A football shoulder pad includes a pair of relatively rigid arch portions which extend over the shoulders of a wearer and a pair of resilient pads which are removably secured to the front surfaces of the arch portions. The pads reduce the tendency of a football to bounce off of the arch portions.

A knee pad assembly for protecting a knee of a worker installing tile, wood floors, etc. The knee pad assembly includes an outer knee pad structure, a knee cap support spring, and a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure.

A support padding for use on a human joint including an outer layer having a shape conforming to the shape of the human joint, a resilient member layer positioned adjacent to the outer layer and extending around an interior of the outer layer, a packing layer positioned adjacent to the resilient member layer and extending around an interior of the resilient member layer, and an interior layer affixed to the packing layer so as to define a cavity for receiving the human joint therein. The human joint can be either a shoulder, an ankle, a knee, a spine or a neck. A deformable member can be affixed to the packing layer opposite the resilient member layer for conforming to a contour of the human joint upon pressure applied to the surface of the human joint thereto.

A guard for a knee, elbow or shin including a composite pad of layers of perforated fabric, foam and mesh, all bound together at the periphery by a band of heavy fabric and strapped to the limb with an adjustable elastic band. The knee and elbow guards have one composite pad strapped above the joint and another composite pad strapped below the joint. A rigid shell is strapped to the composite pad. The straps have VELCRO patches which permit adjustment of the shell or complete separation from the pads.

An impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear. More particularly, the invention teaches the usage of coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals such as titanium, to absorb and dissipate forces of humans and other objects coming in contact with helmets and a variety of sporting equipment. Depending upon the exact environment in which the same are to be used, the coiled springs may be constructed of polymers or titanium--lightweight, yet durable materials to accomplish the purposes of the invention. In the preferred mode of attachment, an insert is fitted to each end of each spring, with a flared insert then placed into a molded female slot upon the equipment to hold the spring in place. Thus, a helmet, chest protector or the like may comprise a series of female slots such that multiple springs can easily slide therein.