Chest protector with energy absorbing member

Abstract

An energy absorbing member that may be coupled to a chest protector like those worn by baseball or softball catchers and/or umpires is provided. The energy absorbing member may be releasably attachable with, or permanently sewn or riveted into, an upper central region of the chest protector. The energy absorbing member includes a backing plate having low elasticity that abuts the chest protector. The energy absorbing member further includes a front plate attached to the backing plate that preferably projects outwardly from the backing plate to form a hollow interior portion between the plates. The front plate is preferably an arcuate, convex plate that is able to distribute energy and deflects a batted or pitched ball so that absorbing member may absorb and distribute energy from the ball along the chest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for protecting a wearer from batted or thrown balls, the garment comprising:
 a chest protector; and   an energy absorbing member for coupling with the chest protector, the energy absorbing member comprising:
 a backing plate for coupling with an upper central region of the chest protector, the backing plate including end portions; and 
 a front plate coupled to the backing plate such that a hollow interior portion is provided between the backing plate and the front plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the front plate has a convex shape extending away from the backing plate. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow interior portion is stuffed with a foam or a foam-like material. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the backing plate is made of material with low elasticity. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the front plate is made of at least one of a metal, plastic, or a composite material. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the chest protector includes a pocket for selectively receiving the energy absorbing member within the pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the backing plate includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners and the upper central region of the chest protector includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners selectively engageable with the hook and loop fasteners of the backing plate. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorbing member is sewn into the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorbing member is riveted to the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorbing member includes a stiffening member between and abutting each of its backing plate and its front plate. 
     
     
         11 . A garment for protecting a wearer from batted or thrown balls, the garment comprising:
 a chest protector; and   a front plate coupled to the chest protector, the front plate having a convex shape extending away from the chest protector such that a hollow interior portion is provided between chest protector and the front plate.   
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment includes a backing plate attached to the chest protector to which the front plate is attached. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the hollow interior portion is stuffed with a foam or a foam-like material. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the backing plate is made of material with low elasticity. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the front plate is made of at least one of a metal, plastic, or a composite material. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the chest protector includes a pocket for selectively receiving the front plate within the pocket. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the backing plate includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners and the upper central region of the chest protector includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners selectively engageable with the hook and loop fasteners of the backing plate. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the front plate is sewn into the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the front plate is riveted to the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein a stiffening member is provided between and abutting each of its backing plate and its front plate.