Pad elements for apparel and other products
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsDavid Turner, Jorge E. Carbo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pad element may include a base member, a pair of cover layers, and a plurality of insert elements. The base member defines a plurality of apertures. The cover layers are secured to opposite surfaces of the base member and extend across the apertures. The insert elements are located within the apertures and between the cover layers. As examples, the base member and the insert elements may be formed from polymer foam materials, and the cover layers may be formed from textile materials. The pad element may be utilized to attenuate impact forces and provide one or more of breathability, flexibility, a relatively low overall mass, and launderability.
Claims28
A pad element comprising:
- a base member having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface;
- a first cover layer secured to the first surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the first surface;
- a second cover layer secured to the second surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the second surface;
- and
- a plurality of insert elements, one of the insert elements located within each of the apertures, wherein the base member defines a first thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface, and the insert elements have a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness.
An article of apparel comprising:
- at least one textile element configured to form a structure for receiving a portion of a wearer;
- a pad element joined to the textile element, the pad element including:
- a base member having a first surface positioned adjacent to the textile element, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface,
- a cover layer secured to the second surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the second surface, and
- a plurality of insert elements, one of the insert elements located within each of the apertures, a maximum dimension of the insert elements being greater than a thickness of the base member.
A pad element comprising:
- a base member having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a plurality of circular apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface, each of the first surface and the second surface being substantially planar, the first surface and the second surface being substantially parallel to each other, and the base member defining a first thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface;
- a first textile layer secured to the first surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the first surface;
- a second textile layer secured to the second surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the second surface;
- and
- a plurality of substantially spherical insert elements, one of the insert elements located within each of the apertures and between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, the insert elements having a second thickness, the first thickness being less than the second thickness.
A pad element comprising:
- a base member having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the second surface, the base member defining a first thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface;
- a first cover layer secured to the first surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the first surface;
- a second cover layer secured to the second surface of the base member and extending across portions of the apertures positioned adjacent to the second surface;
- and
- a plurality of insert elements located within the apertures, the insert elements having a second thickness, the first thickness being less than the second thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.