Wearable protective system and method for making the same

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed, having an attachment mechanism for attaching a base material to a body part of a wearer. The apparatus further includes a padding layer overlaying the base material, and a plurality of scales. Each scale of the plurality of scales is independently attached to the padding layer, each scale either at least partially overlapping or at least partially underlying one or more adjacent scales to enable flexible adherence to a shape of the body part of the wearer.

1 . An apparatus comprising
 an attachment mechanism for attaching a base material to a body part of a wearer;   a padding layer overlaying the base material; and   a plurality of scales, each scale of the plurality of scales being independently attached to the padding layer, each scale either at least partially overlapping or at least partially underlying one or more adjacent scales to enable flexible adherence to a shape of the body part of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the curvature of each scale cross-section parallel to the sagittal plane of the body matches a leg cross-section surface profile. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each scale is a diamond shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the diamond shape is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus comprising
 an attachment mechanism for attaching a base material to a body part of a wearer; and   a plurality of scales, each scale of the plurality of scales being independently attached to the attachment mechanism, each scale either at least partially overlapping or at least partially underlying one or more adjacent scales to enable flexible adherence to a shape of the body part of the wearer.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising a padding layer overlaying the base material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the curvature of each scale cross-section parallel to the sagittal plane of the body matches a leg cross-section surface profile. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein each scale is a diamond shape. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the diamond shape is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising a padding layer overlaying the base material.