Football Shoulder Pads

Abstract

Football shoulder pads having non-elastic underarm straps for securing the front panels to the back panels, each underarm strap being affixed on the interior side of the front panels using low profile securing members, passing through a ring member on the back panel, and then brought forward and secured to itself using a hook-and-loop fastening system.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 772,157, filed Mar. 4, 2013.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of protective shoulder pads, such as for example shoulder pads worn in football or other athletic activities, and more particularly relates to an improved underarm strapping system for such shoulder pads.[0003]Protective shoulder pads for use in football and other athletic activities involving contact between players are well known. Modern shoulder pads typically comprise a relatively rigid and durable plastic shell assembly comprising right and left shell members in combination with cupped shoulder plates, and a cushioning system composed of multiple padded bodies positioned between the wearer and various components of the shell assembly. The right and left shell members each typically comprise a generally U-shaped shell member having a front panel and back panel with a bridging portio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a new type of shoulder pad used in sports, specifically football. The pad is made up of two connected plastic shells, each with a padded cushioning system inside. The shells are secured together with a flat strap that runs from the front to the back of the player. The strap is tightened and secured with a hook-and-loop fastening system. This design provides better protection and comfort for the player while also preventing any leverage or wear and tear on the players' jerseys.

Problems solved by technology

The presence of buckles, rings or other structural members extending from the front panel presents two problems—the first being that the buckles, rings, etc. provide a protruding body or “handhold” that opposing players can push against to control the wearer during blocking in a manner similar to grasping the jersey of the opposing player, and the second being that the protruding body or handhold typically results in tearing of the tight jerseys after only one game, thereby dramatically shortening their useful life and increasing equipment costs.

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