MXPA98007578A - Light and flexi protective pad - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved protective pad is described to protect the human body against impact forces, the pad is formed using layers of high density closed cell polymer foam and low density closed cell polymer foam, the high density layer absorbs and dissipates the impact forces, while the low density layers act as a cushion against the human body, and provide comfort, the pad can be provided with a plurality of holes through its thickness to provide breathing capacity and release of heat of the human body, the area of surface holes being large enough to allow adequate ventilation, but not so great to significantly decrease the protection afforded by the pad, the pad may also be provided with a plurality of lines marked across its surface and partially through its thickness, to provide flexibility and conformability to the part of The human body that is protecting

Description

ALHQHAPSltA PRPTEC QRA LIQ R AND FlEXTBkE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a protective pad for the human body. The present invention is further related to said protective pad which is light »absorbent to impact» flexible and breathable.

BACKGROUND PE INVE CION The hip pads "and other protective pads" have been used to protect the human body from damage due to falls, accidents, sports and other related events. In particular »fracture of bones as a result of accidental fall is a common occurrence in the elderly» in people who have osteoporosis and in people who are unsure of their feet and have difficulty walking. In older people »especially those with osteoporosis» bone fractures are very difficult to repair »and it is highly convenient to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Several pads and protective garments have been produced in the past. but all have certain drawbacks. A typical piece of protective clothing is a pad that is permanently attached to a garment that slips in a bag on the garment, or is held in place by strips or a secure skin adhesive, so that the pad places on an area of the body susceptible to damage. This area susceptible to damage "especially in elderly people" is the area of the hip. Hip fracture, which occurs in 2% to 3% of cases involving the elderly, generally involves a fracture of the proximal end of the femur. This part of the femur consists of a head »neck» greater tronchanter and lesser trochanter. The greater trochanter projects outward into the more lateral area of the hip region and »being thus located» is subject to most of the impact force that originates from a fall »in particular a side fall» on the hip. To protect the hip area »the pads are typically fixed to the inside of the clothing in the area that covers the hips» or are placed in bags made on clothing in the hip area. More specifically »the pads are typically placed so that they cover the greater trochanter or» in the case of certain types of force or energy shunt pads »surround the greater trochanter without actually covering it. The degree to which a pad needs to attenuate the force of impact during a fall "is the subject of much debate. This is because the measurements of the force required to fracture the cadaveric femurs of elderly people in simulated droop load configurations vary widely. These measurements vary from 2110 Newtons (J.C.

Lotz & W. C. Hayes. J. Bone Joint Surg. CA l »Vol 72» pp 689-700 »1990) to 6020 Newtons (TG Weber, KH Yang, R. Woo, RH Fitzgerald, ASME Adv. Bioeng, BED22: pp 111-114, 1992)» depending on the load. Further »the speed at which a falling human torso impacts on a hard surface such as a tile floor, can vary from about 2.0 to about 4.5 meters per second. Average speeds of approximately 2.6 meters per second have been cited by researchers (S.N. Robinovitch, J. Biomech, Eng. Vol. 9, pp. 1391-1396, 1994). who have measured the fall rate of human volunteers on their hip. Estimates of the strength lent to a greater trochanter without a pad during a fall also vary widely »from about 5700 Newtons to 10,400 Newtons (J. ParKKari and others» J. E3one and Mineral Res. Vol. 10. No. 10 »Pp 1437-1442» 1995). The best evidence of effectiveness of the pad is obtained from clinical studies in living people. This study has been carried out by Lauritzen and others (Lancet »Vol. 341» pp 11-13 »1993) using a pad of the hard shell type. It was found that this pad reduces the incidence of hip fractures by approximately 50? <; in the population studied. Despite these important clinical results, it has been shown that the Lauritzen pad provides relatively low strength attenuation results when placed on a surrogate hip that is impacted by a heavy (35 kg) pendulum that moves at a speed 2.6 meters per second (SN Robinovitch et al. »J. Biomechanical Engineering» Vol. 117 »pp 409-413, 1995). Under these in vitro test conditions. The Lauritzen pad reduced the maximum femoral force from about 5770 Newtons to about 4800 IMewtons or only about 17%. A protective hip product based on the Laurit? In pad has been marketed in Denmark by Sahvatex (a joint venture between Sahva A / S and Tytex A / S) under the trade name of SAFEHIPM '. The hip protectors »which are oval shaped cups containing hard polypropylene breastplates» are sewn into a pair of cotton underwear. These clinical findings suggest two hypotheses. The first is that the pendulum impact tests used by other researchers may not correlate well with the performance of the pad in vivo even though such tests may be useful for measuring the strength reduction capabilities of several pad systems with respect to some other . In these tests, the pad is placed on a subst tute hip that is held in a fixed position and is hit laterally by an oscillating mass weighing 35 kilograms or more. In a real fall »the dynamics is a bit different. In a fall »both the pad and the mass of the human body move downwards. being actually accelerated down due to gravity, and hit a fixed object such as the ground or a hard floor that does not move much in response. It would be suspected that if an instrumented substitute hip were dropped on a hard surface, to better replicate the dynamics of the fall, the order of category of several pad systems would probably be similar, but results of force reduction in percent could be obtained. little different. The second hypothesis assumes that the pendulum test does not correlate with the performance of the pad in vivo "and that even pads that provide relatively low maximum force reduction levels (approximately 205 or more) may be effective in reducing fractures. of hip through a segment of the population of elderly people susceptible to falls. In any case and regardless of the test method, a pad that reduces maximum strength more than the clinically proven Lauritzen / Sahvatex pad should be even more effective at preventing hip fracture and protecting an even larger segment of the hip. the population of elderly people. Obviously, the greater the reduction force that is obtained from a pad, the more likely the incidence of hip fractures should be reduced. However, a consumer survey has shown that "in addition to reducing the impact force exerted on the greater trochanter during a fall" the pads must also provide other benefits to reinforce user compliance. This refers to both the user's appearance and comfort, and includes attributes such as maximum thickness, thickness profile, weight, breathing capacity, flexibility and conformability to the body. The previous pads have had many drawbacks in these areas. Some pads of the prior art have been bulky and uncomfortable in an attempt to provide adequate protection against impact; many pads typical of the prior art, which allegedly provide effective impact resistance "are greater than 25.4 mm in thickness. The thin pads of the prior art typically provide low impact resistance, characterized by less than 30% reduction in maximum force measured on substitute hips dropped or hit with heavy pendulums. Other pads have not been breathable. resulting in the accumulation of heat in the skin that is covered by the pad. Still other pads have been firm and rigid. not conforming thus to the covered parts of the body. further, hard shell pads tend to be uncomfortable at the time of sitting or sleeping when they are used. Soft foam pads require greater thickness to absorb impact forces; the greater thickness results in a more voluminous and less comfortable pad »as well as greater heat accumulation under the pad. All have resulted in relative discomfort for users.

The consumer survey has shown that potential users "regardless of their age or physical condition" are interested in the appearance of the pad. Hip pads of thickness no greater than about 25.4 mm are preferred, but those of about 19 mm maximum thickness or less are preferred. The thickness profile is also important. Pads that are tapered from the area of maximum thickness to perimeter are preferred, so that the edges of the pad are not observed under normal clothing. A perimeter thickness scale around the pad of 12.77 mm or less is generally preferred. Even more preferred is a perimeter thickness scale of 6.35 mm or less. Since the majority of potential users are elderly women with thin physiognomy and low body mass, the weight of the pad is important. Pads of less than about 300 grams each (600 grams per pair) are preferred. Even more preferred are pads weighing less than about 200 grams each (400 grams per pair). More preferred are pads weighing less than about 100 grams each (200 grams per pair). Unlike sports pads that are meant to be worn over very short periods, the hip protective pads for the elderly are meant to be worn all day long. indoors and outdoors, in all hot and cold climates, and? through all the humidity conditions. The typical foam pads are made of closed cell foams that do not let moisture or perspiration out of the body. In addition »said pads are thermal insulators and do not effectively dissipate body heat. This leads to even more perspiration and moisture accumulation under the pad »which can damage the skin of elderly users. The preferred pads thus have a substantial exposed area »preferably of at least about 5% or more» and more preferably of about 10W or more. to allow the evaporation of perspiration and to ventilate body heat. There is disclosed herein a new improved protective pad that provides improved impact resistance in a relatively thin light pad. Improved impact resistance is maintained "while providing breathing capacity to prevent heat build-up and associated discomfort. Additionally This new pad provides flexibility and compliance to the part of the human body that is being protected, without any adverse impact on its protective qualities.

BRIEF P SCRIPCIQ E |, A INVENTION According to the present invention, a protective pad is provided to protect a predefined area of a human body against impact, the pad having a surface and a thickness, the pad comprising a layer of closed-cell high density polymer foam the outer surface of the pad »away from the body of the user» and a layer of low density closed cell polymer foam on the inner surface of the pad »against the wearer's body. Typically, the high density foam has a density of about 128 to about 192 Kg per cubic meter and preferably about ISO Kg per cubic meter. The low density foam typically has a density of about 48 to about 80 Kg per cubic meter, and preferably about 64 Kg per cubic meter. The layers are fixed together to provide a relatively lightweight pad. providing relatively high resistance to the impact forces and comfort relative to the user. The pad may have a plurality of lines marked through its outer surface and partially through its thickness, in order to provide substantial flexibility and conformability to the human body area covered by the pad "without significantly affecting the strength of the padding forces. impact. The pad may also have a plurality of areas exposed on its surface and completely across its thickness "in order to provide breathing capacity and heat dissipation of the area of the human body covered by the pad, while maintaining significant resistance to the impact forces. In general, the pad weighs less than about 75 grams, and has a preferred maximum thickness of less than approximately 25.4 mm. The total size of the pillow or area covered by it may vary from about 96.7 to about 322.6 cm *. The percentage of exposed area may vary from about 10% to about 5054. depending on the total size of the pad. In general, the percentage of the exposed area of the pad is selected to provide maximum ventilation, while still providing 4054 or more maximum force reduction, measured in an impact test using a substitute hip. Said pads may be fixed permanently or removably to a garment. The garments are preferably made of fabric that promotes the absorption of the transpiration accumulation of the human body.

Even if the specification concludes with rei indications that particularly indicate and claim differently the present invention, it is thought that it will be better understood from the following description "taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings" in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a protective pad of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view through lines 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a protective pad of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hip pad of Figure 1 »showing the pad in flexed position.

SCRIP IQN PETALL? PA PE THE INVENTION Referring now to the detailed drawings, "where equal numbers indicate the same element through the views," one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, the protective pad 10. The protective pad 10 is relatively light and it is relatively thin (less than 25 mm thick »but more preferably 19 mm or less). It can also be relatively flexible and contoured as required »depending on its specific use» as will be described in more detail below. The pad 10 has a high degree of area exposed through its thickness for "breathing capacity" while maintaining significant impact resistance "as shown by the holes 12. The present pad 10 also effectively reduces the force of an impact on the 40 to 50% on the impact force experienced without protection.

The pad 10 can be made in various shapes based on the particular style and application desired, such as rectangular (as shown in Fig. 3) »square» round »oval» and the like. The holes 12. for breathing capacity and heat dissipation of the body under the pad, can vary from about 3.18 mm to about 25.4 mm in diameter, depending on the desired breathing capacity and impact resistance levels. Other confined holes, such as oval, square, can also be used. and similar. The surface area dedicated to the holes 12 must be large enough to provide sufficient ventilation "but not so large to decrease the maximum force reduction capacity of the pad 10 to less than about 40%. the area dedicated to the holes 12 may vary from 10 to 50% of the total surface area "while maintaining significant resistance to impact. The pad 10 can be cross-linked, making a cut partially across its thickness »producing marked lines 14. The marked lines 14 are preferably cut from a depth of about 1/4 to 3/4 of the total thickness of the pad» and through of the surface area »as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The marked lines 14 are cut or molded into the pad from the outer surface or the high density foam side of the pad. This makes the pad very flexible and capable of conforming to a wide range of shapes and sizes. The flexibility imparted by the marked lines 14 is shown in Figure 4. The pattern and spacing in which the marked lines are applied may vary. For illustrative purposes, Figures 1"3 and 4 show the marked lines cut at + or - 45 degrees from the straight edges of the pads" and running through the centers of the holes therein. The marked lines can also be cut 90 degrees from the straight edges of the pad »or any angle between + and - 45 degrees and 90 degrees from the edges. The marked lines can run through the holes »between the holes» or in combinations through and between the holes. The marked lines do not need to be cut as straight lines parallel and perpendicular to each other as shown in figures 1, 3 and 4. They can also be cut in a fan-like arrangement from one side of the pad. They can be curved, sinusoidal or zigzag through the pad. The preferred spacing between the marked lines is between about 6.53 mm and about 50.8 mm. An even more preferred separation between the 1 marked lines is between about 12.77 mm and about 25.4 mm. The pad is made with two different types of foam materials. The external impact layer 16 is a high density firm material, preferably a closed cell polymer foam, for example, VolteK L 1000 polyethylene foam (Volte K. Lawrence »Massachusetts 01843). The inner layer IB is a soft low density cushioning material »also preferably a closed cell polymer foam» for example »MC3800 Sentinel polyethylene foam (Sentinel Products Corporation, Hyannis, Massachusetts 026017. The outer layer 16 is capable of providing absorbency maximum impact, and is quite firm to prevent the pad from reversing when under impact, while the inner layer 18 provides comfort and the degree of flexibility necessary to conform to various parts of the human body; The final result is a combination of maximum efficiency and comfort. The pad 10 can be made by laminating the two layers together and then reconfiguring it by mechanical grinding using casting rolls and a pointed thinning sheet. Alternatively, the pad can be made by heating the two layers and compressing them under heat and pressure. Such manufacturing methods are well known to those skilled in the art. The materials of the pad are closed cell foams, preferably closed cell polyolefin foams, but other materials with similar properties can also be used. Suitable closed-cell polyolefin foams are derived from low density polyethylene (LDPE). linear low density polyethylenes (LLDPE) »medium density polyethylenes (MDPE)» high density polyethylenes (HDPE) »ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers» ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymers (EMA) »ionomers ethylene. polypropylene and propylene copolymers. These polyolefin materials are preferred because they do not absorb water or transpiration "and do not support microbial growth" and are generally non-irritating and non-sensitizing to human skin. Other suitable materials may include rubber foams derived from natural rubber »butyl rubber» poly isoprene »polybutadiene» pol inor ornene. styrene-butadiene. neoprene nitrile rubber »and relined rubber materials. polyurethane foams and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized foams. Although other materials, such as polyurethanes or rubber foams, can operate at suitable impact resistance levels, care must be taken in selecting such pads materials to be used in direct or indirect contact with human skin. Special grades of each can be formulated, known to those skilled in the art "to inhibit water absorption or transpiration" to prevent microbial growth »and to avoid skin irritation and sensitization» all of which lead to user's discomfort or are harmful to the health of the user. The outer layer 16 has a density of about 128 to about 192 Kg / m 3, the preferred density being about 160 Kg / m 3"and the inner layer IB has a density of about 48 to about 80 Kg / m 3. the preferred density being approximately 64 Kg / m *. When layer is made at the upper end of its density scale, maximum impact resistance is obtained. When each layer is made at the lower end of its density scale, maximum comfort is obtained. The preferred values result in a combination of comfort and significant impact resistance in a pad. Additionally »providing a high density or top layer with a thickness of at least 50% of the total thickness of the pad» maximizes pad efficiency. Comfort for the use of hip pads can be improved by the design of the garment. The fabric of the garment can improve the ability to breathe, particularly when combined with a pad with openings for air flow. Fabrics that promote the absorption of the skin's natural moisture »promote temperature regulation and comfort. "CottonwicK". manufactured by Colville Inc. of Winston Salem »North Carolina» is a particularly effective fabric for this purpose. It has a single knit fabric with polymerized silicone coating that absorbs moisture in the fabric. The knitted fabric forms cone-shaped capillaries »and the silicone coating directs moisture away from the surface of the fabric in the cones. The cushions of the present invention can be fixed permanently to the garment "for example by sewing them in bags" so that the pads can not be removed. The pads used in such a garment need, therefore, that are at least hand washable with the garment, and preferably machine washable. After washing, the garment and pads should be dried. Both the drying of the coating in air at room temperature, and the machine drying with heated air, are facilitated by the areas exposed on the pads, which promote the flow of air through the fabric of the garment and the pads. Alternatively, the garment may have bags that can be opened and closed by means of zippers (snaps), press buttons, hooks and hair clips, and the like. This allows the pads to be removed from the garment so that the garment can be washed separately, if desired. The following examples are illustrative of the invention, but are not limiting thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 Laminated foam pad sewn by machine A multi-layer pad is constructed by first cutting with one piece of polyethylene foam MC3800 (Sentinel Products Corporation »Hyannis» Massachusetts 02601) having a density of 64 Kg / m3 from a sheet of 9.52 mm thick, so that the piece has two straight sides opposite and parallel to each other "and two curved sides opposite each other. as shown in figure \ 1. At the same time, twelve holes of 12.77 mm diameter are cut around the piece. The distance between the straight sides is approximately 127 mm. and the distance between the curved sides measured through the center of the piece is approximately 139.7 mm. This first piece is the side of the skin or the user of the pad. A second piece of foam with a circular shape and approximately 114.3 mm in diameter is die cut from a 9.52 mm thick Minicell L1000 polyethylene foam (Volte K. Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843) having a density of approximately 72.64 Kg / m3. This piece also has twelve holes of 12.77 m in diameter cut with given at the same time, and having the same spatial distribution as in the first piece of foam. This second piece is the outside of the pad »away from the user's body. The two pieces of foam are laminated together with double-sided adhesive tape "343 from 3M (3M Co.» St. Paul »Minnesota 55144), so that the twelve holes in each piece are aligned with each other. The laminated assembly is then mechanically machine sewn using a cup-shaped grinding wheel to provide uniformly tapered sides to the pad in all directions and to give the laminate a curved or dome-shaped cross section with the L1000 foam residing in the outermost or convex side of the pad. This is shown schematically in Figure 2. The finished pad weighs approximately 15 grams and has an exposed area of approximately 12%. The maximum thickness is approximately 19 mm in the central areas of the pad and is taper to approximately 6.35 mm or less around its perimeter. The ability of the cushion to cushion the impact against a hard surface is measured in a replacement hip »constructed of closed cell foams of polyolefin and neoprene» as well as other components, and designed to simulate both the soft tissue response and the response pelvic of a human hip in a fall. The substitute hip is dropped from a distance of approximately 37.5 cm. so that its speed during impact with a horizontal steel plate is about 2.7 per second. The substitute hip weighs approximately 35 kg and contains a substitute femur and trochanter major substitute. A load cell of 2270 Kg (product No. 8496-01 »GRC Instruments, Santa Barbara, California) measures the force transmitted to the greater substitute trochanter when the substitute hip is dropped on the steel plate. The force measured in the substitute trochanter when the substitute hip without pad is dropped and struck on the steel plate is approximately 6,000 Newtons. For comparative purposes with the pads of this invention »a hip protector is removed from a SAFEHIP1" * * product (Sahvatex, Denmark) "and placed on the replacement hip and held in place over the greater trochanter area by substitute half of an elastic fabric that covers the outer skin of the hip. When the substitute hip with pad is dropped and struck on the steel plate at 2.7 m per second, the maximum force measured at the trochanter substitute is approximately 30% less than that measured at the replacement hip without pad. The pad of this example is placed on the replacement hip and held in place over the area of the greater trochanter substitute by means of an elastic fabric covering the outer skin of the hip. When the substitute hip with pad is dropped and struck on the steel plate at 2.7 m per second, the maximum force measured at the trochanter substitute is approximately 44% less than that measured at the replacement hip without pad.

EXAMPLE Z Laminated pad made of machine-baked foam, with marked lines A pad identical to that described in Example 1 is constructed. This pad is then marked with cuts from the side of the foam L1000 of the pad using an Exacto blade. The marked lines are applied at angles + and -45 degrees to the straight sides of the cushions, and cut approximately 3/4 of the way through the total thickness of the pad. The resulting pad is very flexible, and is articulated in multiple directions. When evaluated in the substitute hip fall tester, the maximum force measured in the substitute trochanter is approximately 43% less than that measured in the substitute hip without pad. Thus »the marked lines have virtually no effect on the force that reduces the capacity of the pad.

J M LO 3 Compression molded pad A piece of 152.4 mro by 154.4 mm of 9.52 mm thick MC3800 foam is cut from a larger sheet. A second piece of foam of circular shape and having a diameter of 101.6 mm and a thickness of 15.8 mm »is cut from a foam sheet L1000. The L10O0 foam is laminated with MC3800 foam with 3M ™ 8343 adhesive tape so that the centers of the two pieces are aligned. The laminate is placed in a convection oven »and heated to 176 ° C for 3 minutes. The laminate is then removed from the furnace »and placed immediately between the platens of an aluminum compression mold. When closed the mold creates a semi-circle-shaped cavity designed to provide a maximum thickness in the central area of the pad of approximately 19 mm "a smooth transition between the two foams" and a tapered cross-section. The laminate is compressed for 30 seconds at a pressure of 133.57 Kg / cm *. After removing the laminate from the mold »a measuring die is used to cut the pad to the final shape» as well as to create twelve 12.77 mm diameter holes in the same spatial arrangements as in examples 1 and 2 » and as shown in Figure 1. The resulting pad weighs approximately 21 grams. When tested on the substitute hip fall tester at an impact velocity of 2.7 meters per second, the maximum force measured at the trochanter substitute is approximately 40% less than that measured at the replacement hip without a pad. To determine if the pad is stable to machine washing and drying »several pads were placed in a Norge heavy-duty washing machine. and were passed through 3 normal wash cycles using liquid Tide detergent. The water temperature was adjusted hot, and was approximately 48.8 ° C in this machine. After 3 wash cycles, the pads were placed in a Kenmore Sears dryer and dried for 2 hours at approximately 82.2 ° C, much more than the actual time needed to dry them. After the washing and drying steps as described above, the pads showed no visible signs of deterioration.

EXAMPLE 4 Compression molded pad, with marked lines A pad identical to that described in example 3 is constructed. This pad is then marked with cuts from the side of the pad foam LIOOO using an Exacto blade. The marked lines are applied in the same pattern as described in Example 2 and are also cut to approximately 3/4 of the path through the total thickness of the pad. When evaluated in the substitute hip drop tester. the maximum force measured in the trochanter substitute is approximately 43% less than that measured in the substitute hip without pad.

Compression-molded rectangular cushion One piece of MC3B00 foam. nominally 127.0 mm wide and 177.8 mm long and 9.52 mm thick and having fifteen holes of 25.4 mm in diameter as shown in figure 3. It is cut with die from a larger sheet.

A second piece of foam »also of 127.0 mm by 177.8 mm and also having fifteen holes of 25.4 mm in diameter, is cut from a sheet of L1000 foam of 15.8 mm in thickness. The two pieces of foam are laminated together with the fifteen holes aligned using "343 of 3M adhesive tape. The laminate is placed in a convection oven, and heated to 176.6 ° C for 3 minutes. The laminate is then removed from the furnace, and placed immediately between the platens of an aluminum compression mold, with the side of the foam L1000 facing the upper or concave platen, and the side of the MC3800 foam facing the lower platen or convex. When closed, the mold creates a semi-circle-shaped cavity designed to provide a maximum thickness in the central area of the pad of approximately 19 mm. and tapered edges up to 6.35 mm or less around the perimeter of the pad. The laminate is compressed for approximately 30 seconds at a pressure of approximately 133.57 Kg / cm *. The finished pad weighs approximately 41 grams and has approximately 33% of exposed area. When evaluated in the substitute hip-fall tester at a velocity of approximately 2.7 meters per second, the maximum force on the trochanter substitute is approximately 46% less than that measured on the substitute hip without a pad.

EXAMPLE ß Rectangular pad with large exposed area and marked A pad identical to that described in example 5 is constructed. This pad is then marked with cuts from the side of the foam L1000 of the pad using an Exacto blade. The marked lines are applied in the same pattern as shown in figure 3. and also cut to approximately 3/4 of the path through the total thickness of the pillow. When evaluated in the substitute hip drop tester, the maximum force measured in the trochanter substitute is approximately 45% less than that measured in the substitute hip without pad. Again, the presence of the marked lines does not significantly tighten the force that reduces the capacity of the ohadiya. While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. it is intended that all modifications within the scope of this invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A protective pad to protect a predefined area of a human body against impact, characterized in that the pad has a surface and a thickness »the pad comprising a layer of high density closed cell polymer foam and a layer of polymer foam of closed low density cells »the layers being joined together to provide a relatively lightweight pad that provides relatively high resistance to the impact forces and comfort relative to the user.

2. The pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed-cell high-density polymer has a density of about 128 to about 192 kilograms per cubic meter.

3. The pad according to claim 1. characterized in that the low density closed cell polymer has a density of about 48 to about 80 kilograms per cubic meter.

4. The pad according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of lines marked through its surface and partially through its thickness "in order to provide substantial flexibility and conformability to the area of the human body covered by the pad »while maintaining signi icat resistance to impact forces.

5. The pad according to claim 1. characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of areas exposed on its surface and completely through its thickness "in order to provide breathing capacity and heat dissipation from the area of the human body covered by the pad »while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces.

6. The pad according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a garment adhered to the pad. the garment comprising a fabric that promotes the absorption of body perspiration.

7. A protective pad to protect a predefined area of a human body from impact, characterized in that the pad has a surface and a thickness, the pad comprising a layer of closed cell high density polymer foam having a density about 128 to about 192 kilograms per cubic meter, and a layer of low density closed cell polymer foam having a density of about 48 to about BO Kilograms per cubic meter, the layers being joined together to provide a relatively lightweight pad that provides relatively high resistance to the impact forces and comfort relative to the user.

8. The pad according to claim 7, characterized in that the density of the closed-cell high-density polymer foam is approximately 160"and the density of the low-density closed-cell polymer foam is approximately 64. Kilograms per cubic meter.

9. The pad according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of lines marked across its surface and partially across its thickness "in order to provide substantial flexibility and conformability to the area of the human body covered by the pad »while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces.

10. The pad according to claim 7 »characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of areas exposed on its surface and completely through its thickness, in order to provide breathing capacity and heat dissipation from the area of the human body covered by the pad, while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces.

11. The pad according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises a garment adhered to the pad. the garment comprising a fabric that promotes the absorption of body perspiration. 12.- A protective pad to protect a predefined area of a human body from impact, characterized in that the pad has a surface and a thickness. the pad comprising a layer of high density closed cell polymer foam having a density of about 128 to approximately 192 K achieved per cubic meter "and a layer of low density closed cell polymer foam having a density from about 48 to about 80 Kilograms per cubic meter "the layers being joined together to provide a relatively light pad that provides relatively high resistance to impact forces and relative comfort to the user" the pad further comprising a plurality of marked lines through the surface "and partially through the thickness" in order to provide substantial flexibility and conformability to the area of the human body covered by the pad "while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces. 13. The pad according to claim

12. characterized in that the density of the high density closed cell polymer foam is about 160. and the density of the closed cell low density polymer foam is about 64. Kilograms per cubic meter. 14. The pad according to claim 12 »characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of areas exposed on its surface and completely across its thickness» in order to provide breathing capacity and heat dissipation from the area of the human body covered by the pad, while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces. 15. The pad according to claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises a garment adhered to the pad. the garment comprising a fabric that promotes the absorption of body perspiration. 16. A protective pad to protect a predefined area of a human body from impact "characterized in that the pad has a surface and a thickness" and further comprises a plurality of lines marked across its surface and partially through its thickness "in order to provide substantial flexibility and conformability to the area of the human body covered by the pad. 17. The pad according to claim 16. characterized in that it further comprises a layer of high density closed cell polymer foam having a density of about 128 to about 192 kilograms per cubic meter, and a foam layer of low-density closed cell polymer having a density of about 48 to approximately 80 kilograms per cubic meter »the layers being bonded together to provide a relatively lightweight pad that provides relatively high resistance to impact forces and relative comfort user. 18. The pad according to claim 16. characterized in that the density of the high density closed cell polymer foam is about 160"and the density of the closed cell low density polymer foam is about 64. Kilograms per cubic meter. 19. The pad according to claim 16 »characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of areas exposed on its surface and completely through its thickness» in order to provide breathing capacity and heat dissipation from the area of the human body covered by the pad »while maintaining significant resistance to impact forces. 20. The pad according to claim 16 »characterized in that it also comprises a garment adhered to the pad» the garment comprising a fabric that promotes the absorption of perspiration body.