AU2002300851B2

AU2002300851B2 - Improvements in protective gear

Info

Publication number: AU2002300851B2
Application number: AU2002300851A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Simon Christopher Barnett; Roger Robert Andrew Bradley
Original assignee: Aero Sports Prot Ltd
Current assignee: AERO SPORTS PROTECTION Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-05
Filing date: 2002-09-03
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-03
Also published as: GB2380118B; NZ513971A; GB2380118A; GB0220595D0

Description

03/09 '02 15:59 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC IP AUST SECURE 01005 DH Ref: 336-4AU Customer No. 3710000433

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD

PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicants: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: ROGER ROBERT ANDREW BRADLEY of Srmaragd 86, 3891 EV, Zeewolde, The Netherlands; and SIMON CHRISTOPHER BARNETT of 254 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

ROGER ROBERT ANDREW BRADLEY of Smaragd 86, 3891 EV, Zeewolde, The Netherlands; and SIMON CHRISTOPHER BARNETT of 254 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Don Hopkins Associates Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33, St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTIVE

GEAR

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 03/09 '02 15:59 FAX. 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC IF AUST SECURE U0 2 'IMPOVMNTS IN PROTECTIVE PAnS" BACKGROUND OF THE IENVNTION This invention relates to Protective gear and more particularly a prote~dtive guard intended to be worn by a batsman playing the game of cricket.

In the game of cricket, a batsman will Wear a variety of protective gear including leg guards or so called %%pads-.

Over the years the pads have changed very little. While Still performing a protective function the pads remain somewhat uncomfortable to wear and can restrict, mobility not only when the batsman is running between wickets but also during stroke making.. There is also the possibility that known pad constructions do not entirely provide the level Of protection which is required in the modern game.

SUMMARY OF THE NVNTION There is thus an opportunity to provide a leg pad which provides an improvement in one or more of the areas of comfort, Protection and mobility of the wearer. It is thus an object of the present invention to achieve such improvement.

SPEC388 27 August 2002 06/06 2007 14:45 FAX 64 6 3590198 DON HOPKINS 4 IP AUST SECURE Q006 7 3 ln Broadly in one aspect of the invention there is provided a leg

O

0 pad including a moulded one piece three dimensional shaped pad which includes a high density foamed plastic material, the 00 shape of the pad being such that in its moulded form the pad, Sin use, wraps around part of the leg of a wearer, the pad ci Sincluding a first substantially flat surface and a second

C

substantially flat surface which is adjacent the first surface and lies in a plane substantially normal to the first surface, said second surface being, in use, located along the inner side of the leg of the wearer.

In a preferred form of the invention the pad includes an air cavity behind the first surface there being a layer of the foamed plastic material between the first surface and the air cavity.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention there is provided a set of leg pads including a first pad in accordance with the first broad aspect mentioned above for wearing on one leg of a user and a second pad for, in use, wearing on the other leg of the wearer, the second SPEC1654AU COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 06/06 2007 14:45 FAX 64 6 3590198DO HPKNIFAS SEUE L17 DON HOPKINS 4 IF AUST SECURE 0007 4 0pad being of a different shape to the f irst pad and constructed to provide maximum protection along the INO inside portion of said other leg of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 00 M In the following more detailed description of the o invention according to its preferred form, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a set of pads incorporating the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the set of pads shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the pad which is intended for use on the front or leading leg of a player, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the set of pads in conjunction with integrated thigh pads.

SPEC388 27 August 2002 COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by P1 Australia: lime 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 03/09 '02 16:00 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC -44 IP AUST SECURE 1009 Figure 5 is a partial perspective view from behind of a second embodiment of the front or leading leg pad, Figure 6 is a front view of the pad as shown in Figure Figure 7 is a top plan view of the pad of Figure Figure 8 is a side view (inside leg) of the pad of Figures 5 to 7, Figure 9 is a perspective view of a leg pad with a novel form of strapping for attachment of the pad to a leg of the player, Figure 10 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 9, Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 but showing a different form of the strapping, and.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 11.

SPEC3S8 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:00 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC IF AUST SECURE I1@010 6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMB0ODIMENTS The leg guard or leg pad according to the present invention is intended principally for the game of cricket. As is normal the batsman will wear a set of pads, one for the leading or forward leg, when the batsman is in his/her batting stance, and a second which is worn on the backward or trailing leg. Unlike conventional pads, however, the present invention provides a set of leg pads where the two pads are quite different and are designed/constructed to suit the particular requirements for protection, comfort and mobility for the leading and trailing legs .(as they appear in a batting stance) of the batsman.

In the drawings there is shown a f ront leg pad 11 and a back leg pad 12. Each of the pads is manuf actured f rom or includes a high density foamed plastics material. The pad is moulded in one piece in a three dimensional shape which is designed specifically to wrap around and f it comfortably on the leg of the wearer. Unlike a conventional pad there is no knee roll.

In the preferred form of the invention each pad 11 and 12 is. provided with a detachable liner for comfort and easy SPEC38S 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:01 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 444 IP AUST SECTURE i011 7 cleaning. The liner is not illustrated in the drawings but is principally a shaped area of suitable material which is provided with fastenings that fasten to complementary fastenings on the inside surface of the pad. The presence of the lining and its method of attachment is not seen to be important to the present invention and therefore is not further described or illustrated herein.

Each of the pads 11 and 12 is provided at its upper end with a flap system 13. The flap system 13 is moulded integrally with the pad. As can be best seen in Figure 3 the pad system 13 is formed by a plurality of upwardly extending flap sections 14 which are delineated one from the other by an area of reduced material thickness Likewise, the outer flap sections 14a and 14b are joined to the side sections 16a and 16b of the pad but delineated by an area 17 of reduced cross-sectional thickness.

In a similar manner, an area of reduced cross-sectional thickness is preferably provided at the root end of each flap section 14 where the flap system 13 joins to the main body of the pad.

SPC358 27 Augst 2002 06/06 2007 14:45 FAX 64 6 3590198 DON HOPKINS IP AUST SECURE 008 18 0 in the preferred form of the invention the front face of the front pad 11 is formed of high density foam for IO maximum protection to the wearer and minimum rebound when the ball strikes the pad. However, to increase S 5 protection and to minimise rebound an air cavity 19 is 00 o formed within the body 10 of the pad 11. This air cavity 19 preferably opens through a slotted portion 20 which is o preferably located at or adjacent to the root ends of the ci flap elements 14.

The front or forward facing surface 21 of the front pad 11 is flat or substantially flat as can for example be seen in Figure 2. The transition between this flat surface 21 and the side 22 of the pad which engages along the inner side of the leg of the player is substantially a right angle so that the outward facing surface 23 of the side edge 22 is substantially at right angles to the forward surface 21.

In the batting stance of the player the bat will generally be located adjacent the inner side 22 of the pad 11. Therefore, because of the generally straight side surface 23 and the absence of the conventional knee roll a minimal gap can exist between the edge of the bat SPEC388 27 August2002 COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 03/09 '02 16:02 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC IP AUST SECURE I013 9 and the edge of the pad. This thereby minimises the gap through which a ball may pass.

In addition, it is believed that this configuration of the pad 11 will encourage good technique on the part of the player. This will arise because the player will wish to maintain the edge of the bat close to the side surface 23 of the pad 11 so as to minimise the gap between bat and pad. This straight side surface 23 and the absence of a knee roll also means that bat movement is not restricted inside of and relative to the pad.

Because of the wrap around design of the pad, better protection is provided on the inner and outer knee of the player as well as providing good protection in the bony area just below the kneecap. Also the inner knee is not exposed to balls coming off the bat because the pad wraps around the leg. Furthermore, there is good protection of the ankle arising from the shaped lower extensions 24 located either side of the recessed portion 25 which fits over the top of the footwear of the wearer. Therefore, the outer face of the ankle is protected from the direct deliveries while the inner ankle is protected from balls which may deflect off the bat.

SPEC388 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:02 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 44**4 IP AUST SECURE U014 The design of the pad is believed to be such that not only is there more comfort and protection but in play there are factors which achieve a more controllable rebound of ball from pad. Also, the pad provides increased mobility not only when the player is running between wickets but during stroke making.

The one piece design means that there is no knee roll and this reduces uncontrolled rebounds which can occur off the knee roll. The flat face area 21 not only absorbs the ball (thereby reducing rebound) but any rebound is directed in front of the pad rather than deflecting at an angle from the pad. It is believed this will reduce the number of balls deflecting from pad to bat. Deflections will thus generally go straightforward onto the bat in much the same manner of a standard defensive shot.

The flap system 13 by being essentially one piece but nevertheless segmented will also tend to control rebound of a ball making contact therewith. For example, it is believed that the segmented flap system will direct the ball away from the gloves of the player thereby reducing dismissal opportunities. In addition, the flap design by not being bulky and loose reduces the restriction that SPEC388 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:02 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 4* IP AUST SECURE 015 11 conventional pads can otherwise occur with conventional pads when the player is attempting sweep shots.

In the design of each of pads 11 and 12 only two straps are needed for each pad. This further enhances comfort to the player and can lead to increased mobility. Due to the three dimensional nature of the pads no twisting of the pad on the player's leg will generally take place when the player is running.

This can lead, in a lower cost version of the pads, to a simpler means of strapping the pad to the leg. As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the strapping can comprise a cord which is anchored at each end to one side 31 of the pad.

The cord 30 can be removably attached to the other side 32 by either engaging in a recess or recesses in side 32 near the peripheral edge or can engage with hooks or hook shaped protrusions.

According to the arrangement of Figures 11 and 12 the cord 30 has its free ends hook shaped connected to hook elements 33) which engage in openings in side 32.

Referring now to the second or back leg pad 12 the pad once again is of a construction having the same type of SPEC3S 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:03 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 4* IP AUST SECURE 016 12 flap system 13 but as can be seen from Figure 1. The flap system is, however, of a different shape. For example, the outer flap size is reduced where protection is unnecessary thereby freeing up shot making cut shots). The flap system 13 can also be shaped to provide protection to the inner knee and lower inner quad where greater protection is required.

In the preferred form of the invention there is at least high density foam along the inside surface 25 of the pad 12 so as to provide high protection on the inside of the leg. In the normal batting stance this is the part of the leg where protection is needed. On the other or outside of the leg where high protection is unnecessary the bulk in weight of the protective material can be reduced thereby reducing the overall weight of the pad.

Once again, the back batting leg pad 12 has an ankle arch shape to increase comfort with the sides on the outside ankle reduced where once again protection is not normally required during normal batting.

The back leg pad. 12 is thus designed for its specific functions rather than being simply a copy of the front pad 11 and therefore the set of pads combined depart SPEC388 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:03 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 44 IF MiST SECURE I017 13 radically f rom the conventional leg pads where the two pads are essentially the same.

As can be Seen in Figure 4 the pads 11 and 12 can be integrated with thigh guards or pads 26 and 27. The thigh pad 26 is intended for front thigh protection and as with the leg pads is preferably a three dimensional mnoulded form which largely provides a wrap around design.

As with the leg pads the thigh pads 26 and 27 are moulded for the specific functions that they provide.

While not strictly necessary, the thigh pad 26, could, as with the f ront leg pads 11, be provided with one or a plurality of air cavities which absorbs shock and therefore reduces rebound. Also when higher degrees of protection are required, plastic inserts can -be.

strategically moiflded into or attached to the thigh pad 26- As can be seen the thigh pad 26 preferably includes a flap projection 28 which is intended for protecting the hip bone of the player.

With the back thigh pad 27 this is specifically shaped to protect the inner/front of the thigh.

SPEC388 27 Augvsi 2002 03/09 '02 16:03 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 44 IP AUST SECURE ~018 14 The front thigh pad 26 is provided with a pair of straps with an uppermost one wrapping around the waist of the player to stop the pad moving up or down. The lower strap is elastic or resilient which adjusts with expanding hamstring.

In the preferred form of the front thigh pad 26 there is an outer foam layer which absorbs impacts from the ball.

A central foam layer and the aforementioned plastic insert(s) provides the majority of protection and spread shock.

With the back thigh pad 27 elastic straps are provided which strap above and below the hamstring.

Both thigh pads 26 and 27 incorporate a cut away shaped area of reduced thickness 29. These areas fit behind the flap system 13 of the respective pads 11 and 12 when the leg pads and thigh pads are in position on a player.

Therefore, the thigh pads integrate with the leg pads thereby providing continuous protection from ankle through to hip/thigh without a gap between thigh pad and leg pad through which a ball could otherwise engage and cause injury to the player.

OECSS 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:04 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 4- IP AUST SECURE o019 The leg pads and the integrated thigh pads thus are of light weight and comfortable moulded fit which form an integrated kit for overall protection of the player. As described herein the leg pads provide for increased mobility/speed of the player between wickets and have the added advantage of controllable rebound of balls when striking the pads.

The invention is open to modification, as will be apparent to the skilled person, but without departing .from the scope and spirit of the invention.

For example, the flap system 13 can be altered as shown in Figures 5 to 8. According to this form of the invention the degree of flexibility at the top of the pad can be achieved by having a rigid section 34 and a flexible section 35. A gap 36 separates the two sections 34 and 35. As can be seen in Figure 7, the gap 36 is disposed so that a side portion 37 of the rigid section 34 overlaps a terminal edge 38 of the flexible section The drawing shows how the moulded nature of the pad enables the profiles of side portion 37 and edge 38 to be such as to achieve a smooth transition between sections 34 and 35 as well as provide a good degree of overlap.

SPE

C3 8 S 27 August 2002 03/09 '02 16:04 FAX 64 6 3590198 D HOPKINS ASSOC 444 IP AUST SECURE I020 16 In use of the pad, a ball striking the rigid section 34 will apply an impact force. Because the rigid section 34 is "supported" at one end by the flexible section there will during the application of the impact force, be a degree of "give" or movement in rigid section 34. This will result in a deadening of the reaction to the impact of the ball, thereby reducing the extent of rebound of the ball.

Other modifications will be apparent to the skilled person.

SPEC388 27 August 2002

Claims

2. A leg pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad includes an air cavity behind the first surface there being a layer of said foamed plastic material between the first surface and the air cavity.
3. A legj pad as claimed in claim 1 further including an impact absorbing area at a top end of the pad.
4. A leg pad as claimed in claim 3 wherein the impact absorbing area is located adjacent the first surface and SPEBC1654AU COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 06/06 2007 14:46 FAX 64 6 3590198 DON HOPKINS 4, IP AUST SECURE a ~010 18 0 Sis moveable relative to the first surface upon, in use, the impact absorbing area being impacted by a ball. A leg pad as claimed in claim 4 wherein the impact 00 absorbing area is a flap system including a plurality of M upwardly extending interconnected flap sections, at least o one of the flap sections being movably engaged with a cN rigid part of the pad adjacent the second surface.
6. A leg pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flap sections are integrally moulded with the pad, adjacent flap sections being interconnected by areas of reduced material thickness, said flap sections also being connected by an area of reduced cross-sectional thickness at a root end thereof to the part of the pad incorporating the first surface.
7. A leg pad as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the impact absorbing area is formed by a rigid section which overlaps at a peripheral edge portion with a flexible section, said rigid and flexible section, being integrally formed as part of the pad. SPEC1654AU COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 06/06 2007 14:46 FAX 64 6 3590198 DON HOPKINS 4 IP AUST SECURE laoll 19 0
8. A leg pad as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 7 c, wherein the part of the pad incorporating the first NO surface is formed of high density mouldable foamed material. 00 M
9. A leg pad as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein an air ci Scavity is formed within the pad. A leg pad as claimed in claim 9 wherein the air cavity opens through a slotted portion located adjacent the impact absorbing area.
11. A set of leg pads including a first pad as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 for wearing on one leg of a user and a second pad, for wearing on the other leg of the wearer, the second pad being of a different shape to the first pad and constructed to provide maximum protection along the inside portion of said other leg of the wearer.
12. A set of leg pads as claimed in claim 11 wherein the second pad includes an area of high density foam which extends along a marginal length of that part of the second pad which, in use, extends along said inside portion leg of said other leg of the wearer. SPEC1654AU COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 00/06 2007 14:46 FAX 64 6 3590198 DNHPISI TS EUE IJl DON HOPKINS 4 IP AUST SECURE 0012 -n13. A set of pads as claimed in claim 11 or 12 in combination IND 0 with a set of thigh pads, each thigh pad being of three dimensional moulded form and including an area of reduced 00 thickness which, in use, overlaps with a marginal top portion of an adjacent leg pad-
14. The combination of claim 13 wherein at least one of the thigh pads includes at least one air cavity. The combination of claim 13 or 14 wherein the thigh pads are, moulded to conform with substantially the anatomical shape of the part of a user' s body over which the pad will locate.
16. The combination of claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein one or more of the thigh pads include at least one plastic material insert.
17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the insert is moulded into or attached to the thigh pad.
18. A leg pad as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. SPEC1654AUJ COMB ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by 113 Australia: Time (I-tm) 12:41 Date 2007-06-06 06/06 2007 14:47 FAX 64 6 3590198 DON HOPKINS 4, IP AUST SECURE 12013 S21 O l-s 19. A set of leg pads as claimed in claim 11 substantially as VO 0 herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 00 SDated this 1 7TH DAY OF May 2007 Ci 0Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person 0 C AERO SPORTS PROTECTION LIMITED DON HOPKINS ASSOCIATES SPECr654AU COMS ID No: SBMI-07670824 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:41 Date 2007-06-06