Chest protector system and apparatus

Abstract

An attachment structure for selective attachment to a chest protector that includes a neck portion and opposing side portions. The attachment structure comprising a pad element, at least one strap and at least one upper strap. Each strap selectively extends around a respective side portion of the chest protector, and includes an attachment element on a rear side of the strap. The upper strap extends over the neck portion of the chest protector, and includes an attachment element on a front side of the upper strap. The attachment element on the upper strap selectively engages with the attachment element on each strap to secure the attachment structure to the chest protector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment structure for selective attachment to a chest protector, the chest protector having a neck portion and opposing side portions, the attachment structure comprising:
 a pad element;   at least one strap for extending around at least one of said side portions of the chest protector, said at least one strap including an attachment element on a rear side of the at least one strap;   at least one upper strap for extending over the neck portion of the chest protector, said at least one upper strap including an attachment element on a front side of the at least one upper strap,
 wherein the attachment element on the at least one upper strap selectively engages with the attachment element on the at least one strap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a front side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a rear side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one upper strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap and the at least one upper strap are attached to the pad element via slots in the pad element. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap and the at least one upper strap are adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . A chest protector system comprising:
 a chest protector having a neck portion and opposing side portions;   a pad element;   at least one strap for extending around at least one of said side portions of the chest protector, said at least one strap including an attachment element on a rear side of the at least one strap;   at least one upper strap for extending over the neck portion of the chest protector, said at least one upper strap including an attachment element on a front side of the at least one upper strap,
 wherein the attachment element on the at least one upper strap selectively engages with the attachment element on the at least one strap to selectively secure the pad element to the chest protector. 
   
     
     
         9 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a front side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         10 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a rear side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         11 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         12 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one upper strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         13 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one strap and the at least one upper strap are attached to the pad element via slots in the pad element. 
     
     
         14 . The chest protector system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one strap and the at least one upper strap are adjustable. 
     
     
         15 . An attachment structure for selective attachment to a chest protector, the chest protector having a neck portion and opposing side portions, the attachment structure comprising:
 a pad element;   at least one side attachment element for selectively engaging with at least one of said side portions of the chest protector; or   at least one upper attachment element for selectively engaging with the neck portion of the chest protector.   
     
     
         16 . The attachment structure of  claim 15 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a front side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment structure of  claim 15 , wherein the pad element is selectively attachable to a rear side of the chest protector. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment structure of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment structure of  claim 15 , wherein the attachment element of the at least one upper strap is one of a hook and a loop fastener of a hook-and-loop fastening system. 
     
     
         20 . The attachment structure of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one strap and the at least one upper strap are attached to the pad element via slots in the pad element.