Apparel – Guard or protector – Chest protector
Reexamination Certificate
2003-08-15
2004-09-14
Lindsey, Rodney M. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Guard or protector
Chest protector
C002S458000, C062S259300, C607S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06789274
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is an enhanced chest protector for usage in sporting events and hazardous activities. More particularly, the invention is a chest protector that utilizes a soft, pliable gel attached to the previously-existing chest protector to greatly enhance absorption and dissipation of impact forces.
The gel is of a type commonly used for heat or freezer packs, and is configured in many separate panels to keep the gel from flowing across the entire device. Importantly, the gel is durable and lightweight, which allows the player to wear the product comfortably for extended periods of time. In addition, the gel may be frozen or refrigerated prior to use, so as to provide cooling for the player in hot weather. In total, usage of the present invention allows the user to be well-protected when struck in the chest area with potentially damaging items, such as balls or pucks used in sporting events.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for chest protectors and protection devices have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to the invention at hand, as well a description outlining the differences between the features of the present invention and those of the prior art.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,782, invented by Collins et al., entitled “Baseball Catcher's Chest Protector”
The patent to Collins et al. describes a chest protector that includes a pouch assembly having an interior in communication with an opening, the pouch assembly having a hole in fluid communication with the interior and ambient air and a pad inserted into the interior, wherein the pad includes an opening that is in fluid communication with the hole of the pouch assembly.
2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,875, invented by Tomczak, entitled “Chest Protector With Rigid Plates”
The patent to Tomczak describes an improved chest protector including additional protection to the sternum area of an athlete's chest. The additional protection is provided by relatively rigid plates bonded to the conventional shock-absorbing chest protector material on the side opposite the wearer's body and directly over the sternum area. The plates distribute the impact from a high speed object over a relatively large area of the shock-absorbing material, thus allowing the chest protector to absorb more of the object's energy than is possible with prior chest protectors.
3. U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,076, invented by Dierickx, entitled “Chest Protector”
The patent to Dierickx describes a light-weight, shock-absorbing chest protector worn, for example, by participants in sports, the protector allowing air circulation to a wearer's body while providing enhanced flexibility. The protector conforms to a wearer's body and flexes inwardly and outwardly and expands and contracts vertically with the wearer's movements. The protector, which is coated with a durable coating to add color as well as additional strength to the protector, is attached to a wearer's body through the use of a harness. Apertures through the protector are shaped to “grab”a ball which strikes the protector and drop the ball near to the wearer, while also reducing the weight of the protector, providing air circulation through the protector, and giving the protector the enhanced flexibility. The protector has optional hinged pads for covering additional areas of a wearer's body without inhibiting freedom of movement.
4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,729, invented by Chen, entitled “Chest Protector”
The chest protector of the Chen invention consists of an upper guard portion and a lower padding portion, the upper guard portion comprising a right and a left shoulder guard panels, a chest guard panel and a plurality of abdomen guard panels, each being injection molded from engineering plastic and provided with a plurality of holes, so that respective guard panels are connected with one another by means of a plurality of connecting plates and the buttons provided on the connecting plates. When the upper guard portion is assembled into a proper shape and size, the lower padding portion with corresponding shape and size can be selected with the upper guard portion being laid on the lower padding portion, and then having rivets driven into those holes on the guard panels not occupied by the buttons of the connecting plates, so that the upper guard portion is secured to the lower padding portion.
5. U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,447, invented by Howell, entitled “Protective Garment”
In the patent to Howell, a protective garment is provided including a chest protector being formed of solid foam. Also included is an abdominal protector including a plurality of inflatable tubular mechanisms. The abdominal protector is connected to the chest protector. Next provided is a groin protector connected to the abdominal protector and formed of solid foam. Finally, a strap assembly is provided for securing the protectors on a user.
6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,249, invented by Clement, entitled “Stealth Chest Guard”
In the patent to Clement, The Stealth Chest Guard's size is 5″{fraction (
6
/
8
)}″ by 11″{fraction (
3
/
8
)}″ by 3/8″ thick, and it is comprised of a rubber pad to absorb the hit from an object such as a ball coming off of a bat or a bounce coming from the ground directed to the heart area. The plastic caplike shape that goes over the rubber is to help distribute the impact away from the heart area and give more support to the rubber pad. the soft terry cloth is worn for comfort and to let the skin breath. The flexibility of the rubber pad and the size of this chest guard was a very important factor. The players in the field need protection, but they need flexibility, and protection without the bulk that comes with other protective gear. The Stealth Chest Guard is light weight, comfortable, durable, and provides a protection for the players that is not yet available to them.
7. U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,452, invented by Braxton, entitled “Expansible Protective Body Pouches Employing Removable-Replaceable Components”
In the patent to Braxton, expansible sport protective body pouches for torso and extremities are disclosed that dissipate impact energy away from the body by expanding and compressing at predesigned rates when subjected to the forces of impact trauma. Comprised of anatomically-shaped two layer expansible protective pouches, and removable replaceable internal impact deceleration control components, the design allows individual deceleration control elements; foam impact dispersant replaceable inserts with impact deceleration-body heat venting apertures, and replaceable penetration resistant impact trauma shields with impact deceleration control-body heat venting apertures, to be inserted or removed from the replaceable expansible protective pouch. The expansible protective pouch is constructed of various cloth material combinations selected by the wearer; internal impact deceleration control element materials are also a plurality wearer option. The expansible protective pouch and it's ancillary internal components can be completely disassembled in the field to facilitate replacement, upgrades, or exchanging of elements, including the protective pouch, so as to alter individual protective pouch performance characteristics.
8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,327, invented by Kieffer, entitled “Athletic Supporter With Gel Material”
The patent to Kieffer describes a cushioning pad, sized to be disposed about the inguinal area of a human male and to be worn for the support and protection of said area, contains a gel material to protect against both localized blows and chafing. The pad fits into a protective garment having a securing means for securing it about the inguinal area. In one embodiment, the pad further comprises an in
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