US20080282438A1 - Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility - Google Patents
Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility Download PDFInfo
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- US20080282438A1 US20080282438A1 US12/043,093 US4309308A US2008282438A1 US 20080282438 A1 US20080282438 A1 US 20080282438A1 US 4309308 A US4309308 A US 4309308A US 2008282438 A1 US2008282438 A1 US 2008282438A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base
- discrete
- reinforcing elements
- pad
- secured
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
- A41D13/0156—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means having projecting patterns
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D19/00—Gloves
- A41D19/015—Protective gloves
- A41D19/01523—Protective gloves absorbing shocks or vibrations
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
- A41D31/28—Shock absorbing
- A41D31/285—Shock absorbing using layered materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D2600/00—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes
- A41D2600/10—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes for sport activities
- A41D2600/102—Motorcycling
Definitions
- the present invention relates to protective clothing and, more particularly, to reinforcing members for use in protective clothing.
- Tumbling and bouncing tend to occur due to high frictional forces between the ground and the operator. These high frictional forces generate a rotational moment acting on the body of the operator, resulting in tumbling of the operator. Tumbling is typically responsible for multiple injuries from impact with the ground and other objects.
- a wearable item in one aspect of the invention, includes a flexible backing layer adapted to secure to a portion of a wearer's body.
- a base is secured to the backing layer.
- Discrete reinforcing elements are secured to the base and have a low-friction upper surface comprising a material substantially harder than the base.
- the base includes discrete projections having the discrete reinforcing elements secured to distal ends of the projections.
- a web extends among the plurality of discrete projections.
- the discrete reinforcing elements pivotally secure to the base, such as by means of a flexible post or a revolute joint.
- the discrete reinforcing elements are spherical and are embedded within spherical apertures within the base.
- the discrete reinforcing elements secure to a chord anchored to the base.
- the chord may be formed of flexible material and the discrete reinforcing elements may secure to one another, such as by means of a revolute joint.
- a protective pad in another aspect of the invention includes a receiving member shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body and a base adapted to selectively rest on a support surface.
- a suspension resiliently couples the receiving member to the base.
- a rocker is interposed between the receiving member and base. The suspension permits pitch and roll motion of the receiving member relative to the base.
- a receiver formed of a compliant material is secured to a rigid base.
- One end of the receiver is secured to the base and the other is free to move relative to the base.
- the free end is slidably mounted to the base.
- a biasing member extends between the free end and the base.
- FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a protective pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a protective pad having embedded rotatable elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the functionality of the protective pad having embedded rotatable elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a protective pad having discrete portions for covering contoured surfaces in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a curved discrete portion for covering a contoured surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a discrete reinforcing element suitable for interlocking with other discrete reinforcing elements
- FIG. 7 is an isometric view of discrete reinforcing elements in an interlocking arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a protective pad bearing pivoting discrete reinforcing elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a pivoting discrete reinforcing element having a ball joint in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a pivoting discrete reinforcing element having a flexible mounting post in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a protective pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is top plan view of a protective pad bearing different types of discrete reinforcing elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a protective pad having a carrier layer divided into discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the protective pad of FIG. 13 ;
- FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the protective pad of FIG. 13 having a web for restraining the free ends of the discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the protective pad of FIG. 13 having a film for restraining the free ends of the discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a gimbaled knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the knee pad of FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the knee pad of FIG. 21 ;
- FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a discrete reinforcing element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is an isometric view illustrating a system for mounting the discrete reinforcing element of FIG. 23 ;
- FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a glove bearing a protective pad in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
- a protective pad 10 may include a base layer 12 , carrier layer 14 , and a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements 16 .
- the base layer 12 is preferably formed of a thin flexible material such as a fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers.
- the base layer 12 may form part of an item of protective gear such as a jacket, pants, gloves, knee, shoulder or elbow pad, or the like. In other embodiments, the base layer 12 is glued, sown, or otherwise adhered, to the protective gear.
- the carrier layer 14 is preferably formed of a compressible material such as a gel, rubber, or other compressible polymer.
- the carrier layer 14 is preferably substantially thicker than the base layer 12 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 may occupy less than the entire outer surface area of the carrier layer 14 . In some embodiments, the discrete reinforcing elements occupy less than 95 percent of the outer surface area of the carrier layer 14 . In other embodiments, the discrete reinforcing elements 16 occupy less than 50 percent of the outer surface area of the carrier layer. In still other embodiments, the discrete reinforcing elements occupy between five and twenty-five percent of the outer surface area of the carrier layer 14 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 are embodied as spheres 18 embedded within the carrier layer 14 , such as within partial spherical cavities 20 , leaving a portion of the spheres 18 exposed.
- a lubricant or low friction material may be interposed between the cavities 20 and the spheres 18 to facilitate rotation within the cavities 20 .
- the materials chosen for the carrier layer 14 and spheres 18 may result in a sufficiently low friction interface.
- the spheres 18 upon impact with the ground 22 , the spheres 18 are placed in rolling contact with the ground, which produces less frictional forces than sliding contact. Rolling contact therefore reduces tumbling due to the reduced rotational moment on the wearer. The spheres 18 further reduce friction due to their increased hardness, which enables the spheres 18 to slide more readily than softer materials.
- one or both of the base layer 12 and carrier layer 14 may be divided into discrete portions 24 having perimeters shaped such that the discrete portions 24 may be positioned adjacent one another to substantially cover a portion of an item of protective gear.
- the discrete portions 24 include a continuous piece of hard material providing protection and a low friction outer surface rather than including discrete reinforcing elements 16 embedded within a carrier layer 14 .
- the discrete portions 24 are secured to one another by a filament web prior to adherence to protective gear in order to facilitate handling of the discrete portions 24 .
- the discrete portions 24 may be secured to an item of protective gear or a base layer 12 by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, threads, or other fastening means.
- the discrete portions 24 may be shaped to enable a plurality of the discrete portions 24 to cover a contoured surface.
- the discrete portions 24 are hexagonal. However triangular, square, and other polygonal shapes may be used. A plurality of portions 24 having differing shapes may be used to cover an area.
- the discrete portions 24 may also be curved in order to conform to contoured surfaces and to promote line contact between the discrete portion 24 and the ground on impact.
- the illustrated discrete portion 24 has a cylindrical shape. However, spherical and other contours may also be used.
- the discrete portions 24 may have rounded or beveled edges 26 , as shown in FIG. 5 , to hinder debris from entering the interface between the discrete portions 24 .
- discrete reinforcing elements 16 may be shaped to interlock with one another to prevent debris and sharp objects from accessing the relatively soft carrier layer 14 .
- the reinforcing elements 16 are embodied as offset stacked rectangles 26 a , 26 b that may be interlocked as shown in FIG. 7 . Stacked offset shapes such as triangles, hexagons, and other polygons may also be used.
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 pivotally mount to the carrier layer 14 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 may have a perimeter shape such that they may be positioned adjacent one another to substantially cover the carrier layer 14 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 have a hexagonal perimeter.
- other perimeter shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and other polygons may also be used.
- the reinforcing elements 16 may have a curved upper surface to facilitate sliding and to hinder the edges of the elements 16 from catching on the ground upon impact. Pivotal securement may advantageously provide improved mobility by allowing the discrete reinforcing elements 16 to pivot in response to a wearer's movements, rather than constraining the wearer's movements due to the rigidity of the elements 16 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 include a spherical projection 28 sized to rotatably engage spherical apertures 30 in the carrier layer 14 .
- the spherical projection 28 may be secured to the discrete reinforcing element 16 by means of a post 32 .
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 are secured to the carrier layer 14 by means of a flexible post 32 such that the resistance of the post 32 to movement of the discrete reinforcing element 16 is relatively low.
- the post 32 may secure to a widened base portion 34 that is adhered to the carrier layer 14 by means of adhesive, threads, or other fastening means.
- the post 32 , base portion 34 and reinforcing element 16 are monolithically formed of the same material.
- FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment providing for increased mobility and reduced friction.
- the reinforcing elements 16 have a small radius of curvature and an elongate shape.
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 of FIG. 11 may be formed of a semi rigid material. They may be adhered to the carrier layer 14 by means of an adhesive or injected molded onto the carrier layer 14 .
- the radius of curvature of the reinforcing elements 16 may be between 60 and 140 percent of the width of the reinforcing element may be elongate such that the length of the elements 16 along the direction of elongation is between 1.5 and four times the width of the elements 16 perpendicular to the direction of elongation.
- each discrete reinforcing element 16 enables each element 16 to move independently in response to contact with the ground, resulting in a more even distribution of force across multiple reinforcing elements 16 .
- the illustrated arrangement of the reinforcing elements 16 in regular rows and columns further enhances mobility by providing for multiple lines of reduced stiffness between pairs of rows and columns.
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 located in the middle portion 36 of the pad have an elongate shape, are arranged in rows and columns, have a small radius of curvature, and leave areas of the carrier layer 14 exposed between adjacent elements 16 .
- the reinforcing elements 16 located on the end portions 38 are hexagonal in shape, are spaced close together, and have a much larger radius of curvature.
- the illustrated pad therefore may advantageously provide for improved mobility in the middle portion 36 and increased protection but increased stiffness at the end portions 38 .
- FIG. 12 is as an elbow or knee pad, wherein the middle portion 36 is positioned on the posterior side of the elbow or anterior side of the knee having the end portions 38 above and below the knee.
- the pad of FIG. 12 may be incorporated into a jacket or pants or secured thereto by means of straps 40 .
- the carrier layer 14 is segmented into a plurality of discrete islands 42 secured to a continuous portion 44 .
- the islands 42 facilitate formation of a pad that has adequate cushioning while still allowing adequate mobility.
- the continuous portion 44 may be shaped to conform to a portion of the wearer's body, such as the knee, elbow, or shoulder.
- the heights of the islands 42 may be chosen such that the free ends of the islands 42 conform to a flat surface, or other shape.
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 secure to the free ends of the islands 42 and may be embodied as any of the above described reinforcing elements 16 .
- a web 44 secures near the free ends of the islands 42 to hinder movement of the islands 42 and the collection of debris between the islands 42 .
- the web 46 may be embodied as a mesh of filaments or may be formed of the same material as the islands 42 , such as a gel, rubber, or other polymer.
- the web 44 is a film secured between the free ends of the islands 40 and the discrete reinforcing elements 16 .
- a knee pad 48 includes a receiver 50 shaped to receive a portion of the wearer's body and secured to a base 52 by means of a suspension 54 .
- the base 52 may include a pad 10 according to any of the above embodiments or any other pad known in the art.
- the receiver 50 may be mounted to a user's knee, shoulder, elbow, or the like.
- the receiver 50 preferably includes a padded upper surface to enhance the wearer's comfort.
- a rocker 56 is located between the base 52 and receiver 50 and facilitates rotation of the receiver 50 relative to the base 52 .
- the base 52 is preferably flat in embodiments used as knee pads worn by workers performing tasks involving kneeling on the ground.
- the suspension 54 may be embodied as arms 58 extending between the base 52 and the receiver 50 .
- the arms 58 are formed of a resilient material such that the arms flex in response to forces applied to the receiver 50 and base 52 .
- the arms 58 may be disposed parallel to one another such that flexing of both arms in the same direction results in a rolling motion 60 whereas flexing of the arms in opposite direction changes the pitch 62 of the receiver 50 relative to the base 52 .
- the arms 58 secure to a contact pad 64 mounted to the base 52 .
- One end of each of the arms 58 is secured at the same side of the contact pad 64 .
- the arms 58 extend along opposite sides of the contact pad 64 and secure to the receiver 50 .
- the rocker 56 secures to the receiver above the contact pad 64 and contacts the contact pad 64 when the suspension 54 is compressed by a wearer.
- the rocker 56 has a cylindrical lower surface, promoting line contact between the rocker 56 and the contact pad 64 ; however, the rocker 56 may have a spherical lower surface in other embodiments such that a substantial point contact occurs.
- the rocker 56 in the illustrated embodiment is oriented such that it is parallel to a wearer's leg positioned within the receiver. The rocker therefore facilitates rolling of the wearer's leg in direction 60 relative to the base when the rocker is pressed against the contact pad under the wearer's weight.
- a knee pad 68 includes a receiver 70 mounted to a base 72 .
- the base 72 may include a pad 10 according to any of the above embodiments or any other pad known in the art.
- the receiver 70 may be mounted to a user's knee, shoulder, elbow, or the like, by means of straps, or other fastening means.
- the receiver 70 is fixedly mounted at a rearward end 74 to the base 72 and is slidably mounted to the base 72 at forward end 76 , such as by means of a key 78 mounted to either the base 72 or the receiver 70 and a keyway 80 mounted to the other of the base 72 and receiver 70 .
- Other sliding fastening systems may also be used.
- the receiver 70 is preferably formed of a flexible material that changes shape in response to the wearer's movements.
- the forward end 76 is curved to conform to a wearer's knee. Straightening of the receiver 70 , such as may be caused by the wearer leaning forward, causes the forward end 76 to move relative to the base 72 facilitated by the sliding engagement therebetween.
- a leaf spring 82 may be formed at the forward end 76 of the receiver 70 , as shown in FIG. 19 , to further facilitate flexing of the receiver 70 .
- the leaf spring 82 preferably permits both pitch and roll motion of the forward end 76 relative to the base 72 subject to a biasing force of the leaf spring 82 and the receiver 70 .
- the leaf spring 82 includes a web 84 of material to which the key 78 secures. Supports 86 extending from the receiver 70 toward the base 72 may advantageously distribute the wearer's weight across the base 72 when the wearer's weight presses the receiver 70 against the base 72 in order to reduce force concentration on the wearer's knee.
- the base 72 may include rollers 88 rotatably secured to a lower surface thereof to enable the wearer to move readily across a support surface.
- the lower surface of the base 72 bears a low friction material to facilitate sliding.
- the receiver 70 secures to the base 72 at the rearward end 74 by means of a pivot 88 , or hinge 88 .
- the receiver 70 in such embodiments may secure to the base 72 at the forward end 76 by means of a biasing member 89 , such as a spring or a strip of rubber or elastic plastic.
- a biasing member 89 such as a spring or a strip of rubber or elastic plastic.
- FIG. 21 when the wearer is kneeling, the receiver 70 is pressed against the base 72 .
- FIG. 22 when the wearer is standing, the base 72 is permitted to fall away from the receiver 70 to the extent permitted by the biasing member 89 .
- the biasing member 89 will also stretch for large bending angles of the wearer's knee in which the base 72 may be drawn toward the receiver 70 by the biasing member 89 . Thus, interference of the rigid base 72 with the wearer's movements is reduced.
- a pad 92 includes discrete reinforcing elements 16 embodied as plates 94 having a channel 96 extending thereacross, preferably on the undersurface of the plates 94 facing the carrier layer 14 .
- the channel 96 receives a chord 98 secured to the carrier layer 14 , such as directly securing to the carrier layer or by two or more anchors 100 secured to the carrier layer 14 .
- the anchors 100 projection outwardly from the carrier layer 14 .
- the chord 98 includes an elastic material, allowing it to stretch in response to a wearer's movements.
- FIG. 25 illustrates a single chord 98 secured to the carrier layer 14 .
- a plurality of chords 98 each bearing a plurality of plates 94 will secure to the carrier layer 14 in order to provide protection for an area.
- the plates 94 may include a spherical projection 102 insertable within a corresponding cavity 104 in an adjacent plate 94 .
- Spherical projection 102 and cavity 104 form a revolute joint enabling the plates 94 to pivot with respect to one another, facilitating movement of the wearer.
- the chord 98 also retains the plates with respect to the carrier layer 14 , while still permitting movement due to its elasticity.
- the plates 94 interlock with one another, such as by means of projections 106 extending from one or more of the edges of the plates 94 .
- the projections 106 of adjacent edges are offset from one another such that they overlap.
- the various embodiments disclosed herein may be incorporated into various types of protective wear.
- the discrete reinforcing elements 16 and carrier layer 14 may form part of glove 108 , as shown in FIG. 26 , or any other wearable apparel such as shoes, knee pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, wrist pads, jackets, pants, and the like.
Abstract
A pad is disclosed including discrete reinforcing members secured to a base layer. The discrete reinforcing elements may include spherical members rotatably embedded in the base layer, plates pivotally mounted to the base layer by means of a flexible post or revolute joint, or plates threaded on a chord secured to the base layer. The base layer may include a plurality of discrete projections each having a reinforcing element secured proximate a distal end thereof. A pad may include a receiver for securing to a wearer and a base. The base may be secured to the receiver by a suspension allowing pitch and roll movements. The receiver may secure to the base at one end while the opposite end is slidably secured to the base or coupled to the base by means of a biasing member.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/911,351, filed Apr. 12, 2007.
- 1. The Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to protective clothing and, more particularly, to reinforcing members for use in protective clothing.
- 2. The Relevant Technology
- Injuries in low speed bicycle and motorcycle accidents tend to result from tumbling and bouncing of the operator after an initial impact. Tumbling and bouncing tend to occur due to high frictional forces between the ground and the operator. These high frictional forces generate a rotational moment acting on the body of the operator, resulting in tumbling of the operator. Tumbling is typically responsible for multiple injuries from impact with the ground and other objects.
- Some protective wear reduce friction between the operator and the ground through the use of hard, low-wear materials. However, such materials produce very stiff protective gear which has not been readily accepted by users. In view of the foregoing it would be an advancement in the art to provide protective clothing that reduces friction between the ground and an operator during an accident while maintaining adequate mobility.
- In one aspect of the invention, a wearable item includes a flexible backing layer adapted to secure to a portion of a wearer's body. A base is secured to the backing layer. Discrete reinforcing elements are secured to the base and have a low-friction upper surface comprising a material substantially harder than the base.
- In another aspect of the invention, the base includes discrete projections having the discrete reinforcing elements secured to distal ends of the projections. A web extends among the plurality of discrete projections.
- In another aspect of the invention, the discrete reinforcing elements pivotally secure to the base, such as by means of a flexible post or a revolute joint.
- In another aspect of the invention, the discrete reinforcing elements are spherical and are embedded within spherical apertures within the base.
- In another aspect of the invention, the discrete reinforcing elements secure to a chord anchored to the base. The chord may be formed of flexible material and the discrete reinforcing elements may secure to one another, such as by means of a revolute joint.
- In another aspect of the invention a protective pad includes a receiving member shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body and a base adapted to selectively rest on a support surface. A suspension resiliently couples the receiving member to the base. A rocker is interposed between the receiving member and base. The suspension permits pitch and roll motion of the receiving member relative to the base.
- In another aspect of the invention a receiver formed of a compliant material is secured to a rigid base. One end of the receiver is secured to the base and the other is free to move relative to the base. In some embodiments the free end is slidably mounted to the base. In other embodiments, a biasing member extends between the free end and the base.
- To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a protective pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a protective pad having embedded rotatable elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the functionality of the protective pad having embedded rotatable elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a protective pad having discrete portions for covering contoured surfaces in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a curved discrete portion for covering a contoured surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a discrete reinforcing element suitable for interlocking with other discrete reinforcing elements; -
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of discrete reinforcing elements in an interlocking arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a protective pad bearing pivoting discrete reinforcing elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a pivoting discrete reinforcing element having a ball joint in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a pivoting discrete reinforcing element having a flexible mounting post in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a protective pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is top plan view of a protective pad bearing different types of discrete reinforcing elements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a protective pad having a carrier layer divided into discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the protective pad ofFIG. 13 ; -
FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the protective pad ofFIG. 13 having a web for restraining the free ends of the discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the protective pad ofFIG. 13 having a film for restraining the free ends of the discrete islands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a gimbaled knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the knee pad ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIG. 19 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the knee pad ofFIG. 19 . -
FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a knee pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the knee pad ofFIG. 21 ; -
FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a discrete reinforcing element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 24 is an isometric view illustrating a system for mounting the discrete reinforcing element ofFIG. 23 ; -
FIG. 25 is an isometric view illustrating discrete reinforcing elements according toFIG. 23 secured to a base; and -
FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a glove bearing a protective pad in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , aprotective pad 10 may include abase layer 12,carrier layer 14, and a plurality of discrete reinforcingelements 16. Thebase layer 12 is preferably formed of a thin flexible material such as a fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers. Thebase layer 12 may form part of an item of protective gear such as a jacket, pants, gloves, knee, shoulder or elbow pad, or the like. In other embodiments, thebase layer 12 is glued, sown, or otherwise adhered, to the protective gear. Thecarrier layer 14 is preferably formed of a compressible material such as a gel, rubber, or other compressible polymer. Thecarrier layer 14 is preferably substantially thicker than thebase layer 12. - Discrete reinforcing
elements 16 secure to thecarrier layer 14 and are preferably substantially harder than thecarrier layer 14 and thebase layer 12. For example, thecarrier layer 14 orbase layer 12 may have a hardness of less than 45 Shore D, preferably less than 65 Shore A, whereas the discrete reinforcingelements 16 have a hardness of greater than 85 Shore D or 100 Rockwell R. In some embodiments, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 have a hardness of greater than 130 Rockwell R, such as embodiments formed of acrylic or other polymer with a like hardness. In other embodiments, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 are made of ceramic or metal. - The discrete reinforcing
elements 16 may occupy less than the entire outer surface area of thecarrier layer 14. In some embodiments, the discrete reinforcing elements occupy less than 95 percent of the outer surface area of thecarrier layer 14. In other embodiments, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 occupy less than 50 percent of the outer surface area of the carrier layer. In still other embodiments, the discrete reinforcing elements occupy between five and twenty-five percent of the outer surface area of thecarrier layer 14. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , the discrete reinforcingelements 16 are embodied asspheres 18 embedded within thecarrier layer 14, such as within partialspherical cavities 20, leaving a portion of thespheres 18 exposed. A lubricant or low friction material may be interposed between thecavities 20 and thespheres 18 to facilitate rotation within thecavities 20. Alternatively, the materials chosen for thecarrier layer 14 andspheres 18 may result in a sufficiently low friction interface. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , upon impact with theground 22, thespheres 18 are placed in rolling contact with the ground, which produces less frictional forces than sliding contact. Rolling contact therefore reduces tumbling due to the reduced rotational moment on the wearer. Thespheres 18 further reduce friction due to their increased hardness, which enables thespheres 18 to slide more readily than softer materials. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , one or both of thebase layer 12 andcarrier layer 14 may be divided intodiscrete portions 24 having perimeters shaped such that thediscrete portions 24 may be positioned adjacent one another to substantially cover a portion of an item of protective gear. In some embodiments, thediscrete portions 24 include a continuous piece of hard material providing protection and a low friction outer surface rather than including discrete reinforcingelements 16 embedded within acarrier layer 14. - In some embodiments, the
discrete portions 24 are secured to one another by a filament web prior to adherence to protective gear in order to facilitate handling of thediscrete portions 24. Thediscrete portions 24 may be secured to an item of protective gear or abase layer 12 by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, threads, or other fastening means. - The
discrete portions 24 may be shaped to enable a plurality of thediscrete portions 24 to cover a contoured surface. In the illustrated embodiments, thediscrete portions 24 are hexagonal. However triangular, square, and other polygonal shapes may be used. A plurality ofportions 24 having differing shapes may be used to cover an area. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thediscrete portions 24 may also be curved in order to conform to contoured surfaces and to promote line contact between thediscrete portion 24 and the ground on impact. The illustrateddiscrete portion 24 has a cylindrical shape. However, spherical and other contours may also be used. Thediscrete portions 24 may have rounded orbeveled edges 26, as shown inFIG. 5 , to hinder debris from entering the interface between thediscrete portions 24. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, discrete reinforcingelements 16 may be shaped to interlock with one another to prevent debris and sharp objects from accessing the relativelysoft carrier layer 14. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6 , the reinforcingelements 16 are embodied as offset stackedrectangles FIG. 7 . Stacked offset shapes such as triangles, hexagons, and other polygons may also be used. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 pivotally mount to thecarrier layer 14. The discrete reinforcingelements 16 may have a perimeter shape such that they may be positioned adjacent one another to substantially cover thecarrier layer 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 have a hexagonal perimeter. However, other perimeter shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and other polygons may also be used. The reinforcingelements 16 may have a curved upper surface to facilitate sliding and to hinder the edges of theelements 16 from catching on the ground upon impact. Pivotal securement may advantageously provide improved mobility by allowing the discrete reinforcingelements 16 to pivot in response to a wearer's movements, rather than constraining the wearer's movements due to the rigidity of theelements 16. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , while still referring toFIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 include aspherical projection 28 sized to rotatably engagespherical apertures 30 in thecarrier layer 14. Thespherical projection 28 may be secured to the discrete reinforcingelement 16 by means of apost 32. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 are secured to thecarrier layer 14 by means of aflexible post 32 such that the resistance of thepost 32 to movement of the discrete reinforcingelement 16 is relatively low. Thepost 32 may secure to a widenedbase portion 34 that is adhered to thecarrier layer 14 by means of adhesive, threads, or other fastening means. In a preferred embodiment, thepost 32,base portion 34 and reinforcingelement 16 are monolithically formed of the same material. -
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment providing for increased mobility and reduced friction. In the illustrated example, the reinforcingelements 16 have a small radius of curvature and an elongate shape. The discrete reinforcingelements 16 ofFIG. 11 may be formed of a semi rigid material. They may be adhered to thecarrier layer 14 by means of an adhesive or injected molded onto thecarrier layer 14. - The radius of curvature of the reinforcing
elements 16 may be between 60 and 140 percent of the width of the reinforcing element may be elongate such that the length of theelements 16 along the direction of elongation is between 1.5 and four times the width of theelements 16 perpendicular to the direction of elongation. - Portions of the
carrier layer 14 remain exposed between the reinforcingelements 16 in the embodiment ofFIG. 11 providing for improved mobility. The smaller radius of curvature of the reinforcingelements 16 causes them to project outwardly from the carrier layer 14 a larger distance, reducing the likelihood of objects contacting thecarrier layer 14 notwithstanding its exposure. The separate placement of each discrete reinforcingelement 16 enables eachelement 16 to move independently in response to contact with the ground, resulting in a more even distribution of force across multiple reinforcingelements 16. The illustrated arrangement of the reinforcingelements 16 in regular rows and columns further enhances mobility by providing for multiple lines of reduced stiffness between pairs of rows and columns. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, different types and distributions of reinforcingelements 16 are used in different areas to accommodate different mobility and protection requirements. For example, in the illustrated pad, the discrete reinforcingelements 16 located in themiddle portion 36 of the pad have an elongate shape, are arranged in rows and columns, have a small radius of curvature, and leave areas of thecarrier layer 14 exposed betweenadjacent elements 16. In contrast, the reinforcingelements 16 located on theend portions 38 are hexagonal in shape, are spaced close together, and have a much larger radius of curvature. The illustrated pad therefore may advantageously provide for improved mobility in themiddle portion 36 and increased protection but increased stiffness at theend portions 38. One application of the pad ofFIG. 12 is as an elbow or knee pad, wherein themiddle portion 36 is positioned on the posterior side of the elbow or anterior side of the knee having theend portions 38 above and below the knee. The pad ofFIG. 12 may be incorporated into a jacket or pants or secured thereto by means ofstraps 40. - Referring to
FIG. 13 , in some embodiments, thecarrier layer 14 is segmented into a plurality ofdiscrete islands 42 secured to acontinuous portion 44. Theislands 42 facilitate formation of a pad that has adequate cushioning while still allowing adequate mobility. Thecontinuous portion 44 may be shaped to conform to a portion of the wearer's body, such as the knee, elbow, or shoulder. The heights of theislands 42 may be chosen such that the free ends of theislands 42 conform to a flat surface, or other shape. The discrete reinforcingelements 16 secure to the free ends of theislands 42 and may be embodied as any of the above described reinforcingelements 16. - Referring to
FIG. 14 and 15 , while still referring toFIG. 13 , in some embodiments, aweb 44 secures near the free ends of theislands 42 to hinder movement of theislands 42 and the collection of debris between theislands 42. Theweb 46 may be embodied as a mesh of filaments or may be formed of the same material as theislands 42, such as a gel, rubber, or other polymer. In an alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16 , theweb 44 is a film secured between the free ends of theislands 40 and the discrete reinforcingelements 16. - Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18 , in another embodiment, aknee pad 48 includes areceiver 50 shaped to receive a portion of the wearer's body and secured to abase 52 by means of asuspension 54. The base 52 may include apad 10 according to any of the above embodiments or any other pad known in the art. Thereceiver 50 may be mounted to a user's knee, shoulder, elbow, or the like. Thereceiver 50 preferably includes a padded upper surface to enhance the wearer's comfort. Arocker 56 is located between the base 52 andreceiver 50 and facilitates rotation of thereceiver 50 relative to thebase 52. Thebase 52 is preferably flat in embodiments used as knee pads worn by workers performing tasks involving kneeling on the ground. - The
suspension 54 may be embodied asarms 58 extending between the base 52 and thereceiver 50. Thearms 58 are formed of a resilient material such that the arms flex in response to forces applied to thereceiver 50 andbase 52. Thearms 58 may be disposed parallel to one another such that flexing of both arms in the same direction results in a rollingmotion 60 whereas flexing of the arms in opposite direction changes thepitch 62 of thereceiver 50 relative to thebase 52. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
arms 58 secure to acontact pad 64 mounted to thebase 52. One end of each of thearms 58 is secured at the same side of thecontact pad 64. Thearms 58 extend along opposite sides of thecontact pad 64 and secure to thereceiver 50. - The
rocker 56 secures to the receiver above thecontact pad 64 and contacts thecontact pad 64 when thesuspension 54 is compressed by a wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, therocker 56 has a cylindrical lower surface, promoting line contact between therocker 56 and thecontact pad 64; however, therocker 56 may have a spherical lower surface in other embodiments such that a substantial point contact occurs. Therocker 56 in the illustrated embodiment is oriented such that it is parallel to a wearer's leg positioned within the receiver. The rocker therefore facilitates rolling of the wearer's leg indirection 60 relative to the base when the rocker is pressed against the contact pad under the wearer's weight. - Referring to
FIGS. 19 and 20 , in another embodiment, aknee pad 68 includes areceiver 70 mounted to abase 72. As with the embodiment ofFIGS. 17 and 18 , thebase 72 may include apad 10 according to any of the above embodiments or any other pad known in the art. Thereceiver 70 may be mounted to a user's knee, shoulder, elbow, or the like, by means of straps, or other fastening means. - The
receiver 70 is fixedly mounted at arearward end 74 to thebase 72 and is slidably mounted to the base 72 atforward end 76, such as by means of a key 78 mounted to either the base 72 or thereceiver 70 and akeyway 80 mounted to the other of thebase 72 andreceiver 70. Other sliding fastening systems may also be used. - Slidable securement of the
receiver 70 to thebase 72 facilitates deformation of the receiver in response to the wearer's movements. Thereceiver 70 is preferably formed of a flexible material that changes shape in response to the wearer's movements. As shown inFIG. 20 , theforward end 76 is curved to conform to a wearer's knee. Straightening of thereceiver 70, such as may be caused by the wearer leaning forward, causes theforward end 76 to move relative to the base 72 facilitated by the sliding engagement therebetween. Aleaf spring 82 may be formed at theforward end 76 of thereceiver 70, as shown inFIG. 19 , to further facilitate flexing of thereceiver 70. Theleaf spring 82 preferably permits both pitch and roll motion of theforward end 76 relative to the base 72 subject to a biasing force of theleaf spring 82 and thereceiver 70. Theleaf spring 82 includes aweb 84 of material to which the key 78 secures.Supports 86 extending from thereceiver 70 toward the base 72 may advantageously distribute the wearer's weight across the base 72 when the wearer's weight presses thereceiver 70 against the base 72 in order to reduce force concentration on the wearer's knee. - The base 72 may include
rollers 88 rotatably secured to a lower surface thereof to enable the wearer to move readily across a support surface. In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the base 72 bears a low friction material to facilitate sliding. - Referring to
FIGS. 21 and 22 , in an alternative embodiment thereceiver 70 secures to the base 72 at therearward end 74 by means of apivot 88, or hinge 88. Thereceiver 70 in such embodiments may secure to the base 72 at theforward end 76 by means of a biasingmember 89, such as a spring or a strip of rubber or elastic plastic. Referring specifically toFIG. 21 , when the wearer is kneeling, thereceiver 70 is pressed against thebase 72. Referring specifically toFIG. 22 , when the wearer is standing, thebase 72 is permitted to fall away from thereceiver 70 to the extent permitted by the biasingmember 89. The biasingmember 89 will also stretch for large bending angles of the wearer's knee in which thebase 72 may be drawn toward thereceiver 70 by the biasingmember 89. Thus, interference of therigid base 72 with the wearer's movements is reduced. - Referring to
FIG. 23 through 25 , in an alternative embodiment a pad 92 includes discrete reinforcingelements 16 embodied asplates 94 having achannel 96 extending thereacross, preferably on the undersurface of theplates 94 facing thecarrier layer 14. Referring specifically toFIGS. 24 and 25 , thechannel 96 receives achord 98 secured to thecarrier layer 14, such as directly securing to the carrier layer or by two ormore anchors 100 secured to thecarrier layer 14. In the illustrated embodiments, theanchors 100 projection outwardly from thecarrier layer 14. In some embodiments, thechord 98 includes an elastic material, allowing it to stretch in response to a wearer's movements.FIG. 25 illustrates asingle chord 98 secured to thecarrier layer 14. However, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality ofchords 98 each bearing a plurality ofplates 94 will secure to thecarrier layer 14 in order to provide protection for an area. - The
plates 94 may include aspherical projection 102 insertable within acorresponding cavity 104 in anadjacent plate 94.Spherical projection 102 andcavity 104 form a revolute joint enabling theplates 94 to pivot with respect to one another, facilitating movement of the wearer. Thechord 98 also retains the plates with respect to thecarrier layer 14, while still permitting movement due to its elasticity. - In some embodiments, the
plates 94 interlock with one another, such as by means ofprojections 106 extending from one or more of the edges of theplates 94. As is apparent inFIGS. 24 and 25 , theprojections 106 of adjacent edges are offset from one another such that they overlap. - The various embodiments disclosed herein may be incorporated into various types of protective wear. The discrete reinforcing
elements 16 andcarrier layer 14 may form part ofglove 108, as shown inFIG. 26 , or any other wearable apparel such as shoes, knee pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, wrist pads, jackets, pants, and the like. - The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims (40)
1. A wearable item, comprising:
a flexible backing layer adapted to secure to a portion of a wearer's body; and
a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements flexibly secured to the base and having a low-friction upper surface comprising a material substantially harder than the backing layer.
2. The wearable item of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a plurality of discrete projections each having a proximal end adjacent the flexible backing layer and a distal end distanced from the flexible backing layer, each of the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements securing proximate the distal end of one of the plurality of discrete projections.
3. The wearable item of claim 2 , further comprising a web extending among the plurality of discrete projections proximate the distal ends thereof and hindering movement of the plurality of discrete projections relative to one another.
4. The wearable item of claim 1 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements have a rounded upper surface.
5. The wearable item of claim 4 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements are spherical.
6. The wearable item of claim 5 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the discrete reinforcing elements are rotatably embedded in the carrier layer.
7. The wearable item of claim 1 , wherein the discrete reinforcing elements comprise plates pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer.
8. The wearable item of claim 7 , wherein each of the plates is pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer by means of a post formed of a resilient material and secured to both the plate and base.
9. The wearable item of claim 7 , wherein each of the plates is pivotally mounted to the flexible backing layer by means of a ball joint.
10. The wearable item of claim 7 , wherein each of the plates has a rounded upper surface.
11. The wearable item of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a plurality of discrete areas, each bearing multiple of the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements.
12. The wearable item of claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas have perimeters shaped to conform to one another.
13. The wearable item of claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas are shaped to interlock with one another.
14. The wearable item of claim 11 , wherein the discrete areas are hexagonal.
15. The wearable item of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier layer securing the plurality of discrete reinforcing elements to the flexible backing layer; and wherein the carrier layer comprises a gel material.
16. The wearable item of claim 1 , further comprising a chord secured to the flexible backing layer at least two points distanced from one another, at least a portion of the discrete reinforcing elements being secured to the chord.
17. The wearable item of claim 16 , wherein the chord includes an elastic material.
18. The wearable item of claim 16 , wherein each discrete reinforcing element secures to an adjacent discrete reinforcing element by means of a revolute joint.
19. The wearable item of claim 1 , wherein the flexible backing layer is incorporated into a jacket.
20. The wearable item of claim 1 , wherein the flexible backing layer is incorporated into at least one of a knee pad, elbow pad, shoulder pad, wrist pad, glove, jacket, and pants.
21. A protective pad comprising:
a receiving member shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body;
a base adapted to selectively rest on a support surface, the base being substantially more rigid than the receiving member; and
a suspension resiliently coupling the receiving member to the base.
22. The protective pad of claim 21 , further comprising a rocker interposed between the receiving member and base.
23. The protective pad of claim 22 , further comprising a contact pad secured to the base, the suspension and rocker being secured to the contact pad.
24. The protective pad of claim 21 , wherein the suspension permits pitch and roll motion of the receiving member relative to the base.
25. The protective pad of claim 24 , wherein the suspension comprises two arms each having one end secured to the receiving member and another end secured to the base.
26. The protective pad of claim 25 , wherein the arms are parallel to one another.
27. The protective pad of claim 26 , wherein the arms secure to a contact pad secured to one of the receiving member and base.
28. The protective pad of claim 26 , wherein the arms extend along opposite sides of the contact pad.
29. The protective pad of claim 26 , wherein the arms secure to a first side of the contact pad and secure to one of the receiving member and base proximate a second side of the contact pad opposite the first side.
30. The protective pad of claim 21 , wherein the receiving member is adapted to secure to the wearer's knee.
31. A protective pad of claim 21 , wherein the receiving member has a first end and a second end, the receiving member being secured to the base proximate the first end and the suspension securing the second end to the base such that the second end is free to move relative to the base subject to a biasing force of the suspension.
32. The protective pad of claim 31 , wherein the receiving member pivotally secures to the base proximate the first end.
33. The protective pad of claim 32 , wherein the suspension comprises a biasing member extending between the receiver and the base proximate the second end.
34. The protective pad of claim 31 , wherein the receiving member slidably secures to the receiver proximate the second end.
35. The protective pad of claim 34 , wherein a middle portion of the receiver between the first and second ends is distanced from the base when undeformed by the wearer's weight.
36. The protective pad of claim 35 , wherein the first end is mounted to the base by means of a key secured to one of the base and receiver and a keyway secured to the other of the base and receiver.
37. The protective pad of claim 36 , further comprising a leaf spring coupling the second end to the base.
38. The protective pad of claim 31 , further comprising rollers rotatably mounted to a lower surface of the base.
39. The protective pad of claim 21 , wherein the suspension is integral to one of one of the receiver and the base.
40. The protective pad of claim 39 , wherein the suspension is monolithically formed with one of the receiver and the base.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/043,093 US20080282438A1 (en) | 2007-04-12 | 2008-03-05 | Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US91135107P | 2007-04-12 | 2007-04-12 | |
US12/043,093 US20080282438A1 (en) | 2007-04-12 | 2008-03-05 | Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080282438A1 true US20080282438A1 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
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ID=40026017
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/043,093 Abandoned US20080282438A1 (en) | 2007-04-12 | 2008-03-05 | Protective wear having discrete reinforcing elements for improved mobility |
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US (1) | US20080282438A1 (en) |
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