CZ289998A3 - Flexible and lightweight protective pad - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved protective pad for protecting the human body against impact forces. The pad is formed using layers of high density closed-cell polymer foam and low density closed-cell polymer foam. The high density layer absorbs and dissipates impact forces, while the low density layers acts as a cushion against the human body, and provides for comfort. The pad can be provided with a plurality of hole through its thickness to provide for breathability and release of heat from the human body, the surface area of holes being great enough to allow for adequate ventilation but not so great as to significantly decrease the protection offered by the pad. The pad can also be provided with a plurality of score lines across its surface and partially through its thickness to provide for flexibility and conformability to the part of the human body being protected.

Description

Flexible and lightweight liner

Technical field

The present invention relates to a protective pad (s) for the human body, more particularly one that is lightweight, shock absorbing, flexible, and breathable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lumbar pads and other protective pads are used to protect the human body from damage due to impact from falls, accidents, sports and other related events. Especially the bone fracture of accidental falling, commonly found in osteoporosis and those who are moving uncertainly and have difficulty walking. In the elderly, especially those suffering from osteoporosis, bone fractures are very difficult to heal and it is highly desirable to prevent these fractures first.

as a result of older people, people

In the past, a variety of protective pads and garments were available, but all with some drawbacks. A typical piece of protective clothing is an insert or pad which is either permanently attached to the garment or slips into a pocket in the garment or is held in place or skin by tape or harmless adhesive such that the protector is placed over the body surface susceptible to injury. This area of the body susceptible to injury is the hip area, especially in the elderly. Acne fracture, which occurs in 2 to 3% of cases (· · · »· · (» · · · · · ·

- 2 falls of the elderly, generally involves a fracture to the body closer to the femur. This part of the femur consists of the head, neck, large trochanter (tuft) and small trochanter. The large trochanter protrudes outwardly at the largest area of the hip region and, as it is positioned, is subjected to a major onslaught by the fall of the impact force resulting from the fall, in particular falling sideways.

In order to protect the femoral region, inserts (pads) are typically attached to the interior of the garment in an area that covers the hips or are placed in pockets made in the garment in the hips area. More specifically, these pads are typically positioned to lie over the large trochanter, or, in the case of certain types of force or energy of branching protectors, surround the large trochanter without actually covering it.

The degree to which the pad needs to attenuate the impact force during a fall is a matter of great debate. This is because the measurements of the force required to break the posthumous femur of older people in simulated fall load arrangements are very different. These measurements range from 2110 N (JC Lotz & WC Hayes, J. Bone Joint Surg. (Am.), Volume 72, pages 689-700, 1990) to 6,020 N (TG Weber, R. Woo, RH Fitzgerald, ASME Adv. Bioeng. BED22: pages 111-114, 1992), depending on the magnitude of the respective load. In addition, the velocity at which a human torso strikes a hard surface such as a tiled floor may vary from 2.0 to about 4.5 m / sec. An average speed of about 2.6 meters per second is reported by researchers (S.N. Rabinovitch, J. Biochemical Engineering, Volume 9, pages 1391-1396, 1994) who measured the velocity of human volunteers falling to their sides. Estimates of the force delivered to the unprotected large trochanter pad during a fall also range from about 5700 N to 10400 N (J. Parkkari et al., J. Bone and Minerals Res., Volume 10, pages 1437-1442, 1995). ).

- 3 The best evidence of the effectiveness of pads is obtained from clinical studies in living humans. Such a study was performed by Lauritzen et al. (Lancet, vol. 341, pages 11-13, 1993), using a hard honeycomb liner. This protector was found to reduce the incidence of hip fractures by about 50% in the study population. Despite these significant clinical results, the Lauritzen protector showed relatively low force-damping results when mounted on a surrogate culvert and subjected to a heavy (35 kilogram) pendulum moving at 2.6 meters / second (SN Rabinovitch et al., J. Biochemical Englneering, vol. 117, pages 409-413, 1995). Under these in vitro test conditions, the Lauritzen protector reduced the thighbone pressure from about 5770 N to about 4800 N, or only about 17%. The Lauritzen protector based protector was marketed in Denmark by Sahvatex (a joint venture between Sahva A / S and Tytex A / S) under the trade name SAFEHIP ™. These protectors, which are oval-shaped bowls containing polypropylene hard shells, are sewn into a pair of cotton underwear.

These clinical results offer two hypotheses. The first is that the pendulum impact tests used by other researchers may not correlate well with the performance of the in vitro protector, although such tests may be useful in measuring the impact capability of different padding systems. In these tests, the protector is mounted on a surrogate hip, is held in a fixed position and is struck by a swinging mass weighing 35 kilograms or more. In a real fall, this dynamic is somewhat different. In fact, both the protector and the mass of the human body move downward, in fact, rapidly due to the force of gravity, and hit a fixed object such as the ground or hard floor that does not move much in reaction, one would suspect that hard surface, to better imitate the dynamics of the fall, the arrangement of a number of different padding systems will be 4

- 4 probably similar, but a somewhat different percent reduction in power could be achieved. The second hypothesis assumes that the pendulum test correlates with the performance of the protector in vivo, and that pads providing relatively low levels of maximum force reduction (about 20% or the like) may be effective in reducing bowel fractures across a portion of the older population prone to falling. In both cases and irrespective of the test method, a maximum force reduction pad more than a clinically tested Lauritzen / Sahvatex protector should be even more effective in preventing hip fractures and protecting an even wider segment of the older population.

Obviously, the greater the power reduction we get from a protector, the more likely it will reduce the incidence of a hip fracture. However, our consumer research has taught us that, in addition to reducing the impact force exerted on a large trochanter during a fall, protectors must also provide other benefits to increase compliance with the wearer's requirements. These relate to both the appearance and comfort of the wearer and include features such as maximum thickness, thickness profile, weight, breathability, flexibility, and fit to the wearer's body. Previous pads have had many drawbacks in these areas.

Some of the prior art pads were bulky and clumsy in an effort to provide sufficient impact protection; many typical prior art protectors intended to provide effective impact resistance have more than 25.4 mm (1 inch) thickness. Thin prior art thin pads typically provide low impact resistance, characterized by less than a 30% reduction in force, as measured on buffet hips dropped or hit by a heavy pendulum. Other pads were not breathable, resulting in a large heat build-up on the skin that was covered by the pad. Yet another pad was rigid and thus not conforming to the coated parts of the body. In addition, hard shell pads tend to be inconvenient φφ φφφφφφ φφ

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to sit on or sleep on them when they are worn. Soft foam pads require greater thickness to absorb impact forces; the greater the thickness then leads to a larger, less comfortable pad and an increased heat build-up below it. All this has led to relative discomfort for the wearer.

Our consumer research has shown that potential wearers, regardless of their age or physical condition, are interested in their appearance. Preferred hip pads are not thicker than about 25.4 mm (1 inch), and more preferably those with about 19 mm (3/4 inch) thickness or less. The thickness profile is also important. Preferred are inserts that are tapered from the area of maximum thickness to the periphery so that the edges of the insole under normal clothing are not visible. Overall, a perimeter thickness of about 12.77 mm (1/2 inch) or less is preferred. Even more preferably, the thickness range in the circumference is 6.35 mm (1/4 palee) or less.

Since most potential wearers are older women of slim construction and low body weight, the weight of the pad is significant. Preferred are liners weighing less than about 300 grams each (600 grams of pair). Even more preferred are liners that weigh less than about 200 grams each (400 grams vapor). Most preferred are liners that weigh less than about 100 grams each (200 grams pair).

Unlike sports pads that are intended to be worn for a very short period of time, elderly hip pads are intended to be worn all day, outdoors and at home, in any hot and cold climate, and in all humidity conditions. Typical foam inserts are made of closed cell foams that do not let moisture or sweat away from the body. In addition, such inserts are heat insulators and do not effectively dissipate body heat. This leads to an even greater build-up of sweat and moisture under the pad, which can damage the skin of older wearers. Accordingly, preferred inserts have a substantial open area, preferably at least about 5% or more, and more preferably about 10% or more, in order that

• Enable sweat evaporation and body heat ventilation.

This material discloses a new, improved protective liner that provides increased impact resistance in a relatively thin, lightweight liner. Increased impact resistance is maintained while providing breathability at the same time to prevent increase in body heat and associated discomfort. In addition, this new liner provides flexibility and adaptation to a part of the protected human body without adversely affecting its protective qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a protective liner (protector) is provided to protect a predetermined area of the human body against impact, the liner having an area and thickness, the liner comprising a layer of closed cell surface polymer foam from the closed cell surface foam against the body. a high density on the outer wearer, and a low density polymer layer on the inner wearer. The high density foam typically has a density of from about 128 to about 192 kg per cubic meter (about 8 to about 12 pounds per cubic foot) and preferably about 160 kg per cubic meter (about 10 pounds per cubic foot). The low density foam typically has a density of from about 48 to about 80 kg per cubic meter (about 3 to about 5 pounds per cubic foot) and preferably about 64 kg per cubic meter (about 4 pounds per cubic foot). These layers are fastened together and provide a relatively lightweight liner, providing relatively high impact force resistance and relative comfort for the wearer.

The liner has a plurality of grooved lines across the outer surface and partly through its thickness, providing substantial flexibility and adaptability to the body surface fc ·

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- 7 covered with an insert, without substantially affecting the resistance to impact forces. The protective liner may have a plurality of open surfaces on its surface and entirely through its thickness, so as to provide breathability and heat dissipation from the surfaces of the human body covered by the liner, while maintaining a significant resistance to impact forces.

Generally, the pad weighs less than 75 grams and has a maximum preferred thickness of less than 25.4 mm. The overall size of the insert or surface covered by the insert may range from about 96.7 to about 322.6 square centimeters (about 15 to about 30 square inches). The percentage of open area may range from about 10% to about 50%, depending on the overall size of the pad. Generally, the percentage of free area of the insert is selected to provide maximum ventilation while still providing a 40% or greater reduction in maximum force as measured in the surrogate hip crash test.

These pads may be permanently or removably attached to the garment. These garments are preferably made of a fabric that promotes the leakage of accumulated sweat out of the human body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the description is completed with claims that specifically explain and clearly claim the present invention, it is believed that it will be better understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Giant. 1 is a plan view of a protective insert of the present invention.

Giant. 2 is a partial cross-section through lines 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive security insert.

Giant. 4 is a perspective view of the hip protector of FIG. 1 showing the insert in a bent position.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made in more detail to the respective drawings in which like numerals designate the same element in all views; 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, a protective liner 10. The liner 10 is relatively light and relatively thin (less than 25 mm in thickness, but most preferably 19 mm or less). It can also be relatively flexible and shaped as desired depending on the particular application, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The pad 10 has a large degree of open area through its breathing thickness while maintaining considerable impact resistance as shown by the apertures 12. The pad 10 also effectively reduces the impact force by about 40 to 50% compared to the impact strength experienced without protection.

The liner 10 can be manufactured in a variety of shapes based on the particular style desired (cut) and use, such as rectangular (as shown in Figure 3), square, round, oval, and the like. The breathing openings 12 for body heat dissipation below the liner range from about 3.18 mm to about 25.4 mm in diameter, depending on the desired level of breathability and impact resistance. Other shaped openings such as ovals, squares and the like can also be used. The surface area devoted to these openings 12 must be large enough for effective venting, but not so large as to limit the ability of the liner 10 to reduce the maximum force to less than about 40%; the area devoted to the apertures 12 can range from 10 to 50 percent of the total surface area while maintaining considerable impact resistance. The liner 10 may be reticulated by partially cutting through its thickness, producing grooved (grooved, grooved) lines 14. The grooved lines 14 are cut to a depth of about 1/4 to 3/4 of the overall thickness of the liner and across the surface as shown in FIG. 1 and 3. These grooved lines 14 are cut or crimped into " 1 " AA AA AA AA 9 AAA AA AAA AAA AA AA A AA AA · A ··· ·· AAAA AAA AAAA AA AA High density foam liners or outer liners. This makes the insert very flexible and able to accommodate a wide range of shapes and sizes. This flexibility given by the grooved lines 14 is shown in FIG. 4.

The pattern and layout in which the grooved lines are applied may vary. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 1, 3 and 4 show grooved lines cut in plus or minus 45 degrees to the straight edges of the insert and extending through the centers of the holes in the insert. These grooved lines may also be cut at 90 degrees to the straight edges of the insert or at any other angle between plus and minus 45 degrees and 90 degrees to these edges. These grooved lines may extend through the holes, between the holes, or in combinations through and between the holes. The grooved lines need not be cut as straight lines parallel and perpendicular to each other as shown in FIG. 1, 3 and 4. They can also be cut in a fan-shaped piling from one side of the insert. They can be curved, sinusoidal or placed zigzag over the insert. The preferred spacing between these grooved lines is between about 6.35 mm and about 50.8 mm. An even more preferred gap between the grooved lines lies between 12.77 and about 25.4 mm.

The protective liner 10 is made of two different types of foam materials. The outer impact layer 16 is a high density solid material, preferably a closed cell polymer foam, for example, VOLTEK L1000 polyethylene foam (Voltek, Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843). The inner layer 18 is a low density soft padding material, also preferably a closed cell polymer foam, for example, Sentinel MC3800 polyethylene foam (Sentinel Products Corporation, Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601). The outer layer 16 is capable of providing maximum impact absorption and is rigid enough to prevent the insert from reaching its lowest position (bump down the joint) when under impact, while the inner layer 18 provides comfort

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99 and the degree of flexibility needed to adapt to different parts of the human body; the end result is a combination of maximum efficiency and comfort.

The protective liner 10 can be made by laminating the two layers together and then shaping them by mechanically grinding them, using shaping rollers and a blade with oblique cutting edges. Alternatively, the insert may be made by heating the two layers and compressing them under heat and pressure. Those methods are known to those skilled in the art.

The liner materials are closed-cell foams, preferably closed-cell polyolefin foams, but other materials with similar properties may also be used. Suitable closed cell polyolefin foams may be derived from low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density (MDPE), polyethylene density (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymers (EMA), ethylene ionomers, polypropylene and polypropylene copolymers. These polyolefin materials are preferred because they do not absorb water or sweat, nor promote microbial growth, and are generally non-irritating and non-irritating to human skin. Other suitable materials may include rubber foams derived from natural rubber, butyl rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polynorbornene, styrene-butadiene, neoprene, nitrile rubber and continuous rubber materials, polyurethane foams, and plasms of plated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foams. Although other materials such as polyurethanes or rubber foams may achieve desirable levels of impact resistance, care must be taken in choosing these materials for pads for use in direct or indirect contact with human skin. It is known to those skilled in the art that special grades of each may be formulated to prevent the absorption of water or sweat, to prevent the nicrobial growth of high copolymer polyethylenes.

• · · ·

- 11 and to prevent irritation and increased skin sensitivity, which can all lead to user discomfort or can be harmful to the user.

The outer layer 16 has a density of from about 128 to about 192 kg per cubic meter (about 8 to about 12 pounds per cubic foot) and preferably about 160 kg per cubic meter (about 10 pounds per cubic foot), and the inner layer 18 has a density of about 48 to about 80 kg per cubic meter (about 3 to about 5 pounds per cubic foot) and preferably about 64 kg per cubic meter (about 4 pounds per cubic foot). When each layer is made in the upper zone of its density range, this results in maximum impact resistance. When each layer is made in the lower zone of its density range, this results in maximum comfort. Preferred values result in a combination in one liner of considerable comfort and impact resistance. In addition, providing a high density top or outer layer with a thickness of at least 50 percent of the overall thickness of the insert maximizes performance of the insert.

The wearing comfort of the hip pads can be increased by carrying the garment. The garment fabric can increase breathability, especially in combination with an insert with airflow openings. Substances that promote leakage of natural moisture from the skin promote temperature control and comfort. Cottonwick, manufactured by Colville Inc. of Winston Salem, North Carolina, is a particularly effective substance for this purpose. It has a unique knit loop with a polymerized silicone coating that wicks moisture into the fabric. The knitted loop forms conical shaped capillaries and the silicone surface directs moisture from the surface of the fabric to the cones.

The security inserts of the present invention may be permanently attached to the garment by, for example, sewing them into pockets such that the inserts cannot be displaced. The inserts used in such a crimp need to be at least hand washable with this garment, and preferably in a washing machine. After washing

the garment and liner must be dried. Both cord drying at room temperature and drying in the dryer using hot air are facilitated by open surfaces in these inserts that promote air flow through both the fabric of the garment and these inserts. Alternatively, the garment may have pockets made openable and closable by means of zippers, clips, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. This allows these inserts to be removed from the garment so that it can be washed separately, if desired.

The following examples illustrate the invention but do not limit it.

Example 1 (machined foam laminate insert)

The multilayered insert is assembled by first punching a piece of MG38OO polyethylene foam (Sentinel Products Corporation, Hyannis, Massachusetts, 02601), at a density of 64 kg per cubic meter, from a 9.52 mm thick layer such that the piece has two opposing straight sides and parallel to each other, and two curved opposing sides as shown in FIG. 1. At the same time, twelve spaced holes of 12.77 mm diameter are punched in this piece. The distance between the straight sides is about 127 mm and the distance between the curved sides measured over the center of the piece is about 139.7 mm. The first piece is the skin or wearer side of the pad.

A second piece of round shaped foam having a diameter of about 114.3 mm is a die cut piece of 9.52 mm thick Minicell L1000 polyethylene foam (Voltek, Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843), with a density of about 160 kg per cubic meter. This piece also has twelve holes of 12.77 mm diameter punched at the same time, and has the same spatial arrangement as in the first piece of foam. This second piece is the outer side of the pad • away from the wearer's body.

The two foam pieces are laminated together using 3M # 343 double-sided adhesive tapes (3M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota 55144) such that the twelve holes in each piece are aligned axially with respect to each other. This laminate assembly is then mechanically machined using a cup grinding wheel to provide smooth tapering sides of the liner in all directions and deliver a convex or curved cross-section laminate, with L1GOO foam positioned on the extreme or convex side of the liner. This is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The finished liner weighs about 15 grams and has an open area of about 12%. The maximum thickness is about 19 mm in the central surfaces of the liner, tapering to about 6.35 mm, or less, around its periphery.

The ability of the liner to damp against impact against a hard surface is measured on a surrogate hip (hip, hip and thigh level, or body region around the hip) composed of closed cell polyolefin and neoprene foams, as well as other components, and designed to mimic both soft tissue responses and pelvic responses of the human hip in a fall. The surrogate hip is dropped from a distance of about 37.5 em so that its velocity on impact with the horizontal steel plate is about 2.7 meters / second. The surrogate hip weight is approximately 35 kilograms and includes a 2,268 kg trochanter, a surrogate thigh bone and a surrogate large 5000 pound dynamometer (about item no. 8496-01, GRC Instruments, Santa

Barbara, California, USA) measures the force transmitted to the surrogate big trochanter when the surrogate hip is dropped onto a steel plate. The force measured on the surrogate trochanter when the hip is released and hits a steel plate is about 6000 N.

For comparison with the pad of the present invention, a SAFEHIP ™ (Sahvatex, Denmark) product is removed from the hip protector and fixed to the surrogate hip, and maintained in a repetitive manner across the surrogate large trochanter surface via

- 14 φ ·· stretch fabric covering the outer skin (skin) of this hip. When the surrogate hip with the protector is dropped and hits the steel plate at 2.7 meters / second, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 30% less than that measured with the surrogate hip without the use of a liner protector.

The protective insert of this example is fixed to the surrogate hip and held in place over the surrogate large trochanter surface by means of a stretch fabric covering the outer hip skin. When the surrogate hip with the pad is dropped and hits the steel plate at 2.7 meters / second, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 44% less than that measured with the surrogate hip without the use of a pad.

Example 2 (machined foam laminate liner with grooved lines)

A protective insert similar to that described in Example 1 is assembled. In this insert, grooves are then formed on the side of the L1000 material using an exakto knife. The grooved lines are applied at plus and minus 45 degrees to the straight sides of the insert and are cut through about 3/4 of the path through the entire thickness of the insert. The resulting liner is very flexible and is divided in many ways. When measured on the surrogate hip tester, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 43% less than that measured with the surrogate hip without the use of a pad. Thus, these grooved lines have no practical effect on the ability to reduce the impact force of the insert.

Example 3 (pressed liner)

A piece of dimensions is cut from a larger sheet material

152.4 mm by 152.4 mm MC38OO foam, 9.52 mm thick. A second piece of circular foam with a diameter of 101.6 mm and a thickness of 15.8 mm is cut from the L1000 flat foam. L1000 is laminated to MC3800 using 3M # 343 adhesive tape so that the centers of both pieces are aligned in line.

The laminate is placed in a convection oven and heated for 3 minutes at 35 ° F (about 177 ° C). Then the laminate is removed from the furnace and immediately placed between the press plates of the aluminum die. When closed, this mold forms a crescent-shaped cavity designed to provide a maximum thickness in the central area of the insert of about 19 mm, a smooth transition between the two foams, and a tapered cross-section. The laminate is compressed for 30 seconds at a pressure of 1900 pounds per square inch (about 133 kg per square centimeter). To remove the laminate from the mold, a scale punch is used to cut (die) the liner into its final shape, as well as to create twelve holes with a diameter of 12.77 mm in the same spatial arrangement as in Examples 1 and 2, and the illustration in Figs. 1. The resulting weight of the pad is about 21 grams. When tested on the surrogate hip drop tester at an impact speed of 2.7 meters / second, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 40% less than that measured with a surrogate hip without the use of a pad.

To determine if the liner is stable in machine washing and drying, several liners were placed in a Norge Heavy Duty washing machine and allowed to undergo 3 normal cycles using Liquid Tide. The water temperature is set to hot, which is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 49 ° C) in this washing machine. After three washing cycles, the liners are placed in a Sears Kenmore dryer and dried for 2 hours at about 180 (about 82 ° C), much longer than is actually needed to actually dry them. After washing and drying as described, these pads showed no visible signs of deterioration.

Example 4 (pressed liner with grooved lines)

A protective insert identical to that described in Example 3 is assembled. In this insert, grooves are then formed on the side of the L1000 insert material using an exakto knife. These grooved lines are positioned in the same pattern as described in Example 2 and are also cut to about 3/4 through the overall thickness of the insert. When evaluated on the surrogate hip drop tester, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 43% less than that measured on the surrogate hip without the use of a pad.

Example 5 (rectangular molded insert)

A piece of MC38OO foam of 127.0 mm wide and 177.8 mm long, 9.52 mm thick, and having fifteen orifices of 25.4 mm in diameter, is cut from a larger sheet material, as shown in FIG. Giant. 3. A second piece of foam, also 127.0 mm by 177.8 mm, and also having fifteen orifices with a diameter of 25.4 mm, is cut from a 15.8 mm thick L1000 foam area. The two pieces of foam are laminated together with fifteen aligned alignment holes using 3M # 343 adhesive tape.

The laminate is placed in a convection oven and heated for 3 minutes at 35 ° F (about 177 ° G). Then the laminate is removed from the oven and immediately placed between the aluminum die plates with the L1000 side facing the top or concave pusher and side MC38OO facing the bottom or convex pressure plate. When closed, this mold forms a crescent-shaped cavity designed to provide a maximum thickness of about 19 mm in the central face of the protective, and edges tapered to 6.35 mm or less around the perimeter of the insert.

The laminate is compressed for about 30 seconds at a pressure of about 1900 pounds per square inch (i.e., about 133 kg per square inch).

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9999 999 9999 99 99 centimeter). The weight of the finished liner is about 41 grams and has about 33% open area.

When tested on the surrogate hip drop tester at an impact speed of about 2.7 meters / second, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 46% less than that measured on the surrogate hip without the use of a pad.

Example 6 (rectangular insert with large open area and grooved lines) and modifications without going to

A protective insert identical to that described in Example 5 is assembled. In this insert, grooves are then formed from the side of the L1000 material using an exakto knife. These grooved lines are positioned in the same pattern as described in FIG. 3 and are also cut to about 3/4 through the thickness of the insert. When evaluated on the surrogate hip drop tester, the maximum force measured on the surrogate trochanter is about 43% less than that measured on the surrogate hip without the use of a protective pad. Again, the presence of the grooved lines has no significant impact on the ability to reduce the impact force of the insert.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, therefore, the claims intend to cover all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention. of the invention.

Claims (6)

PATENT CLAIMS TV Protective liner to protect a predefined area of the human body against impact, the liner has area and thickness, the liner is characterized by a relatively high density, closed cell polymer foam layer and a relatively low density, closed cell polymer foam layer, which are fixed together and provide a relatively lightweight liner providing relatively high impact force resistance and relative comfort to the wearer. 2. A pad to protect a predetermined area of the human body from impact, the pad having a surface and a thickness, the pad having a plurality of grooved lines across the surface and partially through its thickness, thus providing substantial flexibility and adaptability to the surface of the human body covered by the pad. The pad according to claim 1, grooved lines across the surface and thickness so as to provide and adaptability to the surface of the human pad while maintaining the impact forces. further comprising a plurality partly through its substantial flexibility of the body covered by this considerable resistance to The pad according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a high density, closed cell polymer foam layer having a density of preferably from 128 to 192 kg per cubic meter, and a low density, closed cell polymer foam layer having a density of preferably from 48 to 80 kg per cubic meter, these layers are fastened together and provide a relatively lightweight liner, providing relatively high impact force resistance and relative comfort for the wearer. · ' 98 9 9 9 9 The pad according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the high density, closed cell polymer foam is most preferably a density of 160 kg per cubic meter, and the low density, closed cell polymer foam is most preferably a density of 64 kg per cubic meter. The pad according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of open areas on its surface and entirely through its thickness so as to provide respiration and dissipation of heat from the surface of the human body covered by the pad while maintaining considerable resistance to impact forces. A pad according to any preceding claim, further comprising a garment attached to the pad, the garment comprising a fabric that promotes leakage of sweat away from the human body.