the drying rate of the areas 60.sub.5, 60.sub.6, 60.sub.7,
60.sub.8 of the shirt 10, which overly regions of the player's arms
that may generate less sweat. As another example, the drying rate
of the areas 60.sub.1, 60.sub.2 of the shirt 10, which overly
regions of the player's torso that are beneath the shoulder pads
13, may be greater than the drying rate of the areas 60.sub.3,
60.sub.4 of the shirt 10, which overly regions of the player's
torso that are not beneath the shoulder pads 13. As yet another
example, the drying rate of the area 60.sub.2 of the shirt 10,
which overlies the back region of the player's torso that may
generate more sweat, may be greater than the drying rate of the
area 60.sub.1 of the shirt 10, which overlies the front region of
the player's torso that may generate less sweat, even though both
of the areas 60.sub.1, 60.sub.2 of the shirt 10 are covered by the
shoulder pads 13. As yet another example, the drying rate of the
areas 60.sub.5, 60.sub.6 of the shirt 10, which overly regions of
the player's arms that are covered by the elbow pads 15.sub.1,
15.sub.2, may be greater than the drying rate of the areas
60.sub.7, 60.sub.8 of the shirt 10, which overly regions of the
player's arms that are not covered by the elbow pads 15.sub.1,
15.sub.2.
[0118] For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of (i) the drying
rate of a given area 60.sub.i of the shirt 10 over (ii) the drying
rate of another area 60.sub.j the shirt 10 may be at least 1.1, in
some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.3, in some cases
at least 1.4, in some cases at least 1.5, and in some cases even
more (e.g., 2 or more). The difference between the drying rate of
the area 60.sub.i of the shirt 10 and the drying rate of the area
60.sub.j of the shirt 10 may take on any other suitable value in
other embodiments.
[0119] The variation of the drying rate over the areas
60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10 can be implemented in any
suitable manner. In this embodiment, this may be achieved by
varying a concentration or loading of the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30 over the areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.D
of the shirt 10. The concentration or loading of the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30 in a given area
60.sub.i of the shirt 10 may be greater than the concentration or
loading of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30
in another area 60.sub.j of the shirt 10 such that the drying rate
of the area 60.sub.i of the shirt is greater than the drying rate
of the area 60.sub.j of the shirt 10. The concentration or loading
of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30 in a
particular area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10 can be measured as a
weight percent of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P in the
area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10, i.e., a weight of the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P in the area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10
divided by a total weight of the area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10 and
multiplied by one hundred. For example, in some embodiments, a
ratio of (i) the concentration or loading of the active particles
40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30 in the given area 60.sub.i of
the shirt 10 over (ii) the concentration or loading of the active
particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P of the fabric 30 in the other area
60.sub.j of the shirt 10 may be at least 1.1, in some cases at
least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in
some cases at least 4, and in some cases even more (e.g., 8 or
more). In some examples of implementation, an area 60.sub.x of the
shirt 10 may be free of active particles, i.e., there is no active
particle in the area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10, such that the
concentration or loading of the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P
of the fabric 30 in the area 60.sub.x of the shirt 10 is
substantially zero. The variation of the drying rate over the areas
60.sub.1-60.sub.D of the shirt 10 can be implemented in other ways
in other embodiments (e.g., by varying a yarn size or fabric weight
in different areas).
[0120] To further enhance moisture management, in some embodiments,
with additional reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, in addition to its
fabric 30 which is a quick-drying material, the shirt 10 may
comprise a cooling material 65 providing a cooling effect
perceivable by the player. As the quick-drying material 30 works to
accelerate moisture evaporation to help dry the shirt 10, the
cooling material 65 may help the player feel cooler.
[0121] In this embodiment, the cooling material 65 is a fabric. The
cooling fabric 65 comprises a fibrous base substance 37 including
fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.R, which may include any suitable natural or
synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, spandex (elastane), or
other fibers, or blends of these fibers). In this example, the
cooling fabric 65 is a woven or knit fabric.
[0122] The cooling effect provided by the cooling fabric 65 may be
implemented in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the cooling
fabric 65 comprises active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V to generate
the cooling effect. More particularly, in this embodiment, the
active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V are connected to the fibrous base
substance 37. For example, in some embodiments, the cooling fabric
65 may be configured to cool down when absorbing moisture as the
player sweats, i.e., a moisture-activated cooling fabric. For
instance, the active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V may be swellable
elements configured to swell when absorbing moisture to create the
cooling effect. Examples of materials that can be used for the
cooling fabric 65 that is moisture-activated are fabrics including
Nexar.TM. polymers which may be commercially obtained from Kraton
Performance Polymers Inc., Houston, Tex.
[0123] As another example, in some embodiments, the cooling fabric
65 may be configured to cool down when absorbing heat from the
player's body, i.e., a heat-activated cooling fabric. For instance,
the active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V may be phase-change material
(PCM) elements (e.g., microencapsulated PCM elements) configured to
change phase when absorbing heat to create the cooling effect.
Examples of materials that can be used for the cooling fabric 65
that is heat-activated are fabrics including Thermocules.TM. PCM
elements which may be commercially obtained from Outlast
Technologies LLC, Boulder, Colo. In other embodiments, the fibers
33.sub.1-33.sub.R of the cooling fabric 65 may themselves be the
active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V that generate the cooling effect
on their own, without having distinct active elements connected to
the fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.R of the fibrous base substance 37. For
instance, the fibers 33.sub.1-33.sub.R of the cooling fabric 65 may
be configured to cool down when absorbing and trapping moisture
inside them as the player sweats. Examples of materials that can be
used for this purpose may be commercially obtained from CoolCore,
Portsmouth, N.H. Other examples of materials that can be used for
the cooling fabric 65 may include IceFil by Ventex, Luxicool, Cool
Jade, Advansa's Thermo Cool, and HeiQ's Adaptive.
[0124] The quick-drying fabric 30 and the cooling fabric 65 may be
arranged in any suitable manner in the shirt 10. For example, in
this embodiment, a quantity of the quick-drying fabric 30 in the
shirt 10 is greater than a quantity of the cooling fabric 65 in the
shirt 10. More particularly, in this embodiment, the quick-drying
fabric 30 is present in a bulk of the shirt 10, while the cooling
fabric 65 is present only in a limited area of the shirt 10 where
the cooling effect may be better perceived by the player. Thus, in
this embodiment, the cooling fabric 65 is present in a
quick-cooling spot of the player's body, i.e., a spot of the
player's body that is more efficient at cooling. The quick-cooling
spot includes a pulse point, i.e., an area where the player's pulse
can be felt since blood vessels are closer to his/her skin's
surface, meaning that blood and body temperature can be more easily
cooled. In this example, the cooling fabric 65 is disposed in the
collar 39 of the shirt 10 since the cooling effect at the player's
neck may be well perceived by the player. In cases where the shirt
10 includes the neck guard 48 as discussed previously, the outer
covering 52 of the neck guard 48 may comprise the cooling fabric
65. In other examples, the cooling fabric 65 may be disposed in
other quick-cooling spots of the player's body (e.g., a crook of
the elbow, a wrist, a forehead, an inner thigh, a bend of the knee,
or an ankle).
[0125] In some embodiments, the fabric 30, which makes up at least
part of the torso portion 14 and the sleeves 24.sub.1, 24.sub.2 of
the shirt 10, may be a quick-drying and cooling fabric. That is,
the fabric 30 may be configured such that (1) its drying rate is
relatively high and (2) it provides a cooling effect perceivable by
the player. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 17
and 18, the fabric 30 may comprise (1) the active elements
40.sub.1-40.sub.P for quick-drying and (2) the active elements
70.sub.1-70.sub.V for the cooling effect connected to the fibrous
base substance 29. This may be done by applying the active elements
40.sub.1-40.sub.P and the active elements 70.sub.1-70.sub.V to the
fibrous base substance 29 in a common process or sequential
processes using known techniques (e.g., from companies mentioned
above) to provide these elements in fabrics.
[0126] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the shirt
10 may comprise vents 66.sub.1-66.sub.A for ventilation.
Facilitating air circulation may further enhance the quick-drying
capability of the shirt 10. Each of the vents 66.sub.1-66.sub.A
allows a greater air flow than parts of the shirt 10 outside of the
vents 66.sub.1-66.sub.A.
[0127] More particularly, in this embodiment, each of the vents
66.sub.1-66.sub.A comprises a mesh material 63 (i.e., a material
having an open texture) for ventilation. In this example, the vents
66.sub.1-66.sub.A are respectively located in underarm, back, neck,
lateral sides, and arm areas of the shirt 10. The vents
66.sub.1-66.sub.A may be disposed in any other suitable manner in
other examples. The vents 66.sub.1-66.sub.A may be implemented in
various other ways in other embodiments (e.g., openings).
[0128] In some embodiments, the shirt 10 may comprise an indicator
71 to indicate a current quick-drying effectiveness of the
quick-drying fabric 30. This "quick-drying effectiveness indicator"
71 may be useful in cases where the effectiveness of the fabric 30
at quickly-drying itself can decrease (e.g., after the shirt 10 has
been repeatedly used or has been washed with a detergent) in order
to allow the player to know when the shirt 10 may no longer work as
desired.
[0129] While in embodiments considered above it is a fabric making
up a bulk of the shirt 10, the quick-drying material 30 may be
another type of material making up one or more smaller parts of the
shirt 10 in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, as
shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the quick-drying material 30 may be foam
making up parts 69.sub.1-69.sub.G of the shirt 10 (e.g., pads
secured to a fabric 21 making up a bulk of the shirt 10). For
instance, the quick-drying foam 30 may comprise a cellular (i.e.,
foamed) base substance 67 (e.g., EVA, EPP, EPE, VN, PU or any other
suitable cellular substance) and active elements 68.sub.1-68.sub.G,
such as the active particles 40.sub.1-40.sub.P discussed above,
connected to the cellular base substance 67 to enhance evaporation
of liquid moisture in the foam 30. As another example, in some
embodiments, the quick-drying material 30 may be a membrane.
[0130] In some embodiments, the quick-drying material 30 may be
anti-microbial. For instance, in some embodiments in which it is a
fabric, the quick-drying material 30 may be treated (e.g., via a
pad bath or exhaust process) or may have yarn-based anti-microbial
or anti-odor technology.
[0131] Although in this embodiment the baselayer garment 10 is an
undershirt, the baselayer garment 10 may be any other baselayer
garment in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the
baselayer garment 10 may be underpants (e.g., shorts or a cup
supporter) configured to be worn under protective pants (e.g.,
protective shorts), a sock configured to be worn under a shin
guard, a compression sleeve (e.g., arm or shin sleeve) configured
to be worn under an arm pad (e.g., an elbow pad) or a leg pad, or a
head cap configured to be worn under a helmet.
[0132] While in this embodiment the athletic garment 10 is
configured to be worn under the protective athletic equipment 12,
the athletic garment 10 may be configured to be worn over the
protective athletic equipment 12 in other embodiments. For example,
in some embodiments, the athletic garment 10 may be a jersey (e.g.,
a team jersey) configured to be worn over the protective athletic
equipment 12.
2. Protective Athletic Equipment
[0133] The shoulder pads 13 protect various regions of the player's
upper body. As shown in FIGS. 56 and 57, the player's thorax has a
front side FS and a back side BS. The front side FS of the player's
thorax, which can also be referred to as a "chest" or "ventral"
side, comprises left and right pectoral regions LPR, RPR overlying
left and right pectoral muscles of the player and a sternum region
SR overlying a sternum of the player. The back side BS of the
player's thorax, which can also be referred to as a "dorsal" side,
comprises a thoracic spinal region TSR overlying thoracic vertebrae
of the player, left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR overlying
left and right trapezius muscles of the player, and left and right
latissimus dorsi regions LLR, RLR overlying left and right
latissimus dorsi muscles of the player. Each of the player's
shoulders has a clavicle region CR, a scapular region BR, an
acromioclavicular joint region ACR, and a deltoid region DR
respectively overlying a clavicle, a scapula, an acromioclavicular
joint, and a deltoid muscle of that shoulder.
[0134] The shoulder pads 13 comprise an inner surface 23 for facing
towards the player and an outer surface 25 for facing away from the
player. In this embodiment in which the shoulder pads 13 are to be
worn over the shirt 10, the inner surface 23 of the shoulder pads
13 is configured to contact the outer surface 19 of the shirt
10.
[0135] The shoulder pads 13 comprise a front 54, a back 55, left
and right shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, and left and right
shoulder protectors 57.sub.1, 57.sub.2. The front 54, the back 55,
and the shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 define a neck opening 58
for receiving the player's neck. In this embodiment, the shoulder
pads 13 also comprise left and right upper arm protectors 59.sub.1,
59.sub.2.
[0136] The front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 is configured to cover
at least part of the front side FS of the player's thorax. In this
embodiment, the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises left and
right pectoral portions 72.sub.1, 72.sub.2 for covering the left
and right pectoral regions LPR, RPR of the player, a sternum
portion 73 for covering the sternum region SR of the player, and a
top edge 74 delimiting the neck opening 58.
[0137] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 22,
the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises protective padding
75 disposed between an inner liner 76 and an outer covering 77. The
protective padding 75 provides padded protection to the left and
right pectoral regions LPR, RPR and the sternum region SR of the
player. The protective padding 75 comprises a shock-absorbing
material 47. For instance, in some examples of implementation, the
shock-absorbing material 47 may comprise foam, such as ethylene
vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam,
expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam (e.g., low-density polyethylene
(LDPE) foam), vinyl nitrile (VN) foam, or any other suitable foam,
or any other shock-absorbing substance other than foam (e.g., a
gel).
[0138] The outer covering 77 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads
13 faces away from the player's body. The outer covering 77
comprises a material 78 making up at least part of the outer
covering 77. That is, the outer covering 77 is at least partly
(i.e., partly or entirely) made of the material 78. For instance,
in some embodiments, the material 78 may be a flexible material
(e.g., a woven fabric, a polyurethane or other elastomeric layer,
etc.). In other embodiments, the material 78 may be a rigid
material (e.g., polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
polypropylene, etc.) that forms a rigid shell.
[0139] The inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13
faces the player's body. More particularly, in this embodiment, the
inner liner 76 faces and engages the shirt 10. The inner liner 76
comprises a material 80 making up at least part of the inner liner
76. That is, the inner liner 76 is at least partly (i.e., partly or
entirely) made of the material 80. In this embodiment, the inner
liner 76 is at least mainly (i.e., mainly or entirely) made of the
material 80.
[0140] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIGS. 23
and 24, the material 80 of the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of
the shoulder pads 13 is a fabric. The fabric 80 is a thin pliable
material comprising a fibrous base substance 81 including fibers
82.sub.1-82.sub.R arranged in a network by weaving, felting,
knitting, interlacing, or otherwise crossing them. The fibers
82.sub.1-82.sub.R may include any suitable natural or synthetic
fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, spandex (elastane), or other
fibers, or blends of these fibers). In this embodiment, the fabric
80 includes yarns 83.sub.1-83.sub.T that comprise respective ones
of the fibers 82.sub.1-82.sub.R. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the fabric 80 is a woven or knit fabric.
[0141] For example, in this embodiment, the fibers
82.sub.1-82.sub.R of the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 include
polyester fibers. For instance, the fabric 80 may comprise
different types of polyester fibers (e.g., the fabric 80 may
comprise 51% 75D/48F textured polyester and 49% 50D/72F polyester
and weigh 120 g/m.sup.2). The fabric 80 may have any other suitable
composition in other embodiments.
[0142] The fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the
shoulder pads 13 is configured taking into account movements of the
player. In this example, the fabric 80 is also configured taking
into account an interface between the shirt 10 and the shoulder
pads 13. For instance, in this embodiment, the fabric 80 has
mechanical properties to resist tearing or other excessive damage
due to movements of the player and/or friction or other contact
between the shirt 10 and the shoulder pads 13.
[0143] In this embodiment, the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of
the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 is a quick-drying material,
i.e., a material exhibiting a drying rate which is relatively high,
to quickly evaporate moisture as the player sweats. In this
example, at least some liquid moisture evaporated by the fabric 80
may have been transported to the inner liner 76 by the shirt 10
which wicked this liquid moisture away from the wearer's body. For
example, in some embodiments, the drying rate of the fabric 80 may
be at least 2.1 ml/hr, in some cases at least 2.3, in some cases at
least 2.5, and in some cases even more, according to AATCC Test
Method 201 of the American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists (AATCC). Alternatively or additionally, in some
embodiments, the drying rate of the fabric 80 may be at least 15
ml/hr, in some cases at least 20 ml/hr, in some cases at least 25
ml/hr, and in some cases even more, according to AATCC Test Method
200 of the AATCC. The drying rate of the fabric 80 may have any
other suitable value in other embodiments.
[0144] More particularly, in this embodiment, to facilitate
moisture evaporation, the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the
front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 is configured to (1) spread
moisture over a large surface area and (2) harness heat generated
by the player's body to vaporize liquid moisture.
[0145] For example, in some embodiments, a surface area of the
fabric 80 may be at least 300 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of
fabric, in some cases at least 400 cm.sup.2 per square centimeter
of fabric, in some cases at least 500 cm.sup.2 per square
centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 600 cm.sup.2 per
square centimeter of fabric, and in some cases even more.
Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a surface area
of a constituent of the fabric 80 may be at least 200 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 400 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 600 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 800 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent, in some cases at least 1000 m.sup.2 per
gram of the constituent and in some cases even more. The surface
area of the constituent of the fabric 80 may have any other
suitable value in other embodiments.
[0146] To harness heat generated by the player's body to vaporize
moisture, a constituent of the fabric 80 captures this heat to
raise its temperature and cause vaporization of liquid moisture in
contact with it. For example, in some embodiments, a specific heat
capacity of a constituent of the fabric 80 (i.e., an amount of heat
required to increase the temperature of a unit mass of the
constituent of the fabric 80 by one degree) may be relatively low.
For instance, in some embodiments, the specific heat capacity of
the constituent of the fabric 80 may be less than polyester's
specific heat capacity. The specific heat capacity of the
constituent of the fabric 80 may have any other suitable value in
other embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, in some
embodiments, a molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of a
constituent of the fabric 80 (i.e., a measurement of how strongly a
chemical species of the constituent of the fabric 80 absorbs
electromagnetic radiation at the infrared wavelength) may be
relatively high. For instance, in some embodiments, the molar
absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of the constituent of the
fabric 80 may be greater than polyester's molar absorptivity at
that infrared wavelength. The molar absorptivity at the infrared
wavelength of the constituent of the fabric 80 may have any other
suitable value in other embodiments.
[0147] Also, in some embodiments, a constituent of the fabric 80
may be configured to manifest an exothermic reaction releasing heat
to accelerate the drying process. That is, a constituent of the
fabric 80 may be configured to exothermically react (i.e., produce
heat when reacting) with liquid moisture. The exothermic reaction
may be chemical and/or physical. For example, in some embodiments,
the exothermic reaction manifested by the constituent of the fabric
80 may be adsorption of liquid moisture by the constituent of the
fabric 80, such that heat is released when the liquid moisture is
adsorbed by the constituent of the fabric 80.
[0148] In this embodiment, the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of
the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E to manage moisture as the player sweats,
including to enhance evaporation of liquid moisture in the fabric
80. The active elements 84.sub.1-84.sub.E are "active" in that they
have a property allowing them to induce a chemical and/or physical
reaction in response to a stimulus at their surface. In this
example, this reaction induced by the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E helps accelerate the drying process of the fabric
80. The fabric 80 thus dries faster than if the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E were omitted but the fabric 80 was otherwise
identical (i.e., dries faster than a comparative fabric identical
to the fabric 80 but without the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E).
[0149] In this example of implementation, the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E are connected to the fibers 82.sub.1-82.sub.R of
the fibrous base substance 81. In other examples of implementation,
the fibers 82.sub.1-82.sub.R of the fabric 80 may themselves be the
active elements 84.sub.1-84.sub.E that enhance the drying process
of the fabric 80 on their own, without having distinct active
elements connected to the fibers 82.sub.1-82.sub.R.
[0150] More particularly, in this embodiment, the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E are active particles distributed within the
fabric 80. In this example, the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E
have an adsorptive property that causes them to adsorb liquid
moisture as the player sweats. This reaction, i.e., adsorption,
caused by the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E helps evaporating
the liquid moisture.
[0151] With additional reference to FIG. 25, in this embodiment,
each of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E is a microporous
particle that includes a multitude of pores 85.sub.1-85.sub.L
(e.g., several thousands of pores) which can trap the liquid
moisture.
[0152] Because of their pores 85.sub.1-85.sub.L, the active
particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E have a surface area which is very
large, thereby vastly spreading the liquid moisture to aid
evaporating it. For example, in some embodiments, the surface area
of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be such that the
surface area of the fabric 80 is at least 300 cm.sup.2 per square
centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 400 cm.sup.2 per
square centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 500 cm.sup.2
per square centimeter of fabric, in some cases at least 600
cm.sup.2 per square centimeter of fabric, and in some cases even
more. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the
surface area of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be at
least 200 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 400 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 600 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 800 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle, in some cases at
least 1000 m.sup.2 per gram of active particle and in some cases
even more. The surface area of the active particles
84.sub.1-84.sub.E may have any other suitable value in other
embodiments.
[0153] Also, in this embodiment, the active particles
84.sub.1-84.sub.E use heat generated by the player's body to
vaporize moisture. For example, in some embodiments, a specific
heat capacity of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be
relatively low. For instance, in some embodiments, the specific
heat capacity of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be less
than a specific heat capacity of the fibrous base substance 81 of
the fabric 80. Thus, in this example, the specific heat capacity of
the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be less than polyester's
specific heat capacity. The specific heat capacity of the active
particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may have any other suitable value in
other embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, in some
embodiments, a molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength of the
active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be relatively high. For
instance, in some embodiments, the molar absorptivity at an
infrared wavelength of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may
be greater than a molar absorptivity at that infrared wavelength of
the fibrous base substance 81 of the fabric 80. For instance, in
some embodiments, the molar absorptivity at an infrared wavelength
of the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be greater than
polyester's molar absorptivity at that infrared wavelength. The
molar absorptivity at the infrared wavelength of the active
particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may have any other suitable value in
other embodiments.
[0154] Furthermore, the adsorption of liquid moisture by the active
particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E is an exothermic reaction releasing
heat that helps to accelerate the drying process.
[0155] The active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be implemented in
any suitable way. In this embodiment, the active particles
84.sub.1-84.sub.E comprise activated carbon. The activated carbon
may be produced in various known ways. For instance, the activated
carbon may be produced from carbonaceous materials such as wood,
nutshells, coconut husk, coir, peat, lignite, coal, or other
carbonaceous substances using known processes (e.g., physical
reactivation using hot gases which involves carbonization and/or
oxidation, or chemical activation using chemicals on raw material
prior to carbonization), or synthetically using known processes
(e.g., pyrolysis of polystyrene beads). In other embodiments, the
active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may comprise activated alumina
(aluminum oxide), silica gel, soda ash, aluminum trihydrate, baking
soda, cinoxate (p-methoxy-2-ethoxyethyl ester cinnamic acid), zinc
oxide, zeolites, titanium dioxide, or any other suitable
material.
[0156] The active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be incorporated
into the fabric 80 using any suitable process. For example, in some
embodiments, the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be joined
to the fibrous base substance 81 of the fabric 80 using: an air
dispersion process in which the active particles are entrained in a
gaseous carrier onto the fibrous base substance 81 of the fabric 80
where they are fixed; a padding process in which the fibrous base
substance 81 of the fabric 80 is passed through a bath of the
active particles; a liquid suspension or mixture of a binder and
the active particles applied to the fibrous base substance 81 of
the fabric 80; or a xerographic process using electrostatic or
magnetic attraction to transfer a toner formulation including the
active particles towards the fibrous base substance 81 of the
fabric 80. In some cases, a protective substance may be provided
onto the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E to protect these active
particles during manufacturing of the fabric 80 and subsequently
removed. Examples of such processes are described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,998,155, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0121141 and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,374, which are incorporated by reference
herein.
[0157] Examples of materials that can be used for the fabric 80
including the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E may be
commercially obtained from Cocona Inc., Boulder, Colo.
[0158] The back 55 of the shoulder pads 13 is configured to cover
at least part of the back side BS of the player's thorax. In this
embodiment, the back 55 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises a spinal
portion 85 for covering the thoracic spinal region TSR of the
player, left and right trapezius portions 88.sub.1, 88.sub.2 for
covering the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR of the
player, left and right latissimus dorsi portions 89.sub.1, 89.sub.2
for covering the left and right latissimus dorsi regions LLR, RLR
of the player, and a top edge 89 delimiting the neck opening
58.
[0159] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 26,
the back 55 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises protective padding 90
disposed between an inner liner 91 and an outer covering 92. The
protective padding 90 provides padded protection to the thoracic
spinal region SR, the left and right trapezius regions LTR, RTR,
and left and right latissimus dorsi regions LLR, RLR of the player.
The inner liner 91 faces the player's body, while the outer
covering 92 faces away from the player's body. In this example of
implementation, these components of the back 55 of the shoulder
pads 13 may be constructed similarly to the protective padding 75,
the inner liner 76, and the outer covering 77 of the front 54 of
the shoulder pads 13. Notably, in this embodiment, the inner liner
91 of the back 55 of the shoulder pads 13 comprises a quick-drying
fabric 180 like the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the front 54
of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g., including active elements such as
the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the fabric 80).
[0160] The left and right shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 are
configured to respectively arch over the left and right shoulders
of the player and interconnect the front 54 and the back 55 of the
shoulder pads 13.
[0161] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 27,
each of the shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 comprises protective
padding 93 disposed between an inner liner 94 and an outer covering
95. The protective padding 93 provides padded protection, the inner
liner 94 faces the player's body, and the outer covering 95 faces
away from the player's body. In this example of implementation,
these components of each of the shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2
may be constructed similarly to the protective padding 75, the
inner liner 76, and the outer covering 77 of the front 54 of the
shoulder pads 13. Notably, in this embodiment, the inner liner 94
of each of the shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2 comprises a
quick-drying fabric 280 like the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of
the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g., including active
elements such as the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the
fabric 80).
[0162] The shoulder protectors 57.sub.1, 57.sub.2 are configured to
respectively cover at least part of the left and right shoulders of
the player. In this embodiment, each of the shoulder protectors
57.sub.1, 57.sub.2 comprises an acromioclavicular joint portion and
a deltoid portion for respectively covering at least part of the
acromioclavicular joint region ACR and the deltoid region DR of the
shoulder it protects.
[0163] Each shoulder protector 57.sub.x is connected to at least
one of the front 54, the back 55, and a given one of the shoulder
arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2. In this embodiment, the shoulder
protector 57.sub.x, is connected to the shoulder arch 56.sub.x
arching over the shoulder that it protects. Also, in this
embodiment, the shoulder protector 57.sub.x is connected to the arm
protector 59.sub.x which is on the arm extending from the shoulder
it protects. The shoulder protector 57.sub.x may be directly
connected (e.g., sewed) to the shoulder arch 56 and/or the arm
protector 59.sub.x or may be indirectly connected (e.g., via one or
more straps sewed) to the shoulder arch 56.sub.x and/or the arm
protector 59.sub.x.
[0164] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 28,
the shoulder protector 57.sub.x comprises protective padding 96
disposed between an inner liner 97 and an outer covering 98. The
protective padding 96 provides padded protection, the inner liner
97 faces the player's body, and the outer covering 98 faces away
from the player's body. In this example of implementation, these
components of the shoulder protector 57.sub.x may be constructed
similarly to the protective padding 75, the inner liner 76, and the
outer covering 77 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13. Notably,
in this embodiment, the inner liner 97 of the shoulder protector
57.sub.x comprises a quick-drying fabric 380 like the fabric 80 of
the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g.,
including active elements such as the active particles
84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the fabric 80).
[0165] The upper arm protectors 59.sub.1, 59.sub.2 are configured
to cover at least part of the left and right arms of the player.
Each of the upper arm protectors 59.sub.1, 59.sub.2 comprises an
outer arm portion for overlying an outer region of the arm it
protects and a strap for retaining itself on the arm.
[0166] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 29,
each upper arm protector 59.sub.x comprises protective padding 99
disposed between an inner liner 100 and an outer covering 101. The
protective padding 99 provides padded protection, the inner liner
100 faces the player's body, and the outer covering 101 faces away
from the player's body. In this example of implementation, these
components of the upper arm protector 59.sub.x may be constructed
similarly to the protective padding 75, the inner liner 76, and the
outer covering 77 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13. Notably,
in this embodiment, the inner liner 97 of the upper arm protector
59.sub.x comprises a quick-drying fabric 480 like the fabric 80 of
the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g.,
including active elements such as the active particles
84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the fabric 80).
[0167] While the shoulder pads 30 are constructed in a particular
way in this embodiment, the shoulder pads 30 may be constructed in
various other ways in other embodiments.
[0168] For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 30 and
31, the drying rate of the shoulder pads 13 may differ over a
plurality of areas 160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13.
That is, the drying rate of a given one of the areas
160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 may be different from
(i.e., greater or lesser than) the drying rate of another one of
the areas 160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13. For
instance, the drying rate of a first one of the areas
160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 that is disposed to
overlie a first region of the player's body which is expected to
generate more sweat may be greater than the drying rate of a second
one of the areas 160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 that
is disposed to overlie a second region of the player's body which
is expected to generate less sweat.
[0169] In this embodiment, the area 160.sub.1 of the shoulder pads
13 is an area of the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 that is
disposed to overlie a chest region of the player's torso, the area
160.sub.2 of the shoulder pads 13 is an area of the back of the
shoulder pads 13 that is disposed to overlie a back region of the
player's torso, and the areas 160.sub.3, 160.sub.4 of the shoulder
pads 13 are areas of the shoulder protectors 57.sub.1, 57.sub.2
that are disposed to overlie shoulder regions of the player's
torso.
[0170] As an example, the drying rate of the areas 160.sub.1,
160.sub.2 of the shoulder pads 13, which are overlying regions of
the player's body which may generate more sweat, may be greater
than the drying rate of the areas 160.sub.3, 160.sub.4 of the
shoulder pads 13, which are overlying regions of the player's body
which may generate less sweat. As another example, the drying rate
of the area 160.sub.2 of the back 55 of the shoulder pads 13, which
overlies the back region of the player's body, may be greater than
the drying rate of the area 160.sub.1 of the front 54 of the
shoulder pads 13, which overlies the front region of the player's
body that may generate less sweat than the back region of the
player's body.
[0171] For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of (i) the drying
rate of a given area 160.sub.i of the shoulder pads 13 over (ii)
the drying rate of another area 160.sub.j of the shoulder pads 13
may be at least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at
least 1.3, in some cases at least 1.4, in some cases at least 1.5,
and in some cases even more (e.g., 2 or more). The difference
between the drying rate of respective ones of the areas
160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 may take on any other
suitable value in other embodiments.
[0172] The variation of the drying rate over the areas
160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 can be implemented in
any suitable manner. In this embodiment, this may be achieved by
varying a concentration or loading of active particles of a fabric,
such as the active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the fabric 80 of
the front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 and similar active particles
of the fabric of other parts of the shoulder pads 13, over the
areas 160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13. The
concentration or loading of the active particles of the fabric in a
given area 160.sub.i of the shoulder pads may be greater than the
concentration or loading of the active particles of the fabric in
another area 160.sub.j of the shoulder pads 13 such that the drying
rate of the area 160 of the shoulder pads 13 is greater than the
drying rate of the area 160.sub.j of the shoulder pads 13. For
example, in some embodiments, a ratio of (i) the concentration or
loading of the active particles of the fabric in the given area
160.sub.i of the shoulder pads 13 over (ii) the concentration or
loading of the active particles of the fabric in the other area
160.sub.j of the shoulder pads 13 may be at least 1.1, in some
cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at
least 2, in some cases at least 4, and in some cases even more
(e.g., 8 or more). The concentration or loading of the active
particles of the fabric in a particular area 160.sub.x of the
shoulder pads 13 can be measured as a weight percent of the active
particles in that particular area 160.sub.x of the shoulder pads
13, i.e., a weight of the active particles in the area 160.sub.x of
the shoulder pads 13 divided by a total weight of the fabric of the
area 160.sub.x of the shoulder pads 13 and multiplied by one
hundred. In some examples of implementation, an area 160.sub.x of
the shoulder pads 13 may be free of active particles, i.e., there
is no active particle in the area 160.sub.x of the shoulder pads
13, such that the concentration or loading of the active particles
of the fabric in the area 160.sub.x of the shoulder pads 13 is
substantially zero. The variation of the drying rate over the areas
160.sub.1-160.sub.H of the shoulder pads 13 can be implemented in
other ways in other embodiments (e.g., by varying a yarn size or
fabric weight in different areas).
[0173] In some embodiments, the drying rate of a given area of the
shirt 10 may be different from the drying rate of an overlapping
area of the shoulder pads 13 which overlaps the given area of the
shirt 10. For example, in some embodiments, the drying rate of the
given area of the shirt 10 may be greater than the drying rate of
the overlapping area of the shoulder pads 13 since the shirt 10 is
more directly exposed to the player's sweat. For instance, in this
example of implementation, the concentration or loading of the
active particles of the fabric in the given area of the shirt 10
may be greater than the concentration or loading of the active
particles of the fabric in the overlapping area of the shoulder
pads 13 such that the drying rate of the given area of the shirt 10
is greater than the drying rate of the overlapping area of the
shoulder pads 13. For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of (i)
the concentration or loading of the active particles of the fabric
in the given area of the shirt 10 over (ii) the concentration or
loading of the active particles of the fabric in the overlapping
area of the shoulder pads 13 may be at least 1.1, in some cases at
least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in
some cases at least 4, and in some cases even more (e.g., 8 or
more).
[0174] To further enhance moisture management, in some embodiments,
with additional reference to FIGS. 32 to 34, in addition to
comprising a quick-drying material (i.e., the fabric 80 of the
front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 and similar fabrics of other parts
of the shoulder pads 13 in this embodiment), the shoulder pads 13
may comprise a cooling material 165 providing a cooling effect
perceivable by the player. As the quick-drying material works to
accelerate moisture evaporation to help dry the shoulder pads 13,
the cooling material 165 may help the player feel cooler. This may
be particularly useful in a portion of the shoulder pads 13
contacting the player's body (e.g., in cases where the shirt 10 is
not worn or another shirt covering less of the player's body is
worn).
[0175] In this embodiment, the cooling material 165 is a fabric.
The cooling fabric 165 comprises a fibrous base substance 137
including fibers 133.sub.1-133.sub.K, which may include any
suitable natural or synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon,
spandex (elastane), or other fibers, or blends of these fibers). In
this example, the cooling fabric 165 is a woven fabric.
[0176] The cooling effect provided by the cooling fabric 165 may be
implemented in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the cooling
fabric 165 comprises active elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C to
generate the cooling effect. More particularly, in this embodiment,
the active elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C are connected to the fibers
133.sub.1-133.sub.K of the fibrous base substance 137. For example,
in some embodiments, the cooling fabric 165 may be configured to
cool down when absorbing moisture as the player sweats, i.e., a
moisture-activated cooling fabric. For instance, the active
elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C may be swellable elements configured
to swell when absorbing moisture to create the cooling effect.
Examples of materials that can be used for the cooling fabric 165
that is moisture-activated are fabrics including Nexar.TM. polymers
which may be commercially obtained from Kraton Performance Polymers
Inc., Houston, Tex. As another example, in some embodiments, the
cooling fabric 165 may be configured to cool down when absorbing
heat from the player's body, i.e., a heat-activated cooling fabric.
For instance, the active elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C may be
phase-change material (PCM) elements (e.g., microencapsulated PCM
elements) configured to change phase when absorbing heat to create
the cooling effect. Examples of materials that can be used for the
cooling fabric 165 that is heat-activated are fabrics including
Thermocules.TM. PCM elements which may be commercially obtained
from Outlast Technologies LLC, Boulder, Colo. In other embodiments,
the fibers 133.sub.1-133.sub.K of the cooling fabric 165 may
themselves be the active elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C that generate
the cooling effect on their own, without having distinct active
elements connected to the fibers 133.sub.1-133.sub.K of the fibrous
base substance 137. For instance, the fibers 133.sub.1-133.sub.K of
the cooling fabric 165 may be configured to cool down when
absorbing and trapping moisture inside them as the player sweats.
Examples of materials that can be used for this purpose may be
commercially obtained from CoolCore, Portsmouth, N.H. Other
examples of materials that can be used for the cooling fabric 165
may include IceFil by Ventex, Luxicool, Cool Jade, Advansa's Thermo
Cool, and HeiQ's Adaptive.
[0177] The quick-drying material (i.e., the fabric 80 of the front
54 of the shoulder pads 13 and similar fabrics of other parts of
the shoulder pads 13 in this embodiment) and the cooling fabric 165
may be arranged in any suitable manner in the shoulder pads 13. For
example, in this embodiment, a quantity of the quick-drying
material in the shoulder pads 13 is greater than a quantity of the
cooling fabric 165 in the shoulder pads 13. For instance, in this
embodiment, the cooling fabric 165 may be present only in a limited
area of the shoulder pads 13 where the cooling effect may be better
perceived by the player. Thus, in this embodiment, the cooling
fabric 165 is present in a quick-cooling spot of the player's body,
i.e., a spot of the player's body that is more efficient at
cooling. In this example, the cooling fabric 165 is disposed about
the neck opening 58 since the cooling effect at the player's neck
may be well perceived by the player. In other examples, the cooling
fabric 165 may be disposed in other quick-cooling spots of the
player's body (e.g., a crook of the elbow, a wrist, a forehead, an
inner thigh, a bend of the knee, or an ankle).
[0178] In some embodiments, a fabric of an inner liner of the
shoulder pads 13 (e.g., the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the
front 54 of the shoulder pads 13 or a similar fabric of another
inner liner of the shoulder pads 13) may be a quick-drying and
cooling fabric. That is, the fabric may be configured such that (1)
its drying rate is relatively high and (2) it provides a cooling
effect perceivable by the player. For example, in some embodiments,
as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the fabric 80 of the front 54 of the
shoulder pads 13 may comprise (1) the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E for quick-drying and (2) the active elements
170.sub.1-170.sub.C for the cooling effect connected to the fibrous
base substance 81. This may be done by applying the active elements
84.sub.1-84.sub.E and the active elements 170.sub.1-170.sub.C to
the fibrous base substance 81 in a common process or sequential
processes using known techniques (e.g., from companies mentioned
above) to provide these elements in fabrics.
[0179] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the
shoulder pads 13 may comprise vents 166.sub.1-166.sub.F for
ventilation. Facilitating air circulation may further enhance the
quick-drying capability of the shoulder pads 13. Each of the vents
166.sub.1-166.sub.F allows a greater air flow than parts of the
shoulder pads 13 outside of the vents 166.sub.1-166.sub.F.
[0180] More particularly, in this embodiment, each of the vents
166.sub.1-166.sub.F comprises a an opening 163 and a mesh material
263 (i.e., a material having an open texture) disposed within the
opening 163 for ventilation. In this example, the vents
166.sub.1-166.sub.F are respectively located in front and back
areas of the shoulder pads 13. The vents 166.sub.1-166.sub.F may be
disposed in any other suitable manner in other examples.
[0181] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 53, a vent 166.sub.i
of the shoulder pads 13 may overlap a vent 66.sub.i of the shirt
10. This may further facilitate air flow though the athletic gear
11. For instance, in some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 49 to
52, each of the vents 166.sub.5-166.sub.8 in the back of the
shoulder pads 13 may overlap a respective one of the vents
66.sub.8-66.sub.11 in the back of the shirt 10.
[0182] The vents 166.sub.1-166.sub.F may be implemented in various
other ways in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments,
a vent 166.sub.x may include the opening 163 without any mesh
material in it (e.g., a through-hole extending through the shoulder
pads 13). As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
FIGS. 54 and 55, a vent 166.sub.x may comprise a channel 257 to
direct air flow in a particular direction or to a particular
location (e.g., a particular location on the shirt 10 or the
player's body that is expected to have more moisture). The channel
257 may extend within the shoulder pads 13, as shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 54, and/or may extend on an inner side 240 of
the shoulder pads 13 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 55.
[0183] In some embodiments, the shoulder pads 13 may comprise an
indicator 171 to indicate a current quick-drying effectiveness of a
quick-drying fabric (e.g., the fabric 80 of the front 54 of the
shoulder pads 13 or a similar fabric of another part of the
shoulder pads 13 in this embodiment). This "quick-drying
effectiveness indicator" 171 may be useful in cases where the
effectiveness of the fabric at quickly-drying itself can decrease
(e.g., after the shoulder pads 13 have been repeatedly used or has
been washed with a detergent) in order to allow the player to know
when the shoulder pads 13 may no longer work as desired.
[0184] While in embodiments considered above the shoulder pads 13
comprise a quick-drying material that is a fabric making up at
least part of an inner liner of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g., the
fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the shoulder
pads 13 or a similar fabric of another inner liner of the shoulder
pads 13), in other embodiments, the shoulder pads 13 may comprise a
quick-drying material that is another type of material making up
another part of the shoulder pads 13. For example, in some
embodiments, as shown in FIG. 37, the shoulder pads 13 may comprise
a quick-drying material 230 that is foam making up protective
padding 232 of the shoulder pads. For instance, the quick-drying
foam 232 may comprise a cellular (i.e., foamed) base substance 267
(e.g., EVA, EPP, EPE, VN, PU or any other suitable cellular
substance) and active elements 268.sub.1-268.sub.W, such as the
active particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E discussed above, connected to
the cellular base substance 267 to enhance evaporation of liquid
moisture in the foam 232. For example, in some embodiments, the
protective padding 232 may be the protective padding 75 of the
front 54 of the shoulder pads 13, the protective padding 90 of the
back 55 of the shoulder pads 13, the protective padding 93 of each
of the shoulder arches 56.sub.1, 56.sub.2, the protective padding
96 of each of the shoulder protector 57.sub.1, 57.sub.2, or the
protective padding 99 of each of the upper arm protectors 59.sub.1,
59.sub.2.
[0185] In some embodiments, the quick-drying material may be
anti-microbial. For instance, in some embodiments in which it is a
fabric, the quick-drying material may be treated (e.g., via a pad
bath or exhaust process) or may have yarn-based anti-microbial or
anti-odor technology.
[0186] The elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2 are wearable to protect
the player's elbows and adjacent parts his/her arms. Each elbow pad
15.sub.x comprises an inner surface 123 for facing towards the
player and an outer surface 125 for facing away from the player. In
this example in which the elbow pad 15.sub.x is to be worn over the
shirt 10, the inner surface 123 of the elbow pad 15.sub.x is
configured to contact the outer surface 19 of the shirt 10. In this
embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 38, each elbow pad
15.sub.x comprises protective padding 190 disposed between an inner
liner 191 and an outer covering 192. The protective padding 190
provides padded protection to the elbow and adjacent parts of the
player's arm. The inner liner 191 faces the player's body, while
the outer covering 192 faces away from the player's body. In this
example of implementation, these components of the elbow pad
15.sub.x may be constructed similarly to the protective padding 75,
the inner liner 76, and the outer covering 77 of the front 54 of
the shoulder pads 13. Notably, in this embodiment, the inner liner
191 of elbow pad 15.sub.x comprises a quick-drying fabric 680 like
the fabric 80 of the inner liner 76 of the front 54 of the shoulder
pads 13 (e.g., including active elements such as the active
particles 84.sub.1-84.sub.E of the fabric 80). Also, in this
example of implementation, any feature or variant mentioned above
in respect of the shoulder pads 13 (e.g., areas of different drying
rates, inclusion of a cooling material, etc.) is applicable to the
elbow pad 15.sub.x.
[0187] While in this embodiment the protective athletic equipment
12 comprises the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads 15.sub.1,
15.sub.2, in other embodiments, other articles of protective
athletic equipment may be constructed using principles described
herein in respect of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads
15.sub.1, 15.sub.2 to provide enhanced moisture management. For
example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, a
protective glove 200 may be constructed using principles described
herein in respect of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads
15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. The protective glove 200 comprises an inner
surface 223 for facing towards the player and an outer surface 225
for facing away from the player. For instance, the protective glove
200 may comprise a quick-drying material making up at least part of
an inner liner 202 or protective padding 204 of the glove 200
and/or may comprise a cooling material making up at least part of
the inner liner 202 of the glove 200.
[0188] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG.
41, protective pants 300 may be constructed using principles
described herein in respect of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow
pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. The protective pants 300 comprises an
inner surface 323 for facing towards the player and an outer
surface 325 for facing away from the player. For instance, the
protective pants 300 may comprise a quick-drying material making up
at least part of an inner liner 302 or protective padding 304 of
the protective pants 300 and/or may comprise a cooling material
making up at least part of the inner liner 302 of the protective
pants 300.
[0189] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS.
42 and 43, a leg pad 400 (i.e., a shin guard) may be constructed
using principles described herein in respect of the shoulder pads
13 and the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. The leg pad 400 comprises
an inner surface 423 for facing towards the player and an outer
surface 425 for facing away from the player. For instance, the leg
pad 400 may comprise a quick-drying material making up at least
part of an inner liner 402 or protective padding 404 of the leg pad
400 and/or may comprise a cooling material making up at least part
of the inner liner 402 of the leg pad 400.
[0190] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS.
44 and 45, a helmet 500 may be constructed using principles
described herein in respect of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow
pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. The helmet 500 comprises an inner surface
523 for facing towards the player and an outer surface 525 for
facing away from the player. For instance, the helmet 500 may
comprise a quick-drying material making up at least part of an
inner liner 502 or protective padding 504 of the helmet 500 and/or
may comprise a cooling material making up at least part of the
inner liner 502 of the helmet 500.
[0191] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG.
46, a neck guard 600 may be constructed using principles described
herein in respect of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads
15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. The neck guard 600 comprises an inner surface
623 for facing towards the player and an outer surface 625 for
facing away from the player. For instance, the neck guard 600 may
comprise a quick-drying material making up at least part of an
inner liner 602 or protective padding 604 of the neck guard 600
and/or may comprise a cooling material making up at least part of
the inner liner 602 of the neck guard 600.
[0192] The athletic gear 11 may comprise any other athletic
equipment constructed using principles described herein in respect
of the shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2 to
provide enhanced moisture management. For example, in some
embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, a skate 700 may be
constructed using principles described herein in respect of the
shoulder pads 13 and the elbow pads 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2. In this
example, the skate 700 is an ice skate. In other examples, the
skate 700 may be a roller skate (e.g., an inline skate). The skate
700 comprises an inner surface 723 for facing towards the player
and an outer surface 725 for facing away from the player. For
instance, the skate 700 may comprise a quick-drying material making
up at least part of an inner liner 702 of a skate boot 704 and/or
may comprise a cooling material making up at least part of the
inner liner 702 of the skate boot 704. Other parts of the skate
700, such as a tongue 709 for example, may comprise a quick-drying
material and/or a cooling material in other embodiments.
[0193] Although in this embodiment the athletic gear 11 is hockey
gear, in other embodiments, athletic gear constructed using
principles described herein in respect of the athletic gear 11 may
be other athletic gear wearable a player playing another type of
contact sport (e.g., a "full-contact" sport) in which there are
significant impact forces on the player due to player-to-player
and/or player-to-object contact. For example, in other embodiments,
athletic gear constructed using principles described herein in
respect of the athletic gear 11 may be lacrosse gear for a lacrosse
player, football gear for a football player, or baseball gear for a
baseball player.
[0194] While in embodiments considered above the athletic gear 11
is for a user playing a contact sport, in other embodiments,
athletic gear 11 constructed using principles described herein in
respect of the athletic gear 11 may be used in athletic activities
other than contact sports in which impact protection is
desired.
[0195] In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described
herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other
embodiment described herein.
[0196] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation
of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as
they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary
skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may
lack and/or may function without any element that is not
specifically disclosed herein.
[0197] Although various embodiments and examples have been
presented, this was for the purpose of describing, but not
limiting, the invention. Various modifications and enhancements
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are
within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
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