Patent ID: 8623490

Claim:
A protective device, comprising: an impact-absorbing pad comprising a passive unitary piece having no connection to active temperature monitoring and control, the impact-absorbing pad comprising a shape memory polymer commingled with a structural element between first and second impact surfaces; a layer attached to said impact-absorbing pad comprising at least one of an adhesive, a fastener, and a hook and loop product; said shape memory polymer having a first temperature-responsive stiffness comprising a rate of decreasing stiffness with respect to rising temperature; and said structural element fabricated from a shape memory alloy such that the structural element has a second temperature-responsive stiffness comprising a rate of increasing stiffness with respect to rising temperature; wherein said first temperature-responsive stiffness is converse to said second temperature responsive stiffness such that an overall stiffness of said impact-absorbing pad is constant over an expected range of material and ambient temperatures.