US3144657A

US3144657A - Accessory pad for use on football shoulder pads

Info

Publication number: US3144657A
Application number: US225237A
Authority: US
Inventors: John K Groot
Original assignee: Wilson Athletic Goods Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Wilson Athletic Goods Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1962-09-21
Filing date: 1962-09-21
Publication date: 1964-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-18

Description

. g- 1964 J. K. GROOT 3,144,657

' ACCESSORY PAD FOR USE ON FOOTBALL SHOULDER PADS Filed Sept. 21, 1962 12 22am Z51? JOHN K. GROOT United States Patent Goods Mfg. Co., Inc, River Grove, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 225,237 6 Claims. (Cl. 2-2) This invention relates to accessory pads for use on football shoulder pads, and more particularly to accessory pads adapted to use on exterior portions of football shoulder pads with a view to reducing the possibility of injury to a player opposing the one wearing the shoulder pads, as distinguished from the improvement of protection to the wearer of the shoulder pads.

The popularity of football as a sport and the number of injuries which have been suffered by players, particularly in younger age groups and on school teams, has brought about concentrated efforts to analyze causes of injury and improvements of equipment that will minimize the hazards involved. Furthermore, it is important that the costs of equipment changes and improvements for affording greater safety to players shall be kept low, so that groups and schools depending on low equipment budgets can afiord them.

In football shoulder pads, epaulets extend over the shoulders of the wearer and present hard and rugged surfaces used in blocking and tackling. While such surfaces afford protection to the wearers of the shoulder pads, they are normally only covered by a relatively thin jersey, and could be injurious to an opposing player. The replacement of existing and otherwise usable shoulder pads with new ones having padded outer epaulet surfaces would be unreasonably expensive for many groups and schools. The epaulets are such an integrated and permanently attached part of shoulder pads that replacement of the epaulets on used shoulder pads would be both impractical and expensive.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide relatively inexpensive accessory pads which are readily, easily and securely attachable to the epaulets of football shoulder pads to limit possible injuries to adverse players by serving as padded outer surfaces thereon.

As another object, this invention comprehends the provision of accessory cover pads for covering external portions of football shoulder pads, and which conform to the contours of the portions covered and which are firmly securable thereto by fastening means not exposed detrimentally to either the wearers of the shoulder pads or adverse players.

This invention has for another object the provision of accessory pads for covering the exterior surfaces of the epaulets of football shoulder pads without materially increasing the size or weight of the epaulets, or interfering with the free movements of the epaulets during use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view depicting the adaptation of a preferred embodiment of this invention to one part of a shoulder pad structure of the type used by football players;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1 and wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 22 and accompanying arrows in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of .a shoulder pad structure having my invention applied thereto and wherein a movable part of the shoulder pad structure is raised to show the normally less exposed underside thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of the structure of this invention which is otherwise shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, an accessory pad 10 is illustrated in an adaptation to the external or exposed surface of an epaulet, such as 12, of a football shoulder pad 13.

Football shoulder pads of the type herein disclosed usually embody rightand left-hand body

protective portions

14 and 15, respectively, which portions are of substantially the same, but reversed structure and include relatively

hard shells

16 and 17 of a material such as a molded fiber and have padded

liners

18 and 19 secured to the interiors of the shells. In use, the body protective portions are flexibly connected together at the front and back by means such as a lace 20. Also, for use, the body protective portions are more securely anchored by means such as

body straps

22 and 23 which engage the wearers body below the arms and are releasably connected to the front parts of the body protective portions by releasable fastening elements such as 24 and 25.

On opposite sides of the body

protective portions

14 and 15,

shoulder caps

26 and 27 are movably connected to the

shells

16 and 17, respectively, by suitable hinge elements (not shown). The shoulder caps, like the body protective portions, have relatively

hard shells

28 and 29 made of a material such as molded fiber and have padded linings 30 and 32 secured to the interior surfaces thereof.

Epaulets, such as 12, overlie adjacent regions of the shoulder caps and body protective portions and bridge the spaces therebetween. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, each epaulet is supported for swinging movement relative to the adjacent body protective portion by a flexible hinge 33 made of a material such as a relatively heavy web and secured to the epaulet and to the adjacent body protective shell by fastening means such as rivets 34. In the disclosed shoulder pad structure, each epaulet is also further secured against lateral skewing movements by

webs

35 and 36 which are secured to the epaulet and to the adjacent shoulder cap and embrace inner edge portions of the epaulet.

Since the epaulets are used for shoulder contact in blocking and tackling, they are of relatively hard and rugged structure, made of a material such as molded fiber, and usually have formed stiffening areas, such as 37, therein for rigidifying the structure.

While the epaulets of the shoulder pad structure, as well as the other parts thereof, are primarily devised for the protection of the wearer of the shoulder pad, the number of injuries received by football players indicates that precautions are necessary for preventing injuries to other players of the game, particularly when such precautions can'be accomplished without reduction of the efficiency or purpose of the protective structure. In ac accessory pad which constitutes the substance of this invention, means is provided for applying and securing a pad type of cover to the external and exposedsurface 3 of each epaulet, which epaulet cover does not add materially to the weight or otherwise impede the action or efficiency of the protective structure. In fact, pads of the type herein disclosed may well absorb shock and accomplish added protection for the wearer of the shoulder pads, as well as for the opposing players.

In the accessory pad structure disclosed, a cover 38 is made as a wear-resistant and relatively flexible element of the pad which is contoured to conform to approximately the edge contours of the epaulet and to cover the exposed external surface thereof. As herein illustrated, this cover 38 embodies a layer or sheet 39 of a flexible and relatively resilient material, such as a closed cell type, such, for example, as foam rubber, of relatively uniform thickness. For improving the wear-resistant qualities of the external surface, a layer 40 of a plastic material, such as vinyl, is bonded to the outer surface of the layer or sheet 39. Also, for improving the ruggedness and shape retaining qualities of the accessory pad structure, a fabric layer 42 is secured to the inner surface of the layer or sheet 39. Inasmuch as the layer or sheet 39 of flexible and somewhat resilient material serves as the pad and shock-absorbing element of the structure, it is relatively thick in comparison to the plastic layer 40 and fabric 42. As an example, the layer or sheet 39 which serves as the pad may be on the order of A" thick, while the plastic wear-resistant layer on the external surface may be a vinyl coating which bonds itself to the padding material.

Although various means may be provided for holding the pad in place on the epaulet surface, such means must securely anchor the pad and be rugged, in order to withstand the abuse of game play. In the illustrated structure, a skirt 43 is utilized for effecting the anchorage of the cover. This skirt, in the present instance, is made of a relatively tough flexible material, such as reinforced plastic as, for example, a plastic coated or impregnated fabric. In the form illustrated, the skirt has a marginal portion 44 which is secured to the outer surface of the sheet or layer 39 by means such as a seam 45 which extends peripherally of the sheet or layer 39 and along the full peripheral length of the skirt. The skirt then has a portion 46 which folds back over the marginal portion 44 from whence the skirt extends over the edge of the layer or sheet 39 and to a position beyond that edge, thereby providing an extending portion 47 for underlying the marginal portion of the epaulet. To provide for ease of application and removal, as well as to provide firm anchorage of the cover on the epaulet, the skirt extends along a major portion of the periphery of the epaulet, so that it covers the outer edge thereof and extends around the opposite ends of the epaulet. As shown in FIG. 3, the skirt has

ends

48 and 49 which, when the cover is applied to the eqaulet, are disposed on opposite sides of the flexible hinge 33.

In the embodiment which is depicted in FIG. 2, the extending portion 47 of the skirt is folded back upon itself internally of the skirt and secured by fastening means, such as seams 50, to provide a tunnel 52 through which a drawstring 53 may be threaded peripherally of the skirt, so that end portions of the drawstring extend from those ends, whereupon when the cover is placed over the epaulet, the ends of the drawstring can be pulled toward one another to draw the skirt inwardly of the epaulet and cause it to engage the underside of the epaulet, opposite the layer or sheet 39. As shown in FIG. 3, it is desirable that the drawstring shall be placed between the hinge 33 and the surface of the epaulet, in order to improve the anchorage of the cover, and also to secure the drawstring at a position in which it will serve its purpose without interfering with the movements of the epaulet.

In the modified cover structure illustrated in FIG. 4, reference numerals similar to those previously used refer to similar parts which perform like functions. In general, the structures of the pads shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 are similar, except that instead of the continuous tunnel provided in the skirt in FIG. 2 for the accommodation of the drawstring 53, the extending portion 47 of the skirt of FIG. 4 has a series of eyelets 54 therein which extend peripherally of the cover, and which are utilized to retain the drawstring 53. As shown in FIG. 4, the drawstring 53 extends over and under adjacent sections of the skirt and is woven through the eyelets to serve a purpose which is quite the same as that described with respect to the structure illustrated in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing description and reference to the drawings, it may be understood that the structure herein disclosed provides an effective auxiliary or accessory pad which can be produced at reasonably low cost for application to existing shoulder pads to afford the addiitonal protection resulting from use and which is adapted to be readily and quickly installed, as well as to withstand the wear and rugged use in the service for which it is intended.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is:

1. For use with a shoulder pad structure having body protective portions with shoulder caps hingedly connected thereto and epaulets movably on the body protective portions by flexible hinges at positions such that said epaulets overlie portions of both the body protective portions and shoulder caps and bridge the space therebetween, accessory pads for covering the normally exposed outer surfaces of the epaulets and each comprising a wear resistant and relatively flexible outer epaulet surface cover shaped and proportioned to adapt it to approximate conformation to the edge contours of the epaulet and including a composite layer of flexible and relatively resilient material of approximately uniform thickness, a relatively narrow skirt of flexible material secured to a major portion of the outer margin of the epaulet cover and extended peripherally thereof to overlie a major portion of the peripheral edge of the epaulet, said skirt having a portion adapted normally to extend beyond the edge of the epaulet and including means through which a drawstring may be laced to extend peripherally of the cover in spaced relationship thereto, and a drawstring extending through said means with ends exposed for drawing the skirt inwardly against the surface of the epaulet opposite that engaged by said cover.

2. An accessory pad as defined in claim 1, and where in said cover has inner and outer longitudinal edges and adjoining end edges, and said skirt overlies the outer longitudinal edge and both end edges thereof and terminates on opposite sides of the mid-region of said inner longitudinal edge.

3. An accessory pad as defined in claim 1, and wherein said skirt has ends spaced and adapted for placement on opposite sides of the flexible hinge upon which the epaulet is mounted, and at least one end of said drawstring being adapted to be placed between the hinge and the epaulet when the accessory pad is secured in place on the epaulet.

4. In combination with a shoulder pad including a pair of body protective portions, shoulder caps hingedly connected to opposite sides of the body protective portions, and epaulets comprising relatively hard and stiff shells of predetermined shape connected to the body protective portions by flexible hinges and overlying portions of both the body protective portions and shoulder caps, accessory pads for covering the normally exposed outer surfaces of said epaulets and comprising wear resistant and relatively flexible covers for the outer surfaces of said pads shaped to conform approximately to the edge contours of the epaulets and including layers of flexible and relatively resilient material substantially coextensive with the covers, fiexibe means secured to said accessory pads and extending from a major portion of the peripheries thereof for embracing the edges of said epaulets and marginal regions of the surfaces of the epaulets opposite those which the covers overlay, drawstrings and means at the margins of said flexible means receiving said drawstrings for securing said flexible means and covers in place on the epaulets,

said drawstrings extending between the epaulets and said flexible hinges near the margins of the epaulets.

5. In a combination as defined in claim 4, said flexible means comprising relatively narrow skirts having ends spaced apart to terminate adjacent opposite sides of said flexible hinges.

6. In a combination as defined in claim 4, and wherein said flexible means comprise relatively narrow skirts of flexible material doubled back upon themselves inwardly of the peripheral margins of the covers and sewed to accessory pads through the inner of the doubled back portions of the flexible material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 26, 1960 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION g Patent No, 3,144,657 I I August 18 1964.

John K.. Groot It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent req'iiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below. Y

Column 2, line 62, for "ac-" r'ead the column 4 line 14 for "addiitonal" read additional line 22 after movably' insert mounted Signed and sealed this 1st day of December 1964,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER v EDWARD J BRENNER Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents

Claims

4. IN COMBINATION WITH A SHOULDER PAD INCLUDING A PAIR OF BODY PROTECTIVE PORTIONS, SHOULDER CAPS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BODY PROTECTIVE PORTIONS, AND EPAULETS COMPRISING RELATIVELY HARD AND STIFF SHELLS OF PREDETERMINED SHAPE CONNECTED TO THE BODY PROTECTIVE PORTIONS BY FLEXIBLE HINGES AND OVERLYING PORTIONS OF BOTH THE BODY PROTECTIVE PORTIONS AND SHOULDER CAPS, ACCESSORY PADS FOR COVERING THE NORMALLY EXPOSED OUTER SURFACES OF SAID EPAULETS AND COMPRISING WEAR RESISTANT AND RELATIVELY FLEXIBLE COVERS FOR THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID PADS SHAPED TO CONFORM APPROXIMATELY TO THE EDGE CONTOURS OF THE EPAULETS AND INCLUDING LAYERS OF FLEXIBLE AND RELATIVELY RESILIENT MATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH THE COVERS, FLEXIBLE MEANS SECURED TO SAID ACCESSORY PADS AND EXTENDING FROM A MAJOR PORTION OF THE PERIPHERIES THEREOF FOR EMBRACING THE EDGES OF SAID EPAULETS AND MARGINAL REGIONS OF THE SURFACES OF THE EPAULETS OPPOSITE THOSE WHICH THE COVERS OVERLAY, DRAWSTRINGS AND MEANS AT THE MARGINS OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEANS RECEIVING SAID DRAWSTRINGS FOR SECURING SAID FLEXIBLE MEANS AND COVERS IN PLACE ON THE EPAULETS, SAID DRAWSTRINGS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE EPAULETS AND SAID FLEXIBLE HINGES NEAR THE MARGINS OF THE EPAULETS.