WO2006015883A1

WO2006015883A1 - A protective garment

Info

Publication number: WO2006015883A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/008840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eamon Butler
Original assignee: Eamon Butler
Priority date: 2004-08-12
Filing date: 2005-08-12
Publication date: 2006-02-16
Also published as: IES20050528A2

Abstract

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. The second portion is provided with at least one protective element in a region adapted to protect part of the wearer’s skin. 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 garment, 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. hi this case, each of the elongate members is preferably coated with a resilient material.

hi 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.

Alternatively 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.

Alternatively 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 formed 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 1 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

2;

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(f) 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 6;

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;110;210 comprises a first portion 12;112;212 adapted to cover a wearer's foot and ankle (not shown) and a second portion 14; 114;214 extending from the first portion 12;112;212 and adapted to cover at least a part of the wearer's shin (not shown). The first and second portions 12; 112;212, 14; 114;214 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 10;l 10;210 is provided with at least one protective element 16;216, 150;250 which is preferably integrally formed with the second portion 14; 114;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;110;210 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 referring 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.

Referring 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, flbreglass, 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 10 from falling down.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a protective garment in the form of a sports sock 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, hi the second embodiment, like features have been accorded like reference numerals and unless stated to the contrary, perform like function, hi this embodiment, the at least one protective element is provided on an external surface of the external layer 126 of the second portion 114. 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 proj ections 152.

It will be appreciated that the protective coating 150 advantageously provides two separate functions. 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, hi 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(f), a number of variations of projections 152 are illustrated. It will be appreciated that these particular shapes and configurations of projections 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 maybe 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 form 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, referring 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;l 10;210 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; 114;214 may also be provided with one or more elastic sections 72 integrally formed 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;l 10;210.

Referring now to Figure 10, it will be appreciated that the sports sock 10;l 10;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 10;l 10;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;110;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 150;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

Claims:

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.

3. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plurality of spaced apart elongate members are disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second portion.

4. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the elongate members are made from a resilient material, such as rubber.

5. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the elongate members are made from a substantially rigid material, such as plastic or fibreglass.

6. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the elongate members are made from a substantially flexible, semi-rigid material such as a flexible plastic.

7. A protective garment as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 6, wherein the protective garment is provided with a resilient material adapted to at least partially cover the elongate members.

8. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the elongate members are disposed within at least one layer of the resilient material.

9. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one protective element is integrally formed with the second portion.

10. A protective garment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 - 8, wherein the second portion is provided with means for removably receiving the at least one protective element.

11. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 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.

12. A protective garment as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the ankle protective components are made from a resilient material.

13. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second portion terminates in an elastically reinforced portion at a free end thereof.

14. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second portion comprises fastening means such as Velcro (Trade Mark), snap fit fasteners, clips, clasps, buttons, buckles or the like.

15. A protective garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one protective element comprises a protective coating.

16. A protective garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one protective element comprises a plurality of spaced apart elongate members and a protective coating.

17. A protective garment as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the protective coating is provided on an external surface of the second portion.

18. A protective garment as claimed in any of Claims 15 - 17, wherein the protective coating is made from a resilient material, such as rubber or sponge.

19. A protective garment as claimed in any of Claims 15 - 18, wherein 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.

20. A protective garment as claimed in any one of Claims 16 - 19, wherein the protective coating extends over an area of the second portion bearing the elongate members.

21. A protective garment as claimed in any one of Claims 15 - 18, wherein the protective coating is substantially smooth.

22. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 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.

23. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is provided with one or more zips extending from the free end thereof to a distance approximately halfway along the length of the second portion.

24. A protective garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the garment is provided with a plurality of holes to allow for ventilation.