Patent Publication Number: US-10757987-B2

Title: Knee pad device

Description:
This application is a Continuation-in-Part application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/221,090, filed on Mar. 20, 2014 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,408 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/803,738 filed on Mar. 20, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to knee pads and knee protection devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a knee pad device for both protecting the user&#39;s knees from injury and concurrently improving user stability when in a kneeled or knee support position, comprising means for communicating the user&#39;s weight to a plurality of contact surfaces. 
     In addition to providing the knees a shield to impact and puncture injury, the device herein also includes a plurality of contact surfaces which are preferably co-planarly aligned. In use with these surfaces the device provides significantly improved stability by distributing the weight throughout the plurality of contact surfaces over a wide footprint. The invention also relates to a knee protective device employing means for shock absorbency for reducing fatigue by reducing the perceived weight communicated to the user&#39;s knee as experienced by the user during prolonged knee supported positions. Additionally, the invention relates to the employment of slip resistance means with knee pad devices for reducing slip between the contact surfaces and the support surface for improving safety. Further, the device may be configured with removable engagement means for the various components to facilitate replacement as needed. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Knee pads and knee protection devices are a type of protective equipment which are typically worn around the leg at the knee, or strapped directly to the knee. Generally, such devices provide some sort of knee protection and support depending on the venue of employment. In a sports venue, knee pads are conventionally worn to protect the athlete against impact injury related to a fall or side-strike by an opponent. In another example, in some extreme sports such as skateboarding and inline skating, knee pads are worn by the athletes to protect their knee from impact and abrasive injuries from ground contact after a fall. In another mode of use such as with construction, knee pads can be worn to provide padding to the skin and underlying bones during extending periods of kneeling, as well as protection form injury when kneeling in nail-laden construction sites. 
     For the latter, it is well known that construction workers and other labor professionals are often required to work on their knees for long periods. For example, workers who install floor coverings are often required to maintain a kneeling position for hours of time during the preparation and subsequent installation of a floor covering in a room. Maintaining this position while performing labor-intensive installation can be extremely uncomfortable. 
     Kneeling workers often experience knee injuries caused by maintaining such a position for prolonged periods. Further, users are additionally known to experience both back and neck injuries due to the user constantly straining to lean or work adjacently while concurrently trying to keep excess pressure off their knees and maintain a comfortable working position while on their knees. As such, many individuals who perform this work will wear some type of knee pad device which provides some padding to reduce the stresses on the skin and bones of their knees which is experienced during such prolonged periods of kneeling. As a result of being able to place more weight on padded knees, users tend to experience less back and neck pain since the support and comfort at their knees allows them to maintain an overall comfortable working position and more proper posture during extension. 
     However, currently available conventional knee pads and support devices intended to support the knee during extended periods of kneeling still fail significantly in many aspects. Many conventional knee pads and knee protection devices provide some type of support and protection when in a stationary kneeling position. However, many do not take into account that the user may be constantly moving their upper body in differing leaning directions over the contact of their knees with the supporting surface while performing various tasks in the kneeled position. If a user leans or reaches for an item, lifts or moves items while kneeling, or shifts their upper body frequently, the weight distributed to each knee, and therefor to each knee pad in contact with a support surface, will change constantly. With conventional devices, this transfer of weight from one pad to the other can cause many problems. 
     First, many knee pads and related devices have substantially rounded exterior surfaces, since the pad as a whole is generally designed to conform with the natural curvature of the human knee when worn. In use, the curved exterior surface of the pad devices, when in contact with a support surface, provides only a single contact surface area per pad. Although some conventional devices are known to have flexible surface materials capable of slightly flattening during contact with the support surface, to slightly increase the surface area of contact, such pads have a substantially smooth plastic surface and still only a single contact surface area per pad is provided. 
     As such, many conventional knee pad devices are inherently unstable. The knee pad devices can rock and sway about the singular contact point and if the user leans too far in one direction the smooth surface of the conventional pads can slip in their frictional engagement with the support surface. The curved exterior surface makes it extremely difficult for the user to maintain a stable kneeling position as the pads will tend to rock along the curved and limited exterior contact surface area and will cause discomfort at the knee. This is especially true when the user&#39;s upper body is moving and the distribution of weight is constantly changing. 
     Further, in leaning to one side or the other, or if the user become slightly unbalanced for any reason, one or both knee pads may lift from their contact engagement with the support surface and one or both may possibly slip. This problem of sideways slip is enhanced if the support surface is slick or wet. Any such slipping instance can cause the user to fall, or drop an item and potentially cause injury to themself or others. 
     Still further, knee pads which are used on a daily basis often become worn and unusable after some time due to conventional wear and tear. This wear and tear especially includes the exterior surface, which is used for frictional and contact stability with the support surface, becoming worn or scratched to the point where the device cannot adequately engage a support surface without slipping. In addition, any padding or other support material may become worn such that the device is no longer comfortable in its engagement to the user&#39;s knee. This conventionally results in the user discarding the worn knee pads and purchasing knew ones. Such actions are quite wasteful, since in most cases the structural body of the knee pad may be fully intact and suitably usable, while it is merely exterior surfaces or padding which are worn to render it unsafe and/or uncomfortable 
     As a result, there is a continuing unmet need for a knee pad device which provides improved stability, and improved slip resisting support to the user during use. Such a device should overcome the shortfalls in prior art and improve user stability by communicating the downward force of the user&#39;s weight to a plurality of contact surfaces, as opposed to a single contact surface. Such a plurality of contact surfaces should advantageously should follow the curve or shape of the exterior of the knee pad to provide a planar or full contact footprint area of engagement with the support surface which eliminates rocking or swaying of the device when supported on the support surface. Such a device should employ one or a plurality of pad components to comfortably cushion the user&#39;s knee when compressed by their weight toward the support surface. Such a knee pad device should employ means for shock absorbency for reducing user fatigue by reducing the perceived weight communicated to the user&#39;s knee as experienced during prolonged knee support. Such a device should employ means for slip resistance for reducing slip between the contact surfaces and the support surface for improving safety. Further, such a device should be configured with means for removable engagement of the various components to facilitate easy replacement after they become worn, and thereby reduce the amount of such devices sent to landfills. 
     The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through the provision of a knee pad device for improving user stability when in a kneeled or knee support position over prolonged periods of time. It accomplishes this goal by communicating the force of the user&#39;s weight to a plurality of contact surfaces with the support surface instead of one. The device is preferably configured with means for removable engagement of many of its key components as needed to facilitate replacement after they become worn and unusable. 
     In accordance with a first preferred, and simplest mode, the device comprises a body having a circumferential side edge communicating between an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface is preferably adapted for a comfortable engagement to a user&#39;s knee in shape and material, while the exterior surface is adapted for an engagement with the ground or other support surface. Means for operative engagement of the device to a user&#39;s knee can include one or a plurality of elongated engagement straps which can be wrapped around the leg at or adjacent the user&#39;s knee, or on the parts of the user&#39;s leg slightly above and below the knee. The straps may employ hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or other suitable fastening means for their respective distal ends and may be elastic to provide a means to bias the knee pad toward the user&#39;s knee. Such should allow the body of the device to be securely engaged to the user&#39;s knee once the desired tightness, and/or stretching of the straps are achieved. 
     The exterior surface of the body of the device, preferably employs means for communicating the force of the user&#39;s weight to a plurality of contact surfaces herein provided by a plurality of stabilizing projections engaged to and extending from the exterior surface. The projections are preferably in the form of elongated strips aligned in a central position on the exterior of the body. T 
     In one preferred mode, the distal ends of the projections include raised ends defining a central hollow channel which spaces the ends a distance apart. The raised ends preferably have at least one contact surface which is substantially planar. 
     The plurality of planar contact surfaces of the projections are preferably co-planarly aligned and define an overall footprint area of the device when engaged on a support surface. The area of the footprint is defined by the number and spacing of the projections comprising an overall length, multiplied by a width determined by the distance of the channel. It is noted that the size of the contact footprint area can vary by employing projections of various dimensions as deemed suitable by the designer to provide improved user stability. 
     As such, the co-planarly aligned flat contact surfaces of the projections provides a means for communicating and distributing the user&#39;s weight over a plurality of contact surfaces over the desired stabilizing footprint area. In addition, the provision of the plurality of planar contact surfaces when engaged to the support surface, provide an engagement which is inherently resistant to rocking and swaying due to the plural points of engagement with the support surface. 
     The plural points of engagement provided by the co-planar surfaces maintain improved stable support even when the user reaches for an item, lifts or moves items in their workspace, or moves their upper body frequently. In use, the weight communicated to each knee and therefor to each knee pad device is continually distributed throughout the plurality of contact surfaces on the projections. For example, in an extreme case where the user leans to the point where some of the contact surfaces are lifted off of the support surface, the remaining contact surfaces still in contact with the support surface will continue to distribute the weight such that stable support is maintained. Further, in all modes, the material employed is compressive or elastic and provides a means for padding the knees and their force toward the support surface. 
     In at least one preferred mode, the body is formed from planar material which is bent or otherwise constructed to conform to the shape of the human knee, and slightly or moderately wrap around the knee when in the as worn position. The device may be formed from conventional plastics via conventional forming techniques such as injection molding, or other suitable forming means. 
     It is noted those skilled in the art may envision additional or modified shapes and configurations of the body, as well as other means for communicating the user&#39;s weight to a plurality of contact surfaces which are suitable for the intended purpose of reducing rock and sway of the device in the as worn position. As such, other embodiments envisioned by those skilled in the art are anticipated in this disclosure while the descriptions and depictions in the figures provided herein should not be considered limiting in any manner. 
     In another preferred mode, the device employs a pad component engageable to the interior surface of the body. In use, the pad component will be in a sandwiched engagement between the body of the device and the user&#39;s knee when worn to provide support and cushioning comfort for the user&#39;s knee. The pad component is preferably ergonomically shaped and substantially formed to the shape of the human knee to provide the utmost comfort since users may have to maintain a kneeled position for long periods of time. Further, the pad is compressive or elastic and preferably includes air cooling means, provided by one or a plurality of air vent channels communicating with vent apertures to communicate air through the pad to the user&#39;s knee for cooling applications. 
     In still another preferred mode, the device may include an upper component engaged to the body of the device which is intended to engage the user thigh, just above the knee. The upper component preferably engages over the user&#39;s thigh to provide a protective barrier for it. It is known that users who work on their knees typically have a work space in front of them and conventional knee pads do not cover a large area of the thigh. 
     As such the thigh may be exposed to inadvertent injury during use of power tools, hand tools, welding or other equipment used in the workspace. Additional utility is provided through the employment of a sealing strap, which communicates over an upper terminating edge of the upper component to provide a sealed engagement of the upper component against the user&#39;s thigh. This provides a means for preventing sparks or slag during welding, or other debris from lodging between the upper component and the user&#39;s thigh. 
     Further, due to the typically labor intensive work associated with users who work on their knees, as noted means for shock absorbency for reducing user fatigue, are additionally preferably provided. Means for shock absorbency will essentially reduce the perceived weight communicated to the user&#39;s knee when the users moves around or shifts their weight during a prolonged knee support position. 
     In at least one mode, the means for shock absorbency is provided by forming the raised ends of the stabilizing projections with a material and construction which is adapted with slight or moderate compression and rebound characteristics. For example, a resilient rubber or similar material such as ABSORBATHANE which will compress under the weight of the user and absorb impact forces when the device contacts the ground may be suitable for this purpose. However, other embodiments envisioned by those skilled in the art which serve the intended purpose may also be employed, and are anticipated. 
     In yet another mode, means for slip resistance between the contact surfaces of the device and the support surface are additionally provided. This may be provided through the employment of friction enhancing contact surface materials. For example, the flat planar contact surfaces of the projections may be configured with a friction enhancing material, such as a soft rubber or the like, which is imbedded into the contact surfaces in a 2-shot injection molding process when forming the projections using conventional injection molding techniques. However, other embodiments envisioned by those skilled in the art which serve the intended purpose of reducing slip may also be employed, and are anticipated. 
     In still another preferred mode, the device is configured with means for removable engagement of at least one of the plurality of stabilizing projections and the pad component, as needed to facilitate replacement after they become worn and unusable. As such, in this mode the device may be providable to the user in a kit mode, including the body of the device, the upper component, one or a plurality of engagement straps, one or a plurality of removably engageable padding components, and one or a plurality of removably engageable stabilizing projections. The kit may include various constructions of the stabilizing projections and padding components, each formed of different durometer or hardness of materials which provide different friction enhancing and shock absorbency characteristics, and comfort level deemed suitable by the user. In addition, the projections can be provided having different geometries thereby allowing the user to vary the size of the footprint as needed. As such a plurality of stabilizing projections and pad components can be provided as replacements. 
     It is briefly noted that upon reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize various means for carrying out these intended features of the invention. As such it is to be understood that other devices may be configured to carry out these features and are therefor considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention, and are anticipated. 
     With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. 
     The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a rear perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the knee pad device comprising a device body employing a plurality of stabilizing projections. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the mode of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the mode of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a another particularly preferred mode of the device comprising a removably engageable padding component and means for removable engagement of the stabilizing projections. 
         FIG. 6  shows a rear perspective view of the padding component of the mode of the device of  FIG. 5 , detailing the air vent channels and vent apertures employed as a air cooling means. 
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of a particularly preferred mode of the removably engageable stabilizing projection. 
         FIG. 8  shows a first side perspective view of the yet another mode of the device comprising a rotatably engageable upper component. As shown is a preferred sealing strap employed to engage over the upper terminating edge to keep out debris. 
         FIG. 9  shows a second side perspective view of the mode of the device of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows still another particularly preferred kit mode of the device. 
         FIG. 11  shows the device herein with the body and upper component rotationally engaged as in  FIGS. 8-9 , and depicts the projections positioned on a projection body which engages with the body. 
         FIG. 12  shows the device as in  FIG. 11  and depicts a plurality of tab apertures providing connectors for a removable engagement to tab apertures in the body to form a removable engagement of a projection body such as in  FIG. 13-16  with the body of the device. 
         FIG. 13  shows the projections having raised ends on either side of a recessed channel formed in a unitary structure with the projection body which has a connector for removable engagement with the body formed by tabs on the projection body engageable in tab apertures in the body. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the projection body of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  depicts a projection body having a centrally Positioned channel which is radially surrounded on a perimeter of the channel by a plurality of raised projections extending toward a perimeter edge of the projection body. 
         FIG. 16  shows the projection body of  FIG. 15  from a side view. 
         FIG. 17  depicts the device of  FIG. 11-12  showing a dual density pad component having a softer more compressible foam area in a central portion located between opposing sidewalls formed of harder foam. 
         FIG. 18  is a rear view of the dual density pad component of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. 
     Now referring to drawings in  FIGS. 1-18 , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , views of a particularly preferred mode of the knee pad device  10  herein for improving user stability and comfort when in a kneeled or knee supported position over prolonged periods of time. As can be seen with the device  10  operatively engaged, communication of force of the user&#39;s weight is made to a plurality of contact surfaces  22  on opposing sides of a channel  24  which is recessed between the contact surfaces  22  of opposing raised ends  20  on the plurality of projections  18 . 
     In accordance with this mode shown in the noted figures, the device  10  includes a body  12  being a substantially thin shell having a circumferential side edge defining a shape and communicating between a interior surface  14  and an exterior surface  16 . The various components of the body  12  of device  10  disclosed herein can be formed of conventional materials such as synthetic materials like carbon fiber, plastics such as PVC, ABS, or polypropylene or other rigid materials adapted to the task. However, the body  12  and the upper component  30  can be formed of any material suitable for the purposes set forth in this disclosure. 
     A curved exterior surface  16  of the body  12  extends across a central portion  13  of the body  12  and along two side portions  21  of the body  12  on opposite sides of the central portion  13 . In the current mode, the body  12  is constructed to conform to the curved shape of the human knee, and formed to slightly or moderately wrap around the exterior of the knee when in the as-worn position with the knee in contact with or adjacent the interior surface  14  with straps engaged. The curved interior surface  14  extends across the central portion  13  of the body  12  and along the two side portions  21  of the body  12  and defines a cavity  11  which is adapted for an as-worn engagement with a user&#39;s knee positioned therein adjacent the interior surface  14  in manner similar to conventional knee pad devices for providing knee support when in a kneeled or knee supported position. 
     Means for maintaining engagement of the device  10  with the user&#39;s knee, within the formed cavity  11  and adjacent the interior surface  14 , can include one or a plurality of elongated engagement straps  34  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). These straps may be elastic or fixed in length and may be engaged around the rear of the user&#39;s knee at the knee or on the parts of the user&#39;s leg slightly above or below the knee. However, those skilled in the art may envision other means for engagement which are suitable for the intended purpose and are therefor anticipated within the scope of this disclosure. Further, in other modes the device  10  may be employed in a free-standing manner without means for engagement where instead the device  10  is placed on the floor and the user kneels into an engagement with the device  10  when needed. 
     The straps  34 , as noted, may be elastic in whole or in part whereby they elongate and when the distal ends are engaged with two straps  34  the device  10  is biased toward the front of the user&#39;s knee. 
     The exterior surface  16  of the body  12  is curved similar to the interior surface  14  and preferably includes means for communicating the force of the user&#39;s weight upon the device  10  when in a kneeling position, to a plurality of contact surfaces  22 . The contact surfaces  22  herein are preferably provided by one or a plurality of projections  18  engaged to and extending from the exterior surface  16 . As clearly shown in the drawings, the projections  18  are preferably in the form of individual elongated strips which are aligned in a central location on the exterior  16  of the body  12 . This allows individual strips to be replaced, however the projections  18  can be formed by a single unit having recesses therein to form the plurality of projections  18  at a distal end. 
     While the device  10  is a huge improvement in the art with the projections  18 , the distal ends of the projections  18  may also preferably include shoulders depicted as raised ends  20  on opposite ends of the projections  18  which define a recess or channel  24  therebetween and where the distal end of the projection  18  may also be lower than the two shoulders or raised ends  20  similar to the lower elevation of the channel  24 . The shoulders provided by the raised ends  20 , preferably, have at least one contact surface  22  which is substantially planar and aligns along an imaginary line, with an opposing contact surface  22  on the projection  18  on the opposite side of the recess defined by the channel  24 . 
     The plurality of raised ends  20  with substantially planar contact surfaces  22  located on opposing sides of the projections  18  are preferably co-planarly aligned define an overall contact footprint area of the device  10  when positioned on a support surface with the device  10  in the as-worn position. The area of the contact footprint is defined by the number and spacing of the projections  18  comprising an overall length ‘L’, multiplied by a width ‘W’ determined by the distance of the channel  24  forming the recess on the projection  18  in between the raised ends  20 . It is noted that the size of the contact footprint can vary by employing projections  18  of various quantities and dimensions as deemed suitable by the designer to provide improved user stability. 
     The channel  24  has a length which spaces the raised ends  20  a distance apart defining the width ‘W’ of the contact footprint, which can be varied to essentially widen the overall area of the contact footprint for improving stability and distribution of weight to the co-planarly aligned contact surfaces  22 . Therefor, the widened contact surface area and footprint providing a distribution of weight to the plurality of contact surfaces  22  provides an overall improved and stability-enhanced engagement with a support surface for a user, compared to that of conventional knee pad devices which typically provide a single contact surface which may be curved or otherwise have a substantially smaller contact footprint. 
     The plurality of substantially planar contact surfaces  22  on the contact surfaces  22  on opposite ends of the projections  18 , aligned across respective channels  24  in a common plane, define an overall contact surface area for the device with an underlying support surface, which is highly resistant to rocking and swaying. This is due to the plurality of contact of the raised portions  20  or shoulders located on opposing sides of each recess defined by the channel  24 , with the support surface. It is noted and anticipated that the distance of the channel  24  portion and therefor, spacing between the raised ends  20  and contact surfaces  22  thereon, can be modified by the designer as deemed suitable for providing a wider width ‘W’ and therefor a larger contact footprint area. 
     In addition, the plurality of points of contact via the multiple curved planar surfaces  22  on the raised portions  20 , maintain improved stable support for the knee, even when the user reaches for an item, lifts or moves items in their workspace, or moves their upper body frequently. In use, the weight of the user which is communicated to each knee and therefor to each knee pad device  10  is continually distributed throughout the plurality of channels  24  and against the raised contact surfaces  22  located on the raised portions  20  on opposite sides of the projections  18 . For example, in an extreme case where the user leans to the point where some of the contact surfaces  22  are lifted out of contact with the support surface, the remaining plurality of other contact surfaces  22  which are each raised above adjacent channels  24 , remain in contact with the support surface and will continue to distribute the weight of the user throughout, such that rotation of the device  10  and slipping and sliding is prevented, and a stable support is maintained. 
     In another particularly preferred mode of the device  10  shown, in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 17 , there is included an engageable pad component  28  formed of a foam cushion or other suitable material such as ABSORBATHANE. The pad component  28  is configured for removable engagement within the cavity  11  against the interior surface  14  of the body  12  of the device  10 . In use, with the device  10  in the as-worn position, the pad component  28  is in a sandwiched engagement within the cavity  11  between the interior surface  14  of the body  12  and the user&#39;s knee to thereby cushion and provide additional support and comfort for the knee of the user. 
     The pad component  28  is preferably configured with air cooling means, provided by one or a plurality of air vent channels  29  depending into an exterior surface  27  of the pad  28 , which communicate with a plurality of vent apertures  31 . The air vent apertures  31  communicate between vent channels  29  on the exterior  27  and the interior surface  37  of the pad  28 . This provides a means for communicating air through the pad  28  allowing heat to escape for cooling the area of the pad  28  adjacent the interior surface  37  and thus the knee of the user. It is noted that those skilled in the art may recognize other means for air cooling which are slightly or moderately different than the preferred mode shown, however without departing from the scope and intent of the invention, are anticipated within the disclosure. 
     The pad component  28  is preferably ergonomically shaped as in  FIGS. 4-5 and 17-18 , and formed substantially to the shape of an exterior surface of a human knee to provide the upmost comfort since users may have to maintain a kneeled position for long periods of time. Means for removable engagement of the pad component  28  within the cavity  11 , and positioned against the interior surface  14  of the body  12 , can include hook and loop fasteners, snap fits, rivets, frictional engagement, removable adhesives, or other suitable means. 
     Briefly, in the kit mode of the device  10  described later in  FIG. 10 , such means for removable engagement allows the pad component  28  to be easily replaced as needed. However, in other modes those skilled in the art will recognize that the pad component  28  and body  12  can be integrally formed as a unitary structure, and this configuration is also anticipated. 
     Further, the device  10  may be configured with means for removable engagement of the stabilizing projections  18  to the exterior surface  16  of the body  12  of the device  10 . This provides added utility in that the user can replace or exchange the plurality of projections  18  having channels  24  between opposing contact surfaces  22  of raised portions  20  as they become worn due to wear and tear. 
     Additionally, the device  10  may be provided in a kit mode shown in  FIG. 10 , where the user is provided with a plurality of sets of projections  18  of varying durometer material, thereby allowing the user to customize the device  10  to suit their needs for compressive padding when kneeling and slip resistance when leaning. In the current mode, the means for removable engagement is provided by engagement of a first side of the projections  18  into receiving apertures  26  disposed into the body  12  of the device  10  which are adapted to removable engage with the first side of the projections. As shown, a slot provides the receiving aperture  26  which allows for a compressive engagement of the projections  18  to the body  12 . However, other means for removable engagement may be employed and are anticipated, for example, hook and loop fasteners, removable adhesives, peel and stick, and the like. 
     Means for shock absorbency of external forces and the weight of the user against the support surface for reducing user fatigue are additionally preferably provided. Such means for shock absorbency are intended to essentially reduce the perceived weight communicated to the user&#39;s knee when the user moves around or shifts their weight during a prolonged knee support position. 
     In at least one preferred mode as shown currently in FIG.  7 , the means for shock absorbency is provided by forming the raised ends  20  on opposite sides of the recessed channel  24  therebetween, with a material and construction which is adapted for slight or moderate compression and rebound characteristics of the raised ends  20 , when the weight of the user against the device  10  changes or increases, and which is communicated to the raised ends  20 , much like a shock absorber. 
     For example, a resilient rubber or similar material, such as ABSORBATHANE, which will compress under the weight of the user against the support surface during movement and/or landing on the support surface, and will absorb impact and contact forces when the device contacts the ground are suitable for this purpose. 
     In addition, the raised ends  20  can be formed with a plurality of relief channels  25  between the first side used for mounting and the distal side opposite and communicating through the ends  20 . This construction essentially configures the raised ends  20  to be more suitably adapted for slight or moderate compression and rebound characteristics when placed under the load of the user&#39;s weight. 
     Further, while shown communicating with a rear surface of the raised ends  20  opposite the contact surface  22 , the relief channels  25  can also be formed to communicate through the contact surface  22  of the raised end  20  of the projections  18 . With the channels  25  communicating to the contact surface  22 , when the contact surface  22  is placed on a support surface, the channels  25  form somewhat of a suction cup enhancing resistance to sliding, which may be desirable in wet or slick surfaces. However, other embodiments envisioned by those skilled in the art, which serve the intended purpose of shock absorbency, may also be employed and are anticipated. 
     In addition, it is anticipated that the material selection of the projections  18  can be selected by the designer to provide means for slip resistance between the contact surfaces  22  of the device and the support surface. For example, the planar contact surfaces  22  curving around the projections  18  from the recessed channel  24  to the opposite end of the projection  18 , may be constructed with a contact layer using a friction enhancing material, such as a “sticky” or soft rubber or the like. 
     Forming the projections  18  in such a manner can be accomplished by a two shot injection molding process which imbeds a high coefficient of friction material in a layer forming the contact surfaces  22  extending around each of the projections  18 . Alternatively, the entire projection  18  can be formed of the friction enhanced material if deemed suitable by the manufacturer. However, other embodiments envisioned by those skilled in the art which serve the intended purpose of reducing slip may also be employed, and are anticipated. 
       FIGS. 8-9  show still another mode of the device  10  including a upper component  30  which is rotatably engaged to one end of the body  12  of the device  10 . The upper component  30  preferably employs a rotational or pivoting engagement such as with a hinge  32  or other suitable rotational engagement means. When worn, the upper component  30  is adapted to contact the user&#39;s thigh, just above the knee, and is intended to provide support and shielding protection to the user&#39;s thigh when the user is working on their knees. 
     When working with various tools and hardware in a knee supported as-worn position, the user&#39;s work space is conventionally directly in an arc in front of the user and the thigh is conventionally exposed. Thus, the engagement of the upper component  30  to cover the thigh of the user will define a protective barrier and will further ensure the user&#39;s safety as needed. The rotatable engagement at the hinge  32  will allow the upper component  30  to articulate with the user&#39;s knee for walking, leaning, and other natural movements. 
     Additional utility is provided through the employment of a sealing strap  35  which is configured to engage at or near an upper terminating edge  33  of the upper component  30 . In the as-used mode, the sealing strap  35  communicates over the upper terminating edge  33  of the upper component  30  to provide a sealed engagement of the upper component  30  against the user&#39;s thigh. This provides a means for prevention of the entry of sparks or slag in-between the upper component  30  and thigh during welding, or other debris from lodging between the upper component  30  and the user&#39;s thigh and is a vast improvement over prior art. 
     The upper component  30  and body  12  of the device  10  are preferably in a biased engagement against the knee and thigh of the user, via one or a plurality of engagement straps  34 . The connection of the straps  34  to the body  12  and upper component  30  can be provided by operative strap slots  17 , or through employment of a removable fastener  36  adapted to rotationally engage within the strap slots  17 . The fastener  36  may include a tongue portion  38  which can be rotationally engaged into mating locking apertures  15  disposed on the side of the body  12  and upper component  30 . However, those skilled in the art may envision any mating fastener configuration or other means for removable engagement for the intended purpose, and all such means for fastening are anticipated. 
     In  FIG. 10  is shown a particularly preferred kit mode  40  of the device  10 . In this kit  40 , the body  12  is configured with means for removable engagement of the stabilizing projections  18  and the pad component  28  as needed to facilitate replacement after they become worn and unusable. As such, the kit  40  preferably includes at least one body  12 , one or a plurality of removably engageable pad components  28 , one or a plurality of sets of removably engageable stabilizing projections  18 , at least one upper component  30 , one or a plurality of straps  34 , and one or a plurality of strap fasteners  36 . The plurality of sets of the stabilizing projections  18  and pad components  28  provided in the kit  40  may be formed of different durometer or hardness materials which provide different friction enhancing and shock absorbency characteristics, and comfort level, respectively, for selective engagement by the user as deemed suitable for the intended purpose. In addition, the dimensions of the projections  18 , especially the distance of the channel  24  between adjacent raised ends  20 , can be varied to allow the user to select the desired configuration, which achieves a contact footprint area which is customizable to their needs. 
     Those skilled in the art may envision modifications to the kit  40  which may include different suitable combinations of the various components of the invention, and are anticipated. For example, a kit may be provided having only a plurality of different sets of projections  18  which can be provided, separately from the body  12 , as needed for replacement. 
     Shown in  FIG. 11 , is the device  10  herein with the body  12  and upper component  30  rotationally engaged about a pivot or hinge pin  32  as in  FIGS. 8-9 , showing the projections  18  positioned on a projection body  19 . As noted above, in this mode of the device  10 , the plurality of projections  18  may be formed by a single unit or unitary structure where the projection body  19  has a plurality of projections  18  having channels  24  recessed between opposing raised ends  20 . The projection body  19  is preferably formed with connectors to removably engage with the body  12  to allow easy replacement of the projections  18  by replacement of the projection body  19  in a single unit. 
     In  FIG. 12  is depicted the device  10  showing tab apertures  42  formed into the body  12  and communicating therethrough with the exterior surface  16  of the body  12 . These tab apertures  42  are configured to removable engage with tabs  44  shown in  FIGS. 13-16  which extend to distal ends of the tabs  44  from first ends engaged with the projection body  19 . As shown, a plurality of tabs  44  extending from each projection body  19 , are positioned to engage respective tab apertures  42  formed into the body  12  of the device  10 , and thereby engage the projection body  19  such as in  FIGS. 13-16  to the body  12  of the device  10 . 
     The connection of the tabs  44  with respective tab apertures  42  thereby forms a plurality of individual removably engageable connectors to hold the projection body  19  such as in  FIGS. 13-16 , secure on the exterior surface  16  of the body  12  of the device  10 . Of course other removable engageable connectors may be employed for example hook and loop fabric, adhesive, screws, bolts, or other removable engageable connectors as would occur to those skilled in the art such as those fasteners found in the GRANGER catalog. 
       FIGS. 13-14  show views of the projection body  19  such as that engaged to the body  12  in  FIG. 11 , showing the plurality of projections  18  having raised ends  20  on opposite sides of a respective recessed channel  24 . As noted, the projections  18  are formed in a unitary structure with the projection body  19  and have recessed channels  24  located in-between raised ends  20  which have contact surfaces  22  thereon. Formation in a unitary structure allows for quick replacement of all of the projections  18  when needed. 
     In  FIGS. 15-16  is depicted the projection body  19  having a channel  24  forming the recessed area which is surrounded on opposite sides thereof, by a plurality of projections  18  which in this mode are formed by aligned raised portions  23  radially positioned around the channel  24 . The aligned raised portions  23  form a plurality of projections  18  on opposite sides of the channel  24 , which radially surround the channel  24 . This pattern has been found in experimentation to support the body  12  and the user engaged therewith, and prevent tipping of the body  12  in a direction aligned with the axis of the thigh of the user wearing the device  10  along with preventing roll and tipping to the opposing sides. 
       FIG. 17  depicts the device  10  of  FIG. 5 or 11-12  where the cavity  11  formed by the curved interior surface  14  of the body  12  to and along the side portions  21  is adapted to engage a pad component  28  similar to that of  FIGS. 5-6 , but where the pad component  28  is formed of foam material of dual density. A first density foam area  46  having a softer more compressible foam or other material is located in a central portion in-between opposing sidewalls  47  formed of a second density material which is harder or less compressible than that of the first density foam. 
     In experimentation, such was found to provide the user better stability and preventing leaning to the side by using the harder foam on opposing sides of the softer material, which helps pad the knees from contact against the body  12  when kneeling. Currently the softer first foam density is of a shore between 10-40 with a shore of substantially 25 being particularly preferred. The second foam density is between 30 to 60 shore, with a shore of substantially 45 being particularly preferred. By substantially is meant plus or minus 5 shore. 
     In  FIG. 18  is shown a rear view of the pad component  28  of  FIG. 17 , showing the curved interior surface  37  of the pad component  28 . As can be seen and as described above with regard to the pad component  28  of  FIGS. 5-6 , vent apertures  31  communicate through the body of the pad component  28  which vent channels  29  showing in  FIG. 17  which depend into the exterior surface  27  of the pad component  28 . The vent apertures  31  allow air passage through the pad component  28  and to the interior surface  37  and knee therein. The vent channels  29  are preferred because they provide a passage for air to communicate to the vent apertures  31  through the open ends  50  of the recessed channels  24  which in experimentation was found to significantly increase the flow of air through the vent apertures  31  to help cool the knee of the user, from a design which simply had the vent apertures  31  without the vent channels  29 . 
     This invention has other applications, potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The explication of the features of this invention does not limit the claims of this application; other applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention. 
     It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. 
     While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.