Protective articles and methods thereof
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An article wearable by a subject, comprising:
- a) a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ
1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1);
b) at least one gripping element coupled to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ
2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ
2 is greater than μ
1;
c) at least one compression element coupled to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and
d) at least one support element comprising a neck support element integrated into the base layer, the neck support element comprising a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject,wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are wearable articles and methods for the manufacture and use thereof. The wearable articles can comprise compression elements, gripping elements, and support elements containing a rate-sensitive materials which can operate to prevent injury.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An article wearable by a subject, comprising:
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a) a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ
1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1);b) at least one gripping element coupled to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ
2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ
2 is greater than μ
1;c) at least one compression element coupled to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and d) at least one support element comprising a neck support element integrated into the base layer, the neck support element comprising a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for forming an article wearable by a subject, comprising:
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a) providing a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ
1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1);b) coupling at least one gripping element to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ
2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ
2 is greater than μ
1;c) coupling at least one compression element to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and d) integrating at least one support element comprising a neck support element into the base layer, wherein the neck support element comprises a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, and wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject, and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for mounting an article on a body of a subject, comprising:
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a) providing the article comprising; i) a base layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface has a first coefficient of friction (μ
1) relative to a body surface of the subject, and wherein the base layer has a first modulus of elasticity (E1);ii) at least one gripping element coupled to the interior surface of the base layer, wherein the at least one gripping element is configured to contact a body of the subject, and wherein the at least one gripping element has a second coefficient of friction (μ
2) relative to the body surface, wherein μ
2 is greater than μ
1;iii) at least one compression element coupled to the base layer, wherein the at least one compression element has a second modulus of elasticity (E2) that is greater than E1; and iv) at least one support element comprising a neck support element integrated into the base layer, the neck support element comprising a force-reactive polymer comprising a non-Newtonian material, wherein the neck support element is dimensioned (i) to have close topographical engagement with a neck of the subject and (ii) to extend at most up to an occipital bone of the subject, wherein the neck support element comprises a single body surrounding the force-reactive polymer and is configured to provide increasing resistance in response to an increasing degree of an applied force; and b) mounting the article on the body of the subject, wherein when mounted on the body of the subject, the interior surface and the at least one gripping element contact the body surface of the subject at μ
2 greater than μ
1. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification