This disclosure relates generally to protective hockey equipment and, more particularly, to hockey goalkeeper leg pads for protecting legs of hockey goalkeepers.
Hockey goalkeepers (a.k.a. goalies) defend their team's goal in a hockey game, and, to that end, they wear various equipment, including leg pads to protect their legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/or when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing surface (e.g., ice).
A hockey goalkeeper leg pad, which is often referred to a “goalie pad”, typically comprises a front body and side extensions that project rearwardly from its front body, such as medial and lateral knee extensions that define a knee cradle for a goalie's knee and medial and lateral calf extensions that define a lower leg channel for the goalie's lower leg. For instance, the medial side knee extension may engage the goalie's knee when the goalie pad drops onto a playing surface as the goalie drives his/her knee down and then presses it against the playing surface, such as in a “butterfly” position or otherwise.
While a goalie pad's side extensions are useful and have been improved over time, they may sometimes have issues that affect, for example, their stability or responsiveness. In some cases, this may be caused by how they are secured to a remainder of the goalie pad, such as by being sewn or laced in as tightly as possible.
For these and other reasons, improvements in hockey goalkeeper leg pads would be welcomed.
According to various aspects, this disclosure relates to hockey goalkeeper leg pads wearable on legs of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the legs, in which the hockey goalkeeper leg pads may be configured to enhance performance, comfort and/or other aspects of goalkeeping of the hockey goalkeeper, including when the hockey goalkeeper leg pads drop onto a playing surface (e.g., ice) to lie substantially horizontally on the playing surface with their front facing play (e.g., as in a “butterfly” position or otherwise).
For example, according to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises: a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The front pad member and the side pad member are interconnected.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a medial side portion configured to overlie a medial side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a medial side knee extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a medial side knee pad member of the padding. The front pad member and the medial side knee pad member are interconnected.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a covering that covers at least part of the padding. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The front pad member and the side pad member are connected to one another independently of a connection of the covering and the padding.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper led pad comprises a covering that covers at least part of the padding. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The front pad member and the side pad member are connected to one another inside the covering.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a reinforcement disposed in the front portion and the side portion. The front portion comprises a front reinforcing member of the reinforcement. The front reinforcing member is adjacent to and stiffer than the front pad member. The side portion comprises a side reinforcing member of the reinforcement. The side reinforcing member is adjacent to and stiffer than the side pad member. The front reinforcing member and the side reinforcing member are interconnected.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a medial side portion configured to overlie a medial side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising: a medial side knee extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a medial side knee pad member of the padding; and a medial side calf extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a medial side calf pad member of the padding. The medial side calf extension is configured to bear loading from the lower leg region of the hockey goalkeeper when the medial side knee extension engages a playing surface.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises: a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The side portion is rotatable relative to the front portion over a range of motion. The range of motion comprises a position of the side portion relative to the front portion wherein a resistance to rotate outwardly is different from a resistance to rotate inwardly.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises: a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The side portion is rotatable relative to the front portion over a range of motion. The range of motion comprises a first position of the side portion relative to the front portion and a second position of the side portion relative to the front portion. A resistance of the side portion to rotate outwardly at the first position is different from a resistance of the side portion to rotate outwardly at the second position.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to protect an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises padding disposed in the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion, and the foot portion. The hockey goalkeeper leg pad comprises: a front portion configured to overlie a front of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a front pad member of the padding; and a side portion configured to overlie a side of the hockey goalkeeper's leg and comprising a side extension that projects rearwardly from the front portion and comprises a side pad member of the padding. The side portion is rotatable relative to the front portion over a range of motion. The range of motion comprises a position of the side portion relative to the front portion wherein a resistance to rotate outwardly is at least 5000 N·mm per degree.
These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent upon review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
A detailed description of embodiments is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
The description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be limiting.
As further discussed later, in this embodiment, the goalie pads 101, 102 may be configured to enhance performance, comfort and/or other aspects of goalkeeping of the goalie, including when the goalie pads 101, 102 drop onto the ice 12 to lie substantially horizontally on the ice 12 with their front facing play, such as in a “butterfly” position or otherwise.
The goalie pads 101, 102 protect various regions of the goalie's legs 161, 162. With additional reference to
With additional reference to
In this embodiment, the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x comprises medial side extensions 54, 56 that project rearwardly from the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x. More particularly, in this embodiment, the medial side extension 54 is a medial side knee extension of the knee portion 31 that is configured to protect the goalie's knee 19, including by engaging the knee 19 when the goalie pad 10x drops onto the ice 12 as the goalie drives his/her knee 19 down and then presses it against the ice 12. In some cases, the medial side knee extension 54 may sometimes be referred to as a “knee landing” that may include “knee stacks” or “knee blocks”. The medial side extension 56 is a medial side calf extension of the lower leg portion 32 that is configured to protect the goalie's lower leg region 20, including by engaging the lower leg region 20 when the goalie pad 10x drops onto the ice 12. In some cases, the medial side calf extension 56 may sometimes be referred to as a “calf plate”. Also, in this embodiment, the lateral side portion 28 of the goalie pad 10x comprises lateral side extensions 58, 60 that project rearwardly from the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x. The lateral side extension 58 is a lateral side knee extension of the knee portion 31, while the lateral side extension 60 is a lateral side calf extension of the lower leg portion 32. The medial and lateral side knee extensions 54, 58 define a knee cradle to receive the goalie's knee 19, while the medial and lateral side calf extensions 56, 60 define a lower leg channel to receive the goalie's lower leg region 20.
The goalie pad 10x can be secured to the goalie's leg 16x in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the goalie pad 10x comprises straps 501-50S to secure it to the goalie's leg 16x.
In this embodiment, the goalie pad 10x comprises padding 62 to provide padded protection to the goalie's leg 16x against an impact from a puck, ball, hockey stick or other object and/or when moving (e.g., dropping) it onto the ice 12, and a covering 64 that covers at least part of the padding 62.
The padding 62 is disposed in (i.e., part of) the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the foot portion 33 of the goalie pad 10x. To that end, the padding 62, which may sometimes be referred to as a “core” of the goalie pad 10x, may comprise any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the padding 62 may comprise foam, such as polyurethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene foam, vinyl nitrile foam, or any other suitable foam. As another example, in some embodiments, the padding 62 may comprise a material other than foam, such as a gel or any other suitable shock-absorbing material. In some cases, the padding 62 may comprise a plurality of padding layers of one or more padding materials (e.g., layers of different foams; a foam layer and a non-foam layer; etc.).
In this embodiment, the padding 62 comprises a plurality of pad members 801-80P that are parts of the padding 62 which are disposed in the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the foot portion 33 of the goalie pad 10x. More particularly, in this embodiment, the pad member 801 is a front pad member that is part of the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x and may be referred to as a “main” pad member; the pad member 802 is a medial side knee pad member that is part of the medial side knee extension 54 of the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x; the pad member 803 is a medial side calf pad member that is part of the medial side calf extension 56 of the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x; the pad member 804 is a lateral side knee pad member that is part of the lateral side knee extension 58 of the lateral side portion 28 of the goalie pad 10x; and the pad member 805 is a lateral side calf pad member that is part of the lateral side calf extension 60 of the lateral side portion 28 of the goalie pad 10x. Each of the pad members 801-80P has: a longitudinal direction defining a length LPM of that pad member; a widthwise direction defining a width WPM of that pad member; and a thicknesswise direction defining a thickness TPM of that pad member.
The covering 64 covers at least part of the padding 62 and may protect the padding 62, decorate the goalie pad 10x (e.g., include graphics), enhance performance (e.g., slidability, impact and rebound properties, etc.) of the goalie pad 10x, and/or provide comfort to the goalie. In this embodiment, the covering 64 comprises an outer cover 68 and an inner cover 70 between which is disposed the padding 62.
The outer cover 68 is configured to face away from the goalie's leg 16x. In this embodiment, the outer cover 68 has mechanical properties to facilitate the use of the goalie pad 10x. For example, the outer cover 68 may have a reduced dynamical coefficient of friction with the playing surface 12, in this case ice. In some embodiments, a dynamical coefficient of friction of the outer cover 68 with ice may be no more than 0.7, in some cases no more than 0.5, in some cases no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.2 and in some cases even less. The outer cover 68 may have any other dynamical coefficient of friction with the playing surface 12 in other embodiments.
The outer cover 68 may comprise any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the outer cover 42 may comprise a synthetic pliable material such as synthetic leather (e.g., polyurethane (PU) leather) or fabric (e.g., nylon fabric, polyester fabric, etc.) that may be provided as a panel or other piece cut into a desired shape. As another example, in some embodiments, the outer cover 68 comprise a molded material (e.g., molded foam such as ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, etc.; non-foam polymeric material such as thermoplastic polyurethane or any other elastomeric material, a gel, etc.) that is formed by a molding process such that the outer cover 68 is a molded cover, such as described, for instance, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0033433 incorporated by reference herein. In some cases, the outer cover 68 may comprise a plurality of layers of one or more materials (e.g., different fabrics, a foam layer and a non-foam layer, etc.).
The inner cover 70 is configured to face the goalie's leg 16x. It may comprise any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the inner cover 70 may comprise a fabric such as a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, synthetic microfibers, a synthetic woven knit, a polyurethane laminate, a mesh, or any other suitable fabric. The inner cover 70 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
The covering 64 and the padding 62 may be connected together in any suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, two or more of the outer cover 68, the inner cover 70, and the padding 62 may be fastened by one or more fasteners, such as a stitching (i.e., a series of stitches), an adhesive, a series of staples, one or more laces, etc.
In this embodiment, the goalie pads 10x may be configured to enhance performance, comfort and/or other aspects of goalkeeping of the goalie, including when the goalie pad 10x drop onto the ice 12 to lie substantially horizontally on the ice 12 with its front 34 facing play, such as in a butterfly position or otherwise.
Notably, in this embodiment, respective ones of the medial and lateral side knee and calf extensions 54, 56, 58, 60 may be better connected to a remainder of the goalie pad 10x and/or reinforced so as to be more stable, responsive and supportive for the goalie.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 are interconnected, i.e., connected to one another between one another. That is, a connection 41 of the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 is between the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802. The connection 41 of the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 is such that they are connected to one another directly or by a connecting element (e.g., fastener) between them.
For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As yet another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
In this embodiment, the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 are connected to one another independently of a connection of the covering 64 and the padding 62. That is, the connection of the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 is independent from the connection of the covering 64 and the padding 62. Thus, the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 are connected to one another even without the connection of the covering 64 and the padding 62. For example, one or more fasteners, such as a stitching, a lace, or an adhesive connecting the covering to the padding is not used to connect the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 together.
For example, in this embodiment, the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 70 may be fastened together, and the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 are connected to one another independently of fastening of the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 70. That is, the connection of the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 is independent from how the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 70 are fastened together. Thus, the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 are connected to one another even without the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 70 being fastened together. For example, one or more fasteners, such as a stitching, a lace, or an adhesive fastening the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 70 is not used to connect the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 together.
An angle between the longitudinal direction of the front pad member 801 and the longitudinal direction of the medial side knee pad member 802 at rest may have any suitable value, and may be acute, right or obtuse. For example, in some embodiments, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the front pad member 801 and the longitudinal direction of the medial side knee pad member 802 may be between 60° and 120°, in some cases between 80° and 100°, and in some cases about 90°. Thus, in some embodiments, the front pad member 801 and the medial side knee pad member 802 lie substantially perpendicularly to one another.
In some embodiments, the medial side knee pad member 802 may be thicker than the front pad member 801 where the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x projects rearwardly from the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x. In other embodiments, the medial side knee pad member 802 may be as thick as or less thick than the front pad member 801 where the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x projects rearwardly from the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x
With continued reference to
For example, in some embodiments, the reinforcement 90 may comprise a bracket 91. The front reinforcing member 921 of the reinforcement 90 may be a portion of the bracket 91 that extends into the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x. Similarly, the medial side reinforcing member 922 of the reinforcement 90 may be a portion of the bracket 91 that extends into the medial portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x. In this example, the front reinforcing member 921 has a dimension D1 in either one of or in both the longitudinal direction and the widthwise direction of the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x, and the medial side reinforcing member 922 has a dimension D2 in either one of or in both the longitudinal direction and the widthwise direction of the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x.
More specifically, in this example, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are substantially flat and connected by a bend 923. In some cases, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are angled to one another by an angle between 60° and 120°, in some cases between 80° and 100°, in some cases about 90°. The front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 may thus lie substantially perpendicularly to one another. In this case, the reinforcement 90 is L-shaped. In other embodiments, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are shaped to conform to a shape of the inner cover 70 of the pad members 801, 802, and/or to conform to the shape of the goalie's leg.16x.
In this embodiment, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are contiguous and extend from one another. More particularly, in this example, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are integrally formed with one another, i.e., form a unitary structure. For example, in some cases, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 may be connected by the bend 923 during molding to form the unitary structure, or may be bent at the bend 923 after molding (e.g., while still hot). In other cases, the reinforcement 90 may be manufactured by injection molding, 3d printing, or any suitable manufacturing process.
In other examples, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 may not be integrally formed with one another.
For instance, in some examples, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 may be fastened together. The front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are fastened together by at least one fastener extending from the front reinforcing member 921 to the side reinforcing member 922. A fastener may be an adhesive or a mechanical fastener such as a screw or other threaded fastener, a rivet, a clip, or any other suitable fastening element. In some examples, also, the front reinforcing member 921 and the medial side reinforcing member 922 are held together by mechanical interlock.
The reinforcement 90 has a geometry that facilitates its use. For example, the reinforcement 90 may comprise one or more ribs or other projections and/or one or more recesses, apertures or other voids to facilitate affixing the reinforcement 90 to a remainder of the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x and/or to adjust (i.e., increase or diminish) rigidity of the reinforcement 90. For instance, in this embodiment, the reinforcement 90 comprises a base 94 and one or more ribs 96. The ribs 96 extend from the front reinforcing member 92 to the side reinforcing member 922.
As another example, the reinforcement 90 has a thickness Tr and a width Wr. suitable for reinforcing. For instance, the thickness Tr and the width Wr of the reinforcement 90 may be great enough to impart a sufficient rigidity to the reinforcement 90, but also small enough to be light and easily insertable into the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x. In this embodiment, the thickness Tr of the reinforcement 90 varies and the width We of the reinforcement 90 is substantially constant. Other implementations are possible in other embodiments (i.e., the thickness Tr of the reinforcement 90 and/or the width We of the reinforcement 90 may vary or be substantially constant as desired).
In this embodiment, the base 94 the reinforcement 90 has a thickness TB that facilitates the use of the reinforcement 90 in a similar manner. In this embodiment, the thickness TB of the base 94 is substantially constant. For example, in some cases, the thickness TB of the base 94 is no more than 5 mm; in some cases no more than 3 mm; in some cases no more than 1.5 mm, and in some cases even less. In other embodiments, the thickness TB of the base 94 may vary.
In this embodiment, the reinforcement 90 comprises a rigid material 97 that is more rigid than padding material of the front pad member 801 and medial side knee pad member 802 to impart rigidity to the front portion 26 and medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x. For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of a modulus of elasticity of the rigid material 97 of the reinforcement 90 over a modulus of elasticity of the padding material of the front pad member 801 and medial side knee pad member 802 may be at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some cases at least 3, and in some cases even more. For instance, in some embodiments, the modulus of elasticity of the rigid material 97 may be at least 500 MPa, in some cases at least 1500 MPa, in some cases at least 100 000 MPa, in some cases even more. The rigid material 97 may be of any suitable kind. For instance, in some embodiments, the rigid material 97 may comprise a metallic material, and in other embodiments, the rigid material 97 may comprise a polymeric material (e.g., a polymer or a fiber-reinforced polymer). For instance, in this embodiment, the rigid material 97 may comprise: thermoplastic composite (CURV), HDPE, other high density foams, polypropylene, fiberglass composite, carbon composite, aramid composite, ABS, to name a few.
In some embodiments, since, the ribs 96 of the reinforcement 90 may diminish or increase the rigidity, i.e., the resistance to bend inwardly or outwardly, of the reinforcement 90, this may diminish or increase the resistance to bend inwardly or outwardly of the connection 41 of the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x. The resistance to bend inwardly or outwardly of the connection 41 of the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x may be characterized by a rotational stiffness which takes into account a rotational load (e.g., moment) and a deformation caused by that rotational load. A relatively high rotational stiffness of the connection 41 means that the connection 41 is relatively rigid, which may be of use to make the goalie pad 10x more reactive to movements of the goalie's leg 16x. For example, in some cases, the rotational stiffness of the connection 41 is at least 1000 N·mm per degree, in some cases at least 2000 N·mm per degree, in some cases at least 5000 N·mm per degree, in some cases at least 10 000 N·mm per degree and in some cases even more. The rotational stiffness of the connection 41 may have any other value in other embodiments.
The connection 41 of the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x may also be characterized by a range of motion RM. The range of motion RM defines every position P1, P2, . . . , Pr that the medial side portion 27 can have relative to the front portion 26. For instance, a more rigid connection 41 may reduce the range of motion RM of the connection 41. In some embodiments, the range of motion RM of the connection 41 may be no more than 30°, in some cases no more than 20°, in some cases no more than 10°, in some cases no more than 5°.
In this embodiment, the rotational stiffness of the connection 41 is substantially the same for every position P1, P2, . . . , Pr of the medial side portion 27 relative to the front portion 26. In other embodiments, the rotational stiffness of the connection 41 may substantially change over the range of motion RM. That is, for some of the positions P1, P2, . . . , Pr of the medial side portion 27 relative to the front portion 26, the rotational stiffness of the connection 41 may be substantially higher than for others ones of the positions P1, P2, . . . , Pr.
In this embodiment, for every position P1, P2, . . . , Pr of the medial side portion 27 relative to the front portion 26, the rotational stiffness of the connection 41 is substantially the same in the inward and outward directions. In other embodiments, as shown in
Although in the embodiment described above, the goalie pad 10x comprises one reinforcement 90, in other embodiments, the goalie pad 10x may comprise 2, 3, 4 or more reinforcements 90. In some embodiments, more than one reinforcement 90 may be disposed in the front portion 26 and the medial side portion 27 of the goalie pad 10x.
With additional reference to
In this embodiment, the customized reinforcement 112 may comprise a base 114 and ribs 116. The base 114 comprises an outer surface 124, which may be view as a 3D shape and comprises recesses 126 and projections 127 to correspond to recesses and projections of (i.e., the 3D shape of) the goalie's leg 16x. In some embodiments, the thickness TB of the base 114 is substantially constant, while in other embodiments the thickness TB of the base 114 substantially varies.
The customized reinforcement 112 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For instance, in some embodiments, a custom mold in produced using the scan file 110 of the goalie's leg 16x and the customized reinforcement 112 is molded into the custom mold. In other embodiments, a pre-existing mold is selected from a plurality of pre-existing molds using the scan file 110 and the customized reinforcement 112 is molded into the selected pre-existing mold. In other embodiments, a base connector is produced in a standard mold and machined into the customized reinforcement 112, using dimensions derived from the scan file 110. In some embodiments, the reinforcement 90 is hammered over a custom last that reproduces features of the goalie's leg 16x, to change the 3D shape of the reinforcement 90 into the 3D shape of the customized reinforcement 112. In some embodiments, the rigid material 97 of the reinforcement 90 is thermoformable and the reinforcement 90 is heated and thermoformed into a desired shape to become the customized reinforcement 112. Other manufacturing methods may also be contemplated.
With additional reference to
Similarly, in some embodiments, the medial side knee pad member 802 is an interchangeable medial side knee pad member 2821 interchangeable with a plurality of medial side knee pad members 2822, 2823, . . . , 282m. In this embodiment, the medial side knee pad member 2821 is removable from the connection 41 and from the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x. Once the interchangeable medial side knee pad member 2821 is removed from the connection 41 and from the front portion 26, another one of the medial side knee pad members 2822, 2823, . . . , 282m may be inserted in the front portion 26 and in the medial side portion 27. Each of the medial side knee pad members 2821, 2822, . . . , 282m may have different properties, e.g., different shape, different materials, different size, different weight, etc. Some of the medial side knee pad members 2821, 2822, . . . , 282m may be me customized or customizable to the goalie's leg 16x. This allows the user to change adjust the leg pad 10x to his/her needs and/or to replace a used or broken medial side knee pad member 282m.
In this embodiment, as shown in
For example, in some embodiments, a thickness Tmc of the medial side calf extension 56 may be such that, when the medial side knee extension 54 contacts the ice, at least part of the medial side calf extension 56 contacts the ice to support at least a substantial part of a weight of the lower leg region 20 of the goalie's leg 16x. For instance, in some embodiments, the thickness Tmc of the medial side calf extension 56 may be such that, when the medial side knee extension 54 contacts the ice, at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of a dimension of the medial side calf extension 56 from a front 71 to a rear 73 of the medial side calf extension 56 contacts the ice. In some cases, the thickness Tmc of the medial side calf extension 56 may be such that, when the medial side knee extension 54 contacts the ice, the medial side calf extension 56 compresses between the lower leg region 20 of the goalie's leg 16x and the ice over at least a majority of the dimension of the medial side calf extension 56 from a front 71 to a rear 73 of the medial side calf extension 56.
For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of the thickness Tmc of the medial side calf extension 56 over a thickness Tfc of the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x where the medial side calf extension 56 projects rearwardly from the front portion 26 may be at least 0.05, in some cases at least 0.1, in some cases at least 0.5, and in some case even larger. Where the thickness Tmc of the medial side calf extension 56 varies, it can be taken at its maximum value. Similarly, where the thickness Tfc of the front portion 26 of the goalie pad 10x where the medial side calf extension 56 projects rearwardly from the front portion 26, it can be taken as its maximum value.
As an example, in some embodiments, this may be achieved by adjusting (e.g., increasing) a thickness of the medial side calf pad member 803.
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
For instance, the material 74 of the element 72 may comprise a polymeric material. In this embodiment, the polymeric material is foam.
In some embodiments, the material 74 of the element 72 may comprise a thermoformable material to customize the element 72. For instance, the element 72 may be provided in a first shape, may be heated at a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined period of time, e.g., at about 65° Celsius for about 3 minutes, may be then pressed upon the goalie's leg 16x to provide the element 72 with a customized shape. For example, the thermoformable material may comprise thermoformable foam.
In some embodiments, the element 72 is custom-manufactured. For instance, a scan of the goalie's leg 16x, a listing of dimensions of the goalie's leg 16x, or any support transmitting dimensional data of the goalie's leg 16x may be provided to the manufacturing facility and manufacturing may be customized by using, for instance, a pre-existing molding last corresponding to the shape of the goalie's leg 16x, a customized molding last, etc.
The goalie pad 10x may be constructed in various other ways in other embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in
Also, in some embodiments, the lateral side knee pad member 804 and/or the lateral side calf pad member 805 may similarly be interconnected with the front pad member 801 and/or reinforced.
As another example, in other embodiments, the goalie pads 101, 102 may have any other suitable shape and/or be made of any other suitable material.
As another example, in some embodiments, the medial side knee extension 54 (e.g., the medial side knee pad member 802 and/or the medial side reinforcing member 922 of the reinforcement 90) may be configured to promote a center of gravity of the goalie being over the skates of the goalie when the goalie is in a base position, i.e., an athletic position. In other words, goalie pads usually add weight in front of goalies' legs and, to keep balance, goalies have to bring their center of gravity backwards, i.e. behind their skates when they are in their base position, which is not biomechanically optimal to react rapidly and precisely to the hockey game play.
For instance, in some embodiments, as shown in
The center of gravity CG of the medial side knee extension 54 may be offset rearwardly relative to the midpoint MP of the medial side knee extension 54 in any suitable way. For instance, in various embodiments, there may be more and/or denser material (e.g., of the medial side knee pad member 802 and/or the medial side reinforcing member 922 of the reinforcement 90) between the midpoint MP and the rear 85 of the medial side knee extension 54 than between the midpoint MP and the front 88 of the medial side knee extension.
For example, in some embodiments, as shown in
Similarly, in some examples, a thickness of the medial side knee pad member 802 may vary along the length of the medial side knee pad member 802, may be relatively greater in the back portion 87 of the medial side knee extension 54 than in the front portion 86 of the medial side knee extension 54, may be cup-shaped, and/or may be customized during and/or after manufacturing.
In some examples, as shown in
Similarly, in some embodiments, as shown in
Although in embodiments considered above the goalie pads 101, 102 are designed for playing ice hockey, in other embodiments, hockey goalkeeper leg pads constructed using principles described herein in respect of the goalie pads 101, 102 can be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing roller hockey or another type of hockey (e.g., field or street hockey) on a dry playing surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, wooden, or turf playing surface or any other dry playing surface on which roller hockey or field or street hockey is played).
Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of some embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.
Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with any feature of any other embodiment discussed herein in some examples of implementation.
In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.
Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this was for purposes of description, but should not be limiting. Various modifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/726,683 filed on Sep. 4, 2018 and incorporated by reference herein.
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