WO2010068982A1

WO2010068982A1 - A protective pad

Info

Publication number: WO2010068982A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001632
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge Miguel Pereira
Original assignee: Jorge Miguel Pereira
Priority date: 2008-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: AU2008258150B1

Abstract

A removable protective pad (10) that releasably clips onto and off of straps (14) affixed to an article of clothing (11). The protective pad may be a knee pad or other type of pad, and may be a hard or soft knee pad to provide different types or levels of protection. The straps (14) that are stitched to the article of clothing (11) are length adjustable to allow the knee pad (10) to be suitably placed on a wearers body, and also to increase the comfort of the protective pad (10) as the tightness of the (straps12) can be adjusted as desired by the wearer.

Description

A Protective Pad

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to knee pads, and more specifically to removable kneepads that can releasably engage with fixtures on clothing.

BACKGROUND ART

[Mere reference to background art herein should not be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in relation to the invention.]

Protective pads, such as knee pads or elbow pads, are known to provide protection for regions of a wearer's body. Such protective pads are usually designed to protect the region of protection from injury, such as from an impact or fall, or to provide padding to increase comfort to the region, such as padding to knees when kneeling for an extended period of time.

Protective pads are usually removable articles, that are typically held in place by elastic or straps. However, such elastic/straps allow the pads to move, the effect being particularly noticeable in sports such as skating, skateboarding, or BMX riding, where the wearer is constantly moving. A further disadvantage of protect pads held in place by elastic or similar, is that undue stress is placed on the opposite side of the pad where a force is exerted to keep the pad in place. For example, in the case of a knee pad, the elastic spans behind the knee which is not only uncomfortable, but also restricts air circulation causing sweat build up, as well as substantially reducing blood circulation of the wearer.

Yet a further disadvantage of knee pads held on by elastic, or straps, is that the wearer's knees can roll off the pads, usually forwards. This can not only be painful for the wearer, but also dangerous.

It is an aim of this invention to provide removable kneepads that can releasably engage with fixtures on clothing which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an article of clothing, comprising at least one protective portion, each at least one protective portion comprising: a protective pad having at least one first portion of an attachment assembly thereon; and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to the article of clothing having at least one corresponding second portion of the attachment assembly releasably engageable with the respective first portion to releasably attach the protective pad to the article of clothing.

According to a more particular aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective pair of trousers, comprising at least one protective portion located along each leg of the trousers approximately at knee level, each at least one protective portion comprising: a protective pad having at least one first portion of an attachment assembly thereon; and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to each leg of the trousers having at least one corresponding second portion of the attachment assembly releasably engageable with the respective first portion to releasably attach the protective pad to the trousers.

According to another more particular aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective long sleeved garment for the upper body of a wearer, comprising at least one protective portion located along each arm of the long sleeved garment approximately at elbow level, each at least one protective portion comprising: a protective pad having at least one first portion of an attachment assembly thereon and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to each arm of the long sleeved garment having at least one corresponding second portion of the attachment assembly releasably engageable with the respective first portion to releasably attach the protective pad to the long sleeved garment.

Each attachment assembly may have any form suitable to achieve the functionality required for example a clip, a button and buttonhole, a buckle and strap or Velcro will all achieve the functionality required. The attachment assembly is provided as two corresponding portions which can therefore be used to releasably attach and detatch the protective pad from the article of clothing. Preferably, there are four attachment assemblies, two pairs of attachment assemblies provided to attach an upper and a lower portion of the protective pad to the article of clothing. The attachment assemblies may be arranged at or near a periphery of the protective pad.

Normally, a pair of length adjustable straps are provided, one to attach the upper portion of the protective pad and one to attach the lower portion of the protective pad. Typically, each end of each strap will be provided with a second portion of an attachment assembly.

The protective pad may be any suitable shape, including generally square, oval, rectangular, etc. and no limitation is meant thereby. Typically, an inner surface of the protective pad will be arcuate in at least two dimensions in order to be more comfortable when worn and particularly when a user's knee or elbow is bent. The attachment assemblies may be distributed around the protective pad to provide support to the protective pad in use. For example, if the protective pad is generally square or rectangular in shape, the first portion of the respective attachment assemblies may be located at or near the corners of the protective pad.

The length adjustable straps are preferably made of a flexible but robust material, such as woven nylon or thick cotton. The adjustable straps may have length adjusting means, such as a buckle, to enable the length of the strap to be altered. The straps are preferably length adjustable at each end, and therefore may have two length adjusting means. Normally, the length adjusting means are associated with the second portions of the attachment assemblies. For example, each second portion may be provided with a pair of slots through which a portion of the length adjustable strap may be fed in order to form a length adjustable mechanism which also functions as a friction lock when force or tension is applied to the strap. Typically, the length adjusting means is also therefore a means for attaching the second portion to the strap.

In an alternative configuration, the second portions may be attached permanently (such as by stitching or the like) to respective ends of the strap and a length adjusting means may be provided separately from the second portions. For example, the attachment straps may be provided as a central portion (typically affixed to the article of clothing) and a pair of side portions (typically not fixed to the article of clothing), each side portion attachable to the central portion using a length adjusting means which also functions as a friction lock.

Preferably, there are two length adjustable straps, and the length adjustable straps are affixed on the side of the clothing that is opposite the location of the protective pad in use. Typically, the length adjustable straps will be affixed to the clothing by being directly stitched to the clothing. Typically, the straps are attached to the clothing article at a location opposite the side on which the protective pad is to be worn such that the strap will, in use, extend about the user's limb and attached to the protective pad. In this arrangement, the straps provide support to the protective pad in use from behind the portion of a body being protected by the protective pad.

The protective pad is preferably a knee pad, but no limitation is meant thereby and the protective pad could also be an elbow pad, or shoulder pad, or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pad for protecting a portion of a wearers body, comprising: a bolstered portion that is adapted to releasably fasten to an article of clothing using at least two attachment assemblies were fixed to length adjustable straps which are attached to the article of clothing.

The bolstered portion is preferably a relatively softly padded portion that is utilised to cushion and protect a portion of the wearers body. The portion of the wearer's body being protected is preferably the knees of the wearer, and the pad is therefore preferably a knee pad. The bolstered portion is releasably fastened to the engagement members such that the knee pad can be removed, replaced, and/or changed easily when desired.

The attachment assemblies are preferably squeeze release clips that engage with a corresponding portion on the bolstered portion or vice versa. Preferably there are two length adjustable straps on the article of clothing and four attachment assemblies to which the bolstered portion is adapted to releasably fasten to.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a protection system for protecting a portion of a wearer's body, comprising: a protective pad having a plurality of fastening members thereon; and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to an article of clothing, the length adjustable strap having engagement members, wherein the fastening members releasably engage with the engagement members.

Preferably, the fastening members are a portion of a clip and the engagement members are another portion of a clip.

The length adjustable straps are preferably length adjustable at each end, and are stitched to the article of clothing on the side of the clothing that is opposite the location of the protective pad in use. In this arrangement, the engagement members can be moved closer or further away from the article of clothing by adjusting the length of the portion of the strap that the engagement member is attached to. Preferably, there are two length adjustable straps, each with two engagement members which releasably engage with four fastening members on the protective pad.

Preferably, the protective pad is a knee pad, but no limitation is meant thereby and the protective pad could be adapted and/or utilised to protect any suitable part of the wearers body.

In a preferred form, the attachment assembly and/or connection/fastening members comprise a connection mechanism for connecting a pair of elongate flexible portions to one another including at least two connection portions adapted to be secured relative to one another to form a substantially continuous elongate member, at least one of the connection portions having a clamping assembly associated therewith to attach a strap to the connection portion.

In use, the pair of elongate flexible portions may be separate flexible members or be opposite ends of the same flexible member. Therefore, a loop may be formed from the flexible members or alternatively, the flexible members together with a surface or other body may form a substantially continuous periphery.

The connection mechanism is typically used to connect one or more straps together. As mentioned above, there may be one strap with connection portions at either end or two or more straps each with an end fixed to an object and a free end with which a connection portion is associated.

Although the word 'strap' used, the connection mechanism of the present invention may be used on any type of flexible elongate member including, but not limited to, straps, lines, chains, ropes or the like.

The connection mechanism may include at least two connection portions adapted to be secured relative to one another to form a substantially continuous elongate member. As mentioned above, the substantially continuous elongate member may be a closed loop or alternatively a pair of strap portions may be provided each with a free end having one connection portion and each with a second end attached elsewhere such that the connection portions can be attached to one another.

One of the connection portions is typically a male member received at least partially in another female member. Typically, the connection portions will connect together in a snap fitting arrangement.

Further, the connection portions will be separable using a simple, preferably pushbutton release.

According to a preferred embodiment, one of the connection portions, typically the male portion, will have one or more deformable portions thereon which when deformed, move away from engaging portions on the other of the connecting portions.

Preferably, the other of the connection portions, namely the female portion, is preferably provided with one or more openings to receive one or more deformable portions of the male portion. The male portion is preferably formed with at least two deformable portions on either lateral side thereof each having enlarged structures with detents or lands which are engaged with the surrounds of openings provided in the female portion when inserted. The deformable portions undergo resilient deformation during insertion and forced deformation, allows removal of the deformable portions as the enlarged structures can then pass the openings.

At least one of the connection portions preferably has a clamping assembly associated therewith to attach a strap to the connection portion.

Preferably, both connection portions will have a clamping assembly.

According to one embodiment, the clamping assembly may be one in which the strap clamps itself to the connection portion using a friction lock. Alternatively and more preferred is a clamping mechanism where the strap is clamped using a clamping member movable between a clamping condition and a free condition.

An over centre clamping mechanism is preferred.

Preferably, each of the connection portions is provided with a clamping assembly at the end opposite the engageable portions which are releasably securable to one another. Preferably, each of the clamping assemblies includes an opening through the assembly through which the strap is fed.

The opening is preferably approximately strap width. An elongate anvil member is preferably provided extending transversely across the opening. The anvil member may be provided with a roughened surface in order to increase grip on the strap. Preferably, the anvil member divides the opening approximately half.

The anvil member may be provided as a two-part assembly with an inner member and a coaxial outer sleeve. The outer sleeve may be freely rotatable about the inner member.

The anvil member is adapted to provide a surface against which a clamping member can clamp the strap. Preferably, the clamping member is associated with a lift tab. The lift tab is preferably adapted to substantially cover or occlude the opening in the clamping assembly. Normally the strap is associated with the clamping assembly from the side of the connection member opposite the lift tab.

The lift tab is typically the means by which the clamping member is moved between the clamping condition and the free condition with the lift tab being movable between a cover position in which the clamping member is in the clamping condition and an open condition in which the clamping member is in the free condition.

The clamping member will typically extend across the opening substantially parallel to the anvil member. The clamping engagement with the strap is typically accomplished by having a separation distance between the anvil and the clamping member in the clamping condition which is slightly less than the thickness of the strap. Normally, the clamping member will be provided with a roughened surface in order to increase the grip on the strap.

Typically, both the clamping member and the anvil member are mounted in a fixed position relative to the clamping assembly with the clamping member simply rotatable around a fixed axis and the anvil member sleeve rotatable about the inner member

Alternatively, either the clamping member or the anvil member may be mounted on a movable axis and operation of the clamping assembly may move the axis toward and away from the other of the clamping or anvil members.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lift tab is typically mounted for rotation about at least one mounting pin. Typically, either end of the mounting pin will be received in an opening in the body of the connector portion. The openings may be point openings or they may be elongate openings such that the pins can move towards or away from the anvil within certain limits. In use, typically the lift tab is lifted which separates the clamping member from the anvil member and the strap can then be inserted freely. The lifting tab is then closed which moves the clamping member and the anvil member toward one another, clamping the strap between them. Continued rotation of the lifting tab will typically force the clamping member to move away from the anvil but only so far before the mounting pin is about the periphery of the openings, thereby preventing further movement. This action will also tend to temporarily lock the lifting tab in the clamping position.

Typically, the strap will be deformed or squashed between the anvil and the clamping member. Therefore, in the clamping condition, the anvil member and the clamping member are separated by less than the thickness of the strap.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a knee pad according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of a knee pad according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figures 3A and 3B is a front view of a clip connection assembly in the unattached configuration.

Figure 4 is a front view of the connection assembly illustrated in Figures 3 A and 3B in the attached configuration.

Figure 5 A is an underside view of the connection assembly illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 5 B is a top view of the connection assembly illustrated in Figure 4.

Figures 6A and 6B is a front view of part of a connection assembly with a strap attached and without respectively. Figures 7A and 7B are front views of part of a connection assembly with a strap attached and without respectively.

Figure 8 is a side view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 3B with the clamp fully open.

Figure 9 is a side view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 3 A with the clamp fully open.

Figure 10 is a side view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 8 with the clamp partially open.

Figure 11 is a side view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 9 with the clamp partially open.

Figure 12 is a top view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a side view of clip connection part illustrated in Figure 9 with the clamp fully closed.

Figures 14 to 17 are front views of straps of various configurations with various connection assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 illustrates a removable knee pad 10 releasably attached to an article of clothing 11 by four squeeze release clips 12. The four squeeze release clips 12 are held in place on the knee pad 10 by loops of stitched material 13. The knee pad 10 is a generally soft padded knee pad designed to improve the comfort of the wearer when kneeling, particularly when kneeling for long periods of time. Alternatively, the knee pad could be a hardened more protective style pad (not shown).

Figure 2 illustrates the opposite side of the article of clothing 11 illustrated in figure 1 without the knee pad 10 clipped by the squeeze clips 12. The squeeze release clips clip together the knee pads 10 with straps 14 that are affixed to the opposite side of an article of clothing 1 1 by stitching 15 as illustrated in figure 2. Although the straps 14 are stitched to the article of clothing in the illustrated embodiment, it is envisaged that they could be affixed by other means, such as glue or Velcro, or even included as part of the article of clothing. The straps 14 are length adjustable by buckles 16. Each strap 14 has two buckles 16, one on each side of the stitching 15. This allows the distance between the stitching and the squeeze release clips to be modified, to allow manoeuvrability and fitting of the knee pad 10 on the article of clothing 11. The adjustable straps 14 also allow the knee pad 10 to be pulled in tightly to the wearers body if desired, to ensure that the pads to not slide or move undesirably. The squeeze release clips 12 and buckles 16 would generally be made out of plastic or metal, but may be made of any suitable material.

An advantage of the knee pad of the present invention is that the pad can be removed when not desired, or interchanged with another pad to better suite the circumstances. For instance, pads of different sizes, shapes, thicknesses, or comfort may interchangeably be utilised to suit the needs of the wearer. Furthermore, the interchangeable nature of the pads allows the wearer to switch between hard shelled protective pads and soft comfort pads depending on the circumstances. The removal also allows for easier repair and replacement of damaged pads and/or the article of clothing.

The knee pads 10 may be supplied with elastic straps or similar (not shown) that are not affixed to an article of clothing to allow the wearer to use the knee pads 10 on ordinary clothing. The removable nature of the knee pads therefore also improves the versatility of the knee pads.

Branding or labelling 17 may be provided on either or both of the knee pad 10 or the article of clothing 11 to advertise the origin of the item. Alternatively and/or additionally, the labelling 17 may be used to indicate different types of pads, such as a soft pad and a harder pad. Custom made knee pads could also be provided to suit individual users without having to incur the costs of manufacturing an entirely new article of clothing for each individual.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the knee pad 10 stays securely in place on the wearers body when in use, even during vigorous activities. Additionally, the length adjustable straps allow the wearer to move the pad as desired to give a good/comfortable fit on the wearer. Still further, as the straps are not elastic, they do not constrict on the wearers body unnecessarily reducing comfort, air circulation, and blood circulation. As the knee pads 10 are substantially held in position when engaged with the clips 12, the wearers knee is considerably less likely to roll off the pad in use. The four squeeze release clips 12 are placed near the corners of the knee pad 10 to ensure that the pad 10 is held securely in place on the article of clothing 11 , and to provide support from each side. This arrangement not only provides a secure fitting, but also prevents the knee pads falling down or flopping around.

It is envisaged that the knee pads could be provided with accessories to suit the wearer, such as pouches, nail bags, pen holders, phone holders, etc.

Although the embodiment of the invention described herein relates to knee pads, it is envisaged that the pad could be adapted and/or used to protect other parts of a wearers body such as elbows, shoulders, shins, or the like.

The attachment and/or fastening members may comprise part of a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism preferably includes a pair of connection portions adapted to be secured relative to one another to form a substantially continuous elongate member. At least one, but typically both of the connection portions have a clamping assembly associated therewith to attach a strap to the connection portion.

In use, the pair of connection portions are located at either end of an elongate flexible strap (as illustrated in Figures 14 to 17) or similar or alternatively may be provided at the end of separate flexible members. Therefore, a loop may be formed from the flexible member or alternatively, the flexible members together with a surface or other body may form a substantially continuous periphery.

Although the word 'strap' is used, the connection mechanism of the present invention may be used on any type of flexible elongate member including, but not limited to, straps, lines, chains, ropes or the like.

According to a first preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, a clip connection assembly 110 for connecting a pair of elongate flexible portions to one another is provided.

The connection assembly 110 includes a pair of connection portions, illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, adapted to be secured relative to one another to form a substantially continuous elongate member. One of the connection portions (Figure 3A) is typically a male member received at least partially in the second female connection portion (Figure 3B).

The connection portions illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B connect together in a snap fitting arrangement. Further, the connection portions are separable using a simple, pushbutton release.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the male connection portion has a pair of deformable portions thereon which when deformed, move away from engaging portions on the female portion. As illustrated, the deformable portions are elongate and formed on either lateral side of a central guide tongue 112.

The deformable portions 1 11 on either lateral side of the male portion each have enlarged heads with detents or lands 113 on an outer lateral side thereof.

The female portion is provided with a main opening 115 into which the male portion passes and a pair of lateral openings 114 to receive one of the deformable portions 111 of the male portion. Upon forcing the connection portions together, the detents 113 of the deformable portions engage with the surrounds of lateral openings 114 provided in the female portion. The deformable portions 111 undergo resilient deformation during insertion and when depressed inwardly toward the central guide tongue 112 undergo forced deformation, allowing removal of the deformable portions 111 as the detents 113 can then pass the lateral openings 114.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, both of the connection portions have a clamping assembly 116 associated therewith to attach a strap (not shown) to the connection portion.

The preferred form is a clamping mechanism where the strap is clamped using a clamping member movable between a clamping condition and a free condition.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, each of the connection portions is provided with a clamping assembly at the end opposite the engageable portions which are releasably securable to one another. Each of the clamping assemblies includes an opening 117 through the assembly through which the strap is fed. The opening 117 is preferably approximately strap width. An elongate anvil member

118 is provided extending transversely across the opening. The anvil member 118 illustrated is provided with a roughened surface in order to increase grip on the strap. The anvil member 118 divides the opening 117 approximately in half.

The anvil member 118 is adapted to provide a surface against which a clamping member 119 can clamp the strap. Preferably, the clamping member 119 is associated with a lift tab 120. The lift tab 120 is adapted to substantially cover or occlude the opening 117 in the clamping assembly, when closed.

The lift tab 120 is typically the means by which the clamping member 119 is moved between the clamping condition and the free condition with the lift tab 120 being movable between a cover position, illustrated in Figure 13, in which the clamping member 119 is in the clamping condition and an open condition, illustrated in Figures 8 to 12, in which the clamping member 119 is in the free condition and spaced from the anvil member 118.

The clamping member 1 19 extends across the opening substantially parallel to the anvil member 1 18. The clamping engagement with the strap 121 is accomplished by having a separation distance between the anvil member 118 and the clamping member 119 in the clamping condition which is slightly less than the thickness of the strap 121. Normally, the clamping member 119 is provided with a roughened surface in order to increase the grip on the strap 121.

Typically, both the clamping member 119 and the anvil member 118 are mounted in a fixed position relative to the clamping assembly with the clamping member 118 simply rotatable around a fixed axis.

In use, typically the lift tab is lifted which separates the clamping member from the anvil member 118 and the strap 121 can then be inserted freely through the portion of the opening 1 17 which is closest to the connection portion. The free end of the strap is then fed over the anvil member 1 18 and back down through the other portion of the opening adjacent the clamping member 119. The lifting tab 120 is then closed which moves the clamping member 119 and the anvil member 1 18 toward one another clamping the strap 121 between them. Continued rotation of the lifting tab 120 forces the clamping member 119 to move away from the anvil member 118 but only so far before the mounting pin 122 about which the clamping member 1 19 rotates is forced to abut the periphery of the mounting pin openings, thereby preventing further movement. This action will also temporarily lock the lifting tab 120 in the clamping position.

Typically, the strap will be deformed or squashed between the anvil member 118 and the clamping member 119. Therefore, in the clamping condition, the anvil member 118 and the clamping member 119 are separated by less than the thickness of the strap 121.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The foregoing embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction and operation described and illustrated, but only by the following claims which are intended, where the applicable law permits, to include all suitable modifications and equivalents within the spirit and concept of the invention.

Throughout this specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term "comprise" and variants thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An article of clothing, comprising a protective portion, said protective portion comprising: a protective pad having a plurality of fastening members thereon; and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to the article of clothing having at least one attachment member that corresponds to, and releasably engages with, a fastening member.

2. An article of clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fastening member is one portion of a clip, and each attachment member is another portion of a clip.

3. An article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein there are four fastening members.

4. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length adjustable straps have two attachment members.

5. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length adjustable straps are length adjustable at each end.

6. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are two length adjustable straps.

7. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length adjustable straps are affixed on the side of the clothing that is opposite the location of the protective pad in use.

8. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length adjustable straps are directly stitched to the clothing.

9. An article of clothing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective pad is a knee pad.

10. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body, comprising: a bolstered portion that is adapted to releasably fasten to a plurality of engagement members that are affixed to length adjustable straps on an article of clothing.

11. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engagement members are a portion of a releasable clip.

12. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein there are four engagement members.

13. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearers body as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein each strap has two engagement members that the bolstered portion is adapted to releasably fasten to.

14. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the bolstered portion is adapted to protect one of the wearers knees.

15. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the straps are stitched to the article of clothing on the side of the clothing that is opposite the location of the protective pad in use.

16. A pad for protecting a portion of a wearer's body as claimed in any one of the claims, wherein the fastening member and attachment member comprise a connection mechanism for connecting a pair of elongate flexible portions to one another including at least two connection portions adapted to be secured relative to one another to form a substantially continuous elongate member, at least one of the connection portions having a clamping assembly associated therewith to attach a strap to the connection portion.

17. A protection system for protecting a portion of a wearer's body, comprising: a protective pad having a plurality of fastening members thereon; and at least one length adjustable strap affixed to an article of clothing having engagement members, wherein the fastening members releasably engage with the engagement members.

18. A protection system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fastening members are a portion of a clip and the engagement members are another portion of a clip.

19. A protection system as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the length adjustable straps are adjustable at each end, and are stitched to the article of clothing on the side of the clothing that is opposite the location of the protective pad in use.

20. A protection system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the protective pad is a knee pad.