Patent ID: 7882576

Claim:
A protective garment comprising: a chest protector portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, said chest protector portion including a padded portion; a back protector portion opposing said chest protector portion and having an inner surface and an outer surface, said back protector portion including a padded portion; a pair of shoulder protector portions coupled to both said chest protector portion and said back protector portion and including a padded portion, each of said pair of shoulder protector portions including an inner surface and an outer surface; at least one vent opening formed in at least one of said chest protector portion, said back protector portion, and said pair of shoulder protector portions; and wherein said padded portion of at least one of said chest protector portion, said back protector portion, and said pair of shoulder protector portions includes a compression molded foam that provides increased strength without adding undue weight to the garment.