IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to clothing articles, more particularly to clothing articles incorporating impact protection.

BACKGROUND

During baseball gameplay, it is observed that a number of players step away from the pitch when batting. When queried, the reason was tied to players being afraid of being hit by a pitch.

This same habit is also observed among “travel” baseball players (more skilled or experienced players). When queried the reason was because the player was tired of being hit by a pitch.

In both cases this typically results in players giving up playing baseball. Prior solutions mainly included providing externally worn padding and helmets, such as a catchers chest plate.

However, a catchers chest plate must be worn over a uniform, is bulky and limits movement, protects only from frontal impacts toward the chest side of a catcher. Furthermore, the catchers chest plate cannot be worn by others on the field.

Previous solutions were restricted in that any solution must be compatible with the numerous baseball uniform regulations, such as section 3.03 Player Uniforms of the MLB official baseball rules, or the NFHS baseball uniform rules. These restrictions, in part, have prevented the adoption, use, and even sale of impact protection that can be used by a baseball player while not inhibiting mobility.

Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any complete solutions, and solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus there remains a considerable need for systems and methods that can provide impact protection without limiting mobility of a batter.

SUMMARY

An impact protection system and methods, providing impact protection without limiting mobility of a batter, are disclosed. The impact protection system and methods can include: providing a shirt; and coupling a pad to the shirt, the pad configured on one side of the shirt to face toward a pitcher.

Other contemplated embodiments can include objects, features, aspects, and advantages in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. These objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The impact protection system is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like reference numerals are intended to refer to like components, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the impact protection system.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the impact protection system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system in a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system in a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a manufacturing control flow for the impact protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, embodiments in which the impact protection system may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the impact protection system.

When features, aspects, or embodiments of the impact protection system are described in terms of steps of a process, an operation, a control flow, or a flow chart, it is to be understood that the steps can be combined, performed in a different order, deleted, or include additional steps without departing from the impact protection system as described herein.

The impact protection system is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the impact protection system and provide numerous specific details to give a thorough understanding of the impact protection system; however, it will be apparent that the impact protection system may be practiced without these specific details.

In order to avoid obscuring the impact protection system, some well-known system configurations and descriptions are not disclosed in detail. Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. As used herein, the term “couple”, as in coupling or coupled means direct or indirect contact between elements.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a front view of the impact protection system 100. The impact protection system 100 can include a shirt 102 having a body 104 and sleeves 106.

The impact protection system 100 can further include pads 108 coupled to the shirt 102, the pads 108 are configured on either the left or the right side of the shirt 102. The shirt can be configured for use with a baseball uniform and to comply with the rules of baseball leagues such as the MLB or NFHS.

The shirt 102 can be a moisture wicking fabric similar to what is found in compression shirts, sleeves or athletic attire. The shirt 102 can be produced in traditional T-shirt sizes within the United States.

The pads 108 can be configured on one side of the shirt 102 facing toward a pitcher 110, for example a baseball pitcher or a cricket bowler. The pads 108 can have a space 112 therebetween. It is contemplated that the space 112 between the pads 108 could be 0.3 inches and the pads 108 could be a quarter inch thick.

The size and gauge of the pads 108 could vary depending on the availability of materials the dimensions will change based on where they are located on the shirt 102.

The pads 108 will range in size from half an inch square to 2 inches square. The shapes of the pads 108 can vary from square to tetrahedral, each shape having rounded corners. It is contemplated that the pads 108 could be slightly larger depending on the location on the shirt and the impact on mobility of the user.

The space 112 between the pads 108 will be 0.3 inches but this could deviate based on the placement on the shirt and the impact on mobility of the user. The intent is to provide protection to the user while not inhibiting mobility.

The thickness of the pads is based on the availability of materials. However, the padding is expected to be 0.25 inches with little deviation from that thickness.

The pads 108 can be attached to the shirt 102 by using fabric welding techniques in which the pad 108 is placed between two pieces of clothing material and then the clothing material is welded together to create a “sealed” pocket for the pad 108 to rest within. Adhesives may be used as well to attach the two pieces of clothing material together. Sewing the pads 108 directly to the clothing material is also contemplated.

The pads 108 can be spaced 0.3 inches from each other and will cover the back and the side of the body 104 facing towards the pitcher 110. The goal is to find the optimal spacing to provide both protection as well as mobility for the user.

Placement of the padding will start roughly at the spinus erectus muscle 202 of FIG. 2 which is closest to the pitcher 110 and wrap around the torso to cover oblique muscles 114 closest to the pitcher 110. Additionally, the sleeve 106 will have the pads 108 protecting the shoulder 116 and portions of the triceps 118 and biceps 120. These are ideal placements but fit will depend on several factors and vary user to user. Some examples that could impact padding placement are body type and if it is worn properly.

It has been discovered that the impact protection system 100 can provide security and comfort to players when they are in the batters box and can be worn in a way that will go mostly unnoticed, while still allowing mobility while playing on the defensive side of the game (in the field). Thus, the impact protection system 100 improves baseball impact technology removing the fear of being hit and allowing the game to played with more enjoyment with the hope to extend the playing careers of the athlete.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a back view of the impact protection system 100. The impact protection system 100 is shown including the shirt 102 having the body 104 and the sleeves 106.

The pads 108 are shown covering more of the back area than the front of FIG. 1. Particularly, the pads 108 are depicted to start roughly at the spinus erectus muscle 202 of FIG. 2 which is closest to the pitcher 110 of FIG. 1 and wrap around the torso to cover the oblique muscles 114 closest to the pitcher 110. Additionally, the sleeve 106 will have the pads 108 protecting the shoulder 116 and portions of the triceps 118 and biceps 120 of FIG. 1. These are ideal placements but fit will depend on several factors and vary user to user. Some examples that could impact padding placement are body type and if it is worn properly.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system 100 along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in a first embodiment. The shirt 102 of FIG. 1 is shown having a first fabric sheet 302 and a second fabric sheet 304. The pad 108 can be between the first fabric sheet 302 and the second fabric sheet 304.

The first fabric sheet 302 and the second fabric sheet 304 can be welded together to create a welded fabric sheet 306, also understood to be a fabric weld. The first fabric sheet 302 and the second fabric sheet 304 can be welded with heat or ultrasonic welding.

The pad 108 can be welded to the first fabric sheet 302 and the second fabric sheet 304, could be attached with an adhesive to the first fabric sheet 302 or the second fabric sheet 304.

The adhesive being similar to the adhesive of FIGS. 4-6. Also, as shown the pad 108 can be affixed to the first fabric sheet 302 and the second fabric sheet 304 with stitching 308.

The pad 108 can also be loose between the sheets but also captive between the sheets due to the weld of the welded fabric sheet 306. While the pad 108 on the body 104 of FIG. 1 of the shirt 102 is described, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of FIGS. 3-6 can be applied to any of the pads 108 in any location on the shirt 102, and in any combination of attachment embodiments on even a single shirt.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system 400 in a second embodiment. The second embodiment can depict a first adhesive layer 402 and a second adhesive layer 404 on either side of a pad 406.

The pad 406 can be adhered to a first fabric sheet 408 with the first adhesive layer 402 and can be adhered to a second fabric sheet 410 with the second adhesive layer 404.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system 500 in a third embodiment. The third embodiment can depict a pad 502 affixed to an inside surface 504 of a shirt 506.

The pad 502 is affixed with an adhesive 508 between the shirt 506 and the pad 502. The inside surface 504 can be the side of the shirt 506 facing the wearer when being worn.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the impact protection system in a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment can depict a pad 602 affixed to an outer surface 604 of a shirt 606.

The pad 602 is affixed with an adhesive 608 between the shirt 606 and the pad 602. The outer surface 604 can be the side of the shirt 606 facing away from the wearer when being worn.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown a manufacturing control flow 700 for the impact protection system. The control flow 700 includes providing a shirt in a block 702; and coupling a pad to the shirt, the pad configured on one side of the shirt to face toward a pitcher in a block 704.

Thus, it has been discovered that the impact protection system furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. The resulting configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization.

While the impact protection system has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the preceding description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.