Protective device for use by football athletes

Abstract

A device for protecting against injuries of the hand, wrist, and arm of an athlete during athletic contests, especially the game of football and also for providing actual game conditions during drills in the use of the hand, arm, etc. The device comprises a resilient material having a tough outer coating, which is generally shaped and adapted to cover and protect parts of the hand, wrist, arm and elbow. Various modifications are adapted to cover and protect only combinations of the hand and wrist, arm, and elbow.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protective athletic devices useful during training, practice and actual playing of athletic contests. More particularly, the invention relates to devices to be worn by an athlete for protecting the hand, wrist, arm and elbow of the athlete, especially in the game of football.

Particularly in playing the game of football, the players are vulnerable to injuries to various parts of the body. Accordingly, protective pads have been developed such as hip pads, shoulder pads, and other protective pads to be worn on various parts of the player's body.

With respect to a football player's arms, elbows, wrists and hands, heretofore, no suitable means has been available for their protection against injuries. Generally, players attempt to protect and strengthen their arms, etc. by the use of adhesive tape wound tightly around the wrists, arms, etc. Although taping affords a limited amount of protection to the taped areas, exposed areas of the arm are still vulnerable to injuries. Furthermore, taping of the player's arms, etc. is expensive, is a laborious and involved procedure, and the tape must be kept thereon during the entire training, practice and actual playing of the football game. Taping involves a certain amount of discomfort to the player, since the taped areas, although being somewhat protected from injuries, detract in the mobility, dexterity of the hands, and use of the arms of the player. With the protective devices of the present invention, taping or other similar means for the purpose of protection from injuries, etc. can be eliminated. Furthermore, the devices provide increased mobility and dexterity in the use of the arms, etc. in athletic contests, such as football, whereby more powerful blows can be inflicted against opposing players thereby decreasing the possibility of injuries. Use of the devices in football practice and training sessions permit drills to be conducted at similar conditions and speeds of actual games to be played between opposing football teams, since there may be a natural tendency on the part of the players to avoid possible injuries during drills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The protective devices of this invention are designed to be somewhat like protective sleeves which can be easily and quickly put on or taken off an athlete's arm. For purposes of description in this specification, the arm is defined as that portion of the human upper limb between the wrist and the elbow. When referring to the hand herein, it is understood that it includes the fingers, thumb, palm and back of the hand. The protective devices are adapted to be of various lengths whereby the various parts can be protected from injuries. Thus, the various embodiments of the protective devices include one protecting the hand and wrist, one protecting the hand, wrist and arm, and one protecting the hand, wrist, arm and elbow. The variations are particularly adapted to be used by the various football players depending on the position they play. Thus, for example, linemen would need the larger device whereas a defensive back would need the smaller device as protection only for the hand and wrist.

Generally, the protective device comprises a resilient material having a tough outer coating, preferably of plastic which is shaped and adapted to generally cover the outer and inner surfaces of the arm, the hand, wrist, elbow, etc. The device is designed to allow flexibility when worn, in the use of the hand, wrist, arm and elbow to provide protection to both offensive and defensive players during contact. The device is also designed to be easily put on or taken off by the player and is detachably secured to the hand or arm by various strap means and other securing means .

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments of the protective device taken in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention as worn by a player wherein the device covers the back of the hand, wrist, arm, and a portion of the elbow of the player's arm and showing means for holding and securing with the fingers of the hand portion of the device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an elastic connection of the device for securing purposes across the forearm;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention wherein the device covers the back of the hand, wrist and part of the arm;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention as worn by a player wherein the device is secured on the player's arm by means of lacing and covers the back of the hand, wrist, arm and part of the elbow;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention wherein strap securing means are provided to retain the device across the player's forearm;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention as worn by a player whereby the hand is completely protected as well as the wrist, arm, and a greater portion of the elbow, and also shows means for securing the hand portion of the device by the use of the fingers and thumb;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the protective device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the protective device of the invention showing a seventh embodiment of the invention as worn by a player whereby the back of the hand, wrist, arm, elbow and a portion of the arm beyond the elbow are covered and protected as well as securing means of the hand portion by the fingers and thumb of the player;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the protective device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the novel protective device of the invention showing an eighth embodiment of the invention as worn by a player similar to the one shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, however being a modified version covering the back of the hand, arm and only the elbow;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the protective device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention as worn by a player whereby the device only covers the back of the hand and wrist of the player;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the protective device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of a tenth embodiment of the novel protective device of the invention similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3 wherein the device comprises zipper means for securing the device along the forearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of the protective device generally indicated by the numeral 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a unitary molded member formed from a suitable resilient material 12, such as a plastic, polystyrene or polyurethane foam, or a rubber foam. A suitable tough surface coating 14, preferably smooth covers the resilient material, which can be a tough, pliable material preferably, a suitable plastic material. The coating 14 can be formed during heating and molding of the resilient foam material to produce a fused coating thereon. Alternatively, the surface coating 14 can be formed on the resilient material by dipping or applying a coating of a suitable plastic material or the like. Plastic coatings are preferred since there are available on the market, many rugged tough, pliable plastic materials such as polyvinylchloride, etc. However, it is also contemplated within the concept of the invention that suitable rugged fabric materials, and the like, can be used to cover the resilient material. The coating or covering used should provide a continuous, flexible, tough casing which prevents tearing of the foam during use.

The protective device 10 comprises generally a sleeve-like member of a somewhat cylindrical or tubular shape, an arm portion 16, wrist portion 17, a thumb portion 34 and a hand portion 18. The arm portion 16 extends from the wrist portion 17 to slightly beyond the elbow 20 on the backarm 21 of the athlete's arm 22. Thus the backarm portion 24 of the device is continuous from the thumb 35, back of the athlete's hand 26, back of wrist 19 to beyond the elbow 20. The forearm portion 28 of the device covers the forearm 29 and is provided with a suitable number of holes such as 30 and 32 for ventilating purposes. The hand portion 18 also includes a flexible thumb portion 34 adapted to be secured to the thumb 35 by suitable means such as a strap 36 secured around the portion 34 and the thumb by any suitable means such as tongue and groove 38 of strap means 36 as shown. Thumb portion 34 contains indentations 40 and 42 on which the strap 36 passes and is retained therein when tightened around the thumb 35. Hand portion 18 also is provided with suitable means for inserting the fingers 44 and palm 46 of the athlete's hand to retain the portion 18 on the hand. As shown, particularly desirable are flexible tubular members 48 and 50 which are held in place by suitable means such as a strong cord 52 or similar material passing through the tubular members and holes 54 and 56 in one side of portion 18 and similar holes (not shown) on the other side. With this arrangement, tubular members 48 and 50 can roll on the cord 52, permitting easy insertion of the fingers and palm.

Protective device 10 is easily worn as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by simply inserting the hand and arm through opening 58 of the device. The fingers are inserted underneath tubular members 48 and 50 thereby securing the hand portion 18, and the thumb 35 is secured to thumb portion 34 by means of strap 36 by suitable pre-adjustment thereof.

FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment 60 of the protective device similar in all respect to the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that a suitable stretchable material 62, 63 and 64 is disposed on the forearm portion 28 of the device. The stretchable material of rubber, or a stretchable polymeric resin aids in the insertion of the arm 21 and the hand into the device and provides a device suitable for use with various arm and wrist sizes.

The embodiment 70 of the device in FIG. 4 is similar in all respects to the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that the device is adapted to only cover the hand, thumb, wrist and the lower portion of the arm of the athlete.

The embodiment 80 of the protective device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is also similar in most respects to the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that the arm portion 16 is not molded in a tubular manner and has no holes 30 and 32. The device can be molded as a flat piece and secured and tightened across the forearm 29 of the athlete by means of lace 82 passed through a series of eyelet holes 88 along each edge of the device and tied in a knot 84. Similarly this embodiment provides for various arm and wrist sizes and also provides fo easy insertion into and removal of the arm of the athlete from the device.

The embodiment 90 of the device as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to the embodiment 80 of FIGS. 5 and 6. However, device 90 is provided with slots 92 and 94 along and near one edge of the arm portion 16 and slots 96 and 98 along and near the other edge 16a thereof. A pair of flexible straps 93 and 95 pass around the backarm portion 24 of the device, through the respective slots and across the forearm 29 of the athlete. Securing and adjustment of the straps can be accomplished in any suitable manner such as a series of snaps, velcro material, or a tongue and series of groove members 97 as shown. As in the previous embodiment, this embodiment provides for easy insertion of the arm and hand in the device and securing of the device hereto and provides for various arm and wrist sizes.

The embodiment 100 of the protective device shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is generally similar in construction to the previously described devices. However, this embodiment provides for an extended elbow portion 102 that extends well beyond the elbow 20 to provide additional protection therefor and the upper backarm. The extended elbow portion 102 requires a modification of the forearm portion of the device to permit easy bending of the elbow which is provided by a cutout section 104 and 105 extending below area 106 of the forearm 29. The combination of the extended portion 102 and the cutout section thereby provides excellent protection to the elbow area 20 while at the same time providing ample mobility of the arm by permitting normal bending of the elbow without binding of the inner part 106 of the elbow.

Embodiment 100 also depicts a variation in the hand portion of the protective device. Thus, instead of the inner, open palm, thumb and finger area of the heretofore described devices, this embodiment provides for a more closed hand portion generally indicated by the numeral 110 for greater protection hereto. Hand portion 110 encloses most the hand including the thumb, fingers and palm. The entire device 100 is molded with openings 112 and 114 in the hand portion for ventilating purposes. Within the hand portion, a tubular member or roll bar 116 extends tranversely and is secured therein by suitable means such as a strap member 118 which passes through a series of holes such as 120 and 122 in the casing of the device. Strap 118 passes through tubular member 116 and member 116 is free to roll on the strap. Thus, in this embodiment the hand of the athlete grasps the roll bar 116 thereby securing the device on the arm and hand of the athlete.

The embodiment 130 of the protective device shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally of the same construction as the embodiment 100 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 with respect to the elbow portion 102 and has a hand portion 134 similar in construction as hand portion 18 of device 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in this embodiment, the elbow portion 132 and cutout sections 104 and 105 which extend beyond the elbow 20 are disposed 90.degree. with respect to the arm 16 and hand portion 134. Thus, the opening into the elbow portion is turned 90.degree. from the normal arm and opening of the hand portion of the previously described embodiments. This arrangement provides for a more suitable stability of the device with respect to the elbow, arm and hand portions when the entire arm is raised or lowered in a fending position against blows, in delivering blows, etc.

The protective device embodiment 140 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is generally of the same construction of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, including the 90.degree. construction, with the exception that the elbow portion 142 does not extend a significant amount beyond the elbow 20 and extends to a point just before the inner part of the elbow 106. Thus, the device has an angled elbow portion which permits greater mobility of the arm, but provides a lesser degree of protection to the elbow area.

It is to be noted that in the embodiments 130 and 140 that a variation of the strap members for the fingers to hold the hand portion 134 on the hand is provided. Thus, straps 150 and 152 are passed through holes 154 and 156 on one side and similar holes (not shown) on the other side of the hand portion 134. The middle fingers are adapted to pass through the straps 150 and 152 on the inside to retain the hand portion of the device on the hand of the athlete.

The embodiment 160 of the protective device of the invention shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 depicts an abbreviated one which is adapted to merely protect the hand and wrist of the athlete and is similar in construction to the previously described embodiments. Device 160 includes a tubular wrist portion 162 designed to only cover and protect the wrist. The hand portion is similar in all respects to the previously described embodiments and variations.

The embodiment 170 of the protective device shown in FIG. 17 is similar in all respects to the embodiment 60 of FIG. 3 with the exception that instead of the stretchable material 62, 63 and 64 provided across the forearm, a combination of stretchable material 172 and 174 with a zipper 176 are provided along the forearm portion 28 of the device. With this arrangement, the device provides by means of the stretchable material for various arm and wrist sizes, as well as providing an easy means for putting on and taking off of the device by the convenience of the zipper device. Ventilation holes 178 and 179 can also be provided.

From the foregoing descriptions of the various embodiments of the protective device of the invention, it is readily apparent that the devices are well adapted to protect the hands, wrists, arms, and elbows of a football athlete. The devices are particularly adapted as training, instructional and playing devices in the art of football. Thus, the devices while providing protection improve the skills of the athlete. Particularly, during football practice sessions, the devices permit drills to be conducted at similar speeds and conditions of actual football games played.

While the devices of the invention are primarily designed to protect the wearer of them, they also serve as a protection to an opposing player. Furthermore, the devices when worn by athletes as protection are advantageous in delivering blows during offensive football plays and in warding off blows during defensive plays. The various protective devices are adapted to be used by football players playing various specified positions. Thus, a defensive back would need a small protective device such as device 70 or 160 which provides greater mobility of the arms while at the same time protecting the hands and wrists. A lineman would require a larger protective device such as devices 10, 60, 80, 90 and 100 and 130 for complete protection of the arm, etc. The particular advantageous aspect of the protective devices described is their ability of protect both the inner and outer surfaces of the hands, wrists, arms, and elbows and also to permit the athlete to easily maneuver in delievering blows and the various uses of the hands and arms in football contests.

The present protective devices are light in weight and can be easily stored or transported. Furthermore, a player can easily remove the devices during rest periods and quickly put them on again when needed for play.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A protective device for use in athletic contests such as football and the like comprising molded casing means having resilient foam means disposed therein; said casing means having portions shaped to conform and to be worn on an athlete's thumb, hand, wrist, arm and elbow; said arm and wrist portions having a generally cylindrical configuration; said hand and thumb portions adapted to cover at least the backs of the palm, fingers, and thumb; said elbow portion adapted to extend beyond the back of the elbow and the upper inner part of said arm portion extending to a point below the inner part of said elbow, whereby an opening for inserting the hand and arm is defined; the planes of said elbow portion and said hand portion being suitably disposed in conjunction with said opening to accommodate bending of the elbow; and securing means for retaining said device on the hand, wrist and arm.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing and foam means of said arm and wrist portions have a molded generally flat configuration adapted to be folded and retained in cylindrical configuration by securing means around the athlete's arm and wrist.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said securing means for said wrist and arm portions comprise lacing means.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said securing means for said wrist and arm portions comprises transverse strap means.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said securing means of said hand portion comprises rotatable tubular means retained by strap means under which the palm and fingers can be inserted, and strap means for retaining the thumb on said thumb portion.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein hole means are disposed on the forearm of said arm portion for ventilating purposes.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the forearm part of said arm portion comprises transverse elastic means.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand and thumb portions are molded as an enclosed lower portion of said device provided with open sections for ventilating purposes.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said enclosed portion comprises a roll bar adapted to be grasped by the thumb and fingers of the athlete.

10. The device of claim 1 whrein said securing means for said wrist and arm portions comprises longitudinal zipper means combined with transverse stretchable means disposed on the inner part of said wrist and arm portions.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said elbow portion in inclined at about a 45.degree. angle from the upper back portion to the inner portion, said upper back portion adapted to be disposed over a small portion above the back of the elbow and said inner portion adapted to be disposed below the inner part of the elbow.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said thumb portion is provided with side indentations for retaining strap means used as securing means for securing the thumb on said thumb portion.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand portion is retained on the palm and fingers of said athlete's hand by strap means adapted to receive said palm and fingers.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said inner parts of said hand and thumb portions are open whereby the fronts of said palm, fingers and thumb are not covered.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing comprises a molded plastic material and said resilient means are plastic foam means.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing comprises a tough, non-plastic material adapted to cover said resilient means.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing is a fabric material.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein said planes of said elbow portion and said hand portion are disposed about a 90.degree. angle with respect to each other.

19. A protective device for use in athletic contests such as football and the like comprising molded plastic casing means having resilient plastic foam means disposed therein; said casing means having portions shaped to conform and to be worn on an athlete's thumb, hand, wrist, arm and elbow; said arm and wrist portions having a generally cylindrical configuration; said hand and thumb portions adapted to cover at least the backs of the palm, fingers, and thumb; said elbow portion extending beyond and around the back of the elbow and the upper inner part of said arm portion extending to a point below the inner part of said elbow, whereby an opening for inserting the hand and arm is defined; the planes of said elbow portion and said hand portion being disposed at about a 90.degree. angle with respect to each other; said opening being a cutout section adapted to accommodate bending of the elbow and said elbow portion adapted to cradle the elbow; said hand and thumb portions being open whereby the fronts of said palm, fingers and thumb are not covered; and securing means for retaining said device on the hand and thumb portions.