Patent Application
20220022570
This document relates generally to the sports equipment field and, more particularly, to soccer shin guards and elbow and knee pads including a three dimensional image element for projecting a desired image outline.
Soccer players commonly wear shin guards in order to protect their shins from contact during soccer practice and matches. This document relates to a shin guard that incorporates a three dimensional image element which projects an image outline of a desired shape, such as a player number or team logo, that enhances the team uniform.
In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a shin guard is provided. That shin guard comprises a protective plate having a front face and a rear face. The rear face is contoured to fit around the shin of a wearer of the shin guard. Further, the shin guard includes a three dimensional image element carried on the front face of the protective plate.
That image element may take on any desired shape. In one possible embodiment, the image element is in the shape of a player number. In another possible embodiment, the image element is in the shape of a logo.
In one possible embodiment, the three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that the central area projects a greater distance from the front face than does the outer edge. For many images, this contouring enhances the image produced by the image element through a sock covering.
In one possible embodiment, the shin guard includes a fastener for securing the protective plate to the shin of the wearer. That fastener may take the form of a strap. That strap may include a hook and loop fastener. In other embodiments, the fastener may take the form of a sleeve of elastic material.
In one possible embodiment, the shin guard further includes an ankle pad depending from the protective plate so as to overlie the ankle when the shin guard is being worn. In one possible embodiment, the shin guard further includes a foot loop for securing the shin guard around a foot below the protective plate.
In one possible embodiment, the three dimensional image element is a discrete body releasably attached to the front face of the protective plate. Thus, for example, the three dimensional image element may be attached to the front face by a hook and loop fastener. In another possible embodiment, the three dimensional image element is a discrete body secured to the front face by an adhesive. In yet another possible embodiment, the three dimensional image element is integrally formed as a permanent part of the protective plate as a single piece construction.
In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the shin guard. As it should be realized, the shin guard is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the shin guard as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
In another aspect, a sports pad comprises an outer shell defining a pocket and a pad received and held in the pocket. The pad has a front face. A three dimensional image element is carried on the front face of the pad. That image element projects an image outline through the outer shell.
That image outline may take on any desired shape. In one possible embodiment the image element is in the shape of a player number. In another possible embodiment the image element is in the shape of a logo.
In one possible embodiment the three dimensional image element is provided on a background sheet. In one possible embodiment the three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that the central area projects a greater distance from the front face of the pad than does the outer edge.
In accordance with another aspect, the pad further includes a fastener for securing the pad to a limb of an individual wearing the pad. In one possible embodiment the fastener is a partial or full elastic sleeve. In another possible embodiment the fastener includes at least one elongated strap and a cooperating hook and loop fastening device. In one possible embodiment the pad is configured to protect and be worn over a knee. In another possible embodiment the pad is configured to protect and be worn over an elbow.
In one possible embodiment the outer shell is a first color and the three dimensional image element is a second color. In one possible embodiment the first and second colors contrast. In another possible embodiment the three dimensional image element is provided on a background sheet and the three dimensional image element is a first color, the background sheet is a second color and the outer shell is a third color. In one possible embodiment the first, second and third colors are all different. In another possible embodiment the second and third colors are the same and the first color is different. In another possible embodiment the first and third colors are the same and the second color is different.
In yet another possible embodiment the three dimensional image element and the front face are different colors. In yet another possible embodiment the three dimensional image element and the front face are the same color.
In accordance with an additional aspect a method of promoting a sports team is provided. That method comprises equipping a player on the sports team with a sports pad including a three dimensional image element that projects an image outline of a logo. In one embodiment that method further includes wearing the pad on a knee. In another embodiment that method further includes wearing the pad on an elbow.
These and other embodiments will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following description and drawing figures.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the shin guards and sports pads and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the shin guard, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
Sports enthusiasts including, for example, soccer and volleyball players, commonly wear padding on their shins, elbows, and knees in order to protect their shins, elbows and knees from contact with hard surfaces such. This document relates to sports pads for shins, knees, and elbows that incorporate a three dimensional image element which projects an image outline of a desired shape such as a player number or team logo that enhances the team uniform.
Reference is now made to
As illustrated in the
In the embodiment of shin guard 10 illustrated in
In the embodiment of shin guard 10 illustrated in
As should be appreciated, all of the embodiments illustrated in
In any of the embodiments, the three dimensional image element 14 may take the shape and form of any desired image including, but not limited to, a player's number and a logo. For purposes of this document, the term “logo” refers to letters, words, numbers, names, trademarks, mascots, images, stripes, designs and other three dimensional shapes that may commonly identify or are used by athletic teams, athletes and individuals.
The three dimensional image element 14 may be solid, hollow, an outline or a combination. For example, to form a “shamrock” logo, the shape of the shamrock may be cut out of a 3 mm thick piece of foam. The cut out shamrock could be pulled from the foam and adhered to the protective plate 12. The resulting image outline produced by the image element 14 in an overlying athletic sock AS would appear as a solid shamrock. In addition, the outline of the shamrock that remains in the foam can be used to show the image outline of a shamrock but instead of it being full, it is an outline of a shamrock or a hollow three dimensional image. Obviously, different widths and colors of foam may be utilized to create varying images, shadows and appearances including complex images such as an American flag.
For some images, the three dimensional image element is the same thickness throughout. However, the depth of the three dimensional image element may be manipulated to give the image outline more or less detail and definition when it projects through the exposed fabric area overlying the image element. For example, as illustrated in
The three dimensional image element 14 may be made from a number of different materials including, but not limited to foams, high density synthetic materials, foam rubbers and plastics. Particularly useful foam materials include polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam and PVC foam. Regardless of the chemical makeup it is preferred that the foam be a “closed cell” foam. In some instances the three dimensional image element 14 is made from the same material as the protective plate 12 to which it is attached so that it may be used in athletic events without increasing any risk in injury. In fact, as previously noted, the image element 14 may even be molded with the plate 12 so that the two form a unitary construction.
As should be appreciated, the three dimensional image element 14 may be punched or cut from a sheet of foam as previously described. Alternatively, the three dimensional image element 14 may be molded in a mold. The production operation utilized depends on the material being formed into an image and the intended use of the image. Logos, like college logos, mascots or trademarks could be punched or cutout from the foam. Logos such as single or entwined letters like an “S”, “OU”, “NC”, “ND”, “UK”, “3C”, etc. show through and produce the desired image whether they are solid letters, outlined letters or a combination of both. Logo images such as an eagle and cat's paw may also be easily produced.
Images or logos formed in molds may be given additional detail in certain areas that is not possible with a simple punching operation. For example, molds may help when forming rounded portions, edges and crevices. This allows the three dimensional image element 14 to produce an image outline that is often times significantly more detailed in appearance from a simple punched image. Forming the image in a mold may help give varying depths within the same image so as to make it look more realistic and provide a desired hologram-like affect to the image outline.
It should also be appreciated that the three dimensional image element 14 may be made in multiple sizes. Obviously, they can also be made of different colors depending on the desired effect. Only a portion of the entire three dimensional image element 14 may include one or more colors to enhance the image as it projects or appears through the exposed fabric area overlying the image element.
Color may be used to enhance the three dimensional effect and the produced image outline. In one possible embodiment, the sock AS worn over the image element 14 is a first color and the three dimensional image element is a second, contrasting color. In one particularly useful embodiment the sock is white or other relatively light color while the three dimensional image element 14 is a darker, contrasting color. This contrasting color arrangement has a tendency to enhance the 3D or holographic effect provided to the image outline 25 visible in the sock AS.
Reference is now made to
As should be appreciated, the three dimensional image element 118 projects an image outline 122 through the outer shell 112 which is made from a fabric material commonly employed in the construction of knee and elbow pads. More specifically, the portion 115 of the outer shell 112 overlying and engaging the image element 118 conforms to the shape of the image element. That image outline 122 may take the shape and form of any desirable image including, but not limited to, a player number and a logo. For purposes of this document, the term “logo” refers to letters, words, numbers, names, trademarks, mascots, images, stripes, designs and other three dimensional shapes that may commonly identify or be used by athletic teams, athletes and individuals.
In one possible embodiment illustrated in
As best illustrated in
The three dimensional image element 118 may be solid, hollow, an outline or a combination. For example, to form a “shamrock” logo the shape of the shamrock may be cut out of a 3 mm thick piece of foam. The cutout shamrock could be pulled from the foam and adhered to the pad 116. The resulting image outline 122 would appear as a solid shamrock. In addition, the outline of the shamrock that remains in the foam can then be used to show the image outline 122 of a shamrock but instead of it being full, it is an outline of a shamrock or a hollow three dimensional image. Obviously different widths and colors of foam may be utilized to create varying images, shadows and appearances including complex images such as an American flag.
For some images the logo 130 of the three dimensional image element 118 is the same thickness throughout. However, the depth of the logo 130 may be manipulated to give the image outline 122 more or less detail and definition when it projects through the exposed fabric area of the outer shell 112. For example, while a three dimensional image element 118 of a “O” can be seen as a “O” if the entire “O” is 3 mm thick, forming the inside line L1 of the “O” slightly higher than the outside line L2 to create a sloped face F allows the inner circle of the “O” to show differently and this can give it a different detail when it is seen through the clothing or outer shell covering 12 (See
The three dimensional image element 118 may be made from a number of different materials including, but not limited to foams, high density synthetic materials, foam rubbers and plastics. Particularly useful foam materials include polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam and PVC foam. Regardless of the chemical makeup it is preferred that the foam be a “closed cell” foam. In many instances the three dimensional image element 118 is made from the same material as the pad 110 to which it is attached so that it may be used in athletic events without increasing any risk in injury. In fact, the image element 18 may even be molded into the pad 116.
As should be appreciated the three dimensional image element 118 may be punched or cut from a sheet of foam as previously described. Alternatively, the three dimensional image element 118 may be molded in a mold. The production operation utilized depends on the material being formed into an image and the intended use of the image. Logos 130, like college logos, mascots or trademarks could be punched or cutout from the foam. Logos 130 such as single or entwined letters like an “S”, “OU”, “NC”, “ND”, “UK”, “3C”, etc. show through and produce the desired image 122 whether they are solid letters, outlined letters or a combination of both. Logo images 122 such as an eagle and cat's paw may also be easily produced.
Images or logos 130 formed in molds may be given additional detail in certain areas that is not possible with a simple punching operation. For example, molds may help when forming rounded portions, edges and crevices. This allows the three dimensional image element 118 to produce an image outline 122 that is often times significantly more detailed in appearance from a simple punched image. Forming the image in a mold may help give varying depths within the same image so as to make it look more realistic and provide a desired hologram-like affect to the image outline 122.
It should also be appreciated that the three dimensional image element 118 may be made in multiple sizes to fit different sized items. For example, a three dimensional image element 118 of an eagle could be 12.7 cm wide to fit across a knee pad or 10.0 cm wide to fit on a smaller elbow pad. Obviously, they can also be made of different colors depending on the desired effect. Only a portion of the entire three dimensional image element 118 may include one or more colors to enhance the image as it projects or appears through the exposed fabric area of the outer shell 112 overlying the image element.
Color may be used to enhance the three dimensional effect and the produced image outline 122. In one possible embodiment the outer shell 112 is a first color and the three dimensional image element 118 is a second, contrasting color. In one particularly useful embodiment the outer shell is white or other relatively light color while the three dimensional image element 118 is a darker, contrasting color. Where the three dimensional image element 118 includes a logo 130 provided on a background sheet 132, the three dimensional image element may be provided in a first color, the background sheet in a second color and the outer shell in a third color. In one possible embodiment all three colors are different in order to contrast and set forth a particular image outline 122. In another possible embodiment the second and third colors of the background sheet 132 and outer shell 112 are one color while the first color of the image element 118 is different. Often, the image element 118 is provided in a darker color which in some embodiments has a tendency to show through the lighter, covering color of the outer shell 112 thereby enhancing the 3D or holographic effect provided to the image outline 122. In yet another possible embodiment the first and third colors of the image element 118 and outer shell 112 are the same while the color of the front face 120 of the pad 116 is different.
As best illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment the fastener 140 comprises one or more straps 142 with cooperating hook and loop fasteners 144. Where the pad 110 is configured to protect and be worn over an elbow, the pad 116 is positioned over the elbow and the straps 142 are secured with the hook and loop fasteners 144 over the arm on opposite sides of the elbow to hold the straps 142 and sports pad 110 in position with the image outline1 22 projecting outwardly from the elbow.
In accordance with an additional aspect, a method of promoting a sports team is provided. That method includes equipping a player on the sports team with a sports pad 110 that includes the three dimensional image element 118 that projects an image outline 122 of a logo, such as a team logo 130, in a desired manner. As indicated above, that logo 130 may be displayed by wearing the pad 110 over a knee and/or over an elbow as desired.
The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, forearm pads and football helmet chin straps may also be provided and are consistent with the teachings presented in this document. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/888,866, filed Feb. 5, 2018, which is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/425,870, filed on Feb. 6, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/614,936, filed on Feb. 5, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/050,439, filed on Oct. 10, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/723,177, filed on Nov. 6, 2012, and 61/755,208 filed on Jan. 22, 2013. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/614,936 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/936,988, filed on Feb. 7, 2014. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/207,981, filed on Mar. 13, 2014, which is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,884,240, on Feb. 6, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/050,439, filed on Oct. 10, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/723,177, filed on Nov. 6, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/755,208, filed on Jan. 22, 2013. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/207,981 claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/798,583, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. The full disclosure of each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference. Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61936988 | Feb 2014 | US | |
| 61798583 | Mar 2013 | US | |
| 61723177 | Nov 2012 | US | |
| 61755208 | Jan 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15888866 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 17444241 | US | |
| Parent | 14614936 | Feb 2015 | US |
| Child | 15425870 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15425870 | Feb 2017 | US |
| Child | 15888866 | US | |
| Parent | 14050439 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 14614936 | US | |
| Parent | 14207981 | Mar 2014 | US |
| Child | 15888866 | US | |
| Parent | 14050439 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 14207981 | US |
