Impact-resistant chest protector

Abstract

An apparel system configured to be worn on a torso of a wearer is disclosed. The apparel system includes an apparel having an area configured to cover at least a left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. The apparel system includes a rigid plate configured to be coupled to the apparel at a location covering the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. The rigid plate has a contour corresponding to the left pectoral region of the wearer. The apparel system lacks any additional rigid plate other than the rigid plate. A protective element configured to be worn by a wearer is also disclosed. The protective element comprises a rigid plate configured to cover a left pectoral region of the wearer when the protective element is worn. The rigid plate has a contour corresponding to the left pectoral region of the wearer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparel system configured to be worn on a torso of a wearer, the apparel system comprising:
 an apparel including an area configured to cover at least a left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn;   a rigid plate configured to be coupled to the apparel at a location covering the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn, the rigid plate having a contour corresponding to the left pectoral region of the wearer; and   wherein the apparel system lacks any additional rigid plate other than the rigid plate.   
     
     
         2 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the apparel comprises a pocket and the rigid plate is configured to be received within the pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid plate is fixedly coupled to the apparel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparel comprises fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The apparel system of  claim 4 , wherein the apparel is configured as a shirt. 
     
     
         6 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid plate comprises one or more of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and nylon. 
     
     
         7 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid plate is limited to covering only the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         8 . The apparel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid plate comprises an impact-resistant pad affixed to a surface of the rigid plate facing the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         9 . The apparel system of  claim 8 , wherein the impact-resistant pad comprises:
 a first elastomer layer having a first density;   a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density;   a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and   a polymer layer.   
     
     
         10 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the second elastomer layer;   the second elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and   the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is arranged directly adjacent the polymer layer.   
     
     
         11 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein the first elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
         12 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein the second elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
         13 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material comprises a layer of aramid fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is coated with a polymer material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparel system of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a polypropylene polymer layer. 
     
     
         16 . The apparel system of  claim 8 , wherein the impact-resistant pad covers a left side of the torso of the wearer in addition to the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         17 . A protective element configured to be worn by a wearer, the protective element comprising:
 a rigid plate configured to cover a left pectoral region of the wearer when the protective element is worn, the rigid plate having a contour corresponding to the left pectoral region of the wearer.   
     
     
         18 . The protective element of  claim 17 , wherein the rigid plate comprises one or more of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and nylon. 
     
     
         19 . The protective element of  claim 17 , wherein the rigid plate is limited to covering only the left pectoral region of the wearer when the protective element is worn. 
     
     
         20 . The protective element of  claim 17 , wherein the rigid plate comprises an impact-resistant pad affixed to a surface of the rigid plate facing the left pectoral region of the wearer when the protective element is worn. 
     
     
         21 . An apparel system configured to be worn on a torso of a wearer, the apparel system comprising:
 an apparel including an area configured to cover at least a left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn;   a rigid plate configured to be coupled to the apparel at a location covering the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn, the rigid plate having a contour corresponding to the left pectoral region of the wearer;   a second rigid plate configured to be coupled to the apparel at a second location covering the left side of the torso of the wearer when the apparel is worn; and   wherein the apparel system lacks any additional rigid plate other than the rigid plate and the second rigid plate.