Wrist guard with stiffener elements

Abstract

Wrist guards configured for providing support to a user's wrist are disclosed. An illustrative wrist guard includes a wrist pad having a dorsal section configured for placement adjacent to the anterior side of the user's wrist and a palmar section configured for placement adjacent to the posterior side of the wrist. A number of stiffener elements coupled to the dorsal section of the wrist pad provide support against hyperextension of the user's wrist.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wrist guard, comprising:
 a body configured to be worn over a user's wrist, the body including a dorsal section having a first surface and a palmar section having a second surface, the dorsal section being configured for placement adjacent to the anterior side of a user's wrist, the palmar section being configured for placement adjacent to the posterior side of the user's wrist, wherein the dorsal section extends laterally from the palmar section and is foldable over the palmar section while attached to the user's wrist such that the first surface wraps over the second surface;   a stiffener element coupled to the dorsal section of the body, the stiffener element varying in stiffness and thickness along a length of the stiffener element, wherein a larger thickness corresponds to an increased stiffness; and   a strap coupled to the body, the strap being configured for securing the dorsal section over the palmar section.   
     
     
         2 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the dorsal section of the body includes a pocket adapted to receive the stiffener element. 
     
     
         3 . The wrist guard of  claim 2 , wherein the pocket extends lengthwise along the dorsal section between a distal edge and a proximal edge of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener element is releasably coupled to the body. 
     
     
         5 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener element is integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         6 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener element includes an elongate stay having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. 
     
     
         7 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the stiffener element tapers along at least a portion of the stiffener element length. 
     
     
         8 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the stiffener element varies continuously along at least a portion of the stiffener element length. 
     
     
         9 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener element has an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         10 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the stiffener element is between about 8 cm to 15 cm. 
     
     
         11 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of stiffener elements each coupled to the dorsal section of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , further including a cushioning member coupled to the dorsal section of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The wrist guard of  claim 12 , wherein the cushioning member is a first cushioning member, and the wrist guard further includes:
 a second cushioning member coupled to the dorsal section of the body.   
     
     
         14 . The wrist guard of  claim 13 , wherein the second cushioning member is positioned over the first cushioning member and is located adjacent to a distal edge of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The wrist guard of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener includes a hook and loop-type fastener. 
     
     
         16 . A method of protecting a user's wrist having an anterior side and a posterior side, comprising:
 coupling a stiffener element to a body of a wrist guard, the body including a dorsal section having a first surface and a palmar section having a second surface, the dorsal section extending laterally from the palmar section, the stiffener element varying in stiffness and thickness along a length of the stiffener element, wherein a larger thickness corresponds to an increased stiffness;   placing the body of the wrist guard over the user's wrist such that the first surface of the dorsal section is adjacent to the anterior side of the user's wrist and the second surface of the palmar section is adjacent to the posterior side of the user's wrist;   folding the dorsal section over the palmar section such that the first surface wraps over the second surface; and   securing the dorsal section over the palmar section with a strap coupled to the body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising releasing the stiffener element from the body of the wrist guard. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling a cushioning member to the dorsal section of the body of the wrist guard. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising coupling another stiffener element to the body of the wrist guard such that a plurality of stiffener elements are coupled to the body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising stacking the plurality of stiffener elements.