LEG PROTECTOR

Description

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/552,027 filed Feb. 9, 2024 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/048,607 filed Feb. 7, 2025, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a leg protector, preferably a shin and knee protector, comprising shin, knee with wing guards and separate padding layers fitted inside the guards.

BACKGROUND

Sports activities employing protectors include baseball, football, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, cricket and mountain biking. In baseball, shin and knee protectors are used in particular by catchers.

Catcher leg protectors have traditionally had a fixed configuration designed for a single catching style. Conventional designs often compromise stability or protection when transitioning between catching styles. For instance, leg protectors that are ideal for the traditional style may not provide adequate support when the catcher adopts the knee-down position, leading to potential shifting, increased friction with the ground, and exposure of critical impact areas of the body, knees and legs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is for a dual-purpose leg protector that offers reliable protection and superior stability across multiple catching styles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new type of leg protector for a baseball catcher or in other sports such as football, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, cricket, and soccer that employ a player that may use leg protectors. This object is to allow the catcher or comparable player to overcome the drag of a shin guard on the ground with his or her whole leg and allow him or her to plant, throw or move faster since he or she does not have to overcome the weight and drag of the entire shin guard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knee protector that has an additional wing guard area that covers an exposed area encountered by the catcher that occurs during the use of the protector. In the past, contact of the exposed area with the ground has caused catchers to suffer significant injuries that can sideline them. Such injuries are avoided by the wing guard as noted below.

A further object is to provide an invention including a wing guard that acts as a stabilizer and allows the catcher to move and slide on the ground and provide support for his knees and ensure that a knee does not roll out of the leg protector when the catcher is sliding and planting to throw.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to catcher protective equipment and more specifically to catcher leg protectors designed to support both the traditional and knee down catching positions. The invention further pertains to leg protectors incorporating advanced stability and padding systems for enhanced mobility, protection and durability in competitive sports.

A leg protector according to the invention preferably comprises a shin guard, a knee guard and wing guard areas, all of said protective guards being separately attached to padding which is fitted in the guards. The shin and knee protectors are configured with the three parts being held together by a precise conjunction of straps, rivets and sewing lines.

The present invention also relates to catcher leg protectors which comprise a dual-purpose protective device that optimizes performance for both the knee-down and traditional catching positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the leg protector comprises a shin guard that is comprised of three parts. The knee guard is above the shin guard. Outside wing guards are positioned over the kneecap and act as a stabilizer and facilitate catcher movement. The shin and knee protectors are configured with the three parts bring held together by a precise conjunction of straps, rivets and sewing lines.

The leg protector has a wing guard that moves into position to cover any exposed area on the inside of the leg between the shin and knee. The wing guard conforms to the leg's contour, significantly reducing the exposure of the inner knee and preventing the leg protector from rolling or shifting during dynamic play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the leg protector,

FIG. 2 is an outside view of the leg protector,

FIG. 3 is an inside view of the leg protector,

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the leg protector,

FIG. 5 is a front view of the leg protector with straps,

FIG. 6 is a side view of the leg protector with straps, and

FIG. 7 is a back view of the leg protector with straps.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a leg protector of the invention consists of a lower shin guard 1, a lower knee guard 3, an upper thigh guard 7, and wing guards 5 placed between the shin and knee guards 1, 3. In FIG. 1, a cutout 8 is provided to allow an inclusion of a communication systems while wearing the leg protector. A padding layer 9 is fitted inside each of the guards as shown in FIG. 4. The shin guard 1 can laterally rotate from the portion under the knee in both directions. Shin guard rotation is accomplished by splitting the shin guard to allow part of the shin guard to move freely from the rest of the shin guard. The split in the shin guard is created so that the top third and bottom two-thirds are separated. The shin and knee protectors are configured with the three parts being held together by a precise conjunction of straps, rivets and sewing lines 11.

The wing guard area 13 has inside and outside coverage, 14 and 15. The wing 13 on the inside of the leg moves into position to cover any exposed area between the shin and knee guards 1, 3, to avoid possible injury to the catcher from contact with the exposed area during use of the protector. As shown in FIG. 2, the outside wings 15 are positioned adjacent the outside of the legs and act as a stabilizer. In FIG. 3, the inside wings 14 allow the catcher to move and slide on the ground and provide support to the knee so that the knee does not roll out of the shin guard when sliding or planting to throw.

In FIGS. 1-4, the shin and knee protectors are configured with the three parts being held together. In addition, retainer straps 11 are shown in FIG. 5. The retainer straps 11 can be made of an elastic portion and non-elastic portion that hold the top third of the shin guard and prevent the top third of the shin guard from completely coming off the rest of the shin guard. The straps 11 keep all parts of the guard together making it look like a traditional shin guard. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the placement of the straps in the leg protector.

In a preferred embodiment, the leg protector includes a lightweight foam system reinforced with an aromatic polyamide sold as Kevlar®. The foam system ensures seamless integration between the protector and the knee structure and eliminated gaps that could compromise protection. The foam system offers a superior balance between lightweight comfort and high-impact absorption.

In a preferred embodiment, the design of the leg protector connects the knee, upper and lower shells.

The invention provides a rigid protective knee shell while allowing flexibility in other areas for comfortable body-hugging fit that maintains position and coverage through rapid transitions.

In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable five-strap system 11 illustrated in FIG. 5, coupled with reinforced stitching positioned away from high-friction areas, maintains a secure fit under all conditions.

The invention also features in FIG. 2 an elongated, adjustable toe cap 17 and built-in ankle protection 19, including a bellowed ankle design that prevents digging and enhances comfort during prolonged use.

The reinforced materials and strap placement reduce wear and tear, extending the life of the leg protectors.