SYSTEM COMPRISING A KNEE PAD INTEGRATED IN A GARMENT

A system including a knee pad integrated in a garment is disclosed. The garment includes a front part and a rear part. The front part and the rear part connect via a side seam and an inseam. Each of the side seam and the inseam includes a first member. The knee pad includes a casing. The casing has a convex surface forming an interior region for receiving the knee of a user. Further, the casing includes second members extending from its distal end. The casing is positioned over the knee of the user wearing the garment and the second members connect to the first members at the front part of the garment. The first member and the second member include a hook and loop mechanism, a zipper mechanism, etc. In one embodiment, the first member is made to fold to prevent it from being exposed when not in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to knee pads. More specifically, the present invention relates to a knee pad that mounts at the front part of a garment or clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that knee pads are commonly used by users for performing a variety of tasks. The tasks include, but not limited to, landscaping, plumbing, housekeeping, other occupations such as the military where the users require a kneeling position. The knee pads are used as protective padding devices to safeguard the user against impact and to cushion the knees while the knee pads bear the weight of the user's body. In one example, the knee pad includes straps that connect around the knee. In another example, the knee pad includes a stretchable fabric that is drawn through the legs and put around the knee.

Several knee pad designs have been disclosed in the past. Once such a knee pad is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,978, entitled “Knee pad construction” (“the '978 patent”). The '978 patent discloses a knee pad construction includes a shaped cushion element with a concave interior with a recess having a flowable gel insert therein. The recess and insert are shaped to accommodate the left knee or the right knee of an individual.

Another knee pad is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,408, entitled “Knee pad device” (“the '408 patent”). The '408 patent discloses a knee pad provided for engagement to a user in an as-worn position with an interior surface surrounding the front of the user's knee. A plurality of projections extends from the body and are made of compressible material to provide a cushioned support to the knees of the user during use.

Although the above discussed disclosures and other known knee pads are useful, they have few problems. For instance, most of the existing knee pads connect around the knees with the help of straps. The knee pad may interfere with blood circulation in the leg when it is wrapped tightly around the knee.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an improved knee pad that can be integrated with a garment while having required fit, comfort and functionality.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a knee pad that avoids the drawbacks of known knee pads.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a knee pad that can be integrated with a garment while having required fit, comfort and functionality.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system including a knee pad integrated in a garment, the knee pad capable of protecting the knee while also providing the user with a full range of motion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a knee pad that can be removably connected to a garment allowing the garment to be used as a normal garment when not in use.

In order to overcome one or more objects, the present invention presents a system including a knee pad integrated in a garment. The garment includes a front part and a rear part. The front part and the rear part connect via a side seam and an inseam. Each of the side seam and the inseam includes a first member. The first member includes a hook and loop, or a zipper tape or any other known connecting mechanism. The knee pad includes a casing. The casing has a convex surface at the outer side forming an interior region having a concave surface for receiving the knee of a user. Further, the casing includes second members extending from its distal end. The second members include a hook and loop, or a zipper tape or any other known connecting mechanism. The casing is positioned over the knee of the user wearing the garment and the second members connect to the first members at the front part of the garment. In one embodiment, the first member is made to fold to prevent it from being exposed when not in use.

In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the knee pad removably attaches to the garment at the front part (knee portion/length) of the garment and provides required protection when needed. As the knee pad positions only at the front part of the garment, the knee pad does not interfere with the blood circulation in the leg. When compared with the known knee pads, they are strapped around the leg and interfere with blood circulation in the leg when it is wrapped tightly around the knee.

In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the system presents an easily installable knee pad that adheres to the garment at the front part comfortably while avoiding discomfort in the side, lateral, and rear knee areas.

In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the knee pad removably attaches to the garment and provides padding, comfort and protection against injury for the user.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that the user can remove the knee pad from the garment and use the garment as a standard pant. Further, the user can fold the connecting members (fabric member having a third member and a fourth member) at the side seam and the inseam thereby preventing them from being exposed when the knee pad is not needed/used.

The features and advantages of the invention here will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES. As will be realized, the invention disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed invention may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed knee pad integrated in a garment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed knee pad integrated in a garment.

In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the invention preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

Although the present invention provides a description of a knee pad integrated in a garment, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the knee pad integrated in a garment. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Various features and embodiments of a knee pad integrated in a garment are explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 1 shows an environment 10 in which a system 12 implements, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System 12 includes a garment or clothing 14 that can be worn by a user 16. In accordance with the present invention, garment 14 receives a knee pad 18 at the front portion.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of garment 14, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Garment 14 includes a pair of pants, a body suit, or any other suitable garment or clothing that is intended to cover the legs or hands of user 16 depending on the need. Garment 14 includes a front part 20 and a rear part 22. Front part 20 and rear part 22 connect via a side seam 24 (seam facing outside) and an inseam (seam facing inner side of legs). In the present invention, garment 14 includes first members 26, each positioned at side seam 24 and the inseam. First member 26 indicates a loop or hook in a hook and loop mechanism. First member 26 attaches to garment 14 using known mechanisms such as using adhesive, seam, etc.

Further, system 12 includes knee pad 18, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a perspective view and a side view, respectively of knee pad 18, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Knee pad 18 includes a shell or casing 30. Casing 30 has a convex surface 32 at the outer end and provides a hard outer layer designed to engage against a surface, such as a floor, for example. Casing 30 helps user 16 to protect his/her knee when user 18 is in a kneeling position. Convex surface 32 forms an interior region (concave surface) 34 for receiving the knee of user 16. Interior region 34 is made of a soft and flexible member to provide comfort to user 16. Interior region 34 is shaped to accommodate the left knee or the right knee of user 16. Further, knee pad 18 includes straps 36 having second members 38 extending from distal ends of casing 30. Here, second members 38 indicate hooks or loops in a hook and loop mechanism. A person skilled in the art understands that if first member 26 is a loop then second member 38 is a hook, or vice versa.

In order to assemble system 12, user 16 wears garment 14, as shown in FIG. 1. As specified above, garment 14 includes first members 26, each positioned at side seam 24 and the inseam. Here, first members 26 are exposed to receive second members 38 and connect knee pad 18 to garment 14. FIG. 4 shows the feature of knee pad 18 aligned with garment 14. As can be seen, knee pad 18 aligns with garment 14 such that interior region 34 faces the knee of user 16 and second members 38 face/align first members 26. After aligning, second members 38 connect to first members 26 and interior region 34 rests against the knee of user 16, as shown in FIG. 5.

A person skilled in the art understands that the hook and loop mechanism of first members 26 and second members 38 can be replaced with straps having male and female buckles without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a garment 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Garment 100 includes a front part 102 and a second part 104. Front part 102 and second part 104 connect at the outer side by a side seam 106 and at an inner side by an inseam (not shown). Here, garment 100 includes fabric members 108 positioned at each of side seam 106 and the inseam. In one example, each fabric member 108 attaches to garment 100 via adhesive or via side seam 106 or any other known mechanism. Each fabric member 108 includes a third member 110 and a fourth member 112. Third member 110 indicates a hook and fourth member 112 indicates a loop, or vice versa. Here, one of third member 110 and fourth member 112 connects to second member 38 on knee pad 18, as explained above to connect knee pad 18 to garment 100. After use, knee pad 18 is removed from garment 100. Subsequently, fabric member 108 is folded over such that third member 110 positions over fourth member 112, or vice versa to prevent third member 110 and fourth member 112 from being exposed, as shown in FIG. 7. This way, garment 100 can be worn as a typical garment 100 when knee pad 18 is not required. When needed, fabric member 108 is spread out as shown in FIG. 6 and knee pad 18 is connected to garment 100, as explained above.

Although above embodiment describes fabric member 108 having third member 110 and fourth member 112 positioned side by side, a person skilled in the art understands that it is possible to provide third member 110 and fourth member 112 one above the other in a vertical configuration or in any other configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention. In such embodiment, knee pad 18 connects to garment 100 via third member 110 or fourth member 112. When not in use, third member 110 folds over fourth member 112, or vice versa in order to use garment 100 without knee pad 18.

FIG. 8 shows an environment 200 in which a system 202 implements, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. System 202 includes a garment 204 that receives a knee pad 206 at the front portion. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of garment 204. Garment 204 includes a pair of pants, a body suit, or any other suitable garment that is intended to cover the legs or hands of a user depending on the need. Garment 204 includes a front part 208 and a rear part 210. Front part 208 and rear part 210 connect at the outer side by a side seam 212 (seam facing outside) and an inseam (seam facing inner side of legs, not shown). In one example, knee pad 206 includes a flap 209 at the top as shown in FIG. 8. Flap 209 provides comfort for the user when it is used in extreme environments such as in a combat. In one implementation, flap 209 includes a hook and loop (not shown) or any other mechanism to removably connect flap 209 to knee pad 206. Optionally, the hook and loop are used to connect flap 209 to garment 204 such that dirt and debris are prevented from getting under knee pad 206 when the user is crawling or kneeling down.

In the present invention, garment 204 includes first members 214, each positioned at side seam 212 and the inseam. First member 214 indicates a tape of a zipper mechanism. First member 214 attaches to garment 204 using known mechanisms such as using adhesive, seam, for example. First member 214 includes first elements 216 (chain) at the end. In one example, first member 214 includes a slider or pull tab 218 connecting first elements 216. A person skilled in the art understands that member 214 having slider 218 can be provided either on garment 204 or knee pad 206 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view of knee pad 206 is shown. Knee pad 206 includes a shell or casing 220. Casing 220 has a convex surface 222 at the outer side that provides a hard outer layer designed to engage against a surface, such as a floor, for example. Convex surface 222 forms an interior region 224 for receiving the knee of the user. Interior region 224 is made of a soft and flexible member to provide comfort for the user. Further, knee pad 206 includes second members 226 extending from distal ends of casing 220. Here, second member 226 indicates a tape of a zipper mechanism. Second member 226 includes second elements 228 (chain) at the end.

In order to assemble, the user wears garment 204. As specified above, garment 204 includes first element 216 having slider 218, each positioned at side seam 212 and the inseam. Here, first elements 216 are exposed to receive second elements 228 and operate slider 218 to connect them, as shown in FIG. 8.

The above embodiment is useful in military applications, where the user needs to have the capability to remove/loosen the knee pad quickly when not kneeling or when the knee pad is not required. Further, the knee pad mounts at the front part of a garment or clothing as such does not interfere with garment i.e., pants of the user/wearer and prevents the garment from bunching and gathering in an irregular manner while standing or walking.

In one exemplary embodiment, knee pad 206 is designed to be breathable. For instance, knee pad 206 allows air flow between the outside environment and the knee of the user while standing, in the same manner as ordinary pants.

The presently disclosed system comprising a knee pad integrated in a garment provides several advantages over the prior art. The system allows the knee pad to removably attach to the garment at the side seam and inseam at the front portion of the garment. This allows the user to avoid strapping around the legs interfering with blood circulation in the leg. When not in use, the user/wearer can remove the knee pad and use the garment/pant as a standard pant. However, it is an objective of the system that the knee pad can remain in the garment/pant for a full workday without causing any discomfort or inconvenience. Further, the user can fold the hook and loops on the garment and prevent them from being exposed or connected to other objects/garments. The garment integrating the knee pad can be used by military personnel, and workers in the area of landscaping, mechanics, plumbing, housekeepers, and other occupations that require a kneeling position for performing a variety of tasks. Further, the garment integrating the knee pad can be used domestically in a house by persons having knee conditions which require padding during normal household chores, such as cleaning floors, or gardening. Further, the attachment of the knee pad to the seams of the garment ensures that the knee pad does not over time migrate down the leg, as is common with prior knee pad designs.

A person skilled in the art appreciates that the knee pad integrated in a garment can come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need and comfort of the user. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed knee pad integrated in a garment.

In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.