Patent Publication Number: US-2022226715-A1

Title: Leg pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/438,145 filed on Jun. 11, 2019. The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to protective equipment and, more particularly, to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user (e.g., a hockey or other sports player). 
     BACKGROUND 
     Protective equipment for sports has been evolving to accommodate a need for increased protection in some situations. 
     For example, due to a competitive and aggressive nature of some sports, it has often been an objective of sports equipment makers to improve protective gear while permitting flexibility and comfort for users. However, these may be conflicting requirements at times, as an increase in protection can lead to a decrease in flexibility or mobility (e.g., due to rigidity of some protective material). 
     Leg pads for playing hockey or engaging in other sports or activities may be affected by such conflicting requirements, which may be particularly significant in some cases as impediments to leg movement may affect users&#39; overall mobility. 
     For at least these and/or other reasons, there is a need for improvements directed to leg pads for protecting users&#39; legs. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to various aspects, this disclosure relates to a leg pad (e.g., a hockey leg pad) for protecting a leg of a user, in which the leg pad is designed to enhance protection and freedom of movement (e.g., during skating strides), such as by providing flexibility of the leg pad proximate to a knee and optionally an ankle of the user (e.g., for extension and optional retraction of one or more parts of the leg pad) to better follow natural movements of the user&#39;s leg (e.g., bending of the knee and optional flexion of the ankle of the user). 
     For example, according to one aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user and movable relative to the knee cap. An upper half of the shin shell is configured to extend when the leg of the user bends. 
     According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell is movable relative to the knee cap. 
     The shin shell comprises shell members movable relative to one another when the leg of the user bends and extends. A first one of the shell members and a second one of the shell members are movable relative to one another in an upper half of the shin shell. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell is movable relative to the knee cap and is configured to extend when the knee of the user bends, independent of movement of an ankle of the user. 
     According to yet a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell is movable relative to the knee cap. Portions of the shin shell are movable relative to one another when the leg of the user bends and extends such that the knee cap is configured to remain over a patella of the knee of the user when the leg of the user bends. 
     According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell is movable relative to the knee cap and comprises shell members movable relative to one another when the leg of the user bends and extends. A first one of the shell members, a second one of the shell members, and a third one of the shell members are movable relative to one another. 
     According to another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad comprises a knee cap configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The leg pad also comprises a shin shell configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell is movable relative to the knee cap. When the knee of the user bends and an ankle of the user flexes, an upper portion of the shin shell is configured to extend and a lower portion of the shin shell is configured to retract. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell has a first shell member configured to cover a first part of the shin of the user and a second shell member configured to cover a second part of the shin of the user. The second shell member is disposed lower than the first shell member. The second shell member is longer than the first shell member along the longitudinal axis of the leg pad. The second shell member is movable relative to the first shell member when the knee of the user bends. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The shin shell includes a first shell member configured to cover a first part of the leg of the user, a second shell member configured to cover a second part of the leg of the user and a third shell member configured to cover a third part of the leg of the user. The first, second and third shell members are movable relative to each other when the leg of the user bends and extends. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The knee cap comprises an upper end, a lower end and a mid-point located between the upper end and the lower end of the knee cap. The shin shell comprises an upper end, a lower end and a mid-point located between the upper end and the lower end of the shin shell. The knee cap and the shin shell are movable relative to each other when the leg of the user bends and extends. A distance between the mid-point of the knee cap and the mid-point of the shin shell is configured to increase when the knee bends. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The knee cap and the shin shell are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is configured to intersect a central portion of the knee of the user when the leg pad is worn on a leg of the user. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least part of a shin of the user. The knee cap and the shin shell are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is configured to move relative to the shin shell when the knee cap and the shin shell rotate relative to one another. 
     According to yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to a leg pad for protecting a leg of a user. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a knee cap and a shin shell. The knee cap is configured to cover at least a part of a knee of the user. The shin shell is configured to cover at least a part of a shin of the user. The knee cap and the shin shell are rotatable relative to each other and have a range of motion of at least 10° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee and the shin of the user when the leg pad is worn on a leg of the user. 
     These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill upon review of a description of embodiments that follows in conjunction with accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of embodiments is provided hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a leg pad in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the leg pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a knee cap of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged exploded front view of the knee cap of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged front view of the knee cap of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged rear view of the knee cap of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 4C  is an enlarged rear view of a portion of a shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged exploded front view of the shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 6C  is an enlarged front view of the shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged front view of the shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged rear view of the shin shell of the leg pad; 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged side view of the shin shell of the leg pad showing a lower shell member in a first position relative to an intermediate shell member; 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged side view of the shin shell of the leg pad showing the lower shell member in a second position relative to the intermediate shell member; 
         FIG. 9A  is an enlarged side view of the shin shell of the leg pad showing the an upper shell member in a first position relative to the intermediate shell member; 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged side view of the shin shell of the leg pad showing the upper shell member in a second position relative to the intermediate shell member; 
         FIG. 10A  is a side view of the leg pad showing the shin shell of the leg pad and the lower shell member in the first position; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view of the leg pad showing of the shin shell of the leg pad and the lower shell member in the second position; 
         FIG. 11A  is a side view of the leg pad showing a partial cross section of the shin shell of the leg pad and the intermediate shell member in the first position; 
         FIG. 11B  is a side view of the leg pad showing a partial cross section of the shin shell of the leg pad and the intermediate shell member in the second position; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing the upper, intermediate and lower shell members of the shin shell, a side exploded view of the leg pad and a cross-sectional view showing the upper shell member; 
         FIG. 13  is a front exploded view of the leg pad showing liner members; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a user in motion, in this example a hockey player during a skating stride; and 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are front views and medial side views of a right leg of the user. 
     
    
    
     It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be and should not be limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 and 14  show an embodiment of a leg pad  10  for protecting a leg  6  of a user engaging in a sport or other activity. In this embodiment, the leg pad  10  is a hockey leg pad (sometimes also referred to as a “shin guard”) for use by the user, who is a hockey player, to protect the user&#39;s leg  6  against impacts from a puck or ball, a hockey stick, etc. while playing hockey. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the user&#39;s leg  6  comprises a knee KJ, a shin SH below the knee KJ, a thigh TH, an ankle AN, and a foot F. Each one of the knee KJ, the shin SH, the thigh TH, the ankle AN, and the foot F comprises a medial side and a lateral side. The shin SH comprises an upper part SH U  and a lower part SH L . The knee KJ comprises an upper part KJu and a lower part KJ L . Each one of the knee KJ, the shin SH and the ankle AN comprises a front side and a rear side, while the foot F comprises a dorsal side and a plantar side. 
     As further discussed later, in this embodiment, the leg pad  10  is designed to enhance protection and freedom of movement, including during skating strides, such as by providing flexibility of the leg pad  10  proximate to the knee KJ and the ankle AN of the user (e.g., for extension and retraction of parts of the leg pad  10 ) to better follow natural movements of the user&#39;s leg  6  (e.g., bending of the knee KJ and flexion of the ankle AN of the user). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the leg pad  10  comprises a knee cap  20  configured to cover at least part of the knee KJ of the user and a shin shell  21  configured to cover at least part of the shin SH of the user and movable relative to the knee cap  20  when the user bends his/her leg. In this embodiment, the leg pad  10  comprises a liner  72  disposed behind the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21 . 
     Movement of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  when the user&#39;s leg bends can be viewed as including a pivoting motion, i.e., a rotation, of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20 . In this embodiment, the movement of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  also includes a translation of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20 . The movement of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  is thus partly rotational and partly translational. As shown in  FIG. 4A , a pivot axis PA of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  is thus conceptually that axis about which the shin shell  21  pivots relative to the knee cap  20  as part of its movement relative to the knee cap  20 . The knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21  pivot about a pivot region Pa. As shown in  FIG. 14 , in this embodiment, the pivot axis PA of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  is located away from a front  41  of the leg pad  10 . More particularly, in this embodiment, the pivot axis PA of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  is configured to be aligned with a central region CR of the user&#39;s knee KJ. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  an upper half  17  of the shin shell  21  extends from a top  19  of the shin shell  21  for half of a length L s  of the shin shell  21 , which is a longitudinal dimension of the shin shell  21  at rest along a longitudinal axis A-A of the leg pad  10 , whereas a lower half  23  of the shin shell  21  extends from a bottom  25  of the shin shell  21  for half of the length L s  of the shin shell  21 . An upper third  15  of the shin shell  21  extends from the top  19  of the shin shell  21  for a third of a length L s  of the shin shell, whereas a lower third  16  extends from the bottom  25  of the shin shell  21  for a third of the length L s  of the shin shell  21 . 
     In this embodiment, the shin shell  21  may also cover at least part of a front of the ankle AN of the user such that the bottom  25  of the shin shell  21  is configured to overlie the front of the user&#39;s ankle AN. 
     In this example, as it is a hockey leg pad, the leg pad  10  is free of (i.e., does not have) any instep portion overlying an instep of the user&#39;s foot F such that a bottom  27  of the leg pad  10 , which corresponds to the bottom  25  of the shin shell  21 , is configured to be disposed above the user&#39;s foot F to facilitate wearing of a skate on the user&#39;s foot F. 
     In this embodiment, when the user&#39;s knee KJ bends and the user&#39;s ankle AN flexes, such as during a skating stride, the upper half  17  of the shin shell  21  is configured to extend and the lower half  23  of the shin shell  21  is configured to retract. Moreover, the upper half  17  of the shin shell  21  extends when the knee KJ of the user bends independently of the movement of the ankle AN of the user. In this example, portions  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the shin shell  21  are movable relative to one another when the user&#39;s leg  6  bends and extends to allow this extension of the upper half  17  of the shin shell  21  and retraction of the lower half  23  of the shin shell  21 . In this case, relative motion of adjacent ones of the portions  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the shin shell  21 , notably of the portions  31 ,  33  of the shin shell  21  closer to the user&#39;s knee KJ, is such that the knee cap  20  is configured to remain over a patella of the user&#39;s knee KJ when the knee KJ of the user bends. 
     More particularly, in this embodiment, the shin shell  21  comprises shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  that are movable relative to one another when the user&#39;s leg bends and extends. In this example, the shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  include respective ones of the portions  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the shin shell  21  and can respectively be referred to as upper, intermediate, and lower shell members. The upper and intermediate shell members  22 ,  24  are movable relative to one another in the upper half  17  of the shin shell  21 . More specifically, in this example, the upper and intermediate shell members  22 ,  24  are movable relative to one another in the upper third  15  of the shin shell  21 . As such, the upper third  15  of the shin shell  21  is configured to extend when the leg  6  of the user bends. 
     Also, in this embodiment, the intermediate and lower shell members  24 ,  26  are movable relative to one another in the lower half  23  of the shin shell  21 . More specifically, the intermediate and lower shell members  24 ,  26  are movable relative to one another in the lower third  16  of the shin shell  21 . 
     An overlap  120  exists between the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  and is configured to decrease when the leg  6  of the user bends. The upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  overlap when the upper shell member  22  is in a rest position relative to the intermediate shell member  24  as shown in  FIG. 11A . The overlap  120  between the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  is configured to decrease when the leg  6  of the user bends. Furthermore, an overlap  130  between the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  is configured to increase when the leg  6  of the user bends and the ankle AN of the user flexes. The intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  are also configured to overlap one another when the leg  6  of the user is straight. 
     The upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  are configured to avoid an exposed gap therebetween over a range of relative motion thereof. The upper shell member  22  is biased towards its rest position relative to the intermediate shell member  24 . The upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  are configured to avoid an exposed gap therebetween over a range of relative motion thereof. The intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  are configured to avoid an exposed gap therebetween over a range of relative motion thereof. The lower shell member  26  is biased towards its rest position relative to the intermediate shell member  24 . 
     In this embodiment, a band  84  is disposed about at least part of a periphery of the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  to interconnect the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24 . The band allows the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  to move relative to one another. Also, in this embodiment, the band  84  is disposed about at least part of the periphery of the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  to interconnect the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  and allow the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  to move relative to one another. Thus, in this embodiment, the band  84  extends continuously to interconnect the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  while allowing their relative motions. 
     In this embodiment, the liner  72  is disposed behind the shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and extends across adjacent ones of the shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . In this example, the liner  72  also lies behind the knee cap  20 . 
     More particularly, in this embodiment, the liner  72  comprises a liner member  97  disposed behind the shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and extends across adjacent ones of the shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and a liner member  98  separate from the liner member  97  and disposed behind the knee cap  20 . 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in this embodiment, the knee cap  20  comprises an outer side  30  and an inner side  32  opposite to the outer side  30 . 
     Also, in this embodiment, the knee cap  20  comprises a top edge  64 , a bottom edge  65 , a medial edge  66  and a lateral edge  67 . The knee cap  20  may also comprise an upper end  68 , a lower end  70  and a mid-point  69  located between the upper end  68  and the lower end  70  of the knee cap  20 . The knee cap  20  may cover the knee KJ of the user&#39;s leg  6  such that it may protect the knee KJ of the user&#39;s leg  6 . The knee cap  20  comprises a medial portion  61  for protecting a medial side MK 1  of the knee KJ of the user, a lateral portion  62  for protecting a lateral side LK 1  of the knee KJ of the user and a front portion  63  for protecting a front side FS 1  of the knee KJ of the user. 
     The knee cap  20  may be made of a rigid polymeric material for providing adequate protection in case of impact with a stick, a puck, or collisions with another user for example. It is known in the art that hockey leg shells can be made of nylon, polycarbonate materials, thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or any other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the material may have a modulus of elasticity of at least 1000 MPa, in some cases at least 2500 MPa, and in some cases at least 4000 MPa. The knee cap  20  may comprise a material having a hardness in some cases of at least Shore 40D, in some cases at least Shore 60D, or in some cases at least Shore 80D. Other values and ranges for the modulus of elasticity and the hardness of knee cap  20  are possible. 
     In one embodiment, the knee cap  20  may be formed of the same material. In another embodiment, the knee cap  20  may be formed of different materials. In yet another embodiment the knee cap  20  may comprise a combination of at least two materials. In yet a further embodiment, the material may be a composite material. The knee cap  20  may be manufactured or shaped via any method that is known in the art. For example, the knee cap  20  may be molded or thermoformed. In another embodiment, the knee cap  20  may include at least one cavity which may provide ventilation to the inner side  32  of the knee cap  20 . 
     The liner member  98  is mounted under the knee cap  20  and is adapted to be disposed between knee cap  20  and the user&#39;s knee KJ. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in this embodiment, the liner member  98  comprises an outer side  73  and an inner side  75 , the outer side  73  being opposed to the inner side  75 . Also, in this embodiment, the liner member  98  comprises a top edge  77 , a bottom edge  78 , a medial edge  79  and a lateral edge  80 . 
     The liner member  98  may be made of any suitable material or composition or materials that provide the degree of cushioning and protection that is desired. The liner member  98  may be made of a soft material such as foam, polyethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or any other suitable material. The liner member  98  may also be made of foam material covered by layers of woven synthetic yarn, such as closed cell foam of ethylene vinyl acetate covered by a mesh outer layer of a woven synthetic material such as polyester. Such materials would conform itself to the anatomy of the user and may dampen any blows that might occur on the knee cap  20 . The liner member  98  may also be slightly oversized with respect to the knee cap  20  such that the liner member  98  may further envelop and protect areas of the user&#39;s leg that are not substantially covered by the knee cap  20 . It is understood that the liner member  98  may be omitted if the knee cap  20  is made, for example, of a rigid outer layer and a soft inner layer affixed to the rigid outer layer. 
     In this embodiment, a band  74  extends along part of a periphery of the liner member  98 . In some embodiments, the band  74  extends along the entire periphery of the liner member  98 . In other embodiments, the band  74  may extend along a portion (i.e. less than an entirety) of the liner member  98 . 
     The band  74  may be a strip of fabric such as a woven stretchable fabric. The band  74  may also be a braiding. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the band  74  is wide enough to cover a portion of the outer and inner sides  73 ,  75  and the edges  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80  of the liner member  98 . 
     The leg pad  10  may comprise a stitching line  76  passing through the band  74  and the liner member  98  in order to affix the band  74  to the liner member  98 . 
     It is however understood that the affixation of the band  74  to the liner member  98  is not limited to such stitching. For example, in another embodiment, the band  74  may be affixed to the liner member  98  via an adhesive or any other affixing means known in the art. 
     The leg pad  10  may also comprise a stitching line  58  passing through the knee cap  20  and the liner member  98  in order to affix the knee cap  20  to the liner member  98 . It is however understood that the affixation of the knee cap  20  to the liner member  98  is not limited to such stitching. For example, in another embodiment, the knee cap  20  may be affixed to the liner member  98  via an adhesive or any other affixing means known in the art. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8B , the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  are shown in more detail. 
     In this embodiment, the upper shell member  22  may have an outer side  94  and an inner side  34 , the outer side  94  being opposed to the inner side  34 . The upper shell member  22  may also comprise a top edge  39 , a bottom edge  40 , a medial edge  18  and a lateral edge  42 . The upper shell member  22  may protect an upper part SH U  of a shin SH of a user&#39;s leg  6  and may protect a lower part KJ L  of a knee KJ of the user&#39;s leg  6 . 
     The upper shell member  22  may comprise a medial portion  47  for protecting a medial side MS 2  of the upper part SH U  of the shin SH of the user, a lateral portion  48  for protecting a lateral side LS 2  of the upper part SH U  of the shin SH of the user and a front portion  49  for protecting a front side FS 2  of the upper part SH U  of the shin SH of the user. 
     Also, in this embodiment, the intermediate shell member  24  may have an outer side  13  and an inner side  36 , the outer side  13  being opposed to the inner side  36 . The intermediate shell member  24  may also comprise a top edge  43 , a bottom edge  44 , a medial edge  45  and a lateral edge  46 . The lower shell member  26  may cover a lower part SH L  of the shin of the user. The intermediate shell member  24  may protect a substantial part of the shin SH. In some cases, the lower part SH L  of the shin SH may extend over at least 25% of the length of the shin SH, in some cases over at least 33% of the length of the shin, in some cases over at least a majority of the length of the shin SH, and in some cases over an entirety of a length of the shin SH. 
     The intermediate shell member  24  may comprise a medial portion  50  for protecting a medial side MS 3  of the lower part SH L  of shin SH of the user, a lateral portion  51  for protecting a lateral side LS 3  of the lower part SH L  of shin SH of the user and a front portion  52  for protecting a front side FS 3  of the lower part SH L  of the shin SH of the user. 
     The intermediate shell member  24  may also comprise an upper end  121 , a lower end  29  and a mid-point  28  located between the upper end  121  and the lower end  29  of the intermediate shell member  24 . 
     Also, in this embodiment, the lower shell member  26  may have an outer side  37  and an inner side  38 , the outer side  37  being opposed to the inner side  38 . The lower shell member  26  comprises a top edge  55 , a bottom edge  54 , a medial edge  56  and a lateral edge  57 . The lower shell member  26  may protect an ankle portion AN of a user&#39;s leg  6 . More specifically, the lower shell member  26  covers the lower front part of the user&#39;s ankle AN and may also cover the user&#39;s forefoot. 
     The upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  may be made of a rigid polymeric material for providing adequate protection in case of impact with a stick, a puck, or collisions with another user for example. It is known in the art that hockey leg shells can be made of nylon, polycarbonate materials, thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or any other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the material may have a modulus of elasticity of at least 1000 MPa, in some cases at least 2500 MPa, and in some cases at least 4000 MPa. The upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  may comprise a material having a hardness in some cases of at least Shore 40D, in some cases at least Shore 60D, or in some cases at least Shore 80D. Other values and ranges for the modulus of elasticity and the hardness of the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  are possible. 
     In one embodiment, the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  may each be formed of the same material. In another embodiment, the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  may each be formed of different materials. In yet another embodiment the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  may each comprise a combination of at least two materials. In yet another embodiment, the material may be a composite material. The upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  may be manufactured or shaped via any method that is known in the art. For example, the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  may be molded or thermoformed. 
     In this embodiment, the leg pad  10  comprises a liner member  97  and a band  84 . The liner member  97  is mounted under the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and is adapted to be disposed between the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and the user&#39;s lower knee KJ, shin SH and ankle AN. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the liner member  97  may comprise an outer side  83  and an inner side  85 , the outer side  83  being opposed to the inner side  85 . Also, in this embodiment, the liner member  97  may comprise a top edge  86 , a bottom edge  87 , a medial edge  88  and a lateral edge  89 . The liner member  97  may be made of any suitable material or composition or materials that provide the degree of cushioning and protection that is desired. The liner member  97  may be made of a soft material such as foam, polyethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or any other suitable material. The liner member  97  may also be made of foam material covered by layers of woven synthetic yarn, such as closed cell foam of ethylene vinyl acetate covered by a mesh outer layer of a woven synthetic material such as polyester. Such materials would conform itself to the anatomy of the user and may dampen any blows that might occur on upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . The liner member  97  may also be slightly oversized with respect to the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  such that the liner member  97  may further envelop and protect areas of the user&#39;s leg  6  that are not substantially covered by the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . It is understood that the liner member  97  may be omitted if the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  are made, for example, of a rigid outer layer and a soft inner layer affixed to the rigid outer layer. 
     In this embodiment, the band  84  extends along part of a periphery of the upper shell member  22 , part of a periphery of the intermediate shell member  24  and part of a periphery of the lower shell member  26 , the band  84  interconnecting the upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  to one another. In some embodiments, the band  84  extends along the entire periphery of the assembled upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . In other embodiments, the band  84  may extend along a portion (i.e. less than an entirety) of the peripheries of the upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . 
     The band  84  may be a strip of fabric such as a woven stretchable fabric. The band  84  may also be a braiding. The band  84  may have a width large enough to cover at least partially the outer and inner sides and edges of the upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6A , the band  84  is wide enough to cover a portion of the outer and inner sides  94 ,  34  and the top, medial and lateral edges  39 ,  18 ,  42  of the upper shell member  22 . Furthermore, the band  84  is wide enough to cover a portion of the outer and inner sides  13 ,  36  and the medial and lateral edges  45 ,  46  of the intermediate shell member  24 . The band is also wide enough to cover a portion of the outer and inner sides  37 ,  38  and the bottom, medial and lateral edges  54 ,  56 ,  57  of the lower shell member  26 . Moreover, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom edge  40  of the upper shell member  22 , the top and bottom edges  43 ,  44  of the intermediate shell member  24  and the top edge  55  of the lower shell member  26  are free of the band  84  such that these edges may move relative to one another. 
     The leg pad  10  may comprise a stitching line  53  passing through the band  84  and the upper shell member  22 , passing through the band  84  and the intermediate shell member  24  and, passing through the band  84  and the lower shell member  26  in order to affix the band  84  to the upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  such that the band  84  interconnects the upper, intermediate and/or lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  to one another. 
     It is however understood that the affixation of the band  84  to the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  is not limited to such stitching. For example, in another embodiment, the band  84  may be affixed to the upper shell member  22 , the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  via an adhesive or any other affixing means known in the art. 
     Furthermore, the band  84  may be attached to the peripheries of the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  such that the band  84  biases the intermediate shell member  24  towards the first position. Such a bias would avoid that the intermediate shell member  24  undesirably remain in the second position even after the user has extended his/her knee KJ. 
     Furthermore, the band  84  may be attached to the peripheries of the intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  such that the band  84  biases the lower shell member  26  towards the first position. Such a bias would avoid that the lower shell member  26  undesirably remain in the second position even after the user has extended his/her foot F. 
     The leg pad  10  may also comprise a stitching line  71  passing through the band  84  and the upper shell member  22  and liner member  97 , passing through the band  84 , the intermediate shell member  24  and liner member  97  and, passing through the band  84 , the lower shell member  26  and liner member  97  in order to affix the assembled upper shell member  22 , intermediate shell member  24  and lower shell member  26  to the liner member  97  such that the band  84  also interconnects the upper, intermediate and lower shell members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and the liner member  97 . 
     The knee cap  20  and the upper shell member  22  are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis PA 1 . The pivot axis PA 1  is configured to intersect a lateral portion of the knee KJ of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on a leg  6  of the user. The knee cap  20  and the upper shell member  22  have a range of motion of at least 10° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. In other embodiments, the range of motion may be at least 15° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. In other embodiments, the range of motion of at least 20° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. 
     The knee cap  20  and the intermediate shell member  24  are movable relative to each other; and a distance D s  between the mid-point  69  of the knee cap  20  and the mid-point  28  of the intermediate shell member  24  is configured to increase when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user and the user bends the knee KJ. As the leg pad  10  increases in length in the knee area, the knee cap  20  is kept in line with the patella and provides a better coverage of the knee KJ for more protection. 
     The knee cap  20  and the intermediate shell member  24  are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis PA 2 . The pivot axis PA 2  is configured to intersect a central portion of the knee KJ of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on a leg  6  of the user. The pivot axis PA 2  is configured to move relative to the intermediate shell member  24  when the knee cap  20  and the intermediate shell member  24  rotate relative to one another. The knee cap  20  and the intermediate shell member  24  have a range of motion of at least 10° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. In other embodiments, the range of motion may be at least 15° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. In other embodiments, the range of motion of at least 20° without exposing a frontal area of at least one of the knee KJ and the shin SH of the user when the leg pad  10  is worn on the leg  6  of the user. 
     In this embodiment, the intermediate shell member  24  is movable relative to the upper shell member  22  in response to a flexion motion of the user&#39;s knee KJ. 
     The upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  are rotatable relative to one another about a pivot axis PA 3 . The pivot axis PA 3  intersects the medial portion  47  and the lateral portion  48  of the upper shell member  22 . The pivot axis PA 3  intersects the medial portion  50  and the lateral portion  51  of the intermediate shell member  24 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the movement induced by the flexion movement of the user&#39;s knee KJ will cause the intermediate shell member  24  to move from a first position to a second position. As best shown in  FIG. 9A , when the intermediate shell member  24  is in the first position, the intermediate shell member  24  may be in an extended position where it extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the leg pad  10  such that the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  are generally straight or rectilinear. As best shown in  FIG. 9B , when the intermediate shell member  24  moves from the first position to the second position in response to the flexion motion of the user&#39;s knee KJ, the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  pivot about a pivot region P θ  and defines an angle θ relative to a vertical axis B-B of the leg pad  10 . Hence, in the second position, the intermediate shell member  24  may be in a retracted or angled position where it extends along an angle θ relative to the vertical axis B-B. In one embodiment, the angle θ relative to the vertical axis B-B may be up to 10°. In another embodiment, the angle θ relative to the vertical axis B-B may be up to 15°. It is understood that the movement of the intermediate shell member  24  relative to the upper shell member  22  may be a combination of a pivotable movement and a slight translation movement that is allowed, for example, by the stretchability of the band  84  (see the band  84  in the pivot region P θ ). 
     The leg pad  10  can thus facilitate movement of the user&#39;s leg, including bending of the user&#39;s knee. For example, in some embodiments, adjacent ones of the knee cap  20 , the upper shell member  22 , and the intermediate shell member  24  can move relative to one another by respective angles θ 1 , θ 2  that collectively can add up to an overall angle θ total  (θ) which emulates natural bending of the user&#39;s knee. For example, in some embodiments, θ total  (θ) may be at least 80°, in some cases at least 85° and in some cases at least 90°. In some cases, the respective angles θ 1 , θ 2  between adjacent ones of the knee cap  20 , the upper shell member  22 , and the intermediate shell member  24  may be substantially equal, i.e., in this example each of the respective angles θ 1 , θ 2  may be about 45 degrees. In others cases, the respective angles θ 1 , θ 2  between adjacent ones of the knee cap  20 , the upper shell member  22 , and the intermediate shell member  24  may be different. Thus, for example, in some embodiments, each of the respective angles θ 1 , θ 2  may be at least 30°, in some cases at least 35°, in some cases at least 40°, and in some cases at least 45°. 
     In this embodiment, the lower shell member  26  is movable relative to the intermediate shell member  24  in response to a flexion motion of the user&#39;s ankle AN. As best shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the movement induced by the flexion movement of the user&#39;s ankle will cause the lower shell member  26  to move from a first position to a second position. As best shown in  FIG. 8A , when the lower shell member  26  is in the first position, the lower shell member  26  may be in an extended position where it extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the leg pad such that the intermediate and lower shell members  24 ,  26  are generally straight or rectilinear. As best shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , when the lower shell member  26  moves from the first position to the second position in response to the flexion motion of the user&#39;s ankle, the lower shell member  26  then pivots about a pivot region P β  and defines an angle β relative to a vertical axis A′-A′ of the leg pad  10 . Hence, in the second position, the lower shell member  26  may be in a retracted or angled position where it extends along an axis that defines an angle β relative to the vertical axis A′-A′. In one embodiment, the angle β relative to the vertical axis A′-A′ may be up to 10°. In another embodiment, the angle β relative to the vertical axis A′-A′ may be up to 15°. It is understood that the movement of the lower shell member  26  relative to the intermediate shell member  24  may be a combination of a pivotable movement and a slight translation movement that is allowed, for example, by the stretchability of the band  84  (see the band  84  in the pivot region P β ). 
     The upper shell member  22  and the knee cap  20  overlap over an area of overlap  122  which decreases in area when the leg pad  10  is worn on a leg  6  of the user and the user bends the knee KJ. The upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  overlap over an area of overlap  120  which decreases in area when the leg pad  10  is worn on a leg  6  of the user and the user bends the knee KJ. The intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  overlap over an area of overlap  130  which increases when the leg pad  10  is worn on a leg  6  of the user and the user flexes the ankle AN. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , when the intermediate shell member  24  is in the first position, the intermediate and upper shell members  24 ,  22  are positioned relative to one another to prevent a gap therebetween. More particularly, in the first position, there is an area of overlap  120  between the bottom edge  40  of the upper shell member  22  and the top edge  43  of the intermediate shell member  24 . In the first position, the area of overlap  120 , when measured along the longitudinal axis A-A, may be between 15 mm and 35 mm. In another embodiment, the area of overlap  120  in the first position may be between 20 mm and 40 mm. When the intermediate shell member  24  is in the second position, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the area of overlap  120  in the second position may be between 10 mm and 25 mm as the upper shell member  22  moves relative to the intermediate shell member  24 . In another embodiment, the area of overlap  120  in the second position may be between 5 mm and 20 mm in the second position As best shown in  FIG. 9B , the bottom edge  40  of the upper shell member  22  overlaps the top edge  43  of the intermediate shell member  24  in order to prevent a gap when the intermediate shell member  24  moves from the second position to the first position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , when the lower shell member  26  is in the first position, the intermediate and lower shell members  24 ,  26  are positioned relative to one another to prevent a gap therebetween. The intermediate shell member  24  and the lower shell member  26  overlap over an area of overlap  130  which expands when the leg pad is worn on a leg of the user and the user bends the ankle. More particularly, in the first position, there is a first area of overlap  1301  between the bottom edge  44  of the intermediate shell member  24  and the top edge  55  of the lower shell member  26 . In the first position, the first area of overlap  1301 , when measured along the longitudinal axis A-A, may be between 2 mm and 12 mm. In another embodiment, this first area of overlap  1301  may be between 5 mm and 10 mm. When the lower shell member  26  is in the second position, as shown in  FIG. 10B , there is a second area of overlap  1302  between the bottom edge  44  of the intermediate shell member  24  and the top edge  55  of the lower shell member  26 , the second area of overlap  1302  being greater than the first area of overlap  1301 . In the second position, the second area of overlap  1302 , when measured along the longitudinal axis A-A, may be between 5 mm and 20 mm. In another embodiment, this second area of overlap  1302  may be between 15 mm and 20 mm. As best shown in  FIGS. 5, 10A and 10B , the bottom edge  44  of the intermediate shell member  24  overlaps the top edge  55  of the lower shell member  26  in order to prevent a gap when the lower shell member  26  moves from the second position to the first position. 
     In this embodiment, the leg pad  10  provides an enhanced fit with the user&#39;s knee KJ and more secure protection to the user&#39;s knee KJ from flying pucks or hockey sticks during hockey play. For instance, a connection  90  between the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21  of the leg pad  10 , about the knee KJ and an upper part SH U  of the shin SH of the hockey user, in combination with a connection  91  between the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24  of the leg pad  10  may provide enhanced fit and more secure protection. 
     The connection  90  may comprise a connector  92  for connecting the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21  of the leg pad  10 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the connector  92  may be a connection element  102 . In this example, the connection element  102  is mounted under the upper shell member  22  and is adapted to be disposed between the upper shell member  22  and the knee cap  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4B , in this embodiment, the connection element  102  comprises an outer side  103  and an inner side  105 , the outer side  103  being opposed to the inner side  105 . Also, in this embodiment, the connection element  102  comprises a top edge  106 , a bottom edge  107 , a medial edge  108  and a lateral edge  109 . The outer side  103  of the connection element  102  faces the inner side  34  of upper shell member  22 . The inner side  105  of the connection element  102  faces the outer side  30  of knee cap  20 . The top edge  106  of the connection element  102  is generally aligned with the top edge  39  of the upper shell member  22 . The bottom edge  107  of the connection element  102  is generally aligned with the bottom edge  65  of the knee cap  20 . 
     The connection element  102  may be made of any suitable material or composition or materials that is desired. The connection element  102  may be made of a soft material such as foam, polyethylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or any other suitable material. The connection element  102  may also be made of foam material covered by layers of woven synthetic yarn, such as closed cell foam of ethylene vinyl acetate covered by a mesh outer layer of a woven synthetic material such as polyester. Such materials would conform itself to the anatomy of the user and may dampen any blows that might occur on upper shell member  22 . It is understood that the connection element  102  may be omitted if the upper shell member  22  is made, for example, of a rigid outer layer and a soft inner layer affixed to the rigid outer layer. 
     In this embodiment, a band  104  extends along part of a periphery of the connection element  102 . In some embodiments, the band  104  extends along the entire periphery of the connection element  102 . In other embodiments, the band  104  may extend along a portion (i.e. less than an entirety) of the periphery of the connection element  102 . 
     The band  104  may be a strip of fabric such as a woven stretchable fabric. The band  104  may also be a braiding. 
     The band  104  may have a width large enough to cover at least partially the outer and inner sides and edges of the connection element  102 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the band  104  is wide enough to cover a portion of the outer and inner sides  103 ,  105  and the top, bottom, medial and lateral edges  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109  of the connection element  102 . 
     The leg pad  10  may comprise a stitching line  93  passing through the band  104  and the band  84  and passing through the band  84  and the connection element  102  in order to affix the connection element  102  to the upper shell member  22  such that the band  104  interconnects the connection element  102  and the upper shell member  22 . 
     It is however understood that the affixation of the band  104  to the upper shell member  22  and the connection element  102  is not limited to such stitching. For example, in another embodiment, the band  104  may be affixed to the upper shell member  22  and the connection element  102  via an adhesive or any other affixing means known in the art. 
     The knee cap  20  of the leg pad  10  is mounted under the shin shell  21  of the leg pad  10  in two distinct points located along the pivot axis PA of the shin shell  21  relative to the knee cap  20  to allow the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21  of the leg pad  10  to move between a first and a second position in response to the bending of the knee KJ. 
     The leg pad  10  may also comprise a plurality of stitching lines  811 ,  812  passing through the connection element  102  and the liner member  98  and passing through the band  84  and the connection element  102  in order in order to affix the assembled knee cap  20  and the upper shell member  22  such that the stitching  81  interconnects the knee cap  20  to upper shell member  22 . Stitching line  811  may pass through the lateral edge  109  of connection element  102  and the lateral edge  80  of liner member  98  and pass through the band  84  and the lateral edge  109  of connection element  102 . Stitching line  812  may pass through the medial edge  108  of connection element  102  and the medial edge  79  of liner member  98  and pass through the band  84  and the medial edge  108  of connection element  102 . 
     The stitching lines  811 ,  812  allow the knee cap  20  to move relative to the shin shell  21 . The stitching lines  811 ,  812  allow the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21  to be rotatable relative to one another about a pivot axis PA. The knee cap  20  and the upper shell member  22  are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis PA 1 . The pivot axis PA 1  intersects the medial portion  61  and the lateral portion  62  of the knee cap  20 . The pivot axis PA 1  intersects the medial portion  47  and the lateral portion  48  of the upper shell member  22 . The pivot axis PA 1  is such that it is in line with the natural pivotal axis of the knee. 
     The stitching lines  811 ,  812  create a pivot axis PA which intersects the medial portion  61  and the lateral portion  62  of the knee cap  20 . The stitching lines  811 ,  812  create a pivot axis PA which intersects a medial portion  11  and a lateral portion  12  of the shin shell  21 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the leg pad  10  may comprise a strap  59  which connects the upper shell member  22  and the intermediate shell member  24 . The strap  59  may be connected to the inner sides  34 ,  36  of the upper and intermediate shell members  22 ,  24 . In one embodiment, the strap  59  may be connected to the top edges  39 ,  43  of the upper and intermediate shell members  22 ,  24 . The strap  59  may restrict the top edge  43  of the intermediate shell member  24  from moving over the bottom edge  40  of the upper shell member  22 . The strap  59  may also ensure that the intermediate shell member  24  remains generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the leg pad  10  when pressure is applied on the intermediate shell member  24  for moving/pivoting the intermediate shell member  24  outwardly (for example, in response to the flexion of the knee). 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the leg pad  10  may comprise a strap  60  which connects the knee cap  20  and the shin shell  21 . The strap  60  may be connected to the liner member  98  and the inner side  38  of the lower shell member  26 . In one embodiment, the strap  60  may be connected to the bottom edge  78  of liner member  98  and the top edge  55  of lower shell member  26 . The strap  60  may restrict the top edge  55  of the lower shell member  26  from moving over the bottom edge  44  of the intermediate shell member  24 . The strap  60  may also ensure that the lower shell member  26  remains generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the leg pad  10  when pressure is applied on the intermediate shell member  24  for moving/pivoting the intermediate shell member  24  inwardly (for example, in a direction towards a user&#39;s ankle). 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , when the intermediate shell member  24  is in the first position, liner members  98  and  97  are positioned relative to one another to prevent a gap therebetween. This may prevent any gap between the liner members  98  and  97  between the first and second position in response to the bending of the knee. More particularly, in the first position, there is an overlap between the bottom edge  78  of the liner member  98  and the top edge  86  of the liner member  97 . In the first position, the area of overlap  123 , when measured along the longitudinal axis A-A, may be between 25 mm and 50 mm. In another embodiment, the area of overlap  123  in the first position may be between 30 mm and 60 mm. When the intermediate shell member  24  is in the second position, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the area of overlap  123  in the second position may be between 15 mm and 40 mm as the knee cap  20  moves relative to the shin shell  21 . In another embodiment, the area of overlap  123  in the second position may be between 10 mm and 35 mm in the second position. As best shown in  FIG. 9B , the top edge  86  of liner member  97  overlaps the bottom edge  78  of the liner member  98  in order to prevent a gap when the intermediate shell member  24  moves from the second position to the first position. 
     The leg pad  10  may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the knee cap  20  may also comprise knee wings  110 . The knee wings  110  may further protect the lateral portion of the knee KJ. The knee wings  110  may comprise a foam insert  111 . The knee wings  110  may further comprise a base foam  112 . The base foam  112  and the foam insert  111  may be covered by a suitable material. The suitable material may be mesh. The knee wings  110  may also comprise a binding with stitching. 
     In another embodiment, the knee cap  20  may comprise a thigh guard  113 . The thigh guard  113  may further protect the lateral portion of the leg  6  of the sport&#39;s user. The thigh guard  113  may be covered with fabric. The thigh guard  113  may comprise an insert  114 . The insert  114  may be made of foam. The foam may be high-density (HD). The foam insert may be pre-curved such that it better conforms to the leg  6  of the sports user. The thigh guard  113  may comprise a liner and binding. 
     The thigh guard  113  may also include a gusset  115 . The gusset  115  may be used for affixing the thigh guard  113  to the knee cap  20 . The gusset  115  may be affixed to the liner member  98 . The thigh guard may have a liner. The thigh guard liner may have a Velcro® hook. The liner member  98  may have a Velcro® loop. The thigh guard  113  may be further affixed to the liner with the aid of the Velcro® hook and loop. 
     The liner member  98  may further comprise a knee cap liner  116 . The knee cap liner  116  is configured to provide additional protection to the knee KJ. The knee cap liner  116  may cover a portion of the patella. The knee cap liner  116  may be comprised of a sheet, base foam, a foam insert and a backing. The backing may be made of nylon. 
     In another embodiment, the leg pad  10  may comprise a shin strap  117 . The shin strap  117  may be attached to the liner member  97 . The shin strap  117  may comprise an outer side  125  and an inner side  126 . The shin strap  117  may be used to further secure the leg pad  10  to the leg  6  of the user. 
     In another embodiment, the leg pad may comprise a calf guard  118 . The calf guard  118  may provide additional protection to the back of the shin SH. The calf guard  118  may be secured using a calf wrap strap  119 . 
     Although in embodiments considered above the leg pad  10  is a hockey leg pad, in other embodiments, the leg pad  10  may be any other leg pad usable in another type of contact sport (e.g., a “full-contact” sport) in which there are significant impact forces on the user due to user-to-user and/or user-to-object contact or any other type of sports, including athletic activities other than contact sports. For example, in other embodiments, the leg pad  10  may be a lacrosse leg pad. 
     Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for purposes of describing, but should not be limiting. Various changes, modifications and enhancements may be made.