STRAP-ADJUSTED KNEE-POCKETS

Abstract

A wearable article for a knee is provided that includes a pocket and a strap for attachment of the knee accessory to the knee. The knee accessory may be a pull-up accessory, having a single elastic band with no fastener, or an accessory with two straps for fastening around the knee.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles worn, in general, and, in particular, to knee accessories.

BACKGROUND

Knee accessories, such as knee braces and knee pads, have multiple applications. As knee braces, applied to reduce stress after injury, accessories for the knee come in many forms, with straps that protect and typically include mechanism to reduce movement. As knee pads, accessories for the knee protect the knee when there is a risk of injury. Such accessories are typically pulled up over the leg or are strapped around the leg.

Knee pads in particular are used in multiple settings, such as in sports and construction. For sporting activities, people who wear knee protection may include, for example, volleyball players whose knees may frequently hit the ground. Without knee pads, a player might sustain a serious injury from the constant impact of falls.

Construction workers such as tilers, carpet installers, roofers and others may spend a considerable amount of time on their knees, on hard surfaces. Knee protectors are therefore worn to protect against injuries caused be wear. Knee protectors may be constructed from many types of material, including hard plastics and ceramics. In some cases, knee protectors may be built into pants, or may be external, such that they are not affixed to a person's knee.

Further development of common knee accessories may improve their utility for users, i.e., for the people wearing the accessory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a knee accessory with functionality of a pocket, designed for convenient use by the user (i.e., the “wearer”), and including means for attachment and adjustment. A knee accessory is therefore provided, including a pocket and a strap for attachment of the knee accessory to the knee. The knee accessory may be a pull-up accessory, wherein the strap is a single elastic band with no fastener. The pocket may be positioned at the front or side of the knee.

In further embodiments, a knee accessory for a knee is provided, including: a buckle strap having a buckle, a long strap, and a pad configured with a concave form to fit over the knee. The pad is affixed, towards the outer side of the knee, to the buckle strap, and affixed, towards the inner side of the knee, to the long strap. The long strap may be secured to the buckle of the buckle strap at two or more adjustable positions. The pad further includes a knee pocket affixed to the outer side of the pad, away from the knee. The length of the buckle strap extends between the pad at the outer side of the knee and the buckle of the buckle strap so as to position the buckle at the outer side of the knee, such that the long strap is secured to the buckle at the outer side of the knee.

In some examples of the invention, the pad includes two joined layers of material, having a filler between the two layers, and at least one additional layer of material affixed to the outer layer of the pad to form the knee pocket.

In further examples, the knee pocket opening is angled so as to open towards the outer side of the knee.

The knee accessories may include knee orientation indications, indicating an orientation of the accessory for the right or left knee.

In further examples, in combination with any of the above features, the long strap may have multiple buckle holes, and the buckle may be a prong buckle. Alternatively, the long strap may have Velcro-type, hook and loop surfaces to secure the knee accessory when looped through the buckle.

The knee pocket and the straps may be made of one or more materials, such as cotton or polyester fabrics, or leather.

The knee pocket may have a fastener, such as a button, snap, Velcro, or zipper-fastener.

Also provided by an embodiment of the present invention, in combination with any of the above features, is a pair of wearable knee accessories of any of claims 1 to 8, one wearable knee accessory being configured for a right knee, having the buckle strap on the wearer's right side, and the second wearable knee accessory being configured for a left knee, having the buckle strap on the wearer's left side. In some examples of the present invention, the right wearable knee accessory is the mirror image of the left wearable knee accessory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pair of knee accessories, one for the right knee, the second for the left knee, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the same pair of knee accessories, showing the back side of the knee accessories (the side in contact with the knees), according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pair of knee accessories, employing zippers, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the pair of knee accessories as worn on a wearer's knees, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the pair of knee accessories, employing zippers, as worn on a wearer's knees, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C are images of three types of the knee accessory, showing their manufacture from different materials and in different forms, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an image of an additional form of the knee accessory, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. Structural details of the invention are shown to provide a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description, taken with the drawings, making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Embodiments and/or limitations featured in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pair 100 of knee accessories. One knee accessory, a right knee accessory 110 (for a right knee) is shown in the upper portion of the figure, and a complementary knee accessory, a left knee accessory 120 (for a left knee), is shown in the lower portion of the figure. Both knee accessories include a knee pocket that is part of a knee pad, the right knee accessory 110 including a right knee pad 112, and the left knee accessory 120 including a left knee pad 122.

Shown in the figure are views of the respective right and left knee accessories viewed from the front, that is, in the direction away from the knee.

Connected to both the right knee pad and to the left knee pad, typically on the inner side of the respective knee (i.e., the side facing towards the second leg), is a long strap 130, which may have a series of buckle holes 134. Connected to the other side of each knee pad, that is, typically on the outer side of the knee, is a shorter buckle strap 140. The buckle strap 140 includes a buckle 142, as well as a short strap extension 144 between the knee pad and the buckle. The length of the strap extension is typically configured such that the buckle is at the outer of the knee (i.e., the left side of the left leg and the right side of the right leg). The outer side positioning of the buckle facilitates easy buckling and unbuckling of the knee pad. Hereinbelow, the “long strap” is referred to as “long” so as to differentiate the term from the buckle strap and from the short strap extension. The long strap wraps behind the knee from the inner side of the knee to the outer side.

The buckle may be any type of buckle known in the art for securing the long strap at adjustable positions, such as a single prong buckle, or alternatively a double prong buckle, as shown. Alternatively, the buckle may be a loop buckle for connecting a long strap 130 that is a Velcro-type, hook-and-loop strap. The buckle may also be a clip buckle, the long strap 130 having a complementary clip, as well as an adjustable loop.

The knee pads (i.e., right knee pad 112 and left knee pad 122) are designed with several layers in order to form, on the inner side, a pad surface that is in contact with the knee, and, on the outer side, a knee pocket, or, in some examples, multiple knee pockets. The knee pads shown in FIG. 1 have multiple pockets, a first pocket 162 formed by a pad top layer 160 under a first pocket layer 164, and a larger, second pocket 166 formed by the pad top layer 160 under a second pocket layer 168.

As shown in the figure, the larger knee pocket, knee pocket 166, which has an opening extending across the extent of the knee pad (that is, across both the respective right knee pad 112 and the left knee pad 122), opens in an angled direction, so as to open towards the outer side of the knee. That is, the knee pocket 166 on the right knee pad 112 opens to the right side, while, the knee pocket 166 on the left knee pad 122 opens to the left side. The angled design of the knee pockets permits a wearer to more easily access the pocket with the hand on the same side, that is, the left hand can more easily access the knee pocket of the left knee pad, and the right hand can more easily access the knee pocket of the right knee pad.

Typically, the knee pads are each designed with a circular or elliptical shape, and with a concave form (i.e., a concave form conforming to the shape of a human knee), so as to better fit the knee. A seam 170, typically stitching or other means of affixing layers known in the art, typically circumscribes the knee pad, not only to connect the multiple layers but to force the knee pad to have a concave form.

Pocket layers may be made of any flexible materials that are sufficiently rigid to maintain the concave form, such as natural or synthetic fabrics or leathers. Layers are typically affixed to each other by stitching and/or grommets.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the same pair 100 of knee accessories as shown in FIG. 1, showing the back sides of the knee accessories, that is, the side in contact with the knees. As indicated, the knee accessory shown in the upper portion of the figure is the right knee accessory 110, and the complementary knee accessory, the left knee accessory 120, is shown in the lower portion of the figure. That is, the figure shows the knee pads from the direction of the knee, showing that each knee pad has a pad layer 202 that is in contact with the knee. As described above, each knee pad is concave, that is, each knee pad center protrudes away from the knee, to conform to the human knee's contour.

As described above, connected typically on the inner side of the respective knee (i.e., the side facing towards the second leg), is the long strap 130, which may have a series of buckle holes 134. Connected to the other side of each knee pad, that is, typically on the outer side of the knee, is the shorter buckle strap 140. The buckle strap 140 includes the buckle 142, as well as the short strap extension 144 between the knee pad and the buckle. The outer side positioning of the buckle facilitates easy buckling and unbuckling of the knee pad, while also avoiding a problem of the buckle scraping against the opposing leg.

As described above, the knee pads (i.e., right knee pad 112 and left knee pad 122) are designed with several layers. Shown on the inner side of each knee pad is the inner pad layer 202. This inner layer may be the same as the pad top layer 160 described above, as viewed from the front sides of the knee pad accessories in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the inner pad layer 202 and the top pad layer 160 may be separate layers, thereby providing additional cushioning and/or rigidity to the knee pad. Additionally, when the knee pad includes both the inner pad layer 202 and the top pad layer 160 as separate layers, an additional layer of pad filler may also be included between the two layers to provide further cushioning and/or rigidity to the knee pad.

As shown in the figure, the right and left knee pads may also have markings to indicate the preferred knee for attaching the knee accessories, i.e., the preferred orientation for attaching the knee accessories to the knees, in order to further improve convenience for the wearer. For example, a right knee pad indicator 214 may be indicated as a letter “R” and a left knee pad indicator 224 may be indicated as a letter “L,” as shown on the back sides of the respective pads. Such indicators enable the user, when holding each knee accessory in the proper direction for attachment, to clearly see that the orientation is correct.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pair 100 of knee accessories 110 and 120, respectively, each having knee pads with zipper pockets 302 employing zippers 304. That is, the right knee pad 112 and the left knee pad 122 each have a pocket with a fastener to close the pocket opening. Zipper pocket 302, which each open with a zipper 304, rather than regular pockets as shown in FIG. 1. Other than the knee pocket variation, the right knee accessory 110 and the left knee accessory 120 are identical to the right and left knee accessories described above. As described above, each knee accessory has a respective knee pad, to which is connected, typically on the inner side of the respective knee (i.e., the side facing towards the second leg), the long strap 130. Connected to the other side of each knee pad, that is, typically on the outer side of the knee, is the shorter buckle strap 140.

The buckle strap 140 includes the buckle 142, as well as the short strap extension between the knee pad and the buckle. As described above, the knee pads (i.e., right knee pad 112 and left knee pad 122) are designed with several layers to create pockets. Layers may also be provided for cushioning and rigidity. Note that the back sides of the knee accessories shown in FIG. 3 are identical to the back sides shown in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that the zipper is one type of fastener for closing the knee pocket and that other types of pocket fasteners known in the art may be applied, including buttons, Velcro tapes, snap press studs, and clasps.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the pair 100 of knee accessories, respectively right knee accessory 110 and left knee accessory 120, as worn on a wearer's knees 402 (i.e., “user's” knees), according to some embodiments of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 4 is the design of the knee pads that is also shown in FIG. 1, in which the pockets are open, without zippers. Note the typical configuration of the knee accessories, with the buckle 142 of the buckle strap 140 positioned to the outside of the knee when the knee accessory is attached to the knee.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the pair 100 of knee accessories, respectively right knee accessory 110 and left knee accessory 120, as worn on a wearer's knees 402 (i.e., the user's knees), according to the design of FIG. 3, in which the pockets have zippers.

FIGS. 6A-6C are images of three types of knee accessories, having different materials and pocket types, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Each image shows the concave form of the knee pads, as well as the straps and pockets.

FIG. 6A shows a knee accessory having the multiple pockets described above with respect to FIG. 1, with denim used to manufacture the pads, pockets, and straps. Similarly, FIG. 6B shows the same double pocket pattern in an elongated (elliptical) form, made from leather. FIG. 6C shows a zipper-pocketed knee accessory having an outer layer made of silk. Any material or combination of materials having the flexibility to open as a pocket, so as to store personal items (such as cards, keys, coins, etc.) can be used to manufacture the pocketed knee accessory of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a knee accessory 700 made with a single strap, such that the knee accessory is attached in a pull-up manner (i.e., pulling the knee accessory up over the foot). That is, the knee accessory 700 has no fastener to connect between a pair of straps as in the knee accessory 100 described above. The knee accessory 700 has a pocket 702, which may be in the front of the knee accessory or anywhere else around the extent of the strap, though typically not directly behind the knee.

It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above. Changes and modifications, which do not depart from the teachings of the present invention, will be evident to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications should b deemed to come within the purview of the present invention and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A knee accessory comprising:

a buckle strap having a buckle;

a long strap; and

a pad configured with a concave form to fit over the knee, affixed towards the outer side of the knee to the buckle strap, and affixed towards the inner side of the knee to the long strap, wherein the long strap is secured to the buckle of the buckle strap at two or more adjustable positions, and wherein the pad comprises a knee pocket affixed to the outer side of the pad, away from the knee,

wherein a length of the buckle strap extends between the pad at the outer side of the knee and the buckle, to position the buckle at the outer side of the knee, such that the long strap is secured to the buckle at the outer side of the knee.

2. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the pad further comprises two joined layers of material, having a filler between the two layers, and at least one additional layer of material affixed to the outer layer of the pad to form the knee pocket.

3. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the knee pocket comprises an opening angled so as to open towards the outer side of the knee.

4. The knee accessory of claim 1, further comprising a knee orientation indication, wherein the knee indicator indicates either a right or a left knee.

5. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the long strap has multiple buckle holes, and the buckle is a prong buckle.

6. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the long strap comprises Velcro-type, hook and loop surfaces and is configured to loop through the buckle.

7. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the knee pocket and the straps are made of at least one of cotton, polyester, and leather.

8. The knee accessory of claim 1, wherein the knee pocket has one or more fasteners for closing a pocket opening.

9. The knee accessory of claim 8, wherein the one or more fasteners belong to a fastener type from a set of fastener types including a button, a Velcro tape, a snap press stud, a zipper, and a clasp.

10. A pair of knee accessories of claim 1, wherein one knee accessory is configured for a right knee, having the buckle strap on the wearer's right side, and a second knee accessory is configured for a left knee, having the buckle strap on the wearer's left side.

11. The pair of the knee accessories of claim 10, wherein one knee accessory is the mirror image of the second knee accessory.

12. A knee accessory comprising: a pocket and a strap for attachment of the knee accessory to the knee.

13. The knee accessory of claim 12, wherein the knee accessory is configured as a pull-up accessory, wherein the strap is a single elastic band with no fastener.

14. The knee accessory of claim 12, wherein the pocket is positioned at the front or side of the knee.