Pads with three dimensional image element

Abstract

A shin guard includes a protective plate having a front face and a rear face. The rear face is contoured to fit around a shin of a wearer of the shin guard. Further, the shin guard includes a three dimensional image element carried on the front face. This image element projects an image outline through a sock worn over the shin guard. A sports pad is provided including an outer shell defining a pocket and a pad received and held in the pocket. A three dimensional image element is captured between said outer shell and the front face of the pad. That image element projects an image outline through the outer shell to enhance the uniform of the player wearing the sports pad.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 selecting a protective pad, wherein the protective pad comprise a three-dimensional image element on an outer face thereof, and wherein the selecting is based on the three-dimensional image element;   positioning the protective pad below at least one layer of fabric of an article of clothing worn by a user such that the three-dimensional image element causes a deformation of the at least one layer of fabric of the article of clothing in a shape corresponding to the three-dimensional image element.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the three-dimensional image element comprises foam. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the foam comprises a closed cell foam. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective pad is configured to protect a body part of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the three-dimensional image element is configured as a shape of a letter or number. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the article of clothing comprises sports pants. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the article of clothing comprises socks. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective pad comprises a shin guard. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective pad comprises a thigh pad. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the protective pad comprises an elbow pad. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein positioning the protective pad below the at least one layer of fabric of an article of clothing worn by the user comprises positioning the protective pad within a pocket of the article of clothing.