Abstract: An impact dissipator for the protection of bones and organs of the human body from impacts or falls. The dissipator is bell-shaped and has an outer layer which consists of an elastic rubber substance. Within the shell-like outer layer a viscous fluid layer is located, which is bonded thereto, with the fluid layer forming a skin-friendly adhesive layer adapted to contact and conform to the area being protected.

Abstract: An appliance to be applied to the ankle of one or both legs of a soccer-style kicker to improve the trajectory of the kicked ball, involving a relatively rigid cordon-like member, with an arched shape so as to surround the front part of the ankle and with the ends curved down and forward so as to partially surround the back side of the malleoli (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A protective material for use in articles of apparel such as golves, leggings, sleeves, aprons and the like. The protective material comprises a base layer composed of textile material, an intermediate layer composed of a cut-resistant material having intermeshing strands defining pores therebetween and an outer layer composed of solid, elastomeric material which retards penetration by liquid. The elastomeric material covers and is bonded to the base layer which prevents passage entirely therethrough by liquid, elastomeric material but permits partial penetration. The solid, elastomeric material extends through the pores of the intermediate layer and encapsulates the strands thereof. A method for producing the protective material comprises dipping an article composed of base layer and intermediate layer into a bath of liquid, elastomeric material preferably after absorbing into the base layer a coagulant for the liquid elastomeric material.

Abstract: A structure is provided which absorbs shock by the controlled transfer of air from within an enclosure to outside the enclosure. A core of open-celled foam material is provided to act as an exhaustable reservoir of air within the enclosure. This structure is adapted to provide comfort and freedom of movement to the wearer. Cooperatively arranged with this structure are one or more inserts positioned to provide exceptional protection to one or more selected areas of the wearer's body. These inserts are designed to not loose shock absorbing capability when subjected to forces of anticipated magnitudes. Thus, protective equipment is provided which yields general protection to at least a portion of the wearer's body while providing exceptional protection at selected areas of such individual's body.

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: A pair of identical leggings in one piece are disclosed and are adapted to cover and protect from rain the lower body of a motorcyclist from the waist down, including his feet, leaving only the shoe soles exposed. Elastic-retaining means are provided all along the perimeter of the gaiter portion of the leggings, while the leggings themselves are provided with accordeon pleats in the region of the knees to permit easy flexing of the legs, while preventing disengagement of the gaiter portions.

Abstract: A protective leg and shoe covering is provided which has a two piece upper portion designed to snuggly wrap around a user's lower leg and a flare portion to cover the top of the user's shoe. A hook and pile closure provides adjustability in the snugness of the fit and a metal stay with an exposed end capturable in a heel pocket provides an additional degree of protection. The flare portion is held in place by an adjustable chain. The device is light weight and is easy and quick to put on and take off.

Abstract: A unitary leg and foot protective device of soft energy absorbing material which may be worn by a human comprising a lower portion for covering the top and sides of the foot of the wearer, a middle portion for covering the front and sides of the ankle of the wearer and an upper portion covering the shin of the wearer.

Abstract: Shock absorbing structure for athletic equipment is disclosed in which a flexible air-tight fabric structure has an internal surface defining a cavity and an external surface adapted to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere outside the shock absorbing structure. The fabric structure includes a plurality of selectively dimensioned and disposed apertures which couple the cavity and the external surface of the shock absorbing structure in continuous fluid communication. A flexible foam portion having an open-celled structure defining a reservoir to releasably hold air is disposed in the cavity of the fabric structure and bonded, at least in part, to at least a portion of the internal surface of the fabric structure. In one embodiment, the flexible foam portion includes a multi-layered laminate of at least three open-celled foams of different foam density.

Abstract: A shin guard and a method of making it are disclosed. The shin guard has a rigid outer shell of polyurethane and a polyurethane foam backing. A recess is formed in the foam backing by pressing in a hot die having the profile of the recess to be made. The recess is oblong and centered over the shin bone or tibia. A dense, modified polyurethane is then cast in the recess. The combination of polyurethane foam and dense, modified polyurethane provides excellent shock absorption in a light weight shin guard.

Abstract: A bag formed from a single sheet of flexible material having two ends and two edges folded parallel to the ends to provide front and back surfaces that are sealed together along the edges to provide a pocket. Each of the surfaces extends toward an opening into the pocket through which articles for support may pass and from which articles may be removed. One of the surfaces extends beyond the opening of the pocket and is folded over the end of the other surface. The end of the folded over surface is positioned directly below the end of the other surface outside of the bag and elastic members are held captive within the ends whereby by stretching the bag in the direction of the sealed edges and maintaining the bag in a stretched condition a plurality of closure seals are formed to close the opening to the bag. In addition, when the bag is joined sealed edge to sealed edge and stretched around a form, the stretched ends of the bag that form the opening to the bag also support the bag around the form.

Abstract: A pair of identical leggings, in one piece, is disclosed and is adapted to cover the front and sides of a cyclist's legs as well as the feet to protect the cyclist from rain, while providing adequate ventilation. The side edges of the leggings are provided with elastic strip material to ensure that the leggings remain on contact with the legs, even when the knees are flexed. Attachment means are provided at the waist and upper rear portion of each leg. Retaining means are provided all along the perimeter of the foot portion of the leggings.

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).

Abstract: A leg guard comprises a first, shell-like section (1) and second shell-like section (2). The first section (1) is connected to the second section (2) by means of two coaxial pivot pins (4) arranged on each side of the leg guard. A cupped part (3) is pivotally connected to the second section (2) by means of two coaxial pivot pins (5) spaced from the first pivot pins. Two coaxial guide pins (8) connected to the first section are each arranged to slide in a groove or slot in the cupped part (3). The arrangement is such that when the leg guard is bent, the second pivot pins (5) cause the cupped part (3) to move in the longitudinal direction of the leg guard, and the guide means formed by the guide pins (8) and the slot or groove guide the pivotal movement of the cupped part around the second pivot pins.

Abstract: A leg aid device and method for increasing the stamina of a body-supporting user's leg for repeated flexure and extension at the knee. The device comprises elongated flexibly resilient biasing means for placement in approximate alignment with a user's leg from a level near the ankle area up to at least the level of the mid-thigh area. The biasing means is adapted to bias a user's leg toward a straightened condition without significant torsion or twisting of the leg. Holding means maintains the biasing means approximately aligned upon a user's leg for bending yieldingly therewith into an overall arcuate form during flexure of the leg at the knee.

Abstract: An impact-protective suit for racquetball that enables the wearer to play aggressively, that permits free unrestricted movement during play and that readily vents body heat. The suit includes a shirt portion and a pants portion, which are made of an outer material, a lining, and a selectively located impact-protective material intermediate the outer material and the lining. The impact-protective material completely covers only the back side of the wearer, the front side of the wearer thereby being uncovered by the protective material.

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 device comprising a conical, inflated bladder to be mounted on the back of a user's leg to aid in the distribution of body weight when the user is in a squating or kneeling position.

Abstract: The protective garment of the present invention primarily for use as protective athletic equipment includes protective gear for the shoulders, ribs, biceps, forearms, thighs, knees and shins. The protective garment is generally composed of variable pressure pads, air cushions, and/or shields. The variable pressure pad includes two superimposed plies of a light-weight, non-elastic fluid-impervious fabric material having the adjacent surfaces of the material sealed around the periphery to form a pressure tight inflatable garment which does not distend and other adjacent surfaces sealed at regions internally of the periphery to define a plurality of fluid chambers and fluid passageways. The internal fluid chambers are fluidly communicable with adjacent fluid chambers by means of the fluid passageways. The material crinkles and folds over at preselected regions to constrict fluid communication between the fluid chambers as an external force is applied to the variable pressure pads.

Abstract: Karate protective equipment including a glove, a boot and a shinguard, is formed of an outer soft foam material and selectively positioned harder, inner foam layers for added protection.

Abstract: An articulated orthotic/prosthetic appliance for supporting an infirm anatomical knee includes joint assemblies which prevents abnormal or injurious knee motion while freely permitting normal or desirable motion. The appliance includes upper and lower support members having associated spaced apart end portions which form parts of the joint assemblies. Each joint includes a generally disc shaped connecting member disposed intermediate associated end portions of upper and lower support members. The end portions are secured to the connecting member for independent pivotal movement about parallel axes. Concealed stops carried by and disposed intermediate the end portions cooperate with the connecting member to limit pivotal movement of the support members relative to each other.

Abstract: A protective cuff for the ankle has a padded cover which is secured about the ankle. An elastic cover is positioned over the padded cover to protect the ankle, achilles tendon and foot from injury during athletic endeavor.

Abstract: An improved uniform for ice hockey players is disclosed which provides improved protection for the player and a more streamlined appearance compared with traditional uniforms. The uniform includes an inner protective garment for the lower portion of a wearer's torso including the hips and the thighs, and an outer garment in the form of a long-legged pant to be worn over the inner protective garment and conventional shin pads. The inner garment comprises a shell provided with a plurality of pockets capable of receiving protective pads and including flap-like pouches at the sides of the shell for receiving hip pads. The pouches have lower portions which are free of attachment to the shell so as to permit relative movement of the underlying parts of the shell and allow a wearer reasonable freedom of bending movement at the hips. The pant includes ventilation panels for permitting air to pass through the garment.

Abstract: A shin guard comprises an elastic generally tubular member adapted to tightly surround the lower leg of a wearer in the vicinity of the shin, and an elongated substantially rigid member which is tapered toward the lower end thereof and being generally shaped to substantially conform to the contour of the shin of the wearer. The elastic tubular member has a first retaining means for retaining the substantially rigid member in a predetermined position between the elastic tubular member and the shin of the wearer. A second retaining means extends from the elastic tubular member for retaining the elastic tubular member in the longitudinal direction thereof substantially at a predetermined position on the leg of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a totally adjustable thigh muscle exercise device. The device is totally independent of any other exercise device or structure, is constructed to provide exercise to both the flexor and extensor thigh muscles, and is adjustable as to size, weight and weight location on the thighs so that a single device may be utilized by any user at any amount of weight and for any type of thigh exercise. The device includes a belt, which may be adjusted to any user's waist size and weights suspended from the belt for location at the front of the user's thighs. In preferred embodiments, the location of the weights along the front of the device may be adjusted to accommodate the individual user's needs and the amount of weight may be easily varied. In preferred embodiments, the space between the belt and the weights may also be adjusted to further accommodate the user or the particular exercise being practiced.

Abstract: A device for assisting and relaxing a user's leg muscles in and after physical activities, such as jogging. The device includes an elastic strap which extends from under the sole of the user's foot upwardly around the heel thereof to the back of the knee. Securing straps are provided at the lower end of the elastic strap for encircling the waist of the user's foot to secure the lower end of the elastic strap thereto. Securing straps are provided at the upper end of the elastic strap for encircling the user's leg adjacent the knee for securing the upper end of the elastic strap thereto with the elastic strap being urged against the rear of the calf of the user's leg for relaxing and relieving fatigue and tension in the user's leg muscles. The elastic strap further provides a biasing of the user's foot for assisting the leg muscles providing inversion about the subtalar axis during activities, such as jogging.

Abstract: A protective pad or garment for use as a guard against injuries to the human body or parts thereof, incurred e.g. from saw blades or other sharp tools. The pad is made from a double-knit warp fabric of a synthetic material, the two layers of which are interconnected by pile threads, preferably consisting of polypropylene foil strips, which pile threads in at least one of said layers form meshes with the threads of another thread system, or with themselves. The resulting pad comprises a large number of the pile threads which by their nature and their bond to the mesh layer closest to the body resist the cutting effect of the saw blade or other sharp tool that may penetrate through the outer mesh layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a pad for protecting against injuries caused by moving chain saw blades. A plurality of superposed woven composite fabrics formed of a tough synthetic resin are firmly held together at the periphery of the pad. Each composite fabric comprises at least two superposed fabric layers which are interwoven into a single layer along spaced substantially parallel strips. The interwoven strips allow the number of fabric layers to be reduced without reducing the effectiveness of the protective pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee brace comprised of upper and lower sections adapted to be hinged at the knee joint of the wearer, the lower section including a rigid brace bar about the front of the tibia and a device for drawing the tibia into a desired position, with the upper section including a drift control device. The knee brace is particularly suitable for use by those with torn or otherwise injured posterior cruciates.

Abstract: An inflatable heel protector for cushioning a foot is provided which comprises an inflatable bag formed by joining a first flexible wall and second flexible wall along their respective peripheral edges. The first and second walls are also joined to form interconnecting pillow segments so that fluid can flow between the segments to distribute pressure imparted to the bag. Releasable coacting fastening tabs are provided to hold the bag in place on the lower leg, and a reclosable valve on the bag enables fluid insertion or removal.

Abstract: This invention is an implement for (1) preventing injuries to human knees by absorbing and spreading an external blow and (2) orthopedic procedures for therapy and rehabilitation. The concept is a (A) floating rocker connection axis beside the leg joint, which connects to (B) substantially rigid tongues encased in (C) substantially rigid sleeves fitted to the limbs above and below the rocker connection, appropriately padded for comfortable fit and wrapped with conventional taping. As the leg bends the tongues slide randomly in respective sleeves and the rocker connection adjusts to the pulls and pushes of the tongues, floating with the limb joint's natural hinge. One embodiment employs multiple narrow tongues for differential sliding inside the sleeves for easier more flexible motion in non-contact service.

Abstract: A device which is designed for use by athletes to protect against and prevent injury to the knees, lower extremities, ankles and feet, without restricting mobility or efficiency. The apparatus includes a dynamic system of components which are worn by the athlete during the athletic event and, in a preferred embodiment, includes elastic, corset-like tights or leggings which have secured thereto at least one pair of cable assemblies, one for each leg, which extend from the hip area to the foot area. Each cable assembly includes a flexible, non-elastic cable which is wrapped about the leg at least one full turn between the hip and the foot. Means are provided for securing the lower end of the cable to the athletic shoe of the wearer, and means are also provided for tensioning the cable to any desired degree. The tensioned cable assemblies protect the limb complex unit from angular and torsional stresses incurred during the athletic event.

Abstract: To acquire greater speed in running, variable weights are attached to the fronts of the thighs slightly above the knees. The weights and their pocketing structure are suspended from a waist belt by adjustable hip suspension straps. Greater effort is required in picking up the legs while running and muscles important to running are strengthened.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe current popularity of running by people of all ages has created a demand for equipment to increase running speed. In order to accomplish this objective, any exercising equipment employed by the runner must be effective to strengthen the muscles which are most vital to running. In particular, these are the muscles which are employed to pick up the thighs during the motion of running and the objective of the invention is realized by placing weights on the fronts of the thighs of a runner slightly above the knees and securing the weights in a firm but comfortable manner in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A knee pillow having a resilient pad forming a surface contoured by formation of an indentation to conform to the knee area of a leg of a person wearing the pillow, and including straps attached to the pad for removably securing the pad to the inside portion of a wearer's leg and preventing the knees of the wearer's leg from digging into one another.

Abstract: A pair of elongated upstanding inner and outer stiff, but slightly flexible, members are provided for disposition along the thigh of the user with the inner member extending along and opposing the thigh and the outer member remote from the thigh. The members are at least slightly downwardly divergent and the outer member includes a lower end portion projecting below the lower end of the inner member. The knee guard defined by the inner and outer members may be secured to the user's thigh by tape bands encircling the thigh and overlying the outer surface of the inner member. The lower end portion of the outer member is to be horizontally registered with the associated knee and includes padding structure supported from the inner side thereof.

Abstract: A knee brace or orthosis for preventing hyperextension of the wearer's leg. In an additional embodiment the flexion of the wearer's leg is also regulated between positions permitting limited motion and a position wherein the knee is fixed and no motion is permitted. In its simplest form the orthosis includes upper and lower forward members and a rear member to which the upper and lower forward members are independently and pivotally attached. The forward rotational movement of the forward upper member is limited by abutting contact between opposed edges of the forward members, thus preventing rearward bending or hyperextension of the leg while permitting flexion. In the alternate embodiment, an upper rear member is provided and includes means for contacting upper portions of the rear member so as to limit flexion movement. In both cases the members are formed from relatively thin lightweight plastic material which has been at least partially shaped to custom conform to the dimensions of the wearer's leg.

Abstract: An athletic leg brace apparatus of the type operable to be connected to the sides of a ski boot wherein the apparatus includes a first and second lower leg brace member and a first and second upper leg brace member. Each of the first upper and lower leg brace members and the second upper and lower leg brace members are connected by a ball joint hinge structure which preferably includes nested hemispherical shell members which are connected to respective portions of the leg brace members by a laterally extending axle positioned coaxially through the center of the hemispherical shells. A front portion of the first and second lower leg brace members and the first and second upper brace members are connected by a rigid semicylindrical member while the rear portion of the first and second lower brace members and the first and second upper leg brace members are interconnected by a flexible, adjustable connecting means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device such as can be used for protecting the limbs of humans, or for example for protecting animals such as for example the fetlocks of horses. The invention provides for a protective device including at least one and preferably a plurality of juxtaposed layers of substantially resilient and shock absorbant material, located within an outer covering. The substantially resilient and shock absorbant material is preferably in the form of sheet material integrally formed with open faced studs or pockets, and closed by a backing material, so that a plurality of air pockets are formed within the sheet material. This substantially resilient and shock absorbant material, when located within an outer covering, cushions blows or forces applied to the area to be protected. In one form of the invention, means are provided on an outer surface of the protective device to enable the device to be located relative to an area to be protected.

Abstract: A protective pneumatic guard for athletes in contact sports comprising a valveless pneumatic pad bonded to one side of a foam cushion. The pad and cushion are retained by suitable means in a desired protective position against the wearer's body with the foam cushion outwardly presented to receive blows and to disperse them evenly over the surface area of the underlying pneumatic pad.

Abstract: An elastic orthopedic device for protecting, for example, the knee joint, has metallic inserts which are articulated for full forward and rearward motion yet which resist lateral forces applied to the joint and tendencies of the joint to dislocate in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A legging, for being worn by a person for protection against snake bites as well as bites from other objectionable animals; the leggings including a double mesh, close woven stainless steel, and having a vertical slit along a rear side so as to allow fitting a leg thereinto, the vertical slit being closable by interconnecting strips of resilient hook and loops fastening and straps, the knee portion of the legging having a pad for comfort, and the underside of the legging being open, and including sidewardly crossing straps for passing under a shoe or boot, the forward end of the legging having a rigid, nonpliable toe cap.

Abstract: A novel trouser-like article of clothing is provided which combines the functions of underwear, socks, garter belts and crotch protector, while providing an attractive, light-weight and durable garment which may be worn under conventional sporting clothing, e.g. hockey pants.

Abstract: A pad and garment assembly comprising a pad adapted to be worn on the wearer's body in conjunction with a garment. The pad has a pair of laterally extending ears and the garment has means for receiving the ears detachably to secure the pad to the garment.

Abstract: A protective gaiter which extends from a wearer's instep to just below his knee. A portion of the gaiter forms a completely closed pocket which contains an energy-absorbing pad. The pocket and the pad are both elongated, covering substantially the length of the gaiter, and include a concavely shaped bottom edge which lets the gaiter be conveniently positioned around the wearer's instep so that it fits over and protects the wearer's shinbones, as well as covering many of the major bones and muscles of the wearer's leg.In the manufacture of the protective gaiter, identical front and liner panels and a somewhat smaller, interposed back panel are aligned and sewn together along one longitudnal edge. An elastic strip, which forms the stirrup of the protective gaiter, is next secured between opposing ends of the bottom edges of the front and liner panels, which bottom edges are then sewn together. The other longitudinal edges of the front, liner and back panels are then aligned and sewn together.

Abstract: A device to be worn by a person such as an athlete to protect the knee from external objects and to afford strength for the knee joint.It comprises a thigh member and a calf member as well as a pair of arms extending from each of such members toward the knee joint and on opposite sides of the knee. Each adjacent pair of arms is connected together by a hub member which extends through an opening in one arm and is fastened to the other arm. A washer is mounted between the arms and is formed with an abutment to be engaged by a limit-stop on one of the arms.The thigh and calf members each comprises a pliable member as well as a flexible cellular material. The cellular material is provided with a tab which extends through a slot in the pliable material such that as the pliable material is firmly attached to the wearer, the tabs can be pulled to straighten the cellular material against the leg. This prevents gathering of the cellular material and also permits of adjustment for varying leg sizes.

Abstract: A knee support or wrap especially designed for athletes stabilizes the knee ligaments and provides continuous support for the knee regardless of the position of the leg. A tubular, elastic sheath is slipped over the knee, and a pair of elastic straps anchored to the sheath are drawn into place and held by Velcro fasteners. The straps in their operative positions extend in crisscross fashion over the inwardly facing sidewall portion of the sheath, and in directions to duplicate the physiologic stability of the medial knee ligament complex. Felt pads on the sheath under the straps add body to the support, prevent bunching of the elastic sheath, and aid in the distribution of the pressure applied by the elastic straps. The support contains no rigid components and is constructed so as to not impair the normal flexibility of the knee joint.

Abstract: A knee brace or orthosis for preventing hyperextension of the wearer's leg. In an additional embodiment the flexion of the wearer's leg is also regulated between positions permitting limited motion and a position wherein the knee is fixed and no motion is permitted. In its simplest form the orthosis includes upper and lower forward members and a rear member to which the upper and lower forward members are independently and pivotally attached. The forward rotational movement of the forward upper member is limited by abutting contact between opposed edges of the forward members, thus preventing rearward bending or hyperextension of the leg while permitting flexion. In the alternate embodiment, an upper rear member is provided and includes means for contacting upper portions of the rear member so as to limit flexion movement. In both cases the members are formed from relatively thin lightweight plastic material which has been at least partially shaped to custom conform to the dimensions of the wearer's leg.