FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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Various embodiments described herein relate generally to an ankle protector, and more particularly to an ankle protector with high strength and flexibility.
BACKGROUND
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Ankle protectors are often desirable for use in shoes to protect a user from ankle injuries. Applicant has identified many technical challenges and difficulties associated with durability, protection level, and flexibility with such ankle protectors. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY
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In one or more embodiments, an ankle protector is provided, including an outside guard including an outer surface. In one or more embodiments, the outer surface defines a plurality of irregular channels. In one or more embodiments, each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channel has a wave structure.
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In one or more embodiments, the ankle protector further includes an inside guard, where the inside guard defines a cylindrical recess. In one or more embodiments, the ankle protector further includes a cylindrical component. In one or more embodiments, the cylindrical component is disposed in the cylindrical recess. In one or more embodiments, the outside guard further includes an inner surface. In one or more embodiments, the inner surface is proximate to the inside guard and the cylindrical component.
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In one or more embodiments, each of the outside guard and the inside guard includes a pentagonal shape.
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In one or more embodiments, the cylindrical component has a thickness of 6 millimeters.
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In one or more embodiments, each of the cylindrical component and the cylindrical recess has a diameter of between 55 millimeters and 65 millimeters.
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In one or more embodiments, at least one of the inside guard or the cylindrical component includes an open cell polyurethane foam.
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In one or more embodiments, the inside guard includes D60 foam.
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In one or more embodiments, the cylindrical component includes D30 foam.
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In one or more embodiments, the plurality of irregular channels includes 28 irregular channels.
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In one or more embodiments, the plurality of irregular channels are arranged in a crisscross pattern.
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In one or more embodiments, each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channels has a depth of 1 millimeter.
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In one or more embodiments, the plurality of irregular channels are defined on a raised portion of the outer surface.
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In one or more embodiments, the outside guard includes thermoplastic polyurethane.
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In one or more embodiments, an ankle protecting shoe is provided, including an ankle protector. In one or more embodiments, the ankle protector includes an outside guard including an outer surface. In one or more embodiments, the outer surface defines a plurality of irregular channels. In one or more embodiments, each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channel has a wave structure.
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In one or more embodiments, the ankle protector further includes an inside guard, where the inside guard defines a cylindrical recess. In one or more embodiments, the ankle protector further includes a cylindrical component, where the cylindrical component is disposed in the cylindrical recess. In one or more embodiments, the outside guard further includes an inner surface. In one or more embodiments, the inner surface is proximate to the inside guard and the cylindrical component.
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In one or more embodiments, each of the outside guard and the inside guard includes a pentagonal shape.
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In one or more embodiments, at least one of the inside guard or the cylindrical component includes an open cell polyurethane foam.
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In one or more embodiments, the plurality of irregular channels are arranged in a crisscross pattern.
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In one or more embodiments, the plurality of irregular channels are defined on a raised portion of the outer surface.
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In one or more embodiments, the outside guard includes thermoplastic polyurethane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a depiction of an ankle with an outline of an inside guard, an outside guard, and a cylindrical component in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 2A depicts an inside guard in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2B depicts dimensions of an inside guard in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 3 depicts a cylindrical component in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 4 depict an outside guard in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5A depicts a cylindrical component and a cylindrical recess of an inside guard in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5B depicts a front view of an ankle protector in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5C depicts a perspective view of an ankle protector in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 6 depicts example ankle protecting shoes including ankle protectors in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some, but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. Indeed, the embodiments may take many different forms, and accordingly this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
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It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more aspects are illustrated below, the disclosed systems, and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. While values for dimensions of various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be to scale.
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The words "example," or "exemplary," when used herein, are intended to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as an "example" or "exemplary embodiment" is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations.
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As used herein, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
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As used herein, the terms "coupled," "fixed," "attached to," and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.
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As used herein, the term "positioned directly on" refers to a first component being positioned on a second component such that they make contact. Similarly, as used herein, the term "positioned directly between" refers to a first component being positioned between a second component and a third component such that the first component makes contact with both the second component and the third component. In contrast, a first component that is "positioned between" a second component and a third component may or may not have contact with the second component and the third component. Additionally, a first component that is "positioned between" a second component and a third component is positioned such that there may be other intervening components between the second component and the third component other than the first component.
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It is desirable, in some examples, to increase the amount of protection an ankle protector provides and to increase flexibility to accommodate ankle and foot movement. Embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, an ankle protector that provides both high protection and high flexibility.
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Turning now to FIG. 1, a depiction of an ankle is provided with an outline of three ankle protector components illustrated on the ankle. An example ankle protector in some embodiments includes the three depicted components including an inside guard 110, a cylindrical component 120, and an outside guard 130 to protect the overall ankle while providing extra protection to the ankle bone and allowing the foot and ankle maintain a full range of motion.
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In one or more embodiments, an outline of an inside guard 110 is depicted over a protected area of the ankle. In the example depicted, the inside guard 110 is pentagonal shaped. In some examples, a point of the inside guard 110 is the lowest vertical point of inside guard 110 when worn on the ankle and a flat side of the inside guard 110 is the highest vertical point of inside guard 110 when worn on the ankle. In some examples, inside guard 110 appears as an upside-down pentagon when worn by a user. In some examples, the depicted shape and orientation of inside guard 110 provides protection to the full ankle of the user.
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In some examples, an inside guard 110 is proximate to an outside of a user's ankle. In some examples, the inside guard 110 has an inner surface which is closer to the ankle than any part of cylindrical component 120 and outside guard 130. In some examples, inside guard 110 is in direct contact with an ankle or a non-protective material surrounding the ankle (e.g., a sock).
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Example dimensions for an inside guard 110 are provided. In some examples, a top side 110a of inside guard 110 is 100 millimeters. In some examples, sides 110e and 1 10b of inside guard 110 are each 80 millimeters. In some examples, bottom sides 110d and 110c of inside guard 110 are each 70 millimeters. Dimensions of the sides of inside guard 110 may be proportionally adjusted depending on a user's shoe size. In some examples, the pentagonal shape caused by these dimensions provides comfort for the user while providing full protection.
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In some examples, a cylindrical component 120 is placed outside the inside guard (e.g., in a cylindrical recess defined by an outer surface of the inside guard 110). In some examples, the cylindrical component 120 has an inner surface proximate to an inside guard 110 and an outer surface proximate to an outside guard 130, such that it is a middle component of an ankle protector. In some examples, the cylindrical component 120 provides a user with extra cushion for a protruding ankle bone (i.e., a lateral malleolus).
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An example diameter 120a for a cylindrical component 120 is 60 millimeters. In some examples, a cylindrical component with a diameter of 60 millimeters is used for a user with a medium shoe size. In some examples, the diameter 120a may be adjusted up or down depending on a user's shoe size. As an example, a cylindrical component with a diameter 120a of 55 millimeters is used for a user with a small shoe size. As another example, a cylindrical component with a diameter 120a of 65 millimeters is used for a user with a large shoe size. In some examples, the diameter 120a allows the full lateral malleolus of a user's ankle to covered, thus increasing comfort and protection for the user.
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In one or more embodiments, an outline of an outside guard 130 is depicted over a protected area of the ankle. In the example depicted, the outside guard 130 is pentagonal shaped. In some examples, a point of the outside guard 130 is the lowest vertical point of outside guard 130 when worn on the ankle and a flat side of the outside guard 130 is the highest vertical point of outside guard 130 when worn on the ankle. In some examples, outside guard 130 appears as an upside-down pentagon when worn by a user. In some examples, the depicted shape and orientation of outside guard 130 provides protection to the full ankle of the user.
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In some examples, an outside guard 130 is distal from a user's ankle compared to both inside guard 110 and cylindrical component 120. In some examples, the outside guard 130 has an inner surface which is further away from the ankle than any part of cylindrical component 120 or inside guard 110. In some examples, an inside surface of outside guard 130 is in direct contact with an outside surface of inside guard 110 and/or cylindrical component 120.
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Example dimensions for an outside guard 130 are provided. In some examples, a top side 130a of outside guard 130 is 70 millimeters. In some examples, sides 130e and 130b of outside guard 130 are each 50 millimeters. In some examples, bottom sides 130d and 130c of outside guard 130 are each 60 millimeters. Dimensions of the sides of outside guard 130 may be proportionally adjusted depending on a user's shoe size. In some examples, the pentagonal shape caused by these dimensions provides comfort for the user while providing full protection. The example dimensions depicted are smaller than those of the inside guard 110. In some examples, outside guard must be larger than cylindrical component 120 but need not be as large as inside guard 110. However, in other examples, the sides of outside guard 130 are equal in length or larger than those of inside guard 110.
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Turning now to FIG. 2A, an example inside guard 110 is provided. In some examples, the inside guard 110 comprises a body component 210 and a recess 220.
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In one or more embodiments, body component 210 of inside guard 110 defines a pentagonal shape. In some examples, body component has a thickness of 15 millimeters. In some examples, a thickness of 15 millimeters allows sufficient cushion to protect a greater ankle area while allowing a recess 220 to be defined in body component 210.
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In some examples, body component 210 is made of an open cell polyurethane. In some examples, body component 210 is made of 60 shore A density open cell polyurethane (i.e., D60). Additionally or alternatively, body component 210 is made of synthetic rubber or other forms of polyurethane.
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In some examples, recess 220 is defined in the center of body component 210. In some examples, a recess 220 is defined in order to accommodate a cylindrical component 120. In some examples, recess 220 is a cylindrical recess.
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In some examples, recess 220 has a diameter 230 that is equal to a diameter 120a of a corresponding cylindrical component. As an example, a diameter 230 of 60 millimeters is be used for a user with a medium shoe size (e.g., European shoe size 42). As another example, a diameter 230 of 55 millimeters is used for a user with a small shoe size. As another example, a diameter 230 of 65 millimeters is used for a user with a large shoe size.
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In some examples, recess 220 has a depth 240 sufficient to accommodate a cylindrical component 120. As an example, a recess depth 240 of 6 millimeters is used to accommodate a cylindrical component 120 with a thickness of 6 millimeters. In other examples, a lower recess thickness 240 is used such that a cylindrical component 120 protrudes out of recess 220.
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Turning now to FIG. 2B, example dimensions of an inside guard 110 are provided. In some examples, inside guard 110 has a total height 250 of 100 millimeters. In some examples, inside guard 110 has a total width 260 of 110 millimeters. For example, the width of inside guard 110 is larger than the total height of inside guard 110 in order to provide full protection to the ankle. In some examples, a total height 250 of 100 millimeters and a total width 260 of 110 millimeters is be used for a user with a medium shoes size. In other examples, these dimensions are adjusted up or down for users with larger or smaller shoe sizes, respectively.
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Turning now to FIG. 3, an example cylindrical component 120 is provided. In some examples, the cylindrical component 120 is a foam insert that is placed in a recess 220 of inside guard 110. In some examples, cylindrical component 120 is proximate to an outer surface of inside guard 110 and an inner surface of outside guard 130.
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In some examples, cylindrical component 120 is made of a protective foam. In some examples, cylindrical component 120 is made of an open cell polyurethane. For example, cylindrical component 120 is made from D30 foam in some embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, cylindrical component 120 is made of soft thermoplastic polyurethane or other materials with shock absorption properties.
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In some examples, cylindrical component 120 provides extra protection to a protruding ankle bone (i.e., lateral malleolus). For example, cylindrical component 120 acts as a cushion that absorbs shock when an object strikes the area of the lateral malleolus. The example cylindrical component also provides extra thickness to prevent ankle rolling.
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An example cylindrical component 120 includes sufficient thickness to provide extra cushioning to the lateral malleolus in proportion with a user's shoe size. For example, for a user of European size 42, an example cylindrical component 120 has a radius 120a of 60 millimeters and a thickness of 6 millimeters. In other examples, the thickness may be decreased to, for example, 1 millimeter.
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In some examples, cylindrical component 120 is shaped such that it covers and cushions a user's lateral malleolus. In some examples, the cylindrical component is sized and/or shaped to cover a user's lateral malleolus and is placed directly on the user's lateral malleolus in the recess 220.
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Turning now to FIG. 4, an outside guard 120 is provided. In some examples, the outside guard 130 comprises a base portion 410 and a raised portion 420. In some examples, based portion 410 may be 1.5 millimeters thick, which is sufficient to act as a protector layer without adding excess weight.
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In one or more embodiments, base portion 410 of outside guard 130 defines a pentagonal shape. In some examples, base portion 410 is forms a pentagon of equal or smaller size than inside guard 110.
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In some examples, base portion 410 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Additionally or alternatively, base portion 410 may be made of polyurethane, synthetic rubber, or a rigid material. The example materials are durable and provide a user with long-term protection of the ankle.
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In some examples, raised portion 420 defined in the center of outside guard 130. For example, the pentagonal shape defined by raised portion 420 is smaller than the pentagonal shape defined by base portion 410. In some examples, raised portion 420 has sides with lengths between 50 millimeters and 70 millimeters to cover the perimetric area of the ankle bone.
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In some examples, raised portion 420 is defined in order to accommodate a cylindrical component 120. In some examples, raised portion has a pentagonal shape. For example, raised portion 420 may be 1.5 millimeters thick to act as a protective layer and elevated several millimeters above base portion 410 in order to accommodate cylindrical component 120. In some examples, raised portion 420 is an extruded pillow like-protector for the ankle. In some examples, raised portion 420 creates a hollow area between raised portion 420 and the body component 210 of inside guard 110. In some examples, the hollow area has a thickness 440 that is large enough to accommodate cylindrical component 120.
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In some examples, raised portion 420 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Additionally or alternatively, raised portion 420 may be made of polyurethane, synthetic rubber, or a rigid material. The example materials are durable and provide a user with long-term protection of the ankle.
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In some examples, an outer surface of raised portion 420 defines a plurality of irregular channels 430. In some examples, each of the plurality of irregular channels has a wave structure. For example, each irregular channel may be curved and have changing curvature throughout the irregular channel. The example irregular channels may be overlapping in a crisscross pattern. The example irregular channels, follow foot morphology, anatomy, and movement of the user and thus provide flexibility when the user bends the ankle to, for example, kneel or crouch. The example irregular channels allow free and entire movement of the ankle area. The example irregular channels allow flexibility of the outside guard 130 no matter how pressure from the foot is applied against the outside guard 130 (e.g., vertically, horizontally, or diagonally).
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In some examples, the plurality of irregular channels comprises 28 irregular channels. 28 irregular channels allows a sufficient number of irregular channels to track foot anatomy of the user and increase flexibility of the outside guard 130.
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In some examples, each of the plurality of irregular channels is 1 millimeter deep. A depth of 1 millimeter for the irregular channels is sufficient depth to increase flexibility of the outside guard, while leaving sufficient material in raised portion 420 to maintain the durability and protection of outside guard 130.
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Turning now to FIG. 5A, an illustration of a cylindrical component 120 and an inside guard 110 is provided. In some embodiments, the inside guard 110 is placed proximate to a user's ankle, with recess 220 facing away from the user's ankle. An example cylindrical component 120 is then placed into the recess 120 in order to provide cushion to a user's lateral malleolus.
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Turning now to FIG. 5B-5C, a front view and a perspective view of an ankle protector 510 are provided, respectively. In the example ankle protector 510, an outer guard 130 is placed outside the inner guard 110 and cylindrical component 120 such that it is the furthest component away from a user's ankle. In some examples, base portion 410 is coupled to inner guard 110. Thus, the user's ankle is protected by all three of the inner guard 110, the cylindrical component 120, and the outer guard 130. This combination includes example benefits such as increased ankle protection for the user. By combining all three components, the example ankle protector 510 provides more protection for the user than any one of the components would individually. In addition, the irregular channels 430 defined by the raised portion 420 of outside guard 130 allow flexibility of the ankle protector 510 such that a user experiences full range of motion in the ankle while wearing the ankle protector 510. For example, a user may experience full extension and flexion of the ankle while wearing the ankle protector 510.
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Turning now to FIG. 6, example ankle protecting shoes 610 are provided. In some examples, ankle protecting shoes 610 are designed to cover a user's foot and ankle. For example, an ankle protecting shoe 610 includes an ankle protector 510 on a top lateral portion of the ankle protecting shoe 610. Thus, a user's ankle is protected from rolling or being struck when an example ankle protecting shoe 610 is worn by the user. The example ankle protecting shoes 610 are useful in a variety of occupations such as construction and rescue. Thus, the example ankle protecting shoes 610 may be used as a work boot. Additionally, the example ankle protecting shoes 610 are useful for recreational activities with high ankle risk, such as basketball or hiking.
CONCLUSION
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The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosure and corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, are described herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations, combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subject matter, and are therefore considered within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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The present disclosure extends to the following numbered statements:
- S1. An ankle protector, comprising:
- an outside guard comprising an outer surface,
- wherein the outer surface defines a plurality of irregular channels, and
- wherein each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channel has a wave structure.
- S2. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein the ankle protector further comprises:
- an inside guard, wherein the inside guard defines a cylindrical recess; and
- a cylindrical component, wherein the cylindrical component is disposed in the cylindrical recess,
- wherein the outside guard further comprises an inner surface, and
- wherein the inner surface is proximate to the inside guard and the cylindrical component.
- S3. The ankle protector of statement S2, wherein each of the outside guard and the inside guard comprises a pentagonal shape.
- S4. The ankle protector of statement S2, wherein the cylindrical component has a thickness of 6 millimeters.
- S5. The ankle protector of statement S2, wherein each of the cylindrical component and the cylindrical recess has a diameter of between 55 millimeters and 65 millimeters.
- S6. The ankle protector of statement S2, wherein at least one of the inside guard or the cylindrical component comprises an open cell polyurethane foam.
- S7. The ankle protector of statement S6, wherein the inside guard comprises D60 foam.
- S8. The ankle protector of statement S6, wherein the cylindrical component comprises D30 foam.
- S9. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein the plurality of irregular channels comprises 28 irregular channels.
- S10. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein the plurality of irregular channels are arranged in a crisscross pattern.
- S11. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channels has a depth of 1 millimeter.
- S12. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein the plurality of irregular channels are defined on a raised portion of the outer surface.
- S13. The ankle protector of statement S1, wherein the outside guard comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.
- S14. An ankle protecting shoe, comprising:
- an ankle protector, comprising:
- an outside guard comprising an outer surface,
- wherein the outer surface defines a plurality of irregular channels, and
- wherein each irregular channel of the plurality of irregular channel has a wave structure.
- S15. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S14, wherein the ankle protector further comprises:
- an inside guard, wherein the inside guard defines a cylindrical recess; and
- a cylindrical component, wherein the cylindrical component is disposed in the cylindrical recess,
- wherein the outside guard further comprises an inner surface, and
- wherein the inner surface is proximate to the inside guard and the cylindrical component.
- S16. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S15, wherein each of the outside guard and the inside guard comprises a pentagonal shape.
- S17. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S15, wherein at least one of the inside guard or the cylindrical component comprises an open cell polyurethane foam.
- S18. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S14, wherein the plurality of irregular channels are arranged in a crisscross pattern.
- S19. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S14, wherein the plurality of irregular channels are defined on a raised portion of the outer surface.
- S20. The ankle protecting shoe of statement S14, wherein the outside guard comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.