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  Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad systemUSPTO Application #: 20070050886Title: Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad system Abstract: A protective garment is provided for use in conjunction with an exoskeletal upper body pad system for a sport, such as American football. The protective garment includes a shirt formed of air-permeable, moisture-wicking fabric that stretches in all directions. A number of independent protective pad segments are integrated within the shirt and are arranged to enable flexible motion by the wearer of the shirt. The independent protective pad segments are positioned and dimensioned to enable the protective garment to be worn between the body of the wearer and the exoskeletal upper body pad system. A conventional exoskeletal shoulder pad system may be easily retrofit for use with the protective garment by attaching a pair of sub pad assemblies to the main arches of the system in order to provide localized compressible padding. (end of abstract) Agent: Terry Mchugh Law Offices Of Terry Mchugh - Los Altos, CA, US Inventor: Patrick Brassill USPTO Applicaton #: 20070050886 - Class: 002115000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Vests, Men's Outer Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070050886. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to protective sports equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to shoulder pads for the sports of football, lacrosse and hockey. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Improvements are desired in the construction of football, lacrosse and hockey shoulder pads. In particular, improvements are desired in the dissipation of body heat and moisture of the wearer as well as the sanitary cleaning aspects of the pad component of football, lacrosse and hockey shoulder pad systems. [0003] The soft pad component of the conventional shoulder pad system is the element of the football, lacrosse and hockey shoulder pad system that is immediately in contact with the wearer's body. The typical football, lacrosse or hockey shoulder pad system is comprised of a hard exoskeletal system and a soft pad component. The "soft pad component" is defined herein as the compressible padding that provides cushioning. The soft pad component is distinguishable from the rigid elements of the exeskeletal system. The soft pad component in the typical shoulder pad system is mechanically attached to the exoskeletal system so as to be positioned between the wearer's torso and upper body and the exoskeletal system. The construction of conventional shoulder pad systems undesirably traps moisture and body heat between the soft pad component and the wearer's body. Additionally, the soft pad component of the conventional shoulder pad system cannot be laundered in a conventional fashion, thus leading to unsanitary conditions of the soft pad component. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates to an improved shoulder pad system that enables improved heat and moisture transfer away from the wearer's body. Shoulder pads according to the invention would also enable frequent and conventional laundering of the pad component. [0005] With regard to the foregoing, the present invention is directed to a pad system for a shoulder pad. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a protective garment component having multiple protective pad segments. The protective pad segments are positioned and dimensioned to take the place of the soft pad component of a conventional shoulder pad system. Thus, at least the major portion of the compressible padding is separate from the exoskeletal system. [0006] In another aspect, the invention relates to a shoulder pad system that includes a sub pad assembly configured for installation on each arch member, wherein the sub pad assembly is further configured to underlie an epaulette system and is independent of the protective garment. By attaching a sub pad assembly to each arch member of a conventional shoulder pad system, the conventional system is quickly retrofit for use with the protective garment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1A is a frontal perspective view of an illustrated embodiment of a shoulder pad system in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof. [0008] FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view thereof. [0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the protective garment assembly of the shoulder pad system of FIGS. 1A and 1B. [0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of a sub pad assembly of the shoulder pad system of FIGS. 1A and 1B. [0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exoskeletal assembly of the shoulder pad system of FIGS. 1A and 1B. [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the position and attachment of a sub pad assembly of FIGS. 3A and 3B to an exoskeletal system of FIG. 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] With initial reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the invention relates to a shoulder pad system including an exoskeletal assembly 40, a pair of sub pad assemblies 20 and 30, and a protective garment assembly 10. Protective Garment Assembly [0014] With reference to FIG. 2, the protective garment assembly preferably includes anterior and posterior fabric panels 220 and 230, respectively. Using techniques known in the art, such as stitching, the fabric panels are joined together to form a garment that covers the upper torso of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the garment includes apertures at both sides for receiving the wearer's arms, and an aperture at the center of the top of the protective garment assembly for receiving the wearer's neck and head. Further comprising the protective garment assembly are multiple, independent protective foam segments 222 that are attached by a WEB-type hot melt adhesive and thermal processing to the anterior and posterior panels 220 or 230 in sizes, shapes and positions that provide protection, while promoting flexible motion of the wearer. The WEB-type hot melt adhesive permits air ventilation and is capable of withstanding typical temperatures encountered during laundering. Preferably, the adhesive is stable at a temperature as high as 100 degrees Celsius. In the preferred embodiment, the WEB-type adhesive is the adhesive sold under the trademark MELTACE WEB 100E by Donsung NSC Co., Ltd. [0015] Fabric panels 226 are preferably affixed by the WEB-type, air-ventilating adhesive and thermal processing to the protective foam segments 222 on the surfaces of protective foam segments 222 that are not in immediate contact with fabric panels 220 or 230. The size and shape of each fabric panel 226 is preferably substantially larger than the associated protective foam segment 222 to which it is attached, so as to enable attaching each fabric panel 226 to the fabric panel 220 or 230 at areas beyond the associated protective foam segment 222. Preferably, each fabric panel 226 is stitched to the fabric panel 220 or 230 around the entire perimeter of the associated protective foam segment. [0016] Preferably, fabric panels 220, 230 and 226 are made of a synthetic fabric constructed to promote moisture-wicking and to be capable of stretching in multiple directions. "Moisture-wicking" is defined herein as the ability to absorb perspiration and other fluids, while "stretching in multiple directions" is defined as the ability to stretch under typical force applied to a garment and still return to the original relaxed condition when the force is removed. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric would comprise Polyester microfibers combined with Spandex sold under various trademarks and produced by Y.R.C. Textile Co., Ltd. [0017] Preferably, protective foam segments 222 are made of perforated closed cell foam. Exoskeletal Assembly Continue reading... Full patent description for Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Multi-use blanket with attached fastening device Next Patent Application: Cap assembly with eyeglasses Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Protective garment for use under an exoskeletal pad system patent info. 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