US2423849A - Knee protector - Google Patents

Description

' y 1947- M. PATTERSON 2, 23,849

' KNEE PROTECTOR I Filed Jan. 26,4945 I INVENTOR v LOLA M. PATTERSON,

ATTORNEYS Patented July 15, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to covers or protectors intended primarily for protection of portions of the body particularly subject to injury, such as the knee or elbow.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pad or protector that may be easily and quickly attached to and detached from the knee or elbow.

Another object is to provide a pad which, when properly positioned upon the knee or elbow, is securely held in place, while providing effective protection.

A further object is to provide a pad that is moisture-proof, durable, that may be worn without discomfort, that is neat and pleasing in appearance, and, most important of all, that fully protects the knee or elbow against injury and disorders such as housemaids knee, common among those who do a great deal of work upon their knees.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one of my pads attached to the knee of a user.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of a pad constructed according to my invention and showing particularly the protecting pad, the attached flap and the attaching strips.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the pad shown at Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view of a modified form in which the pad is curved in one dimension toconform to the configuration of the limb.

Figure 5 is a view showing the protective pad in use as when kneeling.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modification wherein the outer covering or casing forms a pocket or compartment wherein resilient or other soft protecting materials such as sponge rubber or kapok, may be inserted and retained, which materials may, at the same time be easily removed for replacement or cleaning.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals identify corresponding parts throughout, A identifies the legs of a user and to which my protecting pad has been attached. This pad consists, in general, of a main section or cushion III of a Width sufficient to extend a substantial distance over and about the knee or elbow, and of a length sufficient to provide a portion Illa fully covering and protecting the knee or elbow and, at the same time, providing a supporting and attaching flap II'Ib. Preferably, but not necessary, section I may consist of fabric impregnated-with rubber or other material so as to be waterproof and insectproof while at the same time highly resistant to wear.

I 'If desired, a layer of material especially resistant to wear, may be attached in any desired manner to the outer surface of portion Illa.

A pad II of soft, resilient protective material is attached to one side of portion Illa and may consist of side sections Na and a bottom section I Ib firmly bound and secured to the portion Illa of main section ID as by sewing.

A body-attaching strip of material I2 has its ends attached to opposite sides of pad I I adjacent the outer end thereof, while a second strip of material I3 has its ends secured to the side edges of flap or portion I 0h adjacent the free end thereof. These strips are preferably of elastic material and are of a length such that, combined with the width of the sections to which they are attached, they form loops adapted to encircle and snugly fit the adjacent limb of the wearer. If desired, these strips may be made adjustable as by the use of clasps or buckles.

Figure 4 shows a modification wherein two opposed end section I la are curved whereby the pad is arcuate in a plane transverse to and snugly fits the limb of the user. In other respects the construction is the same as in the species of Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 shows the pad in the position it assumes when the user is kneeling and it will be noted that, in such position flap IIIb extends well up beyond the joint and not only aids in preventing moisture and dirt from entering between the pad and limb of the user, but also retains the pad in position by causing the retaining strap I3 to be positioned well up on the limb.

At Figure 6 I have shown a modification in which the parts are generally of the same shape and configuration as in the species of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and thus have been given corresponding numerals as in Figures 1 to 4. However, one end section I la, of Figures 1 to 4, is replaced by a fiap or section I4 secured along one edge to main section III and of a width sufiicient to overlap bottom section b as indicated at I la. This overlapping portion is secured to bottom section III) by any suitable means such as snap fasteners I5 or any other releasable fastener such as a zipper, to thereby form a chamber or pocket within which may be fitted a pad of resilient material such as sponge rubber. By this arrangement, the flap may be opened to remove the pad of resilient material therein whereby the disassembled parts may be readily cleaned and either part may be replaced without replacement of the other.

The use and operation of my pad will be obvious from the foregoing description. It will be noted that the section lllb extends to a point remote from the joint portion of the user and not only aids in affording protection against the entrance of moisture between the protector and the covered body area, but also greatly adds to the comfort of the wearer, since the elastic flap I3 i thereby prevented from displacement int the crease formed by doubling r flexing of the protected joint, whereby the pad does not moveor creep upon flexure of thejoint.

The same features are present in the species of Figure 6, with the added advantages that the pocket formed by the portions Illa, Ha, Nb and flap l4, may be opened to remove the pad or. filling of sponge rubber or other resilientt fl late rial contained therein, after which thef'abricportions may be easily cleaned or laundered. Eur'r' thermore, the pad may be transferred and use d repeatedly after the fabric or covering parts have Worn out.

It Willbe understood that my protector Willv ordinarily be sold and used inpairs andthat they will be especially useful for maids, gardeners, garage; men and others who do a considerable amount of work ina kneeling position. Not only do theyprotect those portions of: the limb otherwise exposed to injury but they also protect the hosiery against wear and tear and greatly lengthen its life.

While I have selected a preferred-form of my invention for illustration; it is to-be understood that-I: reserve all such modifications, alterations and: substitutions as fallw-ithinthe' scope of the subjoined-claims.

Having nowdescribed the invention, what I,

claim'and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1 Ina padfbrprotecting. the body, an elongatedstrip of material having end edges, sectionsof material secured to said! strip to form a pocket over substantially one-half the area ofsaid strip,- said; pocket being completely closed by said material; protective padding within said pocket, and elastic straps secured to said Dad adjacent the saidend edges of said strip.

2; In a protective pad, an elongated main section of flexible material, end and side edges of material secured to said main section and extending over approximately one, half the areaof saidmain'section to form apocket completely closed onallsidesexcept one and adapted-to receive apad; o f, cushioning material, a; flap secured to said main section and completely closing the open side of'saidpocket, meansflpermanently attaching the free end" ofsaid flap to the side section of'said" pocket, and elastic band means secured to the remote ends of said main section and pocket, respectively.

3. In a protective pad, sideand end sections of flexible material having their edges permafrom said second flap, and body-attaching strap means secured to said second flap at its end remote'from said pocket.

4. Ina protective pad, an elongated main section of flexible material, end and side edges of material secured to said main section and extending. over approximately one-half the area of said main section to form a pocket, a body of material permanentlysecured to said end and side edges tocompletely close the pocket, cushioning material in said completely closed pocket and elastic band means secured to the remote ends of said main section and pocket respectively.

5. Ina protective pad, an elongated main sectionof flexible material, end and side members of the same material permanently secured to said main section and extending transversely thereof to form a pocket, a cover for the pocket permanently secured to said end and side members, said cover being made of the same mateelastic band means secured to said main, sec-v tion and pocket respectively.

LOLA M. PATTERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED} STATES PATENTS.

Number Name Date 1,308,109 Peugh July 1, 1919 1,792,048 Swenson Feb. 10; 1931 1336537" Rylander V Nov. 21, 1922 2368 433 Terry Jan. 30; 1945'

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