Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup: Redefining Comfort and Protection

A Redesign by Dosun Shin and Mark Littell

The Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup is the brainchild of Dosun Shin, a renowned designer, and Mark Littell, a former MLB player and pitching coach. The duo took inspiration from the feedback of athletes who had used the original Nutty Buddy cup for several years. The goal was to address the users' comments and suggestions, resulting in a cup that offers increased range of motion and unparalleled comfort.

What sets the Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup apart is its unique design. The cup follows the anatomically-correct shape of the male body, ensuring a perfect fit. The original polycarbonate cup featured a thin co-molded soft polymer perimeter edge for cushioning. In the Flex redesign, the soft polymer edge has been extended to include the side areas of the cup, providing a more comfortable fit during dynamic body movements. This innovative design absorbs and evenly distributes impact forces to the pubic bone and soft tissues, maximizing protection.

The Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup is made using state-of-the-art technology. The cup is crafted from high-impact resistant polycarbonate (Sabic 124R-701), ensuring durability and strength. The flex side of the cup is made from a medical compliant overmolding Thermoplastic Elastomer (GLS 1040X-1), which offers excellent adhesion to the polycarbonate material. This combination of materials provides optimal protection and comfort.

Comfort and fit are essential when it comes to athletic cups, and the Nutty Buddy Flex excels in both areas. The cup comes in three different sizes - Hog (small), Trophy (medium), and Mongo (large) - ensuring a perfect fit for athletes of all sizes. The soft rubber wing of the cup provides cushioning comfort and absorbs any impacts, while the cup itself can be easily installed into existing sport pants and jock straps.

The Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup underwent extensive research and testing to ensure its effectiveness. Observational research was conducted to obtain the necessary measurements, using vacuum-formed shells to gather user size and comfort feedback. This data was then used to develop different sizes of prototype models, which were tested by professional baseball players. Their valuable feedback allowed the designers to refine the final shapes and sizes for each cup category.

Despite the challenges faced during the design process, such as maintaining structural integrity and durability, the Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup emerged as a superior product. The designers addressed areas that needed improvement, including comfort, flexibility, ventilation, and security of location. The result is a cup that not only offers superior protection but also maximizes comfort and range of motion.

The Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup was patented under US Patent No: US 7,004,921 by Mark Littell in 2006 and US Patent No: US 7,670,309 by Mark Littell in 2010. This recognition highlights the innovative and groundbreaking nature of this design.

With its groundbreaking design, advanced materials, and unparalleled comfort, the Nutty Buddy Flex Athletic Cup is a game-changer in the world of athletic protection. Whether on the baseball field, soccer pitch, or any other sports arena, athletes can now perform with confidence, knowing that their most sensitive areas are well-protected.