Chest protector with movable abdomen protector

Abstract

A protector for a goaltender is provided and may include an upper portion having a first surface opposing a thorax of the goaltender and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the upper portion than the first surface. A lower portion may be attached to the upper portion and may include a third surface opposing an abdomen of the goaltender and a fourth surface formed on an opposite side of the lower portion than the third surface. The third surface may oppose the second surface throughout a range of relative motion between the upper portion and the lower portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protector for a goaltender, the protector comprising:
 an upper portion having a first surface opposing a thorax of the goaltender and a second surface formed on an opposite side of said upper portion than said first surface; and   a lower portion attached to said upper portion and including a third surface opposing an abdomen of the goaltender and a fourth surface formed on an opposite side of said lower portion than said third surface, said third surface opposing said second surface throughout a range of relative motion between said upper portion and said lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said lower portion is attached to said upper portion via at least one tether to permit relative movement between said upper portion and said lower portion. 
     
     
         3 . The protector of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one tether is formed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The protector of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one tether extends between said second surface and said third surface. 
     
     
         5 . The protector of  claim 2 , further comprising an attachment feature operable to secure said lower portion to a pair of pants of the goaltender. 
     
     
         6 . The protector of  claim 5 , wherein said attachment feature is integrally formed with one of said at least one tether. 
     
     
         7 . The protector of  claim 5 , wherein said attachment feature includes a loop operable to receive at least one of a belt or other feature of said pants to secure said lower portion to said pants. 
     
     
         8 . The protector of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment feature operable to secure said lower portion to a pair of pants of the goaltender. 
     
     
         9 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein said lower portion is received within a sleeve, said sleeve defining said third surface and said fourth surface. 
     
     
         10 . The protector of  claim 9 , wherein said sleeve is attached to said upper portion at said second surface. 
     
     
         11 . The protector of  claim 9 , wherein said sleeve is formed from an elastic material to permit said relative motion between said upper portion and said lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . A protector for a goaltender, the protector comprising:
 an upper portion having a first surface opposing a thorax of the goaltender;   a lower portion attached to said upper portion at a first location and attached to a pair of pants of the goaltender at a second location, said lower portion movable relative to said upper portion and including a second surface opposing an abdomen of the goaltender.   
     
     
         13 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein said upper portion includes a third surface formed on an opposite side of said upper portion than said first surface and said lower portion includes a fourth surface formed on an opposite side of said lower portion than said second surface, said third surface opposing said second surface throughout a range of motion of said lower portion relative to said upper portion. 
     
     
         14 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein said lower portion is attached to said upper portion by at least one tether. 
     
     
         15 . The protector of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one tether is formed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The protector of  claim 12 , further comprising an attachment feature operable to secure said lower portion to said pants. 
     
     
         17 . The protector of  claim 16 , wherein said attachment feature includes a loop operable to receive at least one of a belt or other feature of said pants to secure said lower portion to said pants. 
     
     
         18 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein said lower portion is received within a sleeve, said sleeve defining said second surface. 
     
     
         19 . The protector of  claim 18 , wherein said sleeve is attached to said upper portion. 
     
     
         20 . The protector of  claim 18 , wherein said sleeve is formed from an elastic material to permit relative motion between said upper portion and said lower portion.