Bruise pad attachment

Claim 2

In a protective shoulder pad having an arch portion and a shoulder strap which supports at least part of the arch portion away from the shoulder of the wearer, a bruise pad attachment comprising a flexible insert having an inflatable portion, securing means for securing the insert and the shoulder pad together, the size and shape of the insert being such that said inflatable portion, when partially inflated, extends beyond the arch portion to cover the deltoid region of the wearer.

Claim 3

In a protective shoulder pad having an arch portion and a shoulder strap which supports at least part of the arch portion away from the shoulder of the wearer, a bruise pad attachment comprising a flexible insert having an inflatable portion, means for inflating said inflatable portion, and a flap connected to said inflatable portion, said flap being of sufficient length to be folded around said strap to secure the insert in position with said inflatable portion located in the gap adjacent the deltoid region of the wearer to cushion blows to that region.

Claim 4

In a protective shoulder pad having an arch portion and a shoulder strap which supports at least part of the arch portion away from the shoulder of the wearer, a bruise pad attachment comprising a flexible insert having an inflatable portion, means for inflating said inflatable portion, and a flap connected to said inflatable portion, said flap being of sufficient length to be folded around said strap to secure the insert in position with said inflatable portion located in the gap adjacent the deltoid region of the wearer to cushion blows to that region.

Claim 5

The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said inflatable portion and said flap are of unitary construction.

Claim 6

The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said flap is at least two times as long as the width of said shoulder strap.

Claim 7

The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said insert is formed of complementary portions sealed about the periphery and sealed between said inflatable portion and said flap.

Claim 8

The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said inflatable portion and said flap are separated from one another by a first seal extending entirely across the insert.

Claim 9

The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein a second seal extends entirely across said flap, said second seal being generally parallel to said first seal and spaced from said first seal a distance approximately equal to the width of said shoulder strap.

Claim 10

An improved cantilever type shoulder pad having an arch portion with padding thereunder, a floppet, a cap with padding thereunder, and a shoulder strap which supports at least part of the arch portion away from the shoulder of the wearer leaving an unprotected gap in the deltoid region of the wearer, comprising a flexible insert having an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable flap extending therefrom, means for inflating said inflatable portion, said flap passing over said strap and then under said strap between said strap and the arch padding, the size and shape of said flap and said inflatable portion being such that said inflatable portion, when partially inflated, fills the gap in the deltoid region of the wearer to cushion blows to that region.

Claim 11

An improved cantilever type shoulder pad having an arch portion with padding thereunder, a floppet, a cap with padding thereunder, and a shoulder strap which supports at least part of the arch portion away from the shoulder of the wearer leaving an unprotected gap in the deltoid region of the wearer, comprising a flexible insert having an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable flap extending therefrom, means for inflating said inflatable portion, said flap passing over said strap and then under said strap between said strap and the arch padding, the size and shape of said flap and said inflatable portion being such that said inflatable portion, when partially inflated, fills the gap in the deltoid region of the wearer to cushion blows to that region.

Claim 12

The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein the partially inflated portion of said insert is carried on the outside of the arch portion and partially beneath the shoulder pad cap and extends outwardly and downwardly from the front part of said cap.

Claim 13

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said inflatable portion of the insert is formed of complementary portions sealed about the periphery and said securing means is connected with said inflatable portion exteriorly of the seal about the periphery.

Claim 14

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein the partially inflated portion of said insert is carried on the outside of the arch portion and extends outwardly beyond the arch portion.