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Football shoulder padsRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or ProtectorFootball shoulder pads description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070118979, Football shoulder pads. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/692,437 filed Oct. 23, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an improved athletic protective pad construction that is lightweight and breathable. Additionally, the invention relates to football shoulder pads having improved, removable cap pads as well as additional removable pads at the shoulder portion of the pads and removable deltoid pads. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Athletic protective pads, such as shoulder pads, rib protectors, hip pads, thigh pads, and so forth, are commonly worn by athletes in a variety of sports in which body contact with either another participant or a piece of equipment used in the sport presents the risk of injury. These types of protective pads have long been known and used by athletes in contact sports such as football and hockey. [0004] Football shoulder pads typically include a relatively hard outer shell of leather, rigid plastic or similar material and an inner layer of soft padding material. The hard outer layer receives the applied force or shock upon impact and spreads the force over a large area where it is absorbed and cushioned by the soft padding material. Padding materials may include cotton padding, foam rubber, foam plastic, sponge rubber, a combination of open and closed cell foams and expanded rubber or vinyl, with the properties of such materials having the ability to reduce the transmitted force during impact. [0005] These and other types of padding typically do not allow body heat to be released and thus, are very warm when worn by an athlete. This can decrease the athlete's level of performance and in extreme cases it can even be a cause of heat stroke. The hard outer shell prevents airflow into and/or perspiration evaporation away from the athlete's body. [0006] Also, the hard outer layer and padding combinations can be very heavy and cumbersome for an athlete. The added weight can also decrease the athlete's performance, especially speed and mobility. Shoulder pads are typically constructed to include padding that extends across an athlete's chest and back area as well as partially across the front and back shoulder region which can restrict the athlete's movement. [0007] In football, different positions require different amounts and areas of body protection. For instance, a wide receiver must be as fast and agile as possible. Although safety is a concern, the less padding the better. The wide receiver prefers lightweight shoulder pads. In contrast, blocking linemen take quite a beating and require more padding protection. Also, an injured player who typically does not require padding in certain areas, such as over the shoulder, upper arm or deltoid area, may need additional padding protection during the injury healing period. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, new, improved, breathable, lightweight football shoulder pads are disclosed. The football shoulder pads include selectively removable padding which makes the pads even more lightweight as desired and needed. In contrast, the removable padding can be added to the pads as needed, if a player is injured or playing a position that requires more or less padding. [0009] The football shoulder pads include left and right torso pads which present a foam body. The foam body includes a hard inner layer, and first and second layers of breathable, lightweight foam secured to opposing surfaces of the hard, inner layer. The layers present a sandwich configuration. A breathable, lightweight fabric layer, such as mesh fabric, extends around the periphery of the foam body. The hard inner layer includes spaced apart openings which allow air or moisture to flow through the foam body. [0010] The football shoulder pads can include adjustable and selectively removable cap pads attachable to the shoulder portion of the football pads. The cap pads include a member for securing the cap pad to the wearer's arm. The football shoulder pads can further include adjustable and selectively removable deltoid pads and attachment members for securing football pad accessories, such as a neck roll or rib protector, to the shoulder pads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of football shoulder pads in accordance with the present invention, with the pads' wearer shown in phantom; [0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the football shoulder pads of FIG. 1, showing the right deltoid pad removed therefrom; [0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the football shoulder pads of FIG. 1, showing a clavicle pad removed therefrom; [0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial bottom or inside view of the football shoulder pads of FIG. 1 showing the releasable connection of a cap pad to the football shoulder pads in detail; [0015] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the football shoulder pads of FIG. 1 with the cap pad strap turned up to show its adjustability; [0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the left deltoid pad removed from the shoulder pads; [0017] FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the deltoid pad of FIG. 6; [0018] FIG. 8 is a partial bottom or inside view of the shoulder pads of FIG. 1 sowing the overlap between a clavicle pad and a deltoid pad; [0019] FIG. 9 is a partial back or rear view of football shoulder pads in accordance with the present invention, showing an accessory attachment thereon; [0020] FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative accessory connection on the shoulder pads of FIG. 1; Continue reading about Football shoulder pads... 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