Abstract:
Combination one-piece hand/forearm paddings and shin/foot paddings are disclosed, preferably, for use during martial arts events. The one-piece construction provides for a greater area of protection, and prevents the forearm and shin portions of the paddings from sliding up or down the wearer&#39;s arms and legs, respectively.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/262,958, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,114, filed on Mar. 4, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to the field of martial arts, and particularly, though not limiting, to protective gear worn by participants in martial arts events. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     During martial arts competitions, practices, and sparring events, the participants often wear protective padding on certain body areas, including the hand and forearm areas and the foots and shin areas. The paddings provide protection to the wearer, as well as the wearer&#39;s opponent, when such opponent is struck by the wearer&#39;s hands or feet. 
     Currently, the hand and forearm pads are separate items, constructed independent of each other. Current pads typically use VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners and straps for tightening the pads on the wearer. With current paddings, several disadvantages are readily apparent. Putting on the separate pieces of padding is often difficult, and often one of the pieces is misplaced or lost. The VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners and straps are also difficult for younger users to properly manipulate. Additionally, the forearm pad is known to slide up or down the wearer&#39;s arm during use, thus, exposing areas of the wearer&#39;s arm, for which protection was initially sought. 
     These same disadvantages are also found with current separate foot and shin pads, with the shin pad sliding up or down the wearer&#39;s leg. Additionally, where two separate pads are provided (hand/forearm and/or foot/shin) the cost of manufacturing is also increased. 
     Thus, what is needed in the art is a one-piece hand/forearm pad and a one-piece foot/shin pad. It is therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings that the present invention is directed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a combination one piece protective forearm and hand padding and a combination one piece protective foot and shin padding. The forearm protective portion is permanently attached to the hand/wrist protective portion preferably by stitching. Likewise, the foot/ankle portion is permanently attached to the shin portion preferably by stitching. The hand portion can include a grip bar and has finger loops attached to a outer surface for open handed wear. A “v” shaped notch is provided on the palm area of the hand portion and includes an elastic member for a comfortable, yet secure fit. The elastic member also eliminates the need for any straps and hook and loop fasteners, as is commonly found with conventional hand gloves. Additional padding can also be provided on the thumb area of the hand portion to provide additional protection to the wearer while he or she is punching an object. 
     The forearm and shin portions of the protective paddings incorporate elastic members for comfortable and securely positioning such portions on the wearer&#39;s arms and legs, respectively. The foot portion is provided with a toe holder for added support and also includes an extended tongue portion for additional protection. 
     The one-piece construction reduces the cost of the paddings and extends the protection area of the wearer. Furthermore, the one-piece construction also prevents the forearm and shin portions from sliding or shifting up and/or down the wearer&#39;s arms and legs, respectively, as is commonly found with conventional forearm and shin pads. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a one-piece hand and forearm protective padding. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece shin and foot protective padding. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece hand and forearm protective padding which does not use straps or hook and loop fasteners for attachment purposes. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece hand and forearm protective padding, wherein the forearm portion will not slide or shift up or down the wearer&#39;s arm during use. 
     It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece shin and foot protective padding, wherein the shin portion will not slide or shift up or down the wearer&#39;s leg during use. 
     It is even still another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece hand and forearm protective padding which provides a greater area of protection to the wearer. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a one-piece shin and foot protective padding which provides a greater area of protection to the wearer. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a one-piece hand and forearm protective padding which is relatively easy to put on by the wearer, even where the wearer is a small child. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece shin and foot protective padding which is relatively easy to put on by the wearer, even where the wearer is a small child. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective one-piece hand and forearm padding in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the protective one-piece hand and forearm padding of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is perspective view of the protective one-piece foot and shin padding in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the protective one-piece foot and shin padding of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the forearm padding illustrating the outer material, inner padding material, and lining. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a protective one-piece hand and forearm padding, in accordance with the present invention, which is generally designated padding  20 . Padding  20  generally includes a forearm protective member  30  and a hand/wrist protective member  50  which are attached to each other, preferably by double stitching, at first end  32  of member  30  and first end  52  of member  50 . Though double stitching attachment is preferred, other conventional stitching and attachment arrangements can be used, and are considered within the scope of the invention. Additionally, in lieu of attaching member  30  and member  50  together, members  30  and  50  can be constructed integral. 
     As seen best in FIG. 5, an upper portion  40  of member  30  consist of an outer material  42  which can be constructed from polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, leather, or other similar conventional materials and an inner material  43  which can be constructed from any type of conventional absorbent foam material, or other similar conventional materials. Materials  42  and  43  extend from first end  32  to a second end  34  of member  30 . A lining  45 , preferably waterproof and/or washable, such as a TAFETA lining, can be as provided, and serves as the inner surface of upper portion  40  which abuts at least a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s forearm. 
     A lower portion  36  of member  30  consists of an elastic member  37  having less flexible ends  38  and  39 . Elastic member  37  and ends  38  and  39  are attached to the sides of upper portion  40  by conventional means, such as stitching. Lower portion  36  and upper portion  40  define an opening/receiving area  44  for insertion through of the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist, and disposal of a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s forearm when padding  20  is properly positioned. When at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s forearm is properly positioned within member  30 , elastic member  37  securely, yet comfortably, wraps around the bottom portion of the wearer&#39;s arm, to firmly retain member  30  in place. 
     Hand/wrist member  50  consists of an upper portion  60 , lower portion  80  and thumb receiving/protective section  100 . Upper portion  60  includes a wrist/hand protective area  62  and a finger protective area  64 . Upper portion  60  consist of an outer material, similar to material  42 , which can be constructed from polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, leather, or other similar conventional materials and an inner material, similar to material  43 , which can be constructed from any type of conventional absorbent foam material, or other similar conventional materials. Outer and inner materials extend from first end  52  to a second end  53  of member  50 . A lining, similar to lining  45 , preferably waterproof and/or washable, such as a TAFETA lining, can be as provided, and serves as the inner surface of upper portion  60  which abuts at least a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s hand and fingers. 
     Lower portion  80  includes a wrist/hand area  82  and a finger area  84 . Wrist/hand area  82  includes first and second non-elastic yet flexible sections  86  and  88  which are attached to upper portion  60 , by conventional means such as stitching, or alternatively, can be integral with upper portion  60 . Sections  86  and  88  can include an outer material similar to the outer material of upper portion  60  and can also include a lining similar to the lining of upper portion  60 . Sections  86  and  88  define a substantially “v” shaped notch  89 . Disposed and attached between sections  86  and  88 , within notch  89  is an elastic member  90 , which is attached to sections  86  and  88 , by conventional means, such as stitching. Elastic member  90  provides a more comfortable fit of protective member  50  for the wearer. An opening  92  is defined between wrist/hand area  82  and upper portion  60 . 
     The corresponding finger area of upper portion  60  and lower portion  80  are preferably preformed or curved. Similar to wrist/hand area  82  of lower portion, finger area  84  can include an outer material similar to the outer material of upper portion  60  and can also include a lining similar to the lining of upper portion  60 . A slit  85  can be provided in finger area  84  to allow additional flexibility and reduce any stress on protective member  50 . 
     A grip bar  94 , preferably constructed from foam, can also be provided to provide the wearer an easier grip and help the wearer&#39;s keep his or her hand in a fist. Grip bar  94 , is preferably disposed between the outer material and lining of finger area  84  and is retained in place by conventional means, such as stitching, adhesives, etc. Finger loops  96  and  98  can be attached to finger  84  by conventional means, such as by stitching, to allow the wearer to use protective member  50  for open handed wear. 
     Thumb protection section  100  is preferably, attached to a first end of section  86 , though other conventional attachment devices can be used, or alternatively, section  100  and  86  can be constructed integral. Thumb section  100  includes an upper portion  102  having an outer material similar to the outer material of upper portion  60  and can also include a lining similar to the lining of outer portion  60 . A lower portion  104  of section  100  also can include a similar outer material and lining, and is provided with additional padding  106 , which can be similar in material to the inner material of upper portion  60 . Padding  106  is retained in place by conventional means such as stitching, adhesives, etc. A thumb receiving area  108  is defined between upper portion  102  and lower portion  104  of thumb section  100 . Thumb receiving area  108  is in communication with opening  92  defined between wrist/hand area  82  and upper portion  60 . 
     Preferably all seams of protective one-piece hand and forearm padding  20  are double stitched for increased strength. Padding  20  requires no straps or hook and loop fasteners for wearing or tightening by the user, and is thus, relatively easier to put on, especially for children. Once properly positioned, padding  20  will not slide up or down the wearer&#39;s arm during use. Though only a right hand padding  20  is illustrated, it should be recognized that a corresponding left hand padding, being nearly identical in structure to padding  20  is also within the scope of and taught by the present invention. Preferably, during an exhibition, tournament, match, practice, the wearer would wear both left and right forearm/hand paddings to provide maximum protection to the wearer and his or her opponent, if any. Furthermore, by having the forearm padding and hand padding as a continuous one piece combined unit, a greater area of protection is provided to the wearer&#39;s forearm and hand areas. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a protective one-piece foot and shin padding, in accordance with the present invention, which is generally designated padding  120 . Padding  120  generally includes a shin protective member  130  and a foot/ankle protective member  150  which are attached to each other, preferably by double stitching (such as at reference numeral  161 ), at first end  132  of member  130  and first end  162  of a upper/tongue section  160  of member  150 . Though double stitching attachment is preferred, other conventional stitching and attachment arrangements can be used, and are considered within the scope of the invention. Additionally, in lieu of attaching member  130  and member  150  together, members  130  and  150  can be integrally constructed. Members  130  and  150  can be attached in a non-overlapping relationship. 
     An upper portion  140  of member  130  consist of an outer material, similar to material  42 , which can be constructed from polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, leather, or other similar conventional materials and an inner material, similar to material  43 , which can be constructed from any type of conventional absorbent foam material, or other similar conventional materials. Inner and outer materials extend from first end  132  to a second end  134  of member  130 . Additionally, the inner material can be one continuous piece, or alternatively, a plurality of pieces, divided and retained by stitching  147 . A lining, similar to lining  45 , preferably waterproof and/or washable, such as a TAFETA lining, can be as provided, and serves as the inner surface of upper portion  140  which abuts at least a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s shin. 
     A lower portion  136  of member  130  consists of an elastic member  137  having less flexible ends  138  and  139 . Elastic member  137  and ends  138  and  139  are attached to the sides of upper portion  140  by conventional means, such as stitching. A first tab member  148 , having a hook and loop fastener element  149  disposed on a first surface, is attached to end  139 , by conventional means, such as stitching, and depends downward therefrom. 
     Lower portion  136  and upper portion  140  define an opening/receiving area  144  for insertion of the wearer&#39;s foot and ankle, and disposal of a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s shin when padding  120  is properly positioned. When at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s shin is properly positioned within member  130 , elastic member  137  securely, yet comfortably, wraps around the bottom portion of the wearer&#39;s leg, to firmly retain member  130  in place. 
     Foot/ankle member  150  consists of an upper/tongue portion  160 , side portion  180  and toe receiving section  220 . Upper/tongue portion  160  consist of an outer material, similar to material  42 , which can be constructed from polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, leather, or other similar conventional materials and an inner material, similar to material  43 , sandwiched between the outer material, which can be constructed from any type of conventional absorbent foam material, or other similar conventional materials. 
     Side portion  180  includes an ankle support area  182  and a foot area  184 . The shape of side portion  180  is similar to a conventional “high top” sneaker. Both ankle area  182  and foot area  184  can include an outer material similar to the outer material of upper/tongue portion  160 , sandwiching an inner padding material, which is similar to the inner material of upper/tongue portion  160 . The single piece inner padding material can be provided which provide protection to both ankle area  182  and foot area  184 . Alternatively, two separate pieces of inner padding material can be provided, one for ankle area  182  and one for foot area  184 . The separate pieces can be retained and divided by stitching  183 . 
     Slits  190  and  192  are defined between upper/tongue portion  160  and ankle area  182 , to allow the adjacent section of portion  160  to be flexible, which allows foot member  150  to be put on easier by the wearer. Furthermore, upper/tongue portion  160  and ankle area  182  define an opening  177  at the top of member  150 . Upper/tongue portion  160  and ankle area  182  also define, in conjunction with foot area  184 , a foot and ankle receiving area  179 . The bottom of foot area  184  defines an opening  185 . 
     A first end  194  of a strap  193  is attached to the back outer surface of ankle area  182  by conventional means, such as stitching. A second end  196  of strap  193  is provided with a hook and loop fastener element  198  on the same side of strap  193  which abuts the outer surface of ankle area  182  at first end  194 . A hook and loop fastener element  200  is also at the back outer surface of ankle area  182  by conventional means, such as stitching, and can be attached such that a portion of element  200  overlaps a substantial portion of attached first end  194  of strap  193 . 
     Once the wearer&#39;s foot is properly disposed within member  150 , strap  194  is tightly wrapped horizontally around ankle area  182  and the adjacent section of upper/tongue portion  160  and fastener element  198  is allowed to mate with fastener element  200  to properly maintain member  150  and also provide additional support and protection to the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     A second tab member  210  is also attached to the back outer surface of ankle area  182  by conventional means, such as stitching, and is provided with hook and loop fastening element  212 . Fastening element  212  mates with fastening element  149  of tab member  148 , to adjoin the shin protection member  130  and foot/ankle protection member  150  together for ease in manufacturing and also insuring against rips in any stress areas of padding  120 . 
     Toe receiving section  220  preferably, consist of a non-elastic yet flexible member  222  which is attached to an inner lower front section of foot area  184  by conventional means, such as stitching and an elastic member  224  which is also attached to the inner front section of foot area approximate to the attachment point of member  222 . Member  222  can be constructed from the same material as the outer material of upper/tongue portion  160 . When in use, the wearer&#39;s toes, and possibly a small portion of the wearer&#39;s feet, are disposed between members  222  and  224 , such that, member  224  securely abuts the bottom portion of the wearer&#39;s foot. Toe receiving section  220  allows for added support. 
     Preferably all seams of protective one-piece shin and foot/ankle padding  120  are double stitched for increased strength. Shin member  130  requires no straps or hook and loop fasteners for wearing or tightening by the user, and is thus, relatively easier to put on, especially for children. Once properly positioned, padding  120  will not slide up or down the wearer&#39;s leg during use. Though only a right leg padding  120  is illustrated, it should be recognized that a corresponding left shin/foot padding, being nearly identical in structure to padding  120  is also within the scope of and taught by the present invention. Preferably, during an exhibition, tournament, match, practice, the wearer would wear both left and right shin/foot paddings to provide maximum protection to the wearer and his or her opponent, if any. Most likely, the user will wear both left and right forearm/hand pads and left and right shin/leg pads during the exhibition, tournament, etc. All arrangements are considered within the scope of the invention. 
     Furthermore, by having the shin padding and foot/ankle padding as a continuous one piece combined unit, a greater area of protection is provided to the wearer&#39;s shin, foot and ankle areas. 
     Additionally, elastic member are preferably provided for retaining the paddings, it should be understood that other conventional resilient devices and materials can be utilized and are considered within the scope of the invention. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.