Patent Application
20120096615
Traditionally, a shin guard is used by an athlete to protect the shin region of the athlete from an impact. Shin guards, in an as-worn position, generally extend from below the knee to a location superior of the ankle. However, the general size and shape of the protective portion of the shin guard may vary. A wearer of the shin guard may place the shin guard against the shin and under a sock to secure the shin guard into a position. Additionally, a shin guard may have a strap that extends perpendicular to the shin guard to help secure the shin guard when worn. However, both of these methods of securing the shin guard may allow the shin guard to shift or otherwise move out of position relative to a wearer's leg.
Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard construction having a shin guard and a strap. The strap may provide a number of adjustments, such as adjusting a vertical position of strap attachment to the shin guard, a length of the strap, and/or a position of a portion of the strap in both a horizontal and/or a vertical location on a wearer's leg. Further, the strap may have an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the shin guard. The orientation of the strap in an upward direction may be a result of a location and/or orientation of one or more fasteners. Additionally, the orientation of the strap may be a result of the size and/or shape of the strap.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein:
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard construction having a shin guard and a strap. The strap and shin guard may provide a number of adjustments, such as adjusting a vertical position of strap attachment to the shin guard, a length of the strap, and/or a position of a portion of the strap in both a horizontal and/or a vertical location on a wearer's leg. Further, the strap may have an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the shin guard. The orientation of the strap in an upward direction may be a result of a location and/or orientation of one or more fasteners. Further, the orientation of the strap may be a result of the size and/or shape of the strap.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a shin guard construction. The shin guard construction has a shin guard with a bottom end and an opposite top end. The shin guard also has opposite right and left sides extending between the bottom end and the top end. Additionally, the shin guard has a front surface and a back surface. The shin guard construction also has a strap of flexible material that has a top edge and an opposite bottom edge. The strap also has opposite left and right ends extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. One of the right end or the left end of the strap has a first fastener that is fastenable to the strap itself. The other of the right end or the left end has a second fastener that is fastenable to the shin guard. The strap, when affixed to the shin guard by both the first fastener and the second fastener, extends in an upward orientation from at least one of the first fastener or the second fastener. The upward orientation is measured from a horizontal plane passing perpendicularly through the front surface and the rear surface of the shin guard.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a shin guard construction. The shin guard has a front surface and a back surface. The shin guard also has a bottom end and an opposite top end. Further, the shin guard has opposite medial and lateral sides extending between the bottom end and the top end. The lateral side is longer than the medial side. The shin guard construction additionally has a strap extending, from a first strap location on the shin guard, in a direction from the front surface to the back surface proximate the lateral side of the shin guard. The strap extends to the medial side of the shin guard at a second fastening location. The strap is adjustably affixable to the shin guard at the first location and the second fastening location. Further, the strap extends at an upward orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending perpendicularly through the front surface and the back surface.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a shin guard construction. The shin guard construction has a shin guard with a bottom end and an opposite top end. The shin guard also has opposite medial and lateral sides extending between the bottom end and the top end. The lateral side has a length between the bottom end and the top end that is longer than a length of the medial side between the bottom end and the top end. The shin guard construction also has a strap of flexible material. The strap has a top edge and an opposite bottom edge as well as opposite medial and lateral ends extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. The medial end of the strap has a width between the top edge and the bottom edge of the strap that is wider than a width of the lateral end between the top edge and the bottom edge of the strap. Further, the strap has a first fastener proximate the lateral end, wherein the strap is affixable to the shin guard near the lateral side of the shin guard utilizing the first fastener. Additionally, the strap has a second fastener proximate the medial end. The strap is affixable to the shin guard near the medial side of the shin guard utilizing the second fastener. The top edge of the strap extends higher than the top end of the shin guard in a direction defined as extending from the bottom end toward the top end of the shin guard when the strap is affixed to the shin guard utilizing both the first fastener and the second fastener.
Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, a more detailed description follows
The construction of a shin guard 100 of the present invention has the basic construction of a soccer-type shin guard. However, the shin guard 100 is comprised of a strap 202 that extends away from the shin guard 100 at an upwardly orientation to encircle a wearer's calf at a point higher than if the strap extended perpendicularly outward from the shin guard. Additionally, the strap 202 may be adjustable in length and also adjustable in a vertical coupling location. The shin guard 100 provides a unique contouring connection mechanism that provides a secure and stable attachment to a wearer. The shape, size, and/or orientation of the strap 202 may allow, in some aspects, the strap 202 to rest on the calf above the widest portion of the calf. By positioning the strap 202 above the calf, the strap 202 may not have enough elasticity to expand around or over the wider portion of the calf that is below the strap 202 in an as-worn position.
In aspects of the present invention, the shin guard 100 is a soccer-style shin guard. However, it should be understood that the novel concept of the invention could be employed on other types of shin guards. Because much of the construction of the shin guard 100 is the same as that of a conventional shin guard, the conventional features of the constructions will be described only generally herein.
The shin guard 100 is constructed with an outer cover 102. The outer cover 102 may be a rigid or semi-rigid material that acts as a distributor of impact force. For example, the outer cover 102 may be constructed from a polymer-based material that is formed to contour to a wearer's shin region. Therefore, if an impact is experienced by the outer cover 102, the force of the impact is distributed over a larger surface area of the wearer's shin region as a result of the rigid properties of the outer cover 102.
The body of the shin guard 100 is also constructed with an inner liner 116. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner liner 116 is a cushioning material functional for absorbing force. For example, a foam material may be formed as the inner liner 116. The inner liner may coincide with the dimensions of the outer cover 102. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the body of the shin guard 100 is comprised of a lamination of the outer cover 102 and the inner liner 116 to form a cohesive shin guard body.
However, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the inner liner 116 may have a larger dimension in one or more location relative to the outer cover 102. For example, the inner liner 116 may extend below a bottom end 110 of the outer cover 102, as best depicted in
The shin guard 100 may be defined as having a top end 108, the bottom end 110, a medial side 114, and a lateral side 112. As used herein, the terms medial and lateral may be relative to a wearer of the shin guard 100. For example, a shin guard 100 may be specifically dimensioned for either a wearer's right side or the wearer's left side. Consequently, an item described as either a left or a right may be on a medial side or a lateral side of the shin guard 100 depending on a side of the wearer in which the shin guard 100 could be positioned. Further to this point, herein specific reference may be made to medial and lateral when discussing portions, parts, features, and the like; but, it is understood that applying the opposite terminology (e.g., when medial is stated, lateral may also be applied) is contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. For example,
The shin guard 100 also has an outer surface 104. The outer surface 104 is a surface that extends away from a wearer when in an as-worn position. Typically, the outer surface 104 is the surface facing an incoming object for which the shin guard 100 is intended to provide protection. Opposite of the outer surface 104, the shin guard 100 has an inner surface 106, as best seen in
The shin guard 100 is also comprised of the strap 202. The strap 202, in an exemplary embodiment, is constructed from flexible material. For example, the flexible strap 202 may be constructed from any one or combination of webbing, cord, fabric, hook-and-loop material, binding, leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, nylon, other polymer-based materials, or the like. In an aspect, the strap 202 is constructed from a non-elastic material as the lack of ability to stretch may allow the strap to secure the shin guard 100 in a more secure manner than an elastic material. The lack of elasticity in the strap 202, in an aspect, may prevent the strap 202 from expanding to pass over a wider portion of a wearer's calf that is posterior to the strap 202 in an as-worn position. Further, it is contemplated that a limited elasticity is provided in the strap 202, such that the maximum stretch provided by the strap 202 is less than an amount necessary for the strap 202 to expand around the wider portion of the calf. Regardless, aspects contemplate the strap 202 resting on an upper portion of the calf of a wearer in an as-worn position to help secure the shin guard 100.
A perimeter of the strap may be defined by a top edge 208 and a bottom edge 210. The perimeter also is comprised of a medial side 212 and an opposite lateral side 214. However, it is understood, that aspects of the present invention provide that the top edge 208 and the bottom edge 210 are not parallel to one another along the length of the strap 202. For example, as best illustrated in
The strap 202 has a first surface 204 and an opposite second surface 206. In an as-worn position, a majority of the first surface 204 is facing and may be in contact with a wearer's skin. Conversely, in an as-worn position, the second surface 206 of the strap 202 maybe facing away from a wearer's leg. In an exemplary embodiment, the material utilized to construct, at least a portion, of the first surface 204 may include materials that have a higher coefficient of friction relative to an a wearer's skin or other contacting surface. For example, to aid in maintaining the shin guard 100 as a whole, and the strap 202 in particular, in a desired position, the increased coefficient of friction may be desired. Examples of materials suitable for this purpose include, leather, synthetic leather, silicon based materials, or polymer based materials.
As best illustrated in
In exemplary aspects, the outer edge 248 is proximate to the strap's medial side 212, as illustrated best in
The shin guard 100 has a fastener portion 302, as illustrated in
The size and shape of the first fastener 242 and or the fastener portion 302 may vary depending on an amount of adjustability desired. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the width of the first fastener 242 may be similar to the width of the fastener portion 302. However, in an additional exemplary embodiment, one width of the first fastener 242 or the fastener portion 302 may be larger than the other. In this example, a size of the strap 202 presented to a wearer's leg in an as-worn position may be altered by lengthening or reducing the amount of strap extending from the lateral side 112 to the medial side 114 of the shin guard 100. Additionally, as will be discussed hereinafter, the position of the strap 202 or a position of a portion of the strap 202 may be adjusted in this example when additional adjustments may occur closer to the lateral side 214 of the strap 202.
The fastener portion 302 may have a length that extends the length or a portion of the length of the shin guard 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the fastener portion 302 is greater than the length of the first fastener 242. In this example, the strap 202 may be adjusted vertically to compensate for differences in a wearer's anatomy. For example, to better contour a wearer's calf muscle structure, the wearer may desire to adjust the vertical placement of the strap 202 when affixed to the shin guard 100 by adjusting where the first fastener 242 affixes along the length of the fastener portion 302.
Moving to the lateral side 214 on the second surface 206 of the strap 202, as best seen in
The second fastener 232 and the third fastener 222, in an exemplary embodiment, are a hook and/or loop material. For example, the second fastener 232 may be a hook material and the third fastener 222 may be a loop material or the like. Consequently, it is contemplated that the second fastener 232 and the third fastener 222 operate in conjunction with one another to provide a method of adjusting the strap 202 when in an as-worn position by a wearer.
As illustrated in
The third fastener 222 may be sized to correspond with an underlying portion of the strap 202. For example, the top edge 230 and the bottom edge 228 may align or be spaced from the respective top edge 208 and the bottom edge 210 of the strap 202. Additionally, it is contemplated that an edging or binding material may be utilized along a part or the whole of the perimeter of the strap 202, which may obscure a portion of the second fastener 232 and/or the third fastener 222.
As best seen in
Consequently, the shin guard 100 is effective to receive the strap 202 such that the strap 202 is affixed to the shin guard 100 by way of the strap 202 extending through the first opening 216 and/or the second opening 218. As illustrated at
The threading of the strap 202 through the outer cover 102 and the inner liner 116 allows the strap 202 to be affixed to the shin guard 100, in an exemplary embodiment. Additional exemplary aspects include permanently or removeably affixing the strap 202 directly or indirectly to the outer cover 102, the inner liner 116, or other portions of the shin guard 100. For example, the strap 202, as previously discussed, may be affixed to a portion of the shin guard utilizing other fastening methods. For example, the strap 202 may be secured directly to the shin guard 100 utilizing snaps, hook and loop, buttons, clips, stitching, and the like in place of or in combination to the apertures 216 and/or 216.
Individually or in combination, the first fastener 242, the second fastener 232, the third fastener 222, the fastener portion 302, the first opening 216, and/or the second opening 218 allow the strap to be adjusted in a plurality of ways. For example, the length of the strap that extends between the lateral side 112 to the medial side 114 may be adjusted utilizing one or more of the fasteners discussed above. Further, the height and even the angle (to be discussed hereinafter) may be adjusted utilizing one or more of the fasteners discussed above.
Turning now to the orientation of the strap 202 when affixed, either partially or fully, to the shin guard 100. The strap 202, in an exemplary embodiment, maintains an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the outer surface 104 and the inner surface 106. For example, the strap 202 is upwardly oriented as depicted by line 504 (as seen in
The upward angle depicted by the line 504 represents a general angular trend of the strap 202 along the medial side 114. It is understood that the strap 202, as a flexible material, may be best described as having an upward orientation as the strap 202 may waver, flex, or otherwise distort along one or more portions. Consequently, when discussed herein, the upward angular orientation may be a trend of the strap 202 for a portion or as a whole. For example, as seen in
An orientation of the strap 202 is, in an exemplary embodiment, influenced by the location and orientation of the first opening 216 and the second opening 218. For example, it is contemplated that the first opening 216 is located lower, measured from the top end 108 to the bottom end 110, than the second opening 218. In this example, as the strap 202 extends away from the inner surface after passing through the second opening 118, the strap inherently extends at an upward angle when the turnback portion 220 is taught. Similarly, an irregular shaping (e.g., trapezium, trapezoidal) of the strap 202 may facilitate the upward orientation of the strap 202.
In an additional exemplary embodiment, the top edge 208 of the strap 202 is higher than the top end 108 of the shin guard 100. As seen in
As previously discussed, the strap 202 is functional to surround a leg 402 proximate an upper portion of a calf 404 of the wearer. The strap 202, in an as-worn position, may contact the upper portion of the calf on a medial side proximate a point 408 (depicted in
Consequently, the upward orientation of the strap 202 may allow for the shin guard 100 to be positioned in a traditional location along the shin posterior of a wearer's knee while having the strap 202 extend, naturally, around an upper portion of the wearer calf on the backside of the leg. Additionally, an angle at which the strap 202 contacts the wearer's leg may be adjusted on the lateral side and the medial side utilizing the various fasteners discussed herein.
The following is an overview of the figures provided herewith.
Although the shin guard construction is described above by referring to particular aspects, it should be understood that modification and variations could be made to the shin guard construction described without departing from the intended scope of protection provided by the following claims.
