WO1995032640A1

WO1995032640A1 - Device for attaching a protective athletic pad to the limb of an athlete

Info

Publication number: WO1995032640A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/006102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael S. Steckler
Original assignee: Steckler Michael S
Priority date: 1994-05-31
Filing date: 1994-05-31
Publication date: 1995-12-07

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a hockey shinpad strap (30) includes an elastic body (32) with a fastener (34) attached to one end. The elastic body (32) includes a touch fastener surface extending substantially along its entire length for engaging with the fastener (34). The elastic body (32) can withstand substantial tensile forces without losing its elasticity, and includes an elastic first layer (38) and a second layer that includes the touch fastener surface (36). The first layer (38) is resilient in cros-section and may be formed from a rubber material, such as closed cell neoprene. In another aspect of the invention, the first touch fastener layer (36) of the elastic body (32) may extend along only a portion of the elastic body (32).

Description

DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A PROTECTIVE ATHLETIC PAD TO THE LIMB OF AN ATHLETE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a device for attaching a protective athletic pad to the limb of an athlete. For example, the device of the present invention can be used to attach a hockey shinpad to the player's lower leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of pads have been developed for protecting athletes in many different sports. For example, hockey players at all levels wear shinpads to protect themselves from injury. Shinpads extend from the ankle area to just above the knee. Typically, a shinpad includes two hard plastic portions, one extending from the ankle area to just below the knee, and a second covering the front of the knee. The two hard plastic portions are connected by a flexible fabric material that enables the player's lower leg to extend through a range of motion about the knee. The shinpad has a semi-circular configuration such that it cups about the front of the player's leg but is open in the rear.

Shinpads are typically worn under a pair of socks, each of which is held up by a garter. Although the sock retains the shinpad in the general area of the shin, it is loose and allows the shinpad to shift about more than is desired. Therefore, a number of techniques have been developed for more securely fixing the shinpad to the player.

One technique is to wrap tape around the shinpad and the player's leg, both near the ankle and just below the knee. For additional support, some players also wrap an additional layer of tape around the outside of the sock. Although taping is fairly effective in maintaining the shinpad in a fixed position, it has a number of disadvantages. First, tape can be very uncomfortable on the skin and may require the player to shave the lower part of his leg to avoid discomfort when removing the tape. Second, care must be used in not applying the tape too tightly because doing so can cut off blood circulation to the player's leg. Third, taping can become expensive since the tape is not reusable. This disadvantage is particularly significant for hockey players at lower levels, such as youth hockey.

Reusable straps have been developed to replace tape in securing a shinpad to a player. One type of strap is sold under the name No Stretch Style Shinguard Strap by Reliable Hockey, Springfield, MA, and is suggested in Figs. l(a)-l(b). The strap 1 is formed from an inelastic nylon or plastic material and employs a touch fastener system to hold the strap in place. The touch fastener system may be of the hook and loop type commercially available from Velcro Industries, New Hampshire. The touch fastener includes a fastener 3 that is sewn onto one side and to one end of the strap, and a fibrous surface 5 that extends along one side of the strap throughout its length. The fastener 3 includes a plurality of minute hooks (not shown) that are constructed so that when the fastener engages the fibrous surface 5, the two engage. The strap also includes a buckle 7 disposed on the end opposing the fastener 3. The buckle includes an inner side 9 that is attached to the strap 1, and a free side 11.

The manner in which the strap is used to secure a shinpad is suggested in Fig. 1(b). The fastener 3 is passed through the buckle opening so that the strap 1 forms a loop. The fastener end of the strap is then pulled in the direction shown by arrow 13 to tighten the loop until it tightly surrounds the shinpad and the player's leg. Once the desired tightness is achieved, the fastener 3 is pressed against the fibrous surface 5, thereby securing the shinpad in place.

The No Stretch Style strap suffers from a number of disadvantages. First, the plastic/nylon material from which the strap is made is completely inelastic. Thus, the non-resilient strap does not yield or contract as the player's muscles expand and contract during movement. Therefore, when the strap is applied tightly to secure the shinpad, the strap can be uncomfortable, can restrict movement, and can impair blood circulation. Second, the strap is woven from a plurality of plastic/nylon fibers. The woven surface is fairly rough and can chafe, uncomfortably, against the player's skin.

Another type of strap that has been developed is formed of elastic fabric, and is sold by both Reliable Hockey under the name Wide Velcro shinguard strap, and by Cooper under Model No. VSG2U, distributed by Canstar Sports U.S.A., Swanton, VT. Such an elastic strap 20 is illustrated in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b). The strap 20 includes a body 22 formed of the elastic fabric, and touch fasteners 24 and 26. The touch fasteners 24 and 26 are Velcro fasteners wherein one fastener surface includes a plurality of hooks and the other includes a mat of fibrous material. The touch fasteners are disposed on opposing ends of the body 22 so that when the strap is wrapped around the leg of a player, the surfaces of the touch fasteners engage to secure the strap in place as shown in Fig. 2(b) .

The straps formed from elastic fabric also present some difficulty. First, the straps are not sufficiently resilient to return to their initial lengths following repeated use and tend to lengthen over time. Since the touch fasteners are disposed only at the ends of the strap, lengthening of the body results in the strap creating a loop, when the fasteners are engaged, that is too large to tightly hold the shinpad against the player's leg. When this occurs, players will often try to double wrap the strap. However, if the strap has not lengthened by a sufficient amount, this will be unsuccessful. Second, after repeated use the straps loose their elasticity. As discussed above in connection with the inelastic No Stretch Style strap, this is disadvantageous because the inelastic strap does not give as the player moves. Third, the body is formed from a plurality of woven elastic fibers that create a rough surface that can be uncomfortable against the player's skin.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a device for attaching a protective athletic pad to the limb of an athlete that avoids the foregoing difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an improved device for attaching a protective pad to the limb of an athlete that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In one aspect of the invention, the device includes an elongate, flexible, elastic strap adapted to be wrapped about the athlete's limb. The strap includes inner and outer layers attached to each other. The inner layer defines an inner surface that faces inwardly toward the limb when the strap encircles the pad and limb, and the outer layer defines an outer surface that faces outwardly. The inner layer is formed from an elastic material and the outer layer is formed from one component of a two-component touch fastener system. The outer layer extends substantially fully along the length of the inner layer. The device further includes a second component of the two-component touch fastener system attached to an end of the strap. The second component includes a connector surface that extends beyond the end of the strap.

The first component of the touch fastener system may be a fibrous member and the second component may be a plurality of minute hooks. The plurality of hooks may be supported by an inelastic surface.

The device is infinitely adjustable and can be tenεioned over a wide range without losing its elasticity.

The inner layer may be resilient in cross-section and may be l/8th inch thick. The inner layer may further be formed from a rubber material, such as closed cell neoprene. The rubber layer may be glued and heat bonded to the fibrous me ber. The elastic body may include a smooth non-abrasive surface extending along at least a portion of its length.

The device may include first and second straps respectively for securing a hockey shinpad to the upper and lower shin of a player, with the first strap being longer than the second. The first strap may be approximately 25% longer than the second.

In another aspect of the invention, the first touch fastener layer of the elastic body may extend along only a portion of the elastic body.

It is among the general objects of the invention to provide an improved device for attaching a protective athletic pad to the limb of an athlete.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in the form of a strap that can encircle the limb and displays improved characteristics of elasticity, resilience, comfort and paid retaining ability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be appreciated more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. l(a)-(b) illustrate a prior art inelastic strap;

Figs. 2(a)-(b) illustrate a prior art elastic strap;

Fig. 3 is a top view of a strap of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the strap shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a strap shown in Figs. 3-4; and

Fig. 6 is a graph showing the elastic properties of the strap of the present invention in relation to several prior art straps. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an improved strap 30, as shown in Figs. 3-5. The strap 30 includes an elongate body 32 and a fastener 34 that is attached to one end thereof. The body 32 is formed of a flexible elastic material and has a touch fastener surface 36 that is constructed to mate with the fastener 34. The fastener-engaging surface 36 extends along the entire length of the body 32.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3-5, the elastic body 32 is formed from two layers, i.e., a touch fastener surface 36 and an elastic layer 38. The elastic layer 38 is formed from rubber and is preferably closed cell neoprene, a material used in some diving wet suits. The touch fastener layer 36 is a fibrous material that is attached thereto. Rolls of fabric lined closed cell neoprene that can be used in the practice of the present invention are available from Rubatex Corporation, Bedford, VA. The fabric sold by Rubatex Corporation is velcro compatible and is believed to be 93% semi-dull nylon, and 7% dull lycra formed in a warp knit. The fabric layer is securely attached fully along its facing surface to the facing surface of the closed cell neoprene layer, apparently by adhesive or heat bonding means. The elastic layer 38 may not have sufficient strength to withstand the tensioning forces applied to the device when the device is in use. Additionally, when made from closed cell neoprene, the rough use to which the device can be expected to be subjected could result in damage to the device. The fabric layer, being knit (or otherwise formed to function as a touch fastener surface can be elongated substantially but to a limited extent. Thus, when the composite device is stretched, the intimately bonded fabric precludes the elastic layer 38 from being stretched beyond the point that the elastic layer will fracture or tear. The elastic layer 38 provides elasticity while the fabric layer limits to the extent to which the elastic layer 38 can be stretched. Additionally, the fabric layer being exposed outwardly of the device, serves to protect the inwardly facing elastic layer from damage.

The fastener 34 is shorter in length than the body 32, and is sewn thereto by a plurality of stitches 40. The fastener 34 includes a multiplicity of minute hooks 42 for engaging the fabric layer 36 of the body, when the device is wrapped about the user's limb.

It should be understood that although it is preferred that the fastener includes a plurality of hooks and the body 32 includes a fibrous surface for engaging therewith in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3-5, the touch fastener configuration could be reversed, such that the body can be provided with a surface having a plurality of hooks and the fastener 34 can be formed from fibrous material.

To secure a shinpad in place, the strap 30 is arranged so that the exposed surface of the elastic layer 38 faces inwardly toward the player's leg, and the exposed surface of the fabric layer 36 faces outwardly. Thus, in use, the elastic layer 38 forms an inner layer defining an inner surface of the strap, and the fabric layer forms an outer layer that defines an outer surface. The ends of the strap are pulled toward each other until the desired tightness is achieved, and then the hooks 42 of the fastener 34 are pressed into engagement with the touch fastener surface 36 to secure the strap in place. The outer surface of the fabric layer 36 can be provided in a variety of colors, and is imprintable so that a logo 44 can be printed thereon to provide the strap with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The appearance of the strap is particularly important when the strap is worn outside the sock, and it is desirable to provide the strap in colors to match the rest of the player's uniform. The dimensions of the strap components in a preferred embodiment are described making reference to Fig. 4. Generally, two straps are used to secure a shinpad, with one just above the player's ankle and the other just below the knee. It is desirable to size each strap such that its length closely matches the distance around the shinpad and the player's body so that there is not a large amount of excess material. Thus, it is contemplated that straps of two different lengths can be used in combination to secure a shinpad. Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, two straps are provided, i.e., an ankle strap and a knee strap.

For the ankle and knee straps, the lengths 46 of the body 32 are respectively equal to approximately twelve and fifteen inches. The other dimensions of the strap are the same for both the ankle and knee straps. The length 48 of the fastener 34 is equal to approximately four and one-half inches, and the strap has a thickness 50 that is equal to approximately one-eighth of an inch, with approximately 75% of that thickness being attributable to the neoprene layer and 25% to the fabric layer. The length of the fastener 34 is significantly less than that of the body 32 because the fastener need not extend completely around the shinpad and the player's leg.

The strap preferably has a relatively high thickness-to-width ratio as compared to the prior art devices. The strap may have a width 52 (Fig. 3) that is equal to approximately two inches. Thus, in this embodiment the ratio of the width of the strap to the thickness of the elastic layer is approximately 16 to l. The strap should have a sufficient width so that forces can be spread throughout the strap so that in combination with the thick resilient portion of the strap, the strap will be comfortably secure and will not cut into the player's skin during use.

The strap of the present invention provides a number of advantages over prior art straps. First, in contrast to the woven surfaces of the prior art straps, the inner surface of the closed cell neoprene layer 38 is smooth and non-abrasive against the player's skin, and therefore, is significantly more comfortable.

Second, the touch fastener surface 36 extends substantially fully along the length of the elastic body so that the strap is infinitely adjustable between varying degrees of tightness. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3-5, the surface 36 extends along the entire length of the elastic body 32, and underlies the area where the fastener 42 is attached. However, to achieve the beneficial result, the surface 36 need not extend over the entire length of the body, and can terminate prior to reaching the area where the fastener 42 is attached. Thus, the description of the touch fastener surface as extending substantially fully along the length of the elastic layer is intended to indicate that the touch fastener surface may terminate prior to the area on the body where the fastener 34 is attached.

Third, the neoprene material has a high coefficient of friction so that it hugs the skin more tightly than the prior art straps. Thus, once the strap is in place, it holds the shinpad more securely because the strap will not slip relative to the player's leg.

Fourth, the thickness of the strap of the present invention is significantly greater than that of prior art straps. Thus, the body of the strap is resilient in cross-section so that it is compressible under force, but springs back to its unstressed configuration when the force is removed. This resiliency in cross-section provides for a cushioning effect when the strap is tightened against the playe ' s skin.

Fifth, the added thickness of the strap also enables it to maintain its elasticity over a longer use period than the thinner woven prior art straps which tend to lose their elasticity over time. Finally, the strap of the present invention has more advantageous elastic properties than those of the prior art. As set forth above, elasticity is desirable because it enables the strap to securely hold the shinpad in place, but to give as the player's muscles expand and contract during movement. Thus, an elastic strap is less likely to impair the player's blood circulation and cause cramping or muscle fatigue.

To illustrate the elastic properties of the strap of the present invention in relation to those of the prior art, a test was performed to measure the elasticity of the present invention, the Cooper VSG2U elastic strap, the Reliable Hockey elastic strap, and the Reliable Hockey No Stretch Style strap. One end of the strap was fixed to a support and the strap was hung freely therefrom. An unstressed length was then measured for the strap. Next, a weight was applied to the free end and a stressed length was measured. The difference between the stressed and unstressed lengths was considered to constitute the elongation of the strap for the applied weight. The table below illustrates the elongation of each of the four tested straps at various weights.

The results of the above-described test are plotted in Fig. 6. As seen from that figure, the curve 54 for the No Stretch Style strap is vertical because for each of the weights applied, the length of the strap did not change. Thus, this strap is completely inelastic. Curves 56 and 58 respectively illustrate the results for the Reliable Hockey and Cooper elastic straps. As seen from the curves, although these straps are somewhat elastic for weights below 3.5 Kg, they become inelastic for any weight greater than 3.5 Kg.

The curve 60 demonstrates the results for the strap of the present invention. This curve significantly differs from those of the elastic straps 56 and 58 in two ways. First, the strap of the present invention maintains its elasticity for forces up tc twice those at which the prior art straps can no longer be elasticaily stretched; curve 60 demonstrates Strap of the Present Invention

7 cm

9.5 cm 12 cm 14.5 cm 15.5 cm 16.5 cm 17.5 cm *

18.5 cm 19.5 cm 20.5 cm

22 cm

5.85 Kg. X X 23 cm 6.35 Kg. X X X 23 cm

7.3!) Kg. X X X 24 cm

7.H!> Kg. X ^~ X 24 cm

X testing was not. done because strap had become inelastic.

* - testing was not done.

that the strap of the present invention does not become inelastic until weight of over 7 Kg is applied. Second, the elongation of the strap of the present invention increases more gradually than those of the prior art elastic straps 56 and 58. For example, when a weight of 2.0 Kg is applied, prior art straps 56 and 58 are respectively increased in length by 19.5 and 15 cm, whereas the strap of the present invention is increased by approximately 10.5 cm. Thus, at the force applied by suspending this weight, the amount by which the strap of the present invention increases is less than 25% less than the prior art elastic straps. This more gradual elastic response is advantageous because if the length of the strap increases by a large amount due to the application of a given force, the strap may loosen and enable the shinpad to move about.

Although the strap of the present invention has illustratively been described as being used to secure a hockey shinpad to a player, it can also be used in other ways. For example, the strap can be used to secure other types of protective pads or athletic equipment to the limbs of an athlete, or can be used to secure an ice pack or heat source to a person. Thus, the strap can be used to secure other types of equipment to a limb of a human being.

It should be understood that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments, modifications and equivalents may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to claim and secure by letters patent is:

Claims

CLAI S

1. A device for attaching a protective athletic pad to a limb of an athlete comprising: an elongate, flexible, elastic strap adapted to be wrapped about the limb and having inner and outer layers attached to each other, the inner layer defining an inner surface and the outer layer defining an outer surface, the inner surface being adapted to face inwardly toward the limb when the strap encircles the limb with the outer surface facing outwardly, the inner layer being formed from an elastic material and the outer layer being formed from one component of a two-component touch fastener system, the outer layer extending substantially fully along the length of the inner layer; and a second component of the two-component touch fastener system attached to an end of the strap and having a connector surface that extends beyond the end of the strap.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the first component of the two-component touch fastener system is yieldable lengthwise to facilitate elastic elongation of the inner layer.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the inner layer is smooth.

4. A device as defined in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the inner surface of the inner layer is formed from a material having a high coefficient of friction to resist shifting of the position of the strap when the strap encircles the limb.

5. A device as defined in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the inner layer is relatively thick to present a resilient cushion when the strap encircles the limb.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the inner layer is relatively thick to present a resilient cushion when the strap encircles the limb.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein the ratio of the width of the strap to the thickness of the inner layer iε approximately 16 to 1.

8. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein the ratio of the width of the strap to the thickness of the inner layer is approximately 16 to 1.

9. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the inner layer is formed from a rubber material.

10. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the inner layer is formed from a closed cell rubber material.

11. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the inner layer is formed from closed cell neoprene.

12. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the components of the touch fastener system comprises a fibrous element and the other component comprises a plurality of minute hooks detachably engageable with the fibrous element.

13. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner and outer layers are bonded together.

14. device as defined in claim 1 wherein the protective pad comprises a hockey shinpad and where the device comprises a pair of straps as defined in claim 1, one of the straps being longer than the other.

15. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein the thickness of the inner layer is of the order of one-eighth of an inch.

16. A device as defined in claim 8 wherein the thickness of the inner layer is of the order of one-eighth of an inch.

17. In combination, a hockey shinpad and a device for attaching the shinpad to the limb of an athlete, the device comprising: an elongate, flexible, elastic strap adapted to be wrapped about the limb and having inner and outer layers attached to each other, the inner layer defining an inner surface and the outer layer defining an outer surface, the inner surface being adapted to face inwardly toward the limb when the strap encircles the limb with the outer surface facing outwardly, the inner layer being formed from an elastic material and the outer layer being formed from one component of a two-component touch fastener system, the inner layer being relatively thick to present a resilient cushion when the strap encircles the limb; and a second component of the two-component touch fastener system attached to an end of the strap and having a connector surface that extends beyond the end of the strap.

18. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner layer is formed from a rubber material.

19. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner layer is formed from a closed cell rubber material.

20. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner layer is formed from closed cell neoprene.

21. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner layer has a thickness of approximately l/8th inch.

22. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner surface of the inner layer is formed from a material having a high coefficient of friction to resist shifting of the position of the strap when the strap encircles the limb.

23. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the inner surface of the inner layer is smooth.

24. A combination as defined in claim 17 wherein the outer layer extends substantially fully along the length of the inner layer.

25. A device for attaching a protective athletic pad to a limb of an athlete comprising: an elongate, flexible, elastic strap adapted to be wrapped about the limb and having inner and outer layers attached to each other, the inner layer defining an inner surface and the outer layer defining an outer surface, the inner surface being adapted to face inwardly toward the limb when the strap encircles the limb with the outer surface facing outwardly, the inner layer being formed from an elastic material and the outer layer being formed from one component of a two-component touch fastener system, the inner surface being smooth and non-woven; and a second component of the two-component touch fastener system attached to an end of the strap and having a connector surface that extends beyond the end of the strap.

26. A device as defined in claim 25 wherein the inner layer is formed from a rubber material.

27. A device as defined in claim 25 wherein the inner layer is formed from closed cell neoprene.

28. A device as defined in claim 25 wherein the inner surface of the inner layer is formed from a material having a high coefficient of friction to resist shifting of the position of the strap when the strap encircles the limb. the body includes a surface having a relatively high coefficient of friction extending substantially along its entire length, the surface having a relatively high coefficient of friction and the first touch fastener surface extending along opposing sides of the elastic body.