Abstract: An anatomical musculoskeletal therapeutic knee sleeve support especially adapted to be placed over the knee to provide support for the muscles and skeletal structure of the knee during physical activity, particularly sports activity. The sleeve comprises a single panel of flexible resilient material cut and joined in such a manner that there is a stitched seam at the upper half of the sleeve on one side of the knee posterior to the side of the knee and another stitched seam at the lower half of the sleeve on the other side of the knee posterior of the side of the knee and an open horizontal aperture at the rear flexure point of the knee between central points of the stitched seams.

Abstract: A set of rain chaps which includes a belt for attachment around a waist of a wearer, a pair of leg portions affixed to the belt, having a lower substantially rectangular portion with an elongated inside edge of one leg portion extending from an ankle region to an upper thigh region of a wearer. The elongated inside edge overlaps a substantial portion of another of the leg portions, and an arcuate edge joins an upper region of the inside edge to approximately midway of the belt for each of the leg portions. A pair of straps are affixable to the belt at a back of the wearer and attached to corresponding ones of the upper region of each of the leg portions so that each of the upper regions of the leg portions is pulled upwardly and rearwardly so as to prevent rotation of said leg portions proximate the bottom. Strap means are provided for attaching the leg portions around a leg of a wearer.

Abstract: A disposable device protects the bottom portions of trouser legs during rain or snowstorms. The device has two flexible plastic sheets, each sheet being rectangular and having an adhesive band, on one face, along its four edges. The adhesive band, before use of the device, is covered by a protective strip.

Abstract: A limb protector device is set forth formed with an arcuate convex shield including a coextensive laminated sheet of padding adhered to an interior surface of the shield. The shield includes a "U" shaped anchor secured along coextensively with one elongate edge of the shield spaced parallel from a "V" shaped clamp formed with a serrated clamping edge positioned coextensively with a second edge of the shield about an exterior face of the shield. An elastomeric band is positionable within the "V" shaped clamp to accommodate an initial adjustment of an individual's limb to be encompassed by the device. A "U" shaped clip is secured at a distal end of the band and is securable to the "U" shaped anchor for securement about the aforenoted individual.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article of clothing which can be worn by athletes to protect their arm muscles, or lower leg muscles, from the damaging affects of cold air or cold wind. This pull on and off sleeve, helps to prevent muscles from tightening or cramping, by eliminating exposure to cold air and wind. This invention does not press upon arm or leg muscles, or restrict elbow motion in any way. The athletic sleeve, which can be removed in less than one second, is so small that it can be carried in any pocket.

Abstract: A disposable anterior lower leg guard to reduce injury to the anterior lower leg area of a patient comprising an inner corrugated shock absorbing protective member disposed within an outer relatively soft enclosure to be worn over and protect the anterior leg area of a patient.

Abstract: The method of this invention pertains to preventing skin abrasions and the like in patients whose legs are substantially locked together in juxtaposition. The method comprises the taking of an elongated flexible planar pad with a length extending from above the patient's knees to the bottom of the patient's foot. The width of the pad is approximately one-half of the girth of one of the patient's legs. The pad is placed between the patient's legs so that the opposite sides of the pad cover the inner surface of at least one leg from a point above the knee to a point substantially to the bottom of the foot of one leg. The pad is affixed to one leg of the patient at points above the knee and above the ankle of one leg to hold the pad against any substantial movement with respect to the one leg. The apparatus of this invention comprises a pad for the foregoing method. The pad is a flexible planar pad having a top, a bottom, side edges, and opposite leg engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A pair of work pants comprises two legs joined together at a crotch area, and a protective layer secured to the front of each leg having an upper edge no lower than the crotch area and a lower edge below the knee area, each protective layer being secured to the underlying material of the leg along its upper edge and opposite side edges to define a pocket in which a padding member is releasably received through the open lower end of the pocket. The lower edge of the protective layer is releasably securable to the front of the leg to secure the padding member in position.

Abstract: A prosthesis sleeve for attaching a prosthesis to a partially amputated limb of the body which is made of an elastomeric material which may have a tube shape and having concentric annular ribbing on an inside surface of one end to engage the remaining portion of the limb, thereby creating a suction-type seal therebetween to suspend the prosthesis. Another end of the sleeve has a smooth inside surface which engages the prosthesis forming a seal therebetween. The combination of seals creates an air tight junction and secure attachment of the prosthesis to the limb for rigorous activity such as athletics for persons requiring prostheses.

Abstract: A ventilated skin guard apparatus similar to a baseball catcher's mask or fencer's mask is disclosed. The apparatus is adjustable in size and shape and is used to prevent foreign bodies from coming into contact with damaged skin while still allowing the skin to ventilate. The apparatus comprises arcuate cage members mounted in between end support members. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective body support for use to protect a wearer's knee, or other such body part, re-directs and dissipates the forces associated with an impact delivered to the body support in such a manner as to prevent the application of a force to the body that is sufficient to harm that body. The body support includes plurality of triangular compartments that are attached at the apex of the triangles to an adjacent element of the support. Energy-absorbing beads are contained in the compartments, and the triangular shapes are oriented so that forces applied to the support are re-directed against the apexes so as to apply shear forces thereto. The apexes are attached so that at a predetermined level of impact force applied to the support, the resultant component applied against the apexes will rupture at least one of the apex connections thereby allowing the beads to spill out of the support compartment located adjacent to the ruptured apex.

Abstract: A light-weight insulated bootie-gaiter combination for cross-country skiers and winter backpackers is disclosed wherein the gaiter is provided with a removable insulating liner along with lower attachment means for engaging the outer surface of a bootie foot cover.

Abstract: There is provided a leg protector of the type having a hard shell and underlying padding. The shell is arranged to be detachable and when in place to distribute the impact generally to its periphery pulling the padding in tension around the leg. Additionally, this padding is removeable for replacement or cleaning, while the fasteners are arranged to secure the shell and maintain the padding under tension.

Abstract: A protective leg pad for an athletic participant, such as a hockey goalie or the like, is described. The pad includes a thigh section, a knee section, a shin section, and a foot section. Each of the sections includes a front portion and first and second side portions appended to the front portion. Each side portion extends from a respective opposite lateral edge of the front portions and forms therewith a recess for accommodating the wearer's leg. Each of the front and side portions comprises a protective plate. The front portions of the thigh, knee, shin and foot sections are hinged to each other to accommodate the shape and movement of the wearer's leg. The adjacent edges of each adjacent pair of side portions are relieved to provide side relief gaps for enabling flexion of the leg pad during use. Plating is arranged with overlapping portions aligned with the side relief gaps to provide protection over the gaps while permitting the gaps to expand and contract with leg flexure.

Abstract: An improved athletic sock for preventing lacerations and/or punctures to the legs, particularly of ice hockey players and other athletes. The sock is constructed from woven material which includes aramid and metallic fibers woven into the entire sock or into an insert portion thereof, which covers the unprotected back of the athlete's leg, thus protecting the gastrocnemius muscle and achilles tendon of the wearer.

Abstract: A low cost sweatband is provided formed of an elastic fabric core of a length to resiliently encircle the head or wrist, and a low strength, highly absorbent paper fabric cover of excess length which is gathered into a cushioning, absorbent pad by stitching onto the elastic fabric.

Abstract: Soft orthopedic splint comprising an inner layer of RTV silicone rubber impregnated gauze and an outer layer of silicone rubber impregnated gauze with a soft foam pad interposed between. The soft pad has spaced edges which define a seam area to be filled by the rubbery compound. The pad is also provided with openings into which the rubber exudes before vulcanizing so that the intermediate pad is locked or keyed in place without using cement. The splint is split along the seam so that the split edges are entirely rubber surfaces covering the pad. The ends of the pad are also covered by rubber.

Abstract: A protective web for use in the manufacture of garments to reinforce parts of the garments corresponding to parts of the human body most likely to be exposed to scratching or fleshing of the skin or muscles. This web is characterized in that it comprises a piece of fabric that may be a woven, knitted or non-woven textile or yet be made of synthetic material. A plurality of small rigid platelets capable of resisting wear and abrasion are secured over this piece of fabric. The small platelets are so uniformly distributed and spaced over the piece of fabric as to allow the web to yield under all movements of the body of the garment wearer. According to a preferred embodiment, the rigid platelets are made of polymeric thermoplastic or thermosetting material and are secured to the fabric by gluing, compression molding or yet by welding in the case where the fabric used is made of synthetic material.

Abstract: This combination article is designed to be worn by toddlers to protect their knees and when desired they can also effectively function as ear muffs. Primarily, the article consists of an oval shaped pad with attached straps having mating hook and loop pile fasteners attached for adjustably securing the article to a toddler's knees or around the toddler's head. When secured to a toddler's head, a pair of the articles are secured together by the fasteners.

Abstract: A unilateral knee brace is provided with pliable, non-extensible tension members which are connected to the brace and are placed in tension and resist opening of the knee at the medial side of the knee. The preferred tension members are X-shaped straps which are crossed at the knee joint. More specifically, the knee brace has a hinged support including pivotally-connected upper and lower plate members extending above and below a wearer's knee. The hinged support is secured to the wearer's leg by upper and lower cuffs which encircle lateral or outside portions of the wearer's leg above and below the knee. The hinged support is positioned on a lateral or outside portion of the wearer's leg. The brace further includes a pliable support of non-elastic, stretch-resistant straps extending between the cuffs, and positioned opposite the hinged support on a medial or inner portion of a wearer's leg. Upper and lower free ends of the pliable support straps are connected to the hinged support plates.

Abstract: An improved orthosis for correcting essentially all knee instabilities is disclosed herein. Generally, the orthosis comprises a joint structure formed from a pair of pivoting sidebars, upper and lower support assemblies, each of which includes C-shaped braces connected to the sidebars of the joint structure for supporting the pivoting portions of the sidebars over the knee joint, and a tibial retention means in the form of a Y-shaped tibial support member cantilevered from the bottom brace member of the lower support assembly for supporting the upper tibia against anterior displacements. The orthosis may further include resilient condylar pads disposed between the sidebars and the condyle regions of the knee in order to provide support against varus- and valgus-type knee instabilities. Finally, the orthosis may also include a femural retention means in the form of a Y-shaped member cantilevered from the upper C-shaped brace member for supporting the upper femur.

Abstract: A costume includes a pair of arm pieces, a pair of leg pieces, and an optical hood, each of which is made from a compressible tubular conduit including a helically wound coil of resiliently flexible wire material and a covering material for encasing the wire material. The arm pieces are connected together by an adjustable strap which extends over the wearer's back. The leg pieces include hooks for securing over the wearer's pants. Both the arm and leg pieces include end caps with small diameter openings for closely encircling the wearer's wrists and shins, respectively, thus preventing the coil of flexible wire material in each piece from extending beyond the length of the wearer's arms of legs.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and a posterior femural shell which are closely configured to the shape of the leg and are joined by a closed support band. The combination of shells and band provides anterior-posterior, medial-lateral and rotary stability.

Abstract: A single piece of medium thickness and quality leather trimmed into a shape which allows for a first portion to be wrapped tightly around the ankle covering the lower leg and for a second portion to be wrapped tightly around the foot covering the instep. The two wraps are held tight by joining separate sets of loop pile and cooperative hook fastener strips which are sewn to the leather. The ankle portion is dressed by placing the inside strip of the ankle fastener facing outward on the outside of the ankle and rotating the wrap around the backside, inside and front side of the ankle overlapping the beginning point where the outside strip of the fastener is joined to the inside strip. The foot portion is dressed by placing the inside strip of the foot fastener facing outward on the outside of the foot and rotating the wrap around the bottom side, inside and topside of the foot overlapping the beginning point where the outside strip of the fastener is joined to the inside strip.

Abstract: Contact sport protection sleeves and pads are provided for the forearm, elbow, knee and shin of the players including at least one protection panel of flexible elastomeric polymeric foam or of rigid plastic attached to an elastomeric sleeve with two flexible elastomeric polymeric foam edge pads abutting the lengthwise edges of the protection panel with the panel and edge pads all enveloped in elastomeric fabric with stitching between the abutting of the panel and the two edge pads providing extra protection with flexibility to reduce any restriction of movement of the player.

Abstract: A pair of guards for the knee and shin of the left leg and of the right leg of a user. Each guard has a shell-like knee protector and a shell-like shin protector. The protectors of each guard are joined by a pair of hinge pins whose hinge axes are common, and which axis slopes upwardly as it extends away from a vertical axis between the legs of a standing user.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and a posterior femural shell which are closely configured to the shape of the leg and are joined by a closed support band which is constructed to closely track knee flexion. The brace also has anteriorly extending tabs positioned between the patella and the femural epicondyles. The combination of shell, band and tabs provides anterior-posterior, medial-lateral and rotary stability.

Abstract: A knee pad for use on a supporting surface, and not attached to a person's knee, to provide support and cushioning to a person's knee. The pad has a lower region having a bottom for contacting the supporting surface, and a contoured upper region for contacting the front portion of the person's knee. The bottom has a frictional surface to resist sliding with respect to the supporting surface. Various properties of the upper region, relating to its contours and fitting with respect to the knee, are disclosed, particularly a concavity in the top of the pad. The concavity may be vacant. The top of the concavity may adjoin the top of the pad. The concavity may have a secondary inner concavity perimeter. The pad may have a plurality of outer perimeters, defining decreasing areas within the perimeters, from bottom to top of the pad.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a goal-keeper pad which comprises a heavily padded body defining an upper thigh section, an intermediate leg section and a lower foot section. The outer coverings in the lower rear areas of the leg section and of the foot section have cut-out portions which are covered with an accordion-like joint sewn to the coverings. The joint is formed of an arrangement of bands and pieces of material interconnected and folded together by sewing, the band material being stretchable, the pieces of material being highly resistant.

Abstract: A comfort pad is provided and consists of a Y-shaped strap that is wrapped around a leg of a person and secured to a pillow that acts as a cushion to relieve pressure on knee bones as well as stress on hips, when a person sleeps on their side.

Abstract: A wrap means, for compressively wrapping an athlete's shin guard, comprising an insulative, flexible, relatively thin strap that is bi-directionally stretchable, the strap including a first elastomeric layer, and a second layer of pile fabric attached to and substantially covering the outer side of the first layer; the strap is adapted to be adjustably wrapped, and tensioned about a shin guard; and there are hook elements carried by the strap for removably attaching to the second layer at any position of wrap adjustment of the strap.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly usable primarily by athletes to protect body parts from injury, especially from traumatic shock as when struck by a high speed hockey puck. The pad assembly includes a relatively rigid outer shell or shield and an inner air entrained cushion releasably attached to the outer shell and closely conformable to the body part being protected. The cushion includes a flexible, shock absorbent pad covered by a flexible air impervious case. The pad is formed of a soft, springy material which expels air upon compression, such as polyurethane foam. Small openings in the case are provided for expulsion of air from the case upon deflection of the pad as under the influence of the force of impact of an external object. The amount and rate at which air is expelled from the case influences the resiliency and shock absorbency characteristics of the cushion.

Abstract: An improved protective device for the thigh and knee of a participant in martial art activities or the like. The device includes a main body portion formed of a resilient, conformable foam such as a closed cell polyvinyl chloride foam or the like with a pliable coating of polyvinyl chloride or the like. The main body portion has an enlarged main section, an upwardly extending tapering section, a downwardly extending larger lower section and a downwardly extending smaller lower section. The downwardly extending larger lower section and the downwardly extending smaller lower section are separated by a recess with the recess being located closer to one edge than the other. Straps secure the main body portion to the thigh and knee of a wearer.

Abstract: A protective leg guard particularly adapted for baseball catchers is disclosed herein and includes a rigid foot guard, shin guard, knee guard and first and second thigh guards, each having secured thereto respective foot, shin, knee, first and second pads, elements pivoting the guards/pads for articulated relative movement, other elements including at least one strap looped about itself and sandwiched between the first thigh guard and first thigh pad and secured to the latter and to the knee guard and the second thigh guard to effect articulated motion therebetween, the shin pad including an upwardly projecting knee protection pad portion in spanning relationship to a gap between the knee guard and the shin guard, and the shin pad having opposite side edges and an ankle bone projection pad portion both of which project appreciably beyond opposite side edges and lowermost convex radius edges of the shin guard.

Abstract: A prophylactic knee support(s) including a planar impact bar attached to upper and lower mounting bars. The upper and lower mounting bars are fastened to portions of the leg above and below the knee of the user by wraps encircling the appropriate leg portions. Shock absorbers and pressure plates are associated with the impact and mounting bars so as to absorb and dissipate forces resulting from blows directed on the impact bar. The absorption and dissipation diminishes the effect of the blow on the knee including the possibility of undesirable lateral shifting and/or twisting of the knee in response to said blow.

Abstract: In sportswear for use in a variety of sports games or competition such as skiing, riding, motorbiking and the like, this invention relates to a protector for sportswear which has the function of protecting a wearer's body as a result of being attached to a location which tends to collide with the obstacle.

Abstract: Combination apparatus for baseball shin guards of a quick-release type wherein the conventional shin guard consisting of instep, shin, knee and/or thigh protector portions is secured in position by means of a plurality of straps having pressure adhesive fasteners. Thus, of a plurality of leg securing straps, each consists of one or more elongatable straps hingedly secured to opposite sides of the shin guard and including such as VELCRO-type securing tabs for rapid affixture and/or release.

Abstract: An improved athletic sock particularly intended for soccer incorporates a full leg sock over which is secured another partial sock structure between which the shin guard is nested.

Abstract: Leg protecting apparatus includes a calf cover portion and a cover supporting portion. The calf cover portion includes a main section having a generally rectangular configuration with shorter upper and lower edges and longer side edges. An ankle covering section extends downwardly from the lower edge of the main section. The main section and the ankle covering section are formed from a woven fabric material, the fabric material being a tightly woven flexible moisture and grease resistant smooth flat fabric. The cover supporting portion includes a pair of spaced elongated strap members, the strap members being disposed substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the main section. The strap members are formed of moisture and grease resistant flat woven material.

Abstract: This invention is a unique and improved shield to protect a limb which has been injured, is using an orthopedic device, bandage, or the like, or otherwise requires protection from water during bathing of patients or the like so concerned. The invention incorporates the use of a special sleeve to be slipped over a limb to be protected wherein the shield has an open end with a device suitable to encompass the limb and any bandage or other device associated with the limb and to allow easy engagement of the protective shield or sleeve, and wherein the device includes a flexible waterproof disk which will deform as necessary when being pulled over the limb and any appended involved. When fully in place, the flexible disk or the like seals about the shield and in combination with the sleeve or shield associated with it will protect the limb from any penetration of water.

Abstract: Protective trousers for wearing over the lower portion of a dry or wet diving suit include a pair of panels joined at the crotch area and defining leg, hip and waist encircling elements. Clips and straps are provided for connecting the open side edges of the trousers, and for securing the bottom ends of the trousers to the feet of a user.

Abstract: Combination apparatus for baseball shin guards of a quick-release type wherein the conventional shin guard consisting of instep, shin, knee and/or thigh protector portions is secured in position by means of a plurality of straps having pressure adhesive fasteners. Thus, of a plurality of leg securing straps, each consists of one or more elongatable straps hingedly secured to opposite sides of the shin guard and including such as VELCRO-type securing tabs for rapid affixture and/or release.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knee and shin protector, comprising an outer shield (1, 3) and a separate padding layer (2) fitted therein. The outer shield consists of a shin guard (1) and a separate knee cap (3), both of said guards (1, 3) being fastened to the padding layer (2).

Abstract: A protective fighting boot provides for a neat appearance and for the fitting of feet of a range of sizes. A leg protector includes a thick sheet of resilient foam which covers the ankle of the wearer, and which is protected on the outside by a cloth which is corrugated along the ankle to enable elongation of the cloth when flexing at the ankle. A heel protector is held to the leg protector by straps which are attachable at different locations therealong to the leg protector to enable the same size of leg and heel protectors to be used with feet of different lengths.

Abstract: The device for facilitating practice of downhill skiing includes for each lower limb a knee bandage having two suitably curved and profiled plates (13) and (14), one of which (13) wraps up the thigh while the other (14) wraps down the leg, being adapted to cooperate with a part of the user's shoe; the upper plate (13) is continued downward by two opposite and parallel arms (13a) profiled and articulated each on a shaft (4), on either side of the knee, the lower plate (14) being continued upward by two opposite and parallel arms (14b) profiled and articulated around the shaft (4) in combination with upper plate (13), the lower plate being controlled by elastic components to be tensioned, when flexing the knee in combination with appropriate means (7)-(13b), designed to suppress this control beyond a certain flexion angle, said means being fastened to a manual releasing component (11) to fully suppress the elastic control.

Abstract: Baseball batters are protected from injury to their foot and calf from foul tips by a protector using a integral pad, body of cushioning material which extends from the calf over the foot and has a neck portion which is flexible and provides a hinge so that the protector does not interfere, when the batter must run the bases. Rigid plates over the cushioning material cover the upper and lower sections of the pad on opposite sides of the neck. Straps are connected to these rigid members and are used to secure the protector to the calf and foot area of the batter.

Abstract: A protective knee guard is provided to shield the wearer's knee from injuries due to impact on the knee, from twisting of the knee and the like. The knee guard comprises a pair of rigid arcuately shaped guards. One of the guards is attached to a pivoted brace frame at a location above the knee so that the arcuate guard portion extends downwardly over the knee. The second guard portion is attached to the frame below the knee and extends upwardly so that the arcuately guard portion overlies the knee. In a straight leg position of the wearer, the arcuate guard portions are nested one under the other. As the wearer bends the knee, the guard portions unnest until they reach a position where the ends overlap only slightly, if at all.

Abstract: Ski pants have a pair of protective pads formed from an elastic material, and each extending from the upper edge of the knee on one of the legs to at least the midportion of the skin. Each pad includes a knee portion and a shin portion, and has a plurality of first projections formed on each of its knee and shin portions. The knee portion further includes a plurality of second projections formed on the first projections.

Abstract: A protective garment for shielding a wearer from snake bites is disclosed. The garment is a legging made of basket weave with two ends drawn as one and two picks per shed. A coating of polyurethane is included on the inside of the basket weave fabric.

Abstract: A body weight support system for skiing or other physical activities including at least one leg brace. The brace consists of a pair of parallel elongated tubular members interconnected by a cable, a plurality of cylindrical segment members are interposed in the knee section of the brace with the cable extending therethrough to form non-resilient flexure means for allowing the brace to bend with the knee upon flexure of the knee. Tensioning means are provided for the cable to establish the tension therein and hence establish a maximum angle deflection of the flexure means. The brace and flexure means are non-resilient so that once the maximum angle is attained the brace resists further deflection. The brace also includes fabric means spanning the tubular members for supporting the legs of the wearer. Strap means are provided for securing the brace to the leg and to a boot (e.g., ski boot).