WO2009015418A1

WO2009015418A1 - Skin protector for joint region

Info

Publication number: WO2009015418A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Margaret Dale
Original assignee: Andrea Margaret Dale
Priority date: 2007-07-27
Filing date: 2008-07-25
Publication date: 2009-02-05

Abstract

A skin protector for knees or elbows is a knitted sleeve with end portions to grip the part of the limb above and below the joint with a bend which is Terry knitted to protect the patella or olecranon and incline the two ends at 140-150°. The protector may be made from two sleeves, each having a bend and mutually connected so the bends lie in register. hi a variant, the sleeve may have a double bend and is folded on itself so the bends lie in register.

Description

TITLE: SKIN PROTECTOR FOR JOINT REGION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns protectors for elbows and knees.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People who clean for a living and elderly people who garden for pleasure tend to rely on kneeling mats. Gardeners, carpet layers and other trades who kneel frequently at work tend to wear purpose built knee protection secured by ties such as hook and pile fasteners or adjustable straps. Such protectors contain a shock absorbing pad surrounded by a waterproof skin of plastic secured by tapes to the wearers leg.

Another form of protection is a foam rubber moulding which flexes with the movement of the leg and relies on ties above and below the knee. Comfort is a prime requirement for such protection as it may be worn for an entire shift. US Patent 3,346,877 shows such a cushioning pad.

Infants crawl initially wearing only nappies or perhaps a garment made of pile fabric or knitted fabric. While these give some protection they, like skin which they cover, are subject to wear. Sore knees or skin injury may deter an infant from crawling. Protectors of the type built for adults are not practical for an infant, moreover mothers of infants wish to launder what their children wear. Babies and toddlers from about 7 months to about 3 years spend considerable time crawling or kneeling. Skin injuries are common in older children who indulge in adventurous play. Adults with joint discomfort have scant choice when seeking joint warming clothing which looks fashionable rather than medical. Manual workers such as cleaners and gardeners often bump, graze and lean on their knees and elbows causing injuries and wear and tear. Office workers' elbows may be in constant contact with hard surfaces.

US Patent 2008047043 incorporates cushioned pads into a pair of pants which allow the pads to be located over the knee while the fit of the garment ensures the pads stay in position over the child's knees. These do not permit the protection of the elbows and it is advantageous if a skin protector could protect both knee and elbow.

The protector shown in WO2004/052132 is more useful in achieving this dual purpose but is prone to displacement in use in that it adds multiple friction generating projections to the patella region of the leg. Elbow protection is of greater interest to older children such as skateboarders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first product aspect of the invention provides a skin protector for a joint region comprising a fabric sleeve having an end portion and an opposite end portion joined by an intermediate portion which contains a bend whereby the axis of the end portion is inclined to the axis of the opposite end portion.

Accordingly the protector may be a one piece garment.

The bend may extend over 45-55% of the circumference of the intermediate part. The bend itself may produce a convexity in the sleeve with a quadrant shape including an angle of 65-75°. The bend may be Terry knitted or otherwise increased in thickness to assist protection. The bend imparts an angular appearance to the protector and the ends are inclined at 140-150°. The knee protector sizes may be selected to suit from crawlers right through to the elderly. In a particular form they may suit children 2-5 and 5-8. The elbow protector sizes range up to adult sizes.

A second aspect of the invention provides a skin protector for a joint region comprising a first fabric sleeve with an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate heel causing the lower end to be inclined to the upper end, a second fabric sleeve with an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate heel causing the lower end to be inclined to the upper end, wherein the sleeves coaxially overlap such that the heels of both sleeves mutually register and the sleeves are mutually attached.

This protector is made from two pieces of fabric. When the fabric sleeve is knitted on a circular knitting machine, the heel may be integral using sock construction. The sleeves may be knitted as such with two open ends. The protector may be formed by inserting one sleeve partially in the other so that the heels register and then stitching the sleeves together so that the heels remain in register. This provides a double thickness at the intermediate area of the protector both alone and below the knee and over the knee proper.

A third product aspect of the invention provides a skin protector comprising a fabric or knitted sleeve with an end portion and an opposite end portion joined by an intermediate portion, wherein the end portion is joined to the intermediate portion by a first bend and the opposite end portion is joined to the intermediate portion by a second bend, the sleeve being foldable to coaxially overlap so that the bends mutually register and provide double thickness.

This protector is made from a single sleeve of fabric.

When the protector is made of non-knitted fabric, the mutually adjacent ends of the fabric sleeves may be inclined to each other leaving a triangular gap and the gap may be bridged by a fabric insert which is domed by the insertion of one or more darts. Thus the protector may be made of lambskin or felt or other non-wovens, but the construction will utilise an added bridge piece as described.

The sleeves may be of sufficient length to fold back and overlie as if it were the arm sleeve of a garment.

The overlapped sleeves may be connected by sewing or overlocking on a free arm machine that is one which allows an endless rotary sewing path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Three embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan of a pair of sleeves each with a bend.

Figure 2 is a plan of a protector found by inserting one sleeve inside the other.

Figure 3 is a section of a single sleeve with two bends folded to form a sleeve of double thickness with the bends in register.

Figure 4 is a plan of the preferred embodiment turned inside out to show structural detail. Figure 5 is a variant of Figure 2 or 3 with a waterproof layer around the bend and a silicone layer around the band.

Figure 6 shows the preferred embodiment with an aperture opposite the bend.

Figure 7 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 incorporated into a stocking and an integral slipper.

Figure 8 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 incorporated into an arm covering garment.

Figure 9 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 in double thickness and reversible.

Figure 10 shows a variant made of soft thin leather in exploded view to reveal the structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, precursors 2, 4 are knitted on a circular knitting machine. Each has a heel 6, 8 which joins the welt 10, 12 to the band 14, 16. The edges 18, 20 are overlocked. Precursor 2 is inserted inside precursor 4 so that heel 6 overlies heel 8. Overlocked edge 18 of precursor 2 is visible but not overlocked edge of precursor 4. The precursors are stitched together on a free arm sewing machine at the sites 22, 24.

In a variant, the welt is made somewhat longer leaving sufficient length to fold over to form a cuff thereby obscuring edge 18. This provides extra thickness of fabric for the parts of the leg above and below the knee.

As shown in Figure 9, a V-shaped portion 84 of increased elasticity may be provided at either or both ends of the product, being at its widest at the edge and narrowing towards the bend, enabling extra stretch for larger limbs.

A non-slip bubble may be provided on the external surface of the bend to prevent slipping such as may occur during crawling. One or more elastic bands 63 (Figure 9) may also be provided between the bend and the welts to limit slippage of the protector along the limb.

In Figure 3 a knitted sleeve 26 having a first heel 6 and a second heel 8 is overlapped so that the heels lie in register. The structure creates double thickness in the heel area and if the ends are folded to form cuffs quadruple thickness is created. This is economical to make but the product is bulky and does not launder as well as the next embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of Figure 4 is knitted on a circular knitting machine from cotton/nylon yarn sold as LYCRA™. Construction is begun at the border 30 of the welt

10. The welt is folded to provide double thickness and has ribs 32 which exert an elasticated grip on the part of the child's leg above the knee. The lesser sleeve ribs continue on mutually parallel where creating a firusto-conical sleeve 34 with a taper which continues to the mid axis 36 where the sleeve body 38 tapers in the opposite direction becoming narrower and forming ribs 40 which again are folded to form a band of double thickness. The band 42 is only 70% of the circumference of the welt and is intended to grip the calf of the child's leg. The band 42 of the sleeve is connected by yarn bridges 44 to the lesser sleeve ribs of the sleeve ribs 40. The axis of the sleeve part

34 meets the axis of the sleeve part 38 at the mid axis 36. They intersect at an angle of 145°.

The heel or bend 6 creates a convex bulge in the sleeve and the edges 46, 48 intersect at the mid axis 36. The bend is Terry knitted and the loops 50 create a pile which approximates in thickness to the welt and band. In the variant of Figure 9, the construction is modified to be of double thickness. In another variant the construction is modified to be of only a single layer, or a single layer with an additional layer over the bend for padding. The skin protectors can be turned inside out thereby offering a clean appearance in the event of soiling.

In use the protector is placed on the child's leg with the bend overlying the patella.

In Figure 5 the protector is made from a pair of precursors. The inner sleeve bend is surrounded by a collar of waterproof PVC film 54 which is secured by circumferential stitching 56. In another variant, instead of a collar, a waterproof cushioning pad or disc may be provided containing silicone gel or other suitable materials. The inside annular face of the inner sleeve is covered by a band of silicone film 58 to make frictional contact with the skin above the knee. A press stud 60 is sewn to the opposite end. This permits the article to be connected to the partner of the pair as an aid to laundering. Alternatively a velcro tag 61 may be provided instead of a stud for enabling binding to its partner of the pair.

In Figure 6 the portion of the protector at the rear of the patella is missing, the elliptical aperture 62 allowing relief from skin contact. A tab 64 assists the wearer to grip the protector during donning and doffing. The regions 34, 38 are of a lighter knit than the ends and bend 6.

In Figure 7 the end below the knee is extended to form a knitted stocking 66 and the foot 68 of the stocking is Terry knitted like the bend to provide a slipper.

In Figure 8 the ends 70, 72 beyond the elbow are extended to reach the armpit and wrist. An optional glove 74 is attachable. The olecranon is protected by bend 6.

In Figure 10 the protector is made from a leather sleeve 76. A circumferential cut enables the sleeve to be bent thereby opening a wedge shaped gap 78. A bridging bend 80 is made by sewing a dart 82 in the bend. The dart domes the bend suitably whereafter it is sewn over the gap in a free arm sewing machine. This embodiment may also be made from foam rubber sheet of the type used to make wetsuits. In a variant of this embodiment the sleeve could be made of a lycra, spandex, or wetsuit material provided with a thin leather portion over the bend.

I have found the advantages of the above embodiment to be:

1. The protectors are easy to don and doff and to launder.

2. Skin soreness is prevented. 3. The protectors can be coloured or otherwise decorated to look like clothing.

4. Protectors can be made to suit different joint regions.

5. Protectors can be made to suit people of all ages.

6. Protectors can be made to suit people undertaking various activities and professions such as crawling, kneeling, cleaning, gardening, and office work.

It is to be understood that the word "comprising" as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word "comprising" does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A skin protector for a joint region comprising a fabric sleeve having an end portion and an opposite end portion joined by an intermediate portion which contains a bend whereby the axis of the end portion is inclined to the axis of the opposite end portion.

2. A skin protector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bend extends over 45-55% of the circumference of the intermediate part.

3. A skin protector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the bend extends over an angle of 65-75°.

4. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the bend is Terry knitted.

5. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 -4, wherein the bend inclines the axes of the ends at 140-150°.

6. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-5, wherein one end is of smaller circumference than the other end.

7. A skin protector as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the smaller end circumference is 65-75% of the circumference of the other end.

8. A skin protector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one end portion is folded in order to coaxially overlap and provide double thickness over part of the end portion.

9. A skin protector as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the edge of the overlap is stitched to the adjacent area of the end which the edge overlies.

10. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 -9, wherein the bend occupies the anterior surface and the posterior surface defines an aperture so that the posterior part of the joint is relieved of skin contact with the protector.

11. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-10, wherein a connector is fixed to the surface thereof in order to join the protector to a like protector to constitute a pair for laundering.

12. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-11, wherein the bend is protected by a waterproof layer.

13. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-12, wherein one end portion has an annular strip of silicone film attached interiorly thereto in order to increase the friction between the protector and the wearer's skin.

14. A skin protector as claimed in any one of Claims 1-13, wherein the construction is of double thickness in order to be reversible.

15. A skin protector for a joint region comprising a first fabric sleeve with an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate bend causing the lower end to be inclined to the upper end, a second fabric sleeve with an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate bend causing the lower end to be inclined to the upper end, wherein the sleeves coaxially overlap such that the bends of both sleeves mutually register and the sleeves are mutually attached.

16. A skin protector for a joint region comprising a fabric or knitted sleeve with an end portion and an opposite end portion joined by an intermediate portion, wherein the end portion is joined to the intermediate portion by a first bend and the opposite end portion is joined to the intermediate portion by a second bend, a sleeve being foldable between the bends to coaxially overlap so that the bends mutually register and provide double thickness.