Sports safety padding

Abstract

An energy absorbing termination post padding for hockey rinks includes energy absorbing foam pads configured to absorb impacts from sports play such as hockey. Energy absorbing foam panels may include a rigid foam alone or in combination with a relatively softer foam or impact layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An energy absorbing termination padding for a termination post in hockey rinks, comprising:
 a first compressible foam panel, a second compressible foam panel and a third compressible foam panel, the first, second and third compressible foam panels forming a U-shaped panel and adapted to absorb impact forces;   a cover configured to receive the U-shaped panel; and   an attachment device for attaching the cover to a hockey rink termination post.   
     
     
         2 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises one or more straps coupled to the outside of the cover, and wherein the one or more straps are adapted to conform to termination post cavities and one or more glass panels received therein. 
     
     
         3 . The padding of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps are configured to lock into place when the termination post cavities receive the one or more glass panels. 
     
     
         4 . The padding of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps are configured to automatically release upon receiving a force having a substantial likelihood of breaking fixed connectors. 
     
     
         5 . The padding of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps are configured to slide in a plurality of directions. 
     
     
         6 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first, second or third compressible foam panels defines an open facing panel and another defines an ice facing panel, wherein the compressible foam of each of the ice facing panel and of the open facing panel comprises one or more of a closed cell foam or an open cell foam. 
     
     
         7 . The padding of  claim 6 , wherein the open facing panel is formed of the open cell foam, the open cell foam comprising one or more of a polyurethane foam or a visco-elastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         8 . The padding of  claim 6 , wherein the ice facing panel is formed of the open cell foam, the open cell foam comprising one or more of a polyurethane foam or a visco-elastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         9 . The padding of  claim 6 , wherein the open facing panel and the ice facing panel are formed of the open cell foam, the open cell foam comprising one or more of a polyurethane foam or a visco-elastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         10 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is configured to hold the foam of the U-shaped panel in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
         11 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of at least one of the compressible foam panels is greater than a thickness of another of the compressible foam panels. 
     
     
         12 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises one of hook and loop fasteners for coupling with the other of the hook and loop fasteners coupled to the termination post. 
     
     
         13 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is configured to couple the cover to the termination post with substantially little deformation or compression of the compressible foam panels. 
     
     
         14 . The padding of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a hook and loop fastener extending along a portion of the padding, the hook and loop fastener adapted to engage a termination post surface holding a complementary hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         15 . An energy absorbing termination padding for termination posts in hockey rinks, the termination pad comprising:
 a U-shaped construction of at least one impact layer comprising a first foam;   a cover configured to receive the U-shaped panel; and   an attachment device for attaching the cover to a hockey rink termination post.   
     
     
         16 . The padding of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment device comprises one or more straps coupled to the outside of the cover, and wherein the one or more straps are adapted to conform to termination post cavities and one or more glass panels received therein. 
     
     
         17 . The padding of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more straps are configured to lock into place when the termination post cavities receive the one or more glass panels. 
     
     
         18 . The padding of  claim 15 , wherein the cover is configured to hold the foam of the U-shaped panel in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
         19 . The padding of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment device is configured to couple the cover to the termination post with substantially little deformation or compression of the U-shaped panel.