Protective Athletic Garment

Abstract

A protective athletic garment that provides cushioning effect to areas of wearer's body and shock absorbing capability, while keeping resistance to impact and collision during activities. The garment comprises an article of clothing which covers a portion of a wearer's body and a protective element attached into areas susceptible to injury. The protective element is preferably formed of a base layer of polyurethane shock absorbent foam and a top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil including flex zones and raised elements to provide high abrasion resistance and low friction sliding ability during falls. The protective element comprises ventilation holes and a plurality of grooves to stitch the protective element to the garment to create any style of garment. The protective element can be used for different portions of the wearer's body by varying the shape and/or size of the protective element to accommodate a variety of human body portions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective athletic garment comprising:
 an article of clothing adapted to cover a portion of a wearer's body; and   at least one protective element being formed of a base layer of polyurethane foam and a top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil, the at least one protective element having an inner surface being adapted to mount over the garment, an outer surface having a plurality of raised elements, a plurality of flex zones disposed on the top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil, a plurality of holes being extended through the base layer of polyurethane foam and the top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil and a plurality of grooves being positioned along an outer edge thereof;   whereby the at least one protective element is adaptable to provide flexibility and cushioning effect to the areas of the wearer's body, while keeping resistance to impact and collision.   
     
     
         2 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of flex zones is defined as horizontal grooves that adaptable to provide flexibility during athletic activity. 
     
     
         3 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of holes is adaptable to provide ventilation and aeration during athletic activity. 
     
     
         4 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of grooves is utilized to stitch the at least one protective element to the garment to create any style of garment. 
     
     
         5 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of raised elements is adaptable to provide slip resistant grip to prevent a wearer from slipping/sliding from a ground surface during falls. 
     
     
         6 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the base layer of polyurethane foam provides shock absorption and the top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil provides abrasion resistance and low friction sliding ability during falls. 
     
     
         7 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the at least one protective element further comprises at least one securing means for tightening the at least one protective element to areas of the wearer's body and loosening for comfort during leisure time. 
     
     
         8 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 6  wherein the at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of spring clips, Velcro straps, low-tack adhesive tapes, elastic bands or straps. 
     
     
         9 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the at least one protective element is washable and light weight. 
     
     
         10 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the article of clothing includes apparels but not limited to a long sleeve shirt, a short sleeve shirt, a sleeveless shirt, a pair of shorts and a pair of pants. 
     
     
         11 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  wherein the at least one protective element is integrated to any area of a garment including but not limited to: elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders, hips, buttocks, ankles, feet, neck and torso. 
     
     
         12 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 1  is used with various sports including but not limited to skateboarding, scooter riding, roller skating, roller balding, skiing, sledding, snowboarding, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, ice skating, basketball and playground playing. 
     
     
         13 . A protective athletic garment comprising:
 an article of clothing adapted to cover a portion of a wearer's body; and   at least one protective element having an inner surface being adapted to be mounted over the article of clothing and an outer surface having a plurality of raised elements, the at least one protective element comprising:
 a thick base layer of polyurethane foam being adaptable to provide shock absorption; 
 a thin top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil having a plurality of flex zones, the thin top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil being adaptable to provide abrasion resistance and low friction sliding ability during falls; 
 a plurality of holes extended through the thick base layer of polyurethane foam and the thin top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil; and 
 a plurality of grooves positioned along an outer edge of the at least one protective element, the plurality of grooves being utilized to stitch the at least one protective element to the garment; 
 whereby the at least one protective element is adaptable to provide flexibility and cushioning effect to the areas of the wearer's body, while keeping resistance to impact and collision. 
   
     
     
         14 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of flex zones is defined as horizontal grooves and adaptable to provide flexibility during athletic activity. 
     
     
         15 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of holes is adaptable to provide ventilation and aeration during athletic activity. 
     
     
         16 . The protective athletic garment of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of raised elements is adaptable to provide slip resistant grip to prevent a wearer from slipping/sliding from a ground surface during falls. 
     
     
         17 . A method for constructing and attaching at least one protective element to a garment, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a thick base layer of polyurethane foam;   (b) providing a thin top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil having a plurality of flex zones and a plurality of raised elements;   (c) adhering a thick base layer of polyurethane foam with a thin top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil to create the at least one protective element;   (d) providing a plurality of holes on the at least one protective element for ventilation and aeration;   (e) providing the garment; and   (f) attaching the at least one protective element to the garment in areas susceptible to injury;   whereby the at least one protective element is adaptable for providing flexibility and cushioning effect to the areas of wearer's body, while keeping resistance to impact and collision.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein step (f) further comprises: stitching the at least one protective element to the garment using a plurality of grooves positioned along an outer edge of the at least one protective element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 (g) tightening the at least one protective element to the garment using at least one securing means. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of spring clips, Velcro straps, low-tack adhesive tapes, elastic bands or straps.