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.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . 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, the apparel comprising a pocket formed in the area of the apparel configured to cover the left pectoral region including a location of an apical impulse of the wearer;   a rigid plate configured to be received within the pocket of the apparel at a location configured to cover the left pectoral region including the location of the apical impulse of the wearer when the apparel is worn, the rigid plate having a contour configured to correspond to the left pectoral region of the wearer; and   wherein the apparel system lacks any additional pocket other than the pocket and further lacks any additional rigid plate other than the rigid plate.   
     
     
         23 . The apparel system of  claim 22 , wherein the rigid plate is fixedly coupled to the apparel. 
     
     
         24 . The apparel system of  claim 22 , wherein the apparel comprises fabric. 
     
     
         25 . The apparel system of  claim 24 , wherein the apparel is configured as a shirt. 
     
     
         26 . The apparel system of  claim 22 , wherein the rigid plate comprises one or more of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and nylon. 
     
     
         27 . The apparel system of  claim 22 , wherein the rigid plate is limited to covering only the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         28 . The apparel system of  claim 22 , wherein the rigid plate comprises an impact-resistant pad affixed to a surface of the rigid plate and configured to face the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         29 . The apparel system of  claim 28 , 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.   
     
     
         30 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , 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.   
     
     
         31 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , wherein the first elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
         32 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , wherein the second elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
         33 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material comprises a layer of aramid fibers. 
     
     
         34 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is coated with a polymer material. 
     
     
         35 . The apparel system of  claim 29 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a polypropylene polymer layer. 
     
     
         36 . The apparel system of  claim 28 , wherein the impact-resistant pad is configured to cover a left side of the torso of the wearer in addition to the left pectoral region of the wearer when the apparel is worn. 
     
     
         37 . 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 and a left side of the torso of the wearer when the apparel is worn, the apparel comprising first and second pockets formed in the area of the apparel configured to cover the left pectoral region including a location of an apical impulse of the wearer and the left side of the torso of the wearer;   a rigid plate configured to be received within the first pocket of the apparel at a location configured to cover the left pectoral region including the location of the apical impulse of the wearer when the apparel is worn, the rigid plate having a contour configured to correspond to the left pectoral region of the wearer;   a second rigid plate configured to be received within the second pocket of the apparel at a second location configured to cover the left side of the torso of the wearer when the apparel is worn; and   wherein the apparel system lacks any additional pocket other than the first and second pockets and further lacks any additional rigid plate other than the rigid plate and the second rigid plate.