Abstract:
Securing devices secure the position of protective pads on the arms of a user of the protective pads. A sheet of material having an aperture is placed over the head with the head of the user passing through the aperture. The sheet of material may be pliable so as to fit to the shoulders of the user. Suspension members are connected to the sheet of material on opposite sides of the aperture and the suspension members include attachment devices on distal ends. The attachment devices connect to the protective pads of the wearer to hold the protective pads in place. The attachment devices may be detachable from the protective pads so that the user may utilize the securing device in conjunction with protective pads that the user already has.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a protective pad securing device worn by sports participants for securing protective pads in the proper position during play.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     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 including, for example, field games such football, hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby and individual or team sports such as, for example, the luge, toboggan, skiing and rock climbing.  
         [0003]     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 light weight, relatively inexpensive and easily adjusted to the wearer. Overtime the pad tends to adapt itself to the wearer or the wearer becomes accustomed to that particular set of pads.  
         [0004]     However, these types of elbow pads each present drawbacks. While all of these types of stand alone elbow pads work well prior to competition, all of them will inevitably slide down the players arm due to perspiration, stretching of the fastening mechanism, physical inertia and player contact. The chronic slippage is a distraction from the game requiring the wearer to constantly readjust the pad during play.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Embodiments of the present invention address these issues and others by providing a sheet of material that includes various features conducive to securing protective pads in the proper position to prevent arm injuries. For example, features of some embodiments provide for a pliant sheet of material to be worn over the head and around the neck. In one particular embodiment that allows for existing protective pads to be used, the light weight pliable sheet of material provides a comfortable platform from which to suspend any stand alone protective pads allowing the user to utilize their current equipment.  
         [0006]     The present invention may be viewed as a sports apparatus that includes a sheet of pliable material bounded by a continuous outer edge and containing an aperture therein bounded by a continuous inner edge of the sheet of pliable material. A first means for detachably suspending a protective pad from the sheet of pliable material is included. A second means for detachably suspending a protective pad from the sheet of pliable material at a position on substantially the opposite side of the aperture from the first suspension means is also included.  
         [0007]     The present invention may be viewed as a sports apparatus that includes a sheet of material bounded by a continuous outer edge containing an aperture therein bounded by a continuous inner edge of the sheet of material. A first strap that is connected to the sheet of material proximate to the inner edge of the aperture has a connected end connected to the sheet of material and a distal end. A second strap that is connected to the sheet of material at a position substantially on the opposite side of the aperture from the first strap and proximate to the inner edge of the aperture has a connected end connected to the sheet of material and a distal end. A first attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to the distal end of the first strap, and a second attachment means for connecting to a protective pad is included and is connected to the distal end of the second strap.  
         [0008]     The present invention may also be viewed as a sports apparatus that includes a sheet of pliable material bounded by a continuous outer edge and containing an aperture therein bounded by a continuous inner edge of the sheet of pliable material. A first suspension member with a distal end and a secured end is included, and the secured end is connected to the sheet of pliable material. A second suspension member with a distal end and a secured end is included, and the secured end is connected to the sheet of pliable material at a position on substantially the opposite side of the aperture from the first suspension member. A first attachment device is connected to the distal end of the first suspension member, and a second attachment device is connected to the distal end of the second suspension member. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of an embodiment as worn.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with additional features of the shape of the pliable sheet of material and with salient tabs for adding additional material for anchoring the D-rings.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of material of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  showing the fold of the tabs and the corresponding attachment of the D-ring. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     Embodiments of the present invention include protective pad securing devices and associated methods of manufacturing, wearing and attaching securing devices to a variety of protective pads. Certain embodiments of securing devices include various features such as the shape and cut of the pliable sheet of material worn around the neck and over the shoulders. Certain embodiments of securing devices secure the suspension straps on the underside of the pliable sheet of material while others secure the suspension straps from the top side of the pliable sheet of material. Furthermore, certain embodiments of protective pad securing devices provide for various ways to attach the securing device to the wearer&#39;s preferred protective pads allowing the wearer to attach and detach the protective pads without tools.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 1-4  show various views of illustrative embodiments of a securing device. The securing device  100  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a sheet of material  102 . As can be seen in the front view of  FIG. 2  the size of the sheet of material  102  can be of any size so as to provide a comfortable fit for the wearer depending on the wearer&#39;s neck size and shoulder width. One manner of fitting the apparatus to a wearer would be to have the outer edge of the sheet of material  102  extend past the edge of the shoulder and extend 2-4 inches onto the wearer&#39;s chest and back.  
         [0015]     It will be appreciated that the pliable sheet of material  102  can be composed of any desired material and its shape can be of any desired shape according to the taste of the wearer or requirements for range of motion of the activity. In the embodiment shown, the sheet of material  102  is cut in the shape of an ellipse with a minor axis approximately three quarters the length of the major axis so that the sheet  102  extends from shoulder to shoulder for the major axis but then extends partially down the chest and back of the wearer along the minor axis.  
         [0016]     In some embodiments, the sheet material  102  is pliable. Examples of such a pliable material include neoprene of various thicknesses (e.g.,  5  mm thickness) cloth, rubber, plastic, and canvas. The pliable sheet of material  102  can also be made up of combination of materials to meet the requirements of the wearer, such as for flexibility and comfort. The pliable nature of the sheet  102  allows for the sheet  102  to fit to the shoulders of the wearer for increased comfort and stability of the securing device  100 .  
         [0017]     The sheet of material  102  contains an aperture  103  approximately concentric with the sheet of material  102 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the aperture  103  is approximately elliptical and is concentric with the outer edge of the sheet of material  102 . In this example, the major and minor axes of the aperture  103  are approximately half the length of the axes of the sheet of material  102 . However, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of the aperture  103  can be of virtually any size and shape as required by the wearer and may be eccentric relative to the outer edge of sheet of material  102 . The size and shape of certain embodiments may be further constrained so as to allow the wearer to pull the sheet of material  102  over the head of the wearer. It will be appreciated that the securing device  100  may be manufactured in many different sizes to accommodate individuals of different sizes.  
         [0018]     First and second suspension members  106  and  107  are attached to the sheet of material  102  on its upper side and roughly in line with the major axis on either side of the aperture. In one embodiment, the first and second suspension members  106  and  107  are adjustable, such as nylon straps having buckles  110 ,  111  allowing the length to be altered to suit the wearer. The length of the first and second suspension members  106  and  107  is a function of the distance from the wearer&#39;s neck to the top of the protective pad  114 ,  115  when worn in the desired position. Alternative suspension members could also include but are not limited to elastic straps, elastomeric straps, hook and loop straps (e.g., Velcro® straps), string, cord, chain, leather, and cloth.  
         [0019]     The first and second suspension members  106  and  107  are attached to the sheet of material  102  at their secured ends by D-rings  104  and  105  that are attached to the top side of the sheet of material  102  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The D-rings  104  and  105  of this embodiment are attached in proximity to the inner edge of the aperture  103  to provide stability during use, where being in proximity to the inner edge includes any distance that is closer to the inner edge than the outer edge and may include attachment directly at the inner edge (e.g., within 1-2 inches of the inner edge when sized for an average adult and roughly in line with the major axis). While the D-rings  104 ,  105  are shown mounted in proximity to the inner edge defining aperture  103 , the D-rings  104 ,  105  could be placed anywhere on the sheet of material  102 .  
         [0020]     It will be appreciated that other attachment devices such as but not limited to round rings, buckles, clips, sewn thread, or hook and loop tape may be used instead of D-rings  104 ,  105  to attach the suspension members  106  and  107  to the sheet of material  102 . It will also be appreciated that the D-Rings  104  and  105  or other device for connecting the suspension members  106  and  107  to the sheet  102  of material may be attached to the sheet of material  102  in various ways including sewing installation tabs  112 ,  113  of the D-rings  104 ,  105  to the sheet  102  as shown for the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and also including, but not limited to, rivets, glue, hook and loop tape, adhesives, and staples.  
         [0021]     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the distal ends of the first and second suspension members  106  and  107  are attached to the tops of the wearer&#39;s protective pads  114 ,  115  by crimping clips  108  and  109  such that the attachment can be accomplished by hand without the aid of tools. One version of a crimping clip would be a suspender clip, well known in the art used to hold up trousers. Alternative attachment mechanisms may also be used such as but not limited to a clasp, clamp, hook, clip or hook and loop straps that would suit the user. Using such an attachment mechanisms allows the wearer to attach his own set of protective pads to the suspension straps  106 ,  107  and to do so quickly and spontaneously. The crimping clip is attached to the suspension members  106  and  107  by the conventional means of sewing in the embodiment shown. However, alternative means well known in the art such as, but not limited to, rivets, staples and hook and loop tape can also be used.  
         [0022]     The sheet of material  102  provides a continuous inner edge defining aperture  103  as well as a continuous outer edge. As shown, the continuous edge is provided by having the material maintain continuity completely around the aperture  103 . However, it will be appreciated that rather than having continuity of the material, the sheet  102  may be wholly or partially parted to facilitate placing the sheet  102  over the head of the wearer. In that case, the part may be closed to establish the continuous inner and outer edges such as by lacing, snaps, hook and loop tape, etc.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate still another embodiment of the protective pad securing device  300 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4  is identical to that in  FIG. 1  with the following modifications. The two salient tabs  312  and  313  that extend inwards from the edge of the aperture  303  are provided in the sheet of material  302 , and the salient tabs  312  and  313  are then folded under the sheet of material  302 . The D-rings  304  and  305  are then attached, such as by sewing, to the salient tabs  312 ,  313  on the underside of the sheet of material  302 .  
         [0024]     As shown in cross-section in  FIG. 4 , the D-ring  305  has an installation tab  319  that is placed through a slit  317  (slit  318  for D-ring  304 ). The installation tab  319  is then attached to the tab  313  that has been folded. As shown, the installation tab  319  is attached to the tab  313  by sewn thread  321 , but various other manners of attaching the tab  319  are also applicable. Furthermore, while it is shown with the tab  319  being directly attached only to the folded tab  313 , the attachment may also be to the portion of the sheet  102  directly above the tab  313 .  
         [0025]     The salient tabs  312  and  313  provide a double thick, reinforced area to attach the D-rings  305  and  305  to thereby provide additional stability and structural integrity for the securing device  300 . The suspension straps  306  and  307  are connected to the D-rings  305  and  306  in the same manner as in  FIG. 1  discussed above.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  also illustrates an additional modification wherein a triangular shaped tab  316  is included for the sheet of material  302  such that it extends down the back of the wearer. As one example, for an average sized adult, the tab  316  may extend several inches and between the wearer&#39;s shoulder blades. The triangular tab  316  engages the shoulder blades during movement of the wearer and reduces any rotational movement of the sheet of material  302  about the wearer&#39;s neck. It is important to note that salient tabs  312  and  313  and the triangular shaped tab  316  are independent features and can be used in conjunction and separately with any embodiment of the protective pad securing device.  
         [0027]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.