Protective padding layer
AssigneeWm. T. Burnett IP, LLC
InventorsSam Lacey, Betsy Barnhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings and a three-dimensional surface configuration to allow for consistent mechanical properties throughout the padding layer as a whole.
Claims29
A flexible padding layer, comprising a section of resilient sheet material formed with a repetitive composite pattern of surface features, said repetitive composite pattern comprising a geometric array of a plurality of elements, at least one element of each surface feature being shared with an adjoining surface feature, each said surface feature further comprising:
- a geometric perforation;
- and
- a contoured crown surrounding said geometric perforation, said crown including a plurality of shoulders each tapering to opposing edges, said plurality of shoulders being separated by a plurality angular sections integrally joined along said shoulder edges;
- said surface patterns and perforations collectively providing consistent flexibility in multiple directions.
A flexible padding layer, comprising:
- a sheet material defined by a composite pattern of surface features, said composite pattern comprising a repeating array of structural elements, each said structural element in said array comprising,
- a polygonal perforation through said sheet material,
- a plurality of shoulders radially arrayed around said polygonal perforation, and
- a plurality of angular plates each having a plurality of sides and each of said sides being integrally attached to one of said plurality of shoulders,
- whereby said array of surface features collectively provides consistent flexibility in multiple directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.