PROTECTIVE KNEE BAND

Abstract

A protective knee band having a tube-shaped band with protective front knee area. The tube shaped band can be a multi-layer band with elastic bands on each end. The protective front knee area can include an additional cushion layer and a flexible rubberized pad. The protective knee band allows the skin under the band to breathe while protecting the knee. The band also can easily be pushed down the leg from the knee to the ankle when not required and then pulled back up to the knee when required.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/889,674, filed on Oct. 11, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to personal protective devices and, more specifically to a knee protector for use when kneeling and moving about on the knees.

2. Description of the Related Art

Landscapers, gardeners, and grounds people, both professional and amateur, spend a significant amount of time on their knees weeding and planting as well as installing mulch, dirt, and/or decorative stone. During these activities, the worker's knees can be subjected to hard surfaces and abrasive objects that can damage the knees. In order to avoid the damage that can be caused to their knees, workers typically are forced to wear long pants (e.g., jeans) to avoid any directed contact with their knees. Given that outdoor work often occurs during high temperatures during the summer months, the need to wear pants can result in an uncomfortable working environment. In addition, the pants are subject to significant wear and dirt.

Other existing solutions employed by workers include the use of strap on bulky plastic knee pads typically used by the carpet installers to the protect knees. These knee pads are generally uncomfortable in use and are difficult to move along the leg when not needed (e.g., to move down to the ankle when not needed). Another solution is the use of foam mats (e.g., square or rectangle shaped) that are moved from area to area as the worker progresses through the landscaping. The need to move the cumbersome foam mats can slow the progress of work and the mats obstruct access to the ground.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a protective garment for a user that has a tube extending from a first end to a second end to define an intermediate portion therebetween. A first elastic band coupled to the first end of the tube, and a second elastic band coupled to the second end of the tube. A pad affixed to the intermediate portion of the tube. The pad may include a cushion and can further include a protective layer over the cushion. The protective layer is waterproof and can be made from latex. In use, a user obtains the protective garment of the invention and positions the tube about the leg of the user so that the pad is positioned in covering relation to the knee of the user. As a result, the knee is protected without the need for complicated straps or pant legs, and the protective garment still allows for breathability and can be readily moved into and out of position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary protective knee band;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary protective knee band;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the protective front knee area of the exemplary protective knee band;

FIG. 4 is view of the exemplary protective knee band in use on the knees of a worker; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the exemplary protective knee band on the ankles of a worker;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a protective knee band 100 having a protective front knee area 101. In one embodiment, the protective knee band 100 includes a tube-shaped band 110 with protective front knee area 101 and a rear area 102 that goes around the back of a leg. Tube-shaped band 110 can be a multi-layer (e.g., two or more layers), elasticized, acrylic and wool knit, flexible, and breathable band with a first elastic band 121 on one end and a second elastic band 122 on the end. For example, the band 110 can be manufactured in the same configuration as a leg warmer used for a dancer, i.e., as a knit of polyester, rayon and/or wool, in the form of a garment which conforms to fit comfortably, yet snug, against a leg.

In one embodiment, the protective front knee area 101 can include an additional cushion layer 130 located on the outer side 111 of the band 110. For example, the cushion layer 130 can be affixed to the band 110, such as by sewing, and can be made of the same material as the band 110. An inner side 132 of the cushion layer 130 can alternatively or additionally bonded to the outer side 111 of the band 110 using an adhesive.

The protective front knee area 101 may also include a flexible rubberized water resistant pad 140 located on outer side 111 of cushion layer 130. In one embodiment, inner side 142 of pad 140 is bonded to an outer side 131 of the cushion layer 130 using an adhesive. The inner side 142 of pad 140 can be dipped in an adhesive before compression against the cushion layer 130 (or directly on to the band 110 if no cushion layer 130 is used). Pad 140, including its outer side 141, is constructed from a protective material to prevent damage to the knee of a worker during use. For example, the pad can be made of latex or a similarly resilient polymeric material, such as a polymerized siloxane (silicone), styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, acrylic polymers, polyvinyl acetate, or a solid foam, such as a closed cell foam.

FIG. 4 shows protective knee band 100 in use on the knees of a worker in a first position for protecting the knees of the user. Referring to FIG. 5, protective knee band 100 may also be positioned on the ankles of a worker. As can be seen in the figures, protective knee band 100 can be positioned around the legs of a user, as seen in FIG. 4, so that the knees are protected during kneeling activities by pad 140, with band 100 is kept in position by elastic bands 121 and 122. Band 100 can easily be pushed down around the ankles of a user, as seen in FIG. 5, when not needed. When in use, protective knee pad 140 is positioned so that it is located between the top of the calf and the lower thigh to provide more protection to the knee caps of a user.

Protective knee band 100 allows the skin under the band to breathe while protecting the knee. Protective knee band 100 also can easily be pushed down the leg from the knee to the ankle when not required and then pulled back up to the knee when required. Protective knee band 100 is preferably lightweight and flexible, and us thus comfortable to wear and can be easily laundered. Protective knee band 100 can be used with shorts in warmer temperatures since pants are not required to protect the knee.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A protective garment for a user, comprising:

a tube extending from a first end to a second end to define an intermediate portion therebetween;

a first elastic band coupled to the first end of the tube;

a second elastic band coupled to the second end of the tube; and

a pad affixed to the intermediate portion of the tube.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a cushion.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the pad further comprises a protective layer over the cushion.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the protective layer is waterproof.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the protective layer comprises latex.

6. A method of protecting the knee of a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a tube that extends from a first end to a second end to define an intermediate portion therebetween and includes a first elastic band coupled to the first end of the tube, a second elastic band coupled to the second end of the tube, and a pad affixed to the intermediate portion of the tube;

positioned the tube about the leg of the user so that the pad is positioned in covering relation to the knee of the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pad comprises a cushion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pad further comprises a protective layer over the cushion.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the protective layer is waterproof.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the protective layer comprises latex.