초록 ▼

Protective elements may include a pair of material layers, a plurality of pad components, and a plate. The pad components may be located between the material layers, and the plate may be positioned adjacent to one of the material layers and opposite the pad components. Similar protective elements ma

Protective elements may include a pair of material layers, a plurality of pad components, and a plate. The pad components may be located between the material layers, and the plate may be positioned adjacent to one of the material layers and opposite the pad components. Similar protective elements may also be utilized with apparel systems. For example, an inner garment may include the protective element, and an outer garment may extend over the inner garment. The outer garment may include an outer pad locatable to extend over the plate, and the outer pad may have a greater area than the plate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An article of apparel comprising: a first material layer and a second material layer;a plurality of pad components located between the first material layer and the second material layer;a plate positioned adjacent to the first material layer, the plate and the pad components being located on oppo

1. An article of apparel comprising: a first material layer and a second material layer;a plurality of pad components located between the first material layer and the second material layer;a plate positioned adjacent to the first material layer, the plate and the pad components being located on opposite sides of the first material layer; anda frame located between the first material layer and the second material layer, the frame defining a plurality of apertures that receive at least a portion of the pad components, and the frame being unsecured to the first material layer, the second material layer, and the pad components. 2. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pad components defines an aperture, the plate being secured through the aperture. 3. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein an aperture extends through the first material layer, the second material layer, and at least one of the pad components, the plate being secured through the aperture. 4. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, further including at least one securing element extending from the plate to at least one of the pad components. 5. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein a first portion of the pad components are located adjacent to the plate, and a second portion of the pad components are located around a periphery of the plate. 6. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the pad components are discrete polymer foam elements. 7. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein opposite surfaces of the pad components are secured to the first material layer and the second material layer. 8. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer are textile materials, the pad components are formed from a polymer foam material, and the plate is formed from a polymer material, the polymer material of the plate having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material. 9. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the first material layer is joined to the second material layer around a periphery of the pad components. 10. An article of apparel comprising: a first material layer and a second material layer, the first material layer being positioned exterior of the second material layer;a plurality of discrete pad components formed from a polymer foam material, the pad components being located between the first material layer and the second material layer, and the pad components being secured to both the first material layer and the second material layer; anda plate located adjacent to the first material layer and exterior of the first material layer, the plate being formed from a polymer material with greater rigidity than the polymer foam material,wherein a first portion of the pad components are located adjacent to the plate, and a second portion of the pad components are located around a periphery of the plate. 11. The article of apparel recited in claim 10, wherein at least one of the pad components defines an aperture, the plate being secured through the aperture. 12. The article of apparel recited in claim 10, further including at least one securing element extending from the plate to at least one of the pad components. 13. The article of apparel recited in claim 10, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer are textile materials. 14. The article of apparel recited in claim 10, wherein a frame is located between the first material layer and the second material layer, the frame defining a plurality of apertures that receive at least a portion of the pad components, and the frame being unsecured to the first material layer, the second material layer, and the pad components. 15. An apparel system comprising: an inner garment that includes: a first material layer and a second material layer, the first material layer being positioned exterior of the second material layer,a plurality of pad components located between the first material layer and the second material layer, the pad components being secured to both the first material layer and the second material layer, anda plate located adjacent to the first material layer and exterior of the first material layer; andan outer garment positionable to extend over the inner garment, the outer garment including an outer pad locatable to extend over the plate, the outer pad having a greater area than the plate. 16. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein the inner garment and the outer garment are pants-type garments. 17. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein the outer garment includes two material layers located on opposite sides of the outer pad. 18. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein a first portion of the pad components are located adjacent to the plate, and a second portion of the pad components are located around a periphery of the plate. 19. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein the pad components are discrete polymer foam elements. 20. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein opposite surfaces of the pad components are secured to the first material layer and the second material layer. 21. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer are textile materials, the pad components and the outer pad are formed from a polymer foam material, and the plate is formed from a polymer material, the polymer material of the plate having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material. 22. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein the first material layer is joined to the second material layer around a periphery of the pad components. 23. The apparel system recited in claim 15, wherein a frame is located between the first material layer and the second material layer, the frame defining a plurality of apertures that receive at least a portion of the pad components, and the frame being unsecured to the first material layer, the second material layer, and the pad components. 24. An apparel system including at least one garment, the apparel system having an inner surface positioned to face toward a wearer, and the apparel system having an outer surface positioned to face away from the wearer, at least a portion of the apparel system having a layered structure between the inner surface and the outer surface, the layers comprising: a first textile element forming at least a portion of the inner surface;a plurality of separate first pad elements positioned exterior of the first textile element, the first pad elements being secured to the first textile element, and the first pad elements being at least partially formed from a polymer foam material;a second textile element positioned exterior of the first pad elements, the second textile element being secured to the first pad elements;a plate element positioned exterior of the second textile element, the plate element being formed from a polymer material with greater rigidity than the polymer foam material; andat least one second pad element positioned exterior of the plate element, the second pad element having a greater area than the plate element. 25. The apparel system recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one garment includes a first garment and a second garment. 26. The apparel system recited in claim 25, wherein the first garment includes the first textile element, the first pad elements, the second textile element, and the plate element, and the second garment includes the second pad element. 27. The apparel system recited in claim 26, wherein the second garment further includes a pair of material elements located on opposite sides of the second pad element, one of the material elements being locatable between the second pad element and the plate element. 28. The apparel system recited in claim 24, wherein a first portion of the first pad elements are located adjacent to the plate element, and a second portion of the first pad elements are located around a periphery of the plate element. 29. The apparel system recited in claim 24, wherein the first textile element is joined to the second textile element around a periphery of the first pad elements. 30. The apparel system recited in claim 24, wherein a frame element is located between the first textile element and the second textile element, the frame element defining a plurality of apertures that receive at least a portion of the first pad elements, and the frame element being unsecured to the first textile element, the second textile element, and the first pad elements.