Abstract:
A knee pad assembly for work tasks requiring kneeling, including a knee pad, a method of attaching the knee pad to a user&#39;s leg, and a tool or accessory receiver attached or integrated to the knee pad. The tool or accessory receiver provides easy and convenient access to tools or accessories at the knee of the worker.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to the following provisional applications: Ser. No. 61/693,515 filed Aug. 27, 2012, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to knee pads such as are used by roofers or flooring installers, carpentry and for analogous uses. In particular, the invention relates to knee pads that can be independently installed at the worker&#39;s knees and then removed at the worker&#39;s discretion. 
     Problems in the Art 
     There are many tasks that benefit from cushioned or protective knee pads to reduce discomfort or injury to workers that have to kneel while performing the task. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,505 to inventor Bettencourt issued in 2000. This reference is incorporated by reference. It shows a main knee pad body with cushioning which is strapped around the backside of the knee. The worker can put those on when needed and remove and store them when not. 
     An alternative to knee pads would be some sort of pad or device that is placed on the floor or surface supporting the worker. An example is U.S. Design Pat. No. 636,131 to inventor Johnson, incorporated by reference herein. An issue with these type of mat-like devices is they must be moved manually each time the worker&#39;s position changes. They are also not convenient to carry around or store. 
     A still further option is work clothing such as work pants that have built-in knee pads or cushions. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,991 to inventor Grover issued in 1985, incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen, Grover has zippered pockets at the knee area into which cushion material can be installed. 
     Examples of tasks that benefit from knee pads of the above type include, but are not limited to, roofers, flooring or carpet installers, or the like. An occasional task such as gardening could also benefit from these devices. It is, of course, typical that any such tasks involve use of tools or accessories. 
     The conventional method of handling tools would be either some sort of tool belt worn at the waist, or a tool box or carrier that is carried and moved from location to location. Work pants or overalls can also have pockets in which tools can be carried. See previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,991. 
     Johnson D636,131 suggests having recessed areas in the padding device to hold tools or materials. But the recesses are open chambers. Tools or supplies could easily fill it, especially if the device is moved. 
     The inventor has found that there are limitations and deficiencies with conventional ways to make tools accessible for tasks carried out on one&#39;s knees. Tool belts can be cumbersome and heavy which can lead to fatigue and hip and back pain if carried around all day. Moreover, when on one&#39;s knees it is not always convenient or possible to efficiently reach back and find the appropriate tool in a tool belt. 
     Similar issues exist with regard to pockets in work pants. The issue with work pants is exacerbated because to carry such tools means they would always be with the worker and could not be independently removed such as with a tool belt. 
     As with all work, efficiency is typically highly beneficial. Therefore, the inventor has discovered a frustration with the existing paradigm of carrying tools on a tool belt for tasks requiring the worker to be on the worker&#39;s knees. 
     A separate tool box or container, or the separate knee mat of Johnson D636,131 does not resolve such problems. While tools might be placed closer to one&#39;s hands when the worker is on his or her knees, it requires movement of the box or mat each time the worker moves. It also risks losing tools or parts. 
     The inventor therefore has identified a problem and a solution that addresses the deficiencies in the state of the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object, feature, aspect, or advantage of the present invention to provide an advance over or improvement in the state of the art. 
     Other objects, features, aspects, or advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to: 
     a. a knee pad that has integrated with it tool or accessory carriers; 
     b. knee pads which can be independently removable, yet have capacity to carry tools or accessories; 
     c. a pair of knee pads which can include tool or accessory carriers and which can be the same for both knee pads or differ. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects, or advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a pair of knee pads according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention on a worker from a perspective view. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the right side knee pad of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the left side knee pad of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. Overview 
     In order to provide a better understanding of the invention, exemplary embodiments of different forms the invention might take are now described in detail. It is to be understood that these are exemplary only and not inclusive or exclusive of the different forms of embodiments the invention can take. For example, variations obvious to those skilled in the art will be included within the invention. 
     B. Exemplary Embodiment 1 
     With specific reference to the figures, a first exemplary embodiment includes a right knee pad assembly  10 R and left knee pad assembly  10 L that can have typical for conventional construction or roofing worker knee pad features and attachment. As seen in the figures, knee pad assemblies  10 R and  10 L have a cushion front over the knee cap and releasable straps to mount those pads to the worker&#39;s legs. The specific knee pad  12  and straps  14  can vary according to need or desire and can be similar to any number of presently commercially available sub-assemblies and therefore will not be discussed in any further detail here. As can be seen in the Figures, construction knee pads can come in a variety of forms and configurations that are commercially available, The only possible requirement for the present invention would be that the knee pad, the material comprising the knee pad, and the straps and fasteners for the straps be robust enough to maintain the knee pads attached to the user for normal circumstances experienced by such a worker and for the additional weight of the tools such as are described herein. Those tools in the Figures show tin snips, a utility knife, and a carpenter&#39;s pencil. However, other tools, accessories or supplies can be carried in pockets on the knee pads according to the invention, according to desire and/or need. It is to be understood that as a general rule, the tools or accessories carried on the invention will be of relatively light weight. For example, a hammer would still likely be carried on a tool belt. 
     Each knee pad assembly  10 L and  10 R includes a pocket sub-assembly  20 L or  20 R as shown in the figures. 
     For example, pocket sub-assembly  20 L has a proximal side  22  (proximal to the user&#39;s leg when installed on the user). An opposite distal side  24  is away from the user&#39;s leg. A front side and a back side are relative to the front and back of the user&#39;s body. 
     In the embodiment shown in the figures, the pocket sub-assembly  20 L is fastened at its proximal side  22  to the outer side of the knee pad  12 L. In the figures, this is by rivets. It is to be understood, however, that any of a number of fastening methods are possible. One would be snaps to make the pocket sub-assembly  20 L removable from the knee pad  12 . But there are benefits to making sub-assembly  20 L non-removable. For example, it can be sewn to the knee pad  12  or otherwise permanently connected if such is possible and practical relative to the type of material from which knee pad  12  (e.g. see stitches  50  at  FIG. 3 ) and pocket sub-assembly  20 L are made. 
     By referring to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that pocket assembly  20 L includes a large pocket or pouch  30 . Such large pocket or pouch  30  has a closed bottom and closed side wall but an open top  32  (the bottom is shown at reference numeral  34 ). 
     In this embodiment, the open top allows for insertion of a tool or accessory  31  (in this example, tin snips). Of course any tool or accessory, including building materials, could be stored in pocket  30 . 
     In this embodiment, the pocket has an access from open top to closed bottom that is vertical when the worker is standing up. When the worker kneels, that access would move towards horizontal. Thus, the handles of tool  31  would be easily accessible to the worker even when kneeling. They would likewise be easily accessible to the worker&#39;s hand when standing up. 
     By referring to  FIG. 2 , pocket assembly  20 R is shown in more detail. As can be seen, sub-assembly  20 R has multiple pockets  40  and  48 . This illustrates that the invention can have plural pockets (including more than two). It also shows that the pockets on one sub-assembly  20  can vary from the other sub-assembly  20 . 
     As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the designer can make the configuration, size, location, and other features of each of the pockets according to need or desire. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the small pocket could contain a utility knife whereas the other pocket could contain a carpenter&#39;s pencil. Of course, other tools, accessories, or supplies could alternatively be placed in those pockets. 
     The designer would only be limited by the physical space available. Different knee pad assemblies  10  could be created for different tasks. In other words, a roofer&#39;s knee pad assembly could have different pockets than a carpet installer&#39;s knee pad assembly  10  or a gardener&#39;s knee pad assembly  10 . 
     In this exemplary embodiment, knee pad assemblies  10 L and  10 R are designed for roofers and flooring personnel. They are focused on carrying light-weight tools or accessories. Heavier or more bulky tools or accessories could be transported in different ways including tool belt or tool box. 
     C. Exemplary Embodiment 2 
     As appreciated by those skilled in the art, each knee pad assembly  12 L and  12 R could be essentially mirror images of one another. This would make for a more efficient manufacturing. The designer could basically design a standard set of pockets or pouches and merely attach the identical pocket sub-assembly  20  to each knee pad on opposite sides. 
     D. Options and Alternatives 
     Other embodiments of knee pad assemblies are contemplated and within the scope of the invention. For example, the specific size and configuration of knee pad, how it is attached, and number and arrangement of pouches and pockets can vary according to design or need. 
     Additionally, the construction of the assembly can vary. The figures show a flexible material such as a woven fabric for most of the main pieces would allow construction of the knee pad  12 , straps  14 , and pocket sub-assemblies  20 . Stitching or rivets or other fasteners can fasten the different fabric sections. Knee pad cushioning material could be inserted and held in place between layers of the fabric. This sort of construction is shown at U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,505. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the construction in the example in  FIGS. 1-3  show snap-on pockets to the knee pads. A variety of different ways of attaching or building in the pockets to the knee pads are possible. One example would be a tuck and sew method. Another would be rivets. In any event, the designer would select a method of construction of pockets and knee pads which would be robust enough for the normal wear and tear and circumstances of use of these types of construction knee pads. 
     Alternatively, at least a substantial part of the assembly  10  could be made out of molded plastic. The pocket sub-assembly  20  could also be molded such that the whole unit could be substantially molded out of one piece. Again, one example of material would be a woven fabric that is robust for these circumstances. Other materials are possible. 
     The attaching members can be straps with snaps. The straps can be elastic or not. The straps also could have simply a metal or plastic loops and cinches. Velcro is also possible as an attachment method. Other methods are possible. 
     Combinations of materials (for example some molded, some fabric) are also possible. 
     Additionally, the size and orientation of pockets or pouches can vary according to design or need. Additionally, there might be or could be loops, hooks, snaps, or other hardware on the pocket sub-assembly  20  or knee pad assembly  10  that allow connection of accessories or tools. 
     Other options or alternatives or variations obvious to those skilled in the art are possible.