Flexible pads and shield systems

Abstract

A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A shield system for protecting a curved object, the system comprising at least one flexible pad comprising:
 a spacing ridge projecting at an angle from a first major surface of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a shield shell, wherein the spacing ridge is tapered so that the distal end of the spacing ridge is narrower than the proximal portion, proximal to the first major surface of the pad; and   a support ridge projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge.   
     
     
         51 . A shield system for protecting a curved object, the system comprising at least one flexible pad comprising:
 a spacing ridge projecting at an angle from a first major surface of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a shield shell; and   a support ridge projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge; wherein the height of the support ridge from the first major surface of the pad is less than the height of the spacing ridge from the first major surface of the pad.   
     
     
         52 . The shield system of  claim 50  or  51 , wherein the support ridge comprises a flexure region adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge. 
     
     
         53 . The shield system of  claim 52  wherein the flexure region is operable to unbend more in a distal portion of the flexure region, distal from the first major surface, than in a proximal portion proximal to the first major surface. 
     
     
         54 . The shield system of  claim 52  wherein the flexure region is configured so that unbending of the flexure region causes the support ridge to at least partially straighten. 
     
     
         55 . The shield system of  claim 50  comprising a second spacing ridge, wherein the support ridge projects from the second spacing ridge to couple the spacing ridges together. 
     
     
         56 . The shield system of  claim 50  comprising a second support ridge projecting from the spacing ridge. 
     
     
         57 . The shield system of  claim 56  further comprising a second spacing ridge, wherein the first support ridge projects from the second spacing ridge to couple the spacing ridges together, and wherein the first and second support ridge, and the first and second spacing ridge are arranged to define a closed shape on the first major surface of the pad, wherein in response to bending of the pad, the shape defined by the distal ends of the ridges differs in both shape and surface area from the closed shape. 
     
     
         58 . The shield system of  claim 52  wherein the spacing ridge comprises a flexure region adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the support ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the support ridge. 
     
     
         59 . The shield system of  claim 52  wherein the flexure region is arranged to enable ridge displacement that increases with distance from the first major surface. 
     
     
         60 . The shield system of  claim 50  in which at least one of the support ridge and the spacing ridge are arranged to define a meandering or concertinaed path across the first major surface of the pad. 
     
     
         61 . The shield system of  claim 50  wherein the ridges are integrally formed with the pad. 
     
     
         62 . The shield system of  claim 50  further comprising a shield shell. 
     
     
         63 . The shield system of  claim 62  wherein the shield shell comprises a guide configured to align the pad with respect to the shield so that the support ridge is aligned with the direction of curvature, and the spacing ridge is aligned with a contour of the shield. 
     
     
         64 . The shield system of  claim 62  wherein the shield shell comprises a helmet. 
     
     
         65 . The shield system of  claim 62  comprising a plurality of pads. 
     
     
         66 . The shield system of  claim 65  wherein the shield shell is adapted to fit an object to be protected to align the shield shell with respect to the object so selected regions of the shield shell align with corresponding selected regions of the object. 
     
     
         67 . The shield system of  claim 66  comprising at least two pads, coupled together, and adapted to fit into the shield shell so the pads are arranged adjacent two spatially separated regions of the object. 
     
     
         68 . The shield system of  claim 67  in which the at least two pads comprise a first pad arranged to lie between a first anatomical region and a corresponding first region of the shield shell, and a second pad arranged to lie between a second anatomical region and a corresponding second region of the shield shell. 
     
     
         69 . The shield system of  claim 50  wherein the ridges lie along the first major surface of the pad. 
     
     
         70 . The shield system of  claim 50  configured for use with an electronic device. 
     
     
         71 . A protective case comprising a shield system or protecting a curved object, the system comprising at least one flexible pad comprising:
 a spacing ridge projecting at an angle from a first major surface of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a shield shell, wherein the spacing ridge is tapered so that the distal end of the spacing ridge is narrower than the proximal portion, proximal to the first major surface of the pad; and   a support ridge projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge.