Abstract: A joint protector for protecting a human user's knee or elbow from injury. The protector is comprised of a cushion pad which is shaped to fit about portions of the user's knee or elbow. A cap is fitted about the outer surface of the cushion pad and a flexible cover overlies the outer face of the cap. In one embodiment a support carries a cup-shaped cap that is formed of an elastic, compliant material. The cap elastically deforms, responsive to forces impacting on a small area, in an amount sufficient to spread the forces over a flat area as the forces are transferred into and absorbed by the cushion pad. The cap returns to its initial shape when the impact forces are removed. A mechanism is provided for removably attaching the joint protector to the user's knee or elbow joint.

Abstract: A protective device which can be employed for preventing injuries to a person's limbs in active sports and work activities. The device is comprised of a cushioning pad, a replaceable wear cap and a fastening structure which releasably fastens between the inner surface of the wear cap and the outer surface of the cushioning pad. The cushioning pad is adapted to fit about a limb of the user. The fastening structure includes a first layer which is comprised of a material having a plurality of loops, and a second layer comprised of a material having a plurality of hooks. The hooks of the second layer are unidirectional and when the two layers are brought into facing contact the hooks and loops interengage in a manner so that the wear cap has a greater resistance to force components vectored opposite the common direction in which the hooks face.

Abstract: A wrist guard to protect against injury to a person's hand or wrist when engaging in active sports. The guard comprises a body having a palm portion which carries a palm splint, a wrist portion having a cuff edge which fits about the user's wrist, and a flap portion which carries an elongated strap. The body carries a back splint secured to its backside as well as a thumbhole which fits about the user's thumb. Fasteners are provided for releasably fastening both the flap portion and the strap in a closed position about the user's wrist. The outer edge of the flap portion is configured so that when in a closed position it is substantially out of restraining relationship with the little finger side of the user's hand to enable the hand to laterally flex.

Abstract: A safety glove for use by people engaged in active sports or in industrial job activities to protect against hyperextension of ligaments and tendons in the wrist. The glove includes a body having palm and back portions joined to fit about the hand. An inelastic wrist strap is attached at its proximal end to the body and extends along a length sufficient to wrap about the person's wrist in the range of one and one-half to substantially three turns, depending upon the requirements of the particular sports or job activity. Finger receptacles are formed for receiving the thumb and fingers of the person's hand. In one embodiment the strap tapers from an enlarged proximal end to a smaller width at the distal end. In another embodiment the strap is of substantially uniform width along its length.