Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility

Abstract

A pad is disclosed including discrete reinforcing members secured to a base layer. The discrete reinforcing elements may include spherical members rotatably embedded in the base layer, plates pivotally mounted to the base layer by means of a flexible post or revolute joint, or plates threaded on a chord secured to the base layer. The base layer may include a plurality of discrete projections each having a reinforcing element secured proximate a distal end thereof. A pad may include a receiver for securing to a wearer and a base. The base may be secured to the receiver by a suspension allowing pitch and roll movements. The receiver may secure to the base at one end while the opposite end is slidably secured to the base or coupled to the base by means of a biasing member.

1 . A wearable item, comprising:
 a flexible backing layer adapted to secure to a portion of a wearer's body; and   a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements flexibly secured to the base and having a low-friction upper surface comprising a material substantially harder than the backing layer.   
   
   
       2 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a plurality of discrete projections each having a proximal end adjacent the flexible backing layer and a distal end distanced from the flexible backing layer, each of the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements securing proximate the distal end of one of the plurality of discrete projections. 
   
   
       3 . The wearable item of  claim 2 , further comprising a web extending among the plurality of discrete projections proximate the distal ends thereof and hindering movement of the plurality of discrete projections relative to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements have a rounded upper surface. 
   
   
       5 . The wearable item of  claim 4 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements are spherical. 
   
   
       6 . The wearable item of  claim 5 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the discrete reinforcing elements are rotatably embedded in the carrier layer. 
   
   
       7 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements comprise plates pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer. 
   
   
       8 . The wearable item of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plates is pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer by means of a post formed of a resilient material and secured to both the plate and base. 
   
   
       9 . The wearable item of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plates is pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer by means of a ball joint. 
   
   
       10 . The wearable item of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plates has a rounded upper surface. 
   
   
       11 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a plurality of discrete areas, each bearing multiple of the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements. 
   
   
       12 . The wearable item of  claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas have perimeters shaped to conform to one another. 
   
   
       13 . The wearable item of  claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas are shaped to interlock with one another. 
   
   
       14 . The wearable item of  claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas are hexagonal. 
   
   
       15 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a gel material. 
   
   
       16 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , further comprising a chord secured to the flexible backing layer at least two points distanced from one another, at least a portion of the discrete reinforcing elements being secured to the chord. 
   
   
       17 . The wearable item of  claim 16 , wherein the chord includes an elastic material. 
   
   
       18 . The wearable item of  claim 16 , wherein each discrete reinforcing element secures to an adjacent discrete reinforcing element by means of a revolute joint. 
   
   
       19 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible backing layer is incorporated into a jacket. 
   
   
       20 . The wearable item of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible backing layer is incorporated into at least one of a knee pad, elbow pad, shoulder pad, wrist pad, glove, jacket, and pants. 
   
   
       21 . A protective pad comprising:
 a receiving member shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body;   a base adapted to selectively rest on a support surface, the base being substantially more rigid than the receiving member; and   a suspension resiliently coupling the receiving member to the base.   
   
   
       22 . The protective pad of  claim 21 , further comprising a rocker interposed between the receiving member and base. 
   
   
       23 . The protective pad of  claim 22 , further comprising a contact pad secured to the base, the suspension and rocker being secured to the contact pad. 
   
   
       24 . The protective pad of  claim 21 , wherein the suspension permits pitch and roll motion of the receiving member relative to the base. 
   
   
       25 . The protective pad of  claim 24 , wherein the suspension comprises two arms each having one end secured to the receiving member and another end secured to the base. 
   
   
       26 . The protective pad of  claim 25 , wherein the arms are parallel to one another. 
   
   
       27 . The protective pad of  claim 26 , wherein the arms secure to a contact pad secured to one of the receiving member and base. 
   
   
       28 . The protective pad of  claim 26 , wherein the arms extend along opposite sides of the contact pad. 
   
   
       29 . The protective pad of  claim 26 , wherein the arms secure to a first side of the contact pad and secure to one of the receiving member and base proximate a second side of the contact pad opposite the first side. 
   
   
       30 . The protective pad of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving member is adapted to secure to the wearer's knee. 
   
   
       31 . A protective pad of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving member has a first end and a second end, the receiving member being secured to the base proximate the first end and the suspension securing the second end to the base such that the second end is free to move relative to the base subject to a biasing force of the suspension. 
   
   
       32 . The protective pad of  claim 31 , wherein the receiving member pivotally secures to the base proximate the first end. 
   
   
       33 . The protective pad of  claim 32 , wherein the suspension comprises a biasing member extending between the receiver and the base proximate the second end. 
   
   
       34 . The protective pad of  claim 31 , wherein the receiving member slidably secures to the receiver proximate the second end. 
   
   
       35 . The protective pad of  claim 34 , wherein a middle portion of the receiver between the first and second ends is distanced from the base when undeformed by the wearer's weight. 
   
   
       36 . The protective pad of  claim 35 , wherein the first end is mounted to the base by means of a key secured to one of the base and receiver and a keyway secured to the other of the base and receiver. 
   
   
       37 . The protective pad of  claim 36 , further comprising a leaf spring coupling the second end to the base. 
   
   
       38 . The protective pad of  claim 31 , further comprising rollers rotatably  mounted to a lower surface of the base. 
   
   
       39 . The protective pad of  claim 21 , wherein the suspension is integral to one of one of the receiver and the base. 
   
   
       40 . The protective pad of  claim 39 , wherein the suspension is monolithically formed with one of the receiver and the base.