Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
I0CA 02264449 1999-03-05A PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR PLAYING GOLFDESCRIPTIONObiect of the InventionThis invention refers to a protective system for playing golf More specifically,it refers to a system which develops protective elements which may be applied to theleg of the trousers worn by the player of this sport (or, as the case may be, of sportsderived from it, such as polo, cricket or the like) and running from the knee to theinstep, thus protecting not just the playerâs shin but also the entire length of both sidesgiven that the form of these elements encloses the protected area as far as the back ofthe trousers. Said elements incorporate releasable attachment devices to ensure thatthey remain in the correct position: such devices may be standard or of anysubsequently developed type. Furthermore, the elements provided by the system of theinvention also make it possible for it to be incorporated into a pair of trousers duringmanufacture, to form an integral part.The field of application of the system in the invention obviously comes withinthe industry of the manufacture of sports apparel and articles and, in particular, thosefor golf and for related sports.Background of the InventionIt is well-known that, in golf, players are permanently exposed to some adverseeffects of having to walk on grass, involving the soiling of the bottom or leg of theirtrousers. The part affected is continuously damaged, representing an additional cost interms of the frequent cleaning the garment requires. In fact, until now, it has beenunavoidable, since a golf course must be continuously watered so that, when walkingon the grass, the dampness it retains is what stains and damages the area of thetrousers referred to above.10CA 02264449 1999-03-05There are also other situations where this also occurs, both at the moment ofstriking the ball in each movement and when the ball falls into a sand trap, with theresult that the playerâs trouser bottom or leg is in permanent contact with the sand.The existence is known of a soâcalled âwater suitâ which could be used toavoid the problems referred to above. However, such suits have other additionaldrawbacks, whether in terms of the discomfort involved in their use or of the fact thatthey are not in line with fashions and/or the clothing habitually used in playing golf.Furthermore, they provide no protection from impacts.These problems originate in the fact that, throughout a golf course, where thereis a number of holes, where the ball is hit several times at each hole (at least 3 to 5times) and is constantly in contact with the grass or sand, there is a state of permanentexposure to such effects with the increased possibility of staining the bottom area ofthe trousers: thus, if the player must walk a distance of 6 - 8 kms, in a time of 4 â 6hours, the textile material of which trousers are made will be continuously exposed tothe double effect of damp and dry, thus greatly complicating subsequently cleaning ofstains, which penetrate the fabric and become more difficult to remove.A Summary of the InventionThe main purpose of this invention is to develop a system to overcome thepractical drawbacks in the present art, mentioned above.In particular, the system in the invention proposes the creation of suitablyshaped elements which, when used on the bottom of the legs, will provide an effectivesafeguard or protection for the part affected, particularly the area of the leg betweenthe knee and the instep (or footwear) and including the ankle, such elements being easyto put on and take off, at any time, and providing an accessory for the usual dress usedin such sports.10CA 02264449 1999-03-05More speciï¬cally, the protective element of the invention comprises three parts,two being rigid or ï¬xed and the third a joint between them: said third element (or joint)is positioned together with the userâs ankle so that the other two ï¬xed or rigid partsare in turn situated in relation to the lower part of the leg and the other with the instepor first part ofthe foot, thereby providing cover for the shin, calfâmuscle, the lower leftand right shin and the front and inside of the instep.ln particular, the lower ï¬xed part runs from the instep, as described, from theunion ofthe inside and outside malleolus of the ankle on each leg, like a bib, protectingthose frontal and lower parts of the instep and closing toward the Achilles tendon.These parts are designed in this manner because this is the normal point ofimpacting or striking from water, grass, sand or any other element making up a golfcourse. In addition, because of the position of the middle part, providing the jointbetween the other two rigid parts, it will protect that area and prevent such elementson a golf course from entering between the trousers and the leg or between the shoeand sock, yet not involving any obstacle to the userâs absolute freedom of movement.It must also be emphasised that said protection or safeguard can be put on andtaken off extremely easily and can even be simply cleaned with water or the like, afterplaying, thus leaving it completely clean and in good conditions for re-use as required.In addition, because in such sports there is a person acting as monitor, an activitywhich cannot be carried on permanently throughout the day but rather just at certaintimes, clearly the ease of cleaning and of ï¬tting and removing the protective element inthe invention means that it can be at all times clean and ready for the next class, anddoes not need to remain permanently on the trousers the rest of the time. This elementtherefore offers some totally versatile features which, when it is not attached to thetrousers, enable it even to be stored in the trouser pocket or in the golf-bag.10CA 02264449 1999-03-05It is an advantage of the invention that it can be attached to the bottom of thetrousers in many different ways, using standard resources readily available on themarket, such as hook-andâeye, rubber bands, velcro type textiles, conventional tyingdevices, tapes or, if applicable, adhesives of the type used on opening fasteners alreadyon the market, or any other like device providing suitable attachments according totheir use.In addition, the ï¬xed or rigid parts of the protective element of the inventionmay be made with standard materials, forming layers, preferably three in number. Thefirst such layer might use materials such as polyurethane, polyvinyl, polyester or, ingeneral, any other of the soâcalled unreinforced and water-proof plastics. The secondsuch layer should preferably be made of a textile material such as gabardine, nylon orsome substitute therefor, with a predetermined resistance to tearing. The last saidlayer, which contains the devices for attachment to the trousers, may be incorporatedinto the second, or it may have the structure of an independent layer, of characteristicssimilar to said second layer.For its part, the first or outside layer will have a ï¬nish in suitable colour andshape to provide an external appearance appropriate to this sport. It may be composedof a ï¬breglass reinforced polyester, with resistance to tearing of up to 500 kg/cm,which would provide a very lightweight, high-strength, virtually tearâproof item.In addition, such material is highly positive in its reaction to impacts since itdoes not break completely and does not lose shape until it shears, thereby retaining itsform and reducing or damping the effects of the blow by up to 60%. This is clearly agreat additional beneï¬t, given the elements and instruments used in this sport,When the protective element is incorporated on to the trousers, the connectionbetween them provides the speciï¬c utility of protecting and safeguarding the trousersfrom water, mud, sand, impacts, etc. The trousers, which are habitual in this sport,must have an attachment system on their seams or on the antero-frontal part of the '20CA 02264449 1999-03-05trouser leg, to enable the second part to drop over the shoe, with a counterweight tohold it in place on the front of the shin and under the malleolous.A Brief Description of the DrawingsOther features and beneï¬ts of the invention will become clear in the detaileddescription following of a preferential embodiment, given by way of illustration andwithout limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:Figure 1, the only ï¬gure, shows various alternative designs for the protectivesystem developed in this invention.A Description of the Preferential EmbodimentThe detailed description of the system put forward in the invention takesaccount ofthe representation given in the single Figure of the drawings, correspondingto a number of alternative designs, in terms both of the actual structure of theprotective element and of the means used to secure it to the trouser leg. Thus,according to said Figure and in a first design, it is seen that the element developed inthe invention is formed by two portions (1, 2) of different lengths, of a half-tube shapeto better adapt to the areas to be protected, so that they extend not just over the frontof the leg and the instep but also over the sides. Clearly, portion (1) of the protectivedevice is intended to protect the leg, while portion (2) is designed to be placed over theinstep, so that the two portions form a single whole, connected by their joint area. Forattachment, the upper element (1) has at least two tapes (3), preferably elastic, each ofwhich has a clasp near its free end to enable it to be attached to and removed from itsopposite strip. The lower structure (2) has a continuous elastic band (4) enabling it tobe attached to the userâs foot, over the area of the instep.In the second alternative design, the protective element is in two suitablyarticulated portions (10, l l) of different lengths. The upper portion (10), appropriately (I30CA 02264449 1999-03-05shaped, has a lengthwise opening along the back, close to whose edges there are strips(I2) facing each other of a material such as Velcro, allowing them to be closed and heldby contact under light pressure, and for the two edges to be pulled open. The lowerportion (1 1) has, as in the previous alternative, a continuous elastic band (l3) attachedto the back, and which can adapt to the area of the foot to which it is to be attached.The next design alternative once more reveals two portions (20, 21) in a half-tube shape, of different lengths, the upper one of which (20) has tapes (22) emergingfrom each side, each which a hook and eye (not referenced) close to the free end. Thiselement (20) is attached to the userâs leg with the tapes, which are put in place andattached with their hooks and eyes. As in the previous cases, the lower poition (21)has a continuous elastic band (23) to allow that portion to be ï¬xed to the userâs foot.In a further design, the protective element developed by this system has twoarticulated portions (30, 31) of different lengths, of which the upper portion (30) canadapt completely to the userâs leg, being open along its back, with a zip (32) runningright along it. This zip is opened and closed to allow this portion to be secured to andremoved from the userâs leg. In that case, the lower portion (31) may include twoattachment tapes (33) each secured to the longitudinal edge of either side and eachwith its hook and eye (not referenced) close to its free end. These hooks and eyes canbe done up and undone with the opposite tape to allow the unit to be placed on andremoved from the userâs leg.Finally, the design alternative shown in the last part of the drawing comprisestwo articulated portions (40 41) of different lengths: unlike the others, portion (40) hasan area of ï¬exible material at its upper opening, such as rubber, elastic, etc., to allow itto adapt to the userâs leg, particularly below the knee: this portion (40) may,optionally, have straightener elements (42) such as bands, stays, etc., runninglengthwise, while the second portion, constructed like a bib, has counterweights (43)on each side to keep it in position over the userâs instep.CA 02264449 1999-03-05Clearly, the protective device described may be designed to be attachedpermanently to the leg of the garment, ie. it may be incorporated into the garment,joined to the seams oftrousers, overalls or any other article of clothing.It is also clearly seen that the description has been given of one of two units tobe used by the player (one on each leg). The features of such other are identical tothose described.It is not felt necessary to extend the content of this description in order for aspecialist in the ï¬eld to grasp its scope and the benefits arising from the invention, andto develop it and put it into practice.The invention must nonetheless be understood to have been described in termsofa preferential embodiment and so may be the subject of modiï¬cations, particularly interms of shape, size and/or the materials of which it is made, provided that this doesnot involve any alteration to its fundamentals.
