Apparel incorporating a protective element and method for making

摘要

Protective elements for an article of apparel may include a plate component and a cushioning component that are secured together by stitching which passes through the plate component. The cushioning component may include a pair of material layers and at least one pad located between the material layers. The plate component may include a polymer material and the pad may include a polymer foam material, with the polymer material of the plate element having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material of the pads. An attachment area may be formed on an outer perimeter of the plate component that is provided with a reduced thickness relative to adjacent areas of the plate component. An attachment element may be passed through the attachment area and at least one layer of the cushioning component thereby attaching the plate component to at least the one layer.

主权项

1. A protective element for an article of apparel, the protective element comprising:
a first material layer having a first side and an opposite second side; a second material layer associated with the first material layer; a pad component located between the first material layer and the second material layer; a plate component positioned adjacent to the first material layer, wherein the plate component is disposed adjacent the first side of the first material layer and the pad component is located adjacent the second side of the first material layer so that the first material layer is disposed between the plate component and the pad component, wherein the plate component has a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness; an attachment area formed on an outer perimeter of the plate component, wherein the attachment area corresponds to the second portion so that the attachment area has the second thickness; and an attachment element that attaches the plate component to the first material layer, wherein the attachment element extends entirely through the second thickness of the attachment area.