A LEG GUARD

Abstract: A leg guard comprising a central portion (10) for covering the part of the leg between instep and knee joint, identical first portions (8, 9) for covering the ankle joint attached non-detachably to the central portion (10), and means (11 to 16) for detachably securing a second portion (17) to cover the knee joint, which allows re-use of the leg guard by transfering the second portion (17) from one first portion (8) to the other (9).

Description: This invention relates to a leg guard comprising a central portion for covering the leg part between instep and knee joint, a first portion attached to one end of the central portion for covering the ankle joint and a second portion for protecting the knee joint. Generally known leg guards of this type are used among other things for goal keepers in the field hockey sport. In these known leg guards, the second portion is attached to the other end of the central portion. It has been found that when practising this sport on artificial turf, rapid wear of the first portion of the leg guards for covering the ankle joint will occur. This has the drawback that even if only the first portion of one leg guard is worn out, a new set has to be purchased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a leg guard which can be used again after the first portion is worn out. A leg guard according to the present invention is characterized to that end in that a portion for protecting the ankle joint is also attached to the other end of the central portion, the second portion being attachable detachably to both portions for protecting the ankle joint. The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a known leg guard; Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of the leg guard according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 shows the portion of the leg guard for covering the knee joint. Fig. 1 shows a known leg guard whose first portion 1 for covering the ankle joint and second portion 2 for covering the knee joint are attached non-detachably to the ends of the central portion 3 for covering the leg between instep and knee joint. Straps for attachment of the leg guard are shown at 4, 5, 6, 7. Fig. 2 shows a portion of a leg guard according to the present invention, in which identical first portions 8, 9 for covering the ankle joint are attached non-detachably to the central portion 10 for covering the leg between instep and knee joint. At 11, 12, 13 and 14, openings for the passage of a strap are shown. Fig. 3 shows the second portion for covering the knee joint 17 of the leg guard according to the present invention with a strap 20 passed through openings 18, 19 and a strap 21 attached thereto. This second portion 17 can be fitted over the first portions 8, 9 of the leg guard and be attached by means of strap 20 via openings 11, 12 or 13, 14 and strap 21 via holes 15 or 16. It will be clear that when e.g. the second portion 17 is attached to the portion 8 and the first portion 9 is worn out, the leg guard can be made suitable for re-use by transferring the second portion 17 to the first portion 9. Since in actual practice, a pad, not shown, is attached to the inside along one side of the central portion, which pad is adapted to rest against the outside of the leg, it will be necessary, after displacement of the second portion 17 in the above described manner, to wear the leg guard first worn e.g. on the left leg subsequently on the right leg.

Claims: A leg guard comprising a central portion for covering the part of the leg between instep and knee joint, a first portion attached to one end of the central portion for covering the ankle joint, and a second portion for covering the knee joint, characterized in that to the other end of the central portion there is also attached a portion for covering the ankle joint and the second portion is attachable detachably to both portions for protecting the ankle joint.

Inventors: MANINTVELD, CHRISTIAAN JAN
Applicants: ALL WEATHER SPORTS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A63B71
IPC codes: A63B71