Outdoor base layer including multi layer joint protection
OwnerT. Richard Ziehmerinventor
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Abstract
A base layer such as an undershirt or long underwear, for outdoor activities is described. The base layer includes an integrated joint protector. The protector includes foam padding realized as a collection of individual, mutually separated pads having a polygonal perimeter. The thickness of the pads decreases from a centerline of the protector to its medial and lateral edges. The medial and lateral edges have triangular individual pads with vertices facing out, which prevents binding or creasing of the protector under flexure. The base layer includes a rigid over-plate arranged over the foam padding having forward projecting unsupported projections that may deform when subject to shock.
Claims24
An athletic base layer garment comprising:
- a garment comprising one or more elastic fabric layers, sized to fit tightly to a portion of the body of a wearer;
- a padded joint protector integrated into a fabric layer of the garment over a joint of the wearer, wherein the padded joint protector comprises a plurality of individual, conformable pads mutually separated from adjacent pads by open channels;
- a rigid over-plate arranged over the padded joint protector, the rigid over-plate having a plurality of depressions on a bottom sur face configured to accept conformable pads in a nesting arrangement, wherein the over-plate further comprises a plurality of unsupported projections extending from a top surface, and wherein the over-plate is secured to the garment at its perimeter such that an airspace exists between a top surface of the conformable pads and the bottom surface of the over-plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.