PROTECTIVE PAD ASSEMBLY, AND RELATED KITS, APPLICATIONS, AND METHODS
A protective pad assembly is provided for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad assembly over a body part of the user. The protective pad assembly includes a pad, and a securing device including an exterior securing component configured to be disposed outside of the garment and an interior securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with the exterior securing component. The exterior securing component or the interior securing component includes a male member, and the other of the exterior securing component or the interior securing component includes a female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the male member with the garment worn by the user captured therebetween.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/213,937 filed Sep. 3, 2015, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an improved protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment, applications of the protective pad assembly, and methods of releasably attaching the protective pad assembly to a garment.
BACKGROUNDTypically, protective pads and cushioning devices, such as kneepads, attach to a body part of a user over a garment by belt straps, clips, wraps, elastic stretching, glues, tapes or adhesives. For example,
Other known protective pad assemblies have the drawbacks of requiring permanent alterations to the garment fabric and damaging the garment fabric, such as by requiring or creating holes in the garment fabric in order to attain proper attachment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by to user of the protective pad assembly over a body part of the user. The protective pad assembly includes a pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment. The protective pad assembly further includes a securing device including an exterior securing component configured to be disposed outside of the garment, and an interior securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with the exterior securing component. The exterior securing component or the interior securing component comprises a male member, and the other of the exterior securing component or the interior securing component comprises a female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the male member with the garment worn by the user captured therebetween. The interior or exterior securing component is attached to the pad.
A second aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad assembly over a body part of the user. The protective pad assembly includes an exterior pad, an interior pad, and a securing device. The exterior pad is configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment. The interior pad is configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed inside of the garment. The securing device comprises an exterior securing component attached to the exterior pad, and an interior securing component attached to the interior pad and configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with the exterior securing component. The exterior securing component or the interior securing component comprises a male member, and the other of the exterior securing component or the interior securing component comprises a female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the male member with the garment worn by the user captured therebetween.
A third aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad assembly over a body pan of the user. The protective pad assembly includes a first pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment, and at least one second pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed adjacent to the first pad. The protective pad assembly further includes a securing device including a first securing component attached to the first pad, and a second securing component attached to the at least one second pad and configured to be disposed in substantial alignment with the first securing component. The first securing component or the second securing component comprises a first male member, and the other of the first securing component or the second securing component comprises a first female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the first male member. The protective pad assembly also includes an additional securing device including a third securing component attached to the at least one second pad and a fourth securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with the third securing component. The third securing component or the fourth securing component comprises a second male member, and the other of the third securing component or the fourth securing component comprises a second female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the second male member.
According to further aspects of the invention, methods are provided for releasably attaching the protective pad assemblies of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention to a garment.
According to still further aspects of the invention, applications are provided in which the protective pad assemblies of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention are releasably attached to a garment.
Other aspects of the invention, including kits, assemblies, subassemblies, applications, methods, processes, and the like which constitute part of the invention, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments.
The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of the invention. It should be noted that the invention in its broader aspects is not necessarily limited to the specific details, representative materials and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and exemplary methods. Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the drawings. The specific articles illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, the word “a” as used in the claims means “at least one.”
A protective kneepad assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment is generally designated by reference numeral 20 in
The exterior securing component 26 and the interior securing component 28 collectively establish a securing device configured to releasably attach the pad member 24 to the pants 22 by capturing a thickness of the pants 22 material between the components 26 and 28. In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of
The quantity and locations of the exterior securing components 26 are complementary to the quantity and locations of the interior securing components 28 so that in use each exterior securing component 26 is in substantial alignment with a corresponding interior securing, component 28. For example, in
The mechanically mating female and male portions of the exterior securing component 26 and the interior securing component 28 are configured to include a clearance or space therebetween. The clearance/space substantially corresponds to and compensates for the garment material thickness, that is, so that the garment 22 may be received between the mechanically mating portions of the exterior and interior securing components 26 and 28 without creating any holes, tears, or the like in the garment 22. Thus, the exterior and interior securing components 26 and 28 firmly capture, grip, and secure the fabric of the garment 22 to provide increased holding strength of the protective kneepad assembly 20 onto the pants leg of the garment 22 without permitting sliding of the garment 22 relative to the mechanically mated components 26 and 28 of the securing devices.
In the first exemplary embodiment of
As best shown in
The catch (female-containing) components and the strike (male-containing) components of the securing devices are interchangeable with one another. For example, although the exterior securing component 26 is embodied in
An example of the exterior securing component 26 embodied as a catch is illustrated in
An example of the interior securing component 28 embodied as a strike is illustrated in
The female members 36 illustrated in connection with the first exemplary embodiment includes legs that are sufficiently flexible to flare apart from one another to receive the male members 40 inserted for mating, yet sufficiently resilient to return substantially to their original configuration when mated to the male members 40, thereby mechanically retaining the male members 40 in mated relationship until a predetermined force pulls the securing members 26 and 28 apart from one another. Generally, the predetermined force required to separate the mated securing members 26 and 28 should be greater than typical forces acting on the members 26 and 28 during intended use of the protective kneepad assembly 20 by the wearer.
The exterior or interior securing components 26 or 28 can be attached and reinforced to the pad 24 (depending upon whether the pad 24 is exterior or interior to the garment 22) using any suitable fastener, means, or method. For example, according to one embodiment best illustrated in
The female members 36/36A and the male members 40140A are complementary in design to releasably mechanically mate with one another and provide a clearance to receive and capture the garment 22 (along a thickness direction) between the mating members 36/36A and 40/40A. In this manner, the mating exterior and interior securing components 26 and 28 of the securing devices securely affix the protective kneepad assembly 20 to a pants leg at the knee of the garment 22.
It shall be appreciated that both the female members 36/36A and the male members 40/40A are not restricted or limited to any one design and/or form, and can be fabricated in various arrangements, pull strengths, sizes, thicknesses and shapes such as speared shaped, round, rectangular, square, and oval. For example, according to further variations of the first and other exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the securing devices with male and female members that releasably mechanically mate with one another may be embodied as an adjustable tension catch device (
A protective kneepad assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 50 in
As best shown in
The pad 54 is also 180 degree interchangeable, rotatable and reversible, thereby allowing the wearer to change the position of the pad 54 to relocate the caps 55 from top to the bottom and/or from the bottom to the top. Because of 180-degree interchangeability, the pad 54 serves as an all-in-one unit. Additionally, the user may substitute the plain-face (non-capped) pad 24 with the capped pad 54, further allowing the user to change the level of protection desired to adapt to the type of surface with which the wearer will come into contact.
The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements, alternatives, variations, and other features described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention and
A protective kneepad assembly according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 70 in
The protective kneepad assembly 70 includes an interior pad 74 designed to be disposed inside of the pants leg of the garment 72 and an exterior pad 76 designed to be disposed outside of the pants leg of the garment 72. The interior pad 74 and the exterior pad 76 may be flexible materials, especially impact absorbing materials that provide a cushioning effect. The protective kneepad assembly 70 further includes securing devices in the form of at least one interior securing component 78 directly and non-releasably attached to the interior pad 74 and at least one exterior securing component 80 directly and non-releasably attached to the exterior pad 76. The two securing devices illustrated in
The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements, alternatives, variations, and other features described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention and
A protective kneepad assembly according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 90 in
The protective kneepad assembly 90 includes an exterior (first) pad 92 configured to be disposed outside of the pants leg of the garment, at least one transitional or intermediary (second) pad 94, and an interior (third) pad 96 configured to be disposed inside of the pants leg of the garment. The at least one transitional pad 94 is situated between the exterior pad 92 and the interior pad 96, and may be disposed inside or outside of the pants leg of the garment. The exterior, transitional, and interior pads 92, 94, and 96 may be flexible materials, especially impact absorbing materials that provide a cushioning effect. The transitional pad 94 is positioned sandwich between the exterior pad 92 and the interior pad 96. The transitional pad 94 creates an additional layer of protective cushioning of the wearer. It should be understood that the protective kneepad assembly 90 may include one, two, three, or more transitional pads 94 to further extend and provide as much additional layers of protective cushioning needed by the wearer. If more than one transitional pads 94 are included, the transitional pads optionally may be connected to one another using the strike and catch releasable mechanical mating devices described herein.
The protective kneepad assembly 90 further includes securing devices, specifically two securing devices for connecting a front face of the interior pad 96 to a rear face 98 of the transitional pad 94, and two additional securing devices for connecting a front face 99 of the transitional pad 94 to a rear face of the exterior pad 92. As best shown in
As best shown in
The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements, alternatives, variations, and other features described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention and
The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements, alternatives, variations, and other features described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention and
As shown in
The protective pad assemblies described herein may be configured for other body parts, particularly body joints such as a protective elbow pad assembly for a shirt sleeve to protect the elbow. Other possible body parts that may be protected by the protective pad assembly include, by way of non-limiting examples, shins, wrists, shoulders, the torso, and the neck.
The protective pad assemblies in accordance exemplary embodiments described herein is an economical alternative to the prior art and is an improved pad assembly that incorporates improved securing devices in the form of interior and exterior securing components with female (catch) and male (strike) members that mechanically mate (without requiring magnetic attraction) to secure the protective pad assemblies to the garment so as to permit limitation or elimination of the use of expensive magnets and alterations of the fabric and garment. The interior and exterior securing components firmly capture the garment to grip and clamp the garment in place relative to the securing components. In this manner, the interior and exterior securing components mechanically mating with the garment substantially eliminate slippage and sliding movement of the protective pad assemblies relative to the garments, which still permitting relatively simple mechanical release to permit removal of the protective pad assemblies from the garments.
The protective pad assemblies of the exemplary embodiments may be attached to the garment 22 while the garment 22 is worn by the user, or before the user puts on the garment 22. Generally, “interior” parts of the protective pad assemblies to be are worn inside of the garment 22 may be slid into the garment, such as up or down a pants leg or shirt sleeve, into position over the knee, elbow, or other body part to be protected. The exterior securing members are mated with the interior securing members (by inserting the male member into the female member of the female member into engagement with the male member) to capture the garment 22 therebetween. Adjustments to the positioning of the pad(s) on the body part may be made by unmating the securing components, adjusting the pad(s), and re-mating the securing components to capture the garment r.
The method may be accomplished using additional or fewer steps. Also, the steps may be performed in various sequences.
The structures, methods, and other features of the embodiments described above may be combined with one another and modified by persons skilled in the art having reference to this disclosure.
The description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes. While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described with the reference to the kneepad assembly, it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to other variations and alternative embodiments, such as an elbow pad assembly for releasable attaching to a garment such as a shirt or jacket (not shown). The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Multiple variations and alternative embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments disclosed hereinabove are chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated as long as the principles described herein are followed. The application is intended to cover variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. It is also intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended thereto.
Claims
1. A protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of said protective pad assembly over a body part of the user, said protective pad assembly comprising:
- a pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact; and
- a securing device comprising an exterior securing component configured to be disposed outside of the garment, and a interior securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with said exterior securing component, said exterior securing component or said interior securing component comprising a male member, and the other of said exterior securing component or said interior securing component comprising a female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to said male member with the garment worn by the user captured therebetween, wherein the interior securing component or the exterior component is attached to the pad.
2. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said male and female members are configured to releasably mechanically mate with one another to firmly capture the garment therebetween in a manner that prevents slippage of the garment relative to said releasably mechanically mated male and female members.
3. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said male member comprises a strike attached to a corresponding first plate and wherein said female member comprises a catch attached to a corresponding second plate.
4. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said male and female members are configured to include a clearance therebetween when releasably mechanically mated with one another, the clearance being configured to receive and capture the garment.
5. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing device comprises a roller catch, a knuckle catch, an adjustable tension catch, a spring button catch, or a combination thereof.
6. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said pad comprises an exterior pad to which said exterior securing component is attached, and wherein said interior securing component is not attached to an interior pad configured to be disposed inside of the garment.
7. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said pad comprises an interior pad to which said interior securing component is attached, and wherein said exterior securing component is not attached to an exterior pad configured to be disposed outside of the garment.
8. The protective pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior pad further comprises a protective cap.
9. A protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of said protective pad assembly over a body part of the user, said protective pad assembly comprising:
- an exterior pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment;
- an interior pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed inside of the garment; and
- a securing device comprising an exterior securing component attached to said exterior pad, and an interior securing component attached to said interior pad and configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with said exterior securing component, said exterior securing component or said interior securing component comprising a male member and the other of said exterior securing component or said interior securing component comprising a female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to said male member with the garment worn by the user captured therebetween.
10. The protective pad assembly of claim 9, wherein said male and female members are configured to releasably mechanically mate with one another to firmly capture the garment therebetween in a manner that prevents slippage of the garment relative to said releasably mechanically mated male and female members.
11. The protective pad assembly of claim 9, wherein said male member comprises a strike attached to a corresponding first plate and wherein said female member comprises a catch attached to a corresponding second plate.
12. The protective pad assembly of claim 9, wherein said male and female members are configured to include a clearance therebetween when releasably mechanically mated with one another, the clearance being configured to receive and capture the garment.
13. The protective pad assembly of claim 9, wherein said securing device comprises a roller catch, a knuckle catch, an adjustable tension catch, a spring button catch, or a combination thereof.
14. The protective pad assembly of claim 9, wherein said exterior pad further comprises a protective cap.
15. A protective pad assembly for releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of said protective pad assembly over a body part of the user, said protective pad assembly comprising:
- a first pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment;
- at least one second pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed adjacent to said first pad;
- a securing device comprising a first securing component attached to said first pad, and a second securing component attached to said at least one second pad and configured to be disposed in substantial alignment with said first securing component, said first securing component or said second securing component comprising a first male member, and the other of said first securing component or said second securing component comprising a first female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to said first male member; and
- an additional securing, device comprising a third securing component attached to said at least one second pad, and a fourth securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in substantial alignment with said third securing component, said third securing component or said fourth securing component comprising a second male member, and the other of said third securing component or said fourth securing component comprising a second female member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to said second male member.
16. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, further comprising a third pad configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed inside of the garment, wherein the fourth securing device is attached to the third pad.
17. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, wherein said first male member and said first female member are configured to releasably mechanically mate with one another to firmly capture the garment therebetween in a manner that prevents slippage of the garment relative to said releasably mechanically mated first male and female members.
18. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, wherein said second male member and said second female member are configured to releasably mechanically mate with one another to firmly capture the garment therebetween in a manner that prevents slippage of the garment relative to said releasably mechanically mated second male and female members.
19. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, wherein said fast and second male members comprise strikes attached to corresponding first plates and wherein said first and second female members comprise catches attached to corresponding second plates.
20. The protective pad assembly of claim 17, wherein said first male member and said first female member are configured to include a clearance therebetween when releasably mechanically mated with one another, the clearance being configured to receive and capture the garment.
21. The protective pad assembly of claim 18, wherein said second male member and said second female member are configured to include a clearance therebetween when releasably mechanically mated with one another, the clearance being configured to receive and capture the garment.
22. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, wherein said additional securing device comprises a roller catch, a knuckle catch, an adjustable tension catch, a spring button catch, or a combination thereof.
23. The protective pad assembly of claim 15, wherein said first pad further comprises a protective cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 1, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 9, 2017
Inventors: John A. Picone (Oceanside, NY), Joseph M. Pardillo (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 15/254,404