Shoulder Pad Brace

This invention generally relates to a protective shoulder pad brace for use in sports events, and in particular to a shoulder pad which offers improved protection to the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints.

Shoulder pads for protecting the shoulder regions in contact sports such as football and hockey are well known in the art. Generally speaking, such shoulder pads include a harness arrangement which circumscribes the chest region for mounting a rounded shoulder pad assembly over each of the shoulders of the wearer. In many of these prior art shoulder pads, the padding assembly is formed from a plurality of rounded members which overlap around the contour of the shoulders, and are interconnected by means of multiple straps. Examples of such prior art shoulder pads are disclosed in Morgan U.S. Pat. No. 2,953,789, Bennett U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,614 and Mitchell U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,763.

Which such prior art shoulder pads are capable of protecting the joints of the shoulder region, the pad designs are not without shortcomings. For example, while the shoulder pads disclosed in Morgan U.S. Pat. No. 2,953,789 do provide a protective cover around both the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints, this shoulder pad is formed from multiple pads interconnected by means of a relatively rigid cantilever structure. Hence, the flexibility of these shoulder pads is limited, which is particularly disadvantageous in a contact sport such as hockey, where a great deal of omni-directional arm motion is required. Similarly, both the Bennett U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,614 and the Mitchell U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,763 disclose shoulder pads formed from a plurality of arcuate members which are interconnected by means of double or multiple strap joints. Consequently, omni-directional movement of the arm is impaired.

Still another shortcoming of prior art shoulder pads is the bulk and weight of the shoulder-protecting structural components they employ. Bulky and weighty pad components not only impair omni-directional movement of the shoulder, but also reduce both the speed and the agility of the athlete. This can be a substantial disadvantage in competitive sporting events involving professional athletes, where even a small diminishment in the speed and agility of the players can result in defeat.

Still another shortcoming associated with many other prior art shoulder pad designs is the lack of any special means to protect the relatively delicate acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joint. The acromioclavicular joint includes the upper region of the shoulder where the end of the collar bone, or clavical, joins with the top portion of the shoulder blade, or scapula. It is the most easily damaged of all the joint in the shoulder region, since the clavical is a bone having a relatively small cross section near its end, and since there is relatively little musclature surrounding the region where the terminus of the clavical engages the top of the scapula. While most prior art shoulder pads afford some amount of protective coverage over the acromioclavicular joint, many do not concentrate structural protection in this region, where it is needed most.

Clearly, there is a need for improved shoulder pads which affords a maximum amount of protection to the acromioclavicular joint without imposing any significant restraint on the arm movement of the wearer. Ideally, such a shoulder pad should include a minimal amount of bulk and weight, so that the wearer maintains his speed and agility out on the playing field. Finally, it would be desirable if such a shoulder pad provided protection to the clavical, glenohumeral joint, and the scapula by means of a lightweight and relatively inexpensive structure which was capable of conforming to a variety of individual physiognomies.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved shoulder pad for protecting the acromioclavicular joint, the glenohumeral joint, the clavical and the scapula by means of a novel array of lightweight shoulder pad components which do not impair the arm movements of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight and non-bulky shoulder pad which provides a maximum amount of shock protection in the region of the relatively delicate acromioclavicular joint.

It is further object of the invention to provide a shoulder pad which is confortable to a large variety of individual physiognomies, and whose shoulder-engaging surfaces are coated with an anti-slippage sheet material, such as foamed neoprene.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder pad having a saddle member whose inner, shoulder engaging surface includes a shock absorbing assembly which includes a resilient, ring-shaped pad for seating over and conforming to the region surrounding the acromioclavicular joint.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shoulder pad having a cup member which is flexibly connected to the saddle member for overlapping the acromioclavicular joint and covering the glenohumeral joint, and for further defining a shock-absorbing air space between these joints and the interior surface of the cup.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an elongated upper arm pad which is connected to the edge of the saddle member by means of a universally-movable, hinge type joint for both protecting the upper arm, and for assisting the saddle member and spacing the shock-absorbing cup away from the shoulder region.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved shoulder pad wherein the shock absorbing assembly includes a sheet of anti-slippage sheet material adhered over the ring-shaped pad for defining shock absorbing air spaces both in and around the pad, and for securely seating the shock absorbing assembly of the saddle member over the acromioclavicular joint.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a set of shoulder pads formed from a relatively simple arrangement of shock absorbing components, each of which is fabricated from an easily-washable material.

These and other objects are accomplished by an improved shoulder pad brace which generally comprises a harness assembly which circumscribes the chest of the wearer, and first and second shoulder pads, each of which includes a saddle member for overlying and protecting the upper regions of each shoulder. The inner, shoulder engaging side of each of the saddle members preferably includes a resilient, shock absorbing assembly. This assembly in turn includes a resilient, ring-shaped pad which seats over and conforms to the acromioclavicular joint. This ring-shaped pad may be formed from a resilient plastic foam, or from a cushion filled with a fluid such as air. This ring shaped pad does not necessarily have to be strictly ring-shaped, so long as it seats over the acromioclavicular joint when the improved shoulder pad is worn by an athelete.

Additionally, a sheet of anti-slippage material, which may be foamed neoprene, is adhered over the ring-shaped pad in order to maintain a proper seating engagement between the shock absorbing assembly and the acromioclavicular joint despite any mechanical shock which the shoulder pad may experience in the course of an athletic event. In addition to providing an anti-slip function, the sheet material which overlies the ring-shaped pad defines an air space both in the center of the pad, and the region circumscribing it which enhances the function of the pad in effectively absorbing mechanical shock.

Each of the improved shoulder pads may also include a cup member flexibly mounted over the saddle member for further protecting the acromioclavicular joint, and for also affording protection to the glenohumeral joint. This cup member may include an anterior portion which covers a portion of the clavical leading to the acromioclavicular joint, as well as a posterior portion which substantially covers the scapula of the wearer.

Finally, each of the shoulder pads may include an upper arm pad which is flexibly mounted onto the edge of the saddle member by means of a single hinge joint in order to afford a maximum amount of free arm motion to the wearer. This upper arm member is preferably elongated, and includes a tapered end portion which is riveted onto the edge of its respective saddle member in order to form the aforementioned universal hinge joint. Both the saddle member and the upper arm pad of each shoulder pad operate to space their respective cup members away from the shoulder region in order to form a shock-absorbing air space between the inner surface of the cup, and this shoulder region.

In the preferred embodiment, the saddle member, shock absorbing assembly, upper arm and cup member are formed from non-absorbent plastic foams and sheet materials in order to provide an effective but lightweight shock-absorbing shoulder pad which is easily washable. However, the invention may also be implemented by the use of equivalent shock-absorbing materials, such as fluid filled cushions.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the shoulder pad brace of the invention with the right cup member broken away in order to expose the interconnection between the upper arm pad and saddle member;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the shoulder pad brace of the invention, again shown with the left cup member broken away;

FIG. 3 is an oblique, perspective view of the shoulder brace of the invention, shown with the left cup member pivoted away from its respective saddle member and upper arm pad;

FIG. 4 is bottom view of the shoulder pad brace of the invention, shown with the right, outer layer of anti-slippage neoprene foam broken away to expose the ring-shaped pad of the shock absorbing assembly within the saddle member, and

FIG. 5 is cross sectional view of the left shoulder pad of the invention as seen through the line 5--5.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein like components are designated by like numerals throughout all the several figures, the shoulder pad brace 1 of the invention generally includes a harness assembly 3 which circumscribes the chest of the wearer having right and left shoulder pads 5a, 5b mounted thereon.

The harness assembly 3 generally includes right and left breast plates 8a and 8b which cover the chest of the wearer. Along the inner sides of each of the breast plates 8a and 8b are a plurality of holes 10a, 11a, 12a and 10b, 11b and 12b as shown. These holes receive a conventional nylon lace 15 which may be used to draw the two breast plates 8a and 8b together in abutting relationship. In addition to interconnecting the breast plates 8a and 8b in the position shown, the lace 15 also provides a certain amount of adjustability to the shoulder pad brace 1 as a whole which allows the brace 1 to fit a variety of different sized individual physiognomies. In the preferred embodiment, each of the breast plates 8a and 8b are formed from a flexible, outer layer 13a, 13b of sheet polyethylene material, approximately 3/32 of an inch thick, and an inner layer 14a, 14b of foamed polyethylene sheet material approximately 1/4 of an inch thick which is adhered onto the inner surface of the smooth outer layers 13a, 13b of the breast plates 8a and 8b. Further, in order to minimize the tendency of the inner foam layers 14a and 14b to absorb the perspiration of the wearer, the outer surfaces of each of the inner foam layers 14a and and 14b are preferably glazed to form a thin, water impermeable surface over the small, interconnected cells within the foam layer.

In addition to the breast plates 8a and 8b, the harness assembly 3 further includes an elastic strap 16 which circumscribes the lower chest region of the wearer, and whose ends include Velcro.RTM. pads 18a and 18b which are detachably connected to co-extensive Velcro pads 20a and 20b located on the lower right and left corners of the breast plates 8a and 8b, respectively. As is best seen with respect to FIG. 2, elastic strap 16 is secured onto the lower, rear portions of each of the shoulder pads 5a and 5b by means of a pair of nylon hinge straps 22a and 22b. The hinge straps 22a and 22b are preferably stitched onto the elastic strap 16 at their lower ends, and attached to their respective shoulder pads 5a and 5b by means of rivets 24a and 24b as shown.

Finally, the harness assembly 3 includes a rear adjustment strap 31 which is connected across the rear portions of each of the right and left shoulder pads 5a and 5b by means of rivets 33a and 33b as shown. The rear adjustment strap 31 includes a buckle 35 for adjusting the distance between the side, back portions of each of the shoulder pads 5a and 5b. It should be noted that rear adjustment strap 31 compliments the function of front lace 15 in providing a shoulder pad brace 1 which is confortable to a variety of different physiognomies.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the shoulder pads 5a and 5b generally includes a J-shaped saddle member 26a and 26b for covering the upper portion of the shoulder, and a cup member 60a and 60b which overlaps the saddle members 26a and 26b and extends over the lower part of the shoulder, and an upper arm pad 80a and 80b for protecting the upper arm of the wearer.

Each of the saddle members 26a and 26b has a profile like an inverted "J" when viewed from the side. The long stem of the inverted "J" shape that each of these members 26a and 26b form is connected to the upper portion of each of the breast plates 8a and 8b by means of rivets 28a and 28b as shown, while the short stem extends down from over the scapula of the wearer, and is connected to the previously described nylon hinge members 22a and 22b by means of the rivets 24a and 24b. Like the previously described breast plates 8a and 8b, each of the saddle members 26a and 26b includes an outer layer of bendable polyethylene 37a and 37b, and an inner layer 39a and 39b of polyethylene foam which has been glazed on its exterior surface in order to minimize absorption of perspiration. However, the outer layer 37a and 37b is formed from a stronger and more rigid polyethylene sheet material which is approximately 5/32 inch in thickness since each of the saddle members 26a and 26b overlies the relatively delicate acromioclavicular joint. Additionally, in order to minimize slippage between the saddle members 26a and 26b and the wearer as a result of the shock and stress received during a contact sport, a first layer of flexible, non-slip material 42a, 42b, which is preferably foamed neoprene approximately 3/32 inch in thickness, is adhered over the glazed outer surface of each of the inner foam layers 39a and 39b.

With specific reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the saddle members 26a and 26b includes a shock absorption assembly 44a and 44b mounted over its inner shoulder-engaging surface for protecting the acromioclavicular joint. In order to avoid prolixity, the following description will be confined to shock absorption assembly 44b, it being understood that the shock absorption assembly 44a of saddle member 26a includes the same components arranged in the same configuration. Shock absorption assembly 44b includes a rounded shoulder seating member 45b. Member 45b includes an outer layer 47b formed from the same relatively thick polyethylene sheet material which forms the outer surface of the saddle member 26b, as well an inner foam layer 48b formed from the same glazed, polyethylene foam which forms the inner layer of the saddle member 26b. The shoulder seating member 45b is firmly affixed within the inner elbow of the inverted "J" shaped saddle member 26b by means of rivets 49a and 49b. Centrally disposed within the shoulder seating member 45b and adhered thereto is a ring or doughnut shaped pad 50b. In the preferred embodiment, pad 50b is formed from a "T" foam having a compressability which is substantially less than the compressability of the polyethylene foam forming the inner foam layer 48b of the shoulder seating member 45b. However, pad 50b may just as easily be formed from a fluid filled member, such as an air cushion.

Completing both shock assemblies 44a and 44b is a second layer of flexible, anti-slip sheet material 52a, 52b which is preferably glued over the ring-shaped pads 50a, 50b, and the shoulder seating members 45a, 45b. Like layers 42a and 42b, layers 52a and 52b are preferably formed from foamed neoprene approximately 3/32 inch in thickness. As may best be seen in FIG. 5, the second layer of non-slip materials 52a and 52b forms two shock absorbing air spaces in the area around each of the ring-shaped pads 50a, 50b, including a centrally located air space 54a and 54b in the center of each pad, as well as circumferrential air spaces 56a, 56b located around each pad. While each of the components of the shock absorption assembly has been described in terms of plastic foams and sheet materials, it should be noted that an equivalent structure which falls within the scope of this invention may be formed from an array of fluid filled members, such as air cushions. Also, the pads 50a and 50b need not be strictly ring-shaped, so long as it seats over and conforms to the acromioclavicular joint when the improved shoulder pad is worn.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 5, each of the shoulder pads 5a and 5b further includes a cup member 60a and 60b which is flexibly mounted over each of the saddle members 26a and 26b in overlapping relationship. More specifically, each of the cup members 60a and 60b is mounted over its respective saddle member 26a, 26b by means of a front strap 62a, 62b, a rear strap 65a, 65b and a nylon strap hinge 68a and 68b. As is best seen with respect to FIG. 5, each of the nylon strap hinges 68a and 68b are riveted onto their cups 60a and 60b by means of a rivet 70a, 70b, as shown. The front straps 62a, 62b and the rear straps 65a, 65b each include a buckle 63a, 63b and 66a, 66b for adjusting the degree to which the cup 60a and 60b are drawn over the posterior or anterior portion of the shoulder region. Both of the front and the rear straps 62a, 62b and 65a, 65b are connected on one side to their respective saddle member 26a and 26b by means of rivets 64a, 64b and 67a, 67b. Each of the cup members 60a, 60b, overlaps the section of its respective saddle member 26a and 26b which overlies the acromioclavicular joint, and further extends over the rest of the glenohumeral joint (not shown). The proximal ends of each of the cup members (closest to the neck of the wearer) bow out over the acromioclavicular-joint covering portion of the saddle members 26a and 26b, and define a shock absorbing air space 72 thereover as may best be seen in FIG. 5. Additionally, each of the cup members 60a, 60b includes an anterior portion 74a, 74b for covering the front of the glenohumeral joint, as well as an extended posterior portion 76a, 76b for covering the scapulae of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, each of the cup members 60a, 60b is formed from a strong, lightweight and shock absorbing plastic material, such as polyprobutylene or polypropylene.

Finally, each of the shoulder pads 5a, 5b includes an upper arm pad 80a and 80b. Each of these upper arm pads 80a, 80b is elongated, and includes a tapered end, 82a, 82b for forming an omni-directional hinge joint between its respective pad, and the distal edges of the saddle members 26a and 26b. As may best be seen with reference to FIG. 5, each of these tapered ends 82a, 82b is sandwiched between the outer layer of foam neoprene 42a, 42b of the saddle members 26a, 26b, and the upper, polyethylene layer 47a, 47b of the shoulder seating member 45a, 45b. The hinged joint is completed by means of rivets 83a, 83b which secure the tapered ends 82a, 82b of each of the upper arm pads 80a, 80b to their respective saddle members 26a, 26b.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the upper arm pads 80a, 80b includes a flexible outer layer 84a, 84b which is preferably formed from polyethylene sheet material approximately 3/32 of an inch thick, as well as an inner layer of polyethylene foam 86a, 86b which is approximately 1/4 inch thick. As was the case with the saddle members 26a, 26b, the inner layer of foam 86a, 86b is preferably adhered onto the inner surface of the polyethylene outer layers 84a, 84b by means of a glue. Additionally, the outer surface of the inner layer of foam 86a, 86b of each of the pads 80a, 80b is glazed in order to minimize the amount of perspiration that the foam layers 86a and 86b absorb. In order to maximize the degree to which the upper arm pads 80a, 80b conform to the movements of the upper arms of the wearer of the shoulder pad brace 1, each of the upper arm pads 80a and 80b includes an upper arm strap 80a, 80b secured thereto by means of a rivet 90a, 90b. Each of the ends of the upper arm straps 88a, 88b include a Velcro pad 92a, 92b which is detachably connectable to a co-extensive Velcro pad 94a, 94b located on the lower portion of each of the pads 80a, 80b.

The improved shoulder pad brace 1 of the invention may be used to protect both the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints of an athelete (not shown) engaging in a contact sport such as hockey or football. The brace is initially placed onto the athelete by detaching the Velcro pads 18a and 18b of the straps 16 of the harness assembly 3 from the breast plates 8a and 8b, and the straps 88a and 88b of each of the upper arm pads 80a and 80b from the Velcro pads 94a and 94b. The shoulder pad brace 1 is then slid over the head of the athlete, so that the shock absorbing assemblies 44a and 44b are squarely seated over the acromioclavicular joints of the athelete. The straps 16, 88a, and 88b are then attached. If necessary, both the breast plate lace 15 and the rear adjustment strap 31 are adjusted so that the harness assembly 3 firmly circumscribes the chest of the athelete without impairing inhalation. Next, the cup members 16a and 16b are secured over the shoulder regions of the athlete in proper orientation by means of front and rear straps 62a, 62b and 65a, 65b.

When the shoulder brace 1 of the invention is thus properly secured over the shoulders of an athlete, it is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 5 that the shoulder region in general, and the acromioclavicular joint in particular, are well protected. Specifically, the distal ends of the cup members 60a and 60b and the upper arm pads 80a and 80b completely wrap around the sides of each of the shoulder regions of the athelete, while the interior and exterior portions 74a, 74b and 76a, 76b of each of the cups 60a and 60b fully cover and protect the front of the glenohumeral joint and a large portion of the clavical, as well as the upper portion of the scapulae, respectively. Finally, from FIG. 5 it is clear that each of the delicate acromioclavicular joints is protected by the resilient, ring-shaped pads 50a and 50b, the air spaces 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b centrally and circumferentially disposed around the pads 50a and 50b, two layers of rigid polyethylene foam 26a, 47a and 26b 47b, two layers polyethylene foam 39a, 48a and 39b, 48b, the cup members, 60a and 60b, and finally the air spaces 72a, 72b defined between the cup members 60a, 60b and upper surfaces of the saddle members 26a and 26b.