Limb Shield

Abstract

A limb shield is disclosed for shielding a limb of a wearer against impacts. The shield comprises a shell having a first shell portion and a second shell portion, the first portion comprising a substantially rigid portion, the second portion being reconfigurable between a retracted configuration in which the shield is configured to conform substantially with the contours of the limb to hold the shield in place upon the limb, and an extended configuration in which the shield is configured to receive the limb. The second portion is further resiliently biased to the retracted configuration and is arranged to extend around at least a portion of a periphery of the first portion.

1 . A limb shield for shielding a limb of a wearer against impacts, the shield comprising a shell having a first shell portion and a second shell portion,
 the first portion comprising a substantially rigid portion,   the second portion being reconfigurable between a retracted configuration   
       in which the shell is configured to conform substantially with contours of the limb to hold the shield in place upon the limb, and an extended configuration in which the shell is configured to receive the limb,
 wherein the second portion is resiliently biased to the retracted configuration. 
 
     
     
         2 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion extends around at least a portion of a periphery of the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises an increased shell thickness compared with the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein during use, the first shell portion is arranged to extend further from the limb than the second shell portion. 
     
     
         5 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell further comprises a depression formed therein at the side of the shell which is arranged to extend adjacent the limb of the wearer, substantially adjacent the first portion. 
     
     
         6 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are formed integrally. 
     
     
         7 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions comprise a laminated arrangement of layers. 
     
     
         8 . A shield according to  claim 7 , wherein the first portion comprises more layers than the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . A shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell is contoured to extend either side of a tendon of the limb, to minimise restrictive movement of the limb. 
     
     
         10 . A shield according to  claim 1 , further comprising a compressible portion which is arranged to extend over at least a portion of a surface of the shell which is arranged to extend substantially adjacent the limb. 
     
     
         11 . A shield according to  claim 10 , wherein the compressible portion comprises a high density impact foam. 
     
     
         12 . A shield according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric which is arranged to extend over at least a portion of the surface of the shell which is arranged to extend substantially adjacent the limb. 
     
     
         13 . A shield according to  claim 12 , wherein the fabric is further arranged to extend over the compressible portion. 
     
     
         14 . A shield according to  claim 1 , further comprising a strip which is arranged to extend around a periphery of the shell to cover the periphery of the shell and thus protect the wearer from any sharp or rough edges. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a cured aramid structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a mould from a foam material for moulding the structure;   disposing at least one aramid layer on the foam mould;   applying an epoxy resin to the at least one aramid layer to produce a wet composite; and,   allowing the wet composite to dry.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the wet composite is dried at substantially room temperature. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising strengthening the mould by coating the mould with a strengthening material. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the strengthening material comprises fibre glass and an epoxy resin.