# US 10,441,870 B2 · Protective articles and methods thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,870 B2 - Document ID: US10441870B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/997,516 - Filed: 2018-06-04 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-05 - Assignees: Aexos Inc. - Applicants: Aexos Inc. - Inventors: Charles Ryan Corrigan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441870B2 ## CPC - A41D 13/015: with shock-absorbing means (A41D13/05 takes precedence) - A63B 71/12: for the body or the legs {, e.g. for the shoulders (A63B71/081 takes precedence)} - A41D 13/0506: {Hip} - A41D 13/0512: {Neck or shoulders area} - A41D 13/0518: {Chest} - A41D 13/0525: {Loin or waist area} - A41D 13/0531: {Spine} - A41D 13/0537: {Buttocks} - A41D 13/0543: {Legs (knee or foot A41D13/06; protectors for the legs of players or sportmen A63B71/1225)} - A41D 13/06: Knee or foot {(protectors for the legs of players or sportsmen A63B71/1225)} - A41D 13/08: Arm or hand (protective gloves A41D19/015 {; protectors for the hands of players or sportsmen A63B71/14}) - A63B 71/1291: {for the neck} - F41H 1/00: Personal protection gear (shields for personal use F41H5/08; {footwear for use in minefields A43B3/0026}; for protection against chemical warfare A62B) - A41D 13/0007: {Garments with built-in harnesses (safety harnesses A62B35/00)} - A41D 13/0015: {Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088} - A41D 13/0153: {having hinged or separable parts} - A41D 13/055: {Protector fastening, e.g. on the human body} - A41D 2300/20: Inserts - A41D 2500/50: Synthetic resins or rubbers - A41D 2600/10: for sport activities - A63B 71/1225: {for the legs, e.g. thighs, knees, ankles, feet} - A63B 71/14: for the hands, e.g. baseball, boxing or golfing gloves (archer's finger tabs F41B5/1473) - A63B 2071/1208: {for the breast and the abdomen, e.g. breast plates} - A63B 2071/1233: {for the hip} - A63B 2071/125: {for the knee} - A63B 2071/1258: {for the shin, e.g. shin guards} - A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials - A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener - F41H 1/02: Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics {(F41H5/04 takes precedence)} - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL ## Abstract Disclosed herein are wearable articles and methods for the manufacture and use thereof. The wearable articles can comprise compression elements, gripping elements, and support elements containing a rate-sensitive materials which can operate to prevent injury. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article wearable by a subject, comprising: a) a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1); b) at least one gripping element coupled to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ2 is greater than μ1; c) at least one compression element coupled to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and d) at least one support element comprising a neck support element integrated into the base layer, the neck support element comprising a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the non-Newtonian material comprises: a) a first viscosity (v1) in response to a first motion by the subject that exerts a first force (F1) upon the at least one support element; and b) a second viscosity (v2) in response to a second motion by the subject that exerts a second force (F2) upon the at least one support element, wherein F2 is greater than F1and v2 is greater than v1 such that the at least one support element produces a greater resistance to the second motion than to the first motion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element comprises an elastomeric polymer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The article of claim 3, wherein the elastomeric polymer forms a foam matrix comprising the non-Newtonian material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The article of claim 4, wherein the non-Newtonian material is a shear thickening non-Newtonian fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element comprises a pouch encapsulating the non-Newtonian material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element is configured to provide resistance to movement of at least one of a muscle, a joint, or a bone of the subject, wherein the resistance increases with increasing force of the movement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one support element further comprises at least one of: a) a thigh support element; b) a shin support element; or c) a spine support element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the neck support element comprises a penannular collar member having a shape that is configured to be anatomically complementary with the neck of the subject. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the neck support element is configured to be positioned around a rear and lateral sides of the neck of the subject. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping element comprises a polymeric or composite material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping element comprises a textured surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, further comprising at least one tensioner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The article of claim 13, wherein the at least one tensioner comprises at least one of a chest tensioner, an abdominal tensioner, a waist tensioner, a thigh tensioner, or a shin tensioner. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression element comprises a polymeric material or composite material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one compression element comprises a material formed from silicone, nylon, rubber, neoprene, vinyl, polyurethane, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a long-sleeve shirt, a short-sleeve shirt, a no-sleeve shirt, a pair of pants, or a full body suit. ### Claim 18 A method for forming an article wearable by a subject, comprising: a) providing a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1); b) coupling at least one gripping element to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ2 is greater than μ1; c) coupling at least one compression element to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and d) integrating at least one support element comprising a neck support element into the base layer, wherein the neck support element comprises a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, and wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject, and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising laminating or printing the compression element or gripping element adjacent to the base layer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the support element, the compression element, and the gripping element is irremovably attached to the base layer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the neck support element comprises a penannular collar member that is anatomically complementary with the neck of the subject. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the neck support element is positioned around a rear and lateral sides of a neck of the subject. ### Claim 23 A method for mounting an article on a body of a subject, comprising: a) providing the article comprising: i) a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1); ii) at least one gripping element coupled to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ2 is greater than μ1; iii) at least one compression element coupled to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and iv) at least one support element comprising a neck support element integrated into the base layer, the neck support element comprising a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force; and b) mounting the article on the body of the subject, wherein when mounted on the body of the subject, the interior surface and the at least one gripping element contact the body surface of the subject at μ2 greater than μ1. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein when mounted on the body of the subject, the at least one support element provides support and impact protection to the subject while allowing full range of motion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein when mounted on the body of the subject, the non-Newtonian material of the at least one support element comprises: a) a first viscosity (v1) in response to a first motion by the subject that exerts a first force (F1) upon the at least one support element; and b) a second viscosity (v2) in response to a second motion by the subject that exerts a second force (F2) upon the at least one support element, wherein F2 is greater than F1 and v2 is greater than v1, and the at least one support element produces a greater resistance to the second motion than to the first motion. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one gripping element comprises a surface that is textured in a manner configured to exert a tangential force upon the body surface of the subject when the at least one gripping element is mounted on the body of the subject.