US1131816A - Knee-protector. - Google Patents

Description

R. C. BASSETT.

KNEE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1914.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

fiGBawelZmve Witnesses Attorneys THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHDTILLITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

r'wros c. BASSET'I, or COMANCHE, TEXAS.

KNEE-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 15915.

Application filed June 9, 1914. Serial No. 844,048.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUFUS C. BASSETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Comanche, in the county of Comanche and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Knee-Protector, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to knee protectors, and aims to provide a novel and improved knee protector adapted to be worn by cotton pickers, miners, and other workmen whoare required towalk or labor while resting on the knees.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a knee protector of unique construction, whereby it will be peculiarly adapted for the intended purposes, the present device while applied to the knee, permitting the wearer to walk conveniently either while standing or kneeling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knee protector which will conveniently and effectively accommodate the knee of the wearer and which will permit the leg to be straightened out Without difficulty when the wearer assumes a standing position.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter de scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the-precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved knee protector as in use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the device. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3*3 of Fig.2.

The frame of the present invention includes a pair of upright strips or bars 1 which have their lower ends bent angularly .inward, as at 2, and riveted or otherwise secured upon the end portions of a semi-circular or arcuate base plate or foot 3. The arcuate base plate or foot 3 projects forwardly from the side bars 1, and the bars 1 are connected above the foot 3 by forwardly curved yokes 1 which are arranged to surround the forward portion of the limb above the knee when the frame is set astride the limb over the knee joint. The forward portion of the foot plate 3 is curved upward slightly.

in order to hold the frame in place upon the limb, a pair of straps are attached to one of the side bars 1 in rear of the yokes 4, and buckles 6 are attached to the other bar 1 opposite the basal ends of the straps 5. The lower strap 5 is arranged to pass in rear of the knee joint, while the upper strap 5 is arranged to pass in rear of the thigh abovethe knee, and the free ends of the straps 5 are adjustably engageable with the buckles 6 to thereby cause the yokes it and straps 5 to snugly embrace the limb directly above the knee joint.

Yieldably mounted between the side bars 1 is a knee pad or stirrup 7, which incorporates a pair of side members 8 having their central or intermediate portions pivoted upon the inner ends of the bolts 9 slidable within longitudinal or vertical slots 10 formed in the bars 1 adjacent their lower ends. An endless pad or stirrup element 11 is passed around the side members 8 and is provided with the openings 12 intermediate its edges through which the bolts or pivot members 9 are passed, it being observed that the pad or saddle 7, including the members 8 and the fabric or textile element 11, may

swing forward and rearwardly about a transverse horizontal axis.

As a means for yieldingly supporting the pad or stirrup 7, inner and outer washers 13 are mounted upon the bolts 9 adjacent the inner and outer sides of the bars 1, and the outer washers 14 are provided with upper hooks 15, while the bars 1 are provided above the hooks 15, with complementary hooks 16. Coiled wire retractile springs 17 are. disposed upon the outer sides of the bars 1 and have their ends engaged to the respective hooks 15 and 16, to thereby yieldably support the bolts or pivot members 9.

In applying the protector to the limb, the frame of the protector is placed astride the limb adjacent the knee, so that the yokes 4c surround the forward portion of the thigh directly above the knee joint. The straps 5 are then passed around the back of the knee joint and thigh and are attached to the buckles 6, whereby the yokes 1 and straps 5 will girdle the lower portion of the thigh directly above the knee joint. The lower strap 5 fitting snugly in rear of the knee joint will permit the limb to be readj:

ily doubled or straightened out, and at th same time, the two straps 5 will effectively hold the yokes 4: snugly against the limb.

The knee is adapted to rest upon the textile .or fabric element 11, which will provide a comparatively soft or yielding pad element for the knee, and when the'weight of the wearer is imposed upon the knee, the pad or stirrup 7 may yield inasmuch as the pivot members 9 may be depressed Within the slots 10 and are yieldably supported by the springs 17. In this manner, the pad or stirrup is not only inherently yieldable, but is yieldably supported, to render the protector comfortable in its use, and to avoid chafing or other injury to the knee. Another advantage resides in the fact that the pad or stirrupis pivotally mounted between the bars 1, whereby the pad or stir' V ent device is worn in pairs, in order that the wearer may walk or labor upon his knees, and when doing so, the pads or stirrup upon which the knees rest, are spaced above the soil or underlying surface, to'prevent the knees from contacting with the hard soil, hot sand, rocks, mud and the like. As the wearer walks upon the knees, the pad 11 will swing or oscillate properly, according to the movement of the respective limb,and furthermore, each pad will yield under the varying conditions, to the comfort of the wearer.

The arcuate base plate or foot 3 provides a relatively large bearing surface, in order that the protector may rest flatly or efiectively upon the soil or other surface, and whereby the protector will not be liable to sink readily into soft or muddy soil. sand and the like. The peculiar foot piece 3 also enables the wearer to conveniently and readily walk while on his knees.

The present device is particularly adapted for protecting the knee while walking or laboring thereon and for preventing the Copies of this patent may be obtained for knee from engaging the soil, or the like, as

notd iifrequently results in chafing, rheumatism, and other ailments. The inner sides of the side bars 1 are smooth and unencumbered, to prevent injury to the limb while the limb reciprocates slightly within the frame, due to the yielding move ,ment of the pad or stirrup 7, and the presouter sides of the said bars and yieldably.

supporting the said members, and a knee pad carried by the said members between the said bars. v

2. A knee protector including side bars having slots, pivot members working within the said slots, springs disposed upon the outer sides of the bars and connected to the said pivot members to yieldably support the same, and a knee pad disposed between the said bars andincluding side members pivotally engaged with the said pivot mem' bers and a yield-able element connecting the said side members.

-3. A knee protector embodying'side bars having forwardly projecting yokes connecting them, a forwardly projecting arcuate foot pieceattached to the lowerends of the side bars and arranged to let the leg be straightened out, a yieldable knee pad mounted between the said bars, and straps for connecting the side bars adapted to co-- operate with the said yokes to girdle a limb above the knee joint.

at. A knee protector embodying side bars having forwardly projecting yokes connecting them, a forwardly projecting arcuate foot piece attached to the lower ends of the side bars and arranged to let the leg be straightened out, a knee pad pivotally and yieldably mounted between the side bars, and straps for connecting the side bars adapted to co'fiperate with the said yokes to girdle a limb above theknee joint.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

RUFUS C. BASSETT.

Vitnesses: V

Conn BALDWIN, P. S. SMITH.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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