Martial Arts Shin Guard

Abstract

The present invention provides a martial arts shin guard comprising a sleeve portion for surrounding the lower leg and possibly foot of a wearer and a padded plate portion adapted to cover the wearer's lower leg and possibly foot, wherein the padded plate portion is reversibly attachable to the sleeve portion. In another embodiment the present invention is a system for protecting the lower leg of a wearer when engaged in martial arts comprising: an elastic sleeve portion adapted to fit over a portion of the wearer's lower leg, wherein the elastic sleeve portion further comprises a first connector; a padded plate portion, the padded plate portion further comprising at least a shin region and a second connector; and wherein the first connector and the second connector are complimentary to each other thereby allowing the reversible connection of the padded plate portion to the elastic sleeve portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from provisional patent application No. 61/729,486 filed on Nov. 23, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shin guards for use during martial arts training

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai and Kickboxing are contact fight sports characterized by foot, shin and knee strikes. Sparring, or practice fighting, is an integral part of training for these sports. In order to protect participants from injury, a variety of protective gear has been developed. One of the pieces protective equipment used by MMA practitioners is a shin guard. MMA shin guards are typically rigid, padded, items that cover the front portion of the user's lower leg and foot (instep). The shin guards serve the very important role of protecting the bones and nerves of the foot, ankle and shins as well as protecting the user's training partners. Typically the shin guards are fixed to the user by way of straps that wrap around the lower leg of the user and an elastic strap that goes around the bottom of the user's foot. These fastening straps may include hardware such as buckles that may cause injury to participants during training

One of the most significant problems with MMA shin guards is the fact that they do not stay in place during use. The kicks thrown by MMA practitioners are very powerful and often cause the shin guards to rotate about the user's leg. This rotation shifts the padded areas of the shin guard away from the user's shin thus depriving the user and the user's training partner(s) of the protective qualities of the shin guard. Additionally, having to adjust the shin guard during use is distracting, annoying and may place the user in danger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As specified in the Background Section, above, there is a great need in the art to develop new shin guards that stay in place during use and do not incorporate fastening hardware that may cause injury.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a martial arts shin guard comprising a sleeve portion for surrounding the lower leg and possibly foot of a wearer and a padded plate portion adapted to cover the wearer's lower leg and possibly foot, wherein the padded plate portion is reversibly attachable to the sleeve portion.

In another embodiment the present invention is a system for protecting the lower leg of a wearer when engaged in martial arts comprising: an elastic sleeve portion adapted to fit over a portion of the wearer's lower leg, wherein the elastic sleeve portion further comprises a first connector; the invention further comprises a padded plate portion, the padded plate portion further comprising at least a shin region and a second connector; and wherein the first connector and the second connector are complimentary to each other thereby allowing the reversible connection of the padded plate portion to the elastic sleeve portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the shin guard illustrating the padded plate portion's reversible attachment to the elastic sleeve portion.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the padded plate portion showing the shin region, the instep region and the flexible connection between the shin region and the instep region.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the elastic sleeve portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment the present invention is a martial arts shin guard comprising a sleeve portion adapted to fit around the lower leg and optionally the foot of a wearer and a padded plate portion adapted to cover at least the wearer's shin and optionally instep, wherein the padded plate is reversibly attachable to the sleeve portion.

The sleeve may be elastic so as to firmly grip the lower leg of the wearer. In some embodiments the elastic sleeve portion may be adapted to fit the lower leg and foot of the wearer. Any suitable material known to those skilled in the art may be used to make the sleeve portion including elasticized fabrics, textiles, neoprene and the like. Elastic sleeves are routinely used as ankle supports by martial arts practitioners and other athletes and are sold as “Muay Thai Ankle Support Wraps.” The sleeve further comprises a upper portion (11) adapted to fit around the lower leg of a wearer and a foot portion (12) adapted to fit around the foot/instep of a wearer. The upper portion of the sleeve further comprises a front side (7), corresponding to the shin of the wearer and a back side (6) corresponding the calf/achilles tendon region of the wearer. The upper portion of the sleeve may be of varied length. For example the upper portion may extend to just below the knee of the wearer or may end just below the calf muscle (5) of the wearer. Sleeves of intermediate lengths are also contemplated. The front side of the elastic sleeve portion may further comprise padding elements, such as discrete pads, a layer or layers of padding and the like. The upper portion of the sleeve may further comprise a top edge. The top edge may further comprise a band (11) adapted to firmly grip the leg of wearer. The band may be made from any material that will securely grip the leg of the wearer and provide a high friction connection. Rubber as well as highly elasticized textile are specifically contemplated. The foot portion of the sleeve further comprises a top side (13) corresponding the top of the wearer's foot and a bottom side (14) corresponding the bottom of the wearer's foot. A cut-out (20) to accommodate the heel of the wearer may aid the sleeve in conforming to the shape of the wearer's lower leg and foot. The front side of the upper portion of the sleeve (25), and the top side of the lower portion of the sleeve (30) further comprise a first connector. In embodiments where the elastic sleeve portion further comprises padding, the first connector element(s) may be placed on top of the padding. An additional connector may be present on the back side of the upper portion of the sleeve (15). This connector can be used to connect to the optional straps that may be included on the padded plate portion. Any connection means known to those skilled in the art may be utilized, in particular hook and loop connectors are contemplated. Hook and loop closures may be a particularly attractive connector option as it will allow for aesthetic design that incorporates the connector functionality. For example the first connector may take the form of an ornamental pattern or image such as a dragon, tiger, series of octagons or the like.

The padded plate portion (35) of the shin guard provides cushioning and protection to the wearer and the wearer's training partners. The padded plate portion should cover at least the shin of the wearer and optionally the shin and instep of the wearer. In an embodiment, the padded plate portion further comprises an instep region (50) covering a portion of the instep of the foot of the wearer and a shin region (36) covering a portion of the shin of the wearer wherein the instep region is flexibly connected (45) to the shin region allowing for bending and straightening of the wearer's ankle The instep region and the shin region of the padded plate portion each further comprise an inside surface (32) and an outside surface (31). The inside surfaces of the shin portion and the instep portion respectively further comprise a second connector (40, 41), complimentary to the connector on the sleeve. The connector allows for the reversible connection of the padded plate portion to the sleeve portion. Additional closure mechanisms may be included on the padded plate portion to further secure the padded plate portion to the lower leg of the wearer. For example, a strap or straps (55, 56) may be affixed to the padded plate portion so as to wrap around the lower leg of the wearer, at or about the ankle, and or the calf of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment a single strap corresponding the upper calf area (5) of the wearer adds additional closure support. In order to avoid the use of hardware that may cause injury during training, the straps may incorporate a hook and loop connector, or other suitable connection means, that connect directly to connector on the back side of the upper sleeve portion (15). Standard strap hardware may also be used.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein, including all patents, published patent applications, and published scientific articles, are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

Claims

1. A shin guard comprising:

an elastic sleeve portion adapted to fit around the lower leg of a wearer, the elastic sleeve portion further comprising a front side and a back side, wherein the front side of the elastic sleeve portion further comprises a first connector;

a padded plate portion further comprising an instep region covering a portion of the instep of the foot of the wearer and a shin region covering a portion of the shin of the wearer wherein the instep region is flexibly connected to the shin region allowing for bending and straightening of the wearer's ankle, the padded plate portion further comprising an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface of the padded plate portion further comprising a second connector; and

wherein the first connector and the second connector are complimentary to each other thereby allowing the reversible connection of the padded plate portion to the elastic sleeve portion.

2. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the padded plate portion further comprises at least one strap adapted to wrap around the wearer's lower leg.

3. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the padded plate portion further comprises one strap adapted to wrap around the wearer's leg at or about the wearer's calf

4. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the first and second connectors are complimentary hook and loop connectors.

5. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the elastic sleeve portion is constructed of neoprene.

6. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the first connector on the elastic sleeve portion is arranged to form an ornamental design.

7. The shin guard of claim 1 wherein the elastic sleeve portion further comprises a top edge, wherein the top edge further comprises a band adapted to create a high friction connection to the wearer's leg.

8. A system for protecting the lower leg of a wearer when engaged in martial arts comprising:

An elastic sleeve portion adapted to fit over a portion of the wearer's lower leg, wherein the elastic sleeve portion further comprises a first connector;

A padded plate portion, the padded plate portion further comprising at least a shin region and a second connector; and

Wherein the first connector and the second connector are complimentary to each other thereby allowing the reversible connection of the padded plate portion to the elastic sleeve portion.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the padded plate portion further comprises an instep region flexibly connected to the shin region.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the elastic sleeve portion is adapted to fit over the lower leg and foot of the wearer.