Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HOCKEY-GOALKEEPER PADS
FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to protective hockey equipment and, more
particularly, to hockey-goalkeeper pads for protecting body parts of hockey
goalkeepers.
BACKGROUND
Hockey goalkeepers (a.k.a. goalies) defend their team's goal in a hockey game,
and, to that end, they wear various equipment, including leg pads to protect
their
legs against impacts from projectiles (i.e., pucks or balls), hockey sticks or
other
objects and/or when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing surface (e.g.,
ice).
A hockey-goalkeeper leg pad, which is often referred to a "goalie pad",
typically
comprises protective padding and an outer shell for providing padded
protection
to a hockey goalkeeper's leg. To efficiently protect the hockey goalkeeper's
leg,
the protective padding and/or the outer shell may be bulky (e.g., thick),
heavy, or
rigid and/or may absorb too much impact energy from impacts with flying pucks
or balls such that these projectiles' rebound speed is relatively low, which
may
detrimentally affect performance of the hockey goalkeeper by limiting an
agility of
the hockey goalkeeper and/or by limiting the hockey goalkeeper's control of
rebounds when blocking the pucks or balls from entering into the goal.
Moreover, material of the outer shell tends to crush after receiving multiple
impacts (e.g., with flying pucks or balls) in a same area.
The hockey-goalkeeper leg pad is typically connected to footwear (e.g., a
skate)
of the hockey goalkeeper to limit movements between the hockey goalkeeper's
leg and the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad. Connectors connecting the hockey
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goalkeeper's leg and the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad may be heavy, bulky, and/or
weak and/or take long to adjust.
Similar considerations may sometimes arise with other goalie protective gear,
such as blockers to protect goalies' hands when blocking pucks or balls during
play.
For these and other reasons, improvements in hockey-goalkeeper pads would be
welcomed.
SUMMARY
According to various aspects, this disclosure relates to hockey-goalkeeper
pads
wearable on body parts (e.g., legs) of a hockey goalkeeper to protect these
body
parts against impacts from a projectile (i.e., puck or ball) while playing
hockey, in
which the hockey-goalkeeper pads may be configured to enhance performance,
use, and/or other aspects of goalkeeping by the hockey goalkeeper, such as by
being more durable (e.g., reducing crushing of padding material), improving
rebounding of the projectile (e.g., increasing a rebound speed of the
projectile
and/or a coefficient of restitution), and/or facilitating their donning and
securing
by the hockey goalkeeper (e.g., connecting to skates).
For example, according to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the
leg. The hockey-goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to
be wider than the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a
lower leg portion, and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper
leg
region, a knee, a lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member
comprises: an outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad; an inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding
disposed between the outer cover and the inner liner, the protective padding
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comprising a plurality of padding elements that are distinct and arranged
adjacent one another in a thicknesswise direction of the main pad member,
wherein: a front one of the padding elements comprises a plurality of layers
that
are layered in the thicknesswise direction of the main pad member; and a
material of a first one of the layers of the front one of the padding elements
is
different from a material of a second one of the layers of the front one of
the
padding elements.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, the protective padding comprising a plurality of
padding
elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise
direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the padding elements
comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the thicknesswise
direction of
the main pad member; a material of a first one of the layers of the front one
of the
padding elements is different from a material of a second one of the layers of
the
front one of the padding elements; a material of a third one of the layers of
the
front one of the padding elements is different from the material of the second
one
of the layers of the front one of the padding elements; and the second one of
the
layers of the front one of the padding elements is disposed between the first
one
of the layers of the front one of the padding elements and the third one of
the
layers of the front one of the padding elements.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
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goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, the protective padding comprising a plurality of
padding
elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise
direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the padding elements
comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the thicknesswise
direction of
the main pad member and configured to generate a springboard effect when a
puck or ball impacts the main pad member.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, the protective padding comprising a plurality of
padding
elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise
direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the padding elements
comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the thicknesswise
direction of
the main pad member and configured such that a ratio of a coefficient of
restitution of the protective padding at a first-ever impact of a puck or ball
at a
specified location of the protective padding over the coefficient of
restitution of
the protective padding after at least ten impacts of the puck or ball at the
specified location of the protective padding with an inbound speed of the puck
or
ball of at least 80 km/h is at least 0.80.
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According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprising: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, wherein a ratio of a coefficient of restitution of
the
protective padding at a first-ever impact of a puck or ball at a specified
location of
the protective padding over the coefficient of restitution of the protective
padding
after at least ten impacts of the puck or ball at the specified location of
the
protective padding with an inbound speed of the puck or ball of at least 80
km/h
is at least 0.80.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, the protective padding comprising a plurality of
padding
elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise
direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the padding elements
comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the thicknesswise
direction of
the main pad member and configured such that a ratio of a thickness of the
protective padding after at least ten impacts of a puck or ball at a specified
location of the protective padding with an inbound speed of the puck or ball
of at
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least 80 km/h over the thickness of the protective padding before any impact
of
the puck or ball at the specified location of the protective padding is at
least 0.90.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the protective
padding
after at least ten impacts of a puck or ball at a specified location of the
protective
padding with an inbound speed of the puck or ball of at least 80 km/h over the
thickness of the protective padding before any impact of the puck or ball at
the
specified location of the protective padding is at least 0.90.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, the protective padding comprising a plurality of
padding
elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise
direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the padding elements
comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the thicknesswise
direction of
the main pad member and configured such that a coefficient of restitution of
the
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protective padding when impacted by a puck or ball with an inbound speed of 80
km/h is at least 0.35.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a main pad member configured to be wider than
the leg and comprising an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg
portion,
and a foot portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a
knee, a
lower leg region, and a foot of the leg. The main pad member comprises: an
outer cover defining an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; an
inner liner for facing the leg; and protective padding disposed between the
outer
cover and the inner liner, wherein a coefficient of restitution of the
protective
padding when impacted by a puck or ball with an inbound speed of 80 km/h is at
least 0.35.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprises: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective padding comprising a
plurality
of padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member; and a material of a first one
of
the layers of the front one of the padding elements is different from a
material of
a second one of the layers of the front one of the padding elements.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to be wider than the leg and comprises an
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion
respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg
region,
and a foot of the leg, the hockey goalkeeper wearing a skate. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a connector disposed in the foot portion and
connectable to a connector mounted to the skate for attaching the hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad to the skate without passing a lace through the skate every
time the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad is to be attached to the skate.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to be wider than the leg and comprises an
upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion
respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg
region,
and a foot of the leg, the hockey goalkeeper wearing a skate. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprises a connector disposed in the foot portion and is
connectable to a connector mounted to the skate for attaching the hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad to the skate solely by moving the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad
and the skate closer to one another.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
leg
pad wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to be wider than the leg and comprises an
upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion
respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower leg
region,
and a foot of the leg, the hockey goalkeeper wearing a skate. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad comprising a connector disposed in the foot portion and
magnetically connectable to a connector mounted to the skate for attaching the
hockey-goalkeeper leg pad to the skate.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a quick-connect system
for
attaching a hockey-goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of the hockey
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goalkeeper to a skate wearable by the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to protect and be wider than the leg and
comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a
foot
portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower
leg
.. region, and a foot of the leg. The quick-connect system comprises: a
connector
mountable to the foot portion of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; and a
connector
mountable to the skate. The connector of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad and the
connector of the skate are connectable to one another for attaching the hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad to the skate without passing a lace through the skate every
time the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad is to be attached to the skate.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a quick-connect system
for
attaching a hockey-goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of the hockey
goalkeeper to a skate wearable by the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to protect and be wider than the leg and
comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a
foot
portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower
leg
region, and a foot of the leg. The quick-connect system comprises: a connector
mountable to the foot portion of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; and a
connector
mountable to the skate. The connector of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad and the
connector of the skate are connectable to one another for attaching the hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad to the skate solely by moving the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad
and the skate closer to one another.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a quick-connect system
for
attaching a hockey-goalkeeper leg pad wearable on a leg of the hockey
goalkeeper to a skate wearable by the hockey goalkeeper. The hockey-
goalkeeper leg pad is configured to protect and be wider than the leg and
comprises an upper leg portion, a knee portion, a lower leg portion, and a
foot
portion respectively configured to face an upper leg region, a knee, a lower
leg
region, and a foot of the leg. The quick-connect system comprises: a connector
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
mountable to the foot portion of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad; and a
connector
mountable to the skate. The connector of the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad and the
connector of the skate are magnetically connectable to one another for
attaching
the hockey-goalkeeper leg pad to the skate.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective padding comprising a
plurality
of padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member; a material of a first one of
the
layers of the front one of the padding elements is different from a material
of a
second one of the layers of the front one of the padding elements; a material
of a
third one of the layers of the front one of the padding elements is different
from
the material of the second one of the layers of the front one of the padding
elements; and the second one of the layers of the front one of the padding
elements is disposed between the first one of the layers of the front one of
the
padding elements and the third one of the layers of the front one of the
padding
elements.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective comprising a plurality of
padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member and configured to generate a
springboard effect when a puck or ball impacts the main pad member.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective comprising a plurality of
padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member and configured such that a
ratio
of a coefficient of restitution of the protective padding at a first-ever
impact of a
puck or ball at a specified location of the protective padding over the
coefficient
of restitution of the protective padding after at least ten impacts of the
puck or
ball at the specified location of the protective padding with an inbound speed
of
the puck or ball of at least 80 km/h is at least 0.80.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover. A ratio of a coefficient of restitution of
the
protective padding after at least ten impacts of the puck or ball at a
specified
location of the protective padding with an inbound speed of the puck or ball
of at
least 80 km/h over the coefficient of restitution of the protective padding at
a first-
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ever impact of a puck or ball at the specified location of the protective
padding is
at least 0.80.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective padding comprising a
plurality
of padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member and configured such that a
ratio
of a coefficient of restitution of the protective padding after at least ten
impacts of
a puck or ball at a specified location of the protective padding with an
inbound
speed of the puck or ball of at least 80 km/h over the coefficient of
restitution of
the protective padding at a first-ever impact of the puck or ball at the
specified
location of the protective padding is at least 0.80.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover. A ratio of a thickness of the protective
padding
after at least ten impacts of a puck or ball at a specified location of the
protective
padding with an inbound speed of the puck or ball of at least 80 km/h over the
thickness of the protective padding before any impact of the puck or ball at
the
specified location of the protective padding is at least 0.90.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective padding comprising a
plurality
of padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member and configured such that a
coefficient of restitution of the protective padding after at least ten
impacts of a
puck or ball at a specified location of the protective padding with an inbound
speed of 80 km/h is at least 0.35.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover, the protective padding comprising a
plurality
of padding elements that are distinct and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member, wherein: a front one of the
padding elements comprises a plurality of layers that are layered in the
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member and configured such that a
coefficient of restitution of the protective padding after at least ten
impacts of a
puck or ball at a specified location of the protective padding with an inbound
speed of 144 km/h is at least 0.25.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
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wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover. A coefficient of restitution of the
protective
padding after at least ten impacts of a puck or ball at a specified location
of the
protective padding with an inbound speed of 80 km/h is at least 0.35.
According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a hockey-goalkeeper
blocker wearable on a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the hand. The
hockey-goalkeeper blocker comprises a main pad member configured to be
wider than the hand. The main pad member comprising: an outer cover defining
an outermost surface of the hockey-goalkeeper blocker; and protective padding
disposed beneath the outer cover. A coefficient of restitution of the
protective
padding after at least ten impacts of a puck or ball at a specified location
of the
protective padding with an inbound speed of 144 km/h is at least 0.25.
These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent upon
review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A detailed description of embodiments is provided below, by way of example
only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of hockey-goalkeeper leg pads for
protecting legs of a hockey goalkeeper;
Figure 2 shows a front view of a left one of the leg pads;
Figure 3 shows a lateral view of the leg pad;
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Figure 4 shows a medial view of the leg pad;
Figure 5 shows the leg pad from an inner side;
Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a right one of the leg pads which comprises
a main pad member including an outer cover, protective padding and an inner
liner;
Figures 7 to 11 show the outer cover;
Figure 12 shows molded ornaments of the outer cover;
Figure 13 shows the protective padding;
Figure 14 shows a molded material of the outer cover;
Figures 15 and 16 show a variant of the outer cover;
Figure 17 shows a hockey puck having an initial speed and an initial direction
rebounding on the left leg pad with a rebound speed and a rebound direction;
Figure 18 shows an inside perspective view of a padding element of the
protective padding;
Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the padding element of the
protective
padding;
Figures 20 and 21 show a variant of an interconnection between the outer shell
and an inner liner of the leg pad;
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
Figure 22 shows the padding element of the protective padding in relation with
the outer shell;
Figures 23 to 26 show an example of a lacing arrangement between at least the
padding element of the protective padding and at least part of the outer
shell;
Figures 27 to 31 show a quick-connect system to connect the leg pad to a
goalie
skate;
Figures 32 and 33 show variants of the goalie skate comprising an integrated
connector to connect the goalie skate to the leg pad;
Figures 34 to 36 show variants of the leg pad;
Figures 37 to 39 show an embodiment of a hockey goalkeeper blocker; and
Figures 40 and 41 show a leg of the hockey goalkeeper.
The description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain
embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be
limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of hockey-goalkeeper pads 10 wearable on a
hockey goalkeeper's body parts while playing hockey to protect these body
parts
against an impact from a projectile (i.e., a puck or ball), hockey stick or
other
object, such as to block the projectile from entering a goal, and/or to
protect
these body parts when moving them onto a playing surface 12. More
specifically,
in this embodiment, the hockey-goalkeeper pads 10 are hockey-goalkeeper leg
pads 10 wearable on the hockey goalkeeper's legs 16 while playing hockey to
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protect the legs 16. The hockey goalkeeper may be referred to as a "goalie"
and
thus the hockey-goalkeeper leg pads 10 may be referred to as "goalie leg
pads",
"goalie pads", or just "leg pads" of the goalie. In this embodiment, a type of
hockey played is ice hockey such that the leg pads 10 are ice hockey leg pads,
the goalie is an ice hockey goalie, the playing surface 12 is ice, and the
projectile
is a puck.
As further discussed later, in this embodiment, the leg pads 10 may be
configured to enhance performance, use, and/or other aspects of goalkeeping by
the goalie, such as by being more durable (e.g., reducing crushing of padding
material), improving rebounding of the puck (e.g., increasing a rebound speed
of
the puck and/or a coefficient of restitution), and/or facilitating their
donning and
securing by the goalie (e.g., connecting to skates).
The leg pads 10 protect various regions of the goalie's legs 16. With
additional
reference to Figures 40 and 41, each leg 16 of the goalie comprises an upper
leg
region 18, a knee 19, a lower leg region 20, and a foot 21. The upper leg
region
18 is above the knee 19, while the lower leg region 20 is below the knee 19
and
above the foot 21. The leg 16 of the goalie has a front 22, a back 23, a
medial
side 24 (sometimes referred to as an "inner side"), and a lateral side 25
(sometimes referred to as an "outer side").
Each leg pad 10 comprises an upper leg portion 30, a knee portion 31, a lower
leg portion 32, and a foot portion 33 respectively configured to be positioned
adjacent to the upper leg region 18, the knee 19, the lower leg region 20, and
the
foot 21 of the goalie's leg 16 when the leg pad 10 is worn on the leg 16. The
upper leg portion 30 is above the knee portion 31, while the lower leg portion
32
is below the knee portion 31 and above the foot portion 33. Respective ones of
these portions of the leg pad 10 comprise frontal, medial, and lateral parts
such
that the leg pad 10 comprises a frontal portion 26, a medial portion 27, and a
lateral portion 28 respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to the
front
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
22, the medial side 24, and the lateral side 25 of the goalie's leg 16 when
the leg
pad 10 is worn on the leg 16. The frontal portion 26 comprises a front of the
leg
pad 10, the medial portion 27 comprises a medial side of the leg pad 10, and
the
lateral portion 28 comprises a lateral side of the leg pad 10. A longitudinal
direction of the leg pad 10 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis
of the
goalie's leg 16, a lateral (i.e., widthwise) direction of the leg pad 10 is
perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to a
dextrosinistral axis of the goalie's leg 16, and a front-back direction of the
leg pad
is perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to a
10 .. dorsoventral axis of the goalie's leg 16.
In this embodiment, each leg pad 10 comprises a plurality of pad members 34.
More specifically, in this example, the pad members 34 include a main pad
member 36, a medial-side knee pad member 37 (sometimes referred-to as
"medial knee wing"), a medial-side calf member 49 (sometimes referred-to as
"medial calf wing"), a lateral-side knee pad member 39 (sometimes referred-to
as
"lateral knee wing") and a lateral-side calf pad member 61 (sometimes referred-
to as "lateral calf wing").
In this embodiment, the main pad member 36 is configured to be wider than the
goalie's leg and comprises an upper leg portion 481, a knee portion 482, a
lower
leg portion 483 and a foot portion 484 constituting respective parts of the
upper
leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the foot
portion
33 of the leg pad 10. In this example, the main pad member 36 is a common
continuous pad that extends from the upper leg portion 30 to the foot portion
33
of the leg pad 10. The main pad member 36 may cover a substantial proportion
of the leg pad 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the main pad member 36
covers at least a majority (i.e. a majority or an entirety) of the frontal
portion 26 of
the hockey goalkeeper leg pad 10. More specifically, in this embodiment, the
main pad member 36 covers an entirety of the frontal portion 26 of the hockey
goalkeeper leg pad 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a ratio of a surface
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
area of the main pad member 36 over a total surface area of the leg pad 10 is
at
least 65%, in some embodiments at least 70%, in some embodiments at least
75%, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., more than 80%).
.. The main pad member 36 may have any suitable width. In this embodiment, the
main pad member 36 has a width that is constant along at least a majority of
(i.e.,
a majority of or an entirety of) its length. In some embodiments, the width of
the
main pad member 36 may be substantially larger than the leg it is configured
to
cover, and may be between 18 cm and 38 cm, in some embodiments between
23 cm and 33 cm, and in some embodiments about 28 cm. In this case, the
width of the main pad member 36 corresponds to an overall width WP of the leg
pad 10.
In this embodiment, the medial knee wing 37 is a pad member disposed on the
medial side of the main pad member 36 and is configured to protect the knee of
the hockey goalkeeper from contact with the ice when the hockey goalkeeper
gets into a butterfly position. More specifically, in this embodiment, the
knee
portion 31 of the leg pad 10 comprises a medial part 41 including the medial
knee wing 37 which comprises a knee landing portion 43 configured to engage
the goalie's knee 19 when dropping to the ice 12 (e.g., in a butterfly
position).
In this embodiment, the medial calf wing 49 is a pad member disposed on the
medial side of the main pad member 36 and is configured to protect the calf of
the hockey goalkeeper from contact with the ice when the hockey goalkeeper
.. gets into a butterfly position. More specifically, in this embodiment, the
lower leg
portion 32 comprises a medial part 46 including the medial calf wing 49 which
comprises a calf landing portion 63 to engage the goalie's lower leg 20 when
dropping to the ice 12 (e.g., in a butterfly position).
In this embodiment, the lateral knee wing 39 and the lateral calf wing 61 are
pad
members disposed on the lateral side of the main pad member 36 and are
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
configured to respectively protect the knee and the calf of the hockey
goalkeeper
from contact with the puck and/or the ice during play. More specifically, in
this
embodiment, the knee portion 31 of the leg pad 10 comprises a lateral part 47
including the lateral knee wing 39 which projects rearwardly from the main pad
member 36, and the lower leg portion 32 of the leg pad 10 comprises a lateral
part 48 including the lateral calf wing 61 which projects rearwardly from the
main
pad member 36.
In this embodiment, the medial knee wing 37 and the lateral knee wing 39
define
a knee cradle to receive the goalie's knee 19, and the medial calf wing 49 and
the lateral calf wing 61 are configured for receiving the goalie's lower leg
20. The
medial knee wing 37, the lateral knee wing 39, the medial calf wing 49 and the
lateral calf wing 61 may thus define a leg-receiving portion 35 configured for
receiving the leg of the hockey goalkeeper.
In some embodiments, a ratio of the width WP of the leg pad 10 over a width WL
of the leg-receiving portion 35 of the leg pad 10 is at least 1.5, in some
embodiments at least 2, in some embodiments at least 2.5, and in some
embodiments even more (e.g., at least 2.8).
The leg pad 10 can be secured to the goalie's leg 16 in any suitable way. In
this
embodiment, the leg pad 10 comprises straps 94 to secure it to the goalie's
leg
16. The leg pad 10 may also comprise an attachment mechanism 90 configured
to attach the leg pad 10 to a hockey-goalkeeper skate 11.
In this embodiment, the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10 comprises an
outer cover 42, an inner liner 44, and protective padding 40 disposed between
the outer cover 42 and the inner liner 44. In this example, an inner surface
of the
outer cover 42 may engage an outer surface of the protective padding 40 and an
outer surface of the inner liner 44 may engage an inner surface of the
protective
padding 40. More specifically, in this embodiment, the inner surface of the
outer
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
cover 42 may be affixed to the outer surface of the protective padding 40 and
the
outer surface of the inner liner 44 may be affixed to the inner surface of the
protective padding 40.
The outer cover 42 comprises an outer surface 51 of the leg pad 10 that faces
away from the goalkeeper's leg 16. With additional reference to Figures 7 to
11,
in this embodiment, the outer cover 42 comprises an upper leg portion, a knee
portion, a lower leg portion, and a foot portion which constitute respective
parts of
the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and
the
foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10. Each of these portions of the outer cover
42
comprises a frontal part, a medial part, and a lateral part such that the
outer
cover 42 comprises a frontal portion 56, a medial portion 57, and a lateral
portion
58 which constitute respective parts of the frontal portion 26, the medial
portion
27, and the lateral portion 28 of the leg pad 10.
In this embodiment, the outer cover 42 is a molded outer cover. That is, the
outer
cover 42 is formed by a molding process. A shape of the outer cover 42 is thus
a
molded shape imparted during the molding process. The outer cover 42
comprises molded material 70 that constitutes at least a majority (i.e., a
majority
or an entirety) of the outer cover 42 and has been formed during the molding
process to impart the shape of the outer cover 42. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the upper leg portion, the knee portion, the lower leg portion,
and
the foot portion of the outer cover 42 comprise respective parts of the molded
material 70 which have been configured by the molding process. Also, in this
example of implementation, the outer cover 42 includes molded features for
functional and/or aesthetic purposes, as further discussed later.
The molded shape of the outer cover 42 may have any suitable configuration. In
this embodiment, the outer cover 42 has a molded bent configuration such that
it
bends in a longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10. More particularly, in
this
embodiment, the outer cover 42 includes a bend 60 in the longitudinal
direction
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
of the leg pad 10 between the upper leg portion and the lower leg portion
adjacent to the knee portion , and a bend 61 in the longitudinal direction of
the
leg pad 10 between the lower leg portion and the foot portion . In this
example,
the bend 60 is a curved part which defines a curvature of the outer cover 42,
while the bend 61 is an angular part which defines an oblique angle. Also, in
this
embodiment, the molded bent configuration of the outer cover 42 is such that
the
outer cover 42 bends in a widthwise direction of the leg pad 10. More
particularly,
in this embodiment, the outer cover 42 includes a bend 68 in the widthwise
direction of the leg pad 10 between the frontal portion 56 and the medial
portion
57 of the outer cover 42, and a bend 69 in the widthwise direction of the leg
pad
10 between the frontal portion 56 and the lateral portion 58 of the outer
cover 42.
The molded bent configuration of the outer cover 42 may be arranged in any
other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g., include any number of bends,
curved or angular, disposed in any suitable manner).
The outer cover 42 may comprise a cavity 62 receiving and holding the
protective
padding 40. The cavity 62 lies opposite the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 10
such that it faces the goalkeeper's leg 16. More particularly, in this
embodiment,
the medial portion 57 and the lateral portion 58 of the outer cover 42 project
rearwardly relative to the frontal portion 56 of the outer cover 42 to define
the
cavity 62. In this example, the outer cover 42 also comprises a top portion 63
and
a bottom portion 64 which project rearwardly relative to the frontal portion
56 to
define the cavity 62.
Once the protective padding 40 is placed in the cavity 62 of the outer cover
42, in
this embodiment, the inner liner 44 is placed behind the protective padding 40
and secured into position. To that end, in this embodiment, the outer cover 42
comprises a fastening zone 65 to fasten the outer cover 42 to at least one of
the
inner liner 44 and the protective padding 40. In this example, the fastening
zone
65 is provided to fasten the outer cover 42 to both the inner liner 44 and the
padding 40. More particularly, in this embodiment, the fastening zone 65
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
comprises a fastening lip 66 in at least one, in this case each, of the medial
portion 57, the lateral portion 58, the top portion 63, and the bottom portion
64 of
the outer cover 42. A fastener 67 interacts with the fastening lip 66 of the
outer
cover 42 and the inner liner 44 to secure the inner liner 44, the protective
padding 40, and the outer cover 42 together. In this example, the fastener 67
is a
series of stitches that stitch together the inner liner 44, the protective
padding 40,
and the outer cover 42. The fastener 67 may be any other suitable fastener in
other examples (e.g., an adhesive, a series of staples, etc.). The fastening
zone
65 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments. In
addition to being retained between the outer cover 42 and the inner liner 44,
in
this embodiment, the protective padding 40 is also laced to the outer cover 42
and/or the inner liner 40 by a lacing arrangement 14 including laces 151-15L.
In this embodiment, the molded material 70 of the outer cover 42 comprises
molded foam. This provides shock absorbability to the outer cover 42 which may
help in protecting the goalkeeper's leg 16. More particularly, in this
embodiment,
the molded foam 70 is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. Any other suitable
foam may be used in other embodiments (e.g., polyethylene foam (e.g., low-
density polyethylene foam), polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, etc.).
In some examples of implementation, the molded foam of the molded material 70
may include a single type of foam. In other examples of implementation, the
molded foam of the molded material 70 may include two or more different types
of foam, such as foams having different densities and/or different material
compositions (e.g., an outer layer of foam that is denser than an inner layer
of
foam; a layer of EVA foam and another layer of polyurethane foam; etc.).
The molded material 70 may comprise any suitable material other than foam in
other embodiments (e.g., polymeric material such as thermoplastic polyurethane
or any other elastomeric material, a gel, etc.). For example, in some
embodiments, as shown in Figure 14, the molded foam of the molded material 70
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
be a foam layer 83 and the molded material 70 may comprise a non-foam layer
88 over the foam layer 83. The non-foam layer 88 may be at least partly (i.e.,
partly, majorly or entirely) affixed to the foam layer 83 by being molded with
the
foam layer 83 and/or using a fastener (e.g., stitching, adhesive, etc.). For
instance, in some examples of implementation, the non-foam layer 88 may be
thinner than the foam layer 83 and/or may have a greater resistance to wear
and/or a greater resistance to rupture (i.e., to cutting or tearing) than the
foam
layer 83. For example, in some cases, the non-foam layer 88 may be a
polyurethane layer or a layer of any other non-foam polymeric material. In
this
example of implementation, the non-foam layer 88 forms a skin disposed on the
foam layer 83 and constituting at least part of the outer surface 51 of the
leg pad
10. For instance, the skin 88 may constitute at least a majority (i.e., a
majority or
an entirety) of the outer surface 51 of the leg pad 10. In some cases, the
skin 88
may be pre-laminated onto the foam layer 83, which may initially be provided
as
a foam sheet, before molding this foam sheet and this pre-laminated skin
together as a unit.
A thickness T of the molded material 70 of the outer cover 42 may have any
suitable value. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness T of the
molded material 70 may be at least 4 mm, in some cases at least 5 mm, in some
cases at least 6 mm, in some cases at least 7 mm, in some cases at least 8 mm,
and in some cases even more (e.g., 10 mm or more). The thickness T of the
molded material 70 may have any other suitable value in other embodiments. In
some examples, the thickness T of the molded material 70 may be substantially
constant over the outer cover 42. In other examples, the thickness T of the
molded material 70 may vary such that it has different values in different
regions
of the outer cover 42.
The molding process of the outer cover 42 may employ any suitable molding
method. In this embodiment, the molding process is compression molding such
that the outer cover 42 is a compression molded outer cover. An amount of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
material which is to become the molded material 70 of the outer cover 42 is
introduced into a mold that is initially open and then shaped into the outer
cover
42 by heat and by pressure created as the mold is closed and the material is
forced into contact with all mold areas. A deflashing (i.e., flash removal)
operation may be performed to remove any excess material from the molding
operation. The outer cover 42 may be molded using any other suitable molding
method in other embodiments (e.g., injection molding, thermoforming, etc.).
The outer cover 42 may comprise various other aspects, including aspects that
are described in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2014/0259261 and
2015/0033433, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
In other embodiments, the outer cover 42 may be implemented in any other
suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, the outer cover 42 may
comprise synthetic pliable material (e.g., synthetic leather) cut into pieces
and
assembled (e.g., sewn) into the outer cover (e.g., without any molded
material).
The protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10 provides
padded protection to the goalkeeper's leg 16. Notably, the protective padding
40,
which may sometimes be referred to as a "core" or "insert" padding of the main
pad member 36 of the leg pad 10, is configured to be wider than the goalie's
leg
and provides a majority of a shock absorbency of the main pad member 36 of the
leg pad 10. For example, in some embodiments, the protective padding 40
provides at least 70%, in some cases at least 80%, in some cases at least 90%,
and in some cases even more of the shock absorbency of the main pad member
36 of the leg pad 10. Also, the protective padding 40 occupies a majority of a
thickness of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10. For instance, in some
embodiments, the protective padding 40 may occupy at least 70%, in some
cases at least 80%, in some cases at least 90%, and in some cases even more
of the thickness of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36
comprises a plurality of padding elements 50, 52, 54 that are distinct (e.g.,
have
different material compositions) and arranged adjacent one another in a
thicknesswise direction of the main pad member 36.
In this example, the padding element 50 is a front padding element, the
padding
element 52 is an intermediate padding element, and the padding element 54 is a
rear padding element. The front padding element 50, which may sometimes be
referred to as a "front board", may be stiffer and/or more rigid than the
intermediate padding element 52 and the rear padding element 54 (e.g., to
impart a shape to the protective padding 40), while the intermediate padding
element 52 may be thicker than the front padding element 50 and the rear
padding element 52.
More specifically, in this embodiment, an average thickness of the
intermediate
padding element 52 may be greater than an average thickness of the front
padding element 50 and than an average thickness of the rear padding element
54. In some embodiments, the average thickness of the intermediate padding
element 52 may be greater than the sum of the average thicknesses of the front
padding element 50 and rear padding element 54. Also, in this embodiment,
each of the front and rear padding elements 50, 54, have a substantially
constant
thickness, while the intermediate padding element has a varying thickness. In
other embodiments, the front padding element 50 and/or the rear padding
element 54 may have a varying thickness and/or the intermediate padding
element 52 may have a constant thickness.
In this embodiment, the padding elements 50, 52, 54 cover at least a majority
of
the main pad member 36. More specifically, the front padding element 50, the
intermediate padding element 52 and the rear padding element 54 may cover an
entirety of the main pad member 36. In this embodiment, the front padding
element 50 may cover at least a majority of the intermediate padding element
52.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
More specifically, the front padding element 50 may cover an entirety of the
intermediate padding element 52. In a similar fashion, the rear padding
element
54 may span over at least a majority of the intermediate padding element 52,
and
more specifically, in this embodiment, the rear padding element 54 spans at
least
an entirety of (i.e. an entirety of or larger than) the intermediate padding
element
52.
In this embodiment, the front padding element 50 is a multilayer padding
element
as further discussed below, the intermediate padding element 52 comprises foam
(e.g., a polyethylene foam such as a low-density polyethylene foam), and the
rear padding element 54 comprises another foam (e.g., a polyethylene foam
such as a high-density polyethylene foam) different from that of the
intermediate
padding element 52. Any suitable foam or other shock-absorbing materials may
be used for the intermediate padding element 52 and the rear padding element
54.
In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 is configured to enhance
rebounding of the puck when the puck impacts the leg pad 10. For example, the
protective padding 40 may be configured to allow the rebound speed of the puck
to be higher than traditional padding, notably when the inbound speed of the
puck is relatively low, and/or to reduce (i.e., minimize or prevent) crushing
thereof
thus maintaining rebound effects after multiple co-located puck impacts and/or
improve puck rebounds (e.g., allow faster and further puck rebounds).
In particular, in this embodiment, a coefficient of restitution (COR) of the
main
pad member 36, a COR of the protective padding 40 and/or a COR of the front
padding element 50 may be enhanced.
In this embodiment, the COR of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10 is
enhanced. The COR of the main pad member 36 refers to a ratio of a speed of
the puck relative to the main pad member 36 as the puck rebounds from the
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
main pad member 36 after impacting the main pad member 36, i.e., a rebound
speed of the puck, over a speed of the puck relative to the main pad member 36
as the puck is inbound before impacting the main pad member 36, i.e., an
inbound speed of the puck.
The COR of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10 may be measured in any
suitable way. For instance, in some embodiments, a test may be performed by
fixing the main pad member 36 alone (i.e., without any other component of the
leg pad 10) in a specified position, shooting the puck so that it impacts a
specified location of the main pad member 36 at a specified angle a relative
to a
front surface of the main pad member 36 and at an inbound speed that is known,
and measuring a rebound speed of the puck after impact. For instance, in this
embodiment, the COR may be measured with a specified angle a of about 90 .
For example, in some embodiments, the main pad member 36 may be
configured to maintain the COR of the main pad member 36 above a threshold
after multiple co-located puck impacts. For instance, in some embodiments, a
ratio of the COR of the main pad member 36 after at least ten impacts of the
puck at a specified location of the main pad member 36 with an inbound speed
of
the puck of at least 80 km/h over the COR of the main pad member 36 at a first-
ever impact of the puck at the specified location of the main pad member 36
may
be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9, in
some
cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99, and in some cases about 1.
In
some embodiments, a ratio of the COR of the main pad member 36 after at least
ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the main pad member 36 with
an inbound speed of the puck of at least 144 km/h over the COR of the main pad
member 36 at a first-ever impact of the puck at the specified location of the
main
pad member 36 may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some cases
at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99, and in
some cases about 1.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
In this embodiment, the main pad member 36 of the main pad member 36 of the
leg pad 10 may reduce or avoid crushing after multiple impact with the puck,
e.g.,
to help maintain the COR of the main pad member 36 above a threshold. For
instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of the thickness of the main pad member
36 after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the main
pad
member 36 with an inbound speed of the puck of at least 144 km/h over the
thickness of the main pad member 36 at a first-ever impact of the puck at a
specified location of the main pad member 36 may be at least 0.8, in some
cases
at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in
some
cases at least 0.99, and in some cases about 1.
In this embodiment, the COR of the main pad member 36 when impacted by the
puck having an initial speed of 80 km/h after at least ten impacts of the puck
at a
specified location of the main pad member 36 may be at least 0.35, in some
embodiments at least 0.40, in some embodiments at least 0.45, and in some
embodiments even more (e.g., at least 0.50). In this embodiment, the COR of
the
main pad member 36 when impacted by the puck having an initial speed of 144
km/h after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the
main pad
member 36 may be at least 0.25, in some embodiments at least 0.30, in some
embodiments at least 0.35, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least
0.40).
In order to achieve such enhanced rebounding characteristics, in this
embodiment, the COR of the protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36
of the leg pad 10 is enhanced. The COR of the protective padding 40 refers to
a
ratio of a speed of the puck relative to the protective padding 40 as the puck
rebounds from the protective padding 40 after impacting the protective padding
40, i.e., a rebound speed of the puck, over a speed of the puck relative to
the
protective padding 40 as the puck is inbound before impacting the protective
padding 40, i.e., an inbound speed of the puck.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
The COR of the protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36 of the leg pad
may be measured in any suitable way. For instance, in some embodiments, a
test may be performed by fixing the protective padding 40 alone (i.e., without
any
other component of the leg pad 10) in a specified position, shooting the puck
so
5 that it impacts a specified location of the protective padding 40 at a
specified
angle a relative to a front surface 59 of the protective padding 40 and at an
inbound speed that is known, and measuring a rebound speed of the puck after
impact. For instance, in this embodiment, the COR may be measured with a
specified angle a of about 90 .
For example, in some embodiments, the protective padding 40 may be
configured to maintain the COR of the protective padding 40 above a threshold
after multiple co-located puck impacts. For instance, in some embodiments, a
ratio of the COR of the protective padding 40 after at least ten impacts of
the
puck at a specified location of the protective padding 40 with an inbound
speed
of the puck of at least 80 km/h over the COR of the protective padding 40 at a
first-ever impact of the puck at the specified location of the protective
padding 40
may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9,
in
some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99, and in some cases about
1. In some embodiments, a ratio of the COR of the protective padding 40 after
at
least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the protective
padding 40
with an inbound speed of the puck of at least 144 km/h over the COR of the
protective padding 40 at a first-ever impact of the puck at the specified
location of
the protective padding 40 may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in
some cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least
0.99, and in some cases about 1.
In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36 of the
leg pad 10 may reduce or avoid crushing after multiple impact with the puck,
e.g.,
to help maintain the COR of the protective padding 40 above a threshold. For
instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of the thickness of the protective
padding
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
40 after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the
protective
padding 40 with an inbound speed of the puck of at least 144 km/h over the
thickness of the protective padding 40 at a first-ever impact of the puck at a
specified location of the protective padding 40 may be at least 0.8, in some
cases
at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in
some
cases at least 0.99, and in some cases about 1.
In this embodiment, the COR of the protective padding 40 when impacted by the
puck having an initial speed of 80 km/h after at least ten impacts of the puck
at a
specified location of the protective padding 40 may be at least 0.35, in some
embodiments at least 0.40, in some embodiments at least 0.45, and in some
embodiments even more (e.g., at least 0.50). In this embodiment, the COR of
the
protective padding 40 when impacted by the puck having an initial speed of 144
km/h after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the
protective
padding 40 may be at least 0.25, in some embodiments at least 0.30, in some
embodiments at least 0.35, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least
0.40).
In order to achieve such enhanced rebounding characteristics, in this
embodiment, the front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 is
configured to enhance rebounding of the puck when the puck impacts the leg
pad 10.
For instance, in some embodiments, a COR of the front padding element 50 of
may be enhanced. The COR of the front padding element 50 refers to a ratio of
a
speed of the puck relative to the front padding element 50 as the puck
rebounds
from the front padding element 50 after impacting the front padding element
50,
i.e., a rebound speed of the puck, over a speed of the puck relative to the
front
padding element 50 as the puck is inbound before impacting the front padding
element 50, i.e., an inbound speed of the puck.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
The COR of the front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 of the
main pad member 36 of the leg pad 10 may be measured in any suitable way.
For instance, in some embodiments, a test may be performed by fixing the front
padding element 50 alone (i.e., without any other part of the protective
padding
.. 40 and any other component of the leg pad 10) in a specified position,
shooting
the puck so that it impacts a specified location of the front padding element
50 at
a specified angle a relative to a front surface 81 of front padding element 50
and
at an inbound speed that is known, and measuring a rebound speed of the puck
after impact. For instance, in this embodiment, the COR may be measured with
a specified angle a of about 90 .
For example, in some embodiments, the front padding element 50 may be
configured to maintain the COR of the front padding element 50 above a
threshold after multiple co-located puck impacts. For instance, in some
embodiments, a ratio of the COR of the front padding element 50 after at least
ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the front padding element
50
with an inbound speed of the puck of at least 80 km/h over the COR of the
front
padding element 50 at a first-ever impact of the puck at the specified
location of
the front padding element 50 with the inbound speed of the puck of at least 80
km/h may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some cases at least
0.9,
in some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99, and in some cases
about 1. In some embodiments, a ratio of the COR of the front padding element
50 after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified location of the front
padding element 50 with an inbound speed of the puck of at least 144 km/h over
the COR of the front padding element 50 at a first-ever impact of the puck at
the
specified location of the front padding element 50 with the inbound speed of
the
puck of at least 80 km/h may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in
some cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least
0.99, and in some cases about 1.
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
In this embodiment, the front padding element 50 may reduce or avoid crushing
after multiple impact with the puck, e.g., to help maintain the COR of the
front
padding element 50 above a threshold. For instance, in some embodiments, a
ratio of the thickness of the front padding element 50 after at least ten
impacts of
the puck at a specified location of the front padding element 50 with an
inbound
speed of the puck of at least 80 km/h over the thickness of the front padding
element 50 before any impact of the puck at the specified location of the
front
padding element 50 may be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some
cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99,
and
in some cases about 1. In some embodiments, a ratio of the thickness of the
front padding element 50 after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified
location of the front padding element 50 with an inbound speed of the puck of
at
least 144 km/h over the thickness of the front padding element 50 before any
impact of the puck at the specified location of the front padding element 50
may
be at least 0.8, in some cases at least 0.85, in some cases at least 0.9, in
some
cases at least 0.95, in some cases at least 0.99, and in some cases about 1.
In this embodiment, the COR of the front padding element 50 when impacted by
the puck having an initial speed of 80 km/h after at least ten impacts of the
puck
at a specified location of the front padding element 50 may be at least 0.35,
in
some embodiments at least 0.40, in some embodiments at least 0.45, and in
some embodiments even more (e.g., at least 0.50). In this embodiment, the COR
of the front padding element 50 when impacted by the puck having an initial
speed of 144 km/h after at least ten impacts of the puck at a specified
location of
the front padding element 50 may be at least 0.25, in some embodiments at
least
0.30, in some embodiments at least 0.35, and in some embodiments even more
(e.g., at least 0.40).
In this embodiment, the padding element 50 of the main pad member 36 may be
configured to increase a puck rebound speed while keeping the leg pad 10
relatively lightweight. For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of a weight
of
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
the leg pad 10 over a height of the leg pad 10 is no more than 0.1 kg/cm, in
some
embodiments no more than 0.05 kg/cm, in some embodiments no more than
0.02 kg/cm, and in some embodiments even less. In some embodiments, a
weight of the leg pad 10 is no more than 4 kg, in some embodiments no more
than 3 kg, in some embodiments no more than 2 kg, and in some embodiments
even less.
With additional reference to Figures 18 and 19, in this embodiment, the front
padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 of the main pad member 36 of
the leg pad 10 comprises a plurality of layers 72, 74, 76 that include
different
materials 84, 85, 86 and are layered in the thicknesswise direction of the leg
pad
10. This is contrast to a front padding element of traditional protective
padding
that may be made of a single material. The layer 72 may be an outer layer of
the
protective padding 40 and may be distal relative to the layers 74, 76. The
layer
76 may be an inner layer of the protective padding 40 and may be proximal
relative to the layers 72, 74. The layer 74 may be an intermediate layer that
is
disposed between the outer and inner layers 72, 76.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the layers 72, 74, 76 including the
different
materials 84, 85, 86 of the front padding element 50 are configured to
generate a
springboard or trampoline effect when the puck impacts the leg pad 10 to
increase the rebound speed of the puck. When the puck impacts the leg pad 10,
a given one of the layers 72, 74, 76 of the front padding element 50 is
compressed by and relative to one or more other ones of the layers 72, 74, 76
of
the front padding element 50 and, as it urges to expand, it releases energy
stored during its compression back to the puck.
In this embodiment, the layers 72, 74, 76 cover at least a majority of the
main
pad member 36. More specifically, the outer layer 72, the intermediate layer
74
and the inner layer 76 may cover an entirety of the main pad member 36. In
this
embodiment, the outer layer 72 may cover at least a majority of the
intermediate
34
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
layer 74. More specifically, the outer layer 72 may cover an entirety of the
intermediate layer 74. In a similar fashion, the inner layer 76 may span over
at
least a majority of the intermediate layer 74, and more specifically, in this
embodiment, the inner layer 76 spans at least an entirety of (i.e. an entirety
of or
larger than) the intermediate layer 74.
The layers 72, 74, 76 may have any suitable thickness. For instance, in some
embodiments: the outer layer 72 has a thickness of at least 3.0 mm, in some
embodiments of at least 3.5 mm, in some embodiments of at least 4.0 mm and in
some embodiments of even more; the intermediate layer 74 has a thickness of at
least 6.0 mm, in some embodiments of at least 7.0 mm, in some embodiments of
at least 8.0 mm and in some embodiments of even more; and the inner layer 76
has a thickness of at least 3.0 mm, in some embodiments of at least 3.5 mm, in
some embodiments of at least 4.0 mm and in some embodiments of even more.
In this embodiment, a thickness of the layers 72, 74, 76 in the thickness
direction
of the padding element 50 is substantially the same. In other embodiments, the
thickness of the layers 72, 74, 76 may be different. For example, in some
embodiments, the thickness of the inner and outer layers 72, 76 may be
substantially the same which the thickness of the intermediate layer 74 may be
different and greater than the thickness of the inner and outer layers 72, 76
of the
padding element 50. In some embodiments, the thickness of the inner layer 76
of the padding element 50 is different from the thickness of the intermediate
and
outer layers 74, 72 of the padding element and the thicknesses of the
.. intermediate and outer layers 74, 72 are also different from each other.
In this embodiment, the thickness of each of the layers 72, 74, 76 of the
padding
element 50 is substantially constant. In some embodiments, the thickness of at
least some of the layers 72, 74, 76 may vary. For instance, in some
embodiments, the thickness of the intermediate layer 74 may vary and may be
greater around a lower leg region than at other regions, while the thickness
of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
inner and outer layers 72, 76 may be substantially constant. In
other
embodiments, the thickness of each of the layers 72, 74, 76 of the padding
element 50 may vary.
The layers 72, 74, 76 may have various mechanical properties allowing the
protective padding 40 to increase a puck rebound speed while protecting the
leg
of the hockey goalkeeper and be relatively light and thin. In particular, in
this
embodiment, the layers 72, 74, 76 of the protective padding 40 are configured
to
create a springboard effect. Specifically, the outer and inner layers 72, 76
may
be harder and/or stiffer than the intermediate layer 74. In this embodiment,
the
outer and inner layers 72, 76 are equally hard and stiff.
In particular, in this embodiment, the outer layer 72 comprises an outer layer
material 84, the inner layer 76 comprises an inner layer material 86, and the
intermediate layer 74 comprises an intermediate layer material 85. The outer
layer material 84 and the inner layer material 86 may both have densities,
moduli
of elasticity and/or hardness that are greater than a density, modulus of
elasticity
and/or hardness of the intermediate layer material 85.
For instance, in some embodiments, each of (i) a ratio of a density of the
outer
layer material 84 over a density of the intermediate layer material 85 and
(ii) a
ratio of a density of the inner layer material 86 over the density of the
intermediate layer material 85 is at least 1.1, in some embodiments at least
1.3,
in some embodiments at least 1.5, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at
least 1.67). In a similar fashion, in some embodiments, each of (i) a ratio of
a
modulus of elasticity of the outer layer material 84 over a modulus of
elasticity of
the intermediate layer material 85 and (ii) a ratio of a modulus of elasticity
of the
inner layer material 86 over the modulus of elasticity of the intermediate
layer
material 85 is at least 1.1, in some embodiments at least 1.3, in some
embodiments at least 1.5, and in some embodiments even more (e.g., at least
1.67). In a similar fashion, in some embodiments, each of (i) a ratio of a
36
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
hardness of elasticity of the outer layer material 84 over a hardness of the
intermediate layer material 85 and (ii) a ratio of a hardness of the inner
layer
material 86 over the hardness of the intermediate layer material 85 is at
least 1.1,
in some embodiments at least 1.3, in some embodiments at least 1.5, and in
some embodiments even more (e.g., at least 1.67).
In particular, in this embodiment, each of the outer layer material 84, the
intermediate layer material 85 and the inner layer material 86 may comprise
foam. More specifically, in this embodiment, the outer layer material 84, the
intermediate layer material 85 and the inner layer material 86 comprise a same
type of foam, more specifically a polypropylene foam. For instance, in this
embodiment, each the outer layer material 84, the intermediate layer material
85
and the inner layer material 86 may be constituted of polypropylene foam. More
particularly, in this example, the outer layer material 84 and the inner layer
material 86 are one or more type of polypropylene foam (e.g., high-density
polypropylene foam) and the intermediate layer material 85 is a different type
of
polypropylene foam (e.g., low-density polypropylene foam). In other
embodiments, the materials 84, 85, 86 may comprise different types foam, such
as polyurethane foam (e.g., Poron XRDTM, high-density polyurethane foam, low-
density polyurethane foam, etc.), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam,
polypropylene (PP) foam, polyethylene (PE) foam), vinyl nitrile (VN) foam, or
any
other suitable foam. In other embodiments, one or more of the materials 84,
85,
86 may be material other than foam, such as a gel or any other suitable shock-
absorbing material.
In this embodiment, a shape of the protective padding 40 generally conforms to
the outer cover 42. In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 has a bent
configuration such that it bends in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad
10 to
generally conform to the molded bent configuration of the outer cover 42. More
particularly, in this embodiment, the protective padding includes a bend 29 in
the
longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 between the upper leg padding portion
481
37
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
and the lower leg padding portion 483 and a bend 43 in the longitudinal
direction
of the leg pad 10 between the lower leg padding portion 483 and the foot
padding
portion 484. In this example, the bend 29 is a curved part which defines a
curvature of the protective padding 40, while the bend 43 is an angular part
which defines an oblique angle. The bent configuration of the protective
padding
40 may be arranged in any other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g.,
include any number of bends, curved or angular, disposed in any suitable
manner).
The protective padding 40 may be manufactured in any suitable way. For
instance, with regards to the front padding element 50, in this embodiment,
each
of the layers 72, 74, 76 of the front padding element 50 may be directly
molded
(e.g., compression molded) into shape. In other embodiments, some or all of
the
layers 72, 74, 76 may be molded into preliminary shape first and then be
machined into final shape. Also, in this embodiment, the padding materials 84,
85, 86 are adhesively bonded. Any suitable adhesive may be used (e.g., Contact
CementTM, Spray Glue, etc.). The padding materials 84, 85, 86 may be retained
together in any other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g., by being
overmolded). The protective padding 40 may be made using any other suitable
.. manufacturing methods in other embodiments.
More particularly, in this embodiment, with additional reference to Figure 22,
a
shape of the front padding element 50 generally conforms to the outer cover
42.
This may help to position the outer cover 42 on the protective padding 40 and
to
properly interface them. For instance, having the front padding element 50 of
the
protective padding 40 generally conform to the molded shape of the outer cover
42 can avoid having to further bend, straighten, or otherwise deform the outer
cover 42 and/or front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 when
assembling the leg pad 10. In other words, the front padding element 50 of the
protective padding 40 is shaped to accommodate the molded shape of the outer
cover 42.
38
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
Thus, in this example, front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40
has
a bent configuration such that it bends in the longitudinal direction of the
leg pad
to generally conform to the molded bent configuration of the outer cover 42.
5 More particularly, in this example, front padding element 50 of the
protective
padding 40 has a bend 79 in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10
between
the upper leg padding portion 481 and the lower leg padding portion 483, which
corresponds to the bend 29 of the protective padding 40. The bent
configuration
of front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 may be arranged in
any
10 other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g., include any number of bends,
curved or angular, disposed in any suitable manner).
In this embodiment, front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40
generally conforms and is affixed to an outer surface 81 of the intermediate
padding element 52 of the protective padding 40, and the intermediate padding
element 52 generally conforms and is affixed to an outer surface 77 of the
rear
padding element 54 of the protective padding 40. The intermediate padding
element 52 and the rear padding element 54 of the protective padding 40 thus
have bent configurations such that they bend in the longitudinal direction of
the
leg pad 10 in general conformance to the bent configuration of the front
padding
element 50. More particularly, in this example, the rear padding element 54
has a
bend 78 in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 between the upper leg
padding portion 481 and the lower leg padding portion 483, and the
intermediate
padding element 52 has a bend 80 in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad
10
between the upper leg padding portion 481 and the lower leg padding portion
483,
the bends of the rear padding element 54 and of the intermediate padding
element 52 corresponding to the bend 29 of the protective padding 40. The bent
configuration of the intermediate padding element 52 and the outer surface 77
of
the rear padding element 54 of the protective padding 40 may be arranged in
any
other suitable way in other embodiments (e.g., include any number of bends,
curved or angular, disposed in any suitable manner).
39
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
More particularly, in this embodiment, the intermediate padding element 52 is
shaped such that the front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40,
once
affixed to its outer surface, will generally conform to the outer cover 42
(e.g.,
taking into account a thickness of the front padding element 50 of the
protective
padding 40).
Also, in this embodiment, the bent configuration of the front padding element
50
of the protective padding 40 is created when providing the front padding
element
50 onto the intermediate padding element 52 and the bent configuration of the
rear padding element 54 of the protective padding 40 is created when providing
the padding element 54 onto the intermediate padding element 52. More
specifically, in this embodiment, the bent configuration of the front padding
element 50 of the protective padding 40 is created by thermoforming (in this
case, thermobending) the front padding element 50 onto the intermediate
padding element 52. The rear padding element 54 may also be thermoformed
(in this case, thermobent) onto the intermediate padding element 52 such that
the front padding element 50 generally conforms to the intermediate padding
element 52 and such that the outer surface 77 of the rear padding element 54
generally conforms to the intermediate padding element 52. For instance, in
this
example, the front padding element 50 of the protective padding 40 may be
formed by heating a flat sheet of the padding material 891 and bending it onto
the
intermediate padding element 52 of the protective padding 40 such that it
generally conforms to the outer surface 81 of the intermediate padding element
52, thereby creating the bent configuration of the front padding element 50.
In this example of implementation, the front padding element 50 is affixed to
the
intermediate padding element 52 and the rear padding element 54 is affixed to
the intermediate padding element 52 such that the padding elements 50, 52, 54
are fused together. More specifically, the front padding element 50 may be
affixed to the intermediate padding element 52 fastenerlessly and/or the rear
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
padding element 54 may be affixed to the intermediate padding element 52
fastenerlessly. The front padding element 50 may be fused or chemically
bonded to the intermediate padding element 52 (e.g., under heat, by being
directly chemically bonded to the intermediate padding element 52 in a
fastenerless fashion, etc.). In a similar fashion, the rear padding element 54
may
be fused or chemically bonded to the intermediate padding element 52 (e.g.,
under heat, by being directly chemically bonded to the intermediate padding
element 52 in a fastenerless fashion, etc.). In this embodiment, the front
padding
element 50 and the intermediate padding element 52 may be affixed together by
being molded with one another and/or the rear padding element 54 and the
intermediate padding element 52 may be affixed together by being molded with
one another. In other embodiments, the front padding element 50 may be affixed
to the intermediate padding element 52 fastenerlessly and/or the rear padding
element 54 may be affixed to the intermediate padding element 52 using an
adhesive applied between respective ones of the layers 72, 74, 76. Any
suitable
adhesive may be used (e.g., Contact CementTM, Spray Glue, etc.). In other
embodiments, the front padding element 50 may be affixed to the intermediate
padding element 52 fastenerlessly and/or the rear padding element 54 may be
affixed to the intermediate padding element 52 using one or more mechanical
fasteners.
With additional reference to Figures 23 to 26, in this embodiment, in addition
to
being retained between the outer cover 42 and the inner liner 44, the
protective
padding 40 is also laced to the outer cover 42 and/or the inner liner 40 by
the
lacing arrangement 14 including the laces 151-15L. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the lacing arrangement 14 interacts with the protective padding
40,
the outer cover 42 and the inner liner 40 to lace them together. To that end,
the
protective padding 40 comprises lacing openings 1121-112o that receive the
lacing arrangement 14. In this example, the lacing openings 1121-112o are
respectively defined by holes 1141-114o in the front padding element 50 of the
protective padding 40 and holes 1161-116o in the inner layer 76 of the
protective
41
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
padding 40 that are aligned with corresponding ones of the holes 1141-114o. In
some cases, the lacing openings 1121-112o may be formed (e.g., by drilling,
piercing, etc.) after the layers 72, 74, 76 of the protective padding 40 have
been
assembled (e.g., to ensure that their holes 1161-116o, 1141-1140 align).
Also, in this embodiment, the lacing arrangement 14 comprises a lacing member
120 affixed to an inner surface 11 of the outer cover 42. More particularly,
in this
embodiment, the lacing member 120 comprises a band 122 and a plurality of
lacing ports 1241-124p that extend laterally from the band 122 and are
distributed
in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 to receive one or more of the
laces
151-15L. In this example, the lacing ports 1241-124p are passed through
respective ones of the lacing openings 1121-112o of the protective padding 40
and then receive one or more of the laces 151-15L to secure the outer cover
42,
the inner liner 44 and the protective padding 40 together. For instance, in
this
example, a lace 15i may be received in the lacing ports 1241-124p to secure
the
outer cover 42 and the protective padding 40, and another lace 15i extending
through openings in the inner liner 44 may be received in the lacing ports
1241-
124p to secure the inner liner 44 and the protective padding 40. In this case,
the
lacing member 120 is made of polymeric material (e.g., nylon) and adhesively
bonded to the inner surface 11 of the outer cover 42. In other cases, the
lacing
member 120 may be configured in any other suitable manner, made of any other
suitable material, and/or affixed in any other suitable way to the inner
surface 11
of the outer cover 42.
The protective padding 40 may be implemented in various other ways in other
embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the padding 40 may be made
of a single shock-absorbing material (e.g., a single foam).
The inner liner 44 of the pad 10 is configured to face the goalie's leg 16. A
material 76 of the inner liner 44 may be of any suitable kind. For example, in
some embodiments, the material 76 may be fabric such as a woven fabric, a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
nonwoven fabric, synthetic microfibers, a synthetic woven knit, a polyurethane
laminate, a mesh, or any other suitable fabric. The inner liner 44 may be
implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
The outer cover 42, the inner liner 44, and the protective padding 40 of the
pad
may be connected together in any suitable way. For example, in some
embodiments, two or more of the outer cover 42, the inner liner 44, and the
protective padding 40 may be fastened by one or more fasteners, such as a
stitching (i.e., a series of stitches), an adhesive, a series of staples, one
or more
10 laces, etc.
In this embodiment, with additional reference to Figures 27 to 31, the
attachment
mechanism 90 configured to attach the leg pad 10 to the hockey-goalkeeper
skate 11 comprises a quick-connect system 120 configured to attach the leg pad
10 to the skate 11 quickly and easily.
Notably, in this embodiment, the quick-connect system 120 is configured to
attach the leg pad to the skate 11 without passing a lace (i.e., a cord or any
other
type of lace) through the skate 11 (e.g., through a blade holder 184 of the
skate
11) every time the leg pad 10 is to be attached to the skate 11. In fact, in
this
example, the quick-connect system 120 is configured to attach the leg pad to
the
skate 11 without manually touching a lace every time the leg pad 10 is to be
attached to the skate 11.
In this embodiment, the quick-connect system 120 is configured to attach the
leg
pad 10 to the skate 11 solely by moving the leg pad 10 and the skate 11 closer
to
one another, without manually touching the quick-connect system 120.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the quick-connect system 120 comprises
a
connector 140 mounted to the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10 and a connector
150 mountable to the skate 11. The connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
leg pad 10 is connectable to the connector 150 of the skate 11 without lace
tying
(i.e., without tying a lace every time of the leg pad 10 is to be attached to
the
skate 11).
In this example, the connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10 is
connectable to the connector 150 of the skate 11 solely by moving the
connector
150 of the skate 11 closer to the connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of the
leg
pad 10. More specifically, in this embodiment, the connector 140 of the foot
portion 33 of the leg pad 10 and the connector 150 of the skate 11 are
magnetically connectable to one another. Thus, the connector 140 of the foot
portion 33 of the leg pad 10 and the connector 150 of the skate 11 are
magnetic
connectors. The connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10
comprises
a magnetic connecting element 143 and the connector 150 of the skate 11
comprises a magnetic connecting element 153 magnetically connectable to the
magnetic connecting element 143 of the connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of
the leg pad 10.
More specifically, in this example, the magnetic connecting element 143 of the
connector 140 is a female magnetic connecting element and the magnetic
.. connecting element 153 of the skate 11 is a male magnetic connecting
element.
In this embodiment, the connector 140 of the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10
comprises a clipping element 145 and the connector 150 of the skate 11
comprises a clipping element 155. The clipping elements 145, 155 are
configured to be in a clipping arrangement with one another. More
specifically, in
this embodiment, the clipping element 145 is a female clipping element and the
clipping element 155 is a male clipping element. The female clipping element
145 comprises a void capable of receiving the male clipping element 155 in a
clipped configuration.
44
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
When they engage one another, the connectors 140 and 150 may attract each
other by any suitable force and the quick-connect system 120 may have any
suitable length and stiffness.
The quick-connect system 120 may be implemented in various other ways in
other embodiments.
For example, in other embodiments, the quick-connect system 120 may
comprise a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, etc.
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, part
of the quick-connect system 120 may be integrated to the skate 11 during
manufacture of the skate 11. For instance, in this embodiment, the connector
150 may be integrated with the skate 11, i.e., the skate 11 may be
manufactured
with the connector 150 of the quick-connect system 120.
In particular, the skate 11 may comprise: a skate boot 182 for receiving a
foot of
the hockey goalkeeper, the skate boot 182 comprising a shell 190 and a liner
192; a blade 186 for contacting ice; and a blade holder 184 between the skate
boot 182 and the blade 186. The skate boot 182 may comprise a tongue 194
comprising an comprises an instep portion of the skate 11 configured to face
an
instep of the foot of the hockey goalkeeper, and a toe cap 196 for facing toes
of
the foot of the hockey goalkeeper. In this example, the skate boot 182 may be
free of a tendon guard and the tongue may define a highest point of the skate
boot 182.
As shown in Figure 32, in some the connector 150, including the magnetic
connecting element 153 and the clipping element 155, may be integrated in the
blade holder 184. More specifically, the connector 150 may be part of a front
portion of the blade holder 184. The connector 150 may be affixed to the blade
holder 184 by any suitable means. For instance, the connector 150 may be
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
fastened to the blade holder 184 by a fastener such as a chemical fastener
(e.g.,
an adhesive), a mechanical fastener (e.g., rivets, screws, nuts and bolts,
etc.). In
some embodiments, the connector 150 may be integrally made with the blade
holder 184.
As shown in Figure 33, in some embodiments, the connector 150, including the
magnetic connecting element 153 and the clipping element 155, may be
integrated in the skate boot 182. More specifically, the connector 150 may be
disposed at a toe portion of the skate boot 182, e.g., at the toe cap 196. The
connector 150 may be affixed to the skate boot 182 by any suitable means. For
instance, the connector 150 may be fastened to the toe cap 196 by a fastener
such as a chemical fastener (e.g., an adhesive), a mechanical fastener (e.g.,
rivets, screws, nuts and bolts, etc.). In some embodiments, the connector 150
may be integrally made with the toe cap 196.
In some embodiments, the skate 11 may comprise a cowling for protecting the
foot of the hockey goalkeeper from flying pucks. In a similar fashion as
discussed above with regards to the blade holder 184 and the skate boot 182,
the connector 150 may be integrated in the cowling of the skate 11.
The leg pad 10, may be constructed in various other ways in other embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the layers 72, 74, 76 of the
padding element 50 of the main pad member 36 may cover less than an entirety
of that padding element 50 such that parts of the intermediate layer 74 engage
the inner liner 44 or the outer cover 42. In some embodiments, a given one of
the layers 72, 74, 76 may comprise an aperture at a pre-determined portion 33
of
the leg pad 10.
As another example, as shown in Figure 31, in some embodiments, the rear
padding element 54 may comprise an aperture 118 at the knee portion 33 of the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
leg pad 10 and the intermediate padding element 52 may engage the inner liner
44 through the aperture 118.
As another example, in some embodiments, the main pad member 36 may
comprise more than one outer padding element 50. For instance, in this
embodiment, the main pad member 36 comprises a plurality of distinct outer
padding elements 50 covering respective portions of the main pad member 36.
Together, the outer padding elements 50 may cover at least a majority (i.e., a
majority or an entirety) of the frontal portion of the main pad member 36. In
some embodiments, the main pad member 36 may also comprise a plurality of
intermediate padding elements 52 and/or a plurality of rear padding elements
54
which similarly cover respective portions of the main pad member 36. In this
embodiment, with additional reference to Figures 34 and 35, the set of padding
elements 50, 52, 54 covering the foot padding portion 484 may be distinct and
separate from the set of padding elements 50, 52, 54 covering the lower leg
padding portion 483. That is, the foot padding portion 484 and the lower leg
padding portion 483 may be distinct sets of padding elements 50, 52, 54 that
are
separate from one another and assembled during manufacturing of the leg pad
10. For example, each of the foot padding portion 484 and the lower leg
padding
portion 483 may be a set of padding elements 50, 52, 54 molded, machined, or
otherwise formed individually as a distinct piece. In some cases, a link 87
may be
affixed to the foot padding portion 484 and the lower leg padding portion 483
to
interconnect the foot padding portion 484 and the lower leg padding portion
483.
For example, the link 87 may comprise a band stitched, adhesively bonded, or
otherwise affixed to the foot padding portion 484 and the lower leg padding
portion 483. In other cases, there may be direct no link between the sets of
padding elements 50, 52, 54 of the foot padding portion 484 and of the lower
leg
padding portion 483, which may be retained purely by their placement between
the outer cover 42 and the inner liner 44.
47
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
Although the front padding element 50 described above is a padding element of
the main pad member 36, in some embodiments, the medial knee wing 37, of the
medial calf wing 49, of the lateral knee wing 39 and/or of the lateral calf
wing 61
may have a similar structure and/or comprise a padding element 50 similar or
identical to the padding element 50 of the main pad member 36. In some
embodiments, the medial knee wing 37, of the medial calf wing 49, of the
lateral
knee wing 39 and/or of the lateral calf wing 61 may also comprise an
intermediate padding element 52 and/or a rear padding element 54 which may
be similar or identical to respective ones of the padding elements 52, 54 of
the
main pad member 36.
Although in the embodiments described above the hockey goalkeeper pad 10 is
a hockey goalkeeper leg pad, in some embodiments, the hockey goalkeeper pad
10 may be another type of pad. For instance, in some embodiments, as shown
in Figures 37 to 39, the hockey goalkeeper pad 10 is a blocker glove wearable
over a hand of the hockey goalkeeper to block a projectile such as a puck or
ball
while playing hockey (e.g., when it is shot towards a hockey net tended by the
hockey goalkeeper) and to protect the hand.
In this embodiment, the blocker 10 comprises a glove 112 configured to receive
the goalie's hand and a dorsal portion 130 configured to be positioned
adjacent
to a dorsal portion of the hand of the hockey goalkeeper when the blocker 10
is
worn over the hand. More specifically, in this embodiment, the dorsal portion
130
comprises a blocking member 114 disposed over the glove 112 and configured
to block the puck. The glove 112 comprises finger portions 1161-1164
configured
to receive the goalie's fingers, a thumb portion 118 configured to receive a
thumb
of the goalie's hand, a palm portion 120 configured to overlie a palm of the
goalie's hand, and a back portion 122 configured to overlie a back (i.e.,
dorsum)
of the goalie's hand.
48
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
In this embodiment, the blocker 10 comprises a finger-protecting member 124
disposed between and movable relative to the blocking member 114 and
respective ones of the finger portions 1161-1164 of the glove 112 and
configured
to protect respective ones of the goalie's fingers that are received in the
respective ones of the finger portions 1161-1164 of the glove 112.
The blocker 10 may also comprise a medial portion 132 respectively configured
to be positioned adjacent to a dorsal portion and a medial portion of the hand
of
the hockey goalkeeper when the hockey goalkeeper blocker is worn over the
hand. More specifically, in this embodiment, the medial portion comprises a
side-protecting member 127 overlying and movable relative to the thumb portion
118 of the glove 112 and configured to protect a side of the goalie's hand, as
well
as a cuff 129 configured to overlie a wrist of the goalie.
The glove 112 may be affixed to the blocking member 114 in any suitable
manner. In some embodiments, the glove 112 may be configured to be
detachable from the blocking member 114. In other embodiments, the glove 112
may be made integral with the blocking member 114.
The portions 130, 132 of the hockey goalkeeper blocker may comprise the outer
cover 42, which defines an outermost surface of the blocker 10, the inner
liner 44
and the protective padding 40 thereinbetween, and the portions 130, 132 may
comprise one or more of the padding elements 50 described above.
Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of some
embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be
within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain
embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element
that is not specifically disclosed herein.
49
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with any
feature of any other embodiment discussed herein in some examples of
implementation.
In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms
used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein,
meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.
Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this was for
purposes of description, but should not be limiting. Various modifications and
enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-30
