ADJUSTABLE LEG GUARD FOR A CATCHER

BACKGROUND

Shin Guards are frequently worn to protect a sport participant's shins from impact. Shin guards may be worn in such sporting activities such as hockey, soccer, baseball and softball. In baseball and softball, shin guards maybe incorporated as part of a larger leg guard. Baseball and softball catchers often wear leg guards while the catcher is crouching when receiving a pitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are side views schematically illustrating portions of an example shin guard assembly in various states providing different lengths.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views schematically illustrating portions of an example toe and shin guard assembly in various states providing different configurations.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views schematically altering portions of an example toe and shin guard assembly in various states providing different lengths and configurations.

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically illustrating portions of an example thigh and knee guard assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side view schematically illustrated portions of an example thigh and knee guard assembly.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side view schematically illustrating portions of an example leg guard in various states providing different links and configurations.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an example leg guard.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the example leg guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the example leg guard of caffeine 7 when being worn.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an example shin guard portion of the example leg guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an example toe and shin guard portion of the example leg guard of FIG. 7.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

Disclosed are example shin guards that provide a customized fit for differently sized sport participants. The example shin guards comprise two pieces that are removably connected to one another and that overlap one another. In some implementations, one of the two pieces may be removed and replaced with a differently sized piece to accommodate a differently sized sport participant. In some implementations, the extent to which the two pieces overlap one another may be selectively adjusted to accommodate differently sized sport participants. Such customization may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow and change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team.

In some implementations, the example shin guards comprise a first piece that is fixed in shape and size, wherein the first piece is to cover a portion of a sport participant's shin that is less variable amongst different participants. The example shin guards further comprise a second piece that is moldable and hardenable and is to cover those portions of the sport participant's shin that may be more variable or susceptible to changes in size. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “moldable and hardenable” refers to a material that is bendable, moldable or pliable, with manually applied force, to a desired shape, wherein the material may be subsequently hardened or cured to a state that is not bendable or pliable.

In some implementations, the second piece may comprise a flexible outer skin containing a liquid or flowable material, wherein the liquid or flowable material may be something only hardened while the flexible outer skin is in the desired shape. In some implementations, the second piece may comprise a panel of a soft pliable non-liquid material, wherein the soft pliable non-liquid material may be subsequently hardened to a non-pliable state once the panel has been molded to a desired shape, conforming to the adjacent anatomy of the sport participant. In one implementation, the second piece may comprise a moldable and hardenable panel such as a panel including gel to shell technology, commercially available from EVOSHIELD®. The moldable and hardenable panel may be supported or positioned adjacent to the sport participant's shin and shaped to match the sport participant's shin. Once in the desired shape, the moldable and hardenable panel may be left in place adjacent the sport participant shin as the panel is hardened or cured to a permanent shin protecting shape and state. In some implementations, the second piece may comprise a compressible, yet bendable pad that is retained in an arcuate shape by one or more straps or other pad framing and retaining structures.

Disclosed are example shin and toe guard assemblies. The example shin and toe guard assemblies provide a customized fit for differently sized sport participants. The example shin and toe guard assemblies comprise a shin guard piece and a toe guard releasably connected to one another. In some implementations, the toe guard may be removed and replaced with a differently sized toe guard to accommodate a differently sized sport participant. In some implementations, the location and extent to which the toe guard extends from the shin guard piece and over the sport participant's foot may be selectively adjusted to accommodate differently sized sport participants. In some implementations, the toe guard is releasably connected to the shin guard piece by an elongate flexible band that is connectable to the shin guard piece at any one of a variety of different locations by hook and loop fastener mechanism with one of the hook and loop provided on the flexible band and the other of the hook and loop provided on a backside of the shin guard piece. The toe guard may be further retained in place by a strap extending from the toe guard and wrapping underneath and about the sport participant's foot. Such customization provided by the shin and toe guard assembly may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow in change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team.

Disclosed are example thigh and knee guard assemblies. Such assemblies may comprise a knee guard and a thigh guard pivotably connected to one another by continuous flexible band that underlies and connects both the thigh guard and the knee guard. In one implementation, the thigh guard and the knee guard may both riveted, stitched or otherwise fastened to respective portions of the band. The band may extend across a majority of a width of each of the thigh guard and the knee guard to not only pivotally connect the two guards, but to also structurally support and stabilize the two guards against transverse relative movement or twisting. Although the band is sufficiently flexible to allow a sufficient degree of freedom such as when a catcher crouches to receive a pitch and so as to allow some degree of twisting (in contrast to much stiffer plastic linkages or hinges), the width of the band is sufficiently wide so as to limit the degree of twisting. Because the band further extends behind or underlies a majority of each of the knee guard and the leg guard, which are rigid or inflexible, such underlying portions of the band are securely anchored to further limit undesirable relative twisting of the knee guard and the leg guard. In one implementation, the band may have a width of at least 2 inches. In one implementation, the band may comprise a flexible fabric band having a width of at least 0.5 inch and no greater than 3.0 inches. Because the band structurally supports and stabilizes the two guards against transverse movement and twisting, the two guards are more securely retained in place, and placing the assembly on the sport participant's leg may be simplified.

In some implementations, the example thigh guard assemblies may additionally comprise an extended knee guard which overlaps portions of each of the thigh guard and the knee guard. The extended knee guard is directly affixed to the flexible band. In such implementations, the flexible band serves as a direct support foundation for each of the thigh guard, knee guard and extended knee guard, simplifying the construction of the example via knee guard assembly. The family does not involve infrastructure for pivotally supporting the knee guard relative to the thigh guard and a second additional structure for pivotally supporting the extended knee guard.

Disclosed are example leg guards. The example leg guards may include one or more of the above shin guard, shin and toe guard assembly and thigh and knee guard assembly. The resulting leg guard is well-suited for protecting a catcher's leg while crouching when receiving a pitch. The example leg guards provide a customizable leg guard assembly that may adapt to differently sized sport participants. The example leg guard may serve as a one guard fits all solution for reducing equipment costs and for ensuring that the leg guards being worn by sport participants are properly sized and fitted to the sport participant's anatomy to best protect the legs of the sport participant.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are diagrams schematically illustrating portions of an example shin guard 20 in different selectable states. Shin guard 20 comprises upper shin guard piece 24 and lower shin guard piece 28. Upper shin guard piece 24 and lower shin guard piece 28 are removably connected to one another so as to overlap one another. As a result, one of the two pieces may be removed and replaced with a differently sized piece to accommodate a differently sized sport participant. In the example illustrated, the extent to which the two pieces overlap one another may be selectively adjusted to accommodate differently sized sport participants. Such customization may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow in change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team.

In the example illustrated, upper shin guard piece 24 is fixed in shape and size, wherein piece 24 is to cover a portion of a sport participant's shin that is less variable amongst different participants. In the example illustrated, upper shin guard piece 24 has an upper end for connection to a knee guard. In other implementations, pieces 24 and 28 may be configured for use independent of a knee guard or a larger leg guard assembly.

In the example illustrated, lower shin guard piece 28 is moldable and hardenable and is to cover those portions of the sport participant's shin that may be more variable or susceptible to changes in size. In one implementation, piece 28 may comprise a flexible outer skin containing a liquid or flowable material, wherein the liquid or flowable material may be something only hardened while the flexible outer skin is in the desired shape. In some implementations, the piece 28 may comprise a panel of a soft pliable non-liquid material, wherein the soft pliable non-liquid material may be subsequently hardened or cured to a non-pliable state once a panel has been molded to a desired shape, conforming to the adjacent anatomy of the sport participant. In one implementation, the second piece may comprise a moldable and hardenable panel such as a panel including gel to shell technology, commercially available from EVOSHIELD®. The moldable and hardenable panel may be supported or positioned adjacent to the sport participant's shin and shaped to match the sport participant's shin. Once in the desired shape, the moldable and hardenable panel may be left in place adjacent the sport participant shin as the panel is hardened to a permanent shin protecting shape and state. In some implementations, piece 28 may comprise a compressible, yet bendable pad that is retained in an arcuate shape by one or more straps or other pad framing and retaining structures.

In the example illustrated, upper shin guard piece 24 comprises distinct connection points 34-1, 34-2 and 34-3 (collectively referred to as connection points 34). At the same time, lower shin guard piece 28 comprises distinct connection points 38-1, 38-2 and 38-3 (collectively referred to as connection points 38). Each of connection points 34 serves as part of a connection interface that interlocks with any of connection points 38. Because connection points 34 and 38 interact with one another on a back face our side of the front upper shin guard piece 24, such connection points 34 are less susceptible to damage or becoming contaminated with dirt or other debris which may impair connection.

In one implementation, each of connection points 34 comprises a first portion of a snap fastener while each of connection points 38 comprises a second corresponding portion of the snap fastener. In one implementation, each of connection points 34 comprises one of a hook and loop structure while each of connection points 38 comprises the other of the hook and loop structure (for example, VELCRO®). As shown by broken lines, in some implementations, connection points 34 and/or connection points 38 may alternatively comprise continuous elongate strips of hook material or loop material, providing a continuum of different connection positions. In other implementations, connection points 34 and 38 may comprise other cooperative interlocking structures that facilitate releasable securement of pieces 24 and 28 at different positions relative to one another.

In the connected state shown in FIG. 1A, connection points 34-2 and 38-1 are connected to one another while connection points 34-3 and 38-2 are connected to one another to provide an intermediate length for shin guard 20. In the connected state shown in FIG. 1B, connection points 34-3 and 38-1 are connected to one another to provide an extended length for shin guard 20. In the connected state shown in FIG. 1C, connection points 34-1, 34-2 and 34-3 are connected to connection points 38-1, 38-2 and 30-3, respectively, to provide a shorter shin guard 20. As should be appreciated, connection point 38-3 may also be connected to connection point 34-2 for an even shorter shin guard 20 or connected to connection point 34-1 for a still shorter shin guard 20. The length of shin guard 20 may be adjusted to accommodate differently size shins of different sport participants. In other implementations, other numbers of connections points and adjustable overlapping positions of the shin guard pieces 24 and 28, and other numbers of overlapped positions and degrees or sizes of overlapping of the pieces 24 and 28, are contemplated.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate an example shin and toe guard assembly 120. Shin and toe guard assembly 120 may provide a customized fit for differently sized sport participants. Shin and toe guard assembly 120 comprises a toe guard that may be removed and replaced with a differently sized toe guard to accommodate a differently sized sport participant. In some implementations, the location and extent to which the toe guard extends from the shin guard piece and over the sport participants foot may be selectively adjusted to accommodate differently sized sport participants. Shin and toe guard assembly 120 comprises shin guard piece 128 and toe guard 150.

Shin guard piece 128 comprises a member shaped and sized to cover and protect the sport participant's shin. In one implementation, shin guard piece 128 may comprise a hard shell backed by cushioned compressible pad. In another implementation, shin guard piece 128 may comprise a moldable and hardenable panel that has been hardened to match or correspond to the profile or shape of the sport participant's shin. The panel may be enclosed in a fabric sleeve, pocket or encasement or may be directly exposed. In one implementation, shin guard piece 128 corresponds to shin guard piece 28 described above except that shin guard piece 128 is additionally configured for removable connection to toe guard 150, forming assembly 120.

Toe guard 150 extends over or above a top of a sport participant's foot, protecting his or her foot from impacts. Toe guard 150 is especially directed to protecting a catcher's foot from impacts from a thrown pitch or a foul tipped batted ball. Toe guard 150 comprises toe guard piece 154 and flexible band 156.

Toe guard piece 154 comprises a hard outer shell. In some implementations, the hard outer shell is additionally backed by cushioning pad. In some implementation, toe guard piece 154 includes a strap extending from the shell for wrapping about the sport participant's foot.

Flexible band 156 comprise a band of flexible fabric, rubber and/or polymeric material extending between and connecting toe guard piece 154 and shin guard piece 128. In one implementation, flexible band 156 is fastened or affixed to toe guard piece 154 while being removably connectable to shin guard piece 128. In one implementation, flexible band 156 is removably connectable to shin guard piece 128 at a plurality of different user selectable positions so as to adjust the relative positioning of toe guard piece 154 with respect to shin guard piece 128.

In the example illustrated, shin guard piece 128 comprises distinct connection points 164-1, 164-2 and 164-3 (collectively referred to as connection points 164). At the same time, flexible band 156 of toe guard 150 comprises distinct connection points 168-1, 168-2 and 168-3 (collectively referred to as connection points 168). Each of connection points 164 serves as part of a connection interface that interlocks with any of connection points 168. Because connection points 164 and 168 interact with one another on a back face or side of the shin guard piece 128, such connection points 164 are less susceptible to damage or becoming contaminated with dirt or other debris which may impair connection.

In one implementation, each of connection points 164 comprises a first portion of a snap fastener while each of connection points 168 comprises a second corresponding portion of the snap fastener. In one implementation, each of connection points 164 comprises one of a hook and loop structure while each of connection points 168 comprises the other of the hook and loop structure (for example, VELCRO®). As shown by broken lines, in some implementations, connection points 164 and/or connection points 168 may alternatively comprise continuous elongate strips of hook material or loop material, providing a continuum of different connection positions. In other implementations, connection points 164 and 168 may comprise other cooperative interlocking structures that facilitate releasable securement of toe guard 150 engine guard piece 128 at different positions relative to one another.

In the connected state shown in FIG. 2A, connection points 164-2 and 168-1 are connected to one another while connection points 164-3 and 168-2 are connected to one another to provide a first position for toe guard piece 154. In the connected state shown in FIG. 2B, connection points 164-1, 164-2 and 164-3 are connected to connection points 168-1, 168-2 and 168-3, respectively, providing a second position for toe guard piece 154. In the second position, shin guard piece 154 is closer to shin guard piece 128 as compared to the position shown in FIG. 2A. As should be appreciated, connection point 168-1 may be connected to connection point 164-3 to provide yet a third position for toe guard piece 150, farthest away from shin guard piece 128. In other implementations, other numbers of connections points and adjustable overlapping positions of the shin guard piece 164 and the flexible strap 168, and other numbers of overlapped positions and degrees or sizes of overlapping of the piece 164 and the strap 168, are contemplated.

As a result, the length of shin guard 20 may be adjusted to accommodate differently size shins of different sport participants. Such customization provided by the shin and toe guard assembly may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow in change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views schematically illustrating portions of an example shin and toe guard assembly 220. Assembly 220 is similar to assembly 120 described above except that assembly 120 comprises shin guard piece 228 in place of shin guard piece 128 and additionally comprises shin guard piece 24 as described above. Shin guard piece 228 is similar to shin guard piece 128 except that shin guard piece 228 additionally comprises connection points 38-1, 38-2 and 38-3 on its front face as described above with respect to shin guard assembly 20.

As shown by FIGS. 3A and 3B, shin and toe guard assembly 220 is adjustable to accommodate differently sized sport participants in two manners. First, shin and toe guard assembly 220 facilitates selective adjustment of the relative positioning of shin guard pieces 24 and 228 to accommodate different lengths of shins (as is guide above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C). Second, shin and toe guard assembly 220 facilitates selective adjustment of the relative positioning of toe guard piece 154 and shin guard piece 228 to accommodate different sized feet of the sport participant. Although FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate only two positions of the shin and toe guard assembly 220, the shin and toe guard assembly 220 is capable of numerous other adjustable positions of the shin guard piece 24, the shin guard piece 228 and/or the strap 168.

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically illustrating portions of an example thigh and knee guard assembly 320. Assembly 320 comprises a knee guard 380 and a thigh guard 384 pivotably connected to one another by continuous flexible band 386 that underlies and connects both the thigh guard 384 and the knee guard 386. Both knee guard 380 and thigh guard 384 comprise a hard outer shell backed by a cushion or pad. In one implementation, the thigh guard 384 and the knee guard 380 may both riveted, stitched or otherwise fastened to respective portions of the band 386.

Flexible band 386 extends across a majority of a width of each of the thigh guard 384 and the knee guard 380 to not only pivotally connect the two guards, but to also structurally support and stabilize the two guards against transverse relative movement or twisting. Although the band 386 is sufficiently flexible to allow a sufficient degree of freedom such as when a catcher crouches to receive a pitch and so as to allow some degree of twisting (in contrast to much stiffer plastic linkages or hinges), the width of the band 386 is sufficiently wide so as to limit the degree of twisting. Because the band 36 further extends behind or underlies a majority of each of the knee guard 380 and the leg guard 384, which are rigid or inflexible, such underlying portions of the band are securely anchored to further limit undesirable relative twisting of the knee guard and the leg guard. In one implementation, the band 36 may have a width of at least 2 inches. In one implementation, the band may comprise a flexible fabric band of at least 2 inches. In one implementation, the band may be formed from a fabric material having a width of at least 0.5 inch and no greater than 3.0 inches. Because the band 36 structurally supports and stabilizes the two guards against transverse movement and twisting, the two guards are more securely retained in place and placing the assembly on the sport participant's leg may be simplified. In other implementations, the flexible band 386 can be a pair of spaced apart flexible bands 386 that each connect the knee guard 380 and the leg guard 384 with the space between the flexible bands 386 being suitable to extend over a player's knee cap. In another implementation, the flexible band 386 may be a wide band and may include a knee cap opening for extending over or accommodating the player's knee cap.

FIG. 5 is a side view schematically illustrating portions of an example thigh guard assembly 420. Assembly 420 is similar to assembly 320 described above except that assembly 420 additionally comprises an extended knee guard 488 which overlaps portions of each of the thigh guard 384 and the knee guard 380. The extended knee guard 488 is directly affixed to the flexible band 386. In some implementations, the extended knee guard 488 is stitched, riveted and/or fixed to flexible band 386 at a location between knee guard 380 and thigh guard 384. In other implementations, the knee guard 488 may be removably attached to flexible band 386. In such implementations, the flexible band 386 serves as a direct support or foundation for each of the thigh guard 384, knee guard 380 and extended knee guard 488, simplifying the construction of the example thigh and knee guard assembly. The assembly 420 does not involve an additional first structure for pivotally supporting the knee guard relative to the thigh guard and a second additional structure for pivotally supporting the extended knee guard, reducing complexity and cost.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views schematically illustrated portions of an overall leg guard 520 into different size adjusted states. Leg guard 520 comprises a combination of: shin guard assembly 220 and thigh and knee guard assembly 420 described above except that assembly 520 comprises flexible band 586 in place of flexible band 386. Flexible band 586 is similar to flexible band 326 except that flexible band 586 has an extended length so as to overlap in extends behind shin guard piece 24, where flexible band 586 is affixed to a backside of shin guard piece 24. In one implementation, flexible band 326 is stitched, riveted or otherwise fastened to shin guard piece 24. In some implementations, flexible band 586 may be affixed to shin guard piece 24 at other locations. In other implementations, the flexible band 586 may be removably and/or adjustably attached to the shin guard piece 24. In the example illustrated, flexible band 586 serves as a single base or foundation for supporting both assembly 220 and assembly 420.

Similar to flexible band 486, flexible band 586 not only pivotally connects the two assemblies, but also structurally supports and stabilizes assemblies 220 and 420 against transverse relative movement or twisting. Although the band 586 is sufficiently flexible to allow a sufficient degree of freedom such as when a catcher crouches to receive a pitch and so as to allow some degree of twisting (in contrast to much stiffer plastic linkages or hinges), the width of the band 586 is sufficiently wide so as to limit the degree of twisting. Because the band 586 further extends behind or underlies a majority of thin guard piece 24, which are rigid or inflexible, such underlying portions of the band are securely anchored to further limit undesirable relative twisting of the assemblies 220 and 420. In one implementation, the band 586 may have a width of at least 2 inches. In one implementation, the band may comprise a flexible fabric band having a thickness of at least 0.5 inch and no greater than 3.0 inch. Because the band 586 structurally supports and stabilizes assemblies 220 and 420 against transverse movement and twisting, assemblies 220 and 420 are more securely retained in place. In addition, placing the assembly on the sport participant's leg may be simplified.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrated portions of an example leg guard 720, an example implementation of leg guard 520. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of leg guard 720. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of leg guard 720. FIG. 9 illustrates leg guard 720 while being worn. Leg guard 720 comprises shin guard piece 724, shin guard piece 728, toe guard 750, knee guard 780, thigh guard 784 (shown in FIGS. 8 to 9) and flexible band 786.

Shin guard piece 724 and 728 comprise implementations of shin guard pieces 24 and 228 described above. Shin guard pieces 724 and 728 are removably connected to one another so as to overlap one another. As a result, one of the two pieces may be removed and replaced with a differently sized piece to accommodate a differently sized sport participant. In the example illustrated, the extent to which the two pieces overlap one another may be selectively adjusted to accommodate differently sized sport participants. The number of adjustable positions between the shin guard pieces 724 and 728 is very large allowing for any user to find an adjustable position that meets his or her needs. Such customization may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow in change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team.

In the example illustrated, shin guard piece 724 is fixed in shape and size, wherein piece 724 is to cover a portion of a sport participant's shin that is less variable amongst different participants. In the example illustrated, shin guard piece 724 has an upper end coupled to knee guard 780 by flexible band 786. In the example illustrated, shin guard piece 724 is affixed to flexible band 786 by rivets or stitching.

Shin guard piece 728 is moldable and hardenable and is configured to cover those portions of the sport participant's shin that may be more variable or susceptible to changes in size. In the example illustrated, piece 728 comprises a panel of a soft pliable non-liquid material, wherein the soft pliable non-liquid material may be subsequently hardened or cured to a non-pliable state once a panel has been molded to a desired shape, conforming to the adjacent anatomy of the sport participant. In one implementation, shin guard piece 728 may comprise a moldable and hardenable panel such as a panel including gel to shell technology, commercially available from EVOSHIELD®. The moldable and hardenable panel may be supported or positioned adjacent to the sport participant's shin and shaped to match the sport participant's shin. Once in the desired shape, the moldable and hardenable panel may be left in place adjacent the sport participant shin as the panel is hardened to a permanent shin protecting shape and state.

In the example illustrated, shin guard piece 728 comprises a flexible strap 729 affixed to one side of piece 728 and removably connected with the other side of piece 728 by hook and loop fastener. Prior to the hardening of piece 728, while piece 728 is still in a moldable state, strap 729 may be wrapped about the sport participants calf, the back of the shin, to retain piece 728 in place and in a shape closely conforming to the shin. Once shin guard piece 728 has hardened and retains its shape, strap 729 may still be used to retain shin guard piece 728 place adjacent to the sport participant's shin.

In other implementations, piece 728 may comprise a flexible outer skin containing a liquid or flowable material, wherein the liquid or flowable material may be something only hardened while the flexible outer skin is in the desired shape. In still other implementations, piece 728 may comprise a compressible, yet bendable pad that is retained in an arcuate shape by one or more straps.

As further shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, shin guard piece 728 has a lower end portion which comprises ankle guards 735 separated by intervening cut out 736. Ankle guards 735 comprise opposite ears projecting downward from the remainder of shin guard piece 728. Ankle guards 735 are sized and shaped so as to at least partially cover and protect the balls of the ankle of the leg upon which leg guard 720 is being worn. Cut out 736 receives portions of tow guard 750, facilitating angular adjustment of tow guard 750 relative to shin guard piece 728. In other implementations, ankle guards 735 may be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a front view of leg guard 720 prior to the shaping/molding and hardening of shin guard piece 728 and a rearview of the remainder of leg guard 720. As shown by FIG. 10, shin guard pieces 724 and 728 are removably connected to one another at any of a variety of different selectable locations by two continuous bands 734 and 738 that form opposite portions of a hook and loop fastener. As a result, the length of shin guard formed by pieces 724 and 728 may be adjusted to accommodate differently size shins of different sport participants. In other implementations, shin guard pieces 724 and 728 may be removably connected to one another by other fastening mechanism such as snap fasteners and the like.

Toe guard 750 extends over or above a top of a sport participant's foot, protecting his or her foot from impacts. Toe guard 750 is especially directed to protecting a catcher's foot from impacts from a throne pitch. Toe guard 750 comprises toe guard piece 754 and flexible band 756.

Toe guard piece 754 comprises a hard outer shell 757 additionally backed by cushioning pad 758. In some implementations, toe guard piece 754 includes a strap extending from the shell for wrapping about the sport participant's foot.

Flexible band 756 comprise a padded or cushioned band of flexible fabric in the shape of the tongue extending from toe guard piece 754 for removable connection to shin guard piece 728. In the example illustrated, flexible band 756 is fastened or affixed to toe guard piece 754 while being removably connectable to shin guard piece 728. As shown by FIG. 11, the back pad or side of shin guard piece 728 comprises a band or patch 764 of a first portion of a hook and loop fastener, whereas the front surface of flexible band 756 comprises a patch or band 768 of the other portion of the hook and loop fastener. As a result, toe guard 750 may be removably connected to shin guard piece 728 at any one of a variety of different possible locations to accommodate different anatomies of the particular sport participant wearing leg guard 720. Such customization provided by the shin and toe guard assembly may be especially beneficial in youth sports where a sport participant may grow and change in height over a period of time. Such customization may also be beneficial in team sports, wherein a single shin guard may be adjusted so as to be worn by multiple differently sized sport participants on a single team. In other implementations, band 756 may be removably connected to shin guard piece 728 by other fastening mechanisms or arrangements. In some implementations, band 756 may be affixed to shin guard piece 728 by rivets, stitching or the like.

As shown by FIG. 9, knee guard 780 and thigh guard 784 are pivotably connected to one another by continuous flexible band 786 that underlies and connects both the thigh guard 784 and the knee guard 780. Both knee guard 780 and thigh guard 784 comprise a hard outer shell 790 backed by a cushion are padding provided by flexible band 786. In one implementation, the thigh guard 784 and the knee guard 780 may both riveted, stitched or otherwise fastened to respective portions of the band 786.

Flexible band 786 extends across a majority of a width of each of the thigh guard 784 and the knee guard 780 to not only pivotally connect the two guards, but to also structurally support and stabilize the two guards against transverse relative movement or twisting. Although the band 786 is sufficiently flexible to allow a sufficient degree of freedom such as when a catcher crouches to receive a pitch and so as to allow some degree of twisting (in contrast to much stiffer plastic linkages or hinges), the width of the band 786 is sufficiently wide so as to limit the degree of twisting. Because the band 786 further extends behind or underlies a majority of each of the knee guard 780 and the leg guard 784, which are rigid or inflexible, such underlying portions of the band are securely anchored to further limit undesirable relative twisting of the knee guard and the leg guard. In one implementation, the band 786 may have a width of at least 2 inches. In one implementation, the band may comprise a flexible fabric band having a thickness of at least 0.5 inch and no greater than 3.0 inches. Because the band 786 structurally supports and stabilizes the two guards against transverse movement and twisting, the two guards are more securely retained in place and placing the assembly on the sport participant's leg may be simplified.

Extended knee guard 788 which overlaps portions of each of the thigh guard 384 and the knee guard 380. The extended knee guard 788 is directly affixed to the flexible band 786. In the illustrated example, the extended knee guard 788 is stitched, riveted alive fixed to flexible band 786 at a location between knee guard 780 and thigh guard 784. In the illustrated example, the flexible band 786 serves as a direct support or foundation for each of the thigh guard 784, knee guard 780 and extended knee guard 788, simplifying the construction of the example leg guard 720. As shown by such figures, the various portions of leg guard 720 comprise additional straps 792, 794 and 796 for further securing leg guard 720 about the leg of the sport participant.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example implementations, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from disclosure. For example, although different example implementations may have been described as including features providing various benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example implementations or in other alternative implementations. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example implementations and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so on in the claims merely distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise stated, are not to be specifically associated with a particular order or particular numbering of elements in the disclosure.

ADJUSTABLE LEG GUARD FOR A CATCHER

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims