Shoulder Pad Support

Abstract

A shoulder pad support designed to work in co-operation with or be placed directly onto existing shoulder pad devices for use in contact sports. The shoulder pad support is comprised of an accessory pad designed to be closely worn to the body of the wearer and surround the acromioclavicular joint of the shoulder. The accessory pad forms a channel creating an air space between the accessory pad and existing shoulder pads to aid in the displacement of forces applied to this joint during contact activities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective device for the shoulder region for use by a wearer, the device adapted for placement below an existing shoulder pad, the device comprising:
 a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament;   a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and   an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad and anterior pad.   
     
     
         2 . A protective device as in  claim 1 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are integrated into a garment for use by the wearer. 
     
     
         3 . A protective device as in  claim 1 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are integrated into a harness for use by the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . A protective device as in  claim 1 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are placed on an underside of a pair of existing shoulder pads. 
     
     
         5 . A protective device as in  claim 2 , wherein the garment is a compression garment. 
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material. 
     
     
         7 . A garment for contact sports adapted for use by a wearer, the garment adapted for placement of over the shoulder region of the wearer, the garment comprising:
 a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament;   a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and   an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad and anterior pad.   
     
     
         8 . A garment as in  claim 7 , wherein the garment is a compression garment. 
     
     
         9 . A garment as in  claim 7 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material. 
     
     
         10 . A garment for contact sports adapted for use by a wearer, the garment adapted for placement of over the shoulder region of the wearer, the garment comprising:
 a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, the posterior pad having a height extending opposite the body of the wearer;   a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, the anterior pad having a height extending opposite the body of the wearer, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and   an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad height and the anterior pad height.   
     
     
         11 . A garment as in  claim 10 , wherein the garment is a compression garment. 
     
     
         12 . A garment as in  claim 10 , wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material.