Arm protecting device

Abstract

An arm protecting device comprises a flexible cushioning pad contoured to include a biceps portion, a forearm portion, and an intervening elbow portion which are generally in line longitudinally of the extent of a substantially straightened wearer's arm. There are two longitudinally spaced pad parts, one between the elbow portion and the biceps portion and the other between the elbow portion and the forearm portion, which spaced parts are of less lateral dimension than the biceps portion and the forearm portion. Relief spaces are provided between the elbow portion and the biceps and forearm portions, respectively, adapting the three portions to be fitted in place on a wearer's arm by securing means which shape and hold the pad in a wrapped-around condition.

Description

This invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in protective arm pad devices, especially for use in sports. The invention was made having in mind particularly providing protection for lacrosse players, but is of more general application in connection with sports involving bodily contact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many athletic sports, players are subjected to body contact either with other players or with game equipment, such as lacrosse sticks. The prior art has provided various kinds of arm protective devices which may be used in such sports. Examples are to be found in the patents to Sotherlin U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,118 and Enicks U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,880, which disclose arm protective devices intended to protect the wearer's elbow and portions of the wearer's biceps and forearm. The Sotherlin patent discloses a rubber pad for protecting the elbow point. The Enicks patent discloses a pad formed of plastisol provided with an outer skin. Various arm protective devices including some comprising a plurality of parts have been proposed in the prior art. The prior art arm protective devices known to the applicants are believed not to have all that is desired from the standpoint of a balancing of the factors of light weight, ample protection of the biceps, forearm and elbow, resilience and flexibilty, and adaptation to being fitted to an individual wearer's arm, from the standpoints of providing protection, comfort or feeling to the wearer, and minimum interference with free arm movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an arm protecting device having improved qualities as to weight, protection of the biceps, forearm and elbow, resilience and flexibility, allowing relatively free arm movement, and ease of fitting to the individual wearer's arm. A general object of the invention is to provide such an improved arm protective device comprising a flexible, resilient, cushioning pad which is so contoured or shaped as to be capable of being wrapped around a wearer's arm and fitted with considerable individuality respectively to the biceps, forearm and elbow.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arm protective device including a flexible pad which may be flattened out relatively in a non-use position and which includes an elbow portion intervening between and connecting a forearm portion and a biceps portion, the pad having two longitudinally spaced parts between the elbow portion and the biceps and forearm portions, respectively, which are of less lateral extent than the biceps and forearm portions, the pad parts of less lateral extent contributing to the capability of the biceps, forearm, and elbow portions being shaped individually to the arm.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arm protective device embodying the invention, shown formed substantially as it would be when applied to the arm of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pad which is part of the device, shown flattened out;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device in place on a wearer's arm, straightened out; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in place on a wearer's arm, bent at the elbow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment shown in the drawings for illustrating a preferred form of invention comprises a unitary pad P of flexible resilient material which may be deformed from its relatively flattened-out, non-use condition shown in FIG. 2 to the relatively wrapped-around positions shown in FIG. 4 and 5 in use as applied to a wearer's arm, and means, generally designated SM1, SM2, SM3, SM4 and SM5, for shaping the pad to conform substantially to the wearer's arm.

The pad P comprises a relatively thick body or core C of flexible, resilient, cushion material and a relatively thin coating or skin S (indicated in FIG. 3) which is preferably relatively smooth as compared to the material of the core C were it not covered by the skin S. A presently preferred material C comprises a closed cell rubber, and the skin S may comprise closed cell polyvinyl chloride material the cells of which are more closed than those of the core C. The skin may be applied to the core by dipping the latter in the skin material, the skin thereafter being cured to provide a smooth surface for the pad. The core C desirably has a compression deflection of 4-8 p.s.i. (ASTM D-1056-68), a density range (PCF) average 5-10, a water absorption range up to 10% maximum by weight, a compression set of 50% (average) in a test sample one-half inch thick compressed 22 hours at 70.degree.F. with a recovery of 15-25% in 24 hours. Linear shrinkage is a maximum of 5% when aged 7 days at 158.degree.F. The aforesaid properties are retained under relatively sustained temperature exposure from 20.degree.F. to 130.degree.F. and under intermittent short exposure to 200.degree.F. A suitable and presently preferred material is closed cell rubber R-310-V dip coated with vinyl SBE-41-42, a polyvinyl chloride, provided by Rubatex Corporation Division of Groendryk Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, of Buchanan, Virginia.

Dimensions of the pad may vary according to different arm sizes. In a typical pad, the thickness is one-half inch and the maximum longitudinal dimension is approximately 17 inches. Generally, the same thickness may be employed for pads of somewhat different lengths.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2 which shows the pad P in its flattened non-use condition, the pad comprises three main portions longitudinally generally in line with each other, namely a biceps portion BP, a forearm portion FP and an elbow portion EP, all formed integrally and of lateral and longitudinal extents sufficient partially to encompass a wearer's arm. The flattened-out pad P is contoured in outline to enable the biceps portion BP, the forearm portion FP and the elbow portion EP to be shaped in place separately to a wearer's biceps, forearm and elbow, respectively. The elbow portion EP is constituted by a main or central part EP1 and two ears EP2 and EP3 of modified triangular shape projecting outwardly from the central part EP1, the ear EP2 being longer than, that is it extends laterally outwardly more than, the ear EP3. The biceps portion has two lateral edge parts or portions BP1 and BP2. The forearm portion FP is shown as and may usually be substantially a mirror image of the biceps portion BP.

The elbow portion generally designated EP intervenes between the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP, and the ears EP2 and EP3 extend oppositely outwardly from the laterally opposite sides of the central part EP1 of the elbow portion EP.

Relief spaces R1, R1 in the periphery of the pad intervene between the ear EP2 and the laterally extending side parts BP1 and FP1 of the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP, respectively. The relief spaces R1 facilitate separate or more or less individual shaping of the laterally extending parts BP1 and FP1 and the ear EP2 to different portions of a wearer's arm when applied. Thus, each part BP1 and FP1 and the ear EP2 may be deformed differently from the deforming of the other two of these parts according to the configuration of the wearer's arm and the wearer's individual preference as to fit, having regard both to comfort and to secureness in place.

Along the other longitudinal side and in the periphery of the pad are relief spaces R2, R2 between the ear EP3 and lateral side edge parts BP2 and FP2 of the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP, respectively. The ear EP3 is somewhat shorter laterally and more narrow longitudinally of the pad than the ear EP2. The relief spaces R2 are convergingly narrower from the outer end of the ear EP3 toward the central part EP1 of the elbow portion EP and terminate in roots RO which are wider than the narrowmost parts of these relief spaces. The wider roots cause more efficient distribution of stress in the pad material when the parts BP2 and FP2 and the ear EP3 are curved or otherwise formed to different extents when being applied to a wearer's arm, thus inhibiting splitting or other failure of the pad material adjacent the relief spaces R2, R2.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, the pad P, formed as outlined above, includes two longitudinally spaced pad parts (unnumbered) which are located between and merge with the elbow portion EP and the biceps and forearm portions BP and FP, respectively, these pad parts being of less lateral extents than the biceps portion EP, the forearm portion FP and the elbow portion EP considered in it entirety as including the central part EP1 and the ears EP2 and EP3. These two pad parts of less lateral extents contribute to the ease of shaping the portions BP, FP and EP to fit the wearer's arm.

As shown in FIG. 2, center lines CL of the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP intersect within the central part EP1 of the elbow portion EP at an obtuse angle a.

Reference will now be made to the shaping and securing of the pad portions BP, FP and EP to the wearer's arm. Desirably, separate shaping and securing means are provided for use in connection with the pad portions BP, FP and EP. In the form shown separate straps SM1-SM5, which advantageously may be elastic, are provided.

The pad biceps portion BP is formed with four slits, two 10 being near the free end of the portion BP, and the other two 11 being adjacent the merging of the portion BP with the elbow portion EP. The elastic straps SM1 and SM2 are threaded through the slits 10 and 11, respectively, and extend across that face of the pad which is to be positioned next to the wearer's arm. The straps SM1 and SM2 are looped from the opposite face of the pad with their ends being closed adjustably by double ring type buckles or fasteners 12 of a known kind. Both rings of each fastener 12 are attached at 13 to one of the associated strap ends, the other strap end being passed through both rings and returned to extend under one only of the pair of rings. The length of the looped straps may thus be adjusted by manipulation of the strap free ends in the rings in a well known manner. In this way, the biceps portion BP may be shaped readily to conform to the wearer's biceps.

The forearm portion FP is formed with slits 10 and 11 positioned relatively to the portion FP similarly to the positioning of the slits 10 and 11 in the biceps portion BP. The straps SM4 and SM5 are extended through the slits 11 and 10, respectively, and are arranged in loop form similarly to the straps SM1 and SM2 as described above, again double ring fasteners 12 being provided.

The securing strap SM3 for the elbow portion EP does not pass completely around the pad so as itself to constitute a complete loop. Instead, it extends across and spaced from that face of the pad which is to be next to the wearer's arm, and its ends extend only against the edge portions of the opposite face of the pad and thence through slits 14, 14 shown in FIG. 1. The ends of the strap SM3 are formed in the shape of a T. To insert the strap SM3 in the slits 14, either one of the T-shaped ends is flexed to align the cross of the T with the slit 14, enabling the strap to be inserted through both slits and placed in the position shown in FIG. 1. The initially inserted T-end of the strap is then restored to the transverse position shown in FIG. 1 so that the strap SM3 is relatively permanently attached to the ear portions EP2 and EP3 of the elbow portion EP.

To apply the arm protective device to a wearer's arm, the straps SM1, SM2, SM4 and SM5 with discontinuous ends may be loosened. The wearer's arm is then extended lengthwise through the looped straps SM1, SM2, SM4 and SM5 and between the strap SM3 and the elbow portion EP. Then the straps SM1, SM2, SM4 and SM5 are adjusted so as to conform the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP to the wearer's biceps and forearm, respectively. If desired, the straps held in loop form by the buckles 12, or some of those straps, may be disconnected by the buckles so as to assist in applying the pad to the wearer's arm.

The pad P is shown provided with ventilating holes V. The pad core C may be die cut to its outline and to form the slits 10, 11 and 14 and the holes V, and the skin S then applied as described above to cover the walls of the slits and the ventilating holes as well as the core surfaces.

As stated above, a typical pad of one-half inch thickness has a maximum longitudinal dimension of approximately 17 inches. In such a pad, the maximum transverse width of either or both of the biceps portion BP and the forearm portion FP is approximately 61/2 inches, and the tip-to-tip transverse width of the elbow portion is approximately 91/2 inches. In larger or smaller pads, the dimensions would be substantially in the same proportions.

A device according to the invention is light and readily adjusted to the individual wearer, both from the standpoint of comfort of fit and the standpoint of providing good protection against blows which may be encountered in sports, particularly in sports involving contact such as lacrosse. At the same time, the pad is so conformable to the wearer's arm as to protect a maximum area of the arm with a minimum of interference with free arm action. Thus, the reduced lateral extent of the central part EP1 of the elbow portion EP taken in connection with the reduced areas of the ears EP2 and EP3 minimizes interference with bending of the wearer's elbow while at the same time providing the necessary protection of the elbow point. In the illustrative embodiment, the pad is symmetrical from end-to-end. By having it substantially symmetrical, it is equally applicable to a right or a left arm by being reversed end-to-end.

The arm protective device shown embodies the invention in a preferred form, but the disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive.

Claims

We claim:

1. An arm protecting device comprising a flexible cushioning pad including a biceps portion, a forearm portion and an intervening elbow portion connecting the biceps and forearm portions, there being relief spaces in the periphery between said elbow portion and the biceps and forearm portions, respectively, for enabling the three said portions to be shaped in place on a wearer's arm to conform substantially to the wearer's biceps, forearm and elbow, respectively, and securing means for shaping said portions to the wearer's arm as aforesaid and securing said pad in place on the wearer's arm.

2. An arm protecting device according to claim 1 in which said cushioning pad comprises a body of flexible, resilient material having a relatively smooth coating of flexible material.

3. An arm protecting device according to claim 2 in which said body is closed cell rubber and said coating is closed cell polyvinyl chloride.

4. An arm protecting device according to claim 1 in which the three said portions extend longitudinally generally in line with each other and have lateral extents sufficient partially to encompass a wearer's arm, and in which said elbow portion comprises a central part merging with said biceps portion and said forearm portion, respectively, and two ears extending outwardly from the laterally opposite sides of said central part with said relief spaces being between said ears and lateral side parts of said biceps and forearm portions, respectively, whereby said ears and thus said elbow portion may be conformed to fit at least partially around the elbow area of the wearer and said biceps and forearm portions may be conformed separately to fit at least partially around the wearer's biceps and forearm, respectively.

5. An arm protecting device according to claim 4 in which said ears are of modified triangular shape.

6. An arm protecting device according to claim 4 in which one of said ears is of greater extent laterally of said pad than the other of said ears.

7. An arm protecting device according to claim 5 in which one of said ears is of greater extent laterally of said pad than the other of said ears.

8. An arm protecting device according to claim 1 in which said securing means comprise separate arm-embracing strap means connected, respectively, to said three portions.

9. An arm protecting device according to claim 8 in which the strap means connected respectively to said biceps portion and to said forearm portion are discontinuous with separate end portions and are provided with fasteners for adjustably connecting said end portions together to form arm embracing straps of selected lengths according to the dimensions of the wearer's arm.

10. An arm protecting device according to claim 9 in which the strap means connected to said elbow portion has ends relatively permanently connected to said elbow portion to extend from one lateral edge thereof to the other lateral edge thereof, requiring a wearer's arm to be inserted longitudinally between said elbow portion and its associated strap means.

11. An arm protecting device comprising a unitary flexible cushioning pad including a biceps portion, a forearm portion and an intervening elbow portion, said portions being generally in line longitudinally of the extent of a substantially straightened wearer's arm to which said pad is to be applied, there being two longitudinally spaced pad parts between said elbow portion and said biceps and forearm portions, respectively, which pad parts are of less lateral dimension than said biceps and forearm portions.

12. An arm protecting device according to claim 11 including securing means for shaping said portions individually in place on a wearer's arm to conform substantially to the wearer's biceps, forearm and elbow, respectively, and for holding said pad in place on the wearer's arm.

13. An arm protecting device according to claim 11 in which said cushioning pad comprises a body of flexible resilient material having a relatively smooth coating of flexible material.

14. An arm protecting pad of flexible cushioning material of sufficient longitudinal and lateral extents to embrace partially a wearer's biceps, forearm and elbow and being formable from a relatively flattened non-use condition to a wrapped-around condition when applied to a wearer's arm, said pad comprising a biceps portion, a forearm portion and an intervening elbow portion, center lines of said biceps portion and said forearm portion intersecting within said elbow portion at an obtuse angle to each other when said pad is in its relatively flattened non-use condition.

15. An arm protecting pad according to claim 14 in which there are relief spaces in the periphery between said elbow portion and said biceps and forearm portions, respectively, for enabling the three said portions to be shaped in place in said wrapped-around condition when applied to the wearer's arm.

16. An arm protecting pad according to claim 15 in which said elbow portion comprises a central part merging with said biceps portion and said forearm portion, respectively, and two ears which extend outwardly from said central part, at least one of said ears extending between two of said relief spaces, whereby said elbow portion may be formed to said wrapped-around condition differently from the formation of said biceps portion and said forearm portion to said wrapped-around condition.

17. An arm protecting pad according to claim 16 in which said ears are of modified triangular shape.

18. An arm protecting pad according to claim 16 in which one of said ears is longer than the other of said ears.

19. An arm protecting pad according to claim 16 in which the relief spaces at opposite sides of said one of said ears are convergingly narrower from the outer end of that ear toward said central part of said elbow portion and terminate in roots which are wider than the narrowmost parts of those relief spaces.

20. An arm protecting pad according to claim 14 in which said pad comprises a relatively thick body of flexible, resilient material and a relatively thin and smooth coating.

21. An arm protecting pad according to claim 14 in which said biceps portion and said forearm portion are substantially mirror images of each other.

22. An arm protecting pad according to claim 14 comprising a core of closed cell rubber having a compression deflection of approximately 4-8 p.s.i. (ASTM D-1056-68) and a compression set of 50% (average) in a test sample one-half inch thick compressed at 22 hours at 70.degree.F. with a recovery of 15-25% in 24 hours; and a skin coating of closed cell polyvinyl chloride material.

23. An arm protecting pad according to claim 14 having dimensions substantially in the proportions: overall longitudinal 17 inches, transverse width of the biceps portion and the forearm portion 61/2 inches, and tip-to-tip transverse width of the elbow portion 91/2 inches.