Abstract:
Securing devices secure the position of protective pads on the arms of a user of the protective pads. A first strap and a second strap are placed over the head with the head of the user passing in between the first and second strap. The first and second straps connect to a third strap at a first connection point. At a second connection point opposite from the first connection point a fourth strap connects to the first and second straps. The third and fourth straps each connect to an attachment device. The attachment devices connect to the protective pads of the wearer. Each one of the straps can each be adjustable to accommodate wearers of varying dimensions. The attachment devices can be detachable from the protective pads so that the wearer can utilize the securing device in conjunction with protective pads that the wearer already has.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a protective pad securing device worn by sports participants for securing protective pads in the proper position during play. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Protective pads, such as arm and elbow pads, are used widely to protect a sportsman&#39;s arm and elbow during contact or highly physical sports. Players engaged in a wide variety of sports use elbow pads of one design or another in field games such as football, hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, and rugby as well as individual or team sports such as the luge, toboggan, skiing and rock climbing. 
     The most common elbow pads are stand alone pads. A stand alone pad utilizes one or more elastic bands incorporated into the pad design that encase the arm and hold the pad in place through friction. Other types of stand alone pads use hook and loop straps attached to each side of the pad which are used to cinch the pad against the arm. Other types of stand alone pads use an inner layer of neoprene rubber to create a tackier surface to prevent slippage. These devices are lightweight, relatively inexpensive and easily adjusted by the wearer. Over time the pad tends to adapt itself to the wearer or the wearer becomes accustomed to that particular set of pads. 
     However, each type of these elbow pads present problems. While all of the types of stand alone pads work well prior to competition, all of them will inevitably slide down the player&#39;s arm due to perspiration, stretching of the fastening mechanism, physical inertia and player contact. This slippage is a distraction from the game requiring the wearer to constantly adjust the pad during play. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments address issues such as these and others by providing a system of straps and attachment mechanisms that include various features conducive to securing protective pads in the proper position. For example, features of some embodiments provide for a set of straps to be worn across the shoulders and back. Particular embodiments allow for existing protective pads to be used. The straps of the apparatus provide a platform from which to suspend any stand alone protective pads allowing the wearer to utilize their current equipment. 
     A sports apparatus is described that includes a system of straps. A first strap has a first connection point and a second connection point. Adjacent to the first strap is a second strap having a first connection point and a second connection point. A first connection point of a third strap is connected to the first connection point of the first strap and the first connection point of the second strap. A first connection point of a fourth strap is connected to the second connection point of the first strap and the second connection point of the second strap. A first attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the third strap. A second attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the second strap. 
     A sports apparatus is described that includes a system of straps where at least one strap is adjustable. A first strap has a first connection point and a second connection point. Adjacent to the first strap is a second strap having a first connection point and a second connection point. At least the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point of the second strap is adjustable. A first connection point of a third strap is connected to the first connection point of the first strap and the first connection point of the second strap. A first connection point of a fourth strap is connected to the second connection point of the first strap and the second connection point of the second strap. A first attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the third strap. A second attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the fourth strap. 
     A sports apparatus is described that includes a system of straps where at least two of the straps are adjustable. A first strap has a first connection point and a second connection point. The distance between the first connection point and the second connection point of the first strap is adjustable. Adjacent to the first strap is a second strap having a first connection point and a second connection point. The distance between the first connection point and the second connection point of the second strap is adjustable. A first connection point of a third strap is connected to the first connection point of the first strap and the first connection point of the second strap. A first connection point of a fourth strap is connected to the second connection point of the first strap and the second connection point of the second strap. A first attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the third strap. A second attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to a second connection point of the second strap. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment of the present pad securing device. 
         FIG. 2  is a frontal view of an embodiment of the present pad securing device. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the first connection point of the first strap, a connecting means, and the first connection point of the third strap. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up plan view of the second connection point of the first strap, the second connection point of the second strap, a connection means, and the first connection point of the fourth strap. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the third strap connecting to the first attachment means for connecting to a protective pad with a means for detachably connecting the attachment means to the third strap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments include protective pad securing devices and associated methods for wearing and attaching securing devices to a variety of protective pads. Certain embodiments of securing devices include various features such as the construction of the straps, means to allow for adjusting the length of the straps, the means used to connect the straps, and means to attach the embodiments to protective pads. Certain embodiments of securing devices connect the first and second straps directly to the third and fourth straps while others connect the first and second straps to the third and fourth straps with the use of connectors. Certain embodiments connect the attachment means directly to the third and fourth straps while others secure the attachment means by the use of additional attachment devices. Certain embodiments allow for the distance between the first connection point and the second connection point of a strap to be adjusted. 
       FIGS. 1-5  show various views of illustrative embodiments of a securing device. The securing device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a first strap  101 , a second strap  102 , a third strap  105  and a fourth strap  106 . The width and length of the straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106  can be of any width and length to provide for effectively securing pads about the wearer&#39;s arms. Particular dimensions of the wearer&#39;s body, such as the width of the wearer&#39;s shoulders, the diameter of the wearer&#39;s neck, the location of the pads about the wearer&#39;s arms, and the girth of the wearer&#39;s chest will influence the required length for each one of the straps. 
     One manner of fitting the securing device to the wearer&#39;s body can be to construct the straps with excessive length and to provide means to adjust the distance between the connections of the straps that can provide for an effective apparatus. Once the apparatus has been placed on the wearer&#39;s body the distance between the connections of the straps can be adjusted to provide for proper functioning of the mechanism. Another manner of fitting the securing device to the wearer&#39;s body can be to measure the necessary dimensions of the user&#39;s body, the location of the pads to be secured, and then adjust the locations of connections of the straps to provide for proper function of the mechanism. Once the proper adjustments have been made the securing device can be placed on the wearer&#39;s body. A further manner of fitting the securing device to the wearer can be to measure the necessary dimensions of the user&#39;s body, the location of the pads to be secured, and then to construct the dimensions of the apparatus according to the measurements of the wearer&#39;s body. Once the securing device has been constructed with the proper dimensions the securing device can be placed on the wearer&#39;s body. 
     The first strap  101  and the second strap  102  as shown in  FIG. 1  are located adjacent to each other. Both the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  feature a first connection point  118  and  122  and a second connection point  120  and  124 . The first connection point  118  and  122  of the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  are substantially opposite from the second connection point  120  and  124  of the first strap  101  and the second strap  102 . The third strap  105  connects to the first connection point  118  of the first strap  101  and the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102  at a first connection point  126  of the third strap  105 . The fourth strap  106  connects to the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  at a first connection point  128  of the fourth strap  106 . The third strap  105  and fourth strap  106  both feature a second connection point  130  and  132 . The second connection point  130  and  132  of each strap  105  and  106  is substantially opposite of the first connection point  126  and  128  of each strap  105  and  106 . 
     The pad securing device as shown in  FIG. 2  includes at least two attachment means to secure protective pads placed about a wearer&#39;s arms. A first attachment means  107  for allowing manual attachment and detachment of the third strap  105  to a protective pad  114  connects to the second connection point  130  of the third strap  105 . A second attachment means  108  for allowing manual attachment and detachment of the fourth strap  106  to a protective pad  115  connects to the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106 . 
     One example of an attachment means would be a suspender clip, well known in the art to hold up trousers. Alternative attachment means can also be used such as but not limited to a clasp, clamp, hook, clip, or hook and loop straps (e.g. Velcro® straps) that facilitate the proper function of the apparatus. Using such attachment means allows the wearer to attach his own set of protective pads to the third and fourth straps  105  and  106 . 
     The location of the connection points for each strap is a function of distance where the location of each connection point for a particular strap should be located according to the particular dimensions of the wearer&#39;s body and where the location of connection points allows for proper functioning of the apparatus. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first strap  101  can be worn around the wearer&#39;s chest while the second strap  102  can be worn laying below the back of the wearer&#39;s neck and across the wearer&#39;s shoulders. In the alternative, the second strap  102  can be worn around the wearer&#39;s chest and the first strap  101  can be worn across the wearer&#39;s shoulders. The first connection point  126  of the third strap  105  can be located near a first shoulder joint of the wearer&#39;s and the first connection point  128  of the fourth strap  106  can be located near a second shoulder joint of the wearer&#39;s . The third strap  105 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , can extend in a substantially parallel direction to a first arm of the wearer and down to engage the first protective pad  114  placed about a first elbow of the wearer. The fourth strap  106  can extend in a substantially parallel direction to a second arm of the wearer and down to engage the second protective pad  115  placed about a second elbow of the wearer. The protective pads can be placed about other locations of the wearer&#39;s arms other than the elbows. 
     The manner in which the straps are connected at each connection point can vary. In one embodiment, the connections between the straps can be accomplished by the straps attaching directly to each other. The connection between the straps can be accomplished by various means such as stitching, rivets, adhesive, snaps, staples, buttons or any other equivalent means. The individual straps can also be connected to each other at the connection points with a first connector  103  and a second connector  104  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An embodiment of the second connector  104  is shown in detail in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second connector  104  can connect to the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101 , the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102 , and the first connection point  128  of the fourth strap  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first connector  103  can connect to the first connection point  118  of the first strap  101 , the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102 , and the first connection point  126  of the third strap  105 . 
     The first connector  103  and the second connector  104 , in an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , can each be in the form of bar slide connectors. The connectors  103  and  104  can each also include a first aperture and a second aperture where the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  pass through the first aperture of each connector, the third strap  105  passes through the second aperture of the first connector  103 , and the fourth strap  106  passes through the second aperture of the second connector  104 . Additional embodiments of the connectors  103  and  104  can be used. Other embodiments of the connectors  103  and  104  can be in the form of simple structures such as each connector comprising a ring. An embodiment of the connectors can also take more complex forms, such as each connector including more than two apertures, such as where there is an aperture dedicated to each strap on each connector. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the distance between the first connection point of a strap and the second connection point of a strap can be adjusted. The distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  can be adjusted. Similarly, the distance between the first connection point  122  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  can be adjusted. The distance between the first connection point  126  and the second connection point  130  of the third strap  105  can be adjusted. Furthermore, the distance between the first connection point  128  and the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106  can be adjusted. 
     In an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wafer, such as  109 , or  111 , can be provided to allow for the location of a connection point, such as  118 ,  120 ,  122  or  124 , to be adjusted. Each wafer can be attached and detached from points along the strap that the wafer is used upon. Each wafer can have a first side and a second side. Each side of the wafer can be constructed of a material that allows the wafer to attach to a strap by pressing with adequate force against the strap and to be detached from the strap by adequate force pulling the wafer away from the strap. This capability of detaching and reattaching allows for the points that a wafer attaches to a strap to be moved back and forth along the strap. The detach and reattach capability can be accomplished by each side of the wafer being constructed of a fastener, such as a hook type fastener. The surface of each one of the straps can provide for the looped surface for the hooked wafer to detach from a strap and then again attach to the strap (e.g. Velcro® fasteners). This detaching and reattaching of the wafers to the straps can be described as detachably attaching. Alternative means, that may or may not include wafers, can be used to allow for adjusting the locations of the connection points and to provide for the capability of detachably attaching. These alternative means can include but are not limited to clasps, clamps, hooks, clips, buttons, or snaps that are placed about the straps  101 ,  102  or on one or both sides of the wafers  109 ,  111  that allow the connection points to vary. 
     In an embodiment, shown in detail in  FIG. 3 , a first wafer  109  can be used to connect the first strap  101  to the first connector  103  at the first connection point  118  of the first strap  101 . The first strap  101  can include a first end section and a mid-section. The first end section can be separated from the mid-section by the first strap  101  passing through the first connector  103  and the first end section extending from the first connector  103  such that the first end section attaches to the first side of the first wafer  109  and the second side of the first wafer  109  attaches to the mid-section of the first strap  101 . The point at where the first strap  101  passes through the first connector  103  is the first connection point  118  of the first strap  101 . 
     The first wafer  109  can also be used to connect the second strap  102  to the first connector  103  at the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The second strap  102  can include a first end section and a mid-section. The first end section can be separated from the mid-section by the second strap  102  passing through the first connector  103  and the first end section extending from the first connector  103  such that the first end section attaches to the first side of the first wafer  109  and the second side of the first wafer  109  attaches to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . The point at where the second strap  102  passes through the first connector  103  is the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102 . It can be appreciated that a separate wafer can be used to connect the second strap  102  to the first connector  103  at the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102 , rather than the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  sharing the first wafer  109  at their first connection point  118  and  122 . The first wafer  109  can abut against the first connector  103  such that the first connection point  118  of the first strap  101  and the first connection point  122  of the second strap  102  are locked in place about the first connector  103 . 
     A second wafer  111  can be used to connect the first strap  101  to the second connector  104  at the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first strap  101  can include a second end section. The second end section can be separated from the mid-section by the first strap  101  passing through the second connector  104  and the second end section extending from the second connector  104  such that the second end section attaches to the first side of the second wafer  111  and the second side of the second wafer  111  attaches to the mid-section of the first strap  101 . The point at where the first strap  101  passes through the second connector  104  is the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101 . 
     The second wafer  111  can also be used to connect the second strap  101  to the second connector  104  at the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102 , as shown as  FIG. 2 . The second strap  102  can include a second end section. The second end section can be separated from the mid-section by the second strap  102  passing through the second connector  104  and the second end section extending from the second connector  104  such that the second end section attaches to the first side of the second wafer  111  and the second side of the second wafer  111  attaches to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . The point at where the second strap  102  passes through the second connector  104  is the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102 . The second wafer  111  can abut against the second connector  104  such that the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  are locked in place against the second connector  104 . It can be appreciated that a separate wafer can be used to connect the second strap  102  to the second connector  104  at the second connection point  122  of the second strap  102 , rather than the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  sharing the second wafer  111  at their second connection point  120  and  124 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  can be adjusted by altering where the second wafer  111  attaches to the second end section of the first strap  101 . To decrease the distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120 , the point of attachment of the second wafer  111  to the second end section of the first strap  101  can be moved further away from the end of the first strap  101 . To increase the distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120 , the point of attachment of the second wafer  111  to the second end section of the first strap  101  can be moved closer to the end of the first strap  101 . In a similar fashion, the distance between the first connection point  122  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  can be adjusted by altering where the second wafer  111  attaches to the second end section of the second strap  102  as shown in  FIG. 2 . It can be appreciated that the distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  can also be adjusted by altering where the first wafer  109  attaches to the first end section of the first strap  101 . Similarly, the distance between the first connection point  122  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  can be adjusted by altering where the first wafer  109  attaches to the end section of the second strap  102 . 
     The distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  can also be adjusted by altering where the second wafer  111  is attached to the mid-section of the first strap  101 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  can be increased by moving the point of attachment of the second wafer  111  to the mid-section of the first strap  101  closer to the second connector  104 . The distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  can be decreased by moving the point of attachment of the second wafer  111  to the mid-section of the first strap  101  further away from the second connector  104 . Likewise, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the distance between the first connection point  122  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  can be adjusted by altering where the second wafer  111  is attached to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . It can be appreciated that the distance between the first connection point  118  and the second connection point  120  of the first strap  101  can also be adjusted by altering where the first wafer  109  is attached to the mid-section of the first strap  101 . Similarly, the distance between the first connection point  122  and the second connection point  124  of the second strap  102  can be adjusted by altering where the first wafer  109  is attached to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a third wafer  110  can be used to attach the loose end of the second end section of the first strap  101  to the mid-section of the first strap  101 . A fourth wafer  116  can be used to attach the loose end of the second end section of the second strap  102  to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . It can be appreciated that additional wafers can be used to connect the loose end of the first end section of the first strap  101  to the mid-section of the first strap  101  and to attach the loose end of the first end section of the second strap  102  to the mid-section of the second strap  102 . 
     The distance between the two connection points  118  and  120  of the first strap  101  can be adjusted independently of the distance between the two connection points  122  and  124  of the second strap  102 . Furthermore, the distance between the first connection point of a strap can be adjusted independently of the second connection point of a strap. As stated above, other attachment devices such as but not limited to detachable buckles, clips, clamps, snaps, buttons and hooks can be used in place of the wafers  109  and  111  to connect the first strap  101  and the second strap  102  to the first connector  103  and the second connector  104  and still provide adjustability for each connection point and to provide for detachably attaching the straps. 
     Additional mechanisms can be used to connect the third strap  105  and the fourth strap  106  to the attachment means  107  and  108 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the use of hook and loop fasteners can be used to allow for the distance between the first connection point  126  and the second connection point  130  of the third strap  105  to be adjusted. In a similar fashion, as shown by  FIG. 2 , the use of hook and loop fasteners can be used to allow for the distance between the first connection point  128  and the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106  to be adjusted. Other means can be used to allow the distance between the first connections points  126  and  128  to be varied from the second connection points  130  and  132 . Examples of these means include but are not limited to straps configured with buttons, snaps, hooks, buckles, clips or clamps. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment that allows for the distance between the first connection point  126  and the second connection point  130  of the third strap  105  to be adjusted. The third strap  105  can further include a first end section and a second end section. The first end section of the third strap  105  can be separated from the second end section by the first end section passing through the first connector  103  and extending from the first connector  103  such that the first end section is adjacent to the second end section. Where the third strap passes through the first connector  103  is the location of the first connection point of the third strap  126 . A fifth strap  112  can include a first end section and a second end section. The first end section can be separated from the second end section by the first end section passing through the first attachment means  107  and extending from the first attachment means  107  such that the first end section is adjacent to the second end section. The first end section of the fifth strap  112  can attach to the first end section of the third strap  105  and the second end section of the fifth strap  112  can attach to the second end section of the third strap  105 . The point of attachment between the third strap  105  and the fifth strap  112  forms the second connection  130  of the third strap  105 . 
     The distance between the first connection point  126  and the second connection point  130  of the third strap  105  can be adjusted by varying where the fifth strap  112  and the third strap  105  attach to each other. If the end sections of the fifth strap  112  are attached to the end sections of the third strap  105  such that there is an increased amount of overlap between the end sections of the two straps then the distance between the two connection points  126  and  130  is shortened. Likewise, if the straps  105  and  112  are attached to each other with a lessened amount of overlap then the distance between the connection points  126  and  130  is increased. 
     An embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , also allows for the distance between the first connection point  128  and the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106  to be adjusted. The fourth strap  106  can include a first end section and a second end section. The first end section can be separated from the second end section by the first end section passing through the second connector  104  and extending from the second connector  104  such that the first end section is adjacent to the second end section. Where the fourth strap  106  passes through the second connector  104  is the location of the first connection point  128  of the fourth strap  106 . A sixth strap  113  can include a first end section and a second end section. The first end section can be separated from the second end section by the first end section passing through the second attachment means  108  and extending from the second attachment means  108  such that the first end section is adjacent to the second end section. The first end section of the sixth strap  113  can attach to the first end section of the fourth strap  106  and the second end section of the sixth strap  113  can attach to a second end section of the fourth strap  106 . The point of attachment between the fourth strap  106  and the sixth strap  113  forms the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106 . 
     The distance between the first connection point  128  and the second connection point  132  of the fourth strap  106  can be adjusted by varying where the sixth strap  113  and the fourth strap  106  attach to each other. If the end sections of the sixth strap  113  are attached to the end sections of the fourth strap  106  such that there is an increased amount of overlap between the end sections of the two straps then the distance between the two connection points  128  and  132  is shortened. Likewise, if the straps  106  and  113  are attached to each other with a lessened amount of overlap then the distance between the connection points  128  and  132  is increased. 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fifth strap  112  and sixth strap  113  can be constructed of a hooked fastener material while the third strap  105  and fourth strap  107  can be constructed of a looped fastener material such that at each point where the fifth strap  112  attaches to the third strap  107  and the sixth  113  strap attaches to the fourth strap  108  a hook and loop fastening is formed (e.g. Velcro® straps). The use of the hook and loop fastening allows the straps to be attached, detached, and attached again repeatedly. This detaching and reattaching of the straps to each other can be described as detachably attaching. It can be appreciated that one example of a hook and loop fastening the fifth strap  112  and the sixth strap  113  can be constructed of a looped fastener, and the third strap  105  and the fourth strap  107  constructed of a hooked fastener. Other means of detaching and reattaching of the straps may be used, such as but not limited to clasps, clamps, hooks, clips, buttons, or snaps. 
     It will be appreciated that each one of the straps of  FIGS. 1 and 2  can be composed of any desired material that facilitates the proper functioning of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106  can be composed of an elastic material. Certain materials such as lycra, neoprene, and spandex can be employed in the construction of the straps. In an embodiment, the straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106  can be composed of a non-elastic material such as nylon or polypropylene. In another embodiment, in place of flat straps, for one or more of the straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106 , straps of varying cross sections, such as straps with a circular or an elliptical cross section can be used. Certain examples of straps not having a flat cross section can include cord, rope or custom formed webbing. The straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106  can also be composed of a perforated material or material including slots or other types of venting to allow better airflow through the apparatus. Furthermore, the width of the straps  101 ,  102 ,  105  and  106  relatively to each other can vary. The first strap  101  can be of a greater or lesser width than the second strap  102 . The third strap  105  and fourth strap  106  can be of a greater or lesser width than either the first strap  101  or second strap  102  depending upon a particular application. Additionally, the third strap  105  can be of a greater or lesser width than that of the fourth strap  106 . 
     While various embodiments of a sports apparatus have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention embodiments.