Patent ID: 8065753
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A41D

Abstract:
1. A garment, for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region and lacking a bone part near the skin surface, the garment comprising: at least one protective device shaped in accordance with anatomical features of the vulnerable region and the soft tissue region so that impact energy is at least partly shunted from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where the impact energy may be safely dissipated; mounting means for removably mounting the at least one protective device on the subject in a manner permitting the shunting of impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region; said protective device comprising: one or more portions of spacer fabric, the one or more portions being shaped to partly or totally surround the vulnerable region when mounted on the skin surface of the subject, the one or more portions having a thickness ranging between 10-20 mm; one or more open protective spaces disposed within the protective device, such when the one or more portions are mounted on the skin surface of the subject, the one or more open protective spaces are disposed above the vulnerable region to prevent contact between the protective device and the vulnerable region, wherein the one or more protective spaces have a suitable height which, in combination with the spacer fabric of the one or more arm portions, ensures said at least partly shunting of the impact energy directed against the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region as it is at least partly absorbed in the spacer fabric whereby a substantial portion of the impact energy be shunted to and dissipated in the soft tissue region.