The present invention relates to an articulated limb protection system and device for use in sports events such as ice hockey, street hockey, roller hockey and the like. The system or device comprises a buffer pocket which is disposed between an outer joint guard means and an inner joint guard means. The inner joint guard means is articulately connected to an adjacent limb guard means so that the inner joint guard means pivots relative to the limb member in response to bending action of the protected limb about the covered joint.
A plurality of fasteners is attached spaced around the periphery of a pad, such as a knee or elbow pad, with the fasteners being capable of gripping the ordinary clothing of a worker to secure the pad at the joint to be protected. The fasteners do not damage to material of the clothing, secure the pad in place at all times, and are readily attached to and detached from any ordinary street and/or work clothing. No modification of the clothing is required.
The shin guard is generally comprised of a top layer of material and a backing layer of resilient foam material which are joined together by stitching that extends around the perimeter of the shin guard. The shin guard further includes three pads separated by two seams that extend longitudinally along the shin guard. The first pad wraps around the medial side of the shin, i.e., the side facing the opposite leg. A top edge of the first pad lays of the leg beneath the calf muscle so as to not restrict the expansion and contraction of the calf muscle. Inserted between the top layer and the backing layer is a rigid insert that provides added protection from sharp impact injury. The insert has an arcuate shape so as to follow the general contour of the leg when placed in abutting relationship therewith. The center pad also includes an arcuately shaped insert to protect the shin itself. A third pad, also having an arcuately shaped insert, lies on the lateral side of the shin opposite the first pad. This pad is longer than the first pad and thus provides for added protection to the outward-facing portion of the lower leg, which is more exposed to injury than the inward-facing portion.
A protective device is disclosed that may have the configuration of a leg protector, for example. As a leg protector, the protective device includes a knee portion, a first thigh portion, and a second thigh portion. The first thigh portion is positioned adjacent the knee portion and has an elastic member. The second thigh portion is positioned adjacent the first thigh portion and opposite the knee portion. The knee portion, the first thigh portion, and the second thigh portion are secured relative to each other with at least one flexible strap that is attached to the knee portion, attached to the elastic member of the first thigh portion, and attached to the second thigh portion. The strap is unattached to the first thigh portion. In some embodiments, the first thigh portion does not include a restraint for securing the leg protector to the leg.
A clothing adherable knee pad includes a bendable flexible arcuate pad which bends over the knee of a kneeling person. At least two linearly extending elastic, stretchable straps are connected at distal ends thereof each to a respective clothing engageable clip, which is attachable to a trousers leg of a pair of pants. The two or more linearly extending elastic, stretchable straps engage the knee pad by being attached thereto or by being woven through respective pairs of slits extending through the knee pad. The straps are of sufficient length so that when attached to clothing, such as pants, respective locations of the clips upon pants legs avoids uncomfortable encroachments to respective lateral and rear areas of the knee of the user.
A joint protector for protecting a human user's knee or elbow from injury. The protector is comprised of a cushion pad which is shaped to fit about portions of the user's knee or elbow. A cap is fitted about the outer surface of the cushion pad and a flexible cover overlies the outer face of the cap. In one embodiment a support carries a cup-shaped cap that is formed of an elastic, compliant material. The cap elastically deforms, responsive to forces impacting on a small area, in an amount sufficient to spread the forces over a flat area as the forces are transferred into and absorbed by the cushion pad. The cap returns to its initial shape when the impact forces are removed. A mechanism is provided for removably attaching the joint protector to the user's knee or elbow joint.