Sports bra with impact padding

Abstract

An impact resistant unitary brassiere includes a first fabric layer coupled to a second fabric layer and an impact force absorbing pad embedded between the fabric layers. The pad rests in use over a wearer's bony regions. The bony regions may include a clavicle, a thoracic vertebra, or both. The bra may be worn daily by itself or under a shirt to support the clavicle and thoracic spinal and to prevent injuries during any type of physical activity such as may be caused by barbell impact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impact resistant unitary brassiere comprising: a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer coupled to the first fabric layer, and an impact force absorbing pad embedded therebetween, wherein the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one of a wearer's bony regions selected from the group consisting of a clavicle, a thoracic vertebra, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The impact resistant unitary brassiere of  claim 1 , wherein the impact force absorbing pad contains a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber and has a thickness of about 3 mm to about 13 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The impact resistant unitary brassiere of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are configured to form a high back neckline and the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one thoracic vertebra of the wearer's spine. 
     
     
         4 . The impact resistant unitary brassiere of  claim 1 , wherein the impact force absorbing pad has components configured to rest in use over the wearer's clavicles and thoracic vertebrae of the wearer's spine. 
     
     
         5 . The impact resistant unitary brassiere of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are configured to form a high neckline and the impact force absorbing pad is configured to rest in use over at least one of the wearer's clavicles. 
     
     
         6 . The impact resistant unitary brassiere of  claim 5 , wherein the impact force absorbing pad has two components, each of which is configured to rest in use over one of the wearer's clavicles.