A shoulder pad truss arch system for a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad has a generally inverted U-shape arch member adapted to fit over a shoulder of a wearer, and the arch member has chestplate and backplate portions interconnected by a curved shoulder portion. The shoulder pad truss arch system comprises a first truss extending from the chestplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, a second truss extending from the backplate portion of the arch member to the shoulder portion of the arch member, and a truss bridge. One end of the truss bridge is attached to the first truss, and the other end of the truss bridge is attached to the second truss so as to suspend the truss system and thus the shoulder pad on the shoulder of the wearer such that impact on the shoulder portion of the arch member causes the chestplate and backplate portions to be pulled toward one another.
A shoulder pad assembly for protecting the upper body and shoulders. The shoulder pad assembly includes a substantially rigid outer shell having left and right body members. Each of the body members has a generally horizontally disposed arched portion for spanning one of the shoulders. A chest plate portion and a back plate portion depend from the arched portion. The shoulder pad assembly also includes a cantilever support extending between the plate portions for supporting the outer shell above the shoulders to substantially reduce the impact of the outer shell on the shoulders. The cantilever support is configured to support the outer shell above the trapezius muscle such that, when the muscle is substantially developed, the generally horizontally disposed arched portion is evenly supported on the trapezius muscle by the cantilever support.
A cantilever strap for a shoulder pad for a football player has a central portion which overlies the acromioclavicular area of the shoulder of the football player, and has a width which is substantially greater than two inches.
A shoulder pad having a pair of impact absorbing accessory pads disposed adjacent the armpits of a user. The shoulder pad includes a left body arch member and a right body arch member. A left chest portion and a left back portion depend from the left arch member. Two left strap members extends from the left back portion to the left chest portion. A right chest portion and a right back portion depend from the right arch member. Two right strap members extend from the right back portion to the right chest portion. The left and right straps secure the shoulder pad to the body of the user. A left accessory pad and a right accessory pad are attached to the left and right strap members. The accessory pads are disposed adjacent the armpits of the user and between the users arms and ribs. Each pad includes a wedge shaped cushion having a concave side and a opposing convex side. A plastic plate is disposed within the wedge shaped cushion. Loops on the concave side of the wedge shaped cushion are used to secured the pads to the strap members. A smooth plastic membrane covers the wedge shaped cushion.
A shoulder pad assembly for fashionably shaping the shoulders beneath a wearer's clothing. A shoulder pad assembly is worn independently of the wearer's clothing beneath a blouse, shirt, dress or sweater. The invention includes a pair of fashionably shaped shoulder pads, completely enclosed in fabric pockets. The pockets are connected by a panel across the wearer's back behind the wearer's neck. Under-arm straps hold the assembly in place upon the wearer's shoulders independently of other garments.
