Patent ID: 6826786
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: A41D

Abstract:
A chest protector for absorbing impacts to the body of an athlete from a projectile, comprising a main portion for substantially overlying the chest and abdomen of the athlete, said main portion defining an upper portion and a lower portion,said main portion having a variable thickness ranging from a thicker said upper portion and a thinner said lower portion such that said lower portion is more flexible than said upper portion, wherein said main portion comprises a plurality of substantially channel-shaped fold lines intersecting with one another to define a plurality of raised impact-absorbing surfaces therebetween, wherein said raised impact-absorbing surfaces have a surface area configured for receiving the impact of the projectile, surface areas of said plurality of raised impact-absorbing surfaces incrementally decreasing in size laterally from a center area of said main portion to vertical side edges of said main portion, wherein each said raised impact-absorbing surface is defined by an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion, said upper surface portion having a greater height relative to said lower surface portion, and said upper surface portion and said lower surface portion merging into one another to define a downward-deflecting surface therebetween, said downward-deflecting surface angled relative said upper and lower portions to direct the projectile downward when the projectile impacts said raised impact-absorbing areas.