Protective pad assembly

Abstract

Protective pad assemblies, which are worn on knees, elbows, shins, hips, and shoulders, and combinations thereof, are disclosed. Garments that accommodate the protective pad assemblies are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective pad assembly, comprising:
 an inner protective pad having a proximal end and a distal end; and   an outer protective pad having a proximal end and a distal end;   wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are permanently connected at said proximal ends; and   wherein said inner protective pad and said protective stiff pad are configured to accommodate an outer portion of a pocket.   
     
     
         2 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a comfort pad.   
     
     
         3 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said comfort pad is softer than said inner protective pad, said outer protective pad, or both, as measured by Shore hardness.   
     
     
         4 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are permanently connected at said proximal ends using at least one connector selected from the consisting of: molded connection, stitching, grommet, lacing, nut and bolt, tape, staple, adhesive, cable tie, zipper, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective part are releasably connected at said distal ends.   
     
     
         6 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 5 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective part are releasably connected at said distal ends using at least one connector selected from the consisting of: hook-and-loop, buttons, snaps, magnets, releasable lacing, nut and bolt, zipper, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         7 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad is releasably connected to said pocket.   
     
     
         8 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said outer protective pad is releasably connected to said pocket.   
     
     
         9 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said comfort pad is releasably connected to said inner protective pad.   
     
     
         10 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said comfort pad is releasably connected to said pocket.   
     
     
         11 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are substantially the same size.   
     
     
         12 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are constructed of the same material.   
     
     
         13 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are constructed of different materials.   
     
     
         14 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are shaped to accommodate a body part of a user.   
     
     
         15 . A protective pad assembly of  claim 14 ,
 wherein said body part is an elbow, knee, shin, hip, or shoulder.   
     
     
         16 . A garment, comprising:
 a pocket comprising an inner portion and an external portion; and   a protective pad assembly, comprising:
 an inner protective pad having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 an outer protective pad having a proximal end and a distal end; and 
 wherein said inner protective pad and said outer protective pad are permanently connected at said proximal ends; and 
 wherein said inner protective pad and said protective stiff pad are configured to accommodate at least a portion of said external portion of said pocket; and 
   wherein said inner protective pad fits within said pocket; and   wherein said external portion of said pocket is sandwiched between at least a portion of said inner protective pad and at least a portion of said external protective pad.   
     
     
         17 . A garment of  claim 17 ,
 wherein said external portion of said pocket comprises at least one opening for releasably connecting said inner protective pad or said outer protective pad or both to said external portion of said pocket.   
     
     
         18 . A garment of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a cover flap.   
     
     
         19 . A garment of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a cover flap that at least partially covers said pocket.   
     
     
         20 . A garment of  claim 17 ,
 wherein said garment is pants, a shirt, a coat, overalls, coveralls, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         21 . A garment of  claim 17 ,
 wherein said pocket is located on at least one elbow portion of said garment, at least one knee portion of said garment, at least one shin portion of said garment, at least one hip portion of said garment, at least one shoulder portion of said garment, or a combination thereof.