Protective garment system

Abstract

A protective garment system includes a garment base and at least one protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base. In some configurations, a first protective element comprises a plurality of attachment or anchor features that interact with the garment base or another portion of the system to partially or fully engage the first protective element in a removable manner with the garment base. In addition or in the alternative, the protective garment can include a second protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base separately from the first protective element. The protective elements can be a knee cap and a knee pad.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective garment system, comprising:
 a garment base; and   at least a first protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base;   wherein the first protective element comprises a plurality of anchors configured to couple the first protective element in a removable manner relative to the garment base.   
     
     
         2 . The protective garment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective element is a rigid cap. 
     
     
         3 . The protective garment system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of anchors comprises one or more hooks. 
     
     
         4 . The protective garment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first protective element engages the garment base at discrete regions of a perimeter of the first protective element. 
     
     
         5 . The protective garment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second protective element that is a pad. 
     
     
         6 . The protective garment system of  claim 5 , wherein the first protective element and the second protective element are separated by a layer of the garment base. 
     
     
         7 . The protective garment system of  claim 5 , wherein the first protective element is directly coupled to the second protective element. 
     
     
         8 . A protective garment system, comprising:
 a garment base; and   a first protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base;   a second protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base;   wherein the second protective element is removably engageable with the garment base separately from the first protective element.   
     
     
         9 . The protective garment system of  claim 8 , wherein the first protective element is a rigid cap. 
     
     
         10 . The protective garment system of  claim 8 , wherein the first protective element comprises a plurality of anchors that engage the garment base. 
     
     
         11 . The protective garment system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of anchors comprises one or more hooks. 
     
     
         12 . The protective garment system of  claim 8 , wherein the first protective element engages the garment base at discrete regions of a perimeter of the first protective element. 
     
     
         13 . The protective garment system of  claim 8 , wherein the second protective element is a pad. 
     
     
         14 . The protective garment system of  claim 8 , wherein the first protective element and the second protective element are separated by a layer of the garment base. 
     
     
         15 . A protective garment system, comprising:
 a garment base; and   a first protective element;   a second protective element that is removably engageable with the garment base;   wherein the first protective element is removably engageable with the second protective element such that the first protective element is secured relative to the garment base when engaged with the second protective element.   
     
     
         16 . The protective garment system of  claim 15 , wherein the first protective element is a rigid cap. 
     
     
         17 . The protective garment system of  claim 15 , wherein the first protective element comprises a plurality of anchors that engage the second protective element. 
     
     
         18 . The protective garment system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of anchors comprises one or more hooks, a clip, or a portion of a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The protective garment system of  claim 15 , wherein the first protective element passes through openings in the garment base located at discrete regions of a perimeter of the first protective element. 
     
     
         20 . The protective garment system of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the first protective element is located external of the garment base and at least a portion of the second protective element is located internal of the garment base.