U.S. patent application number 13/483685 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for leg pads for a hockey goalkeeper.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lee MACKEY. Invention is credited to Lee MACKEY.
Application Number | 20130318675 13/483685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49668441 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130318675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MACKEY; Lee |
December 5, 2013 |
LEG PADS FOR A HOCKEY GOALKEEPER
Abstract
A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper playing hockey (e.g., roller
hockey) is provided. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey
goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a
medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be
positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side
of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad
comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over
the protective padding. The leg pad comprises a slider in the
medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial
side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The
slider may be mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed
through an opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing
surface.
Inventors: |
MACKEY; Lee; (Prevost,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MACKEY; Lee |
Prevost |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
49668441 |
Appl. No.: |
13/483685 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2102/24 20151001;
A63B 71/1225 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/22 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/06 20060101
A41D013/06 |
Claims
1. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable on
a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad
comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the
leg pad comprising: a) protective padding; b) an outer covering
disposed over the protective padding, the outer covering comprising
an opening in the medial side of the leg pad; and c) a slider in
the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the
medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is
moved, the slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and
exposed through the opening of the outer covering to slide on the
playing surface.
2. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises: an
undermounted portion disposed underneath and overlapped by the
outer covering; and an exposed portion exposed through the opening
of the outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on
the playing surface.
3. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the exposed portion projects
outwardly relative to the undermounted portion.
4. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the undermounted portion
surrounds the exposed portion.
5. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the undermounted portion is
affixed to the outer covering.
6. The leg pad of claim 5, wherein the undermounted portion is
affixed to the outer covering by being sewed to the outer
covering.
7. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider protrudes outwardly
beyond an external surface of the outer covering.
8. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein a coefficient of friction
between the slider and the playing surface is lower than a
coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing
surface.
9. The leg pad of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the coefficient of
friction between the slider and the playing surface and the
coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing
surface is no more than 0.9.
10. The leg pad of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the coefficient of
friction between the slider and the playing surface and the
coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing
surface is no more than 0.8.
11. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is more rigid than
the outer covering.
12. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider has a hardness of at
least 60 durometers Shore D.
13. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider has a hardness of at
least 80 durometers Shore D.
14. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises polymeric
material.
15. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises at least
one of polycarbonate and nylon.
16. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding
surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the
slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface being
uneven such that, when the slider slides on the playing surface,
less than all of the sliding surface contacts the playing
surface.
17. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding
surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the
slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface being
uneven such that a first part of the sliding surface projects
outwardly relative to a second part of the sliding surface.
18. The leg pad of claim 17, wherein, when the first part of the
sliding surface contacts the playing surface, the second part of
the sliding surface does not contact the playing surface.
19. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding
surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the
slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface
comprising a first sliding contact area, a second sliding contact
area, and a recess between the first sliding contact area and the
second sliding contact area.
20. The leg pad of claim 19, wherein each of the first sliding
contact area and the second sliding contact area forms a peak of
the sliding surface.
21. The leg pad of claim 19, wherein the recess is a first recess
and the sliding surface comprises a third sliding contact area and
a second recess between the second sliding contact area and the
third sliding contact area.
22. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is elongated in a
longitudinal direction of the leg pad.
23. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a foot portion for overlying
a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being located in the
foot portion.
24. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a lower leg portion for
overlying a lower leg of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being
located in the lower leg portion.
25. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a knee portion for overlying
a knee of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being located in the
knee portion.
26. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is a first slider
and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer
covering comprising a second opening in the medial side of the leg
pad, the leg pad comprising a second slider in the medial side of
the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg
pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the second slider
being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the
second opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing
surface.
27. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the first slider and the
second slider are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the
leg pad.
28. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the first slider and the
second slider are spaced apart in a thickness direction of the leg
pad.
29. The leg pad of claim 26, comprising a foot portion for
overlying a foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a lower leg portion
for overlying a lower leg of the hockey goalkeeper, the first
slider being located in the foot portion, the second slider being
located in the lower leg portion.
30. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the outer covering comprises a
third opening in the medial side of the leg pad, the leg pad
comprising a third slider in the medial side of the leg pad for
facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on the
playing surface when the leg is moved, the third slider being
mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the third
opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.
31. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is a first slider
and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer
covering comprising a second opening in the front of the leg pad,
the leg pad comprising a second slider in the front of the leg pad
for facilitating sliding of the front of the leg pad on the playing
surface when the leg is moved, the second slider being mounted
beneath the outer covering and exposed through the second opening
of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.
32. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the protective padding
comprises foam.
33. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the outer covering comprises
synthetic pliable material.
34. The leg pad of claim 33, wherein the synthetic pliable material
comprises polyurethane.
35. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is removable from
the leg pad.
36. The leg pad of claim 35, wherein the leg pad comprises a
removable part which is removably fastened to a main structure of
the leg pad, the removable part comprising the slider and a portion
of the outer covering.
37. The leg pad of claim 36, wherein the slider is a first slider
and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer
covering comprising a second opening in the medial side of the leg
pad, the leg pad comprising a second slider in the medial side of
the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg
pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the second slider
being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the
second opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing
surface, the removable part comprising the second slider.
38. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the playing surface is a dry
playing surface.
39. The leg pad of claim 38, wherein the dry playing surface is a
roller hockey playing surface and the leg pad is a roller hockey
goalkeeper leg pad.
40. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad
comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the
leg pad comprising: a) protective padding; b) an outer covering
disposed over the protective padding, the outer covering comprising
an opening in the medial side of the leg pad; and c) a slider in
the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the
medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is
moved, the slider comprising: i. an undermounted portion disposed
underneath and overlapped by the outer covering; and ii. an exposed
portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and
comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.
41. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad
comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the
leg pad comprising: a) protective padding; b) an outer covering
disposed over the protective padding, the outer covering comprising
an opening in the medial side of the leg pad; and c) a slider in
the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the
medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is
moved, the slider comprising: i. an undermounted portion disposed
underneath and affixed to the outer covering; and ii. an exposed
portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and
comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.
42. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad
comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the
leg pad comprising: a) protective padding; b) an outer covering
disposed over the protective padding; and a slider in the medial
side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of
the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved, the slider
being removable from the leg pad without removing at least a
majority of the outer covering from the leg pad.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to protective athletic
equipment and, more particularly, to leg pads for hockey
goalkeepers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Leg pads are worn by hockey goalkeepers to protect their
legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other
objects and/or to protect their legs when moving (e.g., dropping)
them onto a playing surface. A hockey goalkeeper's leg pad
typically comprises protective padding for providing padded
protection to the goalkeeper's leg and an outer covering disposed
over the protective padding.
[0003] When the goalkeeper moves his/her leg on the playing surface
to perform a maneuver during play, such as a shift of his/her leg
or of his/her entire body on the playing surface to make a save,
the leg pad's outer covering contacts the playing surface and
friction between the outer covering and the playing surface, if too
high, may create undesirable resistance to movement of the
goalkeeper's leg. In some cases, such as when playing ice hockey on
an icy playing surface, frictional effects may be unimportant or
negligible. However, in other cases, such as when playing roller
hockey on a dry playing surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, or
wooden playing surface), friction between the outer covering and
the playing surface may create significant resistance to movement
of the goalkeeper's leg, particularly if the outer covering's
material tends to "grab" onto the playing surface in some
situations.
[0004] For these and other reasons, there is a need for
improvements directed to facilitating movement of a hockey
goalkeeper's leg pads on a playing surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg
of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises
a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured
to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral
side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad
comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over
the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an opening in
the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a slider in
the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the
medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is
moved. The slider is mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed
through the opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing
surface.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad
comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The
leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed
over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an
opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a
slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding
of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg
is moved. The slider comprises an undermounted portion disposed
underneath and overlapped by the outer covering. The slider
comprises an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the
outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the
playing surface.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad
comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The
leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed
over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an
opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a
slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding
of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg
is moved. The slider comprises an undermounted portion disposed
underneath and affixed to the outer covering. The slider comprises
an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the outer
covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing
surface.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable
on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad
comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively
configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The
leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed
over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an
opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a
slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding
of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg
is moved. The slider is removable from the leg pad without removing
at least a majority of the outer covering from the leg pad.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of arranging a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper.
The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to
protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and
a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to
a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg
pad is worn on the leg. The method comprises: removing a first
removable part fastened to the leg pad; providing a second
removable part comprising a slider; and fastening the second
removable part to the leg pad in place of the first removable part
such that the slider is in the medial side of the leg pad to
facilitate sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing
surface when the leg is moved
[0010] These and other aspects of the invention will now become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the
following description of embodiments of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is
provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example of leg pads for
protecting legs of a hockey goalkeeper in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the right leg pad;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a medial side view of the right leg pad;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a lateral side view of the right leg pad;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the
right leg pad;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a slider of the right leg pad;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the right leg pad in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a medial side view of the right leg pad of FIG.
7;
[0020] FIG. 9A shows a medial side view of a right leg pad in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in which
sliders are removable;
[0021] FIG. 9B shows end views of removable parts of the right leg
pad of FIG. 9A;
[0022] FIG. 10 shows the right leg pad of FIG. 9A with the sliders
installed thereon;
[0023] FIG. 11 shows a medial side view of a right leg pad in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in which
removable parts without sliders can be replaced by removable parts
comprising sliders;
[0024] FIG. 12A shows a front view of the goalkeeper's right leg;
and
[0025] FIG. 12B shows a medial side view of the goalkeeper's right
leg.
[0026] The description and drawings are only for the purpose of
illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are an aid
for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the
limits of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2
wearable by a hockey goalkeeper in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. The leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 are worn on the
hockey goalkeeper's legs 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2 while playing hockey to
protect the legs 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2 against an impact from a puck,
ball, hockey stick or other object and/or to protect the legs
16.sub.1, 16.sub.2 when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing
surface 12. In this embodiment, a type of hockey played is roller
hockey such that the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 are roller hockey
goalkeeper leg pads, the hockey goalkeeper is a roller hockey
goalkeeper, and the playing surface 12 is a dry playing surface for
roller hockey (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, or wooden playing
surface or any other dry playing surface on which roller hockey is
played).
[0028] The leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 protect various regions of
the goalkeeper's legs 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2. With additional reference
to FIGS. 12A and 12B, each leg 16.sub.x. of the goalkeeper
comprises an upper leg 18, a knee 19, a lower leg 20, and a foot
21. The upper leg 18 is above the knee 19, while the lower leg 20
is below the knee 19 and above the foot 21. The leg 16.sub.x of the
goalkeeper has a front 22, a back 23, a medial side 24 (sometimes
referred to as an "inner side"), and a lateral side 25 (sometimes
referred to as an "outer side").
[0029] In this embodiment, each leg pad 10.sub.x comprises an upper
leg portion 30, a knee portion 31, a lower leg portion 32, and a
foot portion 33 respectively configured to be positioned adjacent
to the upper leg 18, the knee 19, the lower leg 20, and the foot 21
of the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x when the leg pad 10.sub.x is worn
on the leg 16.sub.x. The upper leg portion 30 is above the knee
portion 31, while the lower leg portion 32 is below the knee
portion 31 and above the foot portion 33. Each of these portions of
the leg pad 10.sub.x comprises a frontal part, a medial part, and a
lateral part such that the leg pad 10.sub.x comprises a frontal
portion 26, a medial portion 27, and a lateral portion 28
respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to the front 22,
the medial side 24, and the lateral side 25 of the goalkeeper's leg
16.sub.x when the leg pad 10.sub.x is worn on the leg 16.sub.x. The
frontal portion 26 comprises a front 34 of the leg pad 10.sub.x,
the medial portion 27 comprises a medial side 35 of the leg pad
10.sub.x, and the lateral portion 28 comprises a lateral side 36 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x. In this embodiment, the knee portion 31
comprises a knee wing 39 and the lower leg portion 32 comprises a
calf wing 59.
[0030] The leg pad 10.sub.x can be secured to the goalkeeper's leg
16.sub.x in any suitable way. For example, in this embodiment, the
leg pad 10.sub.x comprises straps (not shown) to secure the leg pad
10.sub.x to the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x. Such straps are well
known and will not be discussed herein.
[0031] As further discussed later on, the leg pad 10.sub.x
facilitates sliding of the leg pad 10.sub.x on the playing surface
12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x is moved as the goalkeeper
performs a maneuver during play, such as, for example, a shift of
his/her leg 16.sub.x or a shift of his/her entire body on the
playing surface 12 to make a save. This sliding facilitation makes
it easier for the goalkeeper to move his/her leg 16.sub.x and thus
makes it easier to perform the desired maneuver on the playing
surface 12. Notably, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10.sub.x
facilitates sliding of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x
on the playing surface 12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x is
moved. This can be particularly beneficial in situations where the
goalkeeper uses a so-called "butterfly" goaltending style in which
he/she goes down on both of the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 with
his/her toes pointing outwards and top ends of the leg pads
10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 converging towards and possibly meeting one
another. In that position, at least part of the medial side 35 of
each of the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 lies on the playing surface
12 and, therefore, facilitating sliding of the medial side 35 of
each of the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 is useful.
[0032] With additional reference to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the
leg pad 10.sub.x comprises protective padding 40, an outer covering
42 disposed over the protective padding 40, and an inner liner 44
disposed under the protective padding 40. The leg pad 10.sub.x also
comprises a plurality of sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 for facilitating
sliding of the leg pad 10.sub.x, including sliding of the medial
side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x, on the playing surface 12 when the
goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x is moved.
[0033] The protective padding 40 provides padded protection to the
goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x. To that end, the protective padding 40
may comprise any suitable shock-absorbing material. For example, in
some embodiments, the protective padding 40 may comprise foam, such
as polyurethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded
polypropylene (EPP) foam, expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam), vinyl
nitrile (VN) foam, or any other suitable foam, and/or may comprise
shock-absorbing material other than foam (e.g., a gel).
[0034] In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 comprises
protective padding portions 48.sub.1-48P distributed in the upper
leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and
the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10.sub.x. More particularly, in
this example, the protective padding portions 48.sub.1-48P are
distributed in the frontal, medial and lateral parts of the upper
leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and
the foot portion 33 such that they are distributed in the frontal
portion 26, the medial portion 27, and the lateral portion 28 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x. In some cases, different ones of the
protective padding portions 48.sub.1-48P may be distinct pads
separate from one another. In other cases, different ones of the
protective padding portions 48.sub.1-48P may be part of a common
pad. The protective padding 40 may be implemented in various other
ways in other embodiments.
[0035] The outer covering 42 faces away from the goalkeeper's leg
16.sub.x and may comprise any suitable material. For example, in
this embodiment, the outer covering 42 comprises synthetic pliable
material. More particularly, in this embodiment, the synthetic
pliable material of the outer covering 42 is synthetic leather. For
instance, in some examples of implementation, the synthetic leather
of the outer covering 42 may be polyurethane (PU) leather. The
outer covering 42 may comprise various other materials and/or be
implemented in various other ways in other embodiments (e.g., it
may comprise a nylon fabric, a polyester fabric, a Cordura.TM.
fabric, or any other suitable fabric).
[0036] The inner liner 44 faces the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x and
may comprise any suitable material. For example, in this
embodiment, the inner liner 44 comprises fabric. For instance, in
some examples of implementation, the fabric of the inner liner 44
may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, synthetic
microfibers, a synthetic woven knit, a polyurethane laminate, a
mesh, or any other suitable fabric. The inner liner 44 may be
implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
[0037] The protective padding 40, the outer covering 42 and the
inner liner 44 are fastened together during manufacturing of the
leg pad 10.sub.x. In this embodiment, the outer covering 42 is
affixed to at least one of the protective padding 40 and the inner
liner 44. More particularly, in this example, the outer covering 42
is sewn to the inner liner 44 along a perimeter of the leg pad
10.sub.x to form a cavity receiving the protective padding 40 and
is laced to both the protective padding 40 and the inner liner 44
by laces 49.sub.1-49.sub.L. In other embodiments, the outer
covering 42 may be affixed to one or both of the protective padding
40 and the inner liner 44 by other types of fasteners (e.g.,
staples, an adhesive, etc.).
[0038] Each of the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 is provided to
facilitate sliding of the leg pad 10.sub.x on the playing surface
12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16.sub.x is moved. More particularly,
in this embodiment, the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.8 are located in
the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x to facilitate sliding of
the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x on the playing surface
12. In this example, the slider 46.sub.1 is located in the medial
part of the foot portion 33, the sliders 46.sub.2-46.sub.5 are
located in the medial part of the lower leg portion 32, and the
sliders 46.sub.6-46.sub.8 are located in the medial part of the
knee portion 31. Also, in this embodiment, the slider 46.sub.9 is
located in the front 34 of the leg pad 10.sub.x to facilitate
sliding of the front 34 of the leg pad 10.sub.x on the playing
surface 12. More specifically, in this example, the slider 46.sub.9
is located in the front part of the foot portion 33 adjacent to the
medial part of the foot portion 33. This can further facilitate
sliding since that region of the front part of the foot portion 33
near the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x may come into
contact with the playing surface 12 as the goaltender moves his/her
leg 16.sub.x during play.
[0039] The sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 are mounted beneath the outer
covering 42 and exposed through respective openings
50.sub.1-50.sub.9 of the outer covering 42 to slide on the playing
surface 12. Specifically, each slider 46.sub.x is at least partly
disposed beneath the outer covering 42 and is exposed through an
opening 50.sub.x of the outer covering 42 such that it can contact
and slide on the playing surface 12.
[0040] The slider 46.sub.x can therefore slide on the playing
surface 12 while being anchored in the leg pad 10.sub.x. This
anchoring can help to retain the slider 46.sub.x in the leg pad
10.sub.x, particularly against frictional forces exerted on the
slider 46.sub.x when it slides on the playing surface 12.
[0041] With additional reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the
slider 46.sub.x comprises an undermounted portion 52 and an exposed
portion 54. The undermounted portion 52 is disposed underneath and
overlapped by the outer covering 42. The exposed portion 54 is
exposed through the opening 50, of the outer covering 42 and
comprises a sliding surface 55 to slide on the playing surface
12.
[0042] More particularly, in this embodiment, the undermounted
portion 52 of the slider 46.sub.x is affixed to the outer covering
42. In this example, the undermounted portion 52 is sewed to the
outer covering 42 via stitches 63.sub.1-63-.sub.T. In other
examples, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46.sub.x may be
affixed to the outer covering 42 via any other suitable fastener
(e.g., staples, an adhesive, etc.). Also, in other embodiments, the
undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46.sub.x may be affixed to
the protective padding 40 in addition to or instead of the outer
covering 42.
[0043] In this embodiment, the exposed portion 54 of the slider
46.sub.x projects outwardly relative to the undermounted portion 52
of the slider 46.sub.x. More particularly, in this example of
implementation, the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46.sub.x
projects outwardly such that it extends through the opening 50, of
the outer covering 42 and at least part of its sliding surface 55
protrudes outwardly beyond an external surface 57 of the outer
covering 42. This may help to prevent or limit contact between the
outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12. The exposed portion
54 of the slider 46.sub.x may not project outwardly relative to,
but may rather be flush with, the undermounted portion 52 of the
slider 46.sub.x in other embodiments.
[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the undermounted portion 52
of the slider 46.sub.x surrounds the exposed portion 54 of the
slider 46.sub.x. More specifically, in this case, the undermounted
portion 52 of the slider 46.sub.x extends along an entirety of a
perimeter of the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46.sub.x. In
other embodiments, the undermounted portion 52 may be shaped in a
manner such that it extends along less than all of the perimeter of
the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46.sub.x. For example, in some
embodiments, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46.sub.x may
extend along two or more spaced apart portions of the exposed
portion 54 of the slider 46.sub.x (e.g., in an intermittent
fashion).
[0045] The slider 46.sub.x and the opening 50.sub.x of the outer
covering 42 can have any suitable shape and be arranged in any
suitable manner on the leg pad 10.sub.x. For example, in this
embodiment, each of the slider 46.sub.x and the opening 50.sub.x of
the outer covering 42 is elongated. More particularly, in this
example of implementation, each of the slider 46.sub.x and the
opening 50.sub.x of the outer covering 42 is elongated in a
longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10.sub.x. Other shapes and/or
orientations of the slider 46.sub.x and the opening 50.sub.x of the
outer covering 42 may be used in other examples of
implementation.
[0046] The sliding surface 55 of the slider 46.sub.x is exposed to,
faces and contacts the playing surface 12 when the slider 46.sub.x
slides on the playing surface 12. In this embodiment, the sliding
surface 55 is uneven such that, when the slider 46.sub.x slides on
the playing surface 12, less than all of the sliding surface 55
contacts the playing surface 12. More particularly, in this
example, the sliding surface 55 of the slider 46.sub.x is uneven
such that a first part 71 of the sliding surface 55 projects
outwardly relative to a second part 73 of the sliding surface 55.
This results in the slider 46.sub.x abutting against the playing
surface 12 such that the first part 71 of the sliding surface 55
has a greater tendency to contact the playing surface 12 than the
second part 73 of the sliding surface 55. In this case, when the
first part 71 of the sliding surface 55 contacts the playing
surface 12, the second part 73 of the sliding surface 55 does not
contact the playing surface 12.
[0047] More particularly, in this embodiment, the sliding surface
55 of the slider 46.sub.x comprises a plurality of sliding contact
areas 60.sub.1-60.sub.3 spaced apart by recesses 62.sub.1,
62.sub.2. Each sliding contact area 60.sub.x is an area of the
sliding surface 55 which can be in contact with and slide on the
playing surface 12 when the slider 46.sub.x slides on the playing
surface 12. In this example, the sliding contact areas
60.sub.1-60.sub.3 are on outwardly projecting or raised portions
70.sub.1-70.sub.3 of the sliding surface 55 that define the
recesses 62.sub.1, 62.sub.2 between them. As such, in this example,
the sliding surface 55 of the slider 46.sub.x can be seen as having
a "peak and valley" configuration in which each outwardly
projecting portion 70.sub.x defines a "peak" and each recess
62.sub.x defines a "valley". The sliding surface 55 of the slider
46.sub.x may have any other number of sliding contact areas and
recesses in other embodiments (e.g., two sliding contact areas with
a single recess in between, or four or more sliding contact areas
with three or more recesses in between).
[0048] In this embodiment, to facilitate sliding, a coefficient of
friction C.sub.s between the slider 46.sub.x and the playing
surface 12 is lower than a coefficient of friction C.sub.oc between
the outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12. For instance, in
some examples of implementation, a ratio C.sub.s/C.sub.oc of the
coefficient of friction C.sub.s between the slider 46.sub.x and the
playing surface 12 and the coefficient of friction C.sub.oc between
the outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12 may be no more
than 0.9, in some cases no more than 0.85, in some cases no more
than 0.8, and in some cases even less (e.g., no more than 0.6). The
ratio C.sub.s/C.sub.oc of the coefficients of friction may have any
other value in other examples of implementation.
[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slider 46.sub.x is more
rigid than the outer covering 42. More specifically, in this
example of implementation, a hardness H.sub.s of the slider
46.sub.x is higher than a hardness H.sub.oc of the outer covering
42. For example, in some embodiments, the hardness H.sub.s of the
slider may be at least 60 durometers Shore D, in some cases at
least 70 durometers Shore D, in some cases at least 80 durometers
Shore D, and in some cases at least 90 durometers Shore D. The
hardness H.sub.s of the slider 46.sub.x may have any other suitable
value in other embodiments.
[0050] The slider 46.sub.x can be made of any suitable material.
For example, in this embodiment, the slider 46.sub.x comprises
polymeric material. More specifically, in this example, the
polymeric material of the slider 46.sub.x is polycarbonate. In
other examples, the polymeric material of the slider 46.sub.x may
be nylon, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or any
other suitable polymeric material. In other embodiments, the slider
46.sub.x may comprise another type of polymeric material, metallic
material, composite material (e.g., a carbon-fiber-reinforced
polymer) and/or any other suitable material or combination of
materials (e.g., a coating of PFTE on a base material).
[0051] The sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 may be implemented in various
other ways in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments,
the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 may have any other suitable shape
and/or be made of any other suitable material. Also, while there
are nine sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 in the leg pad 10.sub.x in this
embodiment, there may be any other number of sliders such as the
sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 in other embodiments (e.g., only one
slider, or two, three or more sliders) as discussed previously. For
example, FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment in which the leg pad
10.sub.x comprises twelve sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 located in the
medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x to facilitate sliding of the
medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x on the playing surface 12.
In this example, the slider 46.sub.1 is located in the medial part
of the foot portion 33, the sliders 46.sub.2-46.sub.9 are located
in the medial part of the lower leg portion 32, and the sliders
46.sub.10-46.sub.12 are located in the medial part of the knee
portion 31. In this embodiment, there is no slider located in the
front 34 of the leg pad 10.sub.x (i.e., the slider 46.sub.9 located
in the front part of the foot portion 33 in the embodiment
discussed above is omitted in this embodiment). In this example,
different ones of the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 have different
shapes, namely the sliders 46.sub.1, 46.sub.5, 46.sub.6 are smaller
than the sliders 46.sub.2-46.sub.4, 46.sub.7-46.sub.12.
[0052] The leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 may be constructed in
various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in other
embodiments, the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 may have any other
suitable shape and/or be made of any other suitable material.
[0053] In embodiments considered above the leg pad 10.sub.x is
constructed such that its sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 or
46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are permanently present on the leg pad 10.sub.x.
That is, the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 or 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are
irremovable from the leg pad 10.sub.x without damaging the leg pad
10.sub.x.
[0054] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, the
leg pad 10.sub.x may be constructed such that its sliders
46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are removable from the leg pad 10.sub.x. In
other words, a slider 46.sub.x may be removably fastenable to the
leg pad 10.sub.x such that the slider 46.sub.x can be fastened to
the leg pad 10.sub.x and then unfastened and removed from the leg
pad 10.sub.x (without damaging the leg pad 10.sub.x). For example,
in some cases, this may facilitate replacement of the slider
46.sub.x by a new slider 46.sub.x* when the slider 46.sub.x is worn
out or damaged. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, this
may allow the leg pad 10.sub.x to be configured in various
configurations, including a "slider configuration" in which one or
more of the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are provided on the leg pad
10.sub.x and a "no-slider configuration" in which the leg pad
10.sub.x is free of sliders (i.e., has no sliders-the sliders
46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are not provided on the leg pad 10.sub.x).
[0055] More particularly, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10.sub.x
comprises a plurality of removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3,
61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 which are removable from a main structure 67 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x pad and comprise respective ones of the
sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12. In addition, in this embodiment, the
removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 comprise
respective portions 38.sub.1-38.sub.5 of the outer covering 42.
Each removable part 53.sub.x/61.sub.x is removably fastenable to
the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x such that the
removable part 53.sub.x/61.sub.x, including one or more of the
sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 it comprises, can be fastened to the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x and then unfastened and
removed from the leg pad 10.sub.x. The removable parts
53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2, when fastened to the leg pad
10.sub.x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x. More specifically, in this example: the
removable part 53.sub.1, when fastened to the leg pad 10.sub.x,
constitutes a region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x
located in the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10.sub.x; the
removable parts 53.sub.2, 61.sub.1, when fastened to the leg pad
10.sub.x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x located in the lower leg portion 30 of the leg
pad 10.sub.x, the region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad
10.sub.x constituted by the removable part 61.sub.1 being located
in the calf wing 59.sub.1 of the lower leg portion 30; and the
removable parts 53.sub.3, 61.sub.2, when fastened to the leg pad
10.sub.x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of
the leg pad 10.sub.x located in the knee portion 31 of the leg pad
10.sub.x, the region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10.sub.x
constituted by the removable part 61.sub.2 being located in the
knee wing 39.sub.1 of the knee portion 31.
[0056] In this embodiment, a slider 46.sub.x of a removable part
53.sub.x/61.sub.x is at least partly disposed beneath the portion
38.sub.x of the outer covering 42 of the removable part
53.sub.x/61.sub.x and is exposed through an opening 50.sub.x of the
portion 38.sub.x of the outer covering 42 of the removable part
53.sub.x/61.sub.x, and the undermounted portion 52 of the slider
46.sub.x is affixed (in this case sewed) to the portion 38.sub.x of
the outer covering 42 of the removable part 53.sub.x/61.sub.x, as
discussed in embodiments considered previously.
[0057] The removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2
can be fastened to the leg pad 10.sub.x using any suitable
fastener. For example, in this embodiment, the removable parts
53-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 are fastenable to the leg pad
10.sub.x using different fasteners, namely hook-and-loop (e.g.,
Velcro) fasteners 45.sub.1-45.sub.3, 87.sub.1, 87.sub.2 and laces
77.sub.1, 77.sub.2. Any other number of fasteners (e.g., one,
three, etc.) and/or any other type of fastener (e.g., buttons,
clips, zippers, etc.) may be used to fasten the removable parts
53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 in other embodiments.
[0058] More particularly, in this embodiment, each removable part
53.sub.x comprises a hook portion 69 of the hook-and-loop fastener
45.sub.x used to fasten that removable part, a lacing area 74.sub.1
to receive the lace 77.sub.1 used to fasten that removable part,
and a lacing area 74.sub.2 to receive the lace 77.sub.2 used to
fasten that removable part. The main structure 67 of the leg pad
10.sub.x comprises lacing areas 75.sub.1, 75.sub.2 to receive
respective ones of the laces 77.sub.1, 77.sub.2, a loop portion 89
of each of the hook-and-loop fastener 45.sub.1-45.sub.3, and a loop
portion 90 of each of the hook-and-loop fasteners 87.sub.1,
87.sub.2.
[0059] The lacing area 74.sub.1 of the removable part 53.sub.x is
configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75.sub.1 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x in order to define a lacing
channel for receiving the lace 77.sub.1, thereby lacing the
removable part 53.sub.x to the main structure 67 of the leg pad
10.sub.x. In this example, the lacing area 74.sub.1 of the
removable part 53.sub.x comprises a plurality of lacing conduits
78.sub.1-78.sub.G and the lacing area 75.sub.1 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x comprises a plurality of
lacing conduits 79.sub.1-79.sub.R such that the lacing conduits
78.sub.1-78.sub.G of the removable part 53.sub.x can be aligned
with respective ones of the lacing conduits 79.sub.1-79.sub.R of
the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x to define the lacing
channel through which the lace 77.sub.1 can be passed. Thus, in
this case, when the removable part 53.sub.x is laced to the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x, the lacing area 74.sub.1 of
the removable part 53.sub.x, the lacing area 75.sub.1 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x, and the lace 77.sub.1 form a
hinge-like joint 80. The removable part 53.sub.x can be folded over
onto the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x about the
hinge-like joint 80 such that the portions 69, 89 of the
hook-and-loop fastener 45.sub.x overlap and interconnect. In this
position, the lacing area 74.sub.2 of the removable part 53.sub.x
is configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75.sub.2 of the
main structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x and a lacing area of a
removable part 61.sub.x to receive the lace 77.sub.2, as discussed
below. To that end, in this example, the lacing area 74.sub.2 of
the removable part 53.sub.x comprises a plurality of lacing holes
58.sub.1-58.sub.h and the lacing area 75.sub.2 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x comprises a plurality of
lacing holes 68.sub.1-68.sub.b.
[0060] Also, in this embodiment, the removable part 61.sub.1 is
configured to be mounted over a calf wing member 91 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x and the removable part
61.sub.2 is configured to be mounted over a knee wing member 92 of
the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x. More particularly,
in this example, the removable part 61.sub.1 comprises a pocket 93
for receiving the calf wing member 91 and the removable part
61.sub.2 comprises a pocket 94 for receiving the knee wing member
92. Each removable part 61.sub.x comprises a hook portion 98 of the
hook-and-loop fastener 87.sub.x used to fasten that removable part,
straps 95.sub.1, 95.sub.2 for connection to the calf wing member 91
or knee wing member 92 over which it is mounted, and a lacing area
96 to receive the lace 77.sub.2 used to fasten that removable part.
The removable part 61.sub.1 can be slipped onto the calf wing
member 91 so that its pocket 93 receives the calf wing member 91,
the portions 98, 90 of the hook-and-loop fastener 87.sub.1 overlap
and interconnect, and its straps 95.sub.1, 95.sub.2 are connected
to the calf wing member 91 (e.g., its straps 95.sub.1, 95.sub.2 and
the calf wing member 91 may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners to
interconnect them). Similarly, the removable part 61.sub.2 can be
slipped onto the knee wing member 92 so that its pocket 94 receives
the knee wing member 92, the portions 98, 90 of the hook-and-loop
fastener 87.sub.2 overlap and interconnect, and its straps
95.sub.1, 95.sub.2 are connected to the knee wing member 92 (e.g.,
its straps 95.sub.1, 95.sub.2 and the knee wing member 92 may
comprise hook-and-loop fasteners to interconnect them).
[0061] The lacing area 96 of the removable part 61.sub.x is
configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75.sub.2 of the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x and the lacing area 74.sub.2
of the removable part 53.sub.x to receive the lace 77.sub.2,
thereby lacing the removable parts 53.sub.x, 61.sub.x to the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x. In this example, the lacing
area 96 of the removable part 61.sub.x comprises a plurality of
lacing holes 99.sub.1-99.sub.d. Respective ones of the lacing holes
58.sub.1-58.sub.h of the removable part 53.sub.x, the lacing holes
99.sub.1-99.sub.d of the removable part 61.sub.x, and the lacing
holes 68.sub.1-68.sub.b of the main structure 67 of the leg pad
10.sub.x can be aligned with one another to allow passage of the
lace 77.sub.2 through these holes, thereby lacing these components
together.
[0062] The removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2
comprising the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 may be implemented in
various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in some
embodiments, a removable part 53.sub.x/61, may comprise a slider
46.sub.x but may not comprise any portion of the outer covering 42
such that the slider 46.sub.x can be individually clipped, buttoned
or otherwise fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad
10.sub.x.
[0063] The removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2
thus facilitate installation of the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 on
the leg pad 16.sub.x and removal of the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12
from the leg pad 10.sub.x. This can be useful in various ways.
[0064] For example, in some embodiments, when a slider 46.sub.x
needs to be replaced since it is no longer in acceptable condition
(e.g., being worn out or damaged), a removable part
53.sub.x/61.sub.x comprising the slider 46.sub.x can be unfastened
and removed from the leg pad 10.sub.x and a replacement removable
part 53.sub.x*/61.sub.x* comprising a replacement slider 46.sub.x*
can be fastened to the leg pad 10.sub.x in place of the removable
part 53.sub.x/61.sub.x.
[0065] As another example, in some embodiments, the leg pad
10.sub.x may be configured in various configurations in which it is
either free of any slider (i.e., has none of the sliders
46.sub.1-46.sub.12) or has some or all of the sliders
46.sub.1-46.sub.12, depending on what the goalkeeper desires. For
instance, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, the leg pad
10.sub.x may comprise a plurality of removable parts
153.sub.1-153.sub.3, 161.sub.1, 161.sub.2 fastened to the main
structure 67 of the leg pad 10.sub.x where respective ones of the
removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 comprising
the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are fastenable. In this case, each
removable part 153.sub.x/161.sub.x is free of any slider but
otherwise substantially identical to a removable part
53.sub.x/61.sub.x mountable in its place. The removable part
153.sub.x/161.sub.x can thus be unfastened and removed from the leg
pad 10.sub.x and replaced by the removable part 53.sub.x/61.sub.x,
and vice versa. For example, in some cases, the removable parts
53.sub.1-53.sub.3, 61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 comprising the sliders
46.sub.1-46.sub.12 may be provided as an option or add-on for
mounting in place of the removable part 153.sub.1-153.sub.3,
161.sub.1, 161.sub.2 without sliders.
[0066] In this embodiment, the removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3,
61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 allow the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 to be
installed on and removed from the leg pad 16.sub.x without removing
at least a majority of the outer covering 42 from the leg pad
10.sub.x. In other words, the removable parts 53.sub.1-53.sub.3,
61.sub.1, 61.sub.2 allow the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 to be
installed on and removed from the leg pad 10.sub.x while at least a
majority of the outer covering 42 remains in place on the leg pad
10.sub.x. More particularly, in this example, a removable part
53.sub.x/63.sub.x can be installed on or removed from the leg pad
10.sub.x while respective portions of the outer covering 42 in the
frontal portion 26, the medial portion 27, and the lateral portion
28 of the leg pad 16.sub.x remain in place. In other examples, the
sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 may be installable on and removable from
the leg pad 16.sub.x without removing any of the outer covering 42
from the leg pad 10.sub.x (e.g., in cases where each slider
46.sub.x is a removable part that includes no portion of the outer
covering 42 and that can be individually clipped, buttoned or
otherwise fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad
10.sub.x).
[0067] Although embodiments considered above illustrate an example
of how the leg pad 10.sub.x may be constructed such that its
sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are removable, in other embodiments, the
leg pad 10.sub.x may be constructed in various other ways such that
its sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 are removable. For example, in other
embodiments, the leg pad 10.sub.x may comprise quick-type
connectors which allow its sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.12 to be
selectively connected to and disconnected from the leg pad
10.sub.x.
[0068] While in embodiments considered above the leg pads 10.sub.1,
10.sub.2 are roller hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing roller
hockey, in other embodiments, leg pads constructed using principles
described herein in respect of the leg pads 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 can
be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing another type of hockey on
a dry playing surface (e.g., field or street hockey).
[0069] Although in embodiments considered above the leg pads
10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 are for playing roller hockey on a dry playing
surface, in other embodiments, leg pads constructed using
principles described herein in respect of the leg pads 10.sub.1,
10.sub.2 can be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing ice hockey
on an iced playing surface. In such embodiments, sliders such as
the sliders 46.sub.1-46.sub.9 may have a lesser effect given that
the iced playing surface inherently provides low friction and high
slideability.
[0070] Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be
combined with any feature of any other embodiment discussed herein
in some examples of implementation.
[0071] To facilitate the description, any reference numeral
designating an element in one figure has been used to designate the
same element if used in any other figures. In describing the
embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake
of clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the
specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific
term comprises all equivalents.
[0072] Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be
read together with the specification, and are to be considered a
portion of the entire written description of this invention. Unless
otherwise indicated, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left",
"right", "up", "down" and the like, as well as adjectival and
adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly",
"upwardly", "radially", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of
the illustrated structure.
[0073] Although various embodiments and examples have been
presented, this was for the purpose of describing, but not
limiting, the invention. Various modifications and enhancements
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are
within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *