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A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings

A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings and a three-dimensional surface configuration to allow for consistent mechanical properties throughout the padding layer as a whole.

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1. A flexible padding layer, comprising a section of resilient sheet material, having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said sheet material formed with repetitive composite pattern of surface features, said repetitive composite pattern comprising a geometric array of a plurality of str

1. A flexible padding layer, comprising a section of resilient sheet material, having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said sheet material formed with repetitive composite pattern of surface features, said repetitive composite pattern comprising a geometric array of a plurality of structural elements, at least one structural element of each surface feature being shared with an adjoining surface feature, each surface feature further comprising: a polygonal perforation surrounded by a plurality of sides joined at corners; anda contoured crown surrounding said polygonal perforation, said crown including at each said corner an angular section having a first surface forming said upper surface, said angular sections being separated by a plurality of shoulders extending along said sides, said plurality of shoulders each integrally joining a pair of said plurality of angular sections to form said crown,wherein each shoulder tapers from said first surface between adjoining angular sections in an arc-shaped concavity; andwherein said surface patterns and perforations collectively providing consistent flexibility in multiple directions. 2. The flexible padding layer according to claim 1, wherein said angular sections have an opposing second surface forming said lower surface, wherein each shoulder tapers from said second surface at said opposing edges such that an opposing cross-section adjoining angular sections is also an arc-shaped concavity. 3. The flexible padding layer according to claim 2, wherein each shoulder tapers to a first thickness, and said plurality of angular sections are of a greater thickness between said first and second surfaces than said first thickness. 4. The flexible padding layer according claim 3, wherein said greater thickness is a uniform thickness. 5. The flexible padding layer according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped concavity is symmetrical. 6. The flexible padding layer according to claim 1, wherein said shoulders extend along the entirety of said sides. 7. The flexible padding layer according to claim 1, wherein said polygonal perforation is hexagonal. 8. The flexible padding layer according to claim 7, further comprising six radially-arrayed shoulders. 9. The flexible padding layer according to claim 8, wherein said angular sections are triangular. 10. The flexible padding layer according to claim 9, further comprising six triangular angular sections. 11. The flexible padding layer according to claim 1, wherein each said structural element overlaps an adjacent structural element by sharing at least one shoulder. 12. The flexible padding layer according to claim 11, wherein each said structural element overlaps an adjacent structural element by sharing one shoulder and two angular sections. 13. A flexible padding layer, comprising: a resilient sheet material, having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, said sheet material defined by a composite pattern of surface features, said composite pattern comprising a repeating array of structural elements, each said structural element in said array comprising, a geometric perforation through said sheet material,a plurality of polygonal sections radially arrayed around said geometric perforation, said polygonal sections having a first surface forming said upper surface, each polygonal section having a plurality of sides connected by vertices,a plurality of shoulders integrally attached to each of said polygonal section sides, wherein each shoulder extends between a pair of opposing sides and are tapered at said opposing sides from said first surface such that a cross-section between opposing sides is an arc-shaped concavity,wherein said array of surface features collectively provides consistent flexibility in multiple directions. 14. The flexible padding layer according to claim 13, wherein said polygonal sections have an opposing second surface forming said lower surface, wherein each shoulder tapers from said second surface at said opposing edges such that an opposing cross-section between opposing edges is also an arc-shaped concavity. 15. The flexible padding layer according to claim 14, wherein each shoulder tapers to a first thickness, and said plurality of polygonal sections are of a greater thickness between said first and second surfaces than said first thickness. 16. The flexible padding layer according claim 15, wherein said greater thickness is a uniform thickness. 17. The flexible padding layer according to claim 13, wherein the arc-shaped concavity is symmetrical. 18. The flexible padding layer according to claim 13, wherein each of said shoulders abuts a side of said geometric perforation, wherein said geometric perforation is a polygon surrounded by a plurality of sides joined at corners. 19. The flexible padding layer according to claim 18, wherein said polygonal perforation is hexagonal. 20. The flexible padding layer according to claim 19, further comprising six radially-arrayed shoulders. 21. The flexible padding layer according to claim 20, wherein said polygonal sections are triangular. 22. The flexible padding layer according claim 21, further comprising six triangular sections. 23. The flexible padding layer according to claim 18, wherein each said structural element overlaps an adjacent structural element. 24. The flexible padding layer according to claim 23, wherein each said structural element overlaps an adjacent structural element by sharing at least one shoulder. 25. The flexible padding layer according claim 24, wherein each said element overlaps an adjacent structural element by sharing at least one polygonal section. 26. The flexible padding layer according claim 25, wherein each said element overlaps an adjacent structural element by sharing one shoulder and two polygonal sections.