EP0919261A1 - Protective padding for foot and tibia of a person, especially for sportsmen - Google Patents

Abstract

The device consists of a foot section (3) and a shin pad (2), both of which have a tongue-like extension (31,21). The extension on the foot section is located on a shoe, especially a sports shoe, and is longer than the extension of the shin pad. The foot section may be formed as a foot and instep protector. Both extensions may be slightly flexible, and consist preferably of a soft foam padding. The first extension is pushed under the shin pad, or into a tunnel in the pad.

Description

The invention relates to protective padding for the foot and Shin of a person, especially an athlete, with a foot section and a shin guard.

In various sports is the unimpeded mobility an elementary prerequisite for the ankle for optimal sports practice. At the same time there are several these sports pose a particular risk of injury in the Ankle area due to actions of the opponent respectively Teammates or through rackets, which the teammates use for sports. This risk of injury requires special padding, such padding in the ankle area but so far hampered everyone practiced mobility solutions.

In many martial arts, soccer and hockey the area on the front of the ankle becomes special at risk of duels. When martial arts are therefore at least the lower shin fracture caused by shin guards, the metatarsus and instep by instep and foot guards padded. Football, cricket and hockey players use shin guards and shoes with padded Tongues to protect the instep area.

However, there is practically always between the instep and the shin the particularly vulnerable area of the lower tibia head and the tarsal bones unprotected. Full upholstery, which in every situation the areas at risk from Completely cover the midfoot up to the upper shin, are at least uncommon, however. Such continuous padding would namely when pulling the Due to the shortening of the inner tendon in the ankle area compressed, but stretched when the foot is stretched. Both processes are connected at least with effort, which affects the mobility of the foot and therefore in competitive sports, where 100% performance is required, is not accepted.

In general, therefore, are the protective padding for the foot area and the padding for the shin two separate Parts that are at most as closely spaced apart, that with the foot raised to the maximum above the tarsus just bump into each other. However, this means that at straight foot a distance of the order of 5 cm gap between foot and shin padding. So it is a particularly sensitive and especially in combat situations Vulnerable body part unprotected, because then the foot is often fully extended.

From U.S. Patent No. 16 24 129 and U.S. Patent 46 92 946 are protective padding for the foot and shin known of the type mentioned. The previously known Protective padding has a foot section and a shin guard, that over a flexible area with each other are connected.

The German utility model also discloses 84 03 767 a knee-shin-foot protector, the one Shin protection element has at its upper end a knee protection element and a foot protection element at its lower end are arranged.

Furthermore is from the German utility model 17 44 809 a leg protection made of light metal sheet known which the light metal sheet is pulled down over the ankle is.

In addition, U.S. Patent 4,876,745 discloses one Knee pads with a downward facing part Protection of the shin is connected. This part covers also part of the foot, but not by a tongue-like Extension, but in a one-piece design.

According to U.S. Patent No. 4,633,529 there is protective padding from several parts, each by elastic Intermediate pieces are interconnected.

It is also from the German utility model 80 30 463 leg protection for martial artists, in particular Karate fighter, known to be the one to be placed around the shin and by means of tapes, for example Velcro straps, attachable flexible upholstery mat with the top of the foot has covering neck part. To the leg guards to different types of combat and different ones Being able to adapt regulations and an improved one To achieve protection, the pad should at least be on an extended area on one side as ankle protection exhibit. The upholstery extension covering the top of the foot is detachably connected to the pad.

Finally, one is known from US Pat. No. 1,624,129 Protective padding known in the context of the present questions of interest essentially those of the U.S. Patent 4,633,529. Knee pads, Shin guards and foot guards are each made of elastic Intermediate pieces connected by which important parts of the body remain unprotected.

The object of the invention is to provide a protective padding to propose the type specified at the outset, with which protection the area between the foot and shinbone without disability the person or athlete are guaranteed can.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the Foot part and / or the shin guards a tongue-like Extension has / have.

According to the principle of the invention, the protective padding overlap for foot and shin on the front of the foot or shin in every fight respectively Game situation. The overlap is only a minimum when the foot is stretched, the tendon over the ankle is extended to a maximum. The overlap is maximum if the foot is fully raised. For this purpose there is either on the foot part or on the foot side Protective padding a tongue-like extension in the direction Shin or on the shin guards a tongue-like Extension towards the foot. However, it is also possible that both upholstery, i.e. the foot section and the shin guards, one each - then generally shorter - have tongue-like extensions that overlap. This protects the area between the foot and Schienhein in every fight or game situation guaranteed. At the same time it is ensured that the Not athletes through the protective padding according to the invention is hindered.

The "tongue-like" characteristic of the invention Extensions "are the German utility model 84 03 767 neither anticipated nor suggested.

Also the design according to the German utility model 17 44 809 cannot be used as a "tongue-like extension" viewed in terms of the subject of the invention become.

The one-piece design without tongue-like extension according to U.S. Patent 4,876,745 did the first Paragraph on page 6 disadvantage that mobility of the foot is impaired.

Tongue-like extensions within the meaning of the subject of Invention are also not in US Pat. No. 4,633,529 exists, and it is the one in the second paragraph on page 2 described disadvantage that between the lower end of Shin guards and the top of the foot guards there is an unprotected area.

Since the German utility model 80 30 463 none Drawing is attached, the exact appearance of the Do not present the leg protection described there. In any case but can claim 1 and the other content this utility model not the characteristic Feature taken from the subject of the invention after which the foot part and / or the shin guards has / have a tongue-like extension.

Tongue-like extensions within the meaning of the subject of Invention are also in U.S. Patent No. 1,624,129 still reveals obvious. Advantageous further training are described in the subclaims.

It is possible to put a first tongue-like on the shin guards Extension and a second at the foot part to provide tongue-like extension.

Another advantageous further development is characterized in that that on the foot part a first tongue-like extension and a second one on the shin guards tongue-like extension are provided. According to this suggestion becomes a (first) tongue-like extension in the first line attached to the foot of the protective padding. The (Second) tongue-like extension on the shin guards is preferably shorter. By the aforementioned advantageous Continuing education allows the shin guards also independent of the compatible foot protection padding or with any conventional one for each To use appropriate protection. Corresponding is the function of the system according to the invention in the following described. Basically, the system is also open the reverse situation with a (slightly longer, first) tongue-like extension on the shin guards (and one shorter, second tongue-like extension on the foot section) transferable.

It is advantageous to put on the first tongue-like extension a shoe, especially a sports shoe, such as a soccer shoe. In this case the conventional tongue on the sports shoe be designed such that they are the first tongue-like Extension forms.

The foot part is preferably used as a foot protection or Foot and instep protectors trained. It is also advantageous to make the first tongue-like extension longer than the second tongue-like extension.

In any case, it is advantageous if the tongue-like Extension or the tongue-like extensions is or are designed to be easily bendable. The tongue-like extension must namely when pulled up Foot the very narrow radius and with the foot straight adapt to the almost flat transition from the foot to the shin. The tongue-like extension is preferably in the form of soft foam protective padding educated. Such soft foam protective padding meets the requirements described.

(1) Die Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartige Verlängerung des Fußteils schiebt sich unter den Schienbeinschützer. In diesem Fall ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der Schienbeinschützer eine zum Querschnitt der Zunge passende tunnelartige Ausnehmung aufweist, innerhalb derer die zungenartige Verlängerung längsverschieblich ist. Die Führung der Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartigen Verlängerung ist in perfekter Weise gewährleistet, da sie allseitig zwischen Körperoberfläche und Tunnelwänden geführt ist.

(2) Die Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartige Verlängerung des Fußteils schiebt sich über den Schienbeinschützer. Es bietet sich an, auch in dieser Ausführung eine Führungseinrichtung vorzusehen. Eine solche Führungseinrichtung kann beispielsweise aus einer schienenartigen Vertiefung in Längsrichtung des Schienbeinschützers und einem passenden schlittenartigen Aufsatz auf der Innenseite der zungenartigen Verlängerung, jeweils im Überlappungsbereich, bestehen. In dieser Ausführung wird die zungenartige Verlängerung natürlich nicht allseitig, sondern nur auf drei Seiten geführt. Sie ist damit nicht daran gehindert, von der Oberfläche des Schienbeinschützers weg in den Raum hinaus gebogen zu werden. Nach der Erfindung soll allerdings dieses Wegbiegen, das zu unakzeptablen Funktionsbeeinträchtigungen führen würde, sicher verhindert werden. Wenn die zungenartige Verlängerung immer an der Oberfläche des Beines beziehungsweise des Schienbeinschützers anliegen soll, muß sie selbst bei gestrecktester Position des Beines immer noch mit nennenswerter Spannung gegen Bein und Schienbeinschützer gedrückt werden, damit sie nicht bei den schnellen Beinbewegungen bei der Sportausübung unkontrolliert flat-tert. Um dies zu gewährleisten, wird nach einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgeschlagen, die Eigenwölbung der zungenartigen Verlängerung derart auszugestalten, daß sie geringer ist als die Wölbung der Fußoberseite in gestrecktester Position.
Damit wird allerdings der Andruck in der gebeugtesten Stellung, wenn also der Fuß hochgezogen ist, durch die hohe Biegespannung in der Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartigen Verlängerung sehr groß. Dies bewirkt eine verhältnismäßig hohe Reibung zwischen zungenartiger Verlängerung und Schienbeinschützer. Durch diese hohe Reibung kann es zum Klemmen kommen, was mitunter das freie Verschieben beim Hochziehen des Fußes verhindern kann. Darüber hinaus muß man davon ausgehen, daß die Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartige Verlängerung durch die dauernde Biegebelastung im Gebrauch allmählich erlahmt, was zur Folge hat, daß sie nach längerem Einsatz eben doch dazu tendiert, vom Bein wegzuhängen. Wenn sie dann noch in einer Zweikampfaktion einen Tritt von oben erhält, so daß sie gestaucht oder weggebogen wird, wird die Anordnung rasch unbrauchbar werden. Um dies zu verhindern, ist eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zunge beziehungsweise zungenartige Verlängerung und der Schienbeinschützer durch ein elastisches Band miteinander verbunden sind. Das System wird so ausgelegt, daß die zungenartige Verlängerung stets durch ein elastisches Band an den Schienbeinschützer herangezogen wird. Die zungenartige Verlängerung wird in der gestreckten Fußstellung verhältnismäßig stark an den Schienbeinschützer herangezogen. In der gebeugten Fußstellung (also bei hochgezogener Fußspitze) wird die zungenartige Verlängerung durch das elasti-sche Band verhältnismäßig schwach an den Schienbeinschützer herangezogen. Die Eigenwölbung der zungenartigen Verlängerung wird eng eingestellt und am minimal möglichen Radius des Fuß-Bein-Übergangs orientiert. Die zungenartige Verlängerung wird somit durch die Eigenspannung gar nicht an den Schienbeinschützer angedrückt. Es besteht keine Gefahr, daß die Zunge mit der Zeit durch Ermüdung vom Bein abstehen wird.

There are basically two options for the overlap:

(1) The tongue or tongue-like extension of the foot part slides under the shin guards. In this case, it is advantageous if the shin guard has a tunnel-like recess that matches the cross section of the tongue, within which the tongue-like extension can be moved longitudinally. The guidance of the tongue or tongue-like extension is guaranteed in a perfect manner, since it is guided on all sides between the body surface and the tunnel walls.

(2) The tongue or tongue-like extension of the foot section slides over the shin guard. It is advisable to provide a guide device in this embodiment as well. Such a guide device can consist, for example, of a rail-like depression in the longitudinal direction of the shin guard and a suitable sled-like attachment on the inside of the tongue-like extension, in each case in the overlap area. In this version, the tongue-like extension is of course not on all sides, but only on three sides. This does not prevent it from being bent into the room away from the surface of the shin guard. According to the invention, however, this bending away, which would lead to unacceptable functional impairments, is to be reliably prevented. If the tongue-like extension should always rest on the surface of the leg or the shin protector, it must still be pressed against the leg and shin protector with considerable tension, even when the leg is in the most extended position, so that it does not flutter uncontrollably during the rapid movement of the legs while exercising . To ensure this, it is proposed according to an advantageous development of the invention to design the self-curvature of the tongue-like extension in such a way that it is less than the curvature of the top of the foot in the most extended position.
However, the pressure in the most bent position, i.e. when the foot is raised, is very high due to the high bending stress in the tongue or tongue-like extension. This causes a relatively high friction between tongue-like extension and shin guards. This high level of friction can cause jamming, which can sometimes prevent it from moving freely when the foot is pulled up. In addition, one has to assume that the tongue or tongue-like extension gradually wears out during use due to the constant bending load, which means that after a long period of use it tends to hang away from the leg. If she then gets a kick from above in a duel action so that she is compressed or bent away, the arrangement will quickly become unusable. To prevent this, a further advantageous development is characterized in that the tongue or tongue-like extension and the shin guards are connected to one another by an elastic band. The system is designed so that the tongue-like extension is always pulled to the shin guard by an elastic band. The tongue-like extension is pulled relatively strongly towards the shin guards in the extended foot position. In the bent foot position (i.e. with the tip of the foot pulled up), the tongue-like extension is pulled relatively weakly against the shin guards by the elastic band. The intrinsic curvature of the tongue-like extension is set closely and based on the minimum possible radius of the foot-leg transition. The tongue-like extension is therefore not pressed against the shin guard at all by the internal stress. There is no risk that the tongue will stick out of the leg over time due to fatigue.

The protective padding made of plastic is advantageous, preferably an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer.

Fig. 1

eine Schutzpolsterung für Fuß und Schienbein in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht,

Fig. 2

die Polsterung gemäß Fig. 1 bei gestrecktem Fuß,

Fig. 3

die Polsterung gemäß Fig. 1 und 2 bei hochgezogenem Fuß,

Fig. 4

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform einer Schutzpolsterung für Fuß und Schienbein und

Fig. 5

eine weitere Abwandlung, bei der die zungenartige Verlängerung mit der Zunge eines Fußballschuhes verbunden ist.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

protective padding for the foot and shin in a side sectional view,

Fig. 2

1 with the foot extended,

Fig. 3

1 and 2 with the foot raised,

Fig. 4

a modified embodiment of protective padding for the foot and shin and

Fig. 5

a further modification in which the tongue-like extension is connected to the tongue of a soccer shoe.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, there is protective padding for the foot and shin of an athlete from one Foot part 3 and a shin guard 2. The basic Shin guards designed in a conventional manner 2 is, as usual, via straps 5 on the lower leg 1 of the Athletes attached. From a normal shin guard the shown shin guard 2 differs through a tongue-like extension 21, which is below the actual protection area approximately in the middle (from the front viewed) of the shin guards down on this connects. The tongue-like extension 21 is so short rated that function as a conventional shin guard (without the associated foot protection 3) not is affected.

The tongue-like extension 21 is essential Part of its width is very thin and therefore flexible. This contributes significantly to the fact that they does not interfere with physical activity. The tongue-like Extension 21 contains a rail-like recess 211, which occupies the greater part of their total width and which basically only a small part of the wall thickness of the Protective padding leaves.

Basically, this tongue-like extension 21 avoid if you have the tongue-like extension 31 of Extend foot or instep protection 3 accordingly and the rail-like guide device in the actual Would lay protection zone. However, there would be the rail-like Recess 211 weaken the protective effect. Man would then either have the rail-like recess 211 very much make narrow or space them in two or more dissolve narrow single rails, or one would have to the base wall thickness of the shin guard 2 at the location of Raise rail-like recess 211 so far that the Shin guards 2 despite the deepening of the protection requirements would still meet. These measures would, however the overall structure very thick and in cooperation with the tongue 31 of the foot or instep guard 3 is very oversized make because already in the rail area Thickened protection zone of the shin guard 2 would then come tongue 31 still lying. For these reasons, it is advantageous the tongue-like extension 21 as in Figs. Provide 1 to 3 shown.

The tongue-like extension 31 of the foot or instep protection 3 overlaps the tongue-like extension 21 of the Shin guard 2 and its lower central area. On the inside of the tongue-like extension 31 of the Foot protection 3 is a sled-like increase 311, with sufficient tolerance to the rail-like Recess 211 in the tongue-like extension 21 of the Shin guard 2 fits. The sleigh-like elevation 311 can be designed as a separate component and with the tongue-like extension 31 be connected. But it is also possible, the sled-like elevation 311 in one piece train with the tongue-like extension. The longitudinal extensions the rail-like recess 211 and the in essentially the same length sledge-like elevation 311 which are also referred to as a sled-like attachment can be such that the sledge-like increase 311 with foot 4 fully extended still in the Rail is guided (Fig. 2) and that the sled-like Elevation 311 not yet with the foot fully raised strikes at the end of the rail 211 (Fig. 3).

The lengths of the tongue-like extensions 31, 21 on the foot protection 3 and on the shin guards 2 are dimensioned in such a way that even with the foot completely extended, at least the rail-like recess 211 is covered. The length of the tongue-like extension 31 of the foot protection must therefore be at least about twice the length of the sled-like elevation 311 on the inside of the tongue-like Extension 31. The length of the tongue-like extension 21 on the shin guard is only that big like the length of the rail-like recess 211 or also shorter if this rail-like recess 211 is still on Piece in the circumference of the actual shin guard 2 immersed.

The sled-like rise could also be on the tongue-like Sitting the extension of the shin guard. In this Case would be the corresponding, compatible deepening on the Provided inside the tongue-like extension on the foot protection be. But since the tongue-like extension on Shin guards 2 rather thin and flexible, the tongue-like Extension on foot protection, on the other hand, should be rather stable this variant is possible, but less preferred.

The tongue on the foot / instep protector 3 is preferably strong arched, preferably approximately as large as the radius of the Bend your foot with the foot raised to the maximum (Fig. 3), possibly but also stronger. As a result, the tongue-like Extension 31 only when fully pulled up Foot (Fig. 3) rests pressure-free on the shin guards, in stands out against any other foot position. Near the top The end of the tongue-like extension 31 is an elastic one Tape 6 attached, which rotates around the tongue 31. It is also possible two symmetrical elastic bands on both Sides of the tongue 31 to end. The two ends 6a, 6b of the circulating band or the free end of the two individual straps are attached to the shin guards 2. 5 can be done in that the lower straps 5 of the shin guards 2 simple through eyelets 61 at the free ends 6a of the elastic band 6 or the elastic bands are looped through.

The length and tension of the elastic band respectively the elastic bands are set so that the tongue 31 on Foot / leg protection against their curvature on the shin guards 2 used and in every position at least with is pressed against a low voltage.

With an arrangement according to FIGS. 1 to 3, one can achieve that the contact pressure of the tongue 31 in each foot position very even and never so high that the Tongue 31 sticks due to high friction. With perfect straight foot 4a (Fig. 2) is the elastic band 6 respectively are the elastic bands stretched so that they exert a correspondingly high force on the tongue 31. This high force is desired since the tongue 31 is almost flat stretched and must be deformed strongly. When pulled up Foot 4b (Fig. 3), however, is the elastic band or are the elastic straps shortened as much as possible that they can only exert a slight force that is sufficient, however, because the tongue 31 lies in this position with its own curvature by itself on the Shin guards 2 on.

In this arrangement it is also ensured that the tongue 31 except by the elastic band in each foot position 4, 4a with the foot 4b raised to the maximum, always with a certain Component is pulled up, causing the sliding of the sled-like elevation 311 in the rail 211 effective supported.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 there is Special feature in that the tongue 32 of the foot protection 3 in a tunnel-shaped recess 22 on the inside of the Shin guard 2 is longitudinally displaceable. In this Embodiment, the elastic bands are not required. However, this arrangement must ensure that that the tongue 32 can not jam in the tunnel 22. The risk of jamming is increased if the shin guard very narrow and the tunnel volume has been reduced. Safe function is guaranteed if the shin guard material is sufficient is stiff when the cross section of the tongue 32 is relative is small and if the tongue 32 is sufficiently large has free play in the tunnel-like recess 22.

In this embodiment, the volume of the sled 321, which is displaceable in the tunnel-like recess 22 is identical to the volume of the tongue-like extension 32 of the foot / instep protector 3. This limits the thickness and extension of the tongue-like extension 32 in comparison to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the the expansion and thickness and thus the padding in the transition is freely selectable from the shin to the foot.

4, it may be appropriate to slide the tongue 32 in the tunnel-shaped recess 22 that the end of the tongue 32 with the inside of the shin guard 2 at the end of the recess 22 an elastic band connects (not shown in the drawing). The elastic band is attached to the shin guard 2 best connected with a Velcro fastener. It must be enough have a lot of stretch available to do with little Force increase over the entire movement path of the foot consequences.

For sports in which sports shoes and shin guards such as soccer or hockey, remains the ankle area according to the previously known Solutions completely unprotected, although he is more at risk of injury is and is therefore particularly in need of protection. The reason for this is that any clinking between Shoe and shin guards when doing sports significantly hindered.

To solve this problem, according to another advantageous Further development of the invention proposed that already existing, often already padded and at most soccer shoes strong beyond the edge of the shoe extended tongue in the same way as that tongue-like extension of the foot / leg protection described above. Both embodiments described above come here in question. 5 is an embodiment shown, namely the one in which the tongue extension the shin guard on the top overlaps.

General practice and also international association regulations require football socks over the Shin guards must be worn. To meet this requirement Taking this into account can be done with the tongue extension attached elastic band (or the two Elastic bands) with its free ends on the nozzle itself be attached. This can be done with a Velcro fastener. But it is also possible that the free ends are attached to a Velcro that runs around the calf becomes. These solutions also work without a guide rail, since the tension of the elastic bands is sufficient, to center the tongue extension.

Claims (16)

Protective padding for the foot and shin of a person, in particular an athlete, with a foot part (3) and a shin guard (2),
characterized,
that the foot part (3) and / or the shin guard (2) has / have a tongue-like extension (31, 21; 32). Protective padding according to claim 1, characterized in that on the shin guards (2) a first tongue-like Extension and on the foot part (3) one second tongue-like extension are provided. Protective padding according to claim 1, characterized in that on the foot part (3) a first tongue-like Extension (31) and on the shin guards (2) a second tongue-like extension (21) is provided are. Protective padding according to claim 3, characterized in that the first tongue-like extension (31) a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided. Protective padding according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the foot part (3) as a foot guard or foot and instep protectors is. Protective padding according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the first tongue-like Extension is longer than the second tongue-like extension. Protective padding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue-like Extension or the tongue-like extensions, especially the first tongue-like extension (31), is designed to be easily bendable, respectively are, preferably as soft foam protective padding. Protective padding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue-like Extension or the first tongue-like Extension (321) under the shin guards (2) is pushed. Protective padding according to claim 8, characterized in that that the shin guard (2) is a tunnel-like Has recess (22). Protective padding according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tongue-like extension or the first tongue-like extension (31) pushed over the shin guards (2) is. Protective padding according to claim 10, characterized in that that the shin guard (2) is a guide device having. Protective padding according to claim 11, characterized in that that the guide device as a rail-like Recess (211) is formed. Protective padding according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the tongue-like extension or the first tongue-like extension (31) has a sled-like attachment (311). Protective padding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-curvature the tongue-like extension or first tongue-like extension is less than that Curvature of the top of the foot in the most extended position. Protective padding according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue-like Extension or the first tongue-like Extension and the shin guards through an elastic Band (6; 6a, 6b) are interconnected. Protective padding according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that that they are made of an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer is made.

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