Impact reduction apparel and impact absorbing liner for apparel

Abstract

An impact absorbing liner apparatus and impact reduction apparel are disclosed. An impact absorbing liner has a size and a configuration, such as multiple extending impact absorbing members, which can be formed and shaped around a part of a wearer's body. The impact absorbing liner is at least partially obscured from external view by apparel worn over the part of the wearer's body. The apparatus further includes a rigid frame connected with the impact absorbing liner and having at least a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end and proximal end each have a connection mechanism to connect together to provide the size and the configuration for the impact absorbing liner, and to conform to the impact reduction apparel.

1 . A detachable impact absorbing liner for a hat, the detachable impact absorbing liner comprising:
 an internal frame having a trunk member extending from a frontal portion to a rear portion, and a plurality of branch members extending laterally from the trunk member, the plurality of branch members comprising a frontal branch member and a rear branch member, at least two of the branch members that extend from opposite sides of the trunk member having side members extending laterally from a distal end of each of the at least two of the branch members, the internal frame further including a clasping system comprising a clasping mechanism on a distal end of each of the side members and on a distal end of each adjacent branch member of the plurality of branch members, the clasping system enabling the internal frame to be shaped and fastened in a semi-spherical shape to conform to a shape of a wearer's head and to be positioned within the hat;   two or more impact resistant layers coupled with the internal frame, the two or more impact resistant layers comprising a polymer layer having a first density to resist puncture and tearing, and an inner impact absorbing layer having a second density to resist impact, the two or more impact resistant layers covering a majority of the internal frame and being formed with cut-ins to allow the two or more impact resistant layers to conform to the shape of the wearer's head when the internal frame is shaped and fastened in the semi-spherical shape.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the two or more impact resistant layers include a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric attached to the inner impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the internal frame is interposed between the polymer layer and the inner impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the internal frame is formed of polycarbonate. 
     
     
         5 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the two or more impact resistant layers include a plurality of aeration holes. 
     
     
         6 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the inner frame includes a set of channels formed in the trunk member and/or in one or more of the plurality of branch members. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching the impact absorbing liner to an internal cavity of the hat. 
     
     
         8 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an additional internal frame, where two or more impact resistant layers are disposed between the two internal frames. 
     
     
         9 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a chin strap configured to secure the detachable impact absorbing liner to the wearer's head. 
     
     
         10 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an outer encapsulation device having cover portions attached to the two or more impact resistant layers and internal frame with one or more elastic bands. 
     
     
         11 . A detachable impact absorbing liner for an item of apparel, the detachable impact absorbing liner comprising:
 an internal frame having a trunk member extending from a first portion to a second portion opposite the first portion, and a plurality of branch members extending laterally from the trunk member, the plurality of branch members comprising a first end branch member and a rear end branch member, at least two of the branch members that extend from opposite sides of the trunk member having side members extending laterally from a distal end of each of the at least two of the branch members, the internal frame further including a clasping system comprising a clasping mechanism on a distal end of each of the side members and on a distal end of each adjacent branch member of the plurality of branch members, the clasping system enabling the internal frame to be shaped and fastened in a shape to conform to a shape of a wearer's body part and to be positioned within an item of apparel; two or more impact resistant layers coupled with the internal frame, the two or more impact resistant layers comprising a polymer layer having a first density to resist puncture and tearing, and an inner impact absorbing layer having a second density to resist impact, the two or more impact resistant layers covering a majority of the internal frame and being formed with cut-ins to allow the two or more impact resistant layers to conform to the shape of the wearer's body when the internal frame is shaped and fastened in the shape conforming to the wearer's body.   
     
     
         12 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the two or more impact resistant layers include a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric attached to the inner impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         13 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the internal frame is interposed between the polymer layer and the inner impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         14 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the internal frame is formed of polycarbonate. 
     
     
         15 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the two or more impact resistant layers include a plurality of aeration holes. 
     
     
         16 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the inner frame includes a set of channels formed in the trunk member and/or in one or more of the plurality of branch members. 
     
     
         17 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching the impact absorbing liner to an internal cavity of the item of apparel. 
     
     
         18 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the item of apparel is a sock and where the clasping system causes the internal frame to be shaped and fastened in a shape to conform with a shin of the wearer. 
     
     
         19 . The detachable impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , where the item of apparel is underwear and where the clasping system causes the internal frame to be shaped and fastened in a shape to conform with a pelvic region of the wearer. 
     
     
         20 . A detachable impact absorbing liner for an item of apparel, the detachable impact absorbing liner comprising:
 a frame having a central portion and fingers extending from the central portion, the fingers having clasping members extending substantially laterally away from the end portions of the fingers, the clasping members configured to clasp with clasping members of adjacent fingers, the frame configured such that when clasped the frame conforms to the shape of a wearer's body part;   two or more impact resistant layers coupled with the frame, the two or more impact resistant layers comprising a polymer layer having a first density to resist puncture and tearing, and an inner impact absorbing layer having a second density to resist impact, the two or more impact resistant layers covering a majority of the frame and being formed with cut-ins to allow the two or more impact resistant layers to conform to the shape of the wearer's body part when the frame is shaped and fastened in shape conforming with the wearer's body part.   
     
     
         21 . The impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , where additional coverage for the occipital lobe, as applied to ball caps or other headgear equipment, can aid in securing the garment to the wearer and offer increased coverage area. 
     
     
         22 . The impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 11 , where additional coverage for the temporal lobe, as applied to ball caps or other headgear equipment, can aid in securing the garment to the wearer and offer increased coverage area. 
     
     
         23 . The impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical fastener that allows rotation about a pivotal axis for access between the liner and apparel. 
     
     
         24 . The impact absorbing liner in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical attachment applied to further secure headgear to the users body and may be applied either under the wearers chin or behind the head.