Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
KNEEPAD WITH IMPLEMENT HOLDER
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application relates to kneepads and, more particularly to
kneepads which
securely retain an implement so that a worker wearing the kneepad has
convenient access to the
implement when needed. The term "implement" should be interpreted in its
broadest sense to
include anything that a wearer of the kneepad might need to use. By way of non-
limiting
example, this would include tools, writing instruments, marking instruments,
drawing
instruments, etc.
[0002] Kneepads typically are used for impact protection, such as by
participants in
sporting events, and for comfort, such as by persons engaged in outdoor or
indoor activities that
require kneeling. Non-limiting examples of the former activities include
roofing, general
contracting, bricklaying, carpentry, landscaping and gardening. Non-limiting
examples of the
latter include interior construction, general contracting, plumbing,
electrical, floor, carpet and tile
installation.
[0003] Previously suggestions have been made to provide a tool holder on
a kneepad
such as, for example, in McKee U.S. Patent No. 9,326,555 the entirety of which
is hereby
incorporated by reference. U.S. Patent No. 9,326,555 refers to a tool or
accessory holder
preferably attached to a kneepad through the use of snap fasteners so that the
holder may be
removed. One of the many limitations of the holder described in U.S. Patent
No. 9,326,555 is
that it is bulky thus encouraging the user to remove the holder when it is not
being used.
However, this leads to a first problem, namely, that it is easy to misplace
the holder. Second, the
holder typically can be used only on one kneepad depending on the placement of
the snap
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fasteners on the holder and on the kneepad, thus a worker typically cannot
conveniently move
the holder from one knee to the other knee. Yet another problem is the
relative rigidity and size
of the holder in that some tools do not fit snugly in the holder and therefore
can move, or even
fall from the holder as the worker moves up and down as well as forward,
sideways, and
backward.
[0004] Thus there is a need for a kneepad implement holder that
recognizes and solves
the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0005] The kneepad and implement holder described herein overcomes the
aforementioned problems, and other problems, through the use of a flexible
holder that does not
protrude from the kneepad when not in use and that snugly retains implements
of various
configurations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing advantages of the kneepad and implement holder,
together with
other benefits and advantages that may be attained by its use will become
apparent upon reading
the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings.
In the drawings,
which are exemplary only:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a kneepad viewed generally
from one side;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a kneepad viewed generally
from the side
opposite the side of FIG. 1; and
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[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the kneepad of FIG. 1 with
an implement
retained in the holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] Referring first to FIG. 1, a kneepad 10 includes a top 12, bottom
14, first lateral
side 16, and an opposed second lateral side 18. The lateral sides extend from
the top 12 to the
bottom 14 and the kneepad includes a front face 20 extending from the top to
the bottom and
from the first side to the second side. The kneepad includes a peripheral edge
22 extending from
the top 12, along a first lateral side 16, along the bottom 14, and along the
second lateral side 18
and returning to the top 12. The kneepad includes two straps 24, 26 each
extending away from
the front face 20 so that when the kneepad is placed in position by the user,
the straps encircle
the leg of the user. The straps fasten together such as through the use of
hook and loop fasteners.
In some embodiments a single strap may be used to encircle the leg of the user
with the single
strap extending from one side of the kneepad and engaging fasteners on the
opposite side of the
kneepad. Snap fasteners or buckles rather than hook and loop fasteners may be
used. The front
face 20 is the part of the kneepad that, in use, would be in contact with a
surface from which the
user of the kneepad seeks protection or comfort. Thus while the front face 20
may be of rigid
material for protection or flexible material for comfort, it is contemplated
that peripheral edge
and lateral sides be made of fabric. All of the foregoing is conventional.
[00011] The present kneepad may include one or more implement holders.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3, one form of an implement holder or band or sleeve 30 is
illustrated having a top
32, and a bottom 34, and first and second lateral ends 36, 38. The size and
dimensions of the
band or sleeve 30 may be selected to take into account the types of implements
to be retained.
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For explanatory purposes only, a non-limiting form of the band 30 is
illustrated as having a
length between the ends 36, 38 that is greater than the height between the top
and bottom 32, 34.
The band is preferably made of a material that is elastic or stretchable and
that has some memory
so that it may return to its non-stretched configuration.
[00012] The kneepad extends in a generally first direction from the top 12
to the bottom
14. The first and second lateral ends 36, 38 of the band may be secured such
as by stitching 40
to the kneepad with the stitching preferably extending generally parallel to
the first direction of
the kneepad and thus generally perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of
the kneepad. As
one non-limiting example, FIG. 1 illustrates two vertical lines of stitching
40, one at each end 36,
38 of the band 30.
[00013] Thus one exemplary location for one line of stitching 40 would be
the peripheral
edge 22 of the kneepad as illustrated in FIG. 1 with the opposite end of the
band 30 stitched to
the lateral side 16 at or adjacent to the front face 20. In this variation the
two ends of the band 30
may be stitched solely to spaced-apart locations on one lateral side of the
kneepad and a channel
for the implement is present between the band and the lateral side.
[00014] A second exemplary location for the stitching is illustrated in
FIG. 3 involving
three vertical lines of stitching 40, with one end of the band 30 stitched to
the peripheral edge,
the second end of the band 30 stitched to the lateral side at or adjacent to
the front face, and a
third line of stitching 40 intermediate the two ends 36, 38. The third line of
stitching need not be
exactly halfway between the other two lines of stitching. In this situation,
two separate channels
are present between the band and the lateral side. If the band is secured to a
different part of the
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kneepad, i.e., other than a lateral side, then the channel is present between
the band and the
associated part of the kneepad.
[00015] Yet a third exemplary option as illustrated in FIG. 2 includes the
band 30 where
both ends are stitched to the same general area of the kneepad such that the
band forms a loop.
Alternatively, one end of the band may be stitched adjacent to the other end
of the band to form a
loop. In either of these alternatives, the loop is then stitched to the
kneepad and one non-limiting
position is at or adjacent the face of the kneepad, and a second non-limiting
position for the
stitching would be at the peripheral edge 22 and a third position would be on
the lateral side
itself. In the variations described in this paragraph, the interior of the
loop itself forms the
channel.
[00016] The band, when not in use is, preferably flush to the kneepad but
this is not
required as long as the band does not interfere with use of the kneepad when
there is no
implement within the sleeve. Thus alternatives to stitching and alternatives
to the band being
absolutely flush with the kneepad are contemplated. The space between the band
and the lateral
side of the kneepad functions as a channel or receptacle or holder for an
implement, except in the
variation of FIG. 2 where the interior space of the loop of the band functions
as a channel or
receptacle or holder for an implement.
[00017] Optionally, as noted above, the band may include an intermediate
vertical
stitching 40 and the location of the intermediate vertical stitching may be
closer to one of the
ends 36, 38. Through the use of this option two channels or receptacles may be
provided for
retaining implements. Additional channels may be similarly provided.
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[00018] In addition to or in lieu of stitching, the band may be attached
to the kneepad (and
attached to itself in the variation of FIG. 2) with hook and loop fasteners,
snap fasteners or other
attachment mechanisms in addition to or instead of stitching.
[00019] In use, the wearer will insert an implement 42 through the open
top 32 of the band
30 as illustrated at 44. The implement, if of sufficient length, will extend
through the open
bottom 34 of the band 30 as illustrated at 46. The elastic nature of the
material of the band
causes the band to expand as necessary to generally conform to the external
configuration of the
implement and securely retain the implement in place. The elastic material
snugly retains the
implement in place even as the wearer may move about. This prevents the
implement from being
accidentally dislodged. In those situations where the intermediate vertical
stitching is provided,
there are two channels each of which will snugly engage an implement as well
as preventing the
implements from being accidentally dislodged. When the implements are removed
(and even
when the kneepads are removed) the memory of the band causes the band to
return to its normal
position lying generally (but not necessarily absolutely) flat against the
side of the kneepad. The
band should not interfere with use of the straps or the kneepad and vice-
versa. In the
embodiment of FIG. 2, the implement is placed within the top of the loop of
the band, as
illustrated at 44 and, the implement, if of sufficient length, will extend
through the open bottom
34 of the band as illustrated at 46.
[00020] The foregoing is a complete description of a preferred form of the
present
kneepad and implement holder. Various changes and modification may be made
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the above description. The invention
therefore should be
limited only by the scope of the following claims.
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