Protective Garments

Abstract

The invention provides protective garments tailored for ice hockey players to safeguard critical areas susceptible to blade injuries. The garments include an upper body garment with a collar, left and right sleeves with specific upper arm and forearm portions, and a torso portion, as well as a pair of pants with strategically placed protective elements. Strategically integrated portions of cut-resistant ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material are present in the collar, forearm sections, inner thighs, and above the knees on the front of the thighs. Some embodiments also incorporate other fabrics, such as aramid variants, while non-cut-resistant sections may be made from blends like polyester and spandex. The collar may take various forms to provide the wearer with configurable protection, and the pants offer additional features such as Velcro straps for hockey socks and pockets for optional groin cups.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective sports garment, comprising:
 a collar;   a left sleeve having a left upper arm portion and a left forearm portion;   a right sleeve having a right upper arm portion and a right forearm portion;   a torso portion extending between said left and right sleeves and adjacent to said collar;   wherein the forearm portions of the left and right sleeves and the collar are formed of a cut-resistant material, the cut-resistant material comprising ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).   
     
     
         2 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , wherein the collar is a turtleneck-style collar formed of cut-resistant material and wherein the collar has an opening with a Velcro or zipper closing mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the cut-resistant portions are reinforced by an aramid fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , wherein the torso portion and the left and right upper arm portions are made from a non-cut-resistant material and wherein the non-cut-resistant material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of spandex, polyester, synthetic, microfiber, nylon, and polypropylene fabrics. 
     
     
         5 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a placket extending through the collar and a yoke of the torso portion, wherein the placket facilitates donning and removal of the protective garment and wherein the placket includes one or more selected from the group consisting of: hook and loop fasteners, buttons, zippers, studs, buckles, snap fasteners, and eyelets for transitioning between the open and closed positions for transitioning between an open and closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right upper arm portions comprise high friction gripping elements on their outer surfaces and wherein the gripping elements comprise silicon dots. 
     
     
         7 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , further comprising cuffs on the left and right sleeves formed of a non-cut-resistant material and wherein the cuffs on the left and right sleeves form thumbholes. 
     
     
         8 . The protective sports garment of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable neck piece which is detachable from the collar and configured to be positioned over a portion of the collar. 
     
     
         9 . A pair of protective sports pants, comprising:
 a waistband;   a left leg having a left upper thigh portion, a left knee portion, and a left lower leg portion;   a right leg having a right upper thigh portion, a right knee portion, and a right lower leg portion;   wherein the inner thigh portions of the left and right legs comprise intewgrated elements formed of a cut-resistant material, the cut-resistant material comprising ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).   
     
     
         10 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , further comprising cut-resistant material located above the knees on the front of the thighs. 
     
     
         11 . The protective sports pants of  claim 10 , wherein the cut-resistant material above the knees is reinforced by an aramid fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , further comprising additional protective elements made of cut-resistant material located around the ankle regions. 
     
     
         13 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , further comprising a front pocket configured to hold a groin cup, and wherein the front pocket includes a groin cup. 
     
     
         14 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , further comprising Velcro straps to keep hockey socks in place. 
     
     
         15 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , wherein the waistband is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , wherein the waistband includes an elastic section for improved fit and comfort. 
     
     
         17 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , wherein the non-cut-resistant portions of the pants are made from a material selected from the group consisting of spandex, polyester, synthetic, microfiber, nylon, and polypropylene fabrics. 
     
     
         18 . The protective sports pants of  claim 17 , wherein the non-cut-resistant portions are a blend of about 85% polyester and about 15% spandex. 
     
     
         19 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , further comprising compression features to accelerate post-workout recovery, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve circulation. 
     
     
         20 . The protective sports pants of  claim 9 , wherein the pants are designed to improve temperature regulation and provide moisture-wicking properties.