GB2452974A

GB2452974A - A metatarsal impact protector

Info

Publication number: GB2452974A
Application number: GB0718471A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Phillip Buse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-21
Filing date: 2007-09-21
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Also published as: GB0718471D0

Abstract

A metatarsal impact protector that is detachably attached to the forefoot of the wearer and distributes the impact a wearer might receive while playing sport over a wider area, thereby reducing breakages and heavy bruising. Preferably the protector is made from breathable foam material (1, fig 3) with a flexible plastic inner (2, fig 3) with elastic straps 2 to hold the protector in place. Preferably the protector is anatomically designed to flex around the foot and made in different sizes. Preferably the protector is worn on the foot like a sock.

Description

Sports Metatarsal Impact Protector The invention relates to a sporting protection device to protect metatarsal bones from impact injury.

Metatarsal fractures are the most common traumatic foot injunes. Broken Metatarsats have been prominent across sports in the past five years, with several high profile professional footballers suffering Metatarsal fractures. Professional foothall players David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Steve Gerrard have all sustained this foot injury in recent years.

Fractures to the Metatarsal bones can be caused by direct trauma, excessive rotational forces or overuse. During football, direct trauma is usually by an opponent stepping on a playe?s foot. As there is very little soft tissue to protect the top of the foot, bone injunes are common.

The type of football boots used in today's age is light and have limited protection.

The sports metatarsal Impact protector protects the 2, 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsal bones in the foot. The protector highly reduces the chances of breaking your metatarsal bones due to impact injury. The protector will not affect your performance and can help striking power and direction. It is especially suitable for children to wear and protects their immature foot bones from contact Stud contact is very common with younger children and causes them a lot of pain. Another feature is it can be worn under most types of ankle strapping.

The protector works by distributing the contact over a wider area. This in return greatly reduces the impact This reduces the chances of breakage.

There are five Metatarsal bones in each foot. They are the relatively long bones, which are located between the Tarsal' bones of the hind-foot and the Phalanges' bones in the toes.

Functionally, the ankle and foot have two principle functions: propulsion and support The Metatarsal bones play a major role in these functions. For propulsion they act like a rig The second, third and fourth Metatarsals are the most commonly fractured with this mechanism of injury, although the fifth Metatarsal is fractured more often in soccer.

The protector will mould around the upper foot and be connected by elastic straps. It will be made in different sizes dependant on foot size. The protector will not end all injuries and fractures but it will reduce breakages and heavy bruising substantially.

The invention will now be explained by sole way of example with reference to accompanying drawings Figure 1 -Shows an overhead view of a size 9 right foot with the metatarsal Impact protector conected. Figure 1.1 Shows how the mould looks, figure 1. 2 show the elastic straps Figure 2 -Shows the shape of the protector, as it will be cut for a size 9 foot Figure 3-Shows a side view how the mould is filled. You will notice that a plastic mould will be sealed in the middle. In professional sport the middle plastic mould could be sealed to the foot with a strapping. This is the main form of protection. Figure 3.1 shows the foam. Figure 3.2 shows the flexible plastic.

Figure 4-Show the angle that the mould will be able to flex. This will enable it to flex around the foot to follow its natural contours.

Figure 5-Shows a sealed side angle. As you can see from figure 5.2 shows how the elastic straps come out from inside the mould. These are stuck down on the upper side of the flexible plastic mould inside.

Figure 1 -Shows an overhead view of the metatarsal impact protector. As you can see it fits to the foot tightly. It also gives foot mobility to the point you do not know you are wearing the protector.

Figure 2 -Shows an overhead view of the mould. The mould will be made from lightweight sweat resisiant foam between 3mm -6mm thick. This is soit does not rub or injure the foot. It will have a 0.50mm -1mm thick flexible plastic mould placed inside the foam. The plastic mould is the same shape as the foam. it will just be 2mm smaller to fit inside the foam soit cannot be seen. This will also ensure that the plastic cannot rub the foot. On the topside of the plastic mould there will be three 1cm - 1.5cm elastic straps attached. The straps will be big enough to will loop underneath the foot and mould the sports metatarsal protector to fit over the foot. The SlapS will look as if they come from inside the foam. The plastic will not be seen.

Figure 3-Shows an open side view of the mould. The two outer areas are foam flgure3.1.

The middle area flgure3.2 shows the flexible plastic. On top of the plastic mould will be attached the elastic. This is shown in figure 3.3.

Figure 4-This shows how flexible the plastic and lightweight foam is. It is pliable so it will fit the foot securely. Yet it does not lose strength on impact and distributes the impact over a wider area.

Figure 5-This sided angle view shows how the elastic straps that enable the mould to fit the foot like will a boot or sock come out from within the mould. The straps will loop around the foot and enable the mould to fit the foot securely but with comfort. The elastic straps will vary in size dependant on the foot size of the mould. The straps will be fitted so they create a loop that goes under the foot.

Claims

Claims Sports Metatarsal Impact Protector 1. The sports metatarsal Impact protector is a uniquely shaped device that connects to the foot to protect your foot from metatarsal impact injury.
2. The materials used will mould to fit the natural contours of the foot
3. The metatarsal impact protector has a protective cushioning so it fits your foot with comfort and you will not even notice you are weanng the device.
4. Elastic Straps hold the sports metatarsal Impact protect in place
5. The metatarsal Impact Protector is an essential part of sports equipment for football and rugby that you do not see put is protecting essential bones.