Protective Pad Using A Damping Component

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a protective pad that is comprised of an impact shell and a damping component. The damping component may be formed by a plurality of connecting members that are separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping lattice and the impact shell. The damping component may also be formed by a sheet-like form that is separated from the impact shell by a plurality of extension members that extend between the damping sheet and the impact shell. The damping component is formed from an elastomer that aids in absorbing a portion of an impact force that is distributed across the damping component by the impact shell. The dampening component may be affixed to the impact shell by way of a coupling frame that is incorporated into the impact shell.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective pad comprising:
 an impact shell having an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface; and   a damping lattice positioned proximate the opposite interior surface of the impact shell,   wherein the damping lattice includes a plurality of joining members having an inner surface facing the opposite interior surface of the impact shell,   wherein the damping lattice includes a plurality of extension members extending from the inner surface of the plurality of joining members towards the opposite interior surface of the impact shell, each of the plurality of extension members comprising a distal end and an offset, which is defined by a distance each extension member extends from the inner surface to the distal end, and   wherein the offset of a first extension member of the plurality of extension members is different than the offset of at least one other extension member of the plurality of extension members.   
     
     
         2 . The protective pad of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of extension members is a cylindrical, pyramid, prismatic, or cuboid shape. 
     
     
         3 . The protective pad of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of extension members is comprised of an extension member void, wherein the extension member void is a cylindrical, pyramid, prismatic, or cuboid shape. 
     
     
         4 . The protective pad of  claim 1 , wherein joining members of the plurality of joining members interconnect with one another at a plurality of intersections. 
     
     
         5 . The protective pad of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of extension members extends from a respective intersection of the plurality of intersections. 
     
     
         6 . The protective pad of  claim 5 , wherein the first extension member extends from a first intersection of the plurality of intersections, and wherein, at the first intersection, three joining members of the plurality of joining members are joined to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The protective pad of  claim 6 , wherein the first extension member is a triangular prismatic shape. 
     
     
         8 . The protective pad of  claim 7 , wherein the first extension member further comprises a first extension member void, and wherein the first extension member void is a triangular prismatic shape. 
     
     
         9 . A protective pad comprising:
 an impact shell having an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface; and   a damping lattice positioned proximate the opposite interior surface of the impact shell and formed of an elastomeric material,   wherein the damping lattice includes a plurality of joining members having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface,   wherein the damping lattice includes a plurality of extension members extending from the opposite inner surface of the plurality of joining members towards the opposite interior surface of the impact shell, each of the plurality of extension members comprising a distal end, and   wherein, when an amount of tension sufficient to overcome an elastic property of the damping lattice is applied across the damping lattice, the distal end of one or more extension members of the plurality of extension members contacts the opposite interior surface of the impact shell.   
     
     
         10 . The protective pad of  claim 9 , wherein the impact shell is formed from at least one material selected from the following:
 a) a rigid polymer material;   b) a woven polymer material; or   c) a carbon fiber-based material.   
     
     
         11 . The protective pad of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of joining members comprise a thickness extending between the outer surface and the opposite inner surface, wherein the thickness of the plurality of joining members is varied throughout the damping lattice. 
     
     
         12 . The protective pad of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of joining members comprise a thickness extending between the outer surface and the opposite inner surface, wherein the thickness of the plurality of joining members is uniform throughout the damping lattice. 
     
     
         13 . A protective pad comprising:
 an impact shell having an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface; and   a damping lattice positioned proximate the opposite interior surface of the impact shell, the damping lattice comprising:   (1) two or more sets of joining members, each set of joining members including at least two joining members joined to one another at an intersection; and   (2) a plurality of extension members extending from intersections of the two or more sets of joining members toward the opposite interior surface of the impact shell, the plurality of extension members including a first extension member extending from a first intersection of a first set of joining members and comprising a first length, the plurality of extension members including a second extension member extending from a second intersection of a second set of joining members and comprising a second length that is less than the first length.   
     
     
         14 . The protective pad of  claim 13 , wherein the first extension member comprises a first distal end and the second extension member comprises a second distal end, and wherein, when the protective pad is in an unworn position, the first distal end of the first extension member is in contact with the opposite interior surface of the impact shell and the second distal end of the second extension member is not in contact with the opposite interior surface of the impact shell. 
     
     
         15 . The protective pad of  claim 14 , wherein, when an amount of tension sufficient to overcome an elastic property of the damping lattice is applied across the damping lattice, the second distal end of the second extension member contacts the opposite interior surface of the impact shell. 
     
     
         16 . The protective pad of  claim 14 , wherein the first extension member is a prismatic shape comprising a base formed of three or more sides. 
     
     
         17 . The protective pad of  claim 16 , wherein the prismatic shape of the first extension member tapers as the first extension member extends from the first intersection towards the opposite interior surface of the impact shell. 
     
     
         18 . The protective pad of  claim 16 , wherein the prismatic shape of the first extension member is truncated proximate the first distal end. 
     
     
         19 . The protective pad of  claim 16 , wherein, at the first intersection, at least three joining members of the first set of joining members are joined to one another, wherein each of the at least three joining members of the first set of joining members connects to the first extension member at a different vertex or face of the prismatic shape. 
     
     
         20 . The protective pad of  claim 19 , wherein each of the at least three joining members of the first set of joining members is a prismatic shape comprising a base formed of three or more sides.