Abstract:
A clothing adherable knee pad includes a bendable flexible arcuate pad which bends over the knee of a kneeling person. At least two linearly extending elastic, stretchable straps are connected at distal ends thereof each to a respective clothing engageable clip, which is attachable to a trousers leg of a pair of pants. The two or more linearly extending elastic, stretchable straps engage the knee pad by being attached thereto or by being woven through respective pairs of slits extending through the knee pad. The straps are of sufficient length so that when attached to clothing, such as pants, respective locations of the clips upon pants legs avoids uncomfortable encroachments to respective lateral and rear areas of the knee of the user.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit, Under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/639,495, filed Dec. 27, 2004 and 60/660,081, filed Mar. 9, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to clothing adherable knee pads, which do not encroach upon the rear of the knee. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Knee pads are widely used by workers in landscape, mechanics, plumbers, housekeepers and other occupations needed a kneeling position. However, knee pads can interfere with leg circulation when they are wrapped tightly around the knee. 
   Known knee pads which attach to trousers/pants legs include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,938 and its related US Patent Publication No. 2004/0019949, both of Crockett, for a protective knee pad which has a plurality of peripherally placed clips to attach the knee pad to clothing. However, in Crockett &#39;949 the attachment straps are short, and there is no indication that the clips are elastically attached. Therefore, the clips can possibly provide an uncomfortable object adjacent to the sides of the sensitive knee area of a kneeling worker. For example, if positioning requires the user to move sideways, the fastener clips may be located uncomfortably between the lateral side area of the knee and the ground. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easily installable, clothing adherable knee pad, which avoids uncomfortable encroachments to the side lateral and rear areas of the knee. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In contrast to Crockett &#39;949, in the present invention, the plastic or neoprene knee pads have long, elastic, stretchable straps connecting the clips, so that the user can vary where upon the trousers or pants legs the user wants to attach the clips, out of the way from the moving knee area. For example, excluding the attached clip, the elastic straps should preferably be at least two inches long, preferably three or more inches, so that the clips are not attached in the immediate area of the lateral side ligaments of the knee. Therefore, if the user wearing the knee pad has to move sideways, the clip will not present an uncomfortable impingement upon the sensitive lateral ligaments of the knee. 
   In one embodiment, four radially extending elastic straps extend from an outer surface of the knee pad. 
   In another embodiment, two pairs of long elastic straps for the clips are attached to the knee pad at its upper and lower edges. 
   In a further embodiment, the long elastic straps are woven through a pair of slits, starting underneath the knee pad, then through the first slit, across the front surface of the knee pad, then into the second slit and then underneath the knee pad at the opposite side of the knee pad. 
   Because of the long elastic straps, the user has wide latitude in positioning the clothing adherable clips away from the immediate knee area, so that the knee pad moves with the user and doesn&#39;t get in the way of the sensitive knee movement. Circulation is not stopped and pinching pain is substantially reduced or eliminated. 
   The present invention is therefore a knee pad for all occupations. Some of the groups using the knee pads of this invention would be contractors, masons, wood workers, carpet and tile installers, landscapers, housekeeping workers, mechanics, and do-it yourselfers. The knee pads of this invention are clipped to the sides of a trousers leg with no garment modifications required. Because of this positive attachment, the pad never falls down and is always in place. Since there is no band around the leg, there is no stress such as stopping of circulation or pinching. If placed correctly, these knee pads will move with the leg and knee always positioning themselves at the appropriate location. 
   A variety of embodiments ranging from homogenous rubber or plastic foam construction with straps threaded through slits to fabric covered or plastic shell molded versions are described. All pads have straps terminated in fabric clips, which engage the pants legs. 
   The first embodiment is the least expensive to manufacture. It includes a rectangular rubber or plastic foam pad with two horizontal slits near the top and near the bottom of the pad. Two straps are threaded through the four slits. 
   A second embodiment has the slits on the pad angled so that the threaded straps are angled up and down to engage the pants legs over a longer section to improve the positioning tenancy. 
   A third embodiment utilizes a molded foam pad with a slightly concave surface toward the knee. The outer convex surface of the pad is adhesively attached to a robust fabric layer (such as denim) to which the straps are pre-attached as by sewing. This fits more naturally over the knee. 
   A fourth embodiment uses a molded semi-rigid plastic shell lined with a rubber or plastic foam. This is convex on the outer side and concave toward the knee. Two slits on top and two towards the bottom accept the two attachment straps. 
   A fifth embodiment also uses a semi-rigid plastic shell lined with a foam layer, but the straps are attached using rivets. They may be attached on the exterior of the plastic shell, or on the interior foam surface. 
   In a sixth embodiment of this invention, a pad with a molded semi-rigid plastic shell is used wherein the shell is perforated with a buckle-type pattern adjacent the four corners. Four separate straps are attached to the buckle perforations by threading through the central bar and sewing the strap end to the strap body, or by engaging a spring clip riveted to the strap end to the central bar. In a seventh embodiment, a similar pad is used with four separate adjustable straps. The straps may be elastic as well. Each strap is threaded over the central bar of a buckle perforation and then the end with a female snap is snapped to one of several male snaps along the body of the strap. 
   In an eighth embodiment of this invention, a flexible foam knee pad is attached to the clothing by two straps which are each attached to the pad by threading through a pair of slits so that the strap ends emerge at the outer or top layer away from the knee. In this manner, the straps wrap around the edge of the knee pad accentuating the contouring of the knee pad around the knee. In addition, the upper slits are spaced further apart than the lower slits to better conform to the wider thigh above the knee and the narrower calf region below the knee. Although a single layer foam pad of medium density can be used, in the preferred implementation a more dense and abrasion resistant thinner top layer is adhered to a softer foam bottom layer which offers more cushioning and comfort to the knee. In another variation, the bottom foam layer is of a material modified so as to absorb heat upon exposure to radiation in a microwave oven and then release it slowly when in use. This is a therapeutic knee pad which will relieve pain due to injury or such joint ailments as arthritis. An alternative heat emitting construction is a one-time use knee pad with a bottom layer which is exothermic upon opening of an airtight package. 
   Other versions show various strap and pad orientations. 
   In all of the embodiments, the straps are sufficiently long enough so that the user can comfortably attach the fastener clips to areas of clothing away from the immediately adjacent lateral sides of the knee, so that if positioning requires the user to move sideways, the fastener clips will not be uncomfortably between the lateral side area of the knee and the ground. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trouser leg with a kneeling pad of this invention attached; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the same leg and pad in a kneeling position showing the conformability of the kneeling pad; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the pad of the first embodiment with two vertical strap slits near the top and near the bottom of the pad; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the second embodiment of this invention showing a foam pad with two angled slits near the top and two angled slits near the bottom of the pad; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a molded foam pad, which is the third embodiment of this invention. This has a fabric outer surface with sewn straps; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of this kneeling pad utilizing strap slits top and bottom through the molded shell and foam liner; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the fifth embodiment of this invention using a plastic shell with foam liner and further attaching straps on the exterior surface using rivets; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the fifth embodiment using rivets to attach straps on the interior foam liner surface; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of this invention using four separate straps engaged in buckle-type perforations on a semi-rigid shell of the pad; and, 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment wherein the shell of  FIG. 9  is used with four adjustable straps. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the eight embodiment knee pad showing attachment straps emerging slits at the top surface; 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view showing the softer bottom foam layer; 
       FIG. 13  is a crossection view showing the two layers of foam in knee pad of  FIGS. 11 and 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a front view of a ninth embodiment for a knee pad showing straps running top to bottom and emerging through the front surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of a tenth embodiment for a knee pad showing straps running top to bottom and emerging through the rear surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 16  is a front view of an eleventh embodiment for a knee pad showing straps running top to bottom and emerging through angled slits through the front surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of a twelfth embodiment for a knee pad showing straps crisscrossing each other and emerging through the front surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 18  is a front view of a thirteenth embodiment for a knee pad showing straps crisscrossing each other and emerging through the rear surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 19  is a front view of a fourteenth embodiment for a knee pad showing straps running top to bottom and emerging through angled slits through the rear surface of the knee pad; 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of a fifteenth embodiment for a combination knee and shin pad showing straps emerging through the front surface thereof. 
       FIG. 21  is a front view of a sixteenth embodiment for a single strap knee pad. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows the fabric attached knee pad  1  of this invention with flat foam pad  4  attached to the trousers leg  5  of a standing person via fabric clips  3  and relatively long straps  2 , extending at least two or more inches away from the side edges of the knee pad  1 . 
   In  FIG. 2 , the same pad  1  is shown attached to leg  5  of a kneeling person. Note how pad  4  conforms to the knee in this position. 
   The first embodiment pad  1  is shown more clearly in  FIG. 3  where straps  2  are shown threaded through vertical slits  7  in foam pad  4 . 
     FIG. 4  shows the second embodiment for knee pad  9  wherein straps  12  are threaded through angled slits  11  in flat foam pad  10 . 
   The perspective view of  FIG. 5  shows a third for a knee pad  15  with slightly contoured foam pad  9 . The outer surface is covered with adhesively attached fabric  18  to which straps  16  are sewn with stitches  17 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a contoured knee pad  25  of the fourth embodiment in which foam lined plastic shell  26  is penetrated with four vertical slits (only two showing in this view) through which straps  27  are threaded. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  show two versions of the fifth embodiment of this invention with pad  25  having contoured outer shell  32  with foam lining (not shown). 
   In  FIG. 7 , straps  31  are riveted  33  to the outer surface of shell  32 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , straps  31  are riveted  33  to the inner foam surface of shell  32 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a sixth embodiment  40  with semi-rigid shell  41  having four buckle-type perforation patterns  42  near the four corners. Although only two straps are shown in the figure, four individual straps are used. The straps can be attached in two different ways. Strap  43  has clip  3  at one end and a plastic or metal spring clip  44  at the other end retained by rivet  45  or by sewing. Clips  3  and  43  may be made of metal, plastic or a combination thereof. Strap  43  is attached to shell  41  by passing clip  44  through perforation  42  and engaging the wings of clip  44  in the sides of the perforation past the central bar. This is facilitated by the curvature (not shown) of clip  44 . Alternatively, a strap  47  can be used by simply engaging the central bar of a perforation  42  with the end and then sewing  48  the end to the body of strap  47 . 
     FIG. 10  shows a seventh embodiment  50  of a knee pad using four separate adjustable straps  51 . Straps  51  have a clip  3  at one end and a row of male snaps  53  spaced apart in the vicinity of the opposite end. The distal end of strap  51  has a female snap  52 , which can engage any of the male snaps  53  on strap  51 . These straps  51  are attached to perforated shell  41  by threading each strap end with snap  52  through the perforation  42  and looping it over the central bar and then snapping onto one of snaps  53  adjusting the length as desired. 
   The eighth embodiment of this invention is presented in  FIGS. 11-13 . Knee pad  60  has two widely spaced slits near the top and two closer spaced slits near the bottom. two straps  2  are threaded through these slits so that the ends of straps  2  (with clothing clips  3 ) emerge through the top surface layer  61 . By wrapping around the edges of pad  60  to attach to a pants leg, pad  60  would conform more closely to the knee. The slit spacing, wider on top and closer at bottom, also aids in better conformability. In the preferred implementation, two different layers of foam are adhered together to form pad  60 . This is shown clearly in the crossection of  FIG. 13 . Thinner top layer  61  is of a denser, more wear resistant foam. Layer  61  also affords the pad more stability and resists surface disintegration from rough surfaces such as concrete. Bottom layer  62  is a softer, more comfortable foam. In another variation, layer  62  is modified as by loading with fillers or by different chemical composition to absorb radiation in a microwave oven and thereby raise its temperature. This stored heat is then slowly released to the knee area in a therapeutic manner when strapped on. An alternative thermal release composition would become exothermic upon emerging from its packaging. 
     FIG. 14  shows a ninth embodiment for a knee pad  70  showing straps  72  with clips  73  running top to bottom and emerging through the front surface  70   a  of the knee pad  70 . 
     FIG. 15  shows a tenth embodiment for a knee pad  80  showing straps  82  with clips  83  running top to bottom and emerging through the rear surface  80   b  of the knee pad  80 . 
     FIG. 16  shows an eleventh embodiment for a knee pad  90  showing straps  92  with clips  93  running top to bottom and emerging through angled slits  94  through the front surface  90   a  of the knee pad  90 . 
     FIG. 17  shows a twelfth embodiment for a knee pad  100  showing straps  102  with clips  103  crisscrossing each other and emerging through the front surface  100   a  of the knee pad  100 . 
     FIG. 18  shows a thirteenth embodiment for a knee pad  110  showing straps  112  with clips  113  crisscrossing each other and emerging through the rear surface  110   b  of the knee pad  110 . 
     FIG. 19  shows a fourteenth embodiment for a knee pad  120  showing straps  122  with clips  123  running top to bottom and emerging through angled slits  124  through the rear surface  120   b  of the knee pad  120 . 
     FIG. 20  is a front view of a fifteenth embodiment for a combination knee and shin pad  130  showing straps  132  with clips  133  emerging through the front surface  130   a  of knee pad  130 . This longer kneepad is especially useful for roofers or other persons having weight bearing contact on both the knees and shins. This longer kneepad  130  can extend from knee to ankle. It is noted that the straps  132  may be oriented in other orientations, such as running top to bottom (not shown), crisscrossed (not shown), through angled slits (not shown) or side to side, as shown. 
     FIG. 21  shows knee pad  140  with a single strap  142  with a pair of clips  143  extending through slits  144 . This strap  142  can be woven in other orientations, with or without horizontal, vertical or angled slits. 
   It is further noted that the aforesaid knee pads  1 ,  9 ,  15 ,  25 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  100 ,  110  and/or  120  may have different orientations of the straps and clips with respect to the knee pads, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   Furthermore, the knee pads can have optional protective shells, coverings or jackets placed over them as necessary for field or work conditions. They can be of various materials, such as foams, sponges, gels or other compressible materials known to those skilled in the art. They may have an optional firmer cover of plastic or other materials. The covers can be camouflaged for hunters, such as green camouflage for bush or field hunting or brownish/grayish for duck hunting. 
   All methods of weaving the clips and straps applies alternatively to all of the above noted versions, with no limits as to materials (foam, plastics, sponges, rubber, nylon, neoprene, cloth, etc.) known to those skilled in the art. 
   Additionally, extra padding can be added to selected portions of the knee pad as desired. While the aforesaid knee pads are designed for use in work or field conditions, it is also noted that they may be used domestically in a house or apartment for persons who have knee conditions which require padding during normal household chores, such as cleaning floors, or gardening. Additionally, the knee pads can be used for providing heat to knees, either by themselves or with auxiliary heating pads worn adjacent thereto. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
   It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention.