GB2397535A

GB2397535A - Takraw body protector

Info

Publication number: GB2397535A
Application number: GB0313734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tithima Lorhpipat; Boonchai Lorhpipat
Original assignee: Satian Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Satian Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-13
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-13
Also published as: GB2397535B; TW200505534A; WO2004110571A3; WO2004110571A2; GB0313734D0

Abstract

A takraw body protector comprises at least one outer component of fabric, at least one inner component of flexible, shock absorbing material attached to the outer component and at least one elastic component being part of or attached to the outer component; such that, when worn to play takraw, the protector can be stretched over a given area of a takraw players body: one embodiment is for a takraw player's ankle area, wherein the outer component and the elastic component are combined as a tube (10) of elasticised fabric (12) shaped to fit around the ankle and the inner component is a pad or pads (24) of resilient material attached to the tube sides so as, when worn to play takraw, a takraw player's inner and/or outer ankles are protected; another embodiment is for a takraw player's forehead, wherein the outer component (48) is a headband (46), the inner component is a thin pad of resilient material retained within the headband and the elastic component is an elastic member connected between the ends of the headband; means (60, 62) being provided, when worn to play takraw, to preferentially transmit tension from the elastic member to the upper and lower margins (52, 54) of the headband.

Description

PROTECTOR

This invention relates to protectors for Takraw players.

BACKGR()UND Takraw is a tean1 sport originating in Southeast Asia wherein a hard, relatively inelastic, woven ball of rattan or synthetic plastics material is played by hitting it with defined areas of the holy (hereinafter "playing areas"); either in a Court across a net, with some similarities to volleyball (sepaktakraw), or through a high hoop. Use of'the hands and arts is forbidden and the bal] is primarily struck witl1 the inside of the ankle or the forehead; although other areas of the body, such as the outside -'f the foot and ankle or the sides of the head or trunk or the outer thighs or shoulders are used to strike OT block. Further inf'onnatioT1 on sepaktakraw can be obtained fi-oTn the websitc W_U! latI,'JWWOT-]d.COll. In jOrTllatiOTI OT1 TllOdCTll synthetic takra.w balls can be obtained fiom our Patent Specifications No's GB-2196Sf1-A and WO 95/2820(-A.

Striking a takraw ball can he a painful experience; especially for the beginner and especially when the fioT-ehead OT the inner or outer- parts of the ankle, the most commonly used areas of the body, are used because these areas have little or no natural padding in the foTlil of subcutaneous fat oi muscle.

PRIOR ART

It is known to provide ankle braces which support the ankle but whicll, of necessity, restrict TnovemeTIt of the toot about the ankle; see, for example, Documents I}S-A 4,237,874 and US--5,fiS 1,271.

DocuTllent-A-US 5,882,205 discloses a training device for teaching a football (soccer-) player the CorTcct position to head a soccer- ball and essentially compT-ises multiple layers of individual, reTnoN able pads held in pocket within the forehead portion of a 3() cap; the outer flitplaying suT-f'ace of'such a padded cap discs not u-ilf'onn to the shape or coTl\:>ur of a player's forehead and thus the playeT-'s control ovei- the dircctioT1 Of flight of a headed ball is compromised.

Document-A-US 4,698.852 also discloses a head guard for a soccer player, the head guard being designed to both protect the head of a soccer player and to facilitate, i.e. improve, control of a soccer ball when heading the ball. There is no three-dimensional shaping of the head guard to the forehead, none of the materials constituting the three layers is described as being elastic and therefore cannot shape in three dimensions.

[t is also known for takraw players to bind protective padding, such as plastic foam, to playing body parts; again the outer or playing surface of such c ude padding does not conform to the shape or contour of the playing area. 1()

OBJECT OF TllE INVENT101\ It is an object of the present invention to provide a takraw body protector that reduces the impact shock ol a takraw ball on a playing area whilst retaining control of the takraw ball; that is neither significantly improving or degrading hall control. It is an object off one emhodiinent of the present invention to provide a takraw body protector that, additionally, d-'es not significantly restrict movement of a mobile playing area; such as the ankle.

SUMMARY OF THE, INVENrl:iON

9() According to the present invention, a takraw body protector comprises at least one outer component of fabric, at least -'ne inner comport of flexible, shock absorbing material attached to the outer component and at least one elastic component as past ol oi- attached to the c-'uteiconponelt; such that, in use, the protector can be stretched over a given area -' f a players body so that the outer and inner components car.

substantially and smootl.ly conform to the shape of that area; whereby impact shock of a takraw ball on said area can be reduced whilst directional control can be retained.

By "substantially and smoothly cr->nfonn" is meant that the tension applied by the elastic comport to the outer component when the whole protector is st-etched over the appropriate body past changes the shape of the outer component to match the -() shape of the body part, the tensioned cute. ccmponcnt also makes the inner component change shape to match the shape of the body part. The citcct of this slhapinO is that control of the takraw hall when it is hit h,v the hOd,V part is essentially same as if the protector was rot used.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the outer component is in the forth of a cover of a re]ative]y elastic mateTia] shaped to fit a given body area, to be retained thereagainst and to substantially and smoothly conform to the contours of that body area; the inileT- component is in the forth of resilient padding shaped to fit within the cover and to be moulded thcrchy to substantially and smoothly conform to the COT1tOUTS of that body area; whereby, in use, the contours of that body area continue to be followed by the outer and inner components as the player moves According to a second embodiment of the present invention and for the ankle area, ]0 wherein the orate' component and the elastic component are combined as a tube of elasticiscd fabric shaped to fit around the ankle and the inner component is a pad OT pads of resilient material attached to the tube sides so as to protect the inner and/or the outeT- ankles; the elasticity and shaping of the tube is such as to substantially retain mobility of the ankle l! he ank:]e padding may be ribbed and, in use, may extend down into a player's shoe According to a third embodiTlleTlt of the present invention and for the foreLcad, whcTein the outer component is a headband, the inner compoTTer1t is a thin pad of resi]ieT1t mateTia] retained within the headband and the elastic component is an elastic me3nbeT- coT1rlccted between the ends of the headband; meaTls heing provided, in use.

to preferentially h-ans3nit tension fi-om the elastic me3nbcT- to the upper and lower Tl1aTgi:1s oftlle llearlbarld.

AccoT-rlir1g to a fouT-t]1 eTlllorli1leT1t of the present iTlveTltioTl, the elastic TleTllbeT is tin adjustable c]astic belt and the tension tranSTniSSioT1 meaT1S ale OTle OT TTlOTC inelastic straps attached betwocn an end of the belt and the respective headband end and each strap is operative, in use, to transmit tension to the UppCT margin andloT the] owcr TnargiTT respectively.

() Al] the above embod3iT1lcTlts of pT-otector can shape in thT-ee din1cnsions s-' that the otcctoT caT1 closely coTf<>TlTl to t]Te Village of the body pacts I lc above and cltlleT- fe.3turcs of bloc F'T-eseTlt iTveTltioT1.T-e illust3--tcd. by every of CX:iT1llle, iT] the DT-a\viTl<, s, wleTeiTT Fig. ] is a perspective inner view of an ankle protector worth on a deft foot and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective inner view of the ankle protector of Fig. 1 worn on a right foot and with the player wearing a sports shoe; Fig. 3 is a section (-)T1 the line X-X of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan of a component for the ankle protector of Fig. 1, prior to final assembly; Figs Saand5b are plan views of ankle cushion pads for the ankle protector of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a forehead protector worn on a head and in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a front elevation con- csponding to the side elevation of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detail of an clastica.ted belt and buckle component for the forehead protector of Fig. 6; log. 9 is a plan.,f a component for the forehead protector -f ?0 Fig. 6, prior to final assembly; and, Fig. I () is a section on the line Y-Y of Fig. 9 ?5 As shown by Fi Is I to S. an ankle protector in accordance faith the present invcntioi1 comprises a tube I () fanned fiom a two Superimposed, c]ongatc, essentially rectangular sleets 12, ]4 of elasticized material, such as SpandexóR), each having a cut-out 16, 18 in each side ?0, ?2 thereof. The poteck'T- is assembled by insetting two third, typically]() Kit I] mill uncompressed, cushion pads 24, 26 of resilient, shock 3() absorbing natcrial, such as polyethylene or po]yurethanc loans On either side of the cut-outs 1ó6, 18 (as ShONi7T1 in l;ig. 4) and Se\ViD thi-ouh the two sheets 12, 14 and along and about the respective pad 24, 26 so as to forth four, thin. longitudinally extending, padó3eó3 ribs 27, 28, 3ó.1, 32. Idle pads are thereby anchoreci and coml3resseó1 het\cen the two sheets; the Imal thickness is a compromise between slack absorbency and contour shaping, as discussed in more detai] below. The sides 20, 22 to either side of each cut-out 16, 1 8 are then respectively seamed together so that the ankle protector assumes the shape shown in Figs 1 and 2.

Tile thus-fonned ankle protector has a main, double-layered tubular body part 34, front and rear seams 36, 38, an inner ankle cushion pad 24 and an outer ankle cushion pad 26. The sheet pasts between the cut-outs 16, 18 form a seamless stir-up 40.

In use, the protector is ski etched over a players foot so that the tubular body pate 34 sun-guilds the ankle and the stinup 4() locates in the player's instep to help retain the protector in place about the player's ankle; the absence of a seam much improves comfort. As can be seen fi-om Fig. 2, the cushion pads are sufficiently long so that, in use, they extend down within the collar- 42, that is the riven or edge around the opening -'f the sports shoe 44 where the foot goes in.

The shape and elasticity of the fabric ensui-es that the protector fits snugly over a player's foot and surrounds the anl;]e; with the pads 24 and 2tS covering and protecting the inner and octet- ankle bones respectively. The elasticity cuff the tube matei-ial is SUC]1 that, when the protectoris stretched about a players foot, sufficient 2() tension is generated for it to stay in place and to compress the pads so that they c]ose]y conform to the shape of the foot in the ankle region and sti]1 permit essentially flu]] fi-eedom of ankle movement. 'I'he ribbed nature of the pad also permits the protector to better shape around the ankle. Clearly, the thicker the pad the mor e shock protection it provides but the less the pad will conform to the ankle playing area and the less direction and force will be applied to a takraw hall when struck by this playing area. '1he pad thickness is kept k' the nininum found to reduce ha]] strike shock to a bearable level.

When playing takraNv, the ha]] is principally, 9() <, of the time, struck by the incur () ankle surface, although. the c-,utcr ankle surface is occasionally used. It wild be seen that the design of'the protector in conf'onning to the contours of' the inner and outer ankle surfaces closely replicates the surfaces -'f the unprotected playing ai-eas.

Sepaktakrav regulations prevent the use of any aid to that provides an advantage to a player. The ankle protector of'the pi-esent invention does not provide any advantage; indeed the anti-shock cushion will, if anything, slightly reduce the striking force which a player can impart to a ball.

Although a protector With both inter and outer ankle CUS]1;0T1S has been described; a protector can tie provided Wit]1 only an inner ankle cushion, a protector with only an outer ankle cushion is possible hut would be of little practical use.

As shown by Figs 6 to 10, a forehead protector in aeeordanee W;t]1 the PrCSeT1t invention COTllpriSeS a headband 46 fonned fioTn a two superposed, elongate, boNv shaped sheets 48, 50 of fabric. T1TC fabric may he ela.stieised, such as Spandex(i<), or plain, such as cotton, or of various mixes of plain and elasticised. Each sheet hats an arcuate upl:> eT- edge 52 aTldT an essentially straight lower edge 54 (see Fig. 9). A cushion or pad 56, again of thin, typically 3-4 Am uncompT-essecT, shockabsoT-biT1y, material, such as polyethylene or polyurethane foam, is shaped so as to follow the ] 5 inner peTipheT-y of the sheets 48, 50. The outer peripheries of the two sheets are sewn together by a double seam 58; with the cushion pad 56 trapped between the two sheets.

A pair of inextensible straps 6(), 62 r espectively eonveT-ge fi-om each end 64, 6(j of the 2() protector onto a buckle 6S, 7(); One being, respectively, anehoTed at either end of an adjustable elastic heft 72. Each strap is directed towards and tcnTliTlates with a respective oTle of the upper OT lower maT- gins 52, 54.

In use, the pT-citect.oT- is stretched about the head of a playeT- and the elastic belt 72 is adjusted so that the headband fits snugly over the player's foT-chead; the tension geTlerated by the elastic belt is transmitted lay the straps 6(), 62 to the upper or lower TTkiTgillS 52, 54 of tile 1leadlyaTld, w]ich at-e thus IT-eferentilly teTlsioTled with Tespect to the reTlla.inder Of the headband. T1T;S pTeteTCntia] teTlSiOniTlg assists the headband botlT to shape to the contour of the forehead and he retained on the foT-ehearf JUT;ng play.

As x:itlT tile ankle}:T-otecto-, tle CusllioT1 pad 5(' is coTllpT-essed lay tile lleacll'TlcT sleets 4S, 5() so that the outeT- sheet 48 still closely fo]]ovs the contour calf tile ioTeheaCi. AS CtIl1 be seen TTlOSt Cle.ITly iT] Figs (a TTcf 7, the aT-cuate ul':eT- sicie 59 fo]lovs tile player's brow whilst the straight]owcr side 54 follows over the player's nose, the orbit of each eye and the temples.

We have found that it can be advantageous Kit only anchor the pad 56 to the two sheets 4S, 5() together in one area; SUC}I as by stitching through both sheets and the cushion pad at point 74. This prevents the pad from moving or creasing within the headband and still permits the headband and pad to shape to the contour of the forehead.

Whilst exposed straps 6(), 62 have been described they could be hidden by the headband cover being extended to the buckles 6S, 70, With the straps within, attached to the upper and dower margins and offset from the headband ends. 'I'he straps could each be replaced by a single inelastic strap or any other analogous construction that functions to preferentially transmit tension fiom an elastic member to the upper and lower margins calf the headband; I'or example, the adjustable heft could be inelastic and the straps elastic.

The forehead protector could be completed by a light head cover- or cap, somewhat like a hair net.

2() Again, this forehead protector- retains directional control of the ball whilst reducing hall strike shock to a bearable level, in like manner to the ankle protector. Again, striking force is only marginally reduced.

In the ah,ve-described emhodinents, the elastic component has either been an integral part of the outer- component, t}lC ankle protector, or elasticity has been provided by the elastic belt in addition to or instead of an elastic outer- comporler1t, the head protector. I-lowever, the elastic component could be constituted in whole or part by an elastic, shock-ahsobing inner- component.

3() The above described taki-aw game protectors are for the n1aii1 strike playing areas of' the ankle and foreLcad: however the principal cl'tlle pr-escnt invention, ot'providing a shock abscJr-bing padding that c> nl'cnns to body ar-ca contours to maintain ball control and acceptably reduce strike shock. can he applied to protectors for other striking or blocking areas; such as the sides of the upper torso and thighs or the shoulders, upper arms and e]hows.

Claims

Claims: 1. takraw body protector comprising at least one outer component

of fahric, at least ogle inner con1pQnent of flexible, shock absorbing material attached to the outer component and at least one elastic component being pan' of or attached to the outei- component; such that, in use, the protector can be stretched over a given area of a players body so that the outer and innei- components can substantially and smoothly conf'onn to the shape of that area; whereby impact shock of a takravv ball on said area can he reduced, whilst directional control can be r Stained.

2. A protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer component in the forth of a cover calf a relatively elastic material and shaped to fit a given body area, to be retained thereagainst and to substantially and smoothly confoi1ll to the contours of that body area; the inner component being in the form of resilient padding shaped to fit within the cover and to be mculded thereby to smoothly conform to the contours of that body area; whereby, in use, the contours of that body area continue to be followed by the outer and inner components as the player moves.
2()
3. A protector as claimed in claim 3 or claim and for the ankle area, wherein the outer component and the elastic con1ponent are combined as a tube of elasticised fabric sha.pcd to fit around the ankle and inner component is a pad or pads of resilient material attached to the tube sides so as, in use, to protect a player's inneT- and/or the outer ankles; the elasticity and shaping ol'the tube being such as to substantially retain mobility of the ankle.
4. A protector as claimed in claim 3, whCrcin the tube is a double layer of fabric and the car each pact is trapped between the tube fabric layers.

3()
5. A prcitcctor as claimed in claiin 3 car claim 4, wherein the tube has a stin-ul:'to extend unc3cr the instep anal, ill use, help retain the protector in position. ()
tS. A protector as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 and wherein the ankle padding is ribbed and, in use, extends dOWT1 into a player's S}1OC through the Tim or edge.
7. A protector as claimed in claim I and for the forehead, wherei'.1 the outer component is a headband, the inner component is a thin pad of resilient mateiial retained within the headband and the elastic component is an elastic member connected between the ends of the headband; means being provided, in use, to preferentially transmit tension from the elastic member to' the upper and lower margins of the headband.
8. A protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elastic member is an adjustable elastic belt and the tension transmission means are one or more inelastic straps attached between an end of the belt and the respective headband end; with each strap being operative, in use, to transmit tension to the upper margin and/or the lower margin respectively.

9. A protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elastic member is constituted by pairs of elastic straps attached between ends of an inelastic belt and the 2() respective headband end and each strap of each pair is ope,-ative, in use, to generate and transmit tension to the upper margin or the lower margin r especti vel y.

10. A protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elastic member is, ill, iV}lO]C or in past, an inner co exponent of elastic, resilient material. 1() l

i l l O'w'l,i) t CtC'4.> I-- Id': (.'/1 C<- &1, Claims: 1. A tak^aNv body pr-otector comprising at least one outer component of fahr-ic at least one inneT component of fleiblc? shoch absorbing nateria] attached to the outer component and at]cast one elastic component being past of or attached to the cuter components such that7 when NNc>n to plaN: talr-aNN the protector can be stretched over a grit en area of a takraw players boUv so that the outer ancl inner ec-mponents can substantia]]y and smccth]y conform to the shape of that area; NherehNI impact shock of a takraNN ha]] on said area can be reduced whilst cliroctic-nal control can lee retained. 1()
9. A pr<\tcet:>T- as claimc.d in c]ain1 7, \NTheT-eiT1 tlTe elastic TTleTTlbe.r is er,?Tstittted b\; paiT-s r-f elastic straps att:aehed ketNN;ecn ends of aT1 inelastic belt and the O respoctive headband end and each stra}:' of each paiT- is c>1 eratiNe, when wcwn to}] ay ta]<T-aw, to, e;cT-ate and ti-a.TTST1li t te?]Si (:?1 f o tllc uppe- Ill al iT OT- t]le lower mar 77in respeetivel,N;.

I (). A lroteetor as c.]ained in claim 7 Nhe:-cin the c]a.stic membe:is. in wh(.]e or in part. an iD0CT COD.lpOnent of elastic, resilient mateTia] .

9. protector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer component is in the fowl of a confer of a re]atiNely elastic material and is shaped k' fit said giN en body areas to he retained thereagainst and to substantial]v and smooth])! ccrlfom to the contours of that body area; the inner component being in the fond of resilient padding shaped to fit NN;ithin the cover and. to be mou]ded t]lerc.hy to smcoth]y confonn to the cont. our-s of that body area; w]lcrehy Nhcn untorn to - play takrau the contours of that body area continue to be fo]]cwed by the outer and idler comnonent:s as the takraNN p]ayeT- noNes.

2O 3. A protector as claimed in claim 1 OT chain 2 and for a rare p] ayeT7s ankle areas Nhcrein the outer component and the elastic component are combined as a tube of e]asticised fabric shaped to fit around the allele and inne7 compost is a pad on- pads cuff -resilient Tl1ateTia] attcled to t-]e tube sides SO HIS. NN'hCT] NN'Orn to play takra. a takraw p] aver s inner and/or outcT- ankles are protected: 2 -? the e]asticilv and s]:apiTl.T ofthe tube beings such as to suhstant; al])! rcitain ankle Ability.

4. A p;-otcctQ:- as c]aillc.d in c]aiT1: .7 NN,}leT-eii] tIje tube is a douh]e Mae- of fabric and the car each pad is trapped between the tube fahTic]aN'ers.

A. A protector as chained in claim 3 or claim 4. ;iherein the tube has a stickup to extend under the instep arid. its USC7 hc]p retain the protector in pc.sition

T I

r ( 6. A protector as claimed in any of claiTns 3 to 5 and NN7herein the ankle padding is ribbed aTld, whe?1 NN!orn to plaN, laki-aNN. extends doNNiT: iTt:o a taki-a yla\eT- s shoe through the rim OT- cdge.

7. -N protector as claimed in claim 1 and foT- a takraw p]aveT-'s forehead, u!he?-ein the outer cfi:Ilponent is a headband, the jnneTCOmPOneT1t;S a thin pa.d cf resilient mateTia] retained within the headband and the elastic component is an e.lastic meTnbeT- conneeted between the ends of the headband; means beint, proN;ided, u;hen NOTn to play takra;N;, to prefe:-entia]]y traTlsmit tensTr\n fi-oTn the e]astie meJnher ki the uppeT and loNver m]TgiDS f the hcadhaTld.

S. prc\teetor as claimed in c]aim 7, u;l:,ere.i?l the elastic memSer is an adjustable e]astie belt and thc tcHsion transmission means at-e oTle OT nloT-e inelastic straps attached between an end of t.he be.]t and the respcetive headhand end?; with I S eaeh st?ap beiTlg opera.tive, u]eT1 wOTl1 to pl.y talirau;7 to t:T-TlsTllit teTlsioT1 t:o tle ul.]:er TTlaT "rin and/oT- t]e]\N;eT- ::aT-rin -CS;:c CtiNTe]N,'.