Hip protectors

Abstract

A hip protector in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes right and left pad assemblies, which each include a plurality of elongate pads that define respective anterior and posterior ends, extend in anterior-posterior directions, and are spaced from one another in a superior-inferior direction such that there is a gap between the anterior ends of adjacent elongate pads, and a garment on which the right and left pad assemblies are carried such that portions of the right and left pad assemblies respectively cover the right and left greater trochanters, the garment being configured to permit the size of the gap between the anterior ends of at least some of the adjacent elongate pads of the right and left pad assemblies to decrease as the wearer moves from a standing position to a sitting position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting a wearer's right and left greater trochanters, comprising:
 a right pad assembly including a plurality of elongate pads that define respective anterior and posterior ends, extend in anterior-posterior directions, and are spaced from one another in a superior-inferior direction such that there is a gap between the anterior ends of adjacent elongate pads;   a left pad assembly including a plurality of elongate pads that define respective anterior and posterior ends, extend in anterior-posterior directions, and are spaced from one another in a superior-inferior direction such that there is a gap between the anterior ends of adjacent elongate pads; and   a garment on which the right and left pad assemblies are carried such that portions of the right and left pad assemblies respectively cover the right and left greater trochanters, the garment being configured to permit the size of the gap between the anterior ends of at least some of the adjacent elongate pads of the right and left pad assemblies to decrease as the wearer moves from a standing position to a sitting position.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the right pad assembly includes an elongate connector pad that extends in a superior-inferior direction and includes portions of the elongate pads that extend in anterior-posterior directions; and   the left pad assembly includes an elongate connector pad that extends in a superior-inferior direction and includes portions of the elongate pads that extend in anterior-posterior directions.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 at least some of the adjacent elongate pads in the right pad assembly are not parallel to one another; and   at least some of the adjacent elongate pads in the left pad assembly are not parallel to one another.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the size of the gap between at least some of the adjacent elongate pads in the right pad assembly increases from the posterior ends to the anterior ends; and   the size of the gap between at least some of the adjacent elongate pads in the left pad assembly increases from the posterior ends to the anterior ends.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the right pad assembly includes a layer of low friction material; and   the left pad assembly includes a layer of low friction material.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the right pad assembly elongate pads comprise foam pads that harden on impact; and   the left pad assembly elongate pads comprise foam pads that harden on impact.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 there is a gap between the posterior ends of adjacent elongate pads in the right pad assembly; and   there is a gap between the posterior ends of adjacent elongate pads in the left pad assembly.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the respective configurations of the garment and the first and second pad assemblies are such that the elongate pads will not overlap when the apparatus is worn by a wearer and the wearer is in the standing position and at least some adjacent elongate pads will overlap when the wearer is in the sitting position.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 at least some of the elongate pads include a region of decreased stiffness.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the first and second pad assemblies are identical.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the garment includes a pelvic portion and left and right leg portions.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the garment is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, and cotton and spandex blend (less than 10% spandex), polyester and spandex blend (less than 10% spandex) and cotton, polyester and spandex blends (less than 10% spandex).