WO2017139840A1

WO2017139840A1 - Tethering accessory for water-sports board or water recreation board

Info

Publication number: WO2017139840A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shane Robert PARTINGTON; Paul Jonathon ANDERSON
Original assignee: The Leisure Collective International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-15
Filing date: 2017-02-15
Publication date: 2017-08-24
Also published as: AU2023226707A1; AU2020102579B4; AU2022203410A1; AU2017220383B2; AU2020102579A4; AU2017220383A1; AU2022203410B2

Abstract

A leash cuff or strap (1) wraps around a limb, such as a leg (3), of a user and connects to a leash (4) which can in turn be connected to a water-sports board or water recreation board such as a surfboard, body board or paddle board. A cushioned portion (5) of the leash or cuff that contacts the skin or clothing of the user's limb includes a top skin neoprene providing sufficient friction between the leash cuff or strap (1) and the user's limb to prevent rotation of the leash cuff or strap around the limb. Thus, when worn around one leg, the leash (4) is prevented from being directed towards the user's other leg. The cushioned portion can be backed by a strip of webbing (6), such as polyester or nylon, sewn to strips of hook and loop fastener. The strip of hook material (7) can be positioned outwards from the cushioned portion and the strip of loop material (8) can be positioned facing inwards at the opposite end of the strap or cuff (1). The outer of the cuff (1) can include a badge portion (9) made from PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride).

Description

TETHERING ACCESSORY FOR WATER-SPORTS BOARD OR WATER RECREATION BOARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001 ] The present invention relates to water-sports or recreation board

accessories for board tethering, and specifically relates to straps or cuffs for retaining a leash, and thereby the leashed board, to a user.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Leashes are used with water-sports or recreation boards, for example between a surfer and their surfboard, to prevent the surfboard from becoming separated very far from the surfer. This is done both for the safety of other people in the vicinity and to prevent loss of the surfboard. The leash is connected to a strap or cuff usually around a limb of the surfer, such as around the ankle, knee or wrist.

[0003] Such straps or cuffs are typically worn around the ankle and comprise layers of neoprene foam sheet, nylon or polyester webbing and hook and loop strips for fastening as shown in United States patent numbers 5,643,028 and 6,471 ,560 and United States patent application publication number 2013/0130579.

[0004] One problem with the use of such straps or cuffs around the ankle is that they rotate around the leg of the surfer so that the leash ends up pointing towards the other leg of the surfer so the leash gets trodden on, or even tangled up around the surfer's legs or toes.

[0005] In an effort to prevent rotation of the strap or cuff the inwards surface of the strap can include a soft EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam lining such as the Super Cush (TM) strap or cuff from FreakTraction, but even with a textured surface the increase in friction between the strap and the surfer is insufficient to prevent rotation of the strap or cuff in use.

[0006] An alternative from Komunity Project is the Naked (TM) leash cuff, which is lined with a ribbed silicon gel surface which provides some grip when dry, but when wet (i.e. while in use in the surf) the friction between the strap and the surfer is again insufficient to prevent rotation of the strap or cuff in use.

[0007] United States patent application publication number 2015/0274265 discloses the use of compressible grips, typically silicone gripping dots, bonded to a substrate forming the inner surface of the cuff, that substrate typically being a layer of fabric laminated onto a neoprene foam cushioning layer. As with the ribbed silicone gel surface, although dry grip against the wearer's skin or wetsuit is improved, the friction provided when wet is insufficient in use.

[0008] Cushioned grip tape such as that disclosed in United States patent number 6,921 ,566 can include a top layer having a frictional surface, a cushioning layer and an adhesion layer for application to a substrate. The top layer is a sheet of plastic material such as Polyvinylchloride (PVC) sheet to which is bonded discrete hard or abrasive particles such as a mixture of silicon carbide and aluminium oxide to provide a frictional surface, or provided with an embossed frictional surface. The use of abrasive particles is too abrasive for use on a leash strap or cuff. Conversely, if the frictional surface is simply embossed PVC, the grip level when dry might be appropriate, but when wet the friction is then insufficient to prevent easy rotation of the leash strap or cuff.

[0009] Top skin neoprene is formed as the edges of a neoprene foam mould and comprises neoprene foam or "cell" with an outer crust or skin that does not have any air bubbles. This skin is a fraction of a millimetre thick but does improve the durability of the neoprene and its thermal and impermeability properties. Hence top skin is used in the chest and back portions of wet suits. However, smooth top skin is lower in friction than the nylon laminated jersey material otherwise used, so the mould can be patterned so that the top skin is embossed as it is formed to increase its frictional properties back to those of the commonly used jersey material.

[0010] Top skin is also used in gloves and boots for its beneficial properties of insulation, impermeability and durability, but it is not used for the soles of boots which are typically made from vulcanised rubber bonded to neoprene. [001 1 ] There is therefore a need in the field of surfing for a leash strap or cuff that provides sufficient friction between the strap and the surfer to reduce the likelihood of rotation of the strap or cuff about the limb of the surfer, in use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cuff for a water-sports or recreation board leash, the cuff comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, the inward facing surface including at least a cushioned region and an inward facing fixing region, the outward facing surface including at least an outward facing fixing region and an outer region, such that in use, the cuff is wrapped around a limb of a user, the cushioned region contacts skin or clothing of the user, the inward facing fixing region of the inward facing surface is wrapped over and engaged with the outward facing fixing region of the outward facing surface, wherein the cushioned region that contacts the skin or clothing of the user is top skin neoprene.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a cuff for a water-sports or recreation board leash, the cuff comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, the inward facing surface including at least a cushioned region for contact with skin or clothing of a user in use, characterised in that the cushioned region that contacts the skin or clothing of the user is top skin neoprene or includes top skin neoprene.

[0014] The inward facing surface may further include an inward facing fixing region, the outward facing surface may including at least an outward facing fixing region for engagement with the inward facing fixing region of the inward facing surface in use.

[0015] Alternatively first and second fixings may be provided, for example an adjustable strap and a buckle or overlapping rings or similar fastener. The outward facing surface may further include an outer region including a leash attachment.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a cuff for a surfboard leash, the cuff comprising a strap including at least a user contacting layer, a webbing layer, a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, the user contacting layer comprising a cushioned region including top skin neoprene.

[0017] The first fixing portion may include a strap or belt and the second fixing portion may include a buckle.

[0018] Alternatively, first fixing portion and the second fixing portion may together comprise a hook portion and a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener.

[0019] The limb may be an ankle, leg, knee, wrist, arm or elbow, or may be a prosthetic ankle, leg, knee, wrist, arm or elbow.

[0020] The cushioned region may comprise a layer of top skin neoprene which is a layer of neoprene foam with an integral crust. For example, top skin neoprene comprises neoprene foam with a crust from the edge of the mould used to generate the foam in a block, the crust typically being a fraction of millimetre thick, so the top skin neoprene typically cannot be cut into large width and length sheets with a thickness of less than 2mm. That means most top skin neoprene is typically 2 or 3 mm thick, being mainly foam with a thin crust of less than 1 mm, usually less than 0.5mm and typically less than 0.2mm thick or less than 10% of the top skin neoprene sheet.

[0021 ] For example, the cushioned region may be made from a sheet of material obtained from an edge of a neoprene foam moulded block, that sheet of material having a crust layer or skin formed adjacent the majority of the neoprene foam moulded block, together with an integral layer of the neoprene foam that may be between 2mm and 12mm thick, but is typically approximately 5mm or 6mm thick.

[0022] Alternatively, the cushioned region may comprise a layer of top skin neoprene bonded directly or indirectly to a layer of foam. For example, the top skin neoprene may be selected from a composition of neoprene that provides good tear resistance.

[0023] The layer of foam may be selected from a different composition of neoprene from that of the top skin neoprene, or may be of material other than neoprene. For example to achieve the desired friction and durability characteristics of the cushioned region of the inner surface that contacts the user's skin or clothing in use, a 2mm sheet of top skin neoprene may be bonded to a 4mm sheet of neoprene foam or "cell".

[0024] In one or more forms of the present invention the top skin neoprene may be embossed. The embossing may have a maximum depth of any one of or a combination of two or more of 0.05mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1 mm, 1 .2mm, 1 .5mm or 2mm. Alternatively or additionally, the embossing may have a minimum depth of 0.2mm, 0.1 mm or 0.05mm.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the embossing may have a maximum pattern spacing of one of or a combination of two or more of 0.2mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1 mm, 1 .2mm, 1 .5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm or 10mm.

[0026] The embossing may have a minimum spacing of one of or a combination of two or more of 0.1 mm, 0.2mm or 0.3mm.

[0027] In one or more forms of the present invention the top skin neoprene may be embossed, having an embossing profile. The embossing profile may have a depth, the depth may be less than 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.3mm, 0.2mm, 0.1 mm or 0.05mm.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the embossing profile may have a spacing such as a pattern spacing, the spacing may be less than 10mm, 6mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm or 0.2mm.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the embossing profile may have a trough width, the trough width may be less than 6mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.2mm or O.l mm.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the embossing profile may have a peak width, the peak width may be less than 6mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.2mm or O.l mm. [0031 ] One or more forms of the present invention may provide a cuff wherein the first fixing region on the inward facing surface includes a material comprising a series of loops and the second fixing region on the outward facing surface includes a material comprising a series of hooks. For example, the first fixing region and the second fixing region together may comprise a hook portion and a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener.

[0032] It will be convenient to further describe the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred aspects of the invention.

[0033] Other embodiments of the invention are possible and consequently particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cuff in use according an aspect of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a cuff according to an aspect of the present invention, showing the outward facing surface.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the cuff of Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the Cuff of Figure 2 and 3 showing the inward facing surface.

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the layers of a cuff according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 is a plan view of embossing according to the present invention. [0041 ] Figure 7 is a plan view of embossing according to the present invention. [0042] Figure 8 is a detailed view of an embossing profile. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0043] Throughout the specification, the use of the term surfboard can be understood to relate to any similar water-sports or water recreation board, such as a body board, paddle-board or windsurfer board. For example, such a board where the respective board would preferably be leashed to the user to avoid significant separation of the board and user in the water, and there otherwise being a risk of loss of the board, and loss of such a board as a float support for the user, particularly on open water with significant depth and possibility of a distant shoreline. Similarly, the user of such a board may be referred to as a surfer or user interchangeably.

[0044] Referring initially to Figure 1 , there is a leash cuff or strap 1 wrapped around the ankle portion 2 of the leg 3 of a user. The cuff or strap 1 can be connected as shown to a leash 4 which can in turn be connected to a surfboard.

[0045] The leash may be detachable from the cuff and/or connected to the cuff by a swivel or other leash attachment. The cuff is positioned on the user's leg so that the leash is not directed towards the user's other leg (not shown).

[0046] The cushioned portion 5 that contacts the skin or clothing of the user's leg 3 includes a top skin neoprene to provide friction between the cuff 1 and the user's leg 3 to prevent rotation of the cuff around the user's leg, thus preventing the leash 4 from being directed towards the user's other leg (not shown).

[0047] The cushioned portion is backed by a strip of webbing 6 (typically made from polyester or nylon) which is in turn sewn to strips of hook and loop fastener with in this example, the strip of hook material 7 being positioned outwards from the cushioned portion and the strip of loop material 8 being positioned facing inwards at the opposite end of the strap or cuff 1 .

[0048] The outer of the cuff 1 typically includes a badge portion 9 made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride).

[0049] Figure 2 shows the strap or cuff 1 laid flat and with the outwards facing surface uppermost. The back edges of the cushioned portion 5 can be seen as it is wider than the other elements of the strap 1 . Two different grades of hook material are used, a strip of typical hook material 10 is towards one end of the strap or cuff for initially fastening the cuff and a strip of stronger fastening hook material 1 1 towards the other end of the hook material region 7 for providing a firmer and more positive fastening than the typical hook material.

[0050] A key pocket 12 can be formed in the layers between the hook material 10 and the cushioned portion 5.

[0051 ] The badge portion 9 is positioned after the hook fastening material 7 so the badge portion can be seen once the cuff is fastened.

[0052] The webbing 6 and the end of the reverse side of the loop material 8 complete the other end of the strap or cuff. A moulded grip 13 is shown fixed near the end of the strap or cuff 1 .

[0053] Figure 3 shows a side view of the strap or cuff 1 . The layers of materials are generally sewn together, and an elastic binding 16 used around the edge of at least some of the layers.

[0054] The elastic binding 16 can be made from a stretchable or elasticated material, or a combination thereof or in combination with one or more other materials, such as spandex or elastane also known as Lycra (TM) or a mix of spandex or elastane and another fibre such as nylon or polyester.

[0055] Figure 4 shows the inwards facing surface of the strap or cuff 1 . The loop side of the loop material 8 faces this inwards direction, as does the top skin neoprene of the cushioned portion 5.

[0056] Figure 5 shows the possible layers of a cuff or strap 1 with the elastic binding 16 around them. Facing uppermost on the page, and inwards facing in use, is the sheet of top skin neoprene of the cushioned portion 5.

[0057] Neoprene foam is typically made in moulds that can be for example 900mm wide, 1500mm long and 200mm deep. The resulting block of neoprene foam has a crust all around, with the crust from the bottom (and in some cases the other sides) of the mould able to have a texture embossed or formed into it by an embossing pattern present in the mould.

[0058] The crust from this initial moulding of the neoprene foam is much stronger than the centre of the foam and stronger than a crust formed by pressing an embossed plate into the surface of a slice cut from the centre of foam block.

Therefore the bottom crust layer from the neoprene foam block is both strong and able to be embossed with higher strength than any other neoprene foam.

[0059] Once formed, the neoprene foam block is sliced and the slice including the bottom crust layer is known as top skin neoprene and wherever the term top skin neoprene is used throughout this specification, it is referring to this bottom crust layer from the neoprene block and any neoprene foam attached behind the crust in a single slice.

[0060] While using smooth top skin neoprene as the surface that contacts the user's limb (skin or clothing, although usually and preferably skin) can provide sufficient surface strength of the material, the grip provided may still be insufficient. Therefore, it can be advantageous to use top skin neoprene from an embossed lower surface mould. This resulting embossed top skin neoprene slab or sheet of material can provide sufficient grip to the user's limb and sufficient material strength for good cuff durability.

[0061 ] It should be understood that top skin neoprene comprises a crust which may be for example 0.2mm thick and integral with a foam layer with the minimum thickness of the top skin (crust and foam) being typically 2mm due to difficulties with cutting large (long and wide) sheets of foam any thinner, but it can be cut thicker than 2mm. For example, the top skin neoprene can be cut to provide the thickness of foam to provide all the desired cushioning of the cushioned portion 5.

[0062] Alternatively, the top skin neoprene can be a standard sheet thickness of say 2mm with an additional layer of foam bonded to the top skin neoprene to provide sufficient foam to provide the desired cushioning of the cushioned portion 5. [0063] The preferable layers of the cuff materials are shown in Figure 5. The layer of embossed top skin neoprene 20 of the cushioned portion 5 is on top in Figure 5 and forms a contact surface 19 or portion of the inwards facing surface of the cuff for, in use, contacting the user's limb or clothing worn on between the cuff and that limb. This embossed top skin neoprene 20 comprises an embossed crust 17 integral with a layer of foam 18 and can optionally be bonded to an additional foam layer 21 .

[0064] On layer 20, the crust 17 forming the contact surface 19 is usually less than 1 mm thick, often less than 0.5mm thick and typically less than 0.2mm thick with substantially no air bubbles from the integral foam breaking the surface. The remainder of the top skin is an integral foam layer 18.

[0065] The cushioned portion 5 may be formed using a single slice comprising the crust 17 of a sheet of top skin neoprene 20 with the additional foam layer 21 being integral. The top skin is just cut thicker to provide the cushioning required to form the cushioned portion 5 which negates the need for bonding a separate sheet of top skin neoprene to a separate neoprene foam layer. However, there can be

advantages to using two layers bonded together.

[0066] For example, when using two layers bonded together, the composition of the layer of top skin neoprene 20 can be chosen for strength and/or friction

characteristics and the composition of the cushioning neoprene foam layer 21 can be chosen to provide the desired cushioning properties.

[0067] For example, the tear resistance or ultimate tensile strength of the top skin neoprene 20 is important for strength and therefore durability of the neoprene adjacent the user's skin or wetsuit, whereas the foam layer 21 can be bonded to the higher strength layer of top skin neoprene and to a backing layer 22 so can be of a different composition. Indeed, a reinforcing fabric (not shown) can optionally be bonded between the top skin neoprene layer 20 and the foam layer 21 .

[0068] It can therefore be preferable to use a cushioning portion 5 comprising a sheet of top skin neoprene 20 bonded to a sheet of neoprene foam 21 . [0069] Whether using a cushioning portion 5 comprising a single slice of top skin neoprene 20 including the integral neoprene foam 21 , or using a cushioning portion 5 comprising a layer of top skin neoprene 20 bonded to a layer of neoprene foam 21 , the top skin and foam layers together provide the cushioning effect of the cushioning portion 5.

[0070] The backing layer 22, is typically a polymer such as polyester or nylon and is laminated to the back of the top skin neoprene 20 or any additional foam layer 21 to further increase the strength of the cushioned portion 5. The cushioned portion 5 and the backing layer 22 are then joined, e.g. by sewing, to the webbing layer 6.

[0071 ] Figure 6 and 7 show possible patterns of embossing. If the pattern is too fine then the grip advantages of embossing can be lost. If the pattern is too large then again grip advantages of embossing can be lost, but also the strength of the top skin neoprene material can be reduced. Using a pattern within a range of profiles can provide higher strength than smooth top skin neoprene as well as grip

advantages in use.

[0072] Figure 6 shows a basket weave style of embossing pattern. The pattern has peaks and troughs, the widths and depth of which can be used to define

characteristics of the profile of the embossing. For example, peaks are indicated at 30 and troughs are indicated at 31 . Similarly the finer elongated protrusions shown in Figure 7 can again be defined.

[0073] Figure 8 shows a side or sectional view of the profile of a pattern similar to that of Figure 7. The width P of the peaks of the embossing pattern is indicated, as is the width T of the troughs of the embossing pattern and the depth D of the embossing pattern.

[0074] It is preferable that the width P of the peaks of the embossing pattern is less than 6mm and more preferably less than 5mm.

[0075] The width P of the peaks can be less than 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.2mm or 0.1 mm. However it can be preferable to use a peak width that is at least as large as a minimum threshold such as 0.05mm, or even at least 0.1 mm or 0.2mm, since the grip provided is poor when the peak width is below such a minimum threshold.

[0076] Similarly, it is preferable that the width T of the troughs of the embossing pattern is less than 6mm and more preferably less than 5mm. The width T of the troughs can be less than 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.2mm or 0.1 mm. However it can be preferable to use a trough width that is at least as large as a minimum threshold such as 0.05mm, or even at least 0.1 mm or 0.2mm, since the grip provided is poor when the trough width is below such a minimum threshold.

[0077] In addition or as an alternative to using peak and trough widths to define characteristics of the embossing pattern, the pitch or spacing S between adjacent peaks (as shown) or troughs can be used. For example the spacing S can be a measurement from one raised point in the embossing pattern to another adjacent raised point in any direction.

[0078] Preferably, the spacing in the embossing pattern is less than 10mm and more preferably less than 6mm. The spacing can be less than 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2mm, 1 .5mm, 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, or 0.2mm.

[0079] However it can be preferable to use a spacing S that is at least as large as a minimum threshold such as 0.1 mm, or even at least 0.2mm or 0.3mm, since the grip provided is poor when the embossing pattern spacing S is below such a minimum threshold.

[0080] The depth D of the embossing pattern can be measured as shown in Figure 8 as the peak to trough height of a regular pattern, or as a maximum depth or a minimum depth of features in an irregular pattern.

[0081 ] Preferably the pattern depth D is less than 2mm and more preferably less than 1 .5mm. The pattern depth D can be less than 1 .2mm, 1 mm, 0.7mm, 0.5mm, 0.3mm, 0.2mm, 0.1 mm or 0.05mm. [0082] However it can be preferable to use a pattern depth D that is at least as large as a minimum threshold such as 0.05mm or even 0.1 mm or 0.2mm, since the grip provided can be poor when the pattern depth D is below such a minimum threshold.

[0083] The top skin neoprene can also or alternatively be laminated onto an under material having a larger profile such as humps or ridges of larger dimensions than the embossing profile, if used, of the top skin neoprene.

[0084] The fixings do not need to be configured as an inward facing fixing surface and an outward facing fixing surface. For example a buckle can be used with a portion of the strap having holes to cooperate with the buckle.

[0085] Alternatively, a rectangular D-ring can be fixed to a portion of the outward facing surface of the cuff and an extended webbing or similar strap portion can be fed through the D-ring and fixed back onto itself or the outward facing surface of the cuff typically using a hook and loop type fastener.

[0086] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A cuff for a water-sports or recreation board leash, the cuff comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, the inward facing surface including at least a cushioned region and an inward facing fixing region, the outward facing surface including at least an outward facing fixing region and an outer region, such that in use, the cuff is wrapped around a limb of a user, the cushioned region contacts skin or clothing of the user, the inward facing fixing region of the inward facing surface is wrapped over and engaged with the outward facing fixing region of the outward facing surface, characterised in that the cushioned region that contacts the skin or clothing of the user is top skin neoprene.

2. A cuff for a water-sports or recreation board leash, the cuff comprising an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, the inward facing surface including at least a cushioned region for contact with skin or clothing of a user in use, the inward facing surface further including an inward facing fixing region, the outward facing surface including at least an outward facing fixing region for engagement with the inward facing fixing region of the inward facing surface in use, the outward facing surface further including an outer region, characterised in that the cushioned region that contacts the skin or clothing of the user is top skin neoprene.

3. A cuff for a water-sports or recreation board leash, the cuff comprising at least a user contacting layer, a webbing layer and first and second fixing portions, characterised in that the user contacting layer comprises a sheet of top skin neoprene.

4. A cuff as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first fixing portion is a strap or belt and the second fixing portion is a buckle.

5. A cuff as claimed in claim 3 the two fixing portions together comprise a hook portion and a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener.

6. A cuff as claimed in any of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the cushioned region comprises a layer of top skin neoprene integral with a layer of neoprene foam.

7. A cuff as claimed in an of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the cushioned region comprises a layer of top skin neoprene bonded to a layer of foam.

8. A cuff as claimed in any of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the top skin neoprene is embossed.

9. A cuff as claimed in claim 8 wherein the embossing has a maximum depth of 2.5mm.

10. A cuff as claimed in claim 8 wherein the embossing has a maximum spacing of 10mm.

1 1 . A cuff as claimed in any of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the top skin neoprene is embossed, having an embossing profile.

12. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the embossing profile has a depth, the depth being less than 2.5mm.

13. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the embossing profile has a spacing, the spacing being less than 10mm.

14. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the embossing profile has a trough width, the trough width being less than 6mm.

15. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the embossing profile has a peak width, the peak width being less than 6mm.

16. A cuff as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the fixing region on the inward facing surface includes a material comprising a series of loops and the fixing region on the outward facing surface includes a material comprising a series of hooks.