GB2215585A

GB2215585A - Knee-pad

Info

Publication number: GB2215585A
Application number: GB8902928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wolfgang Nierhaus
Original assignee: Friedr Nierhaus and Co
Current assignee: Friedr Nierhaus and Co
Priority date: 1988-02-13
Filing date: 1989-02-09
Publication date: 1989-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-09
Also published as: DE3824368A1; NL8802495A; GB8902928D0; GB2215585B

Description

KNEE-PAD The present invention relates to a knee-pad, having a lower

portion, which is substantially cylindrical, for abutment with the upper end of the shinbone or tibia of the wearer, and an upper portion, which is in the form of a sector of a sphere, substantially for abutment with the knee-cap or patella of the wearer, a retaining strap or belt being provided which engages with the edge of the lower portion and which, in use, goes round the leg of the wearer.

In known knee-pads of this type, the retaining strap is secured to the edges of the lower portion in such a manner that the retaining strap grips the leg of the wearer in the hollow at the back of the knee. Such an arrangement for holding the knee-pad in position is in fact strong, but it is disadvantageous because the retaining strap cuts into the skin and can cause chafing and may, in consequence, become a great hindrance, especially if the wearers of such knee-pads have to angle their thigh considerably.

The basic object of the invention resides substantially in providing such a fastening means for the retaining strap of a knee-pad, having one single retaining strap, that the retaining strap goes round the leg of the wearer not in the hollow at the back of the knee viz, the popliteal space, but at a distance therebelow.

To achieve this object, the retaining strap engages with the knee-pad in the region of the lower edge of the lower portion.

In consequence, the retaining strap is disposed comparatively low down, that is to say not substantially centrally on the rear of the knee-pad, but so low down the cylindrical portion that the retaining strap cannot slip into the popliteal space. Should this happen. however, as a result of inadequate fastening, the situation can be corrected by utilisation of the knee-pad because, in fact, pressure acts on the leg in the direction of the spherical sector portion of the knee-pad. The retaining strap slips, under this pressure, into the region of the fibula, that is to say towards the foot of the wearer.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a knee-pad in its position of use; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view through the knee-pad of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified knee-pad; 1 Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view through the knee-pad of Fig.4 in its position of use; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line U-V1 of Fig. 5.

The knee-pad substantially comprises a comparatively hard shell 1, which comes into contact with the ground or the like and is formed, for example, from a hard-set plastics material. This shell is covered with a layer of padding 2. The knee-pad is held in position by means of a retaining strap 3.

The shell 1 and also the configuration of the padding 2, which is dependent on said shell, have a lower portion 4 which is in the form of a cylindrical portion. A portion 5 communicates upwardly with the portion 4 and is in the form of a spherical sector. The portions 4 and 5 merge into one another along the imaginary line 6'.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the portion 4 abuts against the upper end of the tibia S of the wearer, whilst the wearer substantially actuates the portion 5 with his patella K when the knee-pad is in its position of use, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is now important that securing holes 7 for the retaining strap 3 are provided at the lower end, that is to say at the end of the portion 4 remote from the portion 5, i.e. at a short distance from the lower edge 6, and said belt is secured by a loop 8 on one side of the portion 4 and by an adjustable stud 9 on the other side thereof.

4 The layer of padding 2 covers the loop 8 and the stud 9 when the knee-pad is in its position of use.

Since the fastening means 7, 8 and 9 for the retaining strap 3 are disposed on the lower end of the portion 4, that is to say close to the lower edge 6, the retaining strap 3 goes round the leg of the wearer closely below the popliteal space N, i.e. substantially 3 to 5 cm therebelow. Accordingly, if the portion 4 has a length L, the distance A should only be approximately I cm. Direct securement to the edge 6 is not desired; rather, there should still be a distance A in order to prevent the knee-pad from tilting in the direction of arrow 10. The ratios of lengths A to L should be substantially 1:5 to 1:3.

During use, the retaining strap 3 is not adversely affected. There is no possibility of the strap cutting into or chafing the popliteal space N. It should also be stated that it is advantageous to make the retaining strap 3 so wide and/or to make the strap so nonslip, e.g. by roughening the surface, that excessive strain is not put on the calf muscle, or respectively the retaining strap does not cut into the skin or does not chafe.

When the retaining strap 3 is disposed in accordance with Figs. I to 3, it is possible to make the edge regions of the lower portion 4 particularly advantageous, such edge regions being situated above the reta ' ining strap 3. The knee-pads of the invention should have such a configuration, thereforet that even more importance is attached to the comfort of wearing the kneepad, whereby, in particular, the lateral parts of the knee, or respectively the lateral parts of the region of the popliteal space, are to be protected even more. As a continuation of this concept, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the portion 5, at least in the edge region, is to be formed from folds 11 which extend into the region of the lower portion 4 with decreasing width and height.

These folds increase the deformability of the knee-pad. They adapt to the knee of the wearer without causing pressure points or sores to be formed, even during prolonged use. Since the folds extend a long way downwardly into the cylindrical portion 4, they ensure that the lateral parts of the knee are effectively protected. The popliteal spaces are covered laterally in order to exclude any foreign bodies and mechanical effects.

According to Figs. 4 and 5, the largest part of the portion 5 facing the free edge is formed from folds 11 which extend rearwardly (Fig. 5) and decrease in width rearwardly. They terminate substantially halfway along the length L of the portion 4 and merge there into virtually unfolded, plate-like portions 12; the depth of the folds 11 (amplitude) decreases therefore to the same extent as the fold width (length of undulation) decreases.

Since the folds 11 only extend substantially over half the length of the arc B, which is defined by the spherical sector (portion 5)l a lower arcuate portion remains, in consequence, which has the same structure as portion 4 and is capable of adequately absorbing the forces which are produced at-the knee.

6 The portion 5 is connected in the upper edge region to an additional retaining strap 13 which, howevery may possibly be omitted, but such is advantageous when the folds 11 are particularly soft and, in consequence, do not have a permanent shape.

The folds lly together with the portion 12, largely protect the sides of the knee of the wearer; in such a case, the popliteal space is also protected from foreign bodies entering therein. In addition, whilst still in association with the non-folded part of the portion 5, the folds 11 also form a sufficiently reliable support when in contact in contact with the ground.

1 11 1 111

Claims

1. A knee-pad having a lower portion, which is substantially cylindrical, for abutment with the upper end of the shin- bone of the wearer, and an upper portiong which is in the form of a sector of a sphere, substantially for abutment with the knee-cap of the wearer, a retaining strap engaging with the lateral edge of the lower portion and going round the leg of the wearer, wherein the retaining strap engages with the lower portion in the region of the lower edge thereof.

2. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining strap engages at a short distance from the lower edge of the lower portion, the ratio of this distance (A) relative to the overall length (L) of the lower portion being substantially 1:5 to 1:3.

3. A knee-pad as. claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein, apart from the retaining strap, no other retaining means are provided to go round the leg of the wearer.

4. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the retaining strap has a width and/or non-slip quality sufficient for the slip-resistant mounting on the calf muscle of the wearer.

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5. A knee-pad as claimed in any preceding claim in which the portion, which is in the form of a spherical sector, is formed, at least in the edge region, from folds which extend into the region of the lower portion with decreasing width and height.

6. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 5, wherein the folds extend substantially over half the arc (B), which is defined by the spherical sector in the side elevational view of the knee-pad.

7. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the part of the portion which does not consist of folds is in the form of the other portion (solid-walled, unfolded).

8. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the folds above the portion merge into a solid walled, plate-like part having a substantially triangular configuration.

9. A knee-pad as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the folds or respectively the plate-like part in communication therewith, terminate substantially halfway along the length (L) of the lower portion.

10. A knee-pad as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein a retaining strap engages with the fold edge and is dimensioned so as to go round the thigh of the wearer.

11. A knee-pad, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Oftee, State House, 68.171 High Holborn, London W01R 4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent Omee. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Rent BR5 3RD. PrInted by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con- 1187