Impact transfer device

Abstract

An impact transfer device comprising a device body, an impact zone shield associated with a first body region, and at least one body contact associated with a second body region, each body contact comprising at least one contact surface, and at least one attachment structure configured to attach the impact transfer device to a person. At least a portion of a force applied to the impact surface is transferred to the second body region of the person through the contact surfaces.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An impact transfer device comprising:
 a body with a first end and a second end;   an arm coupled to the body substantially at the first end, the arm having an impact end extending beyond the body and towards a first body region of a person;   an impact zone shield coupled to the impact end of the arm; and   at least one body contact coupled with the body and comprising a contact surface configured to lie against a second body region of the person, wherein the impact zone shield is positioned to receive a force directed towards the first body region and to transfer at least a portion of force through the arm and the at least one body contact to the second body region.   
     
     
         2 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least two segments and is extendable. 
     
     
         3 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a base coupled to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The impact transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein the base comprises an attachment structure configured to secure the base to the person. 
     
     
         5 . The impact transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein at least one surface of the impact zone shield, the at least one body contact and the base is padded. 
     
     
         6 . The impact transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment structure comprises a garment. 
     
     
         7 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein position and orientation of the arm is adjustable with respect to the body. 
     
     
         8 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm further comprises an extension segment configured to extend the impact end of the arm away from the first body region. 
     
     
         9 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment structure configured to secure the at least one body contact to the person, wherein the contact surface of each of the at least one body contact faces the person. 
     
     
         10 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a trigger configured to generate a signal when the force is delivered to the impact zone shield; and   an impact generator configured to generate a stimulus in response to the signal.   
     
     
         11 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the impact zone shield is configured to be positioned to receive a force directed to a head and neck region of the person. 
     
     
         12 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the impact zone shield is further configured to be positioned to receive a force directed to a groin region of the person. 
     
     
         13 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one body contact comprises two body contacts, and wherein each of the body contacts comprises a contact surface configured to be positioned facing a body region below the person's clavicle. 
     
     
         14 . The impact transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one body contact further distributes the at least a portion of the force to the second body region. 
     
     
         15 . An impact transfer device comprising:
 a body with a first end and a second end;   an arm with an impact end coupled to the body;   an impact zone shield coupled to the impact end of the arm and configured to at least partially cover the first body region; and   at least one body contact coupled with the body and comprising a contact surface configured to lie against a second body region of the person, wherein the impact zone shield is positioned to receive a force directed at the first body region and to transfer at least a portion of force from the force to the second body region.   
     
     
         16 . The impact transfer device of  claim 15 , further comprising a base coupled to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The impact transfer device of  claim 16 , wherein the base comprises an attachment structure configured to secure the base to the person. 
     
     
         18 . The impact transfer device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one surface of the impact zone shield, the at least one body contact and the base is padded. 
     
     
         19 . The impact transfer device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a trigger coupled to the extension segment and the body and configured to generate a signal when the force is delivered to the impact zone shield; and   an impact generator configured to generate a stimulus in response to the signal.   
     
     
         20 . An impact transfer device comprising:
 a body with a first end and a second end, wherein the body further includes an arm having an impact end;   an impact zone shield coupled to the impact end of the arm;   at least one body contact coupled with the body and having a contact surface configured to lie against a second body region of the person, wherein the impact zone shield is positioned to receive a force directed towards the first body region and to transfer at least a portion of force from the force through the arm and the at least one body contact to the second body region; and   an impact generator configured to generate a stimulus in response to a trigger.