Patent Description:
Shoulder pads are utilized in various contexts to provide protection from impact to a wearer. For example, shoulder pads are often worn in American style football, hockey, lacrosse, and motocross, among other activities. Some styles of shoulder pads include various drawbacks, such as restricted range-of-motion, which may limit the ability of a wearer to fully extend or rotate his or her arms upward. In addition, some styles of shoulder pads may be too bulky or may necessitate constant readjustment after being impacted. These are only some of the exemplary issues presented by some typical shoulder pads.

Document <CIT>, for example, discloses a protective shoulder pad assembly for use in contact sports. The shoulder pad assembly includes a flexible vest, a pair of rigid shoulder pads attached to the vest, and a pair of straps extending from a back side of the vest. The straps can each be refastenably attached to a front side of the vest.

Further, document <CIT> discloses a padding device for sports including an outer armor comprised of two main pads and a front guard board. Two linings are mounted in the outer armor.

Document <CIT> shows a protective garment comprising a form-fitting, stretchable inner garment for covering part of a body of a wearer, the inner garment including a plurality of cushioning pads attached thereto with portions of the inner garment being free of the cushioning pads, and an outer shell partially overlying the inner garment. The outer shell includes a plurality of flexibly interconnected protective pads cooperating with the cushioning pads to protect at least major part of the portion of the body. The protective pads being more rigid than the cushioning pads, and the outer shell being separable from the inner garment.

Furthermore, document <CIT> discloses an adjustable shoulder pad particularly adapted for use by children for playing hockey and other similar sports. The adjustable junior shoulder pad is made of two main portions, namely a left-hand portion and a right-hand portion. These two portions have front and rear panels interconnected together by a shoulder arch and these panels have respective overlapping surfaces. The overlapping surfaces of the front and rear panels have affixing means which allow interconnection of the right and left portions in accordance with different positions for allowing size adjustment of the shoulder pad.

The present invention is described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:.

Subject matter is described throughout this disclosure in detail and with specificity in order to meet statutory requirements. But the aspects described throughout this disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the description itself is not intended necessarily to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be practiced in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements, which falls within the scope of the claims.

Reference now be made to the various figures.

As previously indicated, this disclosure generally describes a shoulder-pad system that may be used to attenuate impact in various contexts, such as in American-style football, lacrosse, hockey, motocross, and the like, and an exemplary shoulder-pad system <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> in an as-worn configuration. The shoulder-pad system <NUM> is depicted in <FIG> in a partially assembled arrangement, and as will be described in subsequent portions of this disclosure, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes a number of subcomponents that are combinable in different arrangements to construct various portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM>. The shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes certain features and functionality that arise from the shoulder-pad system <NUM> as a whole. In addition, the subcomponents each include certain features and functionality that arise from the sub-component independently, as well as the synergistic interaction of the sub-component with one or more other subcomponents.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> generally includes a yoke-like arrangement with a front and a back coupled by shoulder portions. The front, the back, and the shoulder portions define a neck-receiving opening, and in order to don or wear the shoulder-pad system <NUM>, a person's head and neck are passed through the neck-receiving opening, such that the shoulder portions are supported on his or her shoulders. The shoulder-pad system <NUM> generally functions to attenuate impacts or forces to which shoulder-pad system <NUM> may be subjected.

When describing various aspects of the shoulder-pad system <NUM>, relative terms may be used to aid in understanding relative relationships. For instance, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> may be divided into an anterior region <NUM> that generally corresponds with a chest and/or abdomen of a wearer, and a posterior region <NUM> that generally correspond with a back of a wearer, such as a cervical region, thoracic region, lumbar region, and or scapula region. Both the anterior region <NUM> and the posterior region <NUM> may include medial portions and lateral portions, the medial portions being positioned relatively more towards a vertical mid-line (based on the orientation of the system as depicted in <FIG>) than the lateral portions. The lateral portions may include a left-lateral portion <NUM> and a right-lateral portion <NUM>. In addition, both the anterior region <NUM> and the posterior region <NUM> may include inferior portions and superior portions, the inferior portions being oriented lower than the superior portions, based on the orientation of the system as depicted in <FIG>. Furthermore, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> may include shoulder regions that bridge the anterior portion(s) <NUM> to the posterior portion(s) <NUM> and that generally correspond with the shoulder of a wearer. The shoulder regions include a left-shoulder region <NUM> that corresponds with a left laterality and a right-shoulder region <NUM> that corresponds with a right laterality.

The relative areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the shoulder-pad system <NUM>. Rather, the relative areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are intended to represent general areas of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> to aid in understanding the various descriptions provided in this disclosure. In addition, it is understood that a portion of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> may include multiple regions or areas. For example, the anterior region <NUM> may extend through both the right-lateral side <NUM>, the medial area, and the left-lateral side <NUM>. And the left-lateral side <NUM> may include portions of both the anterior region <NUM> and the posterior region <NUM>. The relative areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are provided for explanatory and illustrative purposes and are not meant to depend on a human being for interpretive purposes. Accordingly, some aspects herein may be described as corresponding to a left front quadrant, a right front quadrant, a left rear quadrant, and/or a right rear quadrant.

Referring now to <FIG>, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> is illustrated in an exploded view, which depicts various possible subcomponents of the shoulder-pad system <NUM>. For example, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes an impact-plate assembly <NUM>, an impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>, and a base-layer garment <NUM>. The base-layer garment <NUM> includes a variety of garments that may be worn directly under the impact-attenuation sub-layer, such as a sleeved shirt or sleeveless shirt. The impact-attenuation sub-layer is generally a cushion layer that is removeably coupled to the garment <NUM> and that helps to absorb and/or attenuation at least some of the impact force from the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. The impact-plate assembly <NUM> is generally more rigid (as compared with the garment <NUM> and the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>) and includes a set of impact plates that are coupled together (e.g., chest plate, upper back plate, epaulette, etc.). The plates of the impact-plate assembly <NUM> may be constructed of various materials having a higher rigidity, such as a polypropylene material, a styrene-butadiene copolymer material, carbon-fiber based material, and the like. Generally, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is layered over the base-layer garment <NUM>, and the impact-plate assembly <NUM> is layered over the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>.

In addition, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes various garments that fit onto, and at least partially around, different portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> in order to at least partially secure the portions of the shoulder-pad system together. In this sense, the garments may at least partially encase, wrap, or enclose portions of the shoulder-pad system. In addition, the garments may function to secure portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> to an athlete. For example, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes a securing garment <NUM> that is positionable over the impact-plate assembly <NUM> and that may be securable to the impact-plate assembly <NUM> and to one or more other garments (e.g., pants, belt, base layer(s), etc.). Furthermore, the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes a pair of discrete shoulder sleeves 600A and 600B that are detached from other garment portions, such as the securing garment <NUM>, base-layer garment <NUM>, or other upper-body garments (e.g., uniform jersey), and that are attachable to other portions other portions of the system (e.g., to an epaulette plate). The various subcomponents depicted in <FIG> are exemplary of one aspect of the disclosure, and these subcomponents might be modified in various manners to includes additional, fewer, or different features.

The subcomponents in <FIG> might be worn or utilized in various contexts and manners. For instance, the base-layer garment <NUM> might be positioned onto an athlete initially. The base-layer garment <NUM> includes releasable fasteners for a releasable coupling to the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may be coupled and decoupled with the base-layer garment <NUM> as desired or needed by the athlete. The impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may also be attached to the base-layer garment <NUM> before the base-layer garment <NUM> is donned, such that the combination of the base-layer garment <NUM> coupled with the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may be donned or put on at the same time. The impact-plate assembly <NUM> may be positionable over the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>, such that at least part of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is nested beneath shoulder portions of the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. As can be appreciated, the impact-plate assembly <NUM> might be overlaid atop the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> either before the athlete dons the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> and base-layer garment <NUM>, or while the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> and base-layer garment <NUM> are being worn.

The impact-plate assembly <NUM> and the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may be substantially retained in a particular position or arrangement using various features. For example, the securing garment <NUM> may be overlaid atop the impact-plate assembly <NUM> and coupled to other portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM>, to other garments (e.g., pants, belt, base layers, etc.), to the athlete, or any combination thereof. The securing garment <NUM> is depicted as a bib garment (or a tank-style garment), and other aspects of the disclosure may include a number of other suitable upper-body garments for securing the impact plate assembly <NUM>. The securing garment <NUM> may then be attached to one or more various anchor points on the impact plate assembly <NUM>, on other garments (e.g., pants, belt, etc.), on the athlete, or any combination thereof. In addition, the discrete shoulder sleeves 600A and 600B are each securable around a portion of an arm of the athlete, as well as to a respective portion of the impact-plate assembly, such as to an epaulette plate (e.g., <NUM>) of the impact-plate assembly, a respective shoulder-cap (e.g., <NUM>) of the sub-layer, or both the epaulette plate and the shoulder-cap. In this respect, the discrete shoulder sleeves 600A and 600B are also securing garments that function to couple various portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> together and to the athlete.

The shoulder-pad system <NUM> may be described as modular, in that the various subcomponents may be added to, and/or removed from, the system when it is desirable to do so. In addition, the system is modular in the sense that one or more subcomponents may be selectively repositioned within the system without necessarily affecting a potion or function of other subcomponents. As such, the system may include one or more layers or sub-layers that are modular.

The one or more subcomponents of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> may be utilized in various contexts. For instance, the entire system <NUM> may be worn in certain circumstances, and in other occasions, only some of the subcomponents may be worn. For example, the base-layer garment <NUM> might initially be positioned onto an athlete, and one or more subcomponents may or may not be layered onto the base-layer garment <NUM> depending on the activity. If the athlete is engaging in warm-ups, conditioning, or non-contact drills, then the athlete may not layer the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> onto the base-layer garment <NUM>. Further, it may be desirable in other instances to include the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> without the impact-plate assembly <NUM>, such as in a <NUM>-on-<NUM> drill or other light-contact drills.

The various subcomponents each includes certain features and functionality that arise from the sub-component independently, as well as the synergistic interaction of the sub-component with one or more other subcomponents. Some of these aspects of the technology are generally described in this portion of the disclosure, and they will be described in more detail in other portions of the Specification. For example, one or more of the subcomponents may provide an amount of range of motion for a wearer, such as a shoulder range of motion or an arms-overhead range of motion. In addition, one or more of the subcomponents may provide system-stability features that improve the ability of the subcomponents to attenuate an impact and to remain in, or easily return to, a pre-impact state or arrangement. Additional features of the subcomponents may reduce or alleviate some maintenance often performed on more traditional padding systems, as well as improve the launderability of the subcomponents. Furthermore, one or more of the subcomponents may be customizable to a particular athlete or group of athletes. These features and functionality, as well as others, of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> and the various subcomponents will be described in additional detail in other parts of this disclosure.

Having provided an overview of the aspects described herein, the impact-attenuation sub-layer will now be described in more detail. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> includes a pair of impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM>. The pair of impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM> includes a first impact-attenuation component <NUM> and a second impact-attenuation component <NUM>. The first impact-attenuation component <NUM> corresponds to a left side of the shoulder-pad system, and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> corresponds to a right side of the shoulder-pad system.

In some aspects, the impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM> are mirror images of one another, such that a description of one of the components may equally apply to the other component. For ease of readability, in some instances only one of the components may be described, and it is to be understood that the same description may also apply to the other one of the impact-attenuation components.

Each of the first and the second impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM> includes a cushioning component coupled to a shoulder-cap component. For example, the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a cushioning component <NUM> coupled to a shoulder-cap component <NUM>. The cushioning component <NUM> may include various features and may be constructed of various materials. For example, the cushioning component may include various polymer foam materials that return to an original shape after being compressed. Examples of suitable polymer foam materials include polyurethane, ethylvinylacetate, polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene foams. Moreover, both thermoplastic and thermoset polymer foam materials may be utilized. In some configurations, cushioning component <NUM> may be formed from a polymer foam material with a varying density, or solid polymer or rubber materials may be utilized. Fluid-filled chambers may also be utilized. Further, the cushioning component <NUM> may include one or more layers of cushioning material that is coupled between outer textile layers, and the cushioning component <NUM> may include apertures or grooves to enhance breathability and flexibility.

The cushioning component <NUM> may be interposed beneath the impact-plate assembly <NUM> when the shoulder-pad system is assembled, such that the cushioning component <NUM> may dampen forces imparted on the impact-plate assembly <NUM> during an impact, as well as provide other functionality. Also, different pad components, or portions of pad components, may be formed from different materials, or may be formed from similar materials with different densities. By selecting thicknesses, materials, and densities for each of the various cushion components, the degree of impact force attenuation may be varied throughout the system to impart a desired degree of cushioning or protection. For instance, the cushioning component <NUM> includes various portions or regions bound by a perimeter edge <NUM>, such as a first padding portion <NUM> and a second padding portion <NUM>. The padding portions may be disposed at locations that commonly receive impact, for example, at a location corresponding to the shoulder, chest, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and the like. In addition, the padding portions <NUM> and <NUM> may include respective thicknesses or other properties that are selected to provide a particular amount of force attenuation in a particular region. For example, the second padding portion <NUM> may be thicker than the first padding portion <NUM> in instances or contexts in which the shoulder region is expect to receive larger, or more frequent, impacts than the chest region.

The cushioning component <NUM> includes the perimeter edge <NUM> that forms a boundary around the cushioning component <NUM>. The perimeter edge <NUM> may be heat sealed, stitched, or otherwise finished to form a discrete padding component. The perimeter edge <NUM> of the cushioning component <NUM> is discontinuous with, and not connected to, the perimeter edge <NUM> of the cushioning component <NUM>. As briefly described hereinabove, these discrete units may allow one portion of the system <NUM> to move independently of other portions of the system, and this independent movement may positively affect range-of-motion and system-stability features (e.g., upon impact).

In <FIG>, a relatively flattened (as compared to <FIG>) and top-down view of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is depicted, including the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> and the second-impact attenuation component <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an outward-facing surface <NUM> of the cushioning component <NUM> that would face away from the base-layer garment <NUM> when the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> is worn and would face towards the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. The cushioning component <NUM> further includes an anterior portion <NUM> and a posterior portion <NUM>. Similarly, the second cushioning component <NUM> includes an outward-facing surface <NUM>, an anterior portion <NUM>, and a posterior portion <NUM>. When worn, the anterior portions <NUM> and <NUM> would be generally positioned near the anterior portion of the athlete, such as near the chest region, and the posterior portions <NUM> and <NUM> would be generally positioned near the posterior of the athlete, such as near the back region. Additionally, the first cushioning component <NUM> and second cushioning component <NUM> may include a first-cushion shoulder yoke <NUM> and a second-cushion shoulder yoke <NUM>. The cushion shoulder yokes <NUM> and <NUM> include a portion of the cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM> that connects the anterior portion to the posterior portion (e.g. <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM>).

As previously explained, the impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM> also include a shoulder-cap component. As such, the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a shoulder-cap component <NUM> coupled to the first cushioning component <NUM>, and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a shoulder-cap component <NUM> coupled to the second cushioning component <NUM>. The shoulder-cap component <NUM> is coupled to the cushioning component <NUM> by a hinge attachment mechanism <NUM>, or other suitable attachment mechanisms. For example, the hinge attachment mechanism <NUM> may be a material strip constructed from a durable and flexible material, such that the shoulder-cap component <NUM> may hingedly flex relative to the cushioning component <NUM>. Furthermore, the shoulder-cap component <NUM> is coupled to the cushioning component <NUM> such that the shoulder-cap component <NUM> extends outward and away from the perimeter edge <NUM> of the cushioning component <NUM>. The shoulder-cap may be padded or cushioned, similar to the cushioning component <NUM>, to dampen impacts at the upper arm and shoulder of the athlete. Additionally, the shoulder-cap component <NUM> includes an impact plate <NUM>, which may be constructed of a rigid material(s), similar to those used for the impact plate assembly <NUM>, and the impact plate <NUM> makes up part of the outward-facing surface of the first impact-attenuation component <NUM>. Absent the present technology, in which the shoulder-cap component <NUM> is coupled to the cushioning component <NUM>, the shoulder-cap component is sometimes attached to the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. However, attaching the shoulder-cap component <NUM> to the cushioning component <NUM> can reduce binding and movement restriction that sometimes occurs when the shoulder-cap component <NUM> is coupled to the impact-plate assembly <NUM> as an athlete raises his or her arms overhead.

Referring now to <FIG> a bottom view of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is illustrated that depicts inward-facing surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The inward-facing surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are opposite to the outward-facing surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, depicted in <FIG>, and are opposite to the impact plate <NUM> of the shoulder-cap components. The orientation of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> has been rotated horizontally <NUM>°, relative to <FIG>. Many of the same features that were described with respect to <FIG> are again illustrated in <FIG>, such as the perimeters <NUM> and <NUM>, anterior portions <NUM> and <NUM>, posterior portions <NUM> and <NUM>, and shoulder yokes <NUM> and <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> includes releasable fasteners that are effective to releasably couple the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> to the base-layer garment <NUM>, and in one aspect, releasable fasteners may be positioned on the inward-facing surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. Examples of releasable fasteners include male-female couplings (e.g., snaps, stud-socket, etc.), buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, zipper fasteners, rail-and-slot arrangements, belts, and the like. The releasable fasteners are positioned in various portions or regions of the first and second cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM>, such as in the anterior portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the posterior portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the shoulder yokes <NUM> and <NUM>, and any combination thereof. Particularly, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> includes an anterior releasable fastener and a posterior releasable fastener on the first cushioning component <NUM>, and an anterior releasable fastener and a posterior releasable fastener on the second cushioning component <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one aspect in which the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> includes stud components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> affixed to various portions of the first and second impact-attenuation components. As such, the first cushioning component <NUM> includes a first-cushion anterior releasable fastener <NUM> and a first-cushion posterior portion releasable fastener <NUM>, and the second cushioning component <NUM> includes a second-cushion anterior releasable fastener <NUM> and a second-cushion posterior releasable fastener <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as previously described the shoulder-pad system <NUM> includes a garment, for example a base-layer garment <NUM>. The garment <NUM> may be constructed of one or more textiles and may have various properties. For example, the garment <NUM> may be made from woven, knit, or non-woven materials having varying breathability, moisture-wicking, and/or ventilation properties, and may include mesh and/or perforated panels for zoned breathability and/or zoned performance in other textile-performance categories (e.g., wicking, loft, insulation, texture, moisture control, and the like). In addition, the garment <NUM> may include various degrees of stretch or elasticity to achieve a desired amount of compression. The garment may function in various capacities, including a base layer, a mid-layer, an outer layer, a jersey, and any combination thereof. As such, the garment may include player-identifying indicia in certain possibly exposed areas (e.g., numbers, names, team logo, etc.).

The base-layer garment <NUM> includes releasable fasteners that correspondingly mate with the releasable fasteners of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the base-layer garment <NUM> includes a shirt body <NUM> having an anterior portion <NUM> and a posterior portion (shown as posterior portion <NUM> in <FIG>). Each of the anterior portion <NUM> and the posterior portion <NUM> includes a first lateral side <NUM> (i.e., left side) and a second lateral side <NUM> (i.e., right side). The shirt body <NUM> includes a first shoulder yoke <NUM> (which is at least partially obscured from view by the first cushioning component <NUM>) and a second shoulder yoke <NUM> connecting the anterior portion <NUM> to the posterior portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the shirt body <NUM> may include a neck receiving opening <NUM> that is formed by the first shoulder yoke <NUM> and the second shoulder yoke <NUM> and the anterior and posterior portions.

The base-layer garment <NUM> includes releasable-fastener components that are configured to, and positioned to, releasably mate with the releasable-fastener components of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>. For example, the garment <NUM> includes a first anterior releasable fastener <NUM> at the first lateral side <NUM>, and a second anterior releasable fastener <NUM> at the second lateral side. The first anterior releasable fastener <NUM> releasably mates with the first-cushion anterior releasable fastener <NUM>, and the second anterior releasable fastener <NUM> releasably mates with the second-cushion anterior releasable fastener <NUM> (see <FIG>). Furthermore, as depicted in <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes a first posterior releasable fastener <NUM> at the first lateral side <NUM>, and a second posterior releasable fastener <NUM> at the second lateral side <NUM>. The first posterior releasable fastener <NUM> releasably mates with the first-cushion posterior releasable fastener <NUM>, and the second posterior releasable fastener <NUM> releasably mates with the second-cushion posterior releasable fastener <NUM> (see <FIG>). These depicted positions of the various releasable fasteners are for exemplary purposes, and the releasable fasteners may be positioned in alternative, or additional, positions in order to releasably attach the impact-attenuation sub-layer to the garment <NUM>.

<FIG> depict one aspect in which the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is releasably affixed to the garment <NUM> by way of a male-and-female coupling. For example, <FIG> and <FIG> depict male components (e.g., stud) on the first cushioning component <NUM> and female components (e.g., socket) on the garment <NUM>. However, the male components might alternatively be integrated into the garment <NUM> and the female components might be integrated into the cushioning components.

In one aspect, the garment <NUM> may include one or more sensors (e.g., <NUM>) configured to measure one or more biometric indicators (e.g., heart rate, body temperature, perspiration amounts, perspiration content, hydration levels, etc.), and the sensors may be integrated with the releasable coupling of the garment. Furthermore, the cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM> may include telemetry (e.g., including wiring <NUM>) that is integrated with the releasable coupling of the cushioning components and that is configured to transmit electronic signals to one or more processing units and/or data-storage devices. For instance, the shoulder-pad system may include an electronic controller coupled to the posterior plate of the impact-plate assembly. As such, the male-and-female coupling provides a signaling conduit between one or more biometric sensors and the telemetry.

In another embodiment, cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more fluid-communication channels for transferring a fluid from a fluid source to various regions of the pad. For example, the fluid-communication channels may be configured to transmit conditioned air or moisture (e.g., water) to various parts of the system <NUM> to aid in cooling or warming a skin surface, to aid in physiological recovery, or for some other benefit. For example, the grooves may be constructed into the inward facing surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> in as manner similar to that described in co-owned <CIT>.

Additionally, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may include one or more extension cushioning components <NUM>. The extension cushioning components <NUM> may include releasable fasteners, similar to those described hereinabove with reference to cushioning components <NUM> and <NUM>. The releasable fasteners may be configured to mate with one or more base-layer extension cushioning component releasable fasteners <NUM>. Additionally, a lumbar extension cushioning component <NUM> is depicted. The base-layer garment <NUM> may be constructed from one or more textile layers.

Referring now to <FIG>, at least part of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> is depicted, including the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> positioned underneath an impact-plate assembly <NUM>. The shoulder-pad system <NUM> generally includes a first lateral side <NUM> (or left lateral side) and a second lateral side <NUM> (or right lateral side), the first and second lateral sides <NUM> and <NUM> being substantially mirror-image constructions of one another. Each of the first and second lateral sides includes respective portions of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>, such as the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM>. As described hereinabove, each of the impact-attenuation components <NUM> and <NUM> include a cushioning component (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) and a shoulder-cap component <NUM> (and <NUM>). Additionally, the cushioning components include a first surface <NUM> and a second surface (see e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), the first surface <NUM> including an outward-facing surface that faces towards the impact plate assembly <NUM>. Further, the cushioning component <NUM> includes an anterior cushion portion <NUM>, a posterior cushion portion (see e.g., element <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), and a shoulder yoke <NUM> connecting the anterior cushion portion <NUM> to the posterior cushion portion. The shoulder-cap component <NUM> component is hingedly coupled to the cushioning component <NUM> at the shoulder yoke <NUM>.

The impact plate assembly <NUM> includes an anterior plate assembly <NUM>, a posterior plate assembly <NUM>, and a shoulder assembly <NUM>. In one aspect, the shoulder assembly <NUM> includes an arched frame <NUM> connecting the anterior plate assembly <NUM> to the posterior plate assembly <NUM>, the arched frame <NUM> including a convex crown-side surface <NUM>, and an opposite concave surface that opposes the convex crown-side surface (e.g., the opposite concave surface <NUM> of the right lateral shoulder assembly is labeled and the left lateral shoulder assembly would include a similar opposite concave surface underneath the convex surface <NUM>). Accordingly, when the impact-plate assembly <NUM> is placed on top of the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM>, the shoulder yoke <NUM> of the cushioning component is nested within the arched frame <NUM>. Further, the first surface <NUM> of the cushioning component is layered directly against the concave surface of the arched frame <NUM>.

As discussed hereinabove, in an aspect of this disclosure, the first surface <NUM> of the cushioning component <NUM> does not include any fasteners for coupling the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> directly to the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. As such, when the impact-plate assembly <NUM> shifts, such as upon impact, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> does not necessarily shift with the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. Rather, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> is anchored to the garment <NUM>, such that the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may not need to be adjusted post-impact (to the extent possibly needed had the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> been affixed directly to the impact-plate assembly). The discrete nature of the impact-attenuation sub-layer may provide additional benefits as well that allow portions of the shoulder-pad system <NUM> to move independently of one another. For example, when an athlete raises a right arm in a throwing motion (or otherwise to perform a movement), the impact-attenuation component <NUM> corresponding to the right side of the athlete's body may also be raised, while the impact-attenuation component <NUM> corresponding to the left side of the athlete's body may remain in pre-arm-raise position.

Other releasable coupling mechanisms may be utilized to connect the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> to the garment <NUM>. Referring now to <FIG>, inward-facing surfaces of impact-attenuation components are depicted. <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, but <FIG> includes an alternative releasable coupling mechanism. For example, <FIG> illustrates a first hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM> and a second hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM>. The location of the hook-and-loop releasable fasteners <NUM> and <NUM> and <FIG> is exemplary in nature and is not intended to be limiting. For example, in an alternate aspect, the inward-facing surface may comprise a releasable fastener or fasteners at any portion and/or location on the inward-facing surface. Additionally, the inward-facing surface may be made from a material that integrally incorporates the hook portions or loop portions as part of the surface.

<FIG> depicts a front view of a base-layer garment <NUM> having one or more releasable fasteners corresponding to the hook-and-loop releasable fasteners <NUM> and <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. For example, the base-layer garment <NUM> may include a first base-layer hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM> and a second base-layer hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM>. The first base-layer hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM> and the second base-layer hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM> may be configured to mate with the first hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM> and the second hook-and-loop releasable fastener <NUM>. Additionally, the base-layer garment <NUM> may include one or more hook-and-loop extension cushioning component fasteners <NUM> for mating with the extension cushioning component <NUM>.

As briefly mentioned hereinabove, the various subcomponents of the shoulder-pad system may be customizable to a particular athlete or group of athletes. For example, it may be desirable for an interior lineman to have larger and/or thicker impact-attenuation sub-layer components than those used by skill position players. Accordingly, the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> may include one or more sub-layer extension cushioning component fasteners <NUM>, such that one or more extension cushioning components <NUM> may be added to the impact-attenuation sub-layer <NUM> to increase the thickness.

Referring now to <FIG>, another aspect of the disclosure is illustrated that depicts another releasable coupling mechanism, including a slot-and-rail mechanism. That is, in <FIG>, the inward-facing surface <NUM> of the impact-attenuation sub-layer includes a rail element <NUM> that slidably mates with a slot component <NUM> integrated into the outward-facing surface of the garment <NUM>. <FIG> is merely exemplary, and the slot component <NUM> might alternatively be integrated on the inward-facing surface <NUM>, and the rail component <NUM> might be integrated into the garment <NUM>. As previously explained, the slot component <NUM> might be integrally constructed with one or more biometric sensors, such that the connection of the rail <NUM> and slot <NUM> provides a conduit for transferring a signal to other telemetry.

Referring now to <FIG>, another aspect of the disclosure is illustrated that depicts another releasable coupling mechanism, including a belt-and-loop configuration. That is, in <FIG>, the inward-facing surface <NUM> of the impact-attenuation sub-layer includes a belt element <NUM> that slidably mates through a loop component <NUM> integrated into the outward-facing surface of the garment <NUM>. In addition, the belt element <NUM> includes releasable fasteners 388A and 388B for releasably connecting a portion of the belt <NUM> to the inward-facing surface <NUM> (e.g., snap, button, stud-and-socket, etc.). <FIG> is merely exemplary, and the loop component <NUM> might alternatively be integrated on the inward-facing surface <NUM>, and the belt component <NUM> might be integrated into the garment <NUM>.

<FIG> depict another aspect in which a shoulder-cap component <NUM> includes a releasable fastener <NUM> that allows the shoulder-cap component <NUM> to be releasably coupled to either a mating releasable fastener <NUM> on the cushioning component <NUM> or another mating releasable fastener <NUM> on the impact-plate assembly <NUM>. For example, the releasable fastener <NUM> might include a female component that mates with a male component on the cushioning component <NUM>, or might be a male component that mates with a female component on the cushioning component <NUM>. In addition, the same male or female component on the shoulder-cap component <NUM> might also be attachable to a mating male or female component on the impact-plate assembly. Or alternatively, the releasable fastener <NUM> may include fastening hardware on both sides of the hinge attachment mechanism <NUM> (e.g., flexible strip), such that one set of hardware is connectable to the fastening component <NUM> and another set of the hardware is connectable to the fastening component <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, another aspect of the disclosure is illustrated, and each of <FIG> includes a first impact-attenuation component <NUM> and a second impact-attenuation component <NUM>. In addition, each of the impact-attenuation components includes a cushion component (similar to the cushion components <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>). In <FIG> the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> has a first set of characteristics and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> has a second set of characteristics, the first set being different than the second set. Exemplary characteristics that might be included in the set of characteristics include a respective cushion-component width, a cushion-component length, a cushion-component profile, a cushion-component thickness, or any combination thereof. Other exemplary characteristics might include cushion-component breathability, elasticity, rigidity, flexibility, moisture wicking, material weight, density, and the like. Again, these are merely exemplary and other the impact-attenuation components might have various other characteristics.

In <FIG>, the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a first width <NUM> and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a second width <NUM>, the first width <NUM> being narrower than the second width <NUM>, such that the first and second impact- attenuation components have a different set of characteristics. In <FIG>, the first impact- attenuation component <NUM> includes a first length <NUM> and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a second length <NUM>, the first length <NUM> being shorter than the second length <NUM>, such that the first and second impact-attenuation components have a different set of characteristics. Further, in <FIG>, the first impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a first profile that is defined by the first perimeter edge <NUM> and the second impact-attenuation component <NUM> includes a second profile that is defined by the second perimeter edge <NUM>. The first profile has a different boundary shape than the second profile based on the different respective perimeter edges.

In an aspect of the disclosure, by incorporating impact-attenuation components having different characteristics into the same shoulder-pad assembly, the assembly can be customized for a particular athlete. For example, if an athlete performs a throwing motion with a right arm more than a left arm, then a right-side cushion component having a size and/or shape different from the left-side cushion component might be selected and used in the system to reduce possible equipment impediments to desired range of motion. In addition, if an athlete has an injured area on one side of his or her body, such as the left side, then a left-side cushion component having a size and/or shape different from the right-side cushion component might be selected and used in the system to provide additional protection to the injured area. These are examples of how an aspect of the disclosed subject matter might be modular.

Referring now to <FIG>, another exemplary base-layer garment <NUM> is illustratively depicted that may be coupled with the impact-attenuation sub-layer. Similar to the garments depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the garment <NUM> includes releasable attachment mechanisms for releasably attaching to an impact-attenuation sub-layer. In addition, the garment <NUM> includes an upper-body portion and a lower-body portion that are integrated into a single garment. The upper-body portion includes a zipper <NUM> that can be unzipped for donning and doffing the garment <NUM>. However, any of a variety of other types of fasteners might be incorporated into the garment <NUM>, such as buttons, snaps, and the like.

Although a male-and-female coupling is depicted for attaching the impact-attenuation sub-layer, any of the various other coupling mechanisms described herein might be utilized. In addition, although the garment <NUM> depicts a sleeveless upper-body portion, the garment <NUM> might include any length of sleeve, including short sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, or long sleeves. Similarly, the lower-body portion might include short pant-leg portions (as depicted), long pant-leg portions, or any length in-between.

Claim 1:
A shoulder-pad system (<NUM>) comprising:
- a base layer garment (<NUM>); and
- an impact-attenuation sub-layer (<NUM>) wearable over the base layer garment (<NUM>), the impact-attenuation sub-layer (<NUM>) comprising a first and second impact-attenuation component (<NUM>, <NUM>), each comprising a cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein the first and second impact-attenuation components (<NUM>, <NUM>) each include a shoulder-cap component (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a first surface (<NUM>, <NUM>); and a second surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) opposing, and facing away from, the first surface (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a thickness between the first surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the second surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises an anterior releasable fastener (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a posterior releasable fastener (<NUM>, <NUM>) for coupling the impact-attenuation sub-layer (<NUM>) to the base-layer garment (<NUM>);
wherein a perimeter edge (<NUM>, <NUM>) forms a boundary around the cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>), the perimeter edge (<NUM>) of the cushioning component (<NUM>) of the first impact-attenuation component (<NUM>) being discontinuous with the perimeter edge (<NUM>) of the cushioning component (<NUM>) of the second impact-attenuation component (<NUM>);
wherein the shoulder-cap component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is coupled to the cushioning component (<NUM>, <NUM>), such that it extends outward, and away from, the perimeter edge (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the shoulder-cap component (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a third surface facing in a same direction as the first surface (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the shoulder-cap component (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes an impact plate (<NUM>) that comprises at least part of the third surface, and
wherein the base layer garment (<NUM>) includes releasable fasteners (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), which are adapted to correspondingly mate with the releasable fasteners of the impact-attenuation sub-layer (<NUM>).