BODY PROTECTION GARMENTS

ARTICLES VESTIMENTAIRES DE PROTECTION

English Abstract

ABSTRACT



This invention relates to protection garments used
by sportsmen who are exposed to frequent body contact with
opposing players comprising at least a protective element
and preferably a plurality of elasticated straps and means
for detachably securing each end of said straps to the
protective element and to a further element which may be a
second protective element or a separate protection garment
of another type.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
follows:

1) A body protection garment for the spine of a hockey
player comprising a plurality of longitudinally
extending rigid reinforced elements, each having at
least one of its extremities pivotally connected to
the extremity of an adjacent element and further
comprising means for removably securing the garment
in place.

2) A protection garment for the rear portion of the
lower leg of a hockey player comprising a rigid
reinforced protective element and means for
detachably securing said garment to the leg of the
player.

3) A protection garment for the ribs of a hockey player
comprising a pair of reinforced protective elements
detachably secured to each other by a plurality of
elasticated straps and press studs.

4) A protection garment as described in claim 3,
comprising means for detachably securing each
element to other protective equipment worn by the
player.

5) A protection garment as described in claim 1 or 2,
wherein the said means are a plurality of
elasticated straps affixed to the element with the
use of press studs.

6) A protection garment as described in claim 1 or 2,
comprising means for detachably securing said
protection garment to other protective equipment
worn by the player.


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Description

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This invention relates to body protection garments
or equipment used by sportsmen such as ice hockey players
and footballers, who are exposed to frequent body contact
with opposing players.




Body protection garments usually comprise protective
elements, connected together by rivets, stitching or the
like, and shaped to protect a particular part of th~ human
body, and including means for securing the garment to the
body. For example laces, and other detachable fasteners may
be u~ed, or alternatively elasticated bands may be used
which extend around the garment and the body to retain it in
position. Such garments are shown in U.S. Patents 2,108,336
tHELLAND), 2,163,463 (KENNEDY) and 3,585,639 (ENICICS).

It is an object of the present invention to provide
a body protection garment which includes improved means for

retaining the protective garment on the body of a user.



It is a further object of the invention to provide a
body protection garment which can adjust to compensate for
variations in the body size of a user. For example, in the
case of a protection garment for a user's rib cage, it will
expand and contract in response to the user's breathing.

It is a still f~rther object of tne invention to
provide a protection garment which will permit heat to
dissipate from within the garment.



These objects will be readily understood from the
following description and drawings of body protection

.

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garments in accordance with the invention, which are by w~y
of example only, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protection garment for a
rib cage;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a protection garment for a
leg;

Figure 3 is a view of a protection garment for the spine.

~eferring to Figure 1 of the drawings 10 indicates
rib protective elements which are shaped and curved in
cross-section so as to conform to the contour of the rib
cage of a user.

Each element 10 is ~ade of polyethylene and is
provided with a plurality of ribs 12 on its external surface
which extend generally perpendiculary to the direction of a
human rib.

In addition, each element 10 is provided with four
metal press stud male portions 14, the said male portions 14
being disposed at the upper, lower and outer extremities of
the element 10.

Elasticated straps 16 are provided to connect the
protective elements 10 together, each end of each strap
being provided with the female portion 18 of a press stud
fabricated in polyethylene.

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Thus the straps 16 detachably connect the protective
elements together to permit expansion and contraction of
protective garment in unison with a user's breathing
movement.




Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings 20 indi-
cates a polyethylene protective element for the back of the
leg of a sportsman, the element being shaped, and curved so
as to conform with the contour of a leg, and as in the
previous example is provided with ribs 22.



Four metal, press stud male portions 24 are provided
on the element 20 and disposed generally one at each corner
thereof, whilst perforations 26 are provided in the element
20.




Four elasticated straps 28 are provided, each end of
each strap 28 including a polyethylene female portion 29 of
a press stud, one end of each strap 28 being connected to
the protective element 20 whilst the other end is connected
to a pad 30 which also includes metal male portions of a
press stud for cooperation with the straps.



Figure 3 of the drawings shows a protection garment
for the spine and comprises three protective elements 32
connected together by press studs, rivets, or other means,
and all of which include ribs 3~.



As in the previous examples, the garment is retained
on a user's body by elasticated straps not shown, which

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incorporate the female portions of a press stud for cooper-
ation with the male portions 34 of a press stud mounted on
the upper and lower protective elements and on other
protection ~arments such as shoulder pads worn by the
player.

It will be appreciated that whilst the protective
elements described in the above examples were fabricated in
polyethylene, other suitable plastics or other material may
be used.

It will also be appreciated that both the rib and
arm protective garments may be provided with perforations to
permit heat to dissipate from within the garment.




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