US Patent 8191174 Protective glove elements with flexible materials in the joints

A conformable shielding for protective equipment including multiple shielding elements constructed from rigid, impact resistant material and a flexible material overlaying the elements. The material can include a connecting element joining the shielding elements. The connecting element can enable adjacent shielding elements to flex about a plurality of axes, relative to one another, and to extend outwardly from one another, and to retract toward one another. The connecting element can include an accordion structure positioned between adjacent shielding elements, and can be aligned with a joint of the appendage of the wearer.