IES84362Y1 - A protective garment - Google Patents
A protective garment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- IES84362Y1 IES84362Y1 IE2005/0528A IE20050528A IES84362Y1 IE S84362 Y1 IES84362 Y1 IE S84362Y1 IE 2005/0528 A IE2005/0528 A IE 2005/0528A IE 20050528 A IE20050528 A IE 20050528A IE S84362 Y1 IES84362 Y1 IE S84362Y1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- protective
- wearer
- elongate members
- shin
- sock
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000001681 protective Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 62
- 210000003423 Ankle Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000002633 protecting Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 210000002683 Foot Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 45
- 239000011253 protective coating Substances 0.000 abstract description 31
- 210000002414 Leg Anatomy 0.000 description 8
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 210000000474 Heel Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 229920002334 Spandex Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 206010022114 Injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004759 spandex Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 elastics Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000001699 lower leg Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000002268 Wool Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT A protective garment in the form of a sports sock, comprising a first portion adapted to cover a wearer’s foot and ankle an a second portion extending from the first portion and adapted to cover at least a part of the wcarer’s shin. The second portion is provided with at least one protective element in a region adapted to protect part of the wearcr’s shin. The at least one protective element is preferably integrally formed with the second portion, and can comprise either a plurality of elongate members or a protective coating, or it can comprise both a plurality of elongate members and a protective coating.
Description
A Protective Garment
The present invention relates to a protective gannent, in particular a protective
sports sock.
Protective sports wear is now becoming compulsory in many sports due to the
high incidence of injuries occurring during matches and training sessions. For
example, it is generally compulsory for players to wear shin guards during football
matches, in order to protect the foot and lower leg, in particular the regions of the
heel, ankle and shin. Such shin guards generally comprise a hard plastic outer
shell which is strapped to the wearer’s leg to cover the” shin. A sports sock is then
pulled up over each shin guard.
Although conventional shin guards can reduce the impact of a football or other
object hitting the lower leg, such shin guards do have some disadvantages. For
example, wearers can find that the shin guards are uncomfortable to wear, and
therefore a distraction during a match or training session. The shin guards tend to
be heavy, bulky and due to their construction they can lead to an excessive amount
of perspiration in the shin area in particular, resulting in the shin guards feeling
claustrophobic to the wearer. The shin guards can also become dislodged from
their positions within the sports socks, which can result in further injury. The sock
can also tend to fall down which is a further distraction to the wearer during
matches.
Another disadvantage is that the hard plastic shell of the shin guards can cause the
shock of an impact to be transmitted to the wearer’s leg. Even if the shin guards
include protective foam backing, such shin guards can still lack shock absorption
and therefore do not provide significant shock resistance.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to mitigate at least some of the
disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple yet effective
improved shin guard.
It is a still further object of the present invention to avoid the requirement for a
sports player to carry separate items of shin guards and sports socks.
According to the present invention, there is provided a protective garment in the
form of a sports sock, comprising a first portion adapted to cover a wearer’s foot
and ankle and a second portion extending from the first portion and adapted to
cover at least a part of the wearer’s shin, wherein the second portion is provided
with at least one protective element in a region adapted to protect part of the
wearer’s shin.
Preferably, the at least one protective element comprises a plurality of spaced apart
elongate members.
Preferably, the plurality of spaced apart elongate members are disposed
substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion.
Preferably, the elongate members are made from a resilient material, such as
rubber.
Alternatively, the elongate members may be made from a substantially rigid
material such as plastic or fibreglass. In this case, each of the elongate members is
preferably coated with a resilient material.
In a further alternative, the elongate members may be made from a substantially
flexible, semi—rigid material such as a flexible plastic.
Preferably, the protective garment is provided with a resilient material adapted to
at least partially cover the elongate members.
Further preferably, the elongate members are disposed within at least one layer of
the resilient material. Preferably, the resilient material is a resilient foam.
Preferably, the at least one protective element is integrally formed with the second
portion.
Alternatively, the second portion may be provided with means for removably
receiving the at least one protective element.
Preferably, the protective garment also comprises one or more ankle protective
components integrally formed with the first portion in a region adapted to extend
around an ankle in use.
Preferably, the ankle protective components are made from a resilient material,
such as a resilient foam.
Preferably, the second portion terminates in an elastically reinforced portion at a
free end thereof.
Alternatively or additionally, the second portion comprises fastening means such
as Velcro (Trade Mark), snap fit fasteners, clips, clasps, buttons, buckles or the
like.
Altematively or additionally, the at least one protective element comprises a
protective coating.
Preferably, the protective coating is provided on an external surface of the second
portion.
Preferably, the protective coating is made from a resilient material, such as rubber
or sponge.
Preferably, the protective coating comprises a first surface adapted to abut against
the external surface of the second portion and a second externally facing surface
comprising a plurality of projections.
Thus, it can be seen that the at least one protective element can comprise either a
plurality of elongate members or a protective coating integrally formed with the
second portion, or it can comprise both a plurality of elongate members and a
protective coating.
Preferably, the protective coating extends over an area of the second portion
bearing the elongate members.
Alternatively, the protective coating may be substantially smooth.
Preferably, the second portion is provided with one or more elastic sections
integrally formed therewith, to enable the garment to remain securely fastened
against at least a part of the wearer’s shin.
Altematively or additionally, the second portion may be provided with one or
more zips extending from the free end thereof to a distance approximately halfway
along the length of the second portion.
Preferably, the garment is provided with a plurality of holes to allow for
Ventilation.
As used herein, the term “protective garment” is intended to mean any garment
suitable for protecting one or more areas of a wearer’s body, such as the foot, the
leg, the arm, the torso and/or the head.
As used herein, the term “resilient material” is intended to mean any material
capable of substantially recovering its shape when a deforming force or pressure is
removed. Examples of suitable resilient materials include rubber, elastics, foams
such as polymeric foams and sponges, without limiting the meaning of the term
thereto.
As used herein, the term “integral” is intended to mean being fonned as a unit with
another part, using any suitable means. For example, in respect of the at least one
protective element being integrally formed with the second portion, when the at
least one protective element is or includes a protective coating, the term “integral”
is intended to include the arrangement where the protective coating engages or
abuts the second portion using any suitable means, e.g. by means of sewing,
gluing, or affixing, attaching or adhering in any other suitable way.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure l is partially cutaway side View of a protective garment in the form of a
sports sock according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view of the sports sock of Figure 1 including an ankle protective
component;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sports sock of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the sports sock of Figures 1 and
Figure 5 is a side view of a protective garment in the form of a sports sock
according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the protective
garment includes a protective coating;
Figures 5(a), 5(c) and 5(e) are front elevations of variations of the protective
coating of Figure 5;
Figures 5(b), 5(d) and 5(1) are side views of the protective coatings shown in
Figures 5(a), 5(c) and 5(e) respectively;
Figure 6 is a partially cutaway side view of a protective garment in the form of a
sports sock according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a partially cutaway side view of a variation of the sports sock of Figure
Figure 8 is a partially cutaway side view of a further variation of the sports socks
of Figures 6 and 7;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sports sock of Figures 7 and 8; and
Figure 10 is a front view of the sports sock showing ventilation holes provided
therein.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a protective
garment in the form of a sports sock 10;110;210. The sports sock 10;] l 0;210
comprises a first portion 12;1l2;212 adapted to cover a wearer’s foot and ankle
(not shown) and a second portion 14;114;214 extending from the first portion
l2;l l2;212 and adapted to cover at least a part of the wearer’s shin (not shown).
The first and second portions 12;} l2;2l2, 14;1l4;2l4 are preferably integrally
formed as shown in the drawings. The sports sock may be made of any suitable
material, such as cotton, wool, elastane or spandex e.g. Lycra (Trade Mark), or a
blend of materials. A blend of cotton and Lycra (Trade Mark) is particularly
preferred. The sports sock l0;1lO',2l0 is provided with at least one protective
element 16;2l 6, 150;250 which is preferably integrally formed with the second
portion 14;] l4;214 in a region adapted to protect part of the wearer’s shin.
Alternatively, the second portion may be provided with means such as one or more
pockets (not shown) for removably receiving the at least one protective element, as
will be described in more detail hereinafter. The sports sock 10;l10;230
conveniently provides comfort and protection to a wearer, as will also be described
in more detail hereinafter.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 10, there is illustrated a protective garment in the
form of a sports sock 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the at least one protective element preferably comprises a
plurality of spaced apart elongate members 16. Preferably, the elongate members
16 are disposed substantially parallel to a notional longitudinal axis A of the
second portion 14. However, it will be appreciated that the elongate members 16
may be positioned in any other suitable arrangement and location, for example
disposed substantially orthogonally to the notional longitudinal axis A.
The elongate members 16 may be in the form of rods 16 having a substantially
circular cross—section, as shown in Figure 3 for example. However, it will be
appreciated that the elongate members 16 may have any other suitable shape and
cross-section as desired, such as a substantially oval or rectangular shape. In the
oval shape, the rods 16 preferably have a width of approximately 0.75 cm and a
depth of approximately 0.5 cm. In use, the rods 16 and spacing therebetween are
adapted to cover at least a part of, and preferably substantially all of, the wearer’s
shin. The rods 16 are preferably substantially light but durable, and are preferably
made from a resilient material such as rubber. Alternatively, the rods 16 may be
made from a substantially rigid material such as plastic, fibreglass, or any other
suitable rigid material. In this case, each of the rods 16 is preferably coated with a
resilient material to provide good shock absorption and resistance, as will be
described in more detail hereinafter.
It will be appreciated that the rods 16 may be integrally formed with the second
portion 14 during manufacture. For example and refening to Figure 3, during
manufacture, the rods 16 may be inserted between two plies of fabric 26, 28 used
to form the sock 10. The two plies of fabric 26, 28 would preferably be sewn
together as appropriate to enable the elongate members 16 to be secured firmly in
position within the sock 10. For example, as shown in Figure 3, four elongate
members 16 are shown spaced apart from one another by a distance of
approximately 0.75 cm and integrally formed with the sock 10, between an
external layer 26 and an internal layer 28. It will be apparent that the length of the
rods 16 may be adapted as necessary to suit the dimensions of a particular sports
sock 10. This integral arrangement of the elongate members 16 with the second
portion 14, conveniently enables a wearer to pull on the sock 10 in order to obtain
shin protection, and avoids the requirement to wear a separate shin guard under the
sock 10.
Alternatively, it will be appreciated that, during manufacture, the two plies of
fabric 26, 28 may be sewn together in such a fashion as to form means such as one
or more pockets (not shown) adapted to removably receive the rods 16. It will be
appreciated that the number, shape and size of pockets may be varied as desired.
For example, the sports sock 10 may be adapted to comprise a single pocket or a
number of pockets, each adapted to releasably receive and hold one or more
protective elements as appropriate. Therefore, a wearer conveniently has the
option of pulling on the sports sock 10 following which the wearer would insert
the required protective element(s) into the one or more pockets, or, alternatively,
the wearer could insert the required protective element(s) into the one or more
pockets prior to pulling on the sports sock 10. It will be still further appreciated
that the one or more pockets may be formed by attaching one or portions of
material to the external layer 26 of the second portion 14, using any suitable
means. Each of the one or more pockets may be reversibly closed using any
suitable fastening means (not shown) so as to releasably secure the protective
element(s) within the one or more pockets.
Refening now to Figure 4, a variation of the sports sock 10 of the first
embodiment is shown to comprise a plurality of the elongate members 16 disposed
within a layer of resilient material 19. The resilient material 19 is preferably a
resilient foam, however it is not limited thereto and may be made any other
suitable material. In this arrangement, the resilient material is preferably integrally
formed with the second portion 14 so as to at least partially cover the elongate
members 16. Preferably, the resilient material substantially surrounds each of the
elongate members 16 as shown in Figure 4 for example, in order to act as padding
and to provide improved protection to the wearer’s shin. Using this variation, the
shin is protected by both the rods 16 and the surrounding resilient material 19, and
the resilient material 19 also provides comfort to the wearer. It will be apparent
that this variation of the first embodiment may be manufactured in any suitable
way. It will be further apparent that the rods 16 substantially surrounded by the
resilient material 19 may be made from a resilient material such as rubber, or a
substantially rigid material such as plastic, fibreglass, or any other suitable rigid
material.
Referring again to Figures 1, 2 and 10, for example, the sports sock 10 preferably
also comprises one or more ankle protective components 18 integrally formed with
the first portion 12 in a region adapted to extend around a wearer’s ankle in use.
The sports sock 10 preferably comprises a single ankle protective component 18
which extends substantially circumferentially around the ankle of the wearer;
however, in the preferred arrangement, the ankle protective component 18
preferably does not extend around the region covering the front of the ankle, as
shown in the drawings. In this manner, the ankle protective component 18
conveniently protects the ankle area, which is prone to injuries during matches and
training sessions, but since it does not fully extend around the ankle, the wearer
can move his or her foot without being restricted by the ankle protective
component 18. The ankle protective component 18 is preferably made from a
resilient material such as a resilient foam. Although not shown in the drawings, it
will be appreciated that a further protective component is also preferably provided
in a region adapted to extend around a heel of the wearer in use, in order to protect
the wearer’s foot.
Referring again to Figures 1, 2 and 10 for example, the second portion 14
preferably terminates in an elastically reinforced portion 32 at a free end thereof.
The sock 10 is preferably long enough so that, in use, the wearer can turn down
the elastically reinforced portion 32 (exposing the internal layer 28), which urges
the sock to grip against the leg of the wearer. The elastically reinforced portion 32
therefore keeps the sock substantially in position on the leg and prevents the sock
from falling down.
Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a protective garment in the fonn of a
sports sock l 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the
second embodiment, like features have been accorded like reference numerals and
unless stated to the contrary, perform like function. In this embodiment, the at
least one protective element is provided on an external surface of the external layer
126 of the second portion H4. The protective element is preferably in the form of
a protective coating 150. The protective coating 150 is preferably made from a
resilient material such as rubber or sponge, however it is not limited thereto. The
protective coating 150 preferably comprises a first surface (not shown) adapted to
abut against the surface of the external layer 126 and a second externally facing
surface which comprises a plurality of projections 152.
It will be appreciated that the protective coating 150 advantageously provides two
separate firnctions. The protective coating 150 protects the shin, and it is also
adapted to act as a cushion thereby absorbing some energy from a football (not
shown) as it hits off a wearer’s shin. In this manner, it is proposed that the
protective coating 150 conveniently reduces the bounce of a football, essentially
“deadening” the football and therefore allowing the wearer to have more control
over the football. Referring to Figures 5(a) — 5(1), a number of variations of
projections 152 are illustrated. It will be appreciated that these particular shapes
and configurations of proj ections 152 are merely exemplary and are not limiting,
and may be adjusted as necessary in order to achieve the desired result. The
projections 152 of the protective coating 150 are preferably made from a resilient
material such as rubber or sponge.
Although the protective coating 150 is preferably used to “deaden” the movement
of the football, it will be appreciated that the protective coating 150 (and
projections 152 thereon) may be adapted as necessary to provide a number of
different functions, such as reducing the spin of an approaching football; or
actually adding spin to the football, to put more swerve, power and curl onto the
football.
The protective coating 150 may be affixed or stitched onto the external layer 126,
or adhered thereto using any other suitable means (not shown). It will be
appreciated that instead of being provided with projections 152, the protective
coating 150 may be substantially smooth.
Referring now to Figures 6 — 9, there is illustrated a protective garment in the form
of a sports sock 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In
the third embodiment, like features have been accorded like numerals, and unless
stated otherwise, perform like function. The sports sock 210 of the third
embodiment conveniently comprises both a plurality of elongate members 216 and
a protective coating 250 integrally formed with the second portion 214.
Referring to Figure 6, it will be appreciated that the elongate members 216 are
preferably in the fomi of rods 216 provided between the external layer 226 and the
internal layer 228 as previously described with reference to Figure 3. Referring
now to Figures 7 and 8, it will be appreciated that the elongate members 216 are
preferably in the form of rods 216 substantially surrounded by resilient material
219 as previously described with reference to Figure 4. In this embodiment, the
protective coating 250 preferably extends over the area of the second portion 214
comprising the elongate members 216 (and resilient material 219 in Figures 7 and
8). A cross-sectional view of the sports sock 210 of Figures 7 and 8 is shown in
Figure 9, which shows (from the innermost layer and extending outwardly,
refemng to the area which will cover the shin in use) an internal layer 228, a
plurality of elongate members 216 disposed within the resilient material 219, an
external layer 226 and a protective coating 250. It will be appreciated that the
sports sock 210 provides comfort to and protects the shin, ankle and heel of the
wearer by means of the elongate members 216 and the surrounding resilient
material 219 (if present), and the ankle protective components 218 and heel
protective components if present, and also provides further comfort, protection and
football control by means of the protective coating 250.
It will be appreciated that the sports sock 10;1l0;2lO of the first, second and third
embodiments respectively, may comprise a number of additional features not
previously mentioned herein. For example, the sports sock 10;110;210 may be
provided with fastening means such as Velcro (Trade Mark), snap-fit fasteners,
clips, Clasps, buttons, buckles or the like. For example, referring to Figures 7 and
8, the second portion 214 is shown to be provided with a Velcro (Trade Mark)
strip 70. Referring again to Figure 7, a zip 74 is shown to be provided in the
second portion 214. In this arrangement, the zip 74 extends from an end of the
second portion 214 to approximately half-way along the length thereof.
Referring to Figures 6 and 8, it will be apparent that the second portion 14;1l4;214
may also be provided with one or more elastic sections 72 integrally fonned
therewith. Therefore, any or all of the elastically reinforced portion 32;132;232,
the Velcro strip 70, the elastic sections 72 and the zip 74 may be included to
enable the sports sock to remain fastened against the wearer’s leg, without
restricting circulation or movement. It will be apparent that any other suitable
fastening means (not shown) may be included in the sports sock 10;1l0;210.
Referring now to Figure 10, it will be appreciated that the sports sock 10,110,210
may also be provided with a plurality of spaced apart holes 76 to allow for
ventilation. The holes 76 are preferably provided in the material located between
the elongate members (which are not shown in Figure 10) however, they may
alternatively provided in any other area of the sports sock l0;110;210. The holes
76 act to reduce perspiration of the wearer’s leg, thereby acting as ventilation
holes.
It will be further appreciated that the sports sock 10;ll0;210 advantageously
provides a number of features which provide comfort and protection to the
wearer’s leg, in addition to being a simple, compact item which avoids the use of a
number of different components such as shin-pads. It will be still further
appreciated that any of the first, second and third embodiments may be adapted to
include any suitable combination of the features described herein. It will also be
appreciated that if one or more pockets made from portions of material attached to
the external layer 126;226 are present, the protective coating l50;250 may be
provided on an external surface (not shown) of the portions of material forming
the one or more pockets.
It will be also be apparent that although the protective garment is described herein
as a sports sock, the protective garment may be adapted for use in any different
area of a wearer’s body, such as the arm, the torso and/or the head.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein which
may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
Claims (5)
1, A protective garment in the form of a sports sock, comprising a first portion adapted to cover a wearer’s foot and ankle and a second portion extending from the first portion and adapted to cover at least a part of the wearer’s shin, wherein the second portion is provided with at least one protective element in a region adapted to protect part of the wearer’s shin.
2. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at least one protective element comprises a plurality of spaced apart elongate members disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion, and wherein the elongate members are made from a resilient material and/or a substantially rigid material ancL”or a substantially flexible, semi-rigid material.
3. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the protective garment is provided with a resilient material adapted to at least partially cover the elongate members, the elongate members being disposed within at least one layer of the resilient material.
4. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one protective element is integrally formed with the second portion.
5. A protective garment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 — 4, wherein the second portion is provided with means for removably receiving the at least one protective element.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IEIRELAND12/08/2004S2004/0541 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20050528U1 IE20050528U1 (en) | 2006-02-22 |
IES84362Y1 true IES84362Y1 (en) | 2006-10-04 |
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