EP2908677B1 - Dynamic shin guard - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of shin guards, in particular for sporting activities in the field of skiing (especially downhill, giant slalom and slalom), inline sports, ice hockey, American football or other sports in which the tibia must be protected and in particular transition region between Foot and tibia must be optimally covered.

STATE OF THE ART

The known shin guards in this area consist of a hard shin element, which has a concave inner side surrounding an interior of the shin guards, typically with a soft padding or foaming, which serves to receive the shin or the lower leg of the user. At the lower edge, the shin guards are pulled down as far as possible, so that the lower edge of the shin guards comes as close as possible to the corresponding surface of the shoe or foot. An optionally existing gap between the tibial element of the protector and the shoe or foot may e.g. be bridged by a flexible region, for example, a projecting beyond the lower edge of the tibial element fleece portion of the inside auspolstenden nonwoven.

US5732411A discloses a tibia protector according to the preamble of claim 1.

The problem with such constructions is that the transition region between the foot and the shin guards is not sufficient, in particular for the heavy loads, for example when in contact with a rod in slalom, in particular because the distance between the shin guard and the upper edge of the shoe in function of the angle of attack between foot and Lower leg changes and, accordingly, the gap is subjected to a steady dynamic change.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved shin guards. In particular, attention should be paid to a better protection of the transitional area between foot or shoe of the user and shin.

The core idea of the present invention is to form the shin guards from two rigid and hard elements, a shin element and a sliding element. Both elements are designed as substantially curved in one direction only surfaces on the concave inside of the leg of the user comes to rest, and the outside of which assumes the protective function. The two elements are now slidably mounted relative to each other along the axis of the shin guards, and not only that, the storage is dynamic and spring-loaded, that is, in the relaxed state of the shin guards in the maximum length and it can be reduced to some extent against the spring force.

If now the upper part, the shin element, attached to the lower leg of the user, so in other words, the sliding element in the axial direction for use is dynamically displaced. The sliding element is now arranged so that it comes into abutment with the shoe or the foot of the user. If the angle between the foot or shoe and the leg of the user changes, and thus also the gap arranged in the transition area, this gap remains always closed due to this dynamically displaceable mounting, and even with very strong squat of the user (small angle between foot and foot) Lower leg), there is no unpleasant drag by an abutting shin guards. Specifically, the present invention relates to a tibial protector having a tibial element formed on the basis of a hard plastic (or metal or combination thereof) having a concave inner surface curved transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tibial protector having an internal space for receiving the tibial region of a tibial User encloses. In this case, the shin protector is characterized in that it has at the foot of the user facing lower end a separate, formed on the basis of a hard plastic or metal flat sliding element, with substantially the same width as the tibial component. This tibial element has a tibial component adapted in its lower region, curved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tibial protector formed, concave inner side and a convex outer surface. In addition, the shin protector is characterized in that now just the sliding element is mounted on the tibial element substantially dynamically displaceable along the longitudinal axis within defined limits against a directed to the foot spring force.

A first preferred embodiment of this shin guards is characterized in that the sliding element with its convex outer surface on the concave inner side, so to speak slidably on this, is arranged to be displaceable. It may also be slidably mounted parallel (i.e., at some distance) to the concave inner side.

In general, it proves to be advantageous if, in the relaxed state of maximum length of the tibial protector, the sliding element is arranged on the side facing the interior of the tibial component, and thus is then covered on the front side over an overlap region with an axial overlap length in the axial direction of the tibial component. This preferably over the entire width of the tibial component. This overlap length is preferably, for maximum stability even at high loads, in the longest coverage area in the axial direction 2-15 cm, preferably in the range of 5-10 cm.

Preferably, the sliding element can be displaced along the longitudinal axis in a range of 0.5-10 cm, preferably in a range of 1-7 cm, in particular preferably in a range of 2-5 cm.

The sliding element may preferably for further protective effect on the outside edge side use a trained only in the edge region, the user's foot in the direction of the outer ankle area covering downward extension, preferably the sliding element and this extension are integrally formed.

On the inner side of the tibial element, according to a further preferred embodiment, at least one guided spring mechanism arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis is provided. Preferably, not only a single such spring mechanism is provided, but a plurality, preferably preferably distributed around the peripheral portion in the transition region at least two or at least three such spring mechanisms, preferably evenly distributed.

The spring mechanism preferably comprises a spring element, for example in the form of a spiral spring, but it is also an elastomeric spring or a combination of such elements possible. Also conceivable are deflection mechanisms with elastic bands. The spring element is thereby preferably mounted in a fastening, preferably in the form of a receiving or forming on the inside of the tibial element with a downwardly open blind hole. Furthermore, the spring element is braced against the sliding element, for example under direct or indirect stop with the upper edge of the sliding element.

The spring mechanism can, in order to protect the underlying leg or the underlying clothing, have a guide tube, in whose interior the spring element is guided. The guide tube is thereby preferably attached or connected with its upper end in the attachment or forms part of this attachment, and with its lower end via a fastener, typically a screw or rivet, with the tibial element further down. In this case, the guide tube on the tibial element facing side has a recess for the sliding element, and the sliding element has each for each fastener (with multiple spring mechanisms) via an axially extending guide slot whose upper respectively lower end dictate the limits for axial mobility the lower fastener of the guide tube passes through this slot.

The shin element and / or the sliding element may be formed of a rigid plastic material, preferably a fiber and / or fabric reinforced plastic material, particularly preferably based on polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture and / or a copolymer of such systems , In particular, glass- and / or carbon-fiber-reinforced materials based on these or other polymers can be used, and / or laminates of such materials, in which case identical or different materials can be used in different layers of the laminate.

On the inside of the shin element and / or sliding element, a soft material may be arranged, preferably in the form of at least one foaming, a foam layer, a fabric layer, a nonwoven layer or a combination of such layers.

The soft material may in particular be arranged on the inside of the tibial element such that it does not hinder the axial movability of the sliding element, Preferably by having a slot for the wall of the sliding element or by being excluded in the range of mobility of the sliding element.

Fasteners are typically provided on the tibial component for attachment of the tibial protector to the leg of the user. These are, for example, fastening straps and / or recesses arranged in pairs at essentially the same height, to which fastening straps, particularly preferably woven straps, can be fastened and / or passed. Such fastening straps can be fixed for example via Velcro fasteners, optionally in combination with elastic regions. The fastening straps may also be provided with anti-slip and / or friction-enhancing means (such as silicone prints or woven rubber threads), particularly on the inside thereof, to ensure a better grip of the protector on the leg of the user.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that fastening elements for fastening the shin guards to the user are provided on the tibial element, which are fastening elements arranged in the lower region for attachment to the user's shoe. Preferably, such fasteners may be in the form of openings, particularly preferably with additional retaining lugs for easy hanging of strings, or in the form of fastening tabs for the implementation of fastening cords.

Also on the sliding element fasteners may be provided for attachment of the shin guards on the user's shoe.

On a convex outside, the tibial member may further comprise at least one rigid or partially elastic rib (or comb) extending over substantially the entire axial length of the tibial member, preferably in the form of a substantially pyramidal rib in a cross-section an axially extending tip. This rib may be integrally formed with the shin element and of the same material, or attached as a separate element on the outside of the shin element (for example, by gluing, screwing, riveting, or the like). The fin itself may be made of or coated with a friction-minimizing material (eg, rib of aluminum, eg, coated with PTFE). This results in the further options, namely an exchange of Ribs after their wear or to adapt them to the characteristics of the deflected goal posts. The ribs can therefore continue to be fastened releasably replaceable on the tibial component. For example, with a detachable clamping, latching, snap, or Schieberast- or Schiebeschnappmechanismus, with easily removable screws, nuts, slides, or similar, without significant use of tools or destruction of the components releasable mechanisms. Further, the ribs can be made in different shapes and heights to individually adjust the protector by an exchange and to flexibly change its properties adapted to the conditions.

Such, arranged on a convex outer side of the tibial member, preferably over substantially the entire axial length of the tibial member extending over the surface raised rigid or partially elastic rib (or comb), preferably in the form of a substantially pyramidal in a cross section rib with a axially extending tip, is also independent of a sliding element substantially along the longitudinal axis within defined limits against a foot directed spring force dynamic bearing an invention, especially when the ribs are interchangeable attached. Thus, regardless of the above, the invention also relates to a tibial protector having a tibial element formed on the basis of a hard plastic or metal, which has a concave inner side which is curved transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tibial protector and encloses an interior for receiving the tibial region of a user characterized in that there is provided on a convex outer side of the tibial member at least one rigid rib projecting over substantially the entire axial length of the tibial member over the surface, preferably in the form of a substantially pyramidal rib with a cross section in the cross section essential axially extending tip, said rib is attached as a replaceable separate element on the outside of the tibial component. This rib may be formed of the same material and attached as a separate element on the outside of the tibial element (for example by gluing, screws, rivets, or the like). Again, the rib itself may be made of or coated with a friction-minimizing material (eg, rib of aluminum, eg, coated with PTFE). This results in the above further options, namely an exchange of the ribs after their wear or around this the Adjust the characteristics of the deflected goal posts. The ribs can therefore continue to be fastened releasably replaceable on the tibial component. So here, for example, with a detachable clamping, latching, snap, or Schieberast- or Schiebeschnappmechanismus, with easily (possibly purely manually) releasable screws, nuts, slides, or similar, without significant use of tools or destruction of the components releasable mechanisms. Further, the ribs can be made in different shapes and heights to individually adjust the protector by an exchange and to flexibly change its properties adapted to the conditions. Otherwise, the same preferred features may be present in such a construction as described in connection with the main invention, namely, straps, inner soft padding, edge protectors, etc.

The sliding element may have an edge protector on its lower edge which comes into contact with the foot and / or shoe of the user, which is preferably slightly concave in order to receive the instep, preferably in the form of a material strip of metal and / or a plastic which encompasses the edge. preferably a fiber or fabric reinforced plastic.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pair of two mirror-symmetrically designed shin guards as shown above.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht auf einen Schienbeinschoner;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht von der Innenseite (bezogen auf einen den Schoner tragenden Benutzer);

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht von der Aussenseite (bezogen auf einen den Schoner tragenden Benutzer);

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht von oben;

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht von unten;

Fig. 6

einen axialen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A in Figur 1

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht von hinten in den Schienbeinschoner;

Fig. 8

ein Detail entsprechend Kreis X in Figur 6 zur Illustration des Federungsmechanismus;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht in den Innenraum von der Aussenseite;

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Aussenseite;

Fig. 11

eine erste mögliche Befestigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 12

eine zweite mögliche Befestigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 13

eine dritte mögliche Befestigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 14

eine Frontansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels mit einem axialen Kamm;

Fig. 14a

ein horizontaler Schnitt durch ein Schienbeinelement gemäss Figur 14;

Fig. 15

eine Seitenansicht mit den seitlichen Befestigungselementen; und

Fig. 16

eine Frontansicht mit Illustration des Kantenschutzes für das Schiebeelement, wobei im Kreis eine Schnittdarstellung angegeben ist.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a front view of a shin guards;

Fig. 2

a side view from the inside (relative to a schooner-bearing user);

Fig. 3

a side view from the outside (relative to a user carrying the schooner);

Fig. 4

a view from above;

Fig. 5

a view from below;

Fig. 6

an axial section along the line AA in FIG. 1

Fig. 7

a view from behind in the shin guards;

Fig. 8

a detail corresponding to circle X in FIG. 6 to illustrate the suspension mechanism;

Fig. 9

a perspective view into the interior of the outside;

Fig. 10

a perspective view of the outside;

Fig. 11

a first possible fastening device;

Fig. 12

a second possible attachment device;

Fig. 13

a third possible fastening device;

Fig. 14

a front view of an embodiment with an axial comb;

Fig. 14a

a horizontal section through a tibial element according FIG. 14 ;

Fig. 15

a side view with the lateral fastening elements; and

Fig. 16

a front view with illustration of the edge protection for the sliding element, wherein in the circle is a sectional view.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the figures, an embodiment of a shin guards according to the invention is shown. The tibial protector 1 in this case comprises a tibial element 2 which forms the upper element of the tibial protector facing the user's knee. On the bottom, i. on the side facing the foot of the user, another likewise rigid protective element is provided, the sliding element 3. Both elements are designed as a kind of tunnel-shaped elements, thereby enclosing an interior space 18 in which the leg of the user lies.

The tibial element 2 has an outer side 5, which is convex, and an inner side 16, which is concave. The general configuration is ergonomic and the element extends along a longitudinal axis 41 from the upper edge 6, which is typically rounded, to the lower edge 4, which is typically formed at least in the central region.

In the figures, a shin protector for the right leg of a user is shown, the corresponding protection element for the left tibia is designed mirror-symmetrically thereto.

The side edges are arranged on the respective sides, especially on the inside the side edge 7 and on the outside of the outer edge 8. The transition between the respective side edge 7/8 and he lower edge 4 is designed rounded, the same applies to the transitions to the upper edge. 6

Below the tibial element 2 and, to a certain extent, arranged behind this, the sliding element 3 is provided. The sliding element 3 is adapted in its curvature to the lower portion of the tibial element 2 and has a lower edge 10 facing the foot, and typically coming in close contact with the shoe. This is slightly concave around the round top of the shoe. This lower edge 10 also expands on the outside, ie. laterally facing the ankle, over an even further downwardly extending outer side extension 15, which serves a further protection of the outer area.

The sliding element 3 also has a convex outer surface 11, an upper edge 12, an inner side edge 13 and an outer side edge 14 FIGS. 1 to 10 an embodiment is shown, and in each case corresponding reference numerals show the same elements. The shin protector is shown in the position shown in its maximum length, ie the sliding element 3 is displaced maximally downwards and at its lower stop.

This sliding element 3 is now slidably mounted relative to the shin element 2 and indeed under a spring tension, this is a mechanism provided, the best of the FIGS. 6 to 8 can be understood.

On the inside 17 of the tibial element 2 receiving projections 20 are provided in this case, namely three such elements, distributed to some extent around the circumference, and these provide each downwardly open recess in the form of a blind hole 21 is available. These fasteners 20 are disposed in the lower half of the tibial element 2.

In general, the shin element 2 has an axial length that is approximately at least twice as large, preferably at least four times as large as the axial length of the sliding element 3.

In each of these receiving projections 20, a guide tube 22, for example, made of aluminum or a plastic, attached, this can be done via a press fit, gluing or else via a screw. These extending to the sliding element 3 guide tubes 22 serve as a receptacle for a coil spring 23 which is on the upper side in abutment with the bottom of the attachment 20, if not the Guide tube 22 has a bottom surface.

In the lower area, i. in that region of the guide tube 22, which is not in the blind hole 21, the guide tube 22 is on the side facing the shin element 2 except, i. There is here a recess 24, which thus to a certain extent provides a slot between the wall of the tibial element 2 and the tube 22. The lower part of the guide tube 22 is connected by a screw 19 to the corresponding wall section of the tibial element 2. This screw 19 passes on the other side an elongated guide slot 25 in the sliding element 3. This guide slot 25 is arranged substantially axially and has an upper end in the form of an upper stop 26 and a lower end in the form of a lower stop 27. Die Führungsschlitze 25 the various spring mechanisms are arranged in parallel.

As already mentioned above, the tibial protector 1 in the form shown in the figures is in the extreme stop, i. the sliding element 3 is arranged as far down as possible, the spring 23 maximum relaxed, and accordingly the screw 19 in abutment with the upper stop 26 of the slot 25. The spring 23 is namely with its underside in abutting stop with the upper edge 12 of the sliding element 3 and expresses this, provided that no force is exerted on the sliding element 3 from below, in the maximum stop position on the edge 26th

Now, if the sliding element 3 is pushed upwards from below, for example because the user reduces the angle of attack between the tibia and the foot, the sliding element 3 shifts behind the tibial element 2 against the spring force of the spring 23. It is characterized by in this case three guide slots 25 optimally guided and accordingly can never form a slot between the tibia and foot by this spring-loaded displaceability and there can be no interference from a back pressure because of a too small angle between lower leg and foot.

Such a shin guards design must be attached to the user, this is done on the one hand by fabric straps that in on FIG. 15 shown fastening tabs 37 are fixed respectively. be passed through provided in this implementation slots 39 and, for example, with Velcro, optionally in combination with elastic Breichen, attached.

In addition to the arranged in the upper region fastening tabs 37 as in FIG. 15 can be provided in the lower area fasteners for attachment to the shoe, as shown in the FIGS. 11 to 13 are shown. A simple mounting option can be realized by an opening 28 is provided (see. FIG. 11 ), which has a nose-shaped extension 29. A fastening cord, for example made of Dyneema can be pushed in this case simply as an eyelet from one side into this hole and slipped over the nose, ie the fastening cord must then not be threaded through the hole.

An alternative construction is the attachment of a specially provided tab 30 with a mounting opening 31, so in FIG. 12 shown.

Yet another attachment option is a tab 30 (see. FIG. 13 ), which is formed for example of metal and is rolled once at its outer end, so that a terminal fastening sleeve 32 is formed, through which a cord 33 can be pulled through, and with this string the construction can be attached to the shoe.

A further improvement, in particular for the slalom area, can be achieved with regard to use if a solid central rib 34 is arranged on the outer surface 5 of the tibial element, as shown in FIGS FIGS. 14 and 14a is shown. This rib can absorb the impact forces of the rod optimally by having a comb 35 and two lateral flanks 36, the rib can be either completely stiff or slightly elastic, depending on the type of use.

Due to the heavy load in the use of the lower edge 10 of the sliding element must be paid special attention. If the material of which the sliding element 3 is made does not easily withstand these mechanical stresses, it may prove advantageous to provide an edge protection 40 which serves to protect this edge. This can be formed, for example, in the form of a material layer encompassing the edge, for example of a fiber-reinforced plastic. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 Shin guards 20 Aufnahmeanformung 2 Shin element, upper element of 2 21 Receiving opening of 20, down blind hole open 3 Sliding element, lower element of 2 22 guide tube 23 Spring element, spiral spring 4 Lower edge of 2 24 Recess in 22 5 convex outer surface of 2 25 Guide slot in the 3 6 Top edge of 2 26 top stop of 25 7 inside side edge of 2 27 bottom stop of 25 28 fastening opening 8th outside side edge of 2 29 Nose in 28 30 lower fastening strap 9 rounded transition area 31 Mounting opening in 30 32 Mounting sleeve in 30 10 Lower edge of 3 33 line 11 convex outer surface of 3 34 axial comb 12 Top edge of 3 35 Top of 34 13 inside side edge of 3 36 Flanks of 34 37 upper fastening strap 14 outside side edge of 3 38 Fixing screw / mounting rivet 15 external extension 39 Implementation slot in 37 down from 10 40 Edge protection at 10 16 concave inside of 2 41 Longitudinal axis of 1 17 concave inside of 3 18 Interior of 1 19 fixing screw

Claims (15)

1. A shin guard (1) having a shin element (2) which is based on a hard plastic or metal and has a concave inner side (16) which is curved transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis (41) of the shin guard and encloses an interior (18) for accommodating the shin region of a user,
   wherein
   the shin guard, at the lower end of the shin element (2) directed toward the foot of the user, has a separate sliding element (3), which is based on a hard plastic or metal and has a concave inner side (17), which is adapted to the lower region of the shin element (2) and is curved transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (41) of the shin guard, and also a convex outer surface (11),
   charcterized in that
   the sliding element (3) is mounted so as to be dynamically movable substantially along the longitudinal axis (41), within defined limits, counter to a spring force directed toward the foot.
2. The shin guard (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sliding element (3) is mounted so as to be movable with its convex outer surface (11) running on or parallel to the concave inner side (16), wherein, in the relaxed state of maximum length of the shin guard (1), the sliding element (3), on the side directed toward the interior (18), is covered at the front in the axial direction with an axial coverage length across an overlap area, preferably covered across the entire width of the shin element (2), wherein the axial coverage length in the longest coverage area is preferably 2-15 cm, preferably in the range of 5-10 cm.
3. The shin guard (1) as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (3) can be moved along the longitudinal axis (41) in a range of 0.5-10 cm, preferably in a range of 1-7 cm, particularly preferably in a range of 2-5 cm.
4. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (3), on the outer side facing outward during use, has an extension part (15) formed only in the edge area and covering the foot of the user in the direction of the outer ankle area, wherein the sliding element (3) and this extension part (15) are preferably formed in one piece.
5. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guided spring mechanism (20-24) arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis (41) is provided on the inner side of the shin element (2), wherein at least two or at least three such spring mechanisms (20-24) are distributed, preferably uniformly, preferably distributed about the circumferential portion in the transition area.
6. The shin guard (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the spring mechanism (20-24) is a spring element (23), preferably in the form of a spiral spring, which is mounted in a fastening (20), preferably in the form of a receiving formation on the inner side of the shin element (2) with a downwardly open blind hole (21), and which is braced against the sliding element (3), preferably with direct or indirect abutment on the upper edge (12) of the sliding element (3).
7. The shin guard (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the spring mechanism (20-24) has a guide tube (22), in the interior of which the spring element (23) is guided and which is secured with its upper end in the fastening (20) and with its lower end with a fastening element (19) to the shin element (2), wherein the guide tube (22), on the side directed toward the shin element (2), has a recess (24) for the sliding element (3), and wherein the sliding element has, for each fastening element (19), an axially extending guide slit (25) whose upper end (26) and lower end (27) define the limits for the axial mobility.
8. The shin element (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shin element (2) and/or the sliding element (3) are made from a stiff plastics material, preferably a fiber-reinforced and/or fabric-reinforced plastics material, particularly preferably based on polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture and/or a copolymer of such systems, and/or based on glass-reinforced and/or carbon-fiber-reinforced materials and/or as laminates.
9. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shin element (2) and/or the sliding element (3) are made from a stiff plastics material, and a soft material is arranged on the inner side of the shin element (2) and/or sliding element (3), preferably in the form of at least an expanded foam, a foam layer, a woven layer, a nonwoven layer or a combination of such layers, wherein the soft material is arranged on the inner side of the shin element (2) in particular in such a way that it does not impede the axial mobility of the sliding element (3), preferably since it has a slit for the wall of the sliding element (3), or since it is cut out in the area of mobility of the sliding element (3).
10. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening elements (37, 39) for fastening the shin guard to the leg of the user are provided on the shin element (2), wherein these fastening elements are preferably fastening tabs (37) and/or recesses (39) arranged in pairs at the same height, on which fastening straps, particularly preferably woven straps, can be secured and/or guided through, wherein the fastening straps can particularly preferably be secured with Velcro fasteners.
11. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening elements (28-32) for fastening the shin guard (1) to the user are provided on the shin element (2), wherein these fastening elements are arranged in the lower area for fastening to the shoe of the user, and wherein the fastening elements are preferably in the form of openings (28), particularly preferably with additional retaining lugs (29), or in the form of fastening tabs for guiding through fastening laces.
12. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fastening elements for fastening the shin guard (1) to the shoe of the user are provided on the sliding element (3).
13. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on a convex outer side of the shin element (2), at least one stiff rib (34) is provided which preferably extends over substantially the entire axial length of the shin element (2) and is raised above the surface, preferably in the form of a rib of substantially pyramidal cross section with a substantially axially extending tip (35), wherein this rib (34) is preferably formed in one piece with the shin element (2) and made from the same material or is secured, in particular as an exchangeable separate element, on the outer side of the shin element (2).
14. The shin guard (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding element (3), at its lower edge (10) coming into contact with the foot and/or shoe of the user, has an edge protector (40), preferably in the form of a material strip of metal and/or plastic, preferably a fiber-reinforced or fabric-reinforced plastic, engaging around the edge.
15. A pair of two shin guards (1), of mirror symmetry, as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

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