Forearm guard

Abstract

A forearm guard is disclosed wherein the components thereof provides both effective impact protection to the forearm and perspiration absorbing capability to prevent moisture from effecting the user's grip. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the forearm guard comprises a sleeve of stretchable material and a flexible impact absorbing pad affixed to the forearm portion of said sleeve. The sleeve is preferably comprised of washable fabric that includes an elastomeric component, and/or is woven to provide stretchability. The sleeve can be of any suitable length and diameter effective to secure the impact absorbing pad over the forearm and thereby protect the forearm of the wearer during an athletic activity. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the forearm guard is particularly suitable in the protection of the forearm of a baseball player from a wild pitch during batting.

1 . A forearm guard having a sleeve and an impact absorbing pad associated therewith, comprising: 
 A. A sleeve of essentially tubular construction wherein the overall length thereof conforms essentially to the linear dimension of a forearm of a wearer, and the overall diameter thereof conforms essentially to approximately 75% of the diameter of the narrower of the dimension of the forearm of said wearer, 
 Said sleeve being fabricated from a woven fabric which either by virtue of its intrinsic properties and/or weaving, is essentially resilient and stretchable so as to both conform to the said forearm and retain said guard in place during movement of said forearm,  
   B. An impact absorbing pad comprising an expandable foam or elastomer, said pad including an effective impact absorbing thickness of said expandable foam or elastomer, and    C. Means for attachment of said impact absorbing pad to said sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The forearm guard of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is fabricated from a moisture absorbent material.  
   
   
       3 . The forearm guard of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is fabricated from a terry cloth-like material.  
   
   
       4 . The forearm guard of  claim 1 , wherein said impact resistant pad comprises neoprene.  
   
   
       5 . The forearm guard of  claim 1 , wherein said impact resistant pad comprises neoprene and has an effective impact resistant thickness of from about less than 0.25 inches and at least about 0.125 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The forearm guard of  claim 1 , wherein the impact resistant pad is releasably attached to said sleeve.