Patent Application
20110219524
Chest protectors, such as those worn by baseball catchers, traditionally have external padding for absorbing impact from pitched balls, opposing players, and so forth. The chest protectors are typically made from a relatively flexible material into which the padding is sewn. The padding often is in the form of a series of blocks arranged in rows. The padding is typically secured to a relatively flat, flexible base, which rests against the torso of the wearer. The padding may extend over the shoulders of the wearer to offer additional protection. Straps are commonly included on the chest protector for securing it around the sides and back of the wearer.
While many existing chest protectors have been effective at protecting wearers from impact-related injuries, they typically are not well ventilated. As a result, when chest protectors are worn in very warm or humid conditions, such as during summer baseball games played in warm climates, wearers often are uncomfortable and can become overheated.
A chest protector includes rows of padding protruding inwardly from a base section. The pads are arranged to rest against the body of a wearer. Ventilation channels are located between neighboring rows of padding to provide multiple paths for heat dispersion. The rows of padding are able to flex relative to one another such that the chest protector may conform to the body of the wearer. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter. The features described above can be used separately or together, or in various combinations of one or more of them.
In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout the views:
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments.
The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this detailed description section.
Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in the list.
Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in
The rearward-facing pads 16 are preferably aligned in rows, which are spaced apart from one another by heat dispersion or ventilation channels 18. The relative spacing of the rows allows pads in neighboring rows to flex relative to one another. As used herein, the term “row” may refer to a linear series of pads 16, or to a curved or non-linear series of pads 16. When worn as intended, the pads 16 engage or rest against the front torso of the wearer. Accordingly, when the wearer moves or bends, the rows of pads 16 can flex to accommodate the wearer's movements.
The base section 12 optionally includes padded upper regions 24 configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders toward the back of the wearer. The upper regions 24 are preferably sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to a rear or back section 26 that engages the rear torso of the wearer when the chest protector 10 is worn as intended. The back section 26 optionally includes padding for providing additional comfort to the wearer.
The back section 26 preferably is attached, directly or indirectly, to one or more adjustable straps 28, or other suitable connectors, having attachment elements 30 at their free or distal ends. In one embodiment, the back section 26 is attached, directly or indirectly (e.g., via an adjustable strap 25), to a harness 27 that supports the one or more adjustable straps 28. The harness 27, for example, may include openings through which the one or more adjustable straps 28 pass, as shown in
One or more receiving elements 32 are preferably attached, directly or indirectly (e.g., via straps), to lower side regions of the chest protector, for receiving the attachment elements 30. Alternatively, the attachment elements 30 may be attached to the lower side regions of the chest protector and the receiving elements 32 may be attached to the adjustable straps 28. A wearer may don the chest protector 10 by pulling it over his or her head, such that the upper regions 24 rest on the wearer's shoulders and the back section 26 rests against the back of the wearer. The wearer may then insert the attachment elements 30 into the corresponding receiving elements 32. If necessary, the wearer (or another person) may tighten or loosen the adjustable straps 28 to provide a proper, secure fit. Any other suitable connecting mechanisms or fastening elements may of course be used to secure the chest protector 10 to the wearer.
When the adjustable straps 28 are adequately tightened, the flexible rows of pads 16 conform well to the front and sides of a wearer's torso, while providing heat dispersion channels between the neighboring rows. In a conventional chest protector, conversely, a relatively flat base pad rests against the wearer's body but does not conform particularly well to the wearer's torso and does not provide heat dispersion channels along the wearer's torso. Thus, the chest protector 10 described herein better allows for heat dispersion from a wearer's body, which allows the wearer to remain cooler in warm playing conditions.
Additional padding may optionally be permanently or removably attached to the chest protector 10. Shoulder pads or upper arm pads, for example, may be removably attached to upper regions of the base section 12 via hook and loop fastening material or via any other suitable connectors. Including removable pads provides a catcher with the option to remove, for example, a pad that would otherwise protect the catcher's throwing shoulder, thus providing increased freedom of movement when throwing a ball. Alternatively, a catcher could remove a pad that would otherwise protect the catcher's non-throwing shoulder, thus providing increased freedom of movement when reaching for a pitched, batted, or thrown ball. Other additional pads may optionally be included to protect various regions of the wearer's body.
Chest protectors having inwardly protruding padding for engaging a wearer's body and providing heat dispersion channels, as described herein, may be used in many applications. For example, such a protector could be used as a catcher's chest protector, an umpire's chest protectors, a lacrosse player's chest protector, a motocross rider's chest protector, and so forth. For some applications, additional padding may be added to the back or the sides of the protector to provide additional protection.
Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or in combination with one another. Furthermore, the chest protector may include additional features not described herein. While several embodiments have been shown and described, various changes and substitutions may of course be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except by the following claims and their equivalents.
