Protective body vest

• US 6,138,277 A
• Filed: 11/22/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gillen, James B., Gillen, Sherry S.
• Original Assignee: Gillen, James B., Gillen, Sherry S.
• Inventors: Gillen, Sherry S., Gillen, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TAJASH D
• Application Number:
  US09/447,123
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 2/455, 2/459, 2/462-467, 2/2.5, 2/44, 2/45, 2/69, 2/81, 2/92-96, 2/102, 2/79, 2/108, 2/267, 2/268, 2/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 2/102
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/015 with shock-absorbing means A41D13/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0518 Chest

Abstract

This invention concerns a protective body vest for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities. The invention comprises a multi-section one piece garment comprising of a vest sized and shaped to be worn on the torso of an athlete. The vest comprises of an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion with oversized apertures for the arms, a front portion, a pair of side portions and a back tapered design back portion. The front and back portions being sized and shaped in a tapered design. The invention further utilizes an offset opening located off a center axis of the vest to protect vital body parts. The invention further utilize an overlap to protect the body areas below the offset opening.

Claims

1. A multi-section one piece garment for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities comprising:

a vest sized and shaped to be worn on a torso of an athlete, the vest having a multi-section padding all around the vest for protectively encasing the torso of the athlete including a chest, a stomach, a lower abdomen, a pair of sides and a back, an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion, a front portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, and an offset opening, the multi-section padding having a first section, a second section and a third section, the first section being formed from a breathable material for allowing air to permeate the vest, the second section being formed from a padding material for protecting against impact against the torso, the third section being formed from a breathable moisture absorbing material for absorbing moisture generated by the body, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having the multi-section padding being 1/2 inch to 1 inch to permit unhindered movement of both arms of the athlete wearing the vest, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion further having a limited V-neck design sized and shaped to protect up to a clavicle area and over an athlete'"'"'s shoulders while permitting full movement of an athlete'"'"'s neck, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion further having a pair of oversized apertures therein for the arms, each oversized aperture being sized and shaped to permit full movement of both arms leaving the hour glass shaped shoulder portion in an unrestricted condition, each oversized aperture having an edge, the edge being rounded to minimize body chafing, the front portion having the multi-section padding being 1 inch to 11/2 inches sized and shaped in a front tapered design to allow unhindered movement of an athlete'"'"'s leg and to protect against impact against the chest, stomach and lower abdomen while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the front portion further containing the offset opening, the offset opening being coextensive from the shoulder portion to a bottom of the front portion dividing the front portion into a first side and a second side, the offset opening being located off set from a center axis of the vest to protect against body impact to internal organs such as a heart of the athlete, the pair of side portions being located under the pair of oversized apertures, each side portion having the multi-section padding being 1 inch to 11/2 inches sized and shaped to protect against impact to the pair of sides while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the back portion having the multi-section padding being 1 inch to 11/2 inches to protect against impact against the back while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the back portion further being sized and shaped in a back tapered design to allow unhindered movement of the athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection for the lower spine, tailbone and ilium areas of a human body;

an overlap, the overlap being coextensive from the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion to the bottom of the front portion and located over the offset opening for protecting against impact over the offset opening, the overlap having the multi-section padding being a 1/4 inch, the overlap being stitched into the first side and fastened across the offset opening by a fastening means located about the offset opening on both the first side and the second side, the overlap further being temporarily attached to the first side by an overlap fastening means sized and shaped for keeping the overlap clear of the offset opening while the user puts on the vest; and

a plurality of adjustable securing belts, each belt being wrapped around the multi-section padding to secure the vest about the torso of an athlete'"'"'s body, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being inserted through a plurality of vertical loops, the vertical loops being stitched into the vest at a plurality of locations uniformly spaced about the vest to hold the plurality of adjustable securing belts to engage the torso of the athlete wearing the vest, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being fastened by a plurality of belt fasteners, the plurality of belt fasteners being located about the offset opening so as to be covered by the overlap.

2. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 1, wherein the multi-section padding being formed from a polymeric cellular compound punctuated with a plurality of air holes to protect the torso against impact from sporting activities.

3. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 1, wherein the back portion contains a pair of cloth holders for holding a strip of cloth, the strip of cloth being removable by an opposing player, the back tapered design contains a back strap fastener therein to connect to a front strap fastener located on the front tapered design by a strap therein to engage the back portion to the front portion.

4. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 1, wherein the belt fasteners are sized and shaped by multi prong fasteners to withstand the impact from sporting activities and to be able to slide under the overlap.

5. A multi-section one piece garment for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities, the multi-section one piece garment comprising:

a vest sized and shaped to be worn on a torso of an athlete, the vest having a multi-section padding all around the vest for protectively encasing the torso of the athlete including a chest, a stomach, a lower abdomen, a pair of sides and a back, an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion, a front portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, and an offset opening, the multi-section padding having a first section, a second section, and a third section, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having a pair of oversized apertures therein for the arms, each oversized aperture being sized and shaped to permit full movement of both arms leaving the hour glass shaped shoulder portion in an unrestricted condition, each oversized aperture having an edge, the edge being rounded to minimize body chafing, the front portion being sized and shaped in a front tapered design to allow unhindered movement of an athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to the lower abdomen, the back portion being sized and shaped in a back tapered design to allow unhindered movement of the athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to a lower spine, tailbone and ilium areas of a human body, the offset opening being coextensive from the shoulder portion to a bottom of the front portion dividing the front portion into a first side and a second side, the offset opening being located off set from a center axis of the vest to protect against body impact to internal organs such as a heart of the athlete;

an overlap, the overlap being coextensive from the shoulder portion to the bottom portion and located over the offset opening for protecting against impact over the offset opening, the overlap being stitched into the vest at the first side and fastened across the offset opening by a fastener means located about the offset opening on both the first side and the second side, and

a plurality of adjustable securing belts, each belt being wrapped around the multi-section padding to secure the vest about the torso of an athlete'"'"'s body.

6. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 5, wherein the first section being formed from a breathable material for allowing air to permeate the vest, the second section being formed from a padding material for protecting against impact against the torso, and the third section being formed from a breathable moisture absorbing material for absorbing moisture generated by the body.

7. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 6, wherein the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having the multi-section padding being 1/2 inch to 1 inch to permit unhindered movement of both arms of the athlete wearing the vest, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion further having a limited V-neck design sized and shaped to protect up to a clavicle area and over an athlete'"'"'s shoulders while permitting full movement of an athlete'"'"'s neck.

8. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 7, wherein the front portion and the pair of side portions each having the multi-section padding being 1 inch to 11/2 inches sized and shaped to protect against impact against the torso while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities.

9. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 8, wherein the back portion having the multi-section padding being 1 inch to 11/2 inches to protect against impact against the back while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the back portion containing a pair of cloth holders for holding a strip of cloth, the strip being removable by an opposing player, the back tapered design further contains a back strap fastener therein to connect to a front strap fastener located on the front tapered design by a strap therein to engage the back portion to the front portion.

10. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 9, wherein the plurality of adjustable securing belts being inserted through a plurality of vertical loops, the vertical loops being attached to the vest at a plurality of locations uniformly spaced about the vest to hold the plurality of adjustable securing belts to engage the torso of the athlete wearing the vest, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being fastened by a plurality of belt fasteners, the plurality of belt fasteners being located about the offset opening so as to be covered by the overlap.

11. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 10, wherein the multi-section padding being formed from a polymeric cellular compound punctuated with a plurality of air holes to protect the torso against impact from sporting activities.

12. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 11, wherein the first side having an overlap fastening means sized and shaped for keeping the overlap clear of the offset opening while a user puts on the vest.

13. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 12, wherein the fasteners are sized and shaped by multi prong fasteners to withstand the impact from sporting activities and to be able to slide under the overlap.

14. A multi-section one piece garment for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities, the multi-section one piece garment comprising:

a vest sized and shaped to be worn on a torso of an athlete, the vest having a multi-section padding all around the vest for protectively encasing the torso of the athlete including a chest, a stomach, and a lower abdomen, a pair of sides and a back, a shoulder portion, a front portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, and an offset opening, the offset opening being coextensive from the shoulder portion to a bottom of the front portion dividing the front portion into a first side and a second side, the offset opening being located off set from a center axis of the vest to protect against body impact to internal organs such as a heart of the athlete;

an overlap, the overlap being coextensive from the shoulder portion to the bottom portion and located over the offset opening for protecting against impact over the offset opening, the overlap being attached to the vest at the first side and fastened across the offset opening by a fastener means located about the offset opening on both the first side and the second side, the first side having an overlap fastening means sized and shaped for keeping the overlap clear of the offset opening while a user puts on the vest; and

a plurality of adjustable securing belts, each belt being wrapped around the multi-section padding to secure the vest about the torso of an athlete'"'"'s body.

15. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the multi-section padding having at least three sections, a first section being formed from a breathable material for allowing air to permeate the vest, a second section being formed from a padding material for protecting against impact against the torso, a third section being formed from a breathable moisture absorbing material for absorbing moisture generated by the body.

16. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the shoulder portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to permit unhindered movement of both arms of the athlete wearing the vest, the shoulder portion further having a design sized and shaped to protect up to a clavicle area and over the top of an athlete'"'"'s shoulders while permitting full movement of an athlete'"'"'s neck, the shoulder portion further having a pair of oversized apertures therein for the arms, each oversized aperture being sized and shaped to permit full movement of both arms leaving the shoulder portion in an unrestricted condition, each oversized aperture having an edge, the edge being rounded to minimize body chafing.

17. The multi section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the front portion being sized and shaped in a front tapered design to allow unhindered movement of an athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to the lower abdomen.

18. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the back portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to protect against impact against the back while the athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the back portion being sized and shaped in a back tapered design to allow unhindered movement of an athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to a lower spine, tailbone and ilium areas of a human body, the back portion containing at least one cloth holder for holding a strip of cloth, the strip being removable by an opposing player, the back tapered design contains a back strap fastener therein to connect to a front strap fastener located on the front tapered design by a strap therein to engage the back portion to the front portion.

19. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the plurality of adjustable securing belts being attached to the vest by a plurality of attachment means to engage the torso of the athlete wearing the vest, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being fastened by a plurality of belt fasteners, the plurality of belt fasteners being located about the offset opening so as to be covered by the overlap.

20. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the multi-section padding being formed from a polymeric cellular compound punctuated with a plurality of air holes to protect the torso against impact from sporting activities.

21. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 14, wherein the fasteners are sized and shaped by multi prong fasteners to withstand the impact from sporting activities and to be able to slide under the overlap.

25. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 21, wherein the back portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to protect against impact from sporting activities, the back portion containing a pair of cloth holders for holding a strip of cloth, the strip being removable by an opposing player, the back portion further containing a back strap fastener therein to connect to a front strap fastener located on the front tapered design by a strap therein to engage the back portion to the front portion to achieve a more secured fit of the vest.

26. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 21, wherein the multi-section padding being formed from a polymeric cellular compound to protect the torso against impact from sporting activities.

27. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 21, wherein the fasteners are sized and shaped by multi prong fasteners to withstand the impact from sporting activities and keep the vest secure around the body.

22. A multi-section one piece garment for protecting against impact upon a human torso when worn by an athlete during sporting activities, the multi-section one piece garment comprising:

a vest sized and shaped to be worn on a torso of an athlete, the vest having a multi-section padding all around the vest for protectively encasing the torso of the athlete including a chest, and a lower abdomen, a pair of sides and a back, an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion, a front portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, and an offset opening, the multi-section padding having a first section, a second section, and a third section, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having a pair of oversized apertures therein for the arms, each oversized aperture being sized and shaped to permit full movement of both arms leaving the hour glass shaped shoulder portion in an unrestricted condition, each oversized aperture having an edge, the edge being rounded to minimize body chafing, the front portion being sized and shaped in a front tapered design to allow unhindered movement of an athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to the lower abdomen, the back portion being sized and shaped in a back tapered design to allow unhindered movement of the athlete'"'"'s legs and to provide protection to a lower spine, tailbone and ilium areas of a human body, the offset opening being coextensive from the shoulder portion to a bottom of the front portion dividing the front portion into a first side and a second side, the offset opening being located off set from a center axis of the vest to protect against body impact to internal organs such a heart of the athlete; and

a plurality of adjustable securing belts, each belt being wrapped around the multi-section padding to secure the vest about the torso of the athlete, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being inserted through a plurality of vertical loops, the vertical loops being attached to the vest at a plurality of locations uniformly spaced about the vest to hold the plurality of adjustable securing belts to engage the torso of the athlete wearing the vest, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being fastened by a plurality of belt fasteners, the plurality of belt fasteners being adjustably located over the front portion.

23. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 22, wherein the first section being formed from a breathable material for allowing air to permeate the vest, the second section being formed from a padding material for protecting against impact against the torso, the third section being formed from a breathable moisture absorbing material for absorbing moisture generated by the body.

24. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 23, wherein the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to permit unhindered movement of both arms of the athlete wearing the vest, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion further having a limited V-neck design sized and shaped to protect up to a clavicle area and over an athlete'"'"'s shoulders while permitting full movement of an athlete'"'"'s neck.

28. A multi-section one piece garment worn by females for protecting against impact upon the female torso when worn by a female athlete during sporting activities, the multi-section one piece garment comprising:

a vest sized and shaped to be worn on a torso of a female athlete, the vest having a multi-section padding all around the vest for protectively encasing the torso of the female athlete including a chest, a stomach, a pair of sides and a back, an hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion, a front portion, a pair of side portions, a back portion, and an offset opening, the multi-section padding having a first section, a second section, and a third section, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having a pair of oversized apertures therein for the arms, each oversized aperture being sized and shaped to permit full movement of both arms leaving the hour glass shaped shoulder portion in an unrestricted condition, each oversized aperture having an edge, the edge being rounded to minimize body chafing, the front portion being sized and shaped in a front tapered design, the front portion containing the offset opening, the offset opening being coextensive from the shoulder portion to a bottom of the front portion dividing the front portion into a first side and a second side, the offset opening being located off set from a center axis of the vest to protect against body impact to internal organs such a heart of an athlete, the front portion being sized and shaped in a convex configuration, the convex configuration allowing space for each female breast, the pair of side portions being located under the pair of oversized apertures, each side portion having a concave configuration, the concave configuration allowing space for each female hip, the back portion being sized and shaped in a back tapered design to provide protection to a lower spine, tailbone and ilium areas of a human body;

an overlap, the overlap being coextensive from the shoulder portion to the bottom portion and located over the offset opening for protecting against impact over the offset opening, the overlap being sized and shaped to incorporate the convex configuration, the overlap being stitched into the vest at the first side and fastened across the offset opening by a fastener means located about the offset opening on both the first side and the second side; and

a plurality of adjustable securing belts, each belt being wrapped around the multi-section padding to secure the vest about the torso of the female athlete.

29. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 28, wherein the first section being formed from a breathable material for allowing air to permeate the vest, the second section being formed from a padding material for protecting against impact against the torso, the third section being formed from a breathable moisture absorbing material for absorbing moisture generated by the body.

30. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 28, wherein the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to permit unhindered movement of both arms of the female athlete wearing the vest, the hour glass simulated shaped shoulder portion further having a limited V-neck design sized and shaped to protect up to a clavicle area and over an athlete'"'"'s shoulders while permitting full movement of an athlete'"'"'s neck.

31. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 28, wherein the front portion and the pair of side portions each having multi-section padding sized and shaped to protect against impact against the chest and pair of sides while the female athlete is engaged in sporting activities.

32. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 28, wherein the back portion having the multi-section padding sized and shaped to protect against impact the back while the female athlete is engaged in sporting activities, the back portion containing a pair of cloth holders for holding a strip of cloth, the strip being removable by an opposing player, the back tapered design contains a back strap fastener therein to connect to a front strap fastener located on the front tapered design by a strap therein to engage the back portion to the front portion.

33. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 28, wherein the plurality of adjustable securing belts being inserted through a plurality of vertical loops, the vertical loops being attached to the vest at a plurality of locations uniformly spaced about the vest to hold the plurality of adjustable securing belts to engage the torso of the female athlete wearing the vest, the plurality of adjustable securing belts being fastened by a plurality of belt fasteners, the plurality of belt fasteners being located about the offset opening so as to be covered by the overlap.

34. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 31, wherein the multi-section padding being formed from a polymeric cellular compound punctuated with a plurality of air holes to protect the torso against impact from sporting activities.

35. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 31, wherein the first side having an overlap fastening means sized and shaped for keeping the overlap clear of the offset opening while a user puts on the vest.

36. The multi-section one piece garment of claim 31, wherein the fasteners are sized and shaped by multi prong fasteners to withstand the impact from sporting activities and to be able to slide under the overlap.