Protective Leg Sleeve

A protective leg sleeve. The protective leg sleeve includes a flexible panel having a first lateral edge opposite a second lateral edge. An upper strap is disposed on an upper side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, such that the upper strap can removably secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A lower strap is disposed on a lower side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, such that the lower strap can removably secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. The flexible panel defines a closed configuration having an open upper end and an open lower end, wherein a channel extends therebetween. A plurality of sleeves, each having an aperture extending through a longitudinal axis thereof, are removably securable over each of the upper strap and the lower strap.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/810,647 filed on Feb. 26, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to leg sleeves. More particularly, the present invention pertains to leg sleeves securable about a wearer's shin to provide protection against debris that may be projected towards the wearer during lawnmowing or other landscaping activities.

Many people mow their lawns and otherwise tend to their yards regularly. Often, objects may be hidden amongst the grass such as sticks and rocks, which can then be struck by a lawnmower blade or string trimmer. When such objects are struck, they can be projected and become an impact hazard. Should the object be struck at a specific angle, the object could be launched directly towards the user mowing the lawn. Often, due to the relative heights of the lawnmower blade and the struck objects, impact with the shin, leg, or foot of the user, causing injury or other damage to the user.

Additionally, when tending to a yard, certain hazardous plants may be growing amid the grass, such as poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, or the like. These plants can cause irritation, inflammation, hives, or the like if they come into contact with a user's skin. In some cases, more severe allergic reactions can occur, resulting in significant health risks to the user, rather than a mild inconvenience. Furthermore, while doing yardwork, it is common for contact stains to appear on clothing, such as grass stains from recently cut ends of the grass making contact with the user's clothes. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that can secure about a user's leg to provide protection against flying debris or hazardous plants as well as protecting the user's clothes.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing leg sleeves. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of leg sleeves now present in the known art, the present invention provides a leg sleeve wherein the same can be utilized to protect a wearer's leg against flying debris during landscaping activities.

The present system comprises a flexible panel having a first lateral edge opposite a second lateral edge. An upper strap is disposed on an upper side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, wherein the upper strap is configured to removably secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A lower strap is disposed on a lower side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, wherein the lower strap configured to removably secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. The flexible panel defines a closed configuration having an open upper end and an open lower end, wherein a channel extends therebetween. A plurality of sleeves having an aperture extending through a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the aperture is configured to receive each of the upper strap and the lower strap therethrough. In some embodiments, a lower panel is pivotally affixed to the flexible panel along the lower side thereof.

In some embodiments, the upper and lower straps are adjustable in length. In one embodiment, the upper and lower straps comprise an elastic material allowing each strap to be adjustable in length. In another embodiment, the upper and lower straps further comprise a buckle thereon, the buckle configured to allow a user to adjust and maintain the length of each strap. In some embodiments, a fastener is disposed on a distal end of each of the upper and lower straps, wherein the fastener is configured to removably secure to a complementary fastener disposed on an exterior surface of the flexible panel. In this way, the user can secure the flexible panel in the closed configuration, such that the flexible panel is affixed to a user's leg.

In some embodiments, each corner of the lower side of the flexible panel is beveled. In another embodiment, the beveling extends between the lower strap and the lower side. In this way, the beveling prevents the flexible panel from extending below a user's foot, thereby minimizing tripping risks. In some embodiments having a lower panel, the corners of the lower panel are beveled. In some such embodiments, the beveling extends along an entire length of the lower panel. In other embodiments, the flexible panel further comprises a padded interior layer, such that forces of impact against the flexible panel are reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the protective leg sleeve.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve in the closed configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the flexible panel of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the plurality of sleeves of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve in use.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the protective leg sleeve. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there are shown perspective views of various embodiments of the protective leg sleeve. The protective leg sleeve 11 comprises a flexible panel 12 having a first lateral edge 13 opposite a second lateral edge 14. The flexible panel 12 is configured to encircle at least a portion of a user's leg when worn, such that the flexible panel 12 provides additional protection to the leg of the user in cases where flying debris may strike the user's leg. Additionally, the flexible panel 12 forms a barrier between the user's clothing or skin and external objects, such that damage to the clothing is minimized; for example, via transfer stains from grass or the like. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 1A, each corner 28 of a lower side 18 of the flexible panel 12 is beveled. In this way, the flexible panel 12 is prevented from restricting movement of the user's ankle about the lower side 18. In some embodiments, the angle of the bevel for each corner 28 is between 30-degrees and 45-degrees.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the protective leg sleeve 11 further comprises a lower panel 31 pivotally affixed to a lower side 18 of the flexible panel 12 about a seam 32. In such embodiments, the beveled corners 28 of the lower panel 31 extend along an entire length of the lower panel 31. In this way, the lower panel 31 is configured to fold in order to mimic the contours of an upper portion of a user's foot when the user moves their foot while the protective leg sleeve 11 is worn. In this manner the seam 32 prevents the lower panel 31 from posing a tripping hazard.

An upper strap 15 is affixed to the flexible panel 12 along the first lateral edge 13 at an upper side 16 of the flexible panel 12. The upper strap 15 is configured to removably secure to an opposing second lateral side 14 of the flexible panel 12. A lower strap 17 is affixed to the flexible panel 12 along the first lateral edge 13 at a lower side 18 of the flexible panel 12. Similar to the upper strap 15, the lower strap 17 is configured to removably secure to an opposing second lateral side 14 of the flexible panel 12. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 further comprise a fastener 25 disposed on a distal end 33 of each strap. The fastener 25 is configured to removably secure to a complementary fastener 26 disposed on an external surface 27 of the flexible panel 12. In this way, the flexible panel 12 can be secured in a closed position about a user's leg. In the shown embodiments, the fastener 25 and the complementary fastener 26 comprise hook and loop fasteners, however other fasteners, including snaps, buttons, buckles, and the like, are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiments, each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 are adjustable in length, such that each strap can be selectively lengthened to accommodate users of various sizes. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 1A, each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 comprise an elastic material allowing each strap to selectively increase in length. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1B, each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 further comprise a buckle 24 thereon, wherein the buckle 24 is configured to selectively adjust a length of each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve in the closed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible panel 12 is shown in the closed configuration, wherein the upper strap 15 and the lower strap 17 are secured to the opposing second lateral edge 14 of the flexible panel 12. In the closed configuration, an open upper end 19 is defined opposite an open lower end 20, wherein a channel is defined therebetween, the channel configured to receive a leg of the user therethrough. In the shown embodiment, the first lateral edge 13 rests flush against the second lateral edge 14 when in the closed configuration, such that an entirety of the user's leg is encircled by the flexible panel 12. In this way, the user is protected from flying debris from all angles about the leg. In alternate embodiments, however, the flexible panel 12 is configured to cover only a portion of the user's leg, as shown by the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the flexible panel of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible panel 12 comprises an outer layer 30 encapsulating an inner layer 29, wherein the outer layer 30 comprises a durable, tear resistant material, such as denim, canvas, or the like. In this way, damage to the flexible panel 12 is minimized. In some embodiments, the inner layer 29 comprises a padded material configured to reduce impact forces against the user's leg, such that damage or pain from debris is minimized. This padded material is contemplated to include a variety of impact absorbent material, such as cotton, down, gel, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exploded view of the plurality of sleeves of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective leg sleeve further comprises a plurality of sleeves 22 having an aperture 23 extending through a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the aperture 23 is configured to receive each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 therethrough. In this way, the plurality of sleeves 22 is configured to overlap each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17, providing an added layer of protection thereto, such that damage to the upper and lower straps 15, 17 is minimized. The plurality of sleeves 22 are dimensioned such that the distal end of each of the upper and lower straps 15, 17 is exposed, thereby allowing the fastener to removably secure to the complementary fastener on the exterior surface of the flexible panel 12.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective leg sleeve in use. In one exemplary use, the user an place the flexible panel 12 about a desired leg 35 and secure the upper and lower straps 15, 17 to the flexible panel 12 about the leg 35. In the shown embodiment, the flexible panel 12 is dimensioned to extend between the knee and the ankle of the user, however, in alternate embodiments various heights of flexible panel 12 are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower panel 31 rests along an upper portion of the foot 34 of the user via the hinged connection along the seam 32. As shown, the beveled corners of the lower panel 31 prevent the lower panel from extending below the foot 34 of the user, thereby minimizing tripping risk.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A protective leg sleeve, comprising:

a flexible panel having a first lateral edge opposite a second lateral edge;
an upper strap disposed on an upper side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, the upper strap configured to removably secure an upper portion of the first lateral edge to an upper portion of the second lateral edge;
a lower strap disposed on a lower side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, the lower strap configured to removably secure a lower portion of the first lateral edge to a lower portion of the second lateral edge;
wherein the flexible panel defines a closed configuration having an open upper end and an open lower end, such that a channel extends therebetween;
a plurality of sleeves having an aperture extending through a longitudinal axis thereof;
wherein the aperture is configured to receive each of the upper strap and the lower strap therethrough.

2. The protective leg sleeve of claim 1, wherein the upper strap and the lower strap are adjustable in length.

3. The protective leg sleeve of claim 2, wherein the upper strap and the lower strap comprise an elastic material configured to selectively extend to a desired length.

4. The protective leg sleeve of claim 2, wherein each of the upper strap and the lower strap further comprises a buckle thereon, the buckle configured to selectively adjust a length of each of the upper strap and the lower strap.

5. The protective leg sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a fastener disposed on a distal end of each of the upper strap and the lower strap, wherein the fastener is configured to removably secure to a complementary fastener disposed on an exterior surface of the flexible panel.

6. The protective leg sleeve of claim 1, wherein each corner of the lower side of the flexible panel is beveled.

7. The protective leg sleeve of claim 6, wherein the beveling extends between the lower strap and the lower side.

8. The protective leg sleeve of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel is dimensioned such that the first lateral edge is flush against the second lateral edge when the flexible panel is in the closed configuration.

9. The protective leg sleeve of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel further comprises a padded interior layer.

10. A protective leg sleeve, comprising:

a flexible panel having a first lateral edge opposite a second lateral edge;
an upper strap disposed on an upper side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, the upper strap configured to removably secure an upper portion of the first lateral edge to an upper portion of the second lateral edge;
a lower strap disposed on a lower side of the flexible panel at the first lateral edge, the lower strap configured to removably secure a lower portion of the first lateral edge to a lower portion of the second lateral edge;
wherein the flexible panel defines a closed configuration having an open upper end and an open lower end, such that a channel extends therebetween;
a lower panel pivotally secured to the flexible panel along the lower side thereof;
a plurality of sleeves having an aperture extending through a longitudinal axis thereof;
wherein the aperture is configured to receive each of the upper strap and the lower strap therethrough.

11. The protective leg sleeve of claim10, wherein the upper strap and the lower strap are adjustable in length.

12. The protective leg sleeve of claim 11, wherein the upper strap and the lower strap comprise an elastic material configured to selectively extend to a desired length.

13. The protective leg sleeve of claim 11, wherein each of the upper strap and the lower strap further comprises a buckle thereon, the buckle configured to selectively adjust a length of each of the upper strap and the lower strap.

14. The protective leg sleeve of claim 10, further comprising a fastener disposed on a distal end of each of the upper strap and the lower strap, wherein the fastener is configured to removably secure to a complementary fastener disposed on an exterior surface of the flexible panel.

15. The protective leg sleeve of claim 10, wherein each corner of the lower panel is beveled.

16. The protective leg sleeve of claim 15, wherein the beveling extends along an entire length of the lower panel.

17. The protective leg sleeve of claim 10, wherein the flexible panel is dimensioned such that the first lateral edge is flush against the second lateral edge when the flexible panel is in the closed configuration.

18. The protective leg sleeve of claim 10, wherein the flexible panel further comprises a padded interior layer.

19. The protective leg sleeve of claim 10, wherein the lower panel is pivotally secured to the flexible panel along a seam.

Patent History
Publication number: 20200268069
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 22, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 27, 2020
Inventor: Raymond Foster (Collinsville, IL)
Application Number: 16/748,867
Classifications
International Classification: A41D 13/05 (20060101);