Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title
A Device and Method for Securing the Position
of Joints Pads in Sports
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
[001A] The present
invention relates generally to
protective devices used in sports, and, more particularly, to
protective devices for joint protection and the securing of
the device thereon, and, in greater particularity, relates to
devices for securing elbow pads.
Description of the Prior Art
[001B]
Participants in certain sports risk injury to
joints from a variety of causes. Protective
gear such as
elbow pads and knee pads are commonly worn. One of the most
violent sports is ice hockey where the player may be hurt by
collisions with other players, intentional or not, collisions
with arena equipment such as walls, ice, and goals and being
hit by sticks and pucks. Another
sport having a high
probability of the player being hurt is lacrosse. The types
and amounts of protective gear are balanced by the need to
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remain agile. Thus one of the most common types of protective
gear is elbow pad.
[002] Almost all elbow pads are held to the elbow
joint location by straps or elastic bands or a combination of
these. The elastic band may be sewn at both ends onto the
pad, or one end of the strap is sewn onto the pad and the
other end has VelcroT''' means for attachment. Additionally,
the straps may be adjustable through the use of VelcroTM means,
and/or through adjustable buckles. Such devices are shown in
U.S. Patents 5,611,080; 6,070,273; and 6,076,185 (interior
joint protection), for example. FIG. 3 illustrates a BauerTM
Vapor elbow pad 10 having both elastic bands 12 and 14, and
an adjustable strap 16.
[003] During use, movement of the arms causes the
elbow pad to move downward which is caused by moisture between
the arm and pad, the upper arm being larger than the lower
arm, and gravity. Over tightening of the straps may prevent
movement, but also interferes with the player's movements.
[004] In order to restrict the movement of the elbow
pads when in use, and when a shirt is worn under the elbow
pads, the shirt may have high-friction areas to prevent the
slipping of the pads as shown by U.S. Patent 7,748,056 and
also U.S. Patent Application 2010/0319104.
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[005] The pads also may have additional means
therein to increase the friction to the arms. U.S Patent
Application 2004/0003456 shows two frictional elements on the
inside of the upper arm section and the lower arm section of
the pads. See
continuation U.S. Patent Application
2008/0040829.
[006] External straps/harnesses may be used to hold
the pads such as shown by U.S. Patent Application
2007/0011798, also as U.S. Patent 7,353,546, where a harness
like device is placed over the head of the user. Straps on
the harness can be connected to the elbow pads to hold them
up. The attachment devices may be detachable so that prior
pads may be used. See also
U.S. Patent Application
2010/0083414 by the same inventor also showing a strapped
harness.
[007] Even with all the contraptions as shown above
to address the problem of migrating elbow pads, an additional
means was arrived at by the players wherein they turned up
the lower sleeves of the long sleeve shirts, FIG. 4, worn
under the elbow pad. This is shown in FIG. 2. But because
of the very vigorous movements in ice hockey, this still has
not prevented the movement of the elbow pads.
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[008] Accordingly, there is an established need for
a means for securing joint pads, and especially elbow pads,
from moving during play.
Summary of the Invention
[009] The present invention is directed at a device
and method for securing the position of joint pads in sports.
[010] The present invention although primarily
directed at the elbow joint pads, other joints may be
similarly protected. One embodiment of the present invention
utilizes a shirt modified for the foundation garment. A
separate tubular sleeve made of elastic material has one end
sewn about the standard sleeve approximately two thirds of
the distance from the wrist to the elbow. The other end, the
free end, of the tubular sleeve may then extend beyond the
end of the standard sleeve. One then inserts the arm into
the modified sleeve in use. After this, the elbow pad is
attached about the elbow joint over the modified sleeve and
the tubular sleeve. Then, one pulls the free end of the
tubular sleeve over the elbow pad, and attaches the free end
of the tubular sleeve having several VelcroTM means on straps.
These straps are connected to VelcroTM pads attached to the
modified sleeve about the upper arm area approximately
between the mid-biceps to the lower shoulder. The pads are
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sufficiently long to allow for adjustment of the straps. In
effect, the tubular sleeve forms a partial pouch about the
elbow pad with the modified sleeve being the other part
thereof.
[011] An object of the present invention is to
provide a means for securing a joint pad for use in sports.
[012] It is another object of the present invention
to provide a means for securing an elbow pad.
[013] It is a further object of the present
invention to provide a means for securing an elbow pad that
is easily attached about the elbow pad.
[014] It is still a further object of the present
invention to provide a means for securing an elbow pad that
is adaptable to any brand of professional elbow pads.
[015] It is yet a further object of the present
invention to provide a means for securing an elbow pad that
is operable in high impact sports such as hockey.
[016] These and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will become more readily
apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
Brief Description of the Drawings
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[017] The preferred embodiments of the invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended
drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the
invention, where like designations denote like elements, and
in which:
[018] FIG. 1 is a partial view of the present
invention;
[019] FIG. 2 is a side view of the elbow pad of FIG.
3 placed over the hockey shirt of FIG. 4 having the lower arm
sleeve pulled up and partially over the elbow pad;
[020] FIG. 3 is a side view of a conventional
elbow pad that may be used with the present invention;
[021] FIG. 4 is a front view of a hockey shirt with
long sleeves before being modified for use with the present
invention; and
[022] FIG. 5A and 53 show a modified hockey shirt
and its use with the present invention.
[023] Like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[024] The present invention is directed at a device
and method for securing the position of joint pads in sports
such as hockey.
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[025] As a further embodiment, the present invention
is directed at the securement of an elbow pad.
[026] Turning to the drawings, wherein like
components are designated by like reference numerals
throughout the various figures, attention is initially
directed to FIG 4. FIG. 4 shows a front view of a long sleeve
hockey shirt 20 being of conventional design such as sold by
ShockdoctorTM under the brand name of ShockskinTM. A hockey
shirt may come in either a short sleeve or a long sleeve style
that the present invention will address.
[027] As best shown in FIG. 1 and in general, the
present invention although primarily directed at the elbow
pads, other joints may be similarly protected. The preferred
embodiment of the present invention utilizes a long sleeve
shirt for the foundation garment. A separate tubular sleeve
made of elastic material has one of the open ends of the
tubular sleeve, being called the first end, sewn about the
standard long sleeve approximately two thirds of the distance
from the wrist to the elbow. The second end, the free end,
of the tubular sleeve then extends beyond the end of the
modified sleeve, the sleeve with the first end attached, as
will be shown. One then inserts the arm into the modified
sleeve in use. After this, the conventional elbow pad is
attached about the elbow joint over the modified sleeve and
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the tubular sleeve near the first end. Then, after the elbow
pad is secured to the elbow area, one pulls the second end of
the tubular sleeve over the elbow pad and attaches the second
end of the tubular sleeve having several VelcroTM means or
straps thereon to VelcroTM pads attached to the modified sleeve
about the upper arm area approximately between the mid-biceps
to the lower shoulder. The straps and pads are sufficiently
long to allow for adjustment due to different arm lengths,
shirt sleeve lengths, etc. In effect,
the tubular sleeve
forms a partial pouch about the elbow pad with the modified
sleeve being the other part of the pouch thereof. The tubular
sleeve is further made of an elastic material such as spandex
or LyrcaTM and tightly fits about the elbow pad to prevent its
movement within the pouch. These
combine to prevent the
movement of the elbow pad, especially in the downward
direction, during sports activities.
[028] As noted
above, there are numerous elbow pads
available on which the present Invention may be applied. An
example of one elbow pad is one made by Bauer called the
VaporTM. See FIG. 3. This elbow pad 10 is approximately 12
inches long. This elbow pad 10 is merely used to show the
functional use with the present invention and is not by itself
unique. The elbow pad 10 has an upper arm section 22, an
elbow protector 24 and a lower arm section 26. An outer cloth
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covering 28 holds the arm section 22, protector 24 and the
lower arm section 26 together as shown and allows the sections
to flex. The elbow pad 10 is held to the arm by means of two
elastic bands 12 and 14 having one end sewn to the outer
covering 28 and the other end with VelcroTM means such as
straps thereon for removable attachment to pads placed upon
the arm sections. The use of the term VelcroTM means indicates
that there are separate hook and loop sections or straps and
pads with the hook and/or loop material attached thereon.
The adjustable strap 16 is included to further secure the
elbow pad 10 to the arm.
[029] One attempt at a possible solution to the
migrating elbow pad 10 is shown in FIG. 2, but this solution
fails to prevent the elbow pad 10 from moving. As seen in
FIG. 2, the elbow pad 10 is positioned on an arm 30 over a
long sleeve 32. A lower section 34 of the sleeve 32 extends
beyond the lower arm section 26 and is then pulled over a
portion of the lower arm section 26 as seen also in FIG. 3.
Since the sleeve 32 is made of an elastic material, it grips
the lower arm section 26 and does prevent to a degree, not
sufficiently, the downward movement of the elbow pad 10 during
play.
[030] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a
device 40 of the present invention is shown in partial view
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as well be explained below. The device 40 for securing the
location of the elbow pad 10, a joint pad in general, upon a
limb such as the arm 30 and has a foundation garment 42 such
as a modified long sleeve 42 thereon. The
modified long
sleeve 42 extends from a shoulder, not shown, to a wrist, not
shown. A tubular
sleeve 44, as seen in cross section, is
also made of an elastic material such as noted above. The
tubular sleeve 44 has a first end 46 fixedly attached to said
foundation garment or modified sleeve 42 at a position below,
at or above or near the joint. A preferred position being
approximately two thirds the distance from the wrist to the
elbow. A second end 48 of said tubular sleeve 44 is removable
attached to the modified sleeve 42 above the joint
approximately between the lower shoulder and mid-Biceps with
VelcroTM means such as with two or more straps 50 on the second
end 48 to two or more pads 52 secured to the modified sleeve
42.
[031] The elbow
pad 10 is attached over the elbow
joint, not shown, and over the modified sleeve 42, and over
the first end 46 of the tubular sleeve 44 fixedly attached to
the modified sleeve 44. The second end 48 of the tubular
sleeve 44 is initially located below the wrist, but then is
pulled over the elbow pad 10 to the position shown in FIG. 1.
In this manner, second end 48 of said tubular sleeve 44 is
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then removably attached to the modified sleeve 42 above the
joint so forming a pouch 54 in cooperation with the modified
sleeve 42 to prevent the unwanted movement of the joint pad
during sports activity. The modified sleeve 42 being held in
position by the above shoulder, not shown. It should be
understood that by pulling the second end 48 upwards for
removable attachment, the modified sleeve 42 is pulled
downwards to a degree under the lower arm section 26 so as to
firmly grip the elbow pad 10 within the pouch 54. The upper
arm being of greater diameter than the lower arm helps prevent
the upward movement of the pad 10 once it is secured with the
bands 12 and 14 and strap 16 and pouch 54.
[032] Although a long sleeve shirt is shown above,
a short sleeve shirt 60 can also be used in another embodiment
as seen in FIG. SA and 5B. In this embodiment, a short sleeve
62 extends below the elbow position 64 approximately one third
the distance from the elbow position to the wrist position
66. FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B shows a tubular sleeve 68 having the
first end 70 fixedly attached to the short sleeve 62 below
the elbow, or attached to the short sleeve 62 at the elbow or
above the elbow. The second end 72 of the tubular sleeve 68
is shown extending downward without a portion of the short
sleeve 62 therein. The elbow pad 10 is again attached to the
elbow position and the second end 72 pulled over the elbow
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pad 10 to secure its position as shown and discussed
previously.
[033] Clearly, one shirt whether long sleeve or
short sleeve does not fit all. The modified shirts for the
present invention will come in a variety of sizes such as
small, medium, large, and extra large wherein the first end
of the tubular sleeve is appropriately attached whether for
a long sleeve or short sleeve. A custom fitted modified shirt
may be required in cases as needed. The first end may be
fixedly attached to the sleeve below said joint by sewing, by
glue, by hook and loop material, by buttons, and by snaps.
Also, the second end may be removably attached to the upper
sleeve above the joint by means such as hook and loop
material, by buttons, and by snaps. Also, the second end may
be removably attached to the modified sleeve by means such as
a hook and loop material where straps are attached to the
tubular sleeve and pads are attached upon the sleeve. The
pads may be fixedly attached to an area approximately located
between a lower shoulder and mid-Biceps. Whether the
[034] Further, the present invention encompasses a
method for preventing the movement of a joint pad during
sports activity wherein a player wears a modified shirt having
a sleeve with a tubular sleeve attached thereon; the player
then attaches an elbow pad upon the modified shirt sleeve.
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The player then pulls the second end of the tubular sleeve
upwards to enclose the elbow pad within the tubular sleeve
and securing the tubular sleeve to the modified shirt sleeve
to prevent movement of the elbow pad. The tubular sleeve may
be made of an elastic material as conventionally known so
that the elastic tubular sleeve firmly encloses and presses
the elbow pad upon the arm.
[035] Since many
modifications, variations, and
changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of
the invention, it is intended that all matters in the
foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings
be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents.
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