Leg Protector Patents (Class 2/911)
  • Patent number: 7096507
    Abstract: A lower leg appliance provides padding and cushion support for the knee, ankle and hip joints in the leg, by providing a hard surfaced knee pad, a hard surfaced ankle pad and a soft surface calf and thigh pad positioned between the calf and thigh, held in place by at least three adjustable straps having a closure means, the three pads working in conjunction to provide relief and support to a persons knees, ankles and hips while squatting or kneeling during chores, activities or labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Ira Bolden
  • Patent number: 6945944
    Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic limb covering and an associated method of treating chronic swelling of a limb. The limb covering is uses hydrostatic pressure provided by liquid contained within the covering to apply pressure to the limb. The limb covering comprises a substantially non-distensible flexible outer layer, a distensible flexible inner layer joined together and a liquid tight bladder therebetween. The covering may be adapted for releasable securement about a limb such as an arm or a lower leg and foot of a patient. After placement on the limb, when the bladder is filled with a liquid, such as water, it expands to contact and apply pressure to the limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Incappe, LLC
    Inventors: Hendrik Klaas Kuiper, Bobby E. Reed, Danny Earl Ellis
  • Patent number: 6678894
    Abstract: A goaltender's leg pad toe anchor includes a houve which is secured to the lower portion of a leg pad. Two elongate bands extend downwardly from the houve, with the bands being drawn through and crossed within a toe opening of a skate blade carrier. Each of the bands is releasably attached to a transverse strap which extends beneath the skate from one side of the leg pad to the other. The ends of the bands may be looped, with the transverse strap being threaded through the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Steven C. Norbutt
  • Patent number: 6654961
    Abstract: The invention provides an adjustable leg pad assembly comprising a knee shield, a shin shield, a liner, a shield extension, an adjustable liner, and fasteners for joining the adjustable liner and the liner. The liner is fixedly connected to both the knee shield and the shin shield while the shield extension is adjustably mounted on an interior portion of the shin shield and extends from a lower portion of the latter. The adjustable liner, which is adapted to be releasably mounted to the liner, includes connection means to enable its coupling to the shield extension. Moreover, the fasteners are capable of varying the positioning of the liner and the adjustable liner relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-François Béland
  • Patent number: 6553572
    Abstract: A protective leg guard having a removable insert for orienting the leg guard on a leg. The protective leg guard includes a protective knee portion having an inner surface generally contoured to substantially overlay the knee. A removable insert is adapted to fit between the knee portion of the leg guard and the knee when the leg guard is worn. The removable insert may be placed in a plurality positions on the inner surface of the knee portion and cooperates with the knee to maintain the leg guard in alignment on the front of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Fiorini, Bram Krieger, Shingo Nemoto, Masao Nagai, Shigeki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6393610
    Abstract: An articulated device for protecting the knee as well as above-the-knee and below-the-knee leg portions comprises a first part shaped and dimensioned to cup the knee and cradle a small section of the leg above it. A second part forming a greave for the below-the-knee portion of the leg is slidingly connected to a longitudinal plate which is hinged at its top to the lower edge of the first part. An adjustable elastomeric strap biases the second part away from the first part, allowing the two parts to move axially in relation to one another during flexion and extension of the knee, while keeping the device tautly against the leg and knee at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: JT USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Parks
  • Patent number: 6298484
    Abstract: A protective guard particularly intended for soccer players in which the participant wears the protective guard below the wearer's knees to protect the wearer's shins, calves, ankles and Achilles tendon from possible impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: David Edward Beckman
  • Patent number: 6272682
    Abstract: An extensible leg pad including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises a rigid knee shield and a first rigid shin, and the lower portion comprises a second rigid shin shield. These shields comprise overlapping surfaces that allow adjustment of the overall length of the pad. The pad also comprises a belt which secures together the upper and lower portions and which is responsive to tension for pressing the overlapping surfaces together at a contacting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-François Fullum
  • Patent number: 6253376
    Abstract: A knee pad is disclosed for cushioning a human knee. The knee pad includes a cushion section having a fluid-filled chamber. The fluid chamber is filled with a gas, a liquid, a gel, or another fluid. A knee cup is removably attached to the outer layer of the cushion section. The knee cup is interchangeable, so that a knee cup of an appropriate material may be attached for the particular activity the wearer is engaged in. The knee pad is held on the knee by at least one fastening strap. Each fastening strap is removably attached to the cushion section, so that it may easily be replaced when worn out. The invention also includes a knee pad set having two or more interchangeable knee cups for various construction jobs and/or sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Frank L. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6226796
    Abstract: A fastener for a shin guard mounted on the leg of an athlete including upper and lower bands connected at their ends by diagonal bands, fork bands connecting the outer ends of the upper and lower bands to each other, a band of pile fabric extending outwardly from one of the fork bands, and a band of hook fabric extending outwardly from the other of the fork bands. A combined shin guard and fastener wherein the upper and lower bands are secured to the shin cover. A shin guard fastener consisting of an elongated flexible and resilient band having a central portion with a first attachment member for attaching the central portion to a sock or shin cover, and second and third attachment members on the end portions of the band for attaching the end portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Michael D. Tollini
  • Patent number: 6219845
    Abstract: A wheeled support for supporting a kneeling person is provided including a pair of knee supports each having a frame, a pad mounted on the frame, and three wheel assemblies mounted on a bottom of the frame. Also included is a pair of wheeled foot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ferriter
  • Patent number: 6128779
    Abstract: A limb protector comprising a knee element. In a preferred embodiment the knee element is pivotally coupled to an outer shell shin element. Padding is positioned between the leg and the outer shell(s) and may be formed of a shock absorbent foam, a plurality of interconnected fluid filled cushions, or a combination thereof. The padding may be coupled to the outer shell shin element so as to create a gap between itself and the outer shell shin element. Alternatively, the padding may positioned on the lateral and medial sides of the outer shell knee element to cradle the underlying leg. The outer shell shin element comprises a raised groove element protruding outward from the shin to form a shin-knee transition cavity located between the shin-knee transition of the leg and the outer shell shin element. The outer shell knee element comprises a centrally positioned domed element protruding outward from the knee generally overlying the patella and may also overlie the shin-knee transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Jas D. Easton, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Goldsmith, Duncan G. Robins
  • Patent number: 6101629
    Abstract: A knee chap which is capable of providing protection from the abrasive nature of riding a horse or other such animal. The knee chap provides a pad for that part of the knee which is against the animal such that the abrasive effect of the saddle or the animal's movement is not transferred to the knee. The device is configured for a human knee when riding a horse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Jill A. Colling
  • Patent number: 6058504
    Abstract: A fastener for a shin guard mounted on the leg of an athlete including upper and lower bands connected at their ends by diagonal bands, fork bands connecting the outer ends of the upper and lower bands to each other, a band of pile fabric extending outwardly from one of the fork bands, and a band of hook fabric extending outwardly from the other of the fork bands. A combined shin guard and fastener wherein the upper and lower bands are secured to the shin cover. A shin guard fastener consisting of an elongated flexible and resilient band having a central portion with a first attachment member for attaching the central portion to a sock or shin cover, and second and third attachment members on the end portions of the band for attaching the end portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Michael D. Tollini
  • Patent number: 6058505
    Abstract: A knee pad for cushioning the knee region of a wearer from impact forces. The knee pad includes a pad has a generally concave interior face, a generally convex exterior face, and generally rectangular upper and lower portions. The upper portion of the pad has a width greater than that of the lower portion of the pad such that the pad has a pair of side shoulders formed between the upper and lower portions of the pad. The interior face of the pad has a pocket with a deformable pad disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Charles F. Bettencourt
  • Patent number: 5978962
    Abstract: A knee, elbow or other body part protector includes a playful, fanciful or novelty feature, figure or object that is not related to safety integrated therewith. A protective portion of the protector and the figure or object are integrated into the protector so as to provide protection or safety while also lending enjoyment, satisfaction or entertainment to the wearing of the protector. Such protectors are particularly attractive to young children to induce the children to wear them. The integration into the protector of the protective portion and the figure or object can be one of relative location or one in which part or all of the protective portion forms part of the feature or object, which can be defined graphically, by surface ornamentation and/or by one or more three-dimensional objects. Other parts of the protector, e.g., straps or an elastic sleeve, may be integrated into the figure or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cycle Express, Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis Hamowy
  • Patent number: 5937440
    Abstract: A wheeled support for supporting a kneeling person is provided including a pair of knee supports each having a frame, a pad mounted on the frame, and three wheel assemblies mounted on a bottom of the frame. Also included is a pair of wheeled foot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ferriter
  • Patent number: 5926844
    Abstract: An adjustable, resealable and reusable elastic strap worn on the outside of a soccer sock and used for locking the shin guard in its intended protective position. This external shin guard strap includes a piece of woven, braided or knitted elastic material and matched pieces of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro.RTM.) attached at its ends. The elastic material is provided in different lengths to accommodate use at either the ankle, midpoint of the or knee position and for different sizes of the leg. The elastic material is compatible with inks, dyes or pigments for permanently labeling and/or coloring the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Mark P. Bear
  • Patent number: 5924140
    Abstract: A knee/elbow cap, comprising:a cushion pad integrally made of injected plastics and having an curved upper layer, a curved lower layer, and a plurality of rib plates;a sponge layer adhering to said lower layer;an unwoven cloth layer adhering to said sponge layer; andtwo elastic bands fixing to said cap, each of said two bands having a Velcro latch attached at an end; whereinsaid plurality of rib plates extend from the upper layer to the lower layer in a form of crossing and connecting with one another and divide a space between the upper layer and the lower layer into a plurality of small rooms to make the cushion pad have a grid like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsian Chi
  • Patent number: 5911310
    Abstract: A inflatable shin guard for providing air cushioned padding to a shin guard. The inventive device includes a shell member having a front and a back and adapted to conform to the shin of a user. The back of the shell member has a recess. An inflatable bladder member is provided in the recess of the back of the shell member. The bladder member is adapted to substantially fill the recess when inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Leo W. Bridgers
  • Patent number: 5732412
    Abstract: A knee pad (16) for cushioning a knee of a person (18) wearing a pair of pants (20), when the person (18) is in a kneeling position. The knee pad (16) comprises a cushion member (22) being a flexible semi-cylindrical body section (24) having a flat outer surface contact area (26) with tapered sides (28) and an integral flexible quadrispherical cut back top section (30). A facility (32) is for attaching the cushion member (22) in a removable manner to a pants leg (34) of the pair of pants (20) at a knee area. When the person (18) goes into the kneeling position on a floor/ground (36), the cushion member (22) will better conform to the knee of the person (18). The flat outer surface contact area (26) will distribute weight more evenly over a wider surface area on the floor/ground (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Kevin D. Holden
  • Patent number: 5727252
    Abstract: A knee pad includes first and second protective paddings hinged to another. A stretchable fabric has an edge secured to an edge of both the first and second paddings. An opposite edge of the fabric has releasable fasteners for releasably securing the opposite fabric edge to opposite edges of the paddings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Rollerblade, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Oetting, Corinne A. Cerull
  • Patent number: 5617580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a goalie pad cover designed to provide protection to a goalie pad from abrasion in sports such as ice hockey, in-line skate hockey or road hockey. The cover is tight fitting to the outer surface of the goalie pad so as to not interfere with normal use of the pad. The cover may be provided with plastic ribs or surfaces at the high wear areas of the cover to prevent abrasion of the cover and to provide sliding surfaces to enable the cover to slide on different surfaces. In fitting the goalie pad cover to a goalie pad, the cover is provided with a plurality of attachment and conforming devices which hold the cover to the goalie pad as well as tightly conforming the cover to the goalie pad surface. The attachment and conforming devices may comprise a system of straps, wire ties and washers to attach and conform the cover to the goalie pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventors: Vince DiCesare, Grant P. Conrad, Thomas J. Flood
  • Patent number: 5584072
    Abstract: A hip protector using a matching pair of hip protector holsters interconnectable to form a waist encircling belt from which a pair of protective pad pockets are pivotally suspended over the patent's hips and secured in place by leg encircling straps. The hip protector is light weight and flexible for use under clothing and does not interfere with restroom activities. Each holster is identical and has a wide waist size adjustment range to minimize costs and inventory problems. The pads include impact absorbing base pads on which are positioned semi-rigid shells to distribute impact energy across the pad. The waist and leg encircling belts are secured by hook and loop fastening fabric for convenience and adjustability, and may be provided with an alternative hook and loop fastening fabric to service a substantially different range of leg sizes. The waist encircling belt may be locked with cable ties, a locking strap, or a locking buckle to ensure compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignees: Bill H. Kim, Audrey H. Kim, Steven P. Lau, Letina C. Lau
    Inventors: Bill H. Kim, Letitia C. Lau
  • Patent number: 5560041
    Abstract: An equestrian knee pad for gripping, allowing added contact at the knee with the saddle for better leg control, as well as protecting an equestrian's knees from tissue injury. A generally flattened pillow-like pad is affixed to two pair of flexible and elastic straps, each strap having an end proximate to the pad and an end distal to the pad. Each strap extends generally parallel outwardly from the long edge of the oval pad. The oval pad comprises two oval layers of a web fabric, creating an inwardly facing surface (being the surface to be worn against the knee) and an outwardly facing surface (being the surface to be worn against the saddle). The inwardly facing surface is preferably made of leather to minimize friction and provide a natural cushioning effect. The outwardly facing surface is preferably suede, a textured surface which naturally provides a gripping effect upon the leather of a saddle. A cushioned fill material lies between each of the layers and causes the pad to appear pillow-like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Candi L. Walker
  • Patent number: 5524292
    Abstract: A knee pad unit for protecting the knee of an individual in a kneeling position and having outer plastic shell and a plurality of inflatable pneumatic tubes attached within the shell. The shell has two exterior rails having a front portion formed in a curved configuration to permit rocking. The plurality of inflatable tubes includes a central ring for suspending the knee and rear tubes for suspending the upper leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Hargens
  • Patent number: 5500955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knee pad for athletes which has a cushion part which covers the front and side of the knee and fastening means surrounding parts of the thigh and of the lower leg in the region of the knee, and in order to obtain optimal protection it proposes that the fastening means comprise two fastening strips which are connected, extending approximately parallel, to the cushion part (1) at two different heights, and that the cushion part (1) has a stretchable elastic region (6) between the attachment of the upper fastening strip (2) and the attachment of the lower fastening strip (3), said elastic region connecting two less stretchable cushion regions (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: J.G. Karl Schmidt GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Adrian-Marius Gongea
  • Patent number: 5407679
    Abstract: A shark repellant patch is provided which includes a highly flexible, impermeable membrane sealing a shark repelling substance to a highly flexible base. The membrane is provided with imperfections that cause the membrane to shear when it is subjected to a predetermined level of force. In one embodiment of the invention, a tab is provided proximate the imperfections to facilitate rupturing the membrane. An adhesive is applied to a portion of the base. An exemplary method of fabrication is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Justin Hayes
  • Patent number: 5255391
    Abstract: A pad for protecting the knee area of a wearer while engaging in activities such as snowboarding, skating, or the like, the pad comprising an elastic, waterproof body portion of nominal wall thickness and low weight, generally configured in a concave shape to comfortably fit over the knee area and around the leg of the wearer, the body portion having an internally disposed resilient member attached thereto for cushioning loads during forward falls, and integral provisions for releasably securing the pad around the wearer's leg in a snug fit, the releasable attachment provisions generally comprising two pairs of transversely disposed flaps unitarily formed in the body portion, one of each pair of flaps having loop material on one face thereof and a slot extending therethrough, and the other of each pair having an attached elongated planar strap, each strap having hook and loop material on opposing faces thereof, the entire configuration adapted for overlapping engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Norman D. Levine