Protective sports equipment with layered segmented padding

Abstract

Protective equipment for providing impact protection to a wearer is provided. The protective equipment has protective elements connected together by a flexible connecting means, and a padding element that overlaps the flexible connecting means. This configuration increases the level of protection against impact by providing padding in areas associated with the connecting means, while still allowing for flexibility of movement but minimizing the overall bulk of the padding of the equipment. It may be used by a variety of users, including those playing contact sports, such as hockey, football, lacrosse, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable article of protective equipment for protecting a portion of a body of a user, comprising:
 a. A first protective element to shield said user from impacts;   b. A second protective element to shield said user from impacts;   c. A flexible connecting means joining said first protective element and said second protective element;   d. The first protective element having a first position and second position relative to the second protective element, the flexible connecting means permitting the first protective element to reversibly move from the first position to the second position; and   e. a padding element configured to at least partially overlap said flexible connecting means in said first position and said second position to shield said user from further impacts.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article further comprises an inner liner facing the body of the user when said wearable article is worn. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable article of  claim 2 , wherein said padding element is located between said protective elements and said inner liner. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said padding element fully overlaps said flexible connecting means in the first position and in the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable article of  claim 2 , further comprising an outer covering located opposite said inner liner, such that said protective elements, said flexible connecting means and said padding element are disposed between said outer covering and inner liner. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible connecting means is constructed from an elastomeric or a pleated material. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said padded element is 0.5-15 mm thick. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable article of  claim 7 , wherein said padded element is 5-10 mm thick. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is a shin guard. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is a pair of shoulder pads. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is an elbow pad. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is a pair of hockey pants. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is a glove. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable article of  claim 1 , wherein said wearable article is a goalie pad.