Protective garments for hockey and other activities

Abstract

Protective sports garments are provided that include integrated cut-resistant panels located adjacent to relatively vulnerable parts of a user's body. A shirt garment may include integrated cut-resistant panels around the end cuffs of each sleeve, and such integrated cut-resistant panels may help prevent cutting injuries from a hockey skate blade or other object. The location(s) of the integrated cut-resistant panels may be selected to provide additional protection that complements protection already provided by other protective equipment, such as elbow pads, arm pads, or other padding or armor that may be worn. Additionally, in some cases, described garments may provide a pad securement mechanism that may help to secure certain pads in place relative to the garment. In other examples, protective pants are provided that include one or more cut-resistant panels, such as cut-resistant panels in a lower back leg portion to provide protection to a player's Achilles tendon area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective garment apparatus, comprising:
 a sleeve portion formed from at least a first fabric having a proximal end that is coupled with a torso portion of the garment;   a cuff portion coupled with the sleeve portion at a distal end thereof; and   a cut-resistant material integrated with the cuff portion, wherein the cut-resistant material is different than the first fabric and reduces a likelihood of a cutting injury of a wearer of the garment in the event of an object impacting the cuff portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material extends through an entire circumference of the cuff portion.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material extends through less than an entire circumference of the cuff portion and is located adjacent to a portion of a user's body that is vulnerable to a cutting injury.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material is a flexible material that is resistant to cutting or puncturing by a hockey skate blade.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material has a content of at least 90% Dyneema and 5% Lycra, in a single weave.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a securement mechanism coupled with the sleeve portion and adapted to anchor a protective pad to the sleeve portion.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the securement mechanism comprises:
 an outer sleeve coupled with the sleeve portion at a location between the distal end and the proximal end, the outer sleeve being outside of and coaxial with the sleeve portion for a first distance and foldable from a first position that is configured to allow a user to attach the protective pad to a second position that is adapted to anchor the protective pad with the sleeve portion.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the securement mechanism further comprises:
 a band on the outer sleeve at a location on the outer sleeve away from the location at which the outer sleeve is coupled with the sleeve portion, wherein the band includes elastic material that is adapted to secure the protective pad within a pocket that is formed between the outer sleeve and the sleeve portion when the outer sleeve is in the second position.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the band includes a high friction applique that engages with an outer surface of the protective pad to reduce slippage of the band relative to the protective pad.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 an elbow area of the sleeve portion further includes the high friction applique that engages with an inner surface of the protective pad to reduce slippage of the protective pad relative to the elbow area.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the high friction applique comprises one or more of a thermoplastic rubber, a polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone, or any combinations thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the securement mechanism includes a hook and loop material configured to engage with a complementary hook and loop material that is attached to the protective pad.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material includes one or more metallic or polymeric panels that are adhered to or integrated in the cuff portion.   
     
     
         14 . A protective garment apparatus, comprising:
 an upper leg portion formed from at least a first fabric having a proximal end that is coupled with a waist portion of the garment;   a lower leg portion coupled with the upper leg portion at a distal end thereof; and   a cut-resistant material integrated with the lower leg portion, wherein the cut-resistant material is different than the first fabric and reduces a likelihood of a cutting injury of a wearer of the garment in the event of an object impacting the lower leg portion.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material extends through an entire circumference of the lower leg portion.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material extends through less than an entire circumference of the lower leg portion and is located adjacent to an Achilles tendon area of a user's body.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material is a flexible material that is resistant to cutting or puncturing by a hockey skate blade.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material has a content of at least 90% Dyneema and 5% Lycra, in a single weave.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the cut-resistant material includes one or more metallic or polymeric panels that are adhered to or integrated in the lower leg portion.