Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Attorney Docket No.: 1237.003_US
PROTECTIVE PAD ASSEMBLY,
AND RELATED KITS, APPLICATIONS, AND METHODS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM(S) TO PRIORITY
[00011 This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No.
62/213,937 filed September 3,2015, the complete disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100021 This invention relates to an improved protective pad assembly for
releasably
attaching to a garment, applications of the protective pad assembly, and
methods of releasably
attaching the protective pad assembly to a garment.
BACKGROUND
100031 Typically, protective pads and cushioning devices, such as kneepads,
attach to a
body part of a user over a varment by belt straps, clips, wraps, elastic
stretching, glues, tapes or
adhesives. For example, FIG. 1 shows a known kneepad 1 utilizing straps 3 and
4 to fasten the
kneepad 1 to a knee area 7 of a leg 6 of the user. The strap 3 wraps around
the back of a lower
thigh portion 6a of the leg 6, and a strap 4 wraps around an upper calf
portion 6b of the leg 6. A
common drawback of such fastening straps 3 and 4 is that they can cause
discomfort to the user
(wearer) and constriction of blood vessels during prolonged usage, eventually
leading to bruising
and/or skin irritation.
100041 FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a kneepad assembly 10 disclosed
in U.S.
Patent No. 7,712,150 attached to pants 11. The kneepad assembly 10 includes a
flexible inner
member 12 in the form of a base cushion made of an impact absorbing material
disposed inside
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the pants 11, and an outer member 14 in the form of a protective cushion made
of .an impact
absorbing material disposed outside the pants 11. Securing devices use
magnetic attraction to
attach the outer member 14 and the inner member 12 to each other and to the
pants 11. Each
securing device includes an inner magnetically attractive element 16 attached
to the inner
member 12, and an outer magnetically attractive element 18 attached to the
outer member 14. A
drawback to the use of magnetically attractive elements 16 and 18 is that the
elements.16 and 18
potentially can slide relative to the garment during use. Other drawbacks are
the high cost and
decreasing availability of neodymium magnets preferably used as the
magnetically attractive
elements 16 and 18.
100051 Other known protective pad assemblies have the drawbacks of requiring
permanent alterations to the garment fabric and damaging the garment fabric,
such as by
requiring or creating holes in the garment fabric in order to attain proper
attachment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100061 A first aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for
releasably
attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad assembly over a
body part of the
user. The protective pad assembly includes a pad configured to protect the
body part of the user
from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment. The protective pad
assembly further
includes a securing device including an exterior securing component configured
to be disposed
outside of the garment, and an interior securing component configured to be
disposed inside of
the garment in substantial alignment with the exterior securing component. The
exterior
securing component or the interior securing component comprises a male member,
and the other
of the exterior securing component or the interior securing component
comprises a female
member configured to be releasably mechanically mated to the male member with
the garment
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worn by the user captured therebetween. The interior or exterior securing
component is attached
to the pad.
100071 A second aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for
releasably attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad
assembly over a body part
of the user. The protective pad assembly includes an exterior pad, an interior
pad, and a securing
device. The exterior pad is configured to protect the body part of the user
from impact and to be
disposed outside of the garment. The interior pad is configured to protect the
body part of the
user from impact and to be disposed inside of the garment. The securing device
comprises an
exterior securing component attached to the exterior pad, and an interior
securing component
attached to the interior pad and configured to be disposed inside of the
garment in substantial
alignment with the exterior securing component. The exterior securing
component or the interior
securing component comprises a male member, and the other of the exterior
securing component
or the interior securing component comprises a female member configured to be
releasably
mechanically mated to the male member with the garment worn by the user
captured
therebetween.
100081 A third aspect of the invention provides a protective pad assembly for
releasably
attaching to a garment worn by a user of the protective pad assembly over a
body part of the
user. The protective pad assembly includes a first pad configured to protect
the body part of the
user from impact and to be disposed outside of the garment, and at least one
second pad
configured to protect the body part of the user from impact and to be disposed
adjacent to the
first pad. The protective pad assembly further includes a securing device
including a first
securing component attached to the first pad, and a second securing component
attached to the at
least one second pad and configured to be disposed in substantial alignment
with the first
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securing component. The first securing component or the second securing
component comprises
a first male member, and the other of the first securing component or the
second securing
component comprises a first female member configured to be releasably
mechanically mated to
the first male member. The protective pad assembly also includes an additional
securing device
including a third securing component attached to the at least one second pad
and a fourth
securing component configured to be disposed inside of the garment in
substantial alignment
with the third securing component. The third securing component or the fourth
securing
component comprises a second male member, and the other of the third securing
component or
the fourth securing component comprises a second female member configured to
be releasably
mechanically mated to the second male member.
100091 According to further aspects of the invention, methods are provided for
releasably
attaching the protective pad assemblies of the first, second, and third
aspects of the invention to a
garment.
100101 According to still further aspects of the invention, applications are
provided in
which the protective pad assemblies of the first, second, and third aspects of
the invention are
releasably attached to a garment.
100111 Other aspects of the invention, including kits, assemblies,
subassemblies,
applications, methods, processes, and the like which constitute part of the
invention, will become
more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
100121 The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of
the
specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above
and the detailed
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description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to
explain the
principles of the invention. in such drawings:
100131 FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating a known kneepad attached to a
pants leg
or a user (wearer);
100141 FIG. 2 is a sectional side view showing another known kneepad attached
to a
pants leg of a user (wearer);
100151 FIG. 3A is a sectional side view of a protective pad assembly secured
to a pants
leg of a user (wearer) in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
100161 FIG. 3B is a sectional side view of the protective pad assembly of the
first
exemplary embodiment in an unassembled state isolated from the pants leg;
100171 FIG. 3C is a rear view of the protective pad assembly of the first
exemplary
embodiment;
100181 FIG. 3D is a side view of the protective pad assembly of the first
exemplaiy
embodiment in an unassembled state isolated from the pants leg;
100191 FIG. 4A is an enlarged isolated plan view of a securing component of
the
protective pad assembly of the first exemplary embodiment;
100201 FIG. 4B is an enlarged isolated side view of a securing component of
the
protective pad assembly of the first exemplary embodiment;
100211 FIG. 5A is an enlarged isolated plan view of a securing component of
the
protective pad assembly of the first exemplary embodiment;
100221 FIG. 5B is an enlarged isolated side view of a securing component of
the
protective pad assembly of the first exemplary embodiment;
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10023] FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged isolated front and side views of an
interior securing
component according to a variation of the first exemplary embodiment;
100241 FIGS. 7A are enlarged isolated rear and side views of an exterior
securing
component according to a variation of the first exemplary embodiment;
100251 FIG. 8A is an enlarged sectional side view of an adjustable tension
strike and
catch device in accordance with a modification of the first exemplary
embodiment;
100261 FIGS. 8B and 8D are enlarged sectional side views of knuckle strike and
catch
device in accordance with further modifications to the first exemplary
embodiment; =
100271 FIG. SC is an enlarged sectional side view of a roller strike and catch
device in
accordance with another modification to the first exemplary embodiment;
100281 FIG. SE is a top perspective view of a spring button strike and catch
device in an
unmated state in accordance with still another modification of the first
exemplary embodiment;
100291 FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are respectively front, side, and partially
exploded side
views of a protective kneepad assembly in accordance with a second exemplary
embodiment of
the invention;
100301 FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and side views of part of a protective
kneepad
assembly in accordance with a variation of the second exemplary embodiment;
100311 FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of a protective kneepad assembly in
accordance
with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
100321 FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of a protective kneepad assembly in an
unassembled state in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
100331 FIG. 13 is a sectional side view of a transitional member of the fourth
exemplary
embodiment;
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100341 FIG. 14 is a sectional side view of a protective kneepad assembly in an
unassembled state in accordance with a modification to the fourth exemplary
embodiment;
100351 FIGS. 15A and 15B are side and front views of' a protective pad
assembly
mounted vertically on a pant leg in accordance with the present invention;
100361 FIGS. 16A and I 6B are side and front views of a protective pad
assembly
mounted horizontally on a pant leg in accordance with the present invention;
and
[00371 FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of a protective pad assembly secured
to a pants
leg of a user (wearer) in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
AND EXEMPLARY METHODS
100381 Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and
methods of
the invention. It should be noted that the invention in its broader aspects
is. not necessarily
limited to the specific details, representative materials and methods, and
illustrative examples
shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and exemplary
methods.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the drawings. The
specific articles
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following
specification are exemplary
embodiments of the inventive concept. Specific dimensions and other physical
characteristics
relating to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not to be
considered as limiting,
unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, the word "a" as used in the
claims means "at
least one."
10039j A protective kneepad assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment
is
generally designated by reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 3A-3D. FIG. 3A
illustrates the protective
kneepad assembly 20 releasably attachable to a garment 22, such as trousers or
pants. The
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kneepad assembly 20 includes at least a pad 24 preferably made of an impact
absorbing material,
more preferably of a stretchable and/or flexible cushioning material. An
exterior securing
component 26 is directly and non-releasably attached to the pad 24 so as to be
accessible for
mating to an interior securing component 28 (discussed below) via a rear
surface 33 of the pad
24. The pad 24 and the exterior securing component 26 are adapted to be
disposed outside of,
that is exterior to, the pants leg of the garment 22. The interior securing
component 28 is
adapted to be situated inside of, that is interior to, the pants leg of the
garment 22.
100401 The exterior securing component 26 and the interior securing component
28
collectively establish a securing device configured to releasably attach the
pad member 24 to the
pants 22 by capturing a thickness of the pants 22 material between the
components 26 and 28. In
the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D, the exterior
securing component 26
is embodied as a catch (a female member) and the interior securing component
28 is embodied as
a strike (a male member). As discussed further below, catches/female members
and the
strikes/male members are configured to releasably mate with one another. It
should be
understood, and is explained further below, that the embodied securing
components 26 and 28
may be reversed or switched relative to one another, so that the exterior
securing component 26
is embodied as a strike (a male member) and the interior securing component 28
is embodied as
a catch (a female member).
100411 The quantity and locations of the exterior securing components 26 are
complementary to the quantity and locations of the interior securing
components 28 so that in
use each exterior securing component 26 is in substantial alignment with a
corresponding interior
securing component 28. For example, in FIGS. 3A-3D the protective kneepad
assembly 20
includes two exterior securing components 26 and two corresponding interior
securing
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components 28 aligned with one another to establish two securing devices. It
should be
understood that the protective kneepad assembly 20 of this embodiment and the
protective pad
assemblies of the other embodiments discussed herein may include one, two,
three, four, five, or
other quantities of securing devices.
100421 The mechanically mating female and male portions of the exterior
securing
component 26 and the interior securing component 28 are configured to include
a clearance or
space therebetween. The clearance/space substantially corresponds to and
compensates for the
garment material thickness, that is, so that the garment 22 may be received
between the
mechanically mating portions of the exterior and interior securing components
26 and 28 without
creating any holes, tears, or the like in the garment 22. Thus, the exterior
and interior securing
components 26 and 28 firmly capture, grip, and secure the fabric of the
garment 22 to provide
increased holding strength of the protective kneepad assembly 20 onto the
pants leg of the
garment 22 without permitting sliding of the garment 22 relative to the
mechanically mated
components 26 and 28 of the securing devices.
100431 In the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D, an optional backing
30 is
attached to a rear surface of the interior securing component 28 so that in
use the backing 30
faces the knee of the user. An adhesive, fasteners, or a combination of
adhesive and fasteners
may be used to secure the backing 30 to the rear surface of the interior
securing component 28.
The backing 30 is desirably a material that provides soft cushioning on the
skin, particularly
when a front face 32 of the pad 24 is impacted. The backing 30 may be made of
for example,
natural fabric, synthetic fabric, or a combination of natural and synthetic
fabrics. The backing 30
material may possess moisture wicking properties. Fleece and/or plush fabric
materials are
particularly useful.
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100441 As best shown in FIG. 3C, the rear face 33 has a substantially oval
shape from the
rear view. The middle of the rear face 33 covers the knee, while the upper
portion of the rear
face 33 covers the lower femur and the lower portion of the rear face 33
cOvers the upper tibia, as
shown in FIG. 313. It shall be appreciated that the pad 24 is not restricted
or limited to any one
design and/or form and can be fabricated in various sizes, thicknesses, and
shapes. Suitable
shapes, for example, include oval, round, rectangular, square, diamond,
triangular and other
polygonal shapes formed by, for example, die cutting and/or molded processing.
100451 The catch (female-containing) components and the strike (male-
containing)
components of the securing devices are interchangeable with one another. For
example,
although the exterior securing component 26 is embodied in FIGS. 3A-3D as a
catch {a female)
component, the exterior securing component 26 may alternatively be embodied as
the strike (a
male) component. Similarly, although the interior securing component 28 is
embodied as a
strike (a male component), the interior securing component 28 may
alternatively be embodied as
a catch (a female component) for releasably mechanically mating with a male
exterior securing
component.
00461 An example of the exterior securing component 26 embodied as a catch is
illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 413. The exterior securing; component 26 includes
a plate 34 and a
female member 36 fixedly joined to one another, such as by welding, fasteners,
adhesive, or as a
unitary/integral piece. The plate 34 and the female member 36 can be made of,
for example,
wood, plastic, metal, or a combination of two or more materials. The plate 34
is flat and round
in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D, 4A, and 4B to avoid any sharp
edges that might
dig into or tear the pad 24. However, the plate 34 may undertake other shapes
and may have a
non-uniform thickness. The female member 36 may undertake other configurations
capable of
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mechanically mating with a male member (discussed below) of the interior
securing component
78.
100471 An example of the interior securing component 28 embodied as a strike
is
illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The interior securing component 28 includes a
plate 38 and male
member 40 fixedly joined to one another, such as by welding, fasteners,
adhesive, or as a
unitary/integral piece. The plate 38 and the male member 40 can be made of,
for example,
wood, plastic, metal, or a combination of two or more materials. The plate 38
is flat and round
in the illustrated embodiment to avoid any sharp edges that might dig into the
user's skin.
However, the plate 38 may undertake other shapes and may have a non-uniform
thickness.
Similarly, the male member 40 may undertake other configurations capable of
mechanically
mating with the female member 36 of the exterior securing component 26.
100481 The female members 36 illustrated in connection with the .first
exemplary
embodiment includes legs that are sufficiently flexible to flare apart from
one another. to receive
the male members 40 inserted for mating, yet sufficiently resilient to return
substantially to their
original configuration when mated to the male members 40, thereby mechanically
retaining the
male members 40 in mated relationship until a predetermined force pulls the
securing members
26 and 28 apart from one another. Generally, the predetermined force required
to separate the
mated securing members 26 and 28 should be greater than typical forces acting
on the members
26 and 28 during intended use of the protective kneepad assembly 20 by the
wearer.
100491 The exterior or interior securing components 26 or 28 can be attached
and
reinforced to the pad 24 (depending upon whether the pad 24 is exterior or
interior to the
garment 22) using any suitable fastener, means, or method. For example,
according to one
embodiment best illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3ll, holes (unnumbered) formed in
the pad 24
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permit insertion of the female members 36 therethrough. The holes have
diameters sufficiently
large to receive the female members 36, but smaller than the diameters of the
plates 34. The
female members 36 of the exterior securing component 26 are inserted through
the holes from
the front surface 32 of the pad 24. As best illustrated in .FIG. 3B, a patch
42 is adhered to front
face of the plate 34. The patch 42 has a diameter that is greater than the
diameter of the plate 34,
so that an annular peripheral portion of the patch 42 directly contacts the
front face 42 of the pad
24. A periphery of the patch 42 radially outside of the plate 34 is sewn or
otherwise attached to
the front face 42 of the pad 24. Although not shown, the patch 42 may be
adhered to the
opposite side of the plate 34 to mate the plate to the rear face 33 of the pad
24. As another
alternative, multiple patches (not shown) on opposite sides of the plate 34
may be used. Any
combination of sewing, adhesive, fasteners, a combination thereof or other
means or methods
may be used to directly and non-releasably affix the exterior securing
components 26 to the pad
24 (or to affix the interior securing components 28 to the pad 24 if the pad
is disposed inside of
the garment 22).
f0050] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B illustrate variations of the first exemplary
embodiment
in which like parts are labeled with the same reference numerals as used above
in connection
with the first exemplary embodiment with the addition of the suffix capital
letter "A". FIGS. 6A
and 6B illustrate a modified interior securing component 28A including three
male members
40A embodied as strikes integral with an elongate oval flat plate 38A. It
shall be appreciated
that the male members 40A can be arranged on the flat plate 38A in a staggered
or other pattern
in lieu of in the illustrated linear alignment. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a
modified exterior
securing component 26A including three female members 36A embodied as catches
integral with
an elongate oval flat plate 34A. It shall be appreciated that the female
members 36A can be
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arranged on the flat plate 34A in a staggered or other pattern in lieu of the
illustrated linear
alignment.
100511 The female members 36/36A and the male members 40/40A are complementary
in design to releasably mechanically mate with one another and provide a
clearance .to receive
and capture the garment 22 (along a thickness direction) between the mating
members 36/36A
and 40/40A. In this manner, the mating exterior and interior securing
components 26 and 28 of
the securing devices securely affix the protective kneepad assembly 20 to a
pants leg at the knee
of the garment 22.
100521 It shall be appreciated that both the female members 36/36A and the
male
members 40/40A are not restricted or limited to any one design and/or form,
and can be
fabricated in various arrangements, pull strengths, sizes, thicknesses and
shapes such as speared
shaped, round, rectangular, square, and oval. For example, according to
further variations of the
first and other exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the securing devices
with male and
female members that releasably mechanically mate with one another may be
embodied as an
adjustable tension catch device (FIG. SA), a knuckle catch device (FIGS. 8B
and SD), a roller
catch device (FIG. SC), a spring button catch device (FIG. 8E), a combination
thereof, and other
releasably mechanically mating members of securing devices. Although the
securing devices
described herein are configured to mechanically mate, it should be understood
that the male and
female members of the securing devices may (in addition to mechanically
mating) be made of
materials that are magnetically attractive to one another.
100531 A protective kneepad assembly according to a second exemplary
embodiment of
the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 50 in FIGS.
9A through 9C.
Components of the protective kneepad assembly 50 that are unchanged from the
above-
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described first exemplary embodiment are labeled with the same reference
numerals as used
above in connection with FIGS. 3A-8E. The protective kneepad assembly 50
includes a pad 54
substantially identical to pad 24 of the first exemplary embodiment, except
that the pad 54
includes caps 55 attached to a front face 62 of the pad 54. The caps 55 are
made of a semi-hard
and/or hard material, such as a plastic, rubber, wood, metal, or a combination
thereof. In the
illustrated embodiment, an adhesive layer 57 attaches the caps 55 to the front
face 62.
Mechanical fasteners, sewing thread, or other fasteners, adhesive, means, or
methods of
attachment may be practiced instead of or in combination with the adhesive
layer 57 to attach
the caps 55 to the pad 54. FIGS. 9A through 9C illustrate the caps 55 with a
substantially oval
shape, but it should be appreciated that the caps 55 may undertake alternative
shapes, such as
round, rectangular, square, oval, diamond, triangular and other polygon
shapes. In FIGS. 9A
through 9C, the caps 55 are attached to a lower half portion of the front face
62 of the pad 54.
The caps 55 additionally or alternatively may be attached to an upper half
portion of the front
face 62 of the pad 54, and/or to the middle of the front face 62 of the pad
54.
[00541 As best shown in FIG. 9B, the exterior securing components 26 are
accessible to
the interior securing components 28 at a rear face 63 of the pad 54 in the
same manner
described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment. The
protective kneepad
assembly 50 further includes the interior securing components 28 identical to
those described
above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment for mechanically
mating with the
exterior securing components 26. The interior securing components 28 are
situated within the
pants leg and mate with the exterior securing components 26 to capture the
garment 22.
[00551 The pad 54 is also 180 degree interchangeable, rotatable and
reversible, thereby
allowing the wearer to change the position of the pad 54 to relocate the caps
55 from top to the
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bottom and/or from the bottom to the top. Because of 180-degree
interchangeability, the pad 54
serves as an all-in-one unit. Additionally, the user may substitute the plain-
face (non-capped)
pad 24 with the capped pad 54, further allowing the user to change the level
of protection
desired to adapt to the type of surface with which the wearer will come into
contact.
. 100561 The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements,
alternatives,
variations, and other features described above in connection with the first
exemplary
embodiment of the invention and FIGS. 3A-8E apply identically to the second
exemplary
embodiment, are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be understood to
be the same
unless otherwise explained or expressed differently for the second exemplary
embodiment, but
their description is not repeated in the interest of brevity_ For example,
although not shown in
FIGS. 9A-9C, the protective knee assembly may include the backing layers 30
and the patches
42 illustrated in connection with the first exemplary embodiment.
100571 FIGS, 10A and 108 illustrate a variation of the second exemplary
embodiment
in which like parts are labeled with the same reference numerals as used above
in connection
with the second exemplary embodiment with the addition of the suffix capital
letter "A". The
protective kneepad assembly 50A includes three caps 55A attached to the front
face 62A by
adhesive 57A. It should be understood that the protective kneepad assemblies
54/54A
described herein may include one, two, three, four, five, or more caps 55/55A.
100581 A protective kneepad assembly according to a third exemplary embodiment
of
the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 70 in Fla 1
1 The
protective kneepad assembly 70 is illustrated in FIG. 11 releasably attached
to a pants or
trousers leg of a garment 72. Components of the protective kneepad assembly 70
that are
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unchanged from the above-described first exemplary embodiment are labeled with
the same
reference numerals as used above in connection with FIGS. 3A-8E.
100591 The protective kneepad assembly 70 includes an interior pad 74 designed
to be
disposed inside of the pants leg of the garment 72 and an exterior pad 76
designed to be
disposed outside of the pants leg of the garment 72. The interior pad 74 and
the exterior pad 76
may be flexible materials, especially impact absorbing materials that provide
a cushioning
effect. The protective kneepad assembly 70 further includes securing devices
in the form of at
least one interior securing component 78 directly and non-releasably attached
to the interior pad
74 and at least one exterior securing component 80 directly and non-releasably
attached to the
exterior pad 76. The two securing devices illustrated in FIG. I I both include
interior securing
components 78 embodied as catches and external securing devices 80 embodied as
strikes,
although it should be understood that either or both of the interior securing
components 78 may
be embodied as strikes and either or both of the external securing devices 80
may be embodied
as catches, wherein each strike is paired with a catch. The interior and
exterior securing
components 78 and 80 are joinable in mechanically mating relationship with one
another and
preferably include a clearance to releasably capture the garment 72
therebetween, as shown in
FIG. 11. It should be understood that the third embodiment may be modified to
include one,
two, three, four, five, or more securing devices. As illustrated in FIG. II,
the quantity and
location of the interior securing components 78 are complementary to the
quantity and location
of the exterior securing components 80. The interior and exterior securing
components 78 and
80 may be attached to the interior pad 74 and the exterior pad 76 as discussed
above in
connection with the first exemplary embodiment, for example, providing holes
in the pad 74 for
receiving the female members of the interior exterior securing components 78.
and providing
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counterbores is the pad 76 for receiving the male members of the exterior
securing components
SO. Although not shown, patches 42 or other adhesive and/or fasteners may be
used to non-
releasably attach the components 78 and 80 to the pads 74 and 76,
respectively.
100601 The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements,
alternatives,
variations, and other features described above in connection with the first
exemplary
embodiment of the invention and FIGS. 3A-8E apply identically to the third
exemplary
embodiment, are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be understood to
be the same
unless otherwise explained or expressed differently for the third exemplary
embodiment, but
their description is not repeated in the interest of brevity. For example,
although not shown in
FIG. 11, the interior securing component 78 may include the backing 30
discussed above in
connection with FIGS. 3A-3D and/or the caps 55 discussed in connection with
FIGS: 9A, 9B,
9C, 10A, and 10B.
100611 A protective kneepad assembly according to a fourth exemplary
embodiment of
the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 90 in FIGS.
12 and 13.
Components of the protective kneepad assembly 90 that are unchanged from the
above-
described first exemplary embodiment are labeled with the same reference
numerals as used
above in connection with FIGS. 3A-8E.
100621 The protective kneepad assembly 90 includes an exterior (First) pad 92
configured to be disposed outside of the pants leg of the garment, at least
one transitional or
intermediary (second) pad 94, and an interior (third) pad 96 configured to be
disposed inside of
the pants leg of the garment. The at least one transitional pad 94 is situated
between the
exterior pad 92 and the interior pad 96, and may be disposed inside or outside
of the pants leg
of the garment. The exterior, transitional, and interior pads 92, 94, and 96
may be flexible
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materials, especially impact absorbing materials that provide a cushioning
effect. The
transitional pad 94 is positioned sandwich between the exterior pad 92 and the
interior pad 96.
The transitional pad 94 creates an additional layer of protective cushioning
of the wearer. It
should be understood that the protective kneepad assembly 90 may include one,
two, three, or
more transitional pads 94 to further extend and provide as much additional
layers of protective
cushioning needed by the wearer. If more than one transitional pads 94 are
included, the
transitional pads optionally may be connected to one another using the strike
and catch
releasable mechanical mating securing devices described herein.
100631 The protective kneepad assembly 90 further includes securing devices,
specifically two securing devices for connecting a front face of the interior
pad 96 to a rear face
98 of the transitional pad 94, and two additional securing devices for
connecting a front face 99
of the transitional pad 94 to a rear face of the exterior pad 92. As best
shown in FIG. 12, the
securing devices each include catches 36 (female components) and strikes 40
(male
components). In FIGS. 12 and 13, the interior pad 96 includes two catches 36,
and the exterior
pad 92 includes two strikes 40. The rear face 98 of the transitional pad 94
includes two strikes
40 for releasably mating with the two catches 36 of' the interior pad 96, and
the front face 99 of
the transitional pad 94 includes two catches 36 for releasably mating with the
strikes 40 of the
exterior pad 92. The catches 36 of the inner pad 96 and the strikes 40 on the
rear face 98 of the
transitional pad 94 are joinable with one another in mating relationship,
optionally to permit
releasable capture of the garment therebetween. Similarly, the catches 36 on
the front face 99
of the transitional pad 94 and the strikes 40 of the exterior pad 92 are
joinable in mating
relationship with one another, optionally to permit releasable capture of the
garment
there-between. It should be understood that the fourth embodiment may be
modified to include
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more or fewer securing devices. It should also be understood that the strike
and catch of each
mated pair are interchangeable with one another, thereby allowing for
reversing of the positions
of any one, any combination, or all of the strikes and catches.
100641 As best shown in FIG. 12, the strikes 40 of the exterior pad 92 and the
corresponding catches 36 on the front face 99 of the adjacent transitional pad
94 are out of
alignment with one another to compensate for the greater elastic deformation
that the
transitional pad 94 will experience than the exterior pad 92 as the protective
kneepad assembly
90 is rounded to conform to the shape of the knee or other body joint.
Similarly, the strikes 40
on the rear face 98 of the transitional pad 94 and the corresponding catches
36 of the adjacent
interior pad 96 are out of alignment with one another to compensate for
greater elastic
deformation that the interior pad 96 will experience than the transitional pad
94 as the
protective kneepad assembly 90 is rounded to conform to the shape of the knee
or other body
joint. This offsetting or misalignment of the catches 36 and strikes 40
relative to one another in
an unworn state facilitates releasable mechanical mating therebetween when the
pads 92, 94,
and 96 are deformed to conform to the body joint. This offsetting of securing
components may
be practiced in connection with any of the exemplary embodiments described
herein.
100651 The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements,
alternatives,
variations, and other features described above in connection with the first
exemplary
embodiment of the invention and FIGS. 3A-8E apply identically to the fourth
exemplary
embodiment, are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be understood to
be the same
unless otherwise explained or expressed differently for the fourth exemplary
embodiment, but
their description is not repeated in the interest of brevity.
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100661 FIG. 14 illustrates a modification to the fourth exemplary embodiment
in which
in which like parts are labeled with the same reference numerals as used above
in connection
with the fourth exemplary embodiment with the addition of the suffix capital
letter "A". The
protective kneepad assembly 90A includes a first pad 92A with caps 55A on its
front surface,
and a second pad 94A. The interior pad 96 of FIGS. 12 and 13 is eliminated in
the modified
embodiment of FIG. 14, and an interior securing component 40A is utilized
without a pad.
Also, the positioning of the catches (female components) 36A and the strikes
(male
components) 40A in FIG. 14 is reversed relative to FIGS. 12 and 13.
100671 FIG. 17 illustrates a protective kneepad assembly according to a fifth
exemplary
embodiment that includes an interior pad 124 situated within a pants leg of a
garment 22, and
no exterior pad situated outside of the pants leg of the garment 22. Interior
securing
components 128 are directly and non-releasably attached to a counterbore in
the rear face 133
of the interior pad 124, whereas exterior securing components 126 are not
directly attached to a
pad. The interior securing components 128 extend through holes in the interior
pad 124 to
allow for mating with the exterior securing components 126 inserted from a
front face 132 side
of the interior pad 124. The interior securing components 128 include backings
130 and are
fixed to the interior pad 124 by patches 142. As shown in FIG. 17, the
interior securing
components 128 include female members and the exterior securing components 126
include
male members. It should be understood that the interior and exterior securing
components 126
and 128 of either or both pairs of securing devices may be reversed, so that
interior securing
component 126 includes a male member and the exterior securing component 128
includes a
female components. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the female members of the
interior securing
components 128 are configured to releasably mechanically mate to the male
members of the
CA 02940938 2016-09-02
exterior securing components 126 inserted perpendicular to the front face 132
of the pad 124 to
releasably capture the garment 22 worn by the user therebetween.
100681 The methods, materials, sizes, shapes, placements, improvements,
alternatives,
variations, and other features described above in connection with the first
exemplary
embodiment of the invention and FIGS. 3A-8E apply identically to the fifth
exemplary
embodiment, are incorporated herein by reference, and shall be understood to
be the same
unless otherwise explained or expressed differently for the fifth exemplary
embodiment, but
their description is not repeated in the interest of brevity. For example, it
should be understood
that the fifth exemplary embodiment, like the other exemplary embodiments, may
be modified
to include one, two, three, four, five, or more securing devices. As
illustrated in FIG. 17, the
quantity and location of the interior securing components 128 are
complementary to the
quantity and location of the exterior securing components 126. The interior
securing
components 128 may be attached to the interior pad 124 as discussed above in
connection with
the first exemplary embodiment, for example, providing holes in the pad 124
for receiving the
female members of the interior securing components 128, and providing patches
142 or other
adhesive and/or fasteners to attach the components 128 to the pad 124.
100691 As shown in FIGS. 3A, II, 15A, 15B, and 17, the protective kneepad
assemblies
disclosed herein are mountable vertically on the knee. The vertical
orientation is best for
attaching the protective kneepad assemblies to slim to regular fit pants.
Alternatively,
protective kneepad assemblies disclosed herein are mountable horizontally on
the knee, as
shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The horizontal orientation is best for attaching
the protective
kneepad assemblies to baggy pants.
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=
100701 The protective pad assemblies described herein may be configured for
other
body parts, particularly body joints such as a protective elbow pad assembly
for a shirt sleeve to
protect the elbow. Other possible body parts that may be protected by the
protective pad
assembly include, by way of non-limiting examples, shins, wrists, shoulders,
the torso, and the
neck.
100711 The protective pad assemblies in accordance exemplary embodiments
described
herein is an economical alternative to the prior art and is an improved pad
assembly that
incorporates improved securing devices in the form of interior and exterior
securing
components with female (catch) and male (strike) members that mechanically
mate (without
requiring magnetic attraction) to secure the protective pad assemblies to the
garment so as to
permit limitation or elimination of the use of expensive magnets and
alterations of the fabric
and garment. The interior and exterior securing components firmly capture the
garment to grip
and clamp the garment in place relative to the securing components. In this
manner, the interior
and exterior securing components mechanically mating with the garment
substantially eliminate
slippage and sliding movement of the protective pad, assemblies relative to
the garments, which
still permitting relatively simple mechanical release to permit removal of the
protective pad
assemblies from the garments.
100721 The protective pad assemblies of the exemplary embodiments may be
attached to
the garment 22 while the garment 22 is worn by the user, or before the user
puts on the garment
22. Generally, "interior" parts of the protective pad assemblies to be are
worn inside of the
garment 22 may be slid into the garment, such as up or down a pants leg or
shirt sleeve, into
position over the knee, elbow, or other body part to be protected. The
exterior securing
members are mated with the interior securing members (by inserting the male
member into the
=
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female member of the female member into engagement with the male member) to
capture the
garment 22 therebetween. Adjustments to the positioning of the pad(s) on the
body part may be
made by unmating the securing components, adjusting the pad(s), and re-mating
the securing
components to capture the garment 22.
100731 The method may be accomplished using additional or fewer steps. Also,
the
steps may be performed in various sequences.
10074j The structures, methods, and other features of the embodiments
described above
may be combined with one another and modified by persons skilled in the art
having reference
to this disclosure.
10751 The description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention
has been
presented for the purpose of illustration in accordance with the provisions of
the Patent Statutes.
While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described with the
reference to the
kneepad assembly, it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally
applicable to other
variations and alternative embodiments, such as an elbow pad assembly for
releasable attaching
to a garment such as a shirt or jacket (not shown). The description is not
intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Multiple
variations and
alternative embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments
disclosed hereinabove are chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of
the present
invention and its practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary
skill in the art to best
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as
are suited to the
particular use contemplated as long as the principles described herein are
followed. The
application is intended to cover variations, uses, or adaptations of the
invention using its general
principles_ Further, this application is intended to cover such departures
from the present
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=
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this
invention
pertains. It is also intended that the scope of the present invention be
defined by the claims
appended thereto.
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