Articulated Protective Apparatus

摘要

Aspects of the present invention relate to a protective apparatus that is comprised of an impact shell and an impact attenuating structure. The impact shell includes two discrete portions that are moveably hinged to one another to conform to the underlying protected portion, such as an athlete's shin region. The protective apparatus also utilizes an impact attenuating structure that functions to attenuate an impact force as well as serve as a hinge between the two-part shell. Additional aspects include a puncture prevention element that is positioned between the two shell portions to resist impalement at the hinge junction formed between the two shell portions. Further, additional aspects utilize one or more channels on a posterior surface of the impact attenuating structure to aid in guiding the articulation of the impact attenuating structure in a location related to the shell articulation joint.

主权项

1. An articulated protective apparatus comprising:
an impact shell having an anterior surface, an opposite posterior surface, a medial edge, an opposite lateral edge, a superior edge, and an opposite inferior edge; the impact shell further comprising:
(1) a medial shell element extending from the superior edge to the inferior edge and from the medial edge to a medial hinge edge; and(2) a lateral shell element extending from the superior edge to the inferior edge and from the lateral edge to a lateral hinge edge;(3) the medial shell element is physically independent of the lateral shell element; and an impact attenuating structure having a posterior surface, an opposite anterior surface, a medial edge, an opposite lateral edge, a superior edge, and an opposite inferior edge, the impact attenuating structure anterior surface directly coupled to the posterior surface of the impact shell proximate a portion of the medial shell element and proximate a portion of the lateral shell element.