U.S. patent application number 12/655927 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for padded arm and leg protectors.
Invention is credited to Kenneth K. Anderson, Pamela Evenson, Tyson A. Evenson.
Application Number | 20110167529 12/655927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44257296 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110167529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Kenneth K. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
Padded arm and leg protectors
Abstract
Padded arm and leg protectors having particular application to
be worn around the arm and leg of one playing the game of paintball
to prevent injury as a consequence of a paintball propelled from a
paintball marker striking the player's arm or leg. In one
embodiment, the arm protector includes a sleeve surrounding the arm
and extending at least between the elbow and the wrist of the
player. The sleeve has an outside top layer, an inside bottom
layer, and a plurality of protective pads retained between the
layers. The protective pads are strategically positioned along the
sleeve to cover the wearer's elbow, his wrist and at least some of
the muscles of the arm between the elbow and the wrist. The
protective pads are separated and spaced from one another by
respective channels which extend completely around each pad. By
virtue of the foregoing, the protective pads are movable
independently of one another so as to provide the arm with
unrestricted movements during play, whereby to permit the player's
elbow to bend, the wrist to rotate and the arm muscles between the
elbow and wrist to flex at the same time.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Kenneth K.;
(Newport Beach, CA) ; Evenson; Tyson A.; (Lake
Elsinore, CA) ; Evenson; Pamela; (Lake Elsinore,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44257296 |
Appl. No.: |
12/655927 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/2.5 ; 2/16;
2/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20130101;
F41H 1/02 20130101; A41D 13/0543 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/2.5 ; 2/16;
2/22 |
International
Class: |
F41H 1/02 20060101
F41H001/02; A41D 13/08 20060101 A41D013/08; A41D 13/05 20060101
A41D013/05 |
Claims
1. A padded limb protector to be worn over and protect one of the
arm or leg of a wearer, said limb protector including a plurality
of individual pads that are separated from and moveable
independently of one another depending upon the movements of the
arm or leg.
2. The padded limb protector recited in claim 1, wherein the limb
to be protected is the wearer's arm, said limb protector further
including a sleeve to be pulled over at least some of the arm of
the wearer, said sleeve being sized to extend continuously between
and surround at least the wearer's wrist and elbow, and said
plurality of individual pads being carried by said sleeve to cover
at least the wrist and elbow.
3. The padded limb protector recited in claim 2, wherein said
sleeve has an inside bottom layer and an outside top layer, said
plurality of individual pads being located and retained between
said inside bottom and outside top layers.
4. The padded limb protector recited in claim 3, wherein the inside
bottom and outside top layers of said sleeve are manufactured from
a material that is adapted to stretch in response to a pulling
force applied thereto.
5. The padded limb protector recited in claim 3, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are manufactured from a resilient
cushion material.
6. The padded limb protector recited in claim 3, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are spaced from one each other so as
to be able to move independently relative to one another between
the inside bottom and outside top layers of the sleeve depending
upon the movement of the arm of the wearer.
7. The padded limb protector recited in claim 6, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are separated and spaced from one
another by respective channels located between adjacent ones of
said pads.
8. The padded limb protector recited in claim 7, wherein the
outside top layer of said sleeve is sealed against the inside
bottom layer thereof to create said respective channels located
between said adjacent ones of said plurality of individual pads by
which said pads are separated and spaced from one another.
9. The padded limb protector recited in claim 8, wherein each pad
of said plurality of individual pads is completely surrounded by at
least one of said respective channels.
10. The padded limb protector recited in claim 3, further including
an abrasion and impact-reducing layer of armor attached over the
top layer of said sleeve and lying above each of said plurality of
individual pads.
11. The padded limb protector recited in claim 3, wherein there is
a cuff located at one end of said sleeve and having a thumb hole
formed therein for receipt of the wearer's thumb and a fastening
strap located at the opposite end of said sleeve and adapted to be
tightened around the wearer's arm so as to prevent said sleeve from
sliding down along the arm.
12. The padded limb protector recited in claim 1, wherein the limb
to be protected is the wearer's leg, said limb protector further
including a sleeve to be pulled over at least some of the leg of
the wearer, said sleeve being sized to extend continuously between
and surround the wearer's knee and shin, and said plurality of pads
being carried by said sleeve to cover at lest the knee and
shin.
13. The padded limb protector recited in claim 12, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are separated and spaced from one
another by respective channels located between adjacent ones of
said pads.
14. A padded arm protector to prevent injury to a wearer's arm as a
result of projectiles being propelled towards and against the arm,
said arm protector comprising a sleeve to be worn over and surround
the arm and having a length sufficient to extend at least between
the wearer's elbow and wrist, said sleeve comprising an outer top
layer, an inner bottom layer, and a plurality of protective pads
located between said outer top and inner bottom layers, at least a
first of said protective pads positioned between said outer and
inner layers to cover the wearer's elbow, at least a second of said
protective pads positioned between said inner and outer layers to
cover the wearer's wrist, and at least a third of said protective
pads positioned between said inner and outer layers to cover at
least some of the muscles of the arm between the elbow and the
wrist, each of said first, second and third protective pads being
spaced from and moving independently of one another when the wearer
simultaneously bends his elbow, rotates his wrist, and flexes his
arm muscles.
15. The padded arm protector recited in claim 14, wherein each one
of said first, second and third protective pads of said plurality
of protective pads is completely surrounded and separated from an
adjacent one of said protective pads by a channel, said channel
being formed by attaching said outer top and inner bottom layers
directly to one another.
16. A padded arm protector to be worn over the arm of a wearer,
said arm protector including a sleeve to be pulled over and cover
the arm of the wearer between at least the wrist and the elbow, a
plurality of individual pads connected to the sleeve, and a
corresponding plurality of individual covers attached to said
sleeve and covering respective ones of said plurality of individual
pads.
17. The padded arm protector recited in claim 16, wherein said
sleeve is manufactured from a material that is adapted to stretch
in response to a pulling force applied thereto.
18. The padded arm protector recited in claim 16, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are manufactured from a resilient
cushion material.
19. The padded arm protector recited in claim 16, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are spaced from one another along said
sleeve so as to be able to move independently relative to one
another with said sleeve depending upon the movements of the arm of
the wearer.
20. The padded arm protector recited in claim 19, wherein said
plurality of individual pads are separated and spaced from one
another by means of respective channels located between adjacent
ones of said pads.
21. The padded arm protector recited in claim 20, wherein said
plurality of individual covers are separated and spaced from one
another by said channels located between said adjacent ones of said
pads.
22. The padded arm protector recited in claim 16, wherein each one
of said plurality of individual pads is completely surrounded by a
corresponding one of said plurality of individual covers to hold
said pads against sleeve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to padded arm and leg protectors
having particular application to be worn over the arm or leg by one
playing the game of paintball. In one embodiment, the arm protector
includes a plurality of pads that are carried by a pull-on sleeve
and adapted to move independently of one another to allow the
player's elbow to bend, his wrist to rotate, and the muscles of the
arm located between the elbow and wrist to flex without the motion
restrictions associated with a conventional arm protector.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] The game of paintball involves paintball markers that propel
paintballs, often at high velocity, from one player towards
another. A paintball can inflict pain and even injury to the
targeted player. Therefore, padded coverings are commonly worn by
players to minimize the impact forces that are generated as a
consequence of a paintball strike. In this regard, a wrap
consisting of a single pad has been used to surround and protect a
player's arm. Such a padded wrap is known to extend continuously
from the elbow to the wrist. However, the conventional padded arm
wrap undesirably restricts the movements of the player's elbow and
wrist as well as the muscles located therebetween. That is, the
articulation of a player's arm is limited primarily to the joints
only. In some cases, a player wearing a continuous padded wrap may
be able to rotate the wrist but unable to bend his elbow. In other
cases, should a player rotate his wrist, the entire wrap is known
to correspondingly rotate around his arm at the same time.
Accordingly, the conventional single pad arm wrap may be
uncomfortable, limit articulation and motion, and reduce the
player's ability to quickly and accurately aim his marker towards a
desired target.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In general terms, improved padded arm and leg protectors are
disclosed to be ideally worn over the arm or leg of one playing the
game of paintball. According to a first preferred embodiment, the
arm protector includes an elongated sleeve that extends
continuously from below the player's shoulder past his wrist. A
thumb hole is formed through a front end of the sleeve below the
wrist in which to receive a player's thumb to prevent the arm
protector from riding up the player's arm. A (e.g., Velcro)
fastener is located at the opposite rear end of the sleeve to apply
a tightening force against the player's arm to prevent the arm
protector from sliding down the player's arm. A plurality of
individual pads, manufactured from a resilient (e.g., foam) cushion
material are carried inside the sleeve so as to cover and protect
the elbow, the wrist, and the muscles of the arm lying
therebetween. The pads absorb some of the impact force that is
generated by an incoming paintball which is propelled from a
paintball marker so as to cause the paintball to simply bounce off
the arm protector. The sleeve of the arm protector includes inside
bottom and outside top layers that are preferably manufactured from
a material (e.g., Lycra) that is capable of being stretched. A
layer of textured shock and abrasion-reducing armor (e.g., Kevlar)
material is attached (e.g., sewn) over each of the protective pads
above the outside top layer of the sleeve. The arm protector is
worn by pulling the sleeve over the player's arm so that the
player's thumb is received through the thumb hole at the front end
of the sleeve and the fastener is tightened around the player's arm
at the opposite rear end of the sleeve.
[0006] The plurality of individual pads carried by the sleeve of
the arm protector between the inside bottom and outside top layers
are capable of moving independently of one another depending upon
the movements of the player's arm during play. More particularly,
the pads are separated and spaced from each other by means of seams
or channels which extend continuously around each pad. The channels
are created by sealing the outside top layer of the sleeve directly
to the inside bottom layer. The independently moving pads enable
the player's elbow and wrist to have a full range of articulation.
That is, the player's elbow is able to bend, his wrist can rotate,
and the muscles in the arm between the elbow and wrist can flex
simultaneously relative to one another so that the freedom of
motion of the player's arm will not be undesirably restricted
during play.
[0007] According to an alternate preferred embodiment for a padded
arm protector, a plurality of individual protective pads are
attached to one of an inner or outer sleeve that surrounds a
player's arm. A corresponding plurality of individual covers are
located over and around respective ones of the pads such that
channels are formed around the pads to separate the pads and their
covers from one another. The pads are capable of moving
independently of each other with the sleeve to enable the player's
wrist and elbow to have a full range of articulation during
play.
[0008] The advantages of the padded arm protector are also
applicable to a padded leg protector. In this case, the leg
protector has at least one sleeve that surrounds the player's leg
and extends continuously from at least the player's knee to his
ankle. The sleeve carries a plurality of protective pads which are
spaced from and move independently relative to one another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a padded arm protector according to
a preferred embodiment of this invention being worn over the arm of
one playing the game of paintball;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the padded arm protector taken
along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of individual
protective pads located between outside top and inside bottom
layers of an elongated sleeve;
[0011] FIG. 4 demonstrates the ability of a player wearing the
padded arm protector of this invention to simultaneously bend his
elbow and rotate his wrist so as to have a complete range of arm
movements during play;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a padded arm protector
according to an alternate preferred embodiment of this invention
showing a plurality of individual outer protective pads attached to
an elongated inner sleeve; and
[0013] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a padded leg protector according to
another preferred embodiment of this invention being worn over the
leg of a player.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A padded arm protector 1 according to a preferred embodiment
of this invention is disclosed while referring concurrently to
FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings. As will be explained in greater detail
hereinafter, the arm protector 1 has particular application to be
worn over and around the arm of one playing the game of paintball
so as to permit the player's wrist, elbow and muscles to have a
full range of motion while protecting the arm from injury as might
otherwise occur had a paintball traveling at high speed made direct
contact with an unprotected arm. However, the benefits of this
invention are also applicable to protecting the player's legs and
covering the knee and ankle.
[0015] In the particular example shown in FIGS. 1-4, the arm
protector 1 includes an elongated sleeve 10 that extends
continuously from at least below the player's shoulder past his
wrist. The sleeve 10 of the arm protector 1 carries a plurality of
(e.g., six) individual pads 3 that are strategically positioned to
cover and protect the player's elbow, wrist and the muscles of the
arm lying therebetween. By way of example only, the protective pads
3 are manufactured from a resilient cushion material, such as foam
or the like. The resilient pads 3 are adapted to absorb some of the
impact force that is caused by an incoming paintball striking the
arm protector so that the paintball will simply bounce off the pad
3 against which it is propelled.
[0016] As is best shown in FIG. 2, the individual pads 3 are
sandwiched between an inside bottom layer 5 and an opposing outside
top layer 7 of the sleeve 10. Each of the inside and outside layers
5 and 7 of sleeve 10 is preferably manufactured from a material
that is capable of stretching when subjected to a pulling force. By
way of further example, one such suitable stretchable material from
which the inside bottom and outside top layers 5 and 7 are
manufactured is that known commercially as Lycra.
[0017] As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a thin layer of textured
shock and abrasion-reducing armor material 9 is attached (e.g.,
sewn) above the outside top layer 7 of sleeve 10 so as to lie over
each pad 3 of the arm protector 1. One suitable shock and
abrasion-reducing material from which the textured armor layer 9
can be manufactured is a blend of nylon material known commercially
as Kevlar.
[0018] As an important detail of the padded arm protector 1, the
individual protective pads 3 that are carried within the sleeve 10
between the opposing inside bottom and outside top layers 5 and 7
are capable of moving independently of one another depending upon
the movements of the player's arm during play. To this end, the
individual pads 3 are spaced from each other by empty gaps or
channels 12 (best shown in FIG. 2). In particular, a channel 12
extends completely around each pad 3 so as to separate a pair of
adjacent pads. Each channel is established by sealing the inside
bottom and outside top layers 5 and 7 of the sleeve 10 directly to
one another. Such sealing may be accomplished, for example, by
means of stitching, gluing or (heat) welding the layers 5 and 7
together so as to lie in face-to-face engagement one above the
other.
[0019] As is also best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sleeve 10 of the
padded arm protector 1 has a cuff 14 located at a front end thereof
and extending past the player's wrist. A thumb hole 16 is formed
through the cuff 14 such that when the sleeve 10 is pulled over the
player's arm, the player's thumb is received through the thumb hole
16 to prevent the sleeve 10 from sliding down the player's arm in a
direction away from the wrist. One end of an elastic fastening
strap 18 is affixed to the rear end of the sleeve 10 below the
player's shoulder and opposite the cuff 14. The opposite end of the
elastic fastening strap 18 includes hook-and-loop fastener material
(known commercially as Velcro). A complementary piece of
hook-and-loop fastener material 20 is affixed outside the top layer
7 at the rear end of the sleeve 10 in spaced proximity to the
fastening strap 18. To prevent the sleeve 10 from sliding down the
player's arm in a direction away from the elbow, the fastening
strap 18 is pulled towards and detachably connected to the fastener
material 20. The fastening strap 18 can be adjustably tightened
around the wearer's arm as needed to hold the rear end of the
sleeve 10 against the arm.
[0020] The padded arm protector 1 is worn in the manner illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 3 such that the inside bottom layer 5 of the sleeve
10 surrounds and lays against the player's arm, the outside top
layer 7 faces outwardly from the arm to receive a paintball, and
the protective pads 3 are retained between the inside and outside
layers 5 and 7 surrounded by respective channels 12 to intercept
the paintball. The player's thumb is received through the thumb
hole 16 in the cuff 14 at the front end of the sleeve 10, and the
fastening strap 18 at the opposite rear end of the sleeve is
tightened around the player's arm below the shoulder.
[0021] The plurality of protective pads 3 are strategically
positioned between the inside and outside layers 5 and 7 of the
sleeve 10 so that at least one pad covers and protects the player's
elbow and at least one different pad covers and protects the
player's wrist. At least a third or more of the protective pads 3
cover the player's arm and the muscles of the arm between the wrist
and elbow. By virtue of the channels 12 which surround each of the
protective pads 3, the pads have the ability to move independently
of one another. That is to say, and as is best shown in FIG. 4, the
player's elbow and wrist are allowed a full range of articulation
so that use of the player's arm will not be impeded by the arm
protector 1 as is often the case in conventional arm protectors
characterized by a single continuous protective pad. Thus, and as
an important advantage of this invention, the player's arm, between
his wrist and elbow, is covered and protected, while the player's
elbow is able to bend, his wrist is able to rotate and the muscles
of his arm between the elbow and wrist can flex simultaneously to
provide the arm with an unrestricted freedom of movement while
grasping and manipulating a paintball marker (designated 30 in
FIGS. 1 and 4) during play.
[0022] The padded arm protector 1 of FIGS. 1-4 has been described
as having a plurality of protective pads 3 strategically positioned
and sandwiched between an inside bottom layer 5 and an outside top
layer 9 of a sleeve 10. However, and turning now to FIG. 5 of the
drawings, it is within the scope of this invention to eliminate one
of the aforementioned bottom or top layers 5 or 9. In the case of
FIG. 5, a padded arm protector 31 is shown having an elongated
inner sleeve 33 which surrounds the player's arm and extends
continuously from below the shoulder past the wrist. As was earlier
described, the inner sleeve 33 is manufactured from a stretchable
material. A thumb hole similar to that designated 16 in FIG. 3 may
be formed through a front end of the sleeve 33 in which to receive
the player's thumb, and complementary (Velcro hook-and-loop)
fasteners similar to those designated 18 and 20 in FIG. 1 may be
located at the opposite end of the sleeve to apply a tightening
force against the player's arm.
[0023] A plurality of individual cushion (e.g., foam) pads 35 are
positioned on the outside of the sleeve 33 to cover and protect the
player's elbow, wrist and muscles of the arm located therebetween.
Corresponding individual covers 37 (e.g., manufactured from an
armor or a stretchable material) are located over and in
surrounding engagement with respective ones of the protective pads
35 to hold the pads against the inner sleeve 33. Each cover 37 is
attached to the inner sleeve 33 by means of stitching, gluing,
(heat) welding, or the like. Both the protective pads 35 and the
covers 37 which surround the pads are separated from one another
along the sleeve 33 by spaces or channels 40 which extend
continuously around the pads. Like the protective pads 3 shown in
FIG. 2, the channels 40 allow the protective pads 35 and their
covers 37 of FIG. 5 to move independently of one another with the
sleeve 33 depending upon the movements of the player's arm during
play. By virtue of the independently moving pads 35, the player's
elbow and wrist will be covered with padding while maintaining a
full range of articulation in the manner shown in FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows the arm protector 31 having a plurality of
outer protective pads 35 attached to an inner sleeve 33 which
covers and surrounds the player's arm. It is also within the scope
of this invention for a plurality of inner protective pads to be
attached to an outer sleeve (not shown). In this case, the inner
pads and their covers will lie against the player's arm and the
outer sleeve will extend continuously over top the pads and the
channels (also not shown) which lie between the pads.
[0025] FIGS. 1-5 describe padded arm protectors which have at least
one elongated sleeve that extends continuously from at least the
player's elbow past his wrist. In FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings,
the advantages of the padded arm protectors herein disclosed are
applied to a padded leg protector 50 to be pulled over the player's
leg. The leg protector 50 of FIGS. 6 and 7 has at least one
elongated sleeve 52 that surrounds the player's leg and extends
continuously from at least the player's knee to his ankle. The
sleeve 52 of leg protector 50 is manufactured from a stretchable
material. An elastomeric cuff 54 is located at the bottom of the
sleeve 52 to surround the player's ankle and prevent the leg
protector 50 from riding up the player's leg. Located at the top of
the sleeve 52 are complementary (Velcro hook-and-loop) fasteners 56
and 58 that are mated together above the player's knee to generate
a tightening force so as to prevent the leg protector 50 from
riding down the player's leg.
[0026] The sleeve 52 carries a plurality of individual protective
pads 60 that are formed from a cushion (e.g., foam) material. The
protective pads 60 of leg protector 50 are positioned on the
outside of the sleeve 52 so as to cover and protect the player's
knee, shin and ankle and the leg muscles lying therebetween.
Corresponding individual covers 62 (e.g., manufactured from an
armor or a stretchable material) are located over and in
surrounding engagement with the protective pads 60 to hold the pads
against the inner sleeve 52. Each cover 62 may be attached to the
inner sleeve 52 in the same manner as that shown and described
while referring to the arm protector 31 of FIG. 5.
[0027] Both the protective pads 60 and the covers 62 which surround
the pads are separated from one another along the sleeve 52 by
spaces or channels 64 which extend continuously around the pads.
The channels 64 allow the protective pads 60 and their covers 62 of
FIGS. 6 and 7 to move independently of one another with the sleeve
52 depending upon the movements of the player's leg during play. By
virtue of the independently moving pads 60, the player's knee, shin
and ankle will be covered with padding while the knee and ankle are
able to maintain a full range of articulation.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 describe a leg protector 50 having a plurality
of outer protective pads 60 attached to an inner sleeve 52 which
covers and surrounds the player's leg. It is also within the scope
of this invention for a plurality of inner protective pads to be
attached to an outer sleeve (not shown). In this case, the inner
pads and the covers will lie against the player's leg and the outer
sleeve will extend continuously over top the pads and the channels
(also not shown) which lie between the pads.
* * * * *