Patent ID: 8381320

Claim:
A protection device for the hip or trochanteric region of a human to significantly reduce the risk of hip or other bone fracture in the event of a fall or other trauma to the hip or trochanteric region, said protective device comprising (1) an outer layer comprising a first substituted poly-α-olefin and substituted polynitrile rubber composition, wherein the outer layer has a density of about 6 to about 15 lbs/ft 3 ; (2) an inner layer comprising a second substituted poly alpha olefin and nitrite substituted rubber composition, wherein the inner layer has a density of about 3 to about 6 lbs/ft 3 ; and (3) an adhesive to bond the layers together, wherein at least the inner layer of the protection device has been heated to about 210 to about 240° F. for a time sufficient to increase the flexibility of the protective device; wherein the protective device is about 0.5 to about 1.25 inches thick, wherein the protective device does not include a substantially rigid component, wherein the protective device is designed to be worn by the human with the inner layer adjacent to the hip or trochanteric region, and wherein the protective device significantly reduces the risk of hip or other bone fracture in the event of a fall or other trauma to the hip or trochanteric region when worn by the human.