Knee Pad

A knee pad is an apparatus that prevents the knee(s) of the user from making direct contact with a surface, is mounted to the knee area of the user through straps, and allows the user to utilize any padding. The knee pad includes a first strap, a second strap, a pad-receiving envelope, and an elastic tether. The first strap and the second strap allow the knee pad to be mounted to the knee area of the user. The first strap is a strip of material that can be wrapped around the thigh area of the user. The second strap is a strip of material that can be wrapped around the calf area of the user. The pad-receiving envelope can receive any padding that the user desires. The elastic tether allows the present invention to fit any size thigh and calf area of a user.

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Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/434,909 filed on Dec. 15, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to knee protection devices. More particularly, the present invention is a knee pad which includes a pad-receiving envelope which can receive any padding, straps to attach onto a limb of the user, and an elastic tether allowing the user to adjust the fitting of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Knee pads are used for protecting knees of the user when participating in physical activities or after an injury to the knees. Traditional knee pads provide their own padding preventing the user from choosing their own padding in which the default padding may not be comfortable for the user or simply does not provide sufficient cushioning. Traditional knee pads come in different sizes to accurately fit onto the user though these sizes fall into a range of sizes rather than providing a perfect fit for the user. Also, the user could be a child and still growing where the knee pad will be too small for the user in the future.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a knee pad which allows the user to choose their own padding and can be adjusted to a desired fit for the user. The present invention includes a pad-receiving envelope which can receive any padding. The user can freely insert and remove any padding from the envelope. The present invention also includes straps to attach onto a limb of the user. The straps are flexible and elastic to provide a tight fit around the limb of the user. The present invention also includes an elastic tether which allows the user to adjust the fitting of the present invention. The knee pad is not a fixed size and may fit any user due to the user being able to adjust the fitting through the elastic tether.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention displaying fixed end engaged to the free end.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention is a knee pad that allows a user to easily attach a knee protection device and choose any desired cushion 5. The knee pad comprises a first strap 1, a second strap 2, an elastic tether 4, and a pad-receiving envelope 3. The first strap 1 is a strip of material to wrap around the thigh area of the user. The second strap 2 is a strip of material to wrap around the calf area of the user. The elastic tether 4 allows the present invention to be adjusted to fit any user. The pad-receiving envelope 3 allows the present invention to receive a cushion 5. Therefore, providing protection between the knee of the user and a surface on which the knee of the user makes contact.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to effectively and efficiently protect the knee of the of the user and allows the user to easily attach the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 each comprise a fixed end 21 and a free end 22. The pad-receiving envelope 3 comprises a base 32 and an opening 31. The opening 31 allows the pad-receiving envelope 3 to receive any padding. The base 32 and the opening 31 are positioned opposite to each other across the pad-receiving envelope 3. The fixed end 21 being attached to the free end 22. The fixed end 21 of the first strap 1 is connected adjacent to the elastic tether 4. The pad-receiving envelope 3 is connected adjacent to the elastic tether 4, opposite the fixed end 21 of the first strap 1. The elastic tether 4 is positioned adjacent to the opening 31. The fixed end 21 of the second strap 2 is connected adjacent to the pad-receiving envelope 3, opposite the elastic tether 4. The fixed end 21 is positioned adjacent to the base 32. The arrangement between the pad-receiving envelope 3, the elastic tether 4, the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 positions the first strap 1 to be wrapped around the thigh area and the second strap 2 to be wrapped around the calf area of the user. The arrangement of the fixed end 21 prevents the first strap 1 from being removed from the elastic tether 4. Similarly, the arrangement of fixed end prevents second strap 2 from being removed from the pad-receiving envelope 3. Both the fixed end 21 of the first strap 1 and the pad-receiving envelope 3 are connected to the elastic tether 4 via a sewing method. The fixed end 21 of the second strap 2 is connected to the pad-receiving envelope 3 via a similar sewing method. However, different attachment mechanisms can be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

As seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 each may further comprise a pull-tab 23. The pull-tab 23 allows the user to easily detach the free end 22 from the fixed end 21. The pull-tab 23 is connected adjacent to the free end 22. The arrangement of the pull-tab 23 allows the user to easily distinguish the free end 22 from the fixed end 21. The first strap 1 and the second strap 2 each may further comprise a fastener 24, an inner lateral surface 25, and an outer lateral surface 26 such that a distance between the inner lateral surface 25 and the outer lateral surface 26 determines an overall thickness of the first strap 1 and the second strap 2. When considering the positioning, the elastic tether 4 is connected onto the inner lateral surface 25 of the first strap 1 adjacent to the fixed end 21 of the first strap 1. Moreover, the pad-receiving envelope 3 is connected onto the inner lateral surface 25 of the second strap 2 adjacent to the fixed end 21 of the second strap 2.

With reference to FIG. 5, the fastener 24 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener 24 comprises a first interlocking portion 241 and a second interlocking portion 242. The first interlocking portion 241 is connected across the outer lateral surface 26, adjacent to the fixed end 21. The second interlocking portion 242 is connected across the inner lateral surface 25, adjacent to the free end 22. The arrangement between the fastener 24, the inner lateral surface 25, and the outer lateral surface 26 allows the user to attach the fixed end 21 to the free end 22. Thus, when the present invention is in use, the first interlocking portion 241 is engaged to the second interlocking portion 242. The arrangement of the first interlocking portion 241 and the second interlocking portion 242 allows the user to attach the free end 22 to the fixed end 21 when the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 are wrapped around the thigh area and calf area. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastener 24 is a hook-and-loop fastener that provides a convenient means to attach the free end 22 to the fixed end 21.

The elastic tether 4 is connected onto the inner lateral surface 25 of the first strap 1. The pad-receiving envelope 3 is connected onto the inner lateral surface 25 of the second strap 2. This arrangement allows the user to wrap the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 around thigh area and the calf area without any obstruction from the limbs of the user.

As seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may further comprise a cushion 5 that is positioned inside of the pad-receiving envelope 3. The cushion 5 prevents the knee of the user from making direct contact with an external surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cushion 5 is a foam pad. The foam pad provides adequate protection for the knee of the user. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the cushion 5 is a carpet pad. The carpet pad provides a more rigid cushion protection for the knee. The cushion 5 positioned inside of the pad-receiving envelope 3 can vary in different embodiments to provide different levels of protection for the knee.

The elastic tether 4 comprises a first band 41 and a second band 42. The fixed end 21 of the first strap 1 is terminally connected to the first band 41 and the second band 42. The pad-receiving envelope 3 is terminally connected to the first band 41 and the second band 42, opposite the fixed end 21 of the first strap 1. The first band 41 and the second band 42 provide rigidity to the elastic tether 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first band 41 and the second band 42 are arranged in a crisscross configuration so that the first band 41 and the second band 42 provide uniform compression and expansion when adjusting the elastic tether 4.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 each may further comprise an elastic portion 2 allowing the first strap 1 and second strap 2 to be comfortably wrapped around the knee area of the user. The elastic portion 27 is positioned between the fixed end 21 and the free end 22. The arrangement of the elastic portion 27 allows the user to uniformly expand the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 when wrapping the first strap 1 and the second strap 2 around the thigh and calf. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a length of the first strap 271 is longer than a length of the second strap 272. The length of the first strap 271 is longer than the length of the second strap 272 because the first strap 1 is meant to be wrapped around the thigh area which typically is a larger size than the calf area.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A knee pad comprises:

a first strap;
a second strap;
an elastic tether;
a pad-receiving envelope;
the first strap and the second strap each comprise a fixed end and a free end;
the pad-receiving envelope comprises a base and an opening;
the fixed end being attached to the fixed end;
the base and the opening being positioned opposite to each other across the pad-receiving envelope;
the fixed end of the first strap being connected adjacent to the elastic tether;
the pad-receiving envelope being connected adjacent to the elastic tether, opposite the fixed end of the first strap;
the elastic tether being positioned adjacent to the opening;
the fixed end of the second strap being connected adjacent to the pad-receiving envelope, opposite the elastic tether; and
the fixed end being positioned adjacent to the base.

2. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise a pull-tab; and
the pull-tab being connected adjacent to the free end.

3. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises;

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise a fastener, an inner lateral surface, and an outer lateral surface;
the fastener comprises a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion
the first interlocking portion being connected across the outer lateral surface, adjacent to the fixed end;
the second interlocking portion being connected across the inner lateral surface, adjacent to the free end; and
the first interlocking portion being engaged to the second interlocking portion.

4. The knee pad as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.

5. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a cushion; and
the cushion being positioned inside of the pad-receiving envelope.

6. The knee pad as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cushion is a foam pad.

7. The knee pad as claimed in claim 5, where in the cushion is a carpet pad.

8. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the elastic tether comprises a first band and a second band;
the fixed end of the first strap being terminally connected to the first band and the second band; and
the pad-receiving envelope being terminally connected to the first band and the second band, opposite the fixed end of the first strap.

9. The knee pad as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the first band and the second band being arranged in a crisscross configuration.

10. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises;

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise an elastic portion; and
the elastic portion being positioned in between the fixed end and the free end.

11. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of the first strap is longer than a length of the second strap.

12. The knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises;

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise an inner lateral surface;
the elastic tether being connected onto the inner lateral surface of the first strap; and
the pad-receiving envelope being connected onto the inner lateral surface of the second strap.

13. A knee pad comprises:

a first strap;
a second strap;
an elastic tether;
a pad-receiving envelope;
a cushion;
the cushion being positioned inside of the pad-receiving envelope;
the first strap and the second strap each comprise a fixed end and a free end;
the pad-receiving envelope comprises a base and an opening;
the fixed end being attached to the fixed end;
the base and the opening being positioned opposite to each other across the pad-receiving envelope;
the fixed end of the first strap being connected adjacent to the elastic tether;
the pad-receiving envelope being connected adjacent to the elastic tether, opposite the fixed end of the first strap;
the elastic tether being positioned adjacent to the opening;
the fixed end of the second strap being connected adjacent to the pad-receiving envelope, opposite the elastic tether; and
the fixed end being positioned adjacent to the base.

14. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13 comprises:

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise a pull-tab; and
the pull-tab being connected adjacent to the free end.

15. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13 comprises;

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise a fastener, an inner lateral surface, and an outer lateral surface;
the fastener comprises a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion;
the fastener being a hook-and-loop fastener;
the first interlocking portion being connected across the outer lateral surface, adjacent to the fixed end;
the second interlocking portion being connected across the inner lateral surface, adjacent to the free end;
the first interlocking portion being engaged to the second interlocking portion;
the elastic tether being connected onto the inner lateral surface of the first strap; and
the pad-receiving envelope being connected onto the inner lateral surface of the second strap.

16. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cushion is a foam pad.

17. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13, where in the cushion is a carpet pad.

18. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13 comprises:

the elastic tether comprises a first band and a second band;
the fixed end of the first strap being terminally connected to the first band and the second band;
the pad-receiving envelope being terminally connected to the first band and the second band, opposite the fixed end of the first strap; and
the first band and the second band being arranged in a crisscross configuration.

19. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13 comprises;

the first strap and the second strap each further comprise an elastic portion; and
the elastic portion being positioned in between the fixed end and the free end.

20. The knee pad as claimed in claim 13, wherein a length of the first strap is longer than a length of the second strap.

Patent History
Publication number: 20180168246
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2017
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2018
Inventor: Verdell Zimmer (Commerce City, CO)
Application Number: 15/844,436
Classifications
International Classification: A41D 13/05 (20060101); A41D 13/06 (20060101);