Shock absorbing structure
AssigneeParadox Design Services Inc.
InventorsSteve Copeland, Robert L. Weckman, Hyo-Chul Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is provided a shock absorbing structure comprising a generally planar surface made of a flexible plastic material. A plurality of upstanding, hollow support members extends from the planar surface. The support members are made of flexible plastic material. There is also a plurality of openings in each of the support members, the openings define air passages within the shock absorbing structure to allow air to flow through the support members. The shock absorbing structure may be used in helmets, shin pads, kneepads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, chest protectors, gloves, pants and footwear.
Claims11
An accessory for providing protection to a part of the human body, the accessory comprising:
- a rigid outer protective shell defining an interior surface;
- a layer of a shock absorbing material secured to the interior surface of the protective shell;
- wherein the shock absorbing material comprises:
- a support surface made of a flexible material;
- a plurality of upstanding, hollow support members extending from the support surface, the support members made of flexible material;
- wherein each support member has an inner end adjacent the support surface and an outer end adjacent the shell and a sidewall extending between the inner and outer ends;
- and wherein each support member defines a first opening in the sidewall, and defines a second opening in the inner end and extending through the support surface;
- and defines a third opening in the outer end whereby air is able to flow through the first, second and third openings in each support member;
- and
- a flex airspace defined between each pair of adjacent support members, such that the adjacent support members are free standing;
- and wherein the support members flex into the flex airspace upon application of a force to the support member;
- and wherein the rigid outer protective shell defines openings that are aligned with the third openings in the outer ends of some of the support members;
- whereby the openings in the shell are in communication with the first, second and third openings in the support members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.