BE1023627A1 - Leg protector - Google Patents

Abstract

Lower leg protector (1) comprising an envelope portion (2) provided to be arranged around at least a portion of the lower leg, the envelope portion (2) being made of an elastic material so that the envelope portion (2) can abut against the lower leg, wherein the protector (1) comprises one or more shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) attached to the enveloping portion (2) to additionally protect parts of the lower leg, and wherein a first shock-absorbing element (3a) is a hind leg protection that is provided for practically extending below the calf muscle and above the ankle joint.

Description

LEG PROTECTION

This invention relates to a lower leg protector comprising an enveloping portion provided to be arranged around at least a portion of the lower leg, the enveloping portion being made of an elastic material so that the enveloping portion can abut against the lower leg, the protector being one or comprises a plurality of shock-absorbing elements attached to the enveloping portion to additionally protect portions of the lower leg.

Lower leg protectors are used in all kinds of sports to protect the lower leg from kicking or kicking other players. For example, football players use shin guards, ankle guards, etc.

The problem with the existing lower leg protectors is that certain parts of the lower leg are not or not sufficiently protected and / or that certain shock-absorbing elements jeopardize freedom of movement. It is often the case that better protection ensures reduced freedom of movement, so that athletes opt to protect only a few parts of the leg, such as only the shins. As a result, athletes are often confronted with injuries that were avoidable.

It is therefore an object of the invention to manufacture a lower leg protector that protects the necessary parts of the lower leg, but still gives sufficient freedom of movement to the athlete wearing the protector, so that the athlete is not hindered by the protector during practicing his sport and yet being sufficiently protected.

This object is achieved by providing a lower leg protector comprising an enveloping portion provided to be arranged around at least a portion of the lower leg, the enveloping portion being made of an elastic material so that the enveloping portion can abut against the lower leg, wherein the protector comprises one or more shock-absorbing elements attached to the envelope portion to additionally protect portions of the lower leg, a first shock-absorbing element being a rear-leg protection provided to extend substantially below the calf muscle and above the ankle joint.

By working here with an enveloping portion of elastic material that fits well against the lower leg, the shock-absorbing elements that are attached to the enveloping portion will also fit well against the lower leg and do not or hardly limit the freedom of movement of the leg. Because the elastic material fits well against the lower leg, no additional fastening elements, such as for example Velcro strips or elastics, are required at the level of the lower leg to ensure a good covering of the lower leg. The wearing comfort of such a protector is therefore very good. This hindleg protection is attached to the enveloping portion at the level that is provided to extend between the calf muscle and the ankle joint, so that this hindleg protection is also provided to extend between the calf muscle and the ankle joint. The hindleg protection ensures that when stamping against the back of the leg, there is less chance that the bones of the lower leg will break and there is also less chance that the tendons such as the Achilles tendon are damaged. The hindleg protection leaves the calf muscle free, so that this hindleg protection does not limit the freedom of movement of the lower leg. The shape of the hindleg protection at the height of the calf muscle is preferably hollowed out so that the calf muscle fits in well with the hindleg protection. The hindleg protection also releases the ankle joint so that the foot can move well relative to the lower leg. Also at the height of the ankle joint the hindleg protection is preferably hollowed out so that the foot can move well with respect to the lower leg. Optionally, other shock-absorbing elements may be present, such as, for example, one or more tibial protectors provided for extending at the level of the tibial bone, or an ankle protector provided for extending at the height of the ankle nodules, etc.

The shock-absorbing elements can be attached to the inside of the envelope portion, but they are preferably attached to the outside of the envelope portion. The inside of the envelope portion is the side that is provided to face the leg. The outside is the part that is provided to be directed away from the leg. The inside of the envelope portion may or may not be provided with a coating layer. With the aid of a coating layer made of, for example, nylon or polypropylene, wearing comfort of the protector can be increased because it will be this coating layer which makes contact with the skin.

The enveloping portion can be provided with one or more ventilation holes so that the lower leg can breathe and perspire sufficiently while using the protector. One or more of the one or more shock-absorbing elements may comprise on their outer side one or more relatively small protruding elements, such as for example tooth-shaped / pyramid-shaped protrusions made of, for example, hard plastic. These protruding elements are provided to hold a sleeve that is placed around the protector.

Preferably the hindleg protection is also provided to partially cover the sides of the leg. The sides are also protected here at the level of the sides that extend above the ankle and below the calf muscle. This is to ensure that with stairs at the height of the side of the lower leg, the lower leg is also protected. Because the hindleg protection is attached to the enclosing part, the hindleg protection will be pleated or deformed in such a way that the hindleg protection properly encloses the lower leg and therefore does not restrict the movement of the lower leg.

In a preferred embodiment, the envelope portion comprises at least 50 percent neoprene, preferably at least 70% and even more preferably at least 90%. Neoprene is an elastic material, which means that the covering part can fit very well against the lower leg. Neoprene also has a certain shock-absorbing and absorbing effect, so that an athlete who gets stomped at a part of the protector that does not contain shock-absorbing elements still enjoys a certain protection. This neoprene also provides additional protection for the areas to which a shock-absorbing element is attached. When someone gets a punch or kick against the lower leg at the height of one of the shock-absorbing elements, the covering part also provides a shock-absorbing effect. It is possible, for example, to give the envelope part a certain thickness, for example a thickness between 0.3 and 2 cm, even more preferably between 0.5 and 1 cm. With these thicknesses, the covering part is sufficiently thick and has a certain shock-absorbing effect, but it is also not too thick that the freedom of movement of the athlete is compromised.

In a specific embodiment, at least one of the shock-absorbing elements comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). This EVA can be in a foam form or in a more solid form. EVA has a shock-absorbing and absorbing effect and is also sufficiently flexible so that it will fit well against the lower leg with the help of the covering part. For example, the hindleg protection can include EVA. The hindleg protection can for instance be manufactured mainly from EVA.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the shock-absorbing elements comprises recycled rubber, such as granulate rubber. Recycled rubber is made from a waste product, making it less harmful to the environment. It is also a light product that does not restrict the freedom of movement of the person wearing the protector. It also has good damping properties. The recycled rubber can for instance be composed of granules of recycled rubber that are attached to each other by means of an adhesive. The glue can for instance be a glue with a high resistance such as polyurethane glue, whereby this shock-absorbing element comprising recycled rubber also has a high resistance. The hindleg protection can for instance comprise recycled rubber, it can even be manufactured mainly from recycled rubber.

The shock-absorbing elements are preferably arranged on the outside of the envelope portion. The shock-absorbing elements can here be manufactured from one or more materials that feel less pleasant on the skin, since these shock-absorbing elements do not make contact with the skin. Because the shock-absorbing elements are arranged on the outside of the enclosing part, in the case of a ram or shovel on a shock-absorbing element, this shock-absorbing element will be able to absorb the forces created by the ram or shovel well and also be able to partly transfer it to the enclosing part, whereby this forces are scattered and absorbed all over the enclosing part and the chance of injuries by the punch or kick is reduced.

Still more preferably, the protector comprises an outer covering layer which is arranged around the envelope portion and the shock-absorbing elements. The shock-absorbing elements are thus held in place even better and the appearance of the protector can also be made more uniform. This coating layer can for instance be made of nylon and / or polypropylene. This coating layer may, for example, mainly comprise nylon or mainly comprise polypropylene.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the shock-absorbing elements comprises hard plastic, such as polyethylene, and / or carbon fibers. If one of the shock-absorbing elements serves as a tibial protection, this shock-absorbing element preferably comprises hard plastic and / or carbon fibers. The tibia often gets kicked or stomped. This is certainly the case with sports such as football. It is therefore important that the tibia is very well protected. Hard plastic and / or carbon fibers have a very good shock-absorbing effect. Hard plastic and / or carbon fibers are less flexible, so that the hindleg protection is preferably not or not mainly made of hard plastic and / or carbon fibers. For the mobility of the athlete it is important that the hindleg protection has a certain flexibility. EVA and recycled rubber have a certain flexibility and are therefore very suitable as a material for the hindleg protection.

In a specific embodiment, at least one of the shock-absorbing elements comprises at least two layers, being a first layer mainly made of ethylene vinyl acetate and / or recycled rubber and a second layer mainly made of hard plastic and / or carbon fibers, said shock-absorbing element being arranged on the outside of the envelope portion and the first layer extends between the second layer and the envelope portion. Here the second layer will stomp well and absorb spades and then spread the forces further through the first layer. By working with a harder second layer including a softer first layer, shocks are absorbed and absorbed even better.

Further preferably, a said shock-absorbing element with at least two layers is a tibial protection that is provided to at least partially protect the tibia. There may possibly be several such tibial protectors present. They are all arranged on the envelope portion at the level of a portion provided to extend the leg at the front.

In a specific embodiment, a said shock-absorbing element with at least two layers is the hindleg protection. The hindleg is additionally protected with this second layer. Further preferably, the surface of the second layer is smaller than the surface of the first layer. Since the first layer is made of a softer material, it will not limit the freedom of movement, if at all. Since the surface of the second layer is smaller than the surface and will therefore protect a smaller part of the hindleg than the first layer, the freedom of movement of the hindleg is not compromised.

In a preferred embodiment, said shock-absorbing element is an ankle protection that is provided to extend on top of the ankle joint, said shock-absorbing element comprising a first elastic layer provided to connect the two ankle nodules to each other via the back of the leg, and comprises two discs made of a shock-absorbing material which are arranged on this first elastic layer and wherein these discs are each provided for extending at the level of a respective single knot. By connecting the discs with elastic material via the back of the leg, the back of the leg at the level of the ankle nodules is also protected. The sliders in combination with the first layer ensure that stamping or kicking on ankle nodules is well absorbed.

Further preferably, said first elastic layer is mainly made of neoprene. Neoprene can absorb shocks well.

Also further preferably, the discs are mainly made of hard plastic, such as polyethylene, and / or carbon fibers. This is to protect the ankle nodules well against kicking or stamping. Here again the principle of a harder layer is used followed by a softer layer. However, the slides could also be made primarily of carbon fibers.

In a preferred embodiment, the envelope portion is provided to release the calf muscle. As a result, the freedom of movement of the athlete who uses this protector is very good.

This invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a protector according to the present invention. The purpose of this description is only to provide clarifying examples and to indicate further advantages and details of this protector, and thus can in no way be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

In this detailed description reference is made by reference numerals to the accompanying drawings, in which - figure 1 is a side view of a protector according to the invention, which is arranged around a lower leg; figure 2 is a rear view of the protector shown in figure 1; figure 3 is a front view of the protector shown in figures 1 and 2; figure 4 is a section through the protector at the level of a tibial protection; figure 5 is a section through the protector at the level of the hindleg protection; figure 6 is a section through the protector at the level of the ankle protection.

Figures 1 to 3 show a possible embodiment of a protector (1) for the lower leg. Other embodiments are of course also possible.

This protector (1) is provided to be applied around a part of the lower leg. In figure 1 a foot (8) is visible to make clear which position the protector (1) is provided for taking in use. The envelope portion (2) is mainly made of neoprene. This is an elastic material that ensures that the covering part (2) can fit well against the lower leg. Of course, not every lower leg is the same. Therefore, this protector (1) can be made in different sizes and / or this protector (1) can be made to measure for the person who will wear the protector (1). The covering part (2) releases the calf muscle. Furthermore, there is an elastic band (7) attached to the envelope portion (2), whereby this elastic band (7) can be applied around the foot (8). This rubber band (7) prevents the covering part (2) from crawling upwards during use of the protector (1). In an alternative embodiment, the protector (1) could, for example, also have a complete or partial socket part that connects to the envelope part (2), this socket part being provided for enclosing the foot (8). This enveloping portion (2) and the socket portion may or may not be made in one piece.

This protector (1) further comprises shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c), each of which is attached to the outside of the envelope portion (2) and which serves to additionally protect parts of the lower leg. These shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) are, for example, stitched onto the envelope portion (2). These shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) are one hindleg protection (3a) which is provided to extend practically below the calf muscle and above the ankle joint (see Figure 2), three tibial protectors (3b) which are provided to extend laterally along to extend each other and to protect the tibia (see Figure 3) and one ankle protector (3 c) provided to protect the ankle joint.

The hindleg protection (3a) is hollowed out at the top and bottom so that the ankle joint and calf muscle still have sufficient freedom of movement and the person wearing the protector (1) is not or hardly hindered by the protector (1). Furthermore, this hindleg protection (3a) is provided to also partially extend sideways to partially cover and protect the sides of the leg.

The hindleg protection (3a), as shown in figure 5, consists of one layer made from recycled rubber or EVA. EVA and recycled rubber are shock-absorbing materials with a certain flexibility, so that the hindleg is well protected and still has sufficient freedom of movement. Because this EVA or this recycled rubber is stitched on the envelope portion (2), the forces acting on the EVA or the recycled rubber can also be partially transmitted and absorbed by the neoprene of the envelope portion (2). In an alternative embodiment, the hindleg protection may consist of a first layer of recycled rubber or EVA, and a second layer, with a smaller surface area than the first layer, consisting of hard plastic or carbon fibers. The first layer then extends here between the neoprene and the second layer.

The protector (1) comprises an outer covering layer (4) made from nylon or polypropylene. This covering layer (4) is arranged around the enveloping portion (2) and the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c).

As shown in Figure 4, a tibial protection (3b) consists of two layers (5a, 5b), being a first layer (5a) made of EVA or recycled rubber and a second layer (5b) made of hard plastic or carbon fibers. The first layer (5a) extends between the second layer (5b) and the envelope portion (2). The second layer (5b) is a hard layer and the first layer (5a) here is a flexible layer that is softer than the second layer (5b). Forces of a punch or shovel are here first absorbed by the second layer (5b) and then further passed on to the first layer (5a) and the enveloping portion (2) which is made of an even softer material than the first layer (5a) ). As a result, forces are absorbed and absorbed very well and the risk of injury from kicking or stamping is small.

The structure of the ankle protector (3c) is shown in Figure 6. Here, a cross section through the ankle protector (3 c) is shown at the height of the part that is provided to protect an ankle knot. The ankle protector (3c) comprises a first elastic layer (6a) of neoprene that is provided to connect the two single nodules to each other via the back of the leg and it also comprises two discs (6b) made of a shock-absorbing material that are mounted on this first elastic layer (6a) and which are each provided to extend at the level of a respective ankle knot. The additional layer of neoprene, namely the first elastic layer (6a) of the ankle protection (3c), provides additional shock-absorbing effect and absorption of forces. The discs (6b) are made from a hard plastic or carbon fiber. These discs (6b) therefore have a certain hardness and are therefore capable of stamping or kicking or catching.

The covering part (2) is also provided with several ventilation holes (9) so that the lower leg can transpire and breathe well.

Claims (17)

C O N C L U S I E S A lower leg protector (1) comprising an enveloping portion (2) provided to be fitted around at least a portion of the lower leg, the enveloping portion (2) being made of an elastic material so that the enveloping portion (2) can connecting against the lower leg, wherein the protector (1) comprises one or more shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) which are attached to the covering part (2) to additionally protect parts of the lower leg, characterized in that a first shock-absorbing element (3a) is a hind leg protection which is provided to substantially extend below the calf muscle and above the ankle joint. Protector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hindleg protection (3a) is provided to partially cover the sides of the leg. Protector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the envelope portion (2) comprises at least 50 percent neoprene. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) comprises ethylene vinyl acetate. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) comprises recycled rubber. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) are arranged on the outside of the envelope portion (2). Protector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the protector (1) comprises an outer covering layer (4) which is arranged around the enveloping portion (2) and the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c). Protector (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the covering layer (4) is mainly made of nylon or polypropylene. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shock-absorbing elements (3a, 3b, 3c) comprises hard plastic and / or carbon fibers. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shock-absorbing elements (3b) comprises at least two layers, being a first layer mainly made of ethylene vinyl acetate and / or recycled rubber and a second layer mainly made from hard plastic and / or carbon fibers, this shock-absorbing element (3b) being arranged on the outside of the envelope portion (2) and the first layer (5a) extending between the second layer and the envelope portion (2). The protector (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (3b) with at least two layers (5a, 5b) is a tibial protection, which is provided to extend at the front of the leg and is provided to to protect the shin at least partially. The protector according to claim 10, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (3a) with at least two layers is the hindleg protection (3a). Protector according to claim 12, characterized in that the surface of the second layer is smaller than the surface of the first layer. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock-absorbing element (3c) is an ankle protector which is provided to extend on top of the ankle joint, said shock-absorbing element (3c) being a first elastic comprises a layer (6a) provided to connect the two single knuckles to each other via the rear of the leg, and comprises two disks (6b) of a shock-absorbing material arranged on this first elastic layer (6a) and that these disks (6b ) are each provided to extend at the level of a respective single knot. Protector (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said first elastic layer (6a) is made mainly of neoprene. Protector (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the discs (6b) are made primarily from hard plastic and / or carbon fibers. Protector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering part (2) is provided to release the calf muscle.