Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A protective article to mitigate the impact force against a predetermined part of a person's body from injury due to an impact, said protective article comprising: a first layer of foamed plastic; a second layer of foamed plastic spaced from said first layer; a third layer of granules interposed between said first layer and said second layer; an outer retaining member enclosing said first, second, and third layers and holding said layers together upon application of said impact; and, a garment comprising a piece of flexible material to cover the predetermined part of the person's body having a pocket therein for selectively holding said outer retaining member over said predetermined part and fastening means for fastening said material to said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A protective article to mitigate the impact force against a predetermined part of a person's body from injury due to an impact, said protective article comprising: a first layer of foamed plastic; a second layer of foamed plastic spaced from said first layer; a third layer of granules interposed between said first layer and said second layer; an outer retaining member enclosing said first, second, and third layers and holding said layers together upon application of said impact; and, a garment comprising a piece of flexible material to cover the predetermined part of the person's body having a pocket therein for selectively holding said outer retaining member over said predetermined part and fastening means for fastening said material to said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said granules are loose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said first layer of foamed plastic is comprised of polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective article of claim 3 wherein said second layer of foamed plastic is comprised of polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said granules are made of foamed plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective article of claim 5 wherein said foamed plastic granules are made of polystyrene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said first layer has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The protective article of claim 7 wherein said second layer has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said granules have a diameter between 1.0 mm and 10.0 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said garment is a hip garment and said predetermined part is a hip region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises hook-and-loop strips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective article of claim 1 wherein said garment is a chest garment and said predetermined part is a chest region.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of cushioning an article of apparel having a pocket therein and being selectively positioned to cover a predetermined portion of an associated person's body, the method comprising the steps of: forming a cushion package by positioning a layer of polystyrene granules between first and second baffle members; containing the cushion package in a retaining member; and, placing the retaining member in said pocket in said article of apparel.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of cushioning an article of apparel having a pocket therein and being selectively positioned to cover a predetermined portion of an associated person's body, the method comprising the steps of: forming a cushion package by positioning a layer of polystyrene granules between first and second baffle members; containing the cushion package in a retaining member; and, placing the retaining member in said pocket in said article of apparel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article for protecting a predetermined portion of an associated person's body comprising: a waist strap for encircling a waist of said associated body; a first leg strap for encircling a first leg of said associated body; a piece of flexible material connected to said waist strap and said leg strap and having a first selectively positioned pocket therein; and, a pad assembly positioned in said first pocket, said pad assembly including first and second baffle members and a layer of granules interposed therebetween, and an outer retaining member enclosing said first and second baffle members and said granules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
An article for protecting a predetermined portion of an associated person's body comprising: a waist strap for encircling a waist of said associated body; a first leg strap for encircling a first leg of said associated body; a piece of flexible material connected to said waist strap and said leg strap and having a first selectively positioned pocket therein; and, a pad assembly positioned in said first pocket, said pad assembly including first and second baffle members and a layer of granules interposed therebetween, and an outer retaining member enclosing said first and second baffle members and said granules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 14 wherein said flexible material has a second selectively positioned pocket therein and wherein the article further comprises: a second pad assembly positioned in said second pocket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 14 further comprising: first fastening means affixed to said waist strap for adjustably fastening said waist strap to said associated body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article of claim 16 further comprising: second fastening means affixed to said leg strap for adjustably fastening said leg strap to said associated body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The article of claim 15 further comprising: a second leg strap connected to said piece of flexible material for encircling a second leg of said associated body.