Protective Ankle And Calf Sleeve
Aspects hereof relate to protective gear that is comfortable and supportive. The protective gear is a knitted or woven sleeve with impact-dampening pads of different shapes and sizes placed in strategic areas of the sleeve to provide protection to a foot and ankle area of an athlete's foot. In particular, the impact-dampening pads are placed on areas of the sleeve corresponding to a lower shin portion, a medial and lateral malleolus, and the Achilles tendon of an athlete wearing the protective gear.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/792,278, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Protective Ankle Sleeve,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/914,736, filed Dec. 11, 2013, entitled “Protective Ankle and Calf Sleeve.” The entirety of the aforementioned applications is incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELDAspects hereof relate to protective gear. More particularly, an ankle sleeve, or ankle and calf sleeve, is disclosed for use by an athlete participating in or practicing sports, such as soccer, football, etc., to prevent injuries and to provide support to the athlete's legs around the ankles.
BACKGROUNDAthletes who practice impact sports like soccer are prone to injuries and, therefore, require extra protective gear, particularly for the lower extremities. The protective gear used, although very necessary, can be heavy and/or uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time. As such, athletes may be prone not to wear their protective gear during practice sessions. However, athletes are still prone to injuries during practice sessions, a risk that may be exacerbated if an athlete chooses not to wear protective gear during practice.
Therefore, there is a need for light and comfortable protective gear that can be regularly worn while still providing a degree of protection for the athlete.
BRIEF SUMMARYAspects hereof generally relate to protective gear for an ankle and/or shin area of an athlete's or user's legs (hereinafter, athlete and user will be used interchangeably). The protective gear comprises a sleeve that features special padded regions for optimal protection without compromising comfort. The ankle sleeve may be knit from synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or a blend of synthetic and natural fibers. Alternatively, woven materials can be used along with a strategic stitch line arranged for the comfort of the athlete. Thus, the disclosed protective gear is comfortable and can be worn on a regular basis for prolonged periods of time, increasing the user's safety in all instances, such as, for example, practice and actual game play.
The protective gear features special padding at strategic locations to offer added protection without compromising comfort. The main foot and ankle regions of an athlete protected by the protective gear may be, but are not limited to, the Achilles tendon, the medial malleolus, the lateral malleolus, and the lower shin region.
The main body of the protective gear may be knit, and in particular may be made using a circular knit, into a sleeve so that the final product has no uncomfortable seams pressing down on the ankle or foot of a user. The sleeve may be knit from a combination of different types of yarns to impart different physical properties to the sleeve. For example, elastic yarns may be employed to knit an elastic sleeve that imparts higher compression strength on the ankle and foot than a regular knitted sock. The desired level of compression may be adjusted. For example, the protective gear may be more compressive than a regular sock but less compressive than a medical sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve may be made from woven materials with strategic stitch or sewing lines arranged for the comfort of the athlete.
The ankle sleeve may be designed to cover at least a portion of the foot and at least a portion around the ankle area of a user. The ankle sleeve may also be designed with a system for extending the protected region from just the lower shin to the whole shin, for example, all the way up to a region just below the knee.
The cushioning used for padding may comprise an impact-resistant foam such as a polyurethane foam. The foam density may be uniform throughout all the cushioned regions or may be varied in the different cushioned regions.
Some or all cushioning pads may feature an extra protective layer to provide abrasion and/or laceration protection. The extra protective layer may comprise a rubbery piece and/or a hard plastic shell over the cushioning pads. Alternatively or additionally, a protective layer may provide protection from abrasion and/or laceration without an underlying pad to provide cushioning.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the technology.
Aspects hereof are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of certain aspects is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Aspects hereof relate to protective gear that is wearable by athletes of high impact sports that require protection in the foot and ankle area. The protective gear includes a plurality of cushioning pads located at strategic locations to provide optimal protection against potential injuries from impact to the ankle and foot area of an athlete of sports like, for example, soccer.
Accordingly, in one aspect, protective gear is disclosed for an ankle and foot of an athlete that is comfortable enough to be used regularly and at the same time provides the support and protection needed for preventing injuries. More particularly, the protective gear, when used, is effective in preventing high impact injuries such as trauma.
To maximize comfort, the main body of the protective gear may comprise a knitted sleeve. The knitted sleeve may be knitted using a circular knitting technique such that no seams will compromise the comfort of the knitted sleeve. The knitted sleeve may be structured generally to fit and cover at least a portion of the foot and ankle of an athlete. In one example, the sleeve may be knitted continuously like a sock, covering the whole foot, toes, and ankle of an athlete when worn. In another example, the sleeve may be knit like a sock without the toe portion, and in yet another different example, the sleeve may be knit without a toe and heel portion (as generally shown in the drawings). The length of the knitted sleeve may be adjusted according to the area of protection desired, particularly for the shin of a leg of an athlete.
The knitted sleeve can be knitted from a combination of different types of yarns, such as elastic yarns for providing elasticity, moisture management yarns for controlling moisture build up in the sleeve when worn, high resilience yarns to provide resiliency, natural fiber yarns to provide softness and comfort, etc. Examples of elastic yarns are, for example, elastane or spandex yarns; examples of resilient yarns may include, for example, Kevlar® yarns; and moisture management yarns may be synthetic yarns that have wicking properties or yarns treated with moisture management coatings that have the properties of wicking moisture away from the skin. A knitted sleeve, in accordance with the present invention, may be formed from natural fibers such as cotton, from synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon (or examples listed above), and/or from a mixture or blend of such fibers. Moreover, different types of fibers and/or different blends of fibers may be used at different locations on a knitted sleeve.
The amount of each type of yarn, and more particularly, the amount of the elastic yarns, may be adjusted such that the sleeve may provide compressive support to the ankle and foot of an athlete when worn. The amount of elasticity may be especially controlled such that the amount of compression offered by the sleeve may be higher than a regular sock but lower than a medical compression sleeve.
In another aspect, protective gear is disclosed for the ankle and foot area of an athlete further comprising cushioning pads in strategic areas of the outer surface of the knitted sleeve. The cushioning pads can be made of materials that absorb impact. Such impact-absorbing materials may be, for example, foam materials, such as polyurethane foams, polystyrene foams, Styrofoam, etc. The foam material density and thickness may be uniform throughout the protective gear or may be varied at different regions of the protective gear. Also, different combinations of foam materials may be used at different areas of the protective gear, depending on the type and amount of protection desired. For example, a foam used for cushioning pads protecting bony areas may be denser than the foam used for cushioning pads protecting muscular areas. The thickness of the foam may alternatively or additionally be varied for cushioning pads in different regions, depending on the amount of impact resistance desired.
In different aspects, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) may be used for the cushioning pads instead of foam materials. The TPE material used, like the foam materials, may be provided with different thickness and density according to the different cushioning pads provided to different areas of the protective gear.
Other materials suitable for the formation of the cushioning pads may be, for example, a lofted knit structure or a spacer mesh structure. All the materials presented above and any other material suitable for the formation of pads may be used. Further, a combination of different materials may be used for forming each individual pad, or different materials may be used at different regions in the protective gear providing a more customizable protective profile to the protective gear.
The cushioning pads may be affixed to the outer surface of the knitted sleeve at, for example, areas corresponding to an Achilles tendon, a medial malleolus, a lateral malleolus, and a lower shin area. The cushioning pads may be affixed onto the knitted sleeve by, for example, securing an overlaying textile or other sheet-type material to the knitted sleeve over one or more cushioning pads. An overlaying textile or sheet-type material may be secured to the knitted sleeve by sewing around a perimeter of each cushioning pad, by applying a hot melt adhesive around a perimeter of each cushioning pad, or by other means. For example, cushioning pads may also be affixed onto the outer surface of the knitted sleeve by applying an ultrasonically activated adhesive around the edge of each pad. The cushioning pads may also be inserted into pockets formed from the same material as the knitted sleeve, or the pockets may be formed from a different material having at least the same stretchability as the knitted sleeve on the surface of the knitted sleeve. After insertion of the cushioning pads into the pockets, the pockets may be subsequently sealed. The pads may also be affixed onto the knitted sleeve by placing an adhesive around the perimeter of each pad, covering the pads with the same material or with a different material that is at least as stretchy as the knitted sleeve, and finally, activating the adhesive so that the pads may be fixed in place without applying any adhesive on the cushioning pads themselves. The “pocket” and the “cover and adhesive” techniques will provide a layer of protection to the pads. Alternatively, any other method suitable for affixing the cushioning pads onto the surface of the knitted sleeve may be employed. Pads may be secured directly to the knit sleeve using an adhesive, if desired.
Depending on the materials used for the cushioning pads, the pads may be as flexible as the knitted sleeve, or the pads may exhibit lower or limited flexibility, which may make the sleeve difficult to wear if the pads are not appropriately positioned and/or configured. Therefore, each cushioning pad in the protective gear may have a shape that is specifically designed for the area that it is meant to protect when worn, as well as to facilitate the donning of the knitted sleeve. As such, the cushioning pads may feature shapes optimal for protection of each of the protected areas, such as the Achilles tendon, the medial malleolus, the lateral malleolus, and the lower shin area of an athlete's foot. Donning of the sleeve may be facilitated by the location and/or geometry of the cushioning pads. For example, strategic slits may be provided in the cushioning pads for easier donning. For example, the pad affixed to the area on the knitted sleeve corresponding to the Achilles tendon, may be a narrow and elongated cushioning pad, thereby preventing the Achilles tendon pad from interfering with donning. The cushioning pad affixed to the area of the lower shin area may be wide enough to cover most of the lower shin and may feature a slit that is at least one-third of the length of the pad to facilitate easy donning of the sleeve. Various slit configurations, such as curvilinear, intersecting slits, angled slits, and the like, may be provided to facilitate donning in accordance with the present invention. In other areas, such as the medial malleolus, there may be more than one pad covering the area so that the sleeve can be easily donned by providing a stretchable padded area without compromising the coverage provided by the pad or pads. Alternatively, a cushioning pad may have a stretch zone that provides somewhat reduced protection but permits greater stretchability for donning.
In yet another aspect, at least one cushioning pad of the protective gear may additionally have a rubbery and/or hard shell to protect the pad against abrasion. The shell may be urethane based, silicone based, polyethylene based, etc. More specifically, the shell may be made of, for example, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a silicone plastic, etc.
Therefore, aspects look to provide at least some of the advantages of protective gear for protection of an ankle and foot of an athlete (e.g., comfort, energy distribution, and energy absorption) while reducing some of the disadvantages associated with traditional protective gear.
The knitted sleeve 150 in
Turning now to each figure,
In the example shown in the figures, the medial cushioning pads 131 and 132 have distinct functions. In particular, the medial cushioning pad 132 is located behind the medial malleolus to protect the bone from stud trauma. Medial cushioning pad 131 may optionally further comprise a protective shell, as may medial cushioning pad 132.
While not depicted, it is contemplated that the cushioning pad 140/340, and the knitted sleeve 150/350, may be lengthened to cover the leg of a user up to a region just below the knee to provide a full-length shin protecting guard.
Like the sleeves described above with respect to
A sleeve 500, similar to sleeve 400, is shown in
The layered construction of the area around cushioning pads 418, 420, 512, and 514 is shown in an exploded view in
While the concepts provided herein discuss the concept of a protective gear and depict a strategically cushioned ankle and foot sleeve in particular, it is contemplated that this concept extends to all types of impact protective gear. For example, features provided herein may be utilized in connection with helmets, clothing, barriers, armor, and other applications.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the disclosed protective gear is well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages, which are obvious and inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible alternative protective garments may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A foot and ankle protective garment, comprising:
- a knitted elastic sleeve portion having an inner and an outer surface configured to wrap around at least a portion of a user's foot and a portion of a user's ankle;
- at least one medial malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the elastic sleeve portion such that a medial malleolus of a user is protected from impact;
- at least one lateral malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the elastic sleeve portion such that a lateral malleolus of a user is protected from impact; and
- a lower shin area cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the elastic sleeve portion such that a lower shin area of a user is protected from impact, wherein the shin area cushioning element includes a vertically oriented slit located on a top side of the lower shin area cushioning element for easy donning of the foot and ankle protective garment.
2. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the lower shin area cushioning element slit has a length that is at least 30% of the total length of the lower shin area cushioning element.
3. The protective garment of claim 1, further comprising an Achilles tendon cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the elastic sleeve portion such that an Achilles tendon of a user is protected from impact.
4. The protective garment of claim 3, wherein the Achilles tendon cushioning element, the at least one medial malleolus cushioning element, the at least one lateral malleolus cushioning element and the lower shin area cushioning element are formed from an impact-absorbing foam.
5. The protective garment of claim 1, further comprising a protective shell disposed over said medial malleolus cushioning element for providing abrasion resistance.
6. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic sleeve is a circularly knit sleeve.
7. The protective garment of claim 6, wherein the elastic sleeve comprises one or more of spandex fibers, moisture management fibers, and natural fibers.
8. The protective garment of claim 1, further comprising an adaptor element for removably attaching a full-length protective shin guard.
9. A foot and ankle protective garment, comprising:
- a woven sleeve portion having an inner and an outer surface configured to wrap around at least a portion of a user's foot and a portion of a user's ankle;
- at least one medial malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve portion such that a medial malleolus of a user is protected from impact;
- at least one lateral malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve portion such that a lateral malleolus of a user is protected from impact; and
- a lower shin area cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve portion such that a lower shin area of a user is protected from impact, wherein the lower shin area cushioning element includes a plurality of discrete pads providing flexibility for easy donning of the foot and ankle protective garment.
10. The protective garment of claim 9, wherein the woven sleeve portion comprises a multi-part sewn garment constructed without seems on an area corresponding to the underside of a wearer's foot.
11. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein the at least one medial malleolus cushioning element, the at least one lateral malleolus cushioning element, and the lower shin area cushioning element are formed from an impact-absorbing foam.
12. The protective garment of claim 11, further comprising a protective shell disposed over said medial malleolus cushioning element for providing abrasion resistance.
13. The protective garment of claim 11, further comprising a protective shell disposed over said lateral malleolus cushioning element for providing abrasion resistance.
14. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein the woven sleeve portion extends upwardly to cover a wearer's shin and calf, and further comprising at least one upper medial shin area cushioning element.
15. The protective garment of claim 14, further comprising at least one upper lateral shin area cushioning element, wherein the upper lateral shin area cushioning element and the upper medial shin area cushioning element cooperate to define a region for a frontal shin protective guard.
16. An ankle impact protective sleeve covering at least a portion of a foot and an ankle of a user, the impact protective sleeve having inner and outer surfaces, comprising:
- a multi-layered medial malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve positioned to cover the medial malleolus of the user;
- a multi-layered lateral malleolus cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve positioned to cover a lateral malleolus of a user; and
- at least one multi-layered lower shin area cushioning element attached to the outer surface of the sleeve such that a lower shin area of a user is protected from impact.
17. The ankle impact protective sleeve of claim 16, wherein an upper layer of the medial malleolus cushioning element and an upper layer of the lateral malleolus cushioning element comprise a protective shell for providing abrasion protection.
18. The ankle impact protective sleeve of claim 17, wherein the sleeve is formed with an elastic knitted material.
19. The ankle impact protective sleeve of claim 17, wherein the sleeve is formed with a woven material and is a sewn construction having at least a first part and a second part sewn together with a seam absent from the area corresponding to the bottom of a wearer's foot.
20. The ankle impact protective sleeve of claim 19, wherein the cushioning elements are attached to the outer surface of the ankle protective sleeve by:
- applying an energy activated adhesive around a perimeter of each cushioning pad;
- covering each cushioning pad with a fabric; and
- activating the adhesive by applying energy to the energy activated adhesive such that the impact protective sleeve and the elastic fabric covering each cushioning pad become permanently bonded to each other at the perimeter of each cushioning pad where the energy activated adhesive was applied.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: Nike, Inc. (Beaverton, OR)
Inventors: Carl Behrend (Portland, OR), Oliver McLachlan (Portland, OR), Catherine F. Morrison (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 14/208,782
International Classification: A41D 13/05 (20060101); A41D 13/06 (20060101);