ES2297410T3 - ARTICULATION PROTECTOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

A joint protector (1) for a knee or an elbow including an attachment portion (3) for enclosing the area around the joint with a cut-out into which a cushioning protective pad (2) is attached, wherein the protective pad is provided with grooves (8) for forming sections for increasing its flexibility. The protective pad (2) has, essentially centrally, a positioning portion (5) with an inwardly directed, adapted recess (6) for enclosing, and positioning of the protector relative to, an extreme portion of the joint (i.e. the knee cap, the elbow tip etc). The grooves (8) are turned inwardly for forming a flexible adaptation portion (14, 15...) in a peripheral area with respect to the positioning portion (5). The invention also relates to a protective pad (2).

Description

Joint protector

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a protector of joint.

Description of the prior art

A joint protector in the form of a Knee protector is already known by athletes, in particular by handball players. In this protector of the knee previously known, the protective pad, with in order to increase its adjustment capacity, it is provided with outward shaped pillow sections, which are separated by stretch marks that extend down to the bottom of the damping layer, which is thereby divided in those sections.

Out, also covering the sides of the stretch marks, the protective pad is stratified with a wear resistant textile material. Inward, against the knee, the protective pad is essentially soft and is provided with an elastic textile material.

Known knee protector works generally fine, but in certain situations the impacts against the knee that take place in the region of stretch marks, between sections, tend to be less cushioned and could therefore affect the knee, since in those regions a essential damping. In addition, the knee protector can be experienced by a user as not distinct and rigid, and slide down the knee so that, in use, you can move from an optimal position.

As examples of the prior art they can mention:

The document US-A-50 77 837, which refers to a joint protector that has a tubular joint part and a protective pad sewn to its exterior. This document forms the preamble of the independent claims that accompany as an annex.

The document FR-A1-27 97 154, which refers to a knee pad to lock while kneeling. This pad is intended to be temporarily inserted into the pocket of one leg of pants, and has to be considered as a static, passive knee protector.

The document US-A-15 25 298, in which describes a knee protector with a pad, a spiral  felt and elastic leg bands.

The document FR-A3-28 15 519, which refers to a protector in relation to an article of clothing, in particular for people who work on their knees, and to distribute the pressure for a long time. Also this protector is a protector passive, static

A joint protector according to the Preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 202 07 345 U.

Objective and most important features of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to improve a active joint protector according to the technique above, so as to avoid, or at least reduce, the drawbacks of it.

These objectives are achieved in accordance with the invention in a joint protector like the previous one, by the characteristics of the characterization part of the claim 1.

This provides active protection. for athletes and other active users, such as by example for patients during rehabilitation, with means to ensure the placement in position of the protector around the extreme part of the respective joint, which is understood to be the prominence of the knee in the case of a protector of the knee, and the tip of the elbow in the case of elbow protector. Do not it is excluded that other joints can be protected with a joint protector according to the invention. Having arranged the division into sections so that the stretch marks that delimit the sections are turned inwards, against the articulation, a series of advantages are obtained, such as that of a maintained or even increased flexibility of the protector joint, compared to that of a joint protector according to the prior art.

In addition, the protective pad will become more light and prevents regions from occurring in the area of the protective pad lacking protective material and damping In addition, stretch marks close when the pad, which contributes to a better damping effect on relationship with the game of the respective articulation.

The construction also simplifies the process of manufacturing, since it is easy to form a protective pad according to the invention as the specific protector that intended, and in particular with the vaulted form that is intended Have the protector finished. This simplifies the procedure. sewing of the protective pad on the joint part. Could mention that the dimensions of the components included are preferably measure such that the protective pad, in the position of applied on the protector, it will typically be subjected to a compression force in radial direction from the outside of the surrounding joint part, which contributes to the desired domed shape of the protective pad.

The recess in the positioning part in position It is adapted to the part of the body to be protected. A protector of the knee according to the invention is therefore provided, preferably, of a recess having a smooth configuration, rounded, oval, corresponding to the shape of the prominence of the normal knee while a protector for the elbow of according to the invention it is of course provided with a recess of differently, which typically allows the reception of the parts relatively corner of the tip of the elbow.

An active protector used during user movement, in combination with the placement part in position, it provides the great advantage that the user does not notice that wears the protector, which is particularly important in dynamic sports situations, such as during a handball match, because with it the user can concentrate entirely in the match. The user will perceive both conscious as instinctively, that the protector is in position correct.

The old protectors, however, adjust bad during dynamic situations, among other things because joint movements and expansion and contraction of adjacent muscle groups result in a tendency uninterrupted to dislodge the protector from its desired position. This, on the one hand, is uncomfortable and forces the user to control and adapt to the position of the protector over time, and it it translates, on the other hand, into a greater risk of damage, since the Protector will often be incorrectly located. He protector according to the invention is therefore superior to previous protectors in relation to bumps, falls, and during the movement in general, since the protector, due to its construction, becomes flexible and is experienced as easy to carry and that does not hinder.

According to the invention, the condition for the position positioning works is fulfilled because the protective pad is applied within a cutout on the part of tubular joint, which is intended to be tightly joined against the regions around the joint, so that the under the pad is placed and fixed directly on the extreme part of the joint.

In contrast to this, reference could be made to the prior art, in which a tubular joint part that it lacks either a cutout, or a protector or a pad, respectively, it is intended to be used in connection with a garment. The rebates provided in such protectors previously known do not result in those protectors have a function that is achieved in a protector according to the invention.

The protectors are preferably produced in different sizes, in order to guarantee its fit in users of different sizes.

The positioning part is in position formed without sections. Consequently, the stability of its shape and position placement function better than if it had been divided into sections. It is possible to do the observation that the placement part in position either in principle it needs to be divided into sections, since typically It is adapted for a part of the body that does not change when you bend the joint.

The corresponding advantages are achieved with a protective pad for such protector.

Other advantages are achieved by characteristics of the dependent claims, which are they will make evident in view of the detailed description that follow.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be described below with more detail, based on an embodiment and with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a joint protector according to the invention in the form of a knee protector for sports purposes, attached to the leg of an athlete,

Fig. 2 illustrates the protector of Fig. 1 in cut, with a bent knee joint,

Fig. 3 illustrates the protector of Fig. 1 in cut with a straight knee joint;

Fig. 4 illustrates a protective pad of according to the invention in a plan view, and

Fig. 5 illustrates the protective pad of Fig. 4 in section along the V-V line.

Description of the realization

In Fig. 1 a protector of articulation according to the invention, in the form of a protector of the knee for sports purposes, such as for a game of handball, in which the joint protector has been indicated in general by number 1. Joint protector 1 includes a protective pad 2, which is sewn in 13 to a part of junction 3, in order to form an integral joint protector,  in which the connecting part 3 is provided with a cut in the area in which the protective pad 2 is sewn. For 4 has designated a leg of who is wearing the protector.

In Fig. 2 the protector 1 is shown in cut, over a bent knee joint, so that it is illustrated how the protector is well adapted to the knee and It has the ability to protect it in that folded state. The protective pad 2 has a placement part in position 5 essentially centered, which is provided with a recess 6, which is turned against the knee joint and that is conformed in order to enclose the part with a good fit extreme articulation, that is, in this case the prominence of the knee 7.

The peripheral parts of the pad protective have been represented on each side of the placement part  in position 5 and are separated there from the passing stretch marks 8, the which in that state of bent knee are essentially closed, so that the peripheral sections of the pad protective are at least almost leaning against the respective side of the placement part in position 5.

In Fig. 3 the protector of the knee of Fig. 2 in section, although on a joint straight, so that figure illustrates that the part of placement in position 5 has a continuous adaptation against the prominence of the knee, and that the sections located peripherally on each side of the positioning part in position 5 they fit still well against the area around the knee, now, however, with the respective stria 8 in the state of open, so that the pad has in that section a straight extension.

In combination with the joining part that is shaped in such a way that a certain binding pressure is exerted against the joint area, it is achieved by means of of the joint protector according to the invention, a defined use position with a secure position of the joint protector, due to the shape of the part of placement in position 5, together with good cushioning both in the folded position and in the straight position of the knee.

In particular, it should be noted that with a joint protector according to the invention is provided a very good fit to the joint in question, so that the protector can be optimized in such a way that the parts of the joint area that you want to be protected can Be also certainly protected. Therefore, you can make the pad smaller or thinner than in the case of according to the previously known technique, with a Damping that is maintained or even improved.

The invention offers the possibility of a very good adaptation, which in turn translates into that the protector  of articulation works very well in movement situations, and particularly when forces are directed against the protector in lateral direction and shear forces.

The protector according to the invention is Experiment also as more comfortable than previous protectors. Among other things, because construction results in greater areas of contact against body parts and, therefore, a lower surface pressure in exposed regions. The protector is therefore flexible, comfortable, while safe.

A pad has been shown in Fig. 4 protective 2 for integration into a joint protector according to the invention, with which the configuration has been illustrated essentially square of the placement part in position 5, with at least the upper and lower edges possibly something rounded. Recess 6 is essentially round, but it can be configured for adaptation to the extreme part of the joint in question.

It is also within the scope of the invention make that recess to measure, as well as the rest of the protector, for adaptation to a particular user.

With numbers 14 and 15, two of the many sections similar to pillow pads, and it could be mentioned that section 16 is extended with a view to provide protection to the sensitive joint of the tendon on the side front of the lower leg under the prominence of the knee. By 16 a clamping part is indicated that is intended to be sewn over the cutout in the joint part (see detail 3 in Fig. 1).

A section a is shown in Fig. 5 through the protective pad along the line V-V in Fig. 4. The protective pad has been represented here as a stratified unit, which simplifies its manufacture In addition, the protective pad narrows radially outward in a smooth way, which provides who wears a feeling of comfort.

The cushion layer 10 of the pad protective is preferably made of a cellular material of natural or synthetic rubber, which is known per se in the field of The technique of the invention. To the outside of the protector, the protective pad 2 is provided with a flexible textile layer wear resistant 11, which preferably includes threads KEVLAR® loom fabrics or similar materials resistant to wear.

Inside the protective pad, the upper side in Fig. 5, there is a synthetic textile material fixed stratified elastic, which is an example that can comprise LYCRA®, or any other synthetic knitting material plain warp, elastic. They can also be considered, by Of course, other similar materials. In this regard, it is from mention that the tubular joint part is preferably manufactured of a material known per se in the art, as an example a Neoprene rubber layer covered with elastic textile by the outside as well as inside.

In Fig. 5 it has been represented in lines of full stroke the extension of the thickness of the protective pad, which is reduced in the area of recess 6. This, however, reduces the security from the point of view of protection, where the buffer layer should be extended in such a way that the outer surface of the protective pad continues instead, in general, the dashed line 17. In this way you get a excellent cushioning also against shocks in the area of recess 6.

It should be noted that the pad is conformed with stretch marks 8, also essentially perpendicular to stretch marks 8 of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in order to allow fold them so that a structure is formed doubly curved that joins well and covers the sensitive parts of the joint. All section divisions are adapted to adjust the pad as well as possible to the physical form of the respective articulation, and its dynamic movements.

The invention can be modified without exceeding the scope of the appended claims. How For example, the sections of the protective pad can be conformed in different ways.

The adaptation part can be made up of a different way, and be taken to stand against, and enclose, major or minor parts of adjacent parts of the joint. The shape of the sections is made such that they sign the anatomical structures of the joint as much as possible, throughout the course of the joint movement, from straight until bent to the maximum. The form may also be such that the adaptation part does not completely surround the part of placement in position, although this is not what is preferred.

Joint protectors according to the invention are well suited for sports purposes, but I don't know excludes that they are used for, for example, games between children and youth. While the protector is designed primarily for users dynamic, such as athletes, can of course be used advantageously also by professionals, as protectors against falls of the elderly, for rehabilitation, etc.

Claims (11)

1. Joint protector (1) for a joint such as a knee or elbow, which includes a part tubular joint, flexible (3) to enclose the area around the Joint and a protective cushion pad (2) permanently attached on it, to form a protector integral unit for joint over the joint, so that the protective pad (2) covers a part of the joint that be able to bend forming an acute angle, the joining part is provided with a cutout for the protective pad, the protective pad (2) has, in essence centered, a positioning part in position (5) with a recess (6) adapted, directed inward, shaped to enclose a part extreme joint, such as the prominence of the knee or the tip of the elbow, and to position the protector with relationship to it, characterized in that the protective pad, except as regards the positioning part in position (5) is provided with striations (8) to form sections to increase its flexibility, in which said striations (8) are turned inward to form a flexible adaptation part (14, 15) having sections directed inwards in a peripheral area with respect to the positioning part in position (5). 2. Joint protector according to the claim 1, characterized in that the positioning part in position (5) is essentially square, possibly having the sides slightly rounded out. 3. Joint protector according to the claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective pad (2) is a specified unit that narrows radially outward. 4. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) has a flexible outer wear resistant textile layer (11). 5. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) has an intermediate buffer layer (10) of a cellular material or of a natural or synthetic rubber. 6. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) has an inner layer (12) of an elastic synthetic textile material. 7. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stretch marks (8) widen in the direction from their lower parts. 8. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) is sewn to the connecting part (3). 9. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) is shaped as an inverted drop, as seen in the position of use. 10. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning part in position (5) is completely surrounded by the adaptation part (14, 15). 11. Joint protector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective pad (2) has a peripheral fastening part (16) sewn to the connecting part (3).