Sports protection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a sports protection device (e.g. a shin pad) for protecting a portion of a wearer's body (e.g. their shin). The sports protection device comprises a lining layer for facing the wearer's body (shin) and an opposing composite layer superimposed on said lining layer. The composite layer comprises wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The lining and composite layers are shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body (shin). A moldable blank for forming a sports protection device is also provided.

1 . A sports protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body, the sports protection device comprising:
 a lining layer for facing the wearer's body; and   an opposing composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix,   the lining and composite layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polycaprolactone and wherein the wood particles are plate-like and the ratio of the thickness of the plate to the smaller of the width or length of the plate is generally 1:2 to 1:500. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the lining layer comprises a 3D spacer fabric having a thickness of between 1-5 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the sports protection device comprises a primary body portion shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body and wherein a major portion of the composite layer of the primary body portion is solid. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein the primary body portion has a central portion that is thicker than a peripheral portion. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein the composite layer has a thickness of between 2-6 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A device according  claim 1  comprising a hinge portion and wherein said composite layer at the hinge portion further comprises a soft or elastic polymer or wherein said composite layer at the hinge portion further comprises incisions in the region of increased flexibility. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the sports protection device is a shin pad for protecting a wearer's shin with the lining layer for facing the wearer's shin, and the lining and composite layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the wearer's shin. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 4  wherein the composite layer forming the primary body portion further comprises a soft or elastic polymer. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device is a wrist guard for protecting a wearer's wrist with the lining layer for facing the wearer's wrist, and the lining and composite layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the wearer's wrist, wherein the composite layer further comprises a soft or elastic polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A kit comprising a device according to  claim 7  and a sock having a pouch for insertion of said device. 
     
     
         12 . A moldable blank for forming a sports protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body, the moldable blank comprising:
 a lining layer for facing the wearer's body; and   an opposing composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix,   the lining and composite layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body.   
     
     
         13 . A blank according to  claim 12  wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polycaprolactone and wherein the wood particles are plate-like and the ratio of the thickness of the plate to the smaller of the width or length of the plate is generally 1:2 to 1:500. 
     
     
         14 . A blank according to  claim 12  wherein the lining layer comprises a 3D spacer fabric having a thickness of between 1-5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . A blank according to  claim 12  wherein the sports protection device comprises a primary body portion moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body and wherein a major portion of the composite layer of the primary body portion is solid. 
     
     
         16 . A blank according to  claim 15  wherein the primary body portion has a central portion that is thicker than a peripheral portion. 
     
     
         17 . A blank according to  claim 16  wherein the composite layer has a thickness of between 2-6 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A blank according  claim 12  comprising a hinge portion and wherein said composite layer at the hinge portion further comprises a soft or elastic polymer or wherein said composite layer at the hinge portion further comprises incisions in the region of increased flexibility. 
     
     
         19 . A blank according to  claim 18  further comprising an edging layer extending at least partly around the peripheral edges of the composite layer. 
     
     
         20 . A moldable blank according to  claim 19  wherein the moldable blank is for forming a shin pad for protecting a wearer's shin, the lining layer for facing the wearer's shin, and the lining and composite layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the wearer's shin.