Abstract A semi-rigid protective shield device for athletes. The device includes a pair of opposingly formed and flexibly joined sections. Each section has an arcuate shoulder portion adapted to conformably embrace a shoulder and having front portions adapted to depend over the clavicular area and breast of the wearer and rear portions for depending over the shoulder blades. The rear portions have integral lateral radial extensions for embracing the rib cage and terminating forwardly thereof. Flexible structures on each of the lateral extensions for detachably and adjustably joining the same to the depending front portions. A shoulder cap is hingedly attached to the shoulder portion of each section. Finally, flange pocket forming structure is on the cap and the shoulder portion and is positioned so as to form a flange pocket for the cap to seat in when force is applied from the top or sides and restrain the cap from pressuring the athlete''s shoulder while not restricting upward movement when force is delivered on the cap and shoulder portion.
A semi-rigid protective shield device for athletes comprising: a pair of opposingly formed and flexibly joined sections; each section having an arcuate shoulder portion adapted to conformably embrace a shoulder and having front portions adapted to depend over the clavicular area and breast of the wearer and rear portions for depending over the shoulder blades; the rear portions having integral lateral radial extensions for embracing the rib cage and terminating forwardly thereof; flexible means on each of said lateral extensions for detachably and adjustably joining the same to said depending front portions; a shoulder cap hingedly attached to the shoulder portion of each section; means hingedly connecting each shoulder cap to the respective shoulder portion of each section, and means on the cap and shoulder portion positioned so as to form a flange pocket for the edge of cap to seat in when force is applied from the top or sides and restrain the cap from pressuring the athlete''s shoulder while not restricting upward movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A semi-rigid protective shield device for athletes comprising: a pair of opposingly formed and flexibly joined sections; each section having an arcuate shoulder portion adapted to conformably embrace a shoulder and having front portions adapted to depend over the clavicular area and breast of the wearer and rear portions for depending over the shoulder blades; the rear portions having integral lateral radial extensions for embracing the rib cage and terminating forwardly thereof; flexible means on each of said lateral extensions for detachably and adjustably joining the same to said depending front portions; a shoulder cap hingedly attached to the shoulder portion of each section; means hingedly connecting each shoulder cap to the respective shoulder portion of each section, and means on the cap and shoulder portion positioned so as to form a flange pocket for the edge of cap to seat in when force is applied from the top or sides and restrain the cap from pressuring the athlete''s shoulder while not restricting upward movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for hingedly interconnecting the shoulder portion with the cap includes a strengthened webbiNg connector which is fixed in place on the underside of the shoulder portion, extends into fixed position on the top of the cap and then doubles back over the top of the shoulder portion into a final fixed position on the top thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the webbing connector is fixed in position with respect to the cap and shoulder portion by means of stitching and rivets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the flange pocket forming means includes a pair of strips of spaced webbing with the strips of webbing connected between the front of the shoulder portion and the front of the cap and between the back of the shoulder portion and the back of the cap respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein the strips of webbing are fixed in position by means of rivets.