Body-contact protective interface structure and method

Abstract

A plural-layer body-contacting protective and cushioning interface structure. This structure has a body-facing side which contacts the body, and an opposite side, and intermediate these sides, in one form of the structure, is a moisture-wicking layer, next a moisture-blocking, gas-permeable barrier layer adjacent the moisture-wicking layer, and next, an acceleration-rate-sensitive cushioning layer. In some applications, the moisture-wicking layer is omitted.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A layered, body-contacting, cushioning interface structure having a body-facing side and a load-facing side, said interface structure, progressing thereinto from a location which is adjacent its said body-facing side, and toward its said load-facing side, comprising 
 a moisture-wicking layer,    a fully moisture-proof, non-perforated but gas-permeable barrier layer which blocks completely any flow of moisture through the barrier layer, and    a viscoelastic cushioning structure.    
     
     
         2 . A body-contacting cushioning interface structure comprising 
 a moisture-impervious, gas-permeable, deformable container, and    an acceleration-rate-sensitive, deformable, cushioning core disposed within said container.    
     
     
         3 . The interface structure of  claim 2 , wherein said cushioning core is formed of a viscoelastic material.  
     
     
         4 . A layered body-contacting protective structure having a body-facing side and an opposite site, said structure, progressing thereto from a location which is adjacent its said body-facing side, and toward its said opposite side, comprising, 
 a fully moisture-proof, non-perforated but gas-permeable barrier layer which blocks completely any flow of moisture through the barrier layer, and    an acceleration-rate-sensitive layer disposed adjacent said barrier layer.