Patent Publication Number: US-2021187379-A1

Title: Leg pad for a hockey goal tender

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Canadian patent application CA 3 065 971, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, and entitled “LEG PAD FOR A HOCKEY GOALTENDER”, the disclosure of which being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a protective hockey equipment, and more particularly to a leg pad for a hockey goaltender. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Leg pads or goalie pads are worn by hockey goalkeepers or hockey goaltenders to protect their legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/or to protect their legs when kneeling (e.g., dropping) onto a playing surface such as an ice playing surface. Improvements in such goalie leg pads are continuously sought, particularly in order to improve their comfort and the mobility of the goaltender. In particular, existing leg pads might not be fully satisfactory since they may not allow firm or tight engagement with the goaltender&#39;s leg while allowing easy, full and/or quick movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position (also known as a butterfly position). 
     In view of the above, there is a need for an improved leg pad for a hockey goaltender which would alleviate at least in part the deficiencies of existing leg pads for hockey goaltenders and seek to solve problems and drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, there is a need for a leg pad that allows, in use, tight engagement of the leg pad against the goaltender&#39;s leg while allowing quick movement of the goaltender&#39;s leg between a standing position to a knelt position. 
     SUMMARY 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, according to a broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; and a cuff member extending rearwardly from the inner side, the cuff member comprising an upper projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body toward the lateral portion of the pad body and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle. In use, the upper and lower projections and a portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the cuff member tightly maintains the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position. 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, according to another broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle; an upper attachment member extending from the upper projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the upper projection to the lateral cuff member; and a lower attachment member extending from the lower projection toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to connect the lower projection to the lateral cuff member. In use, the medial and lateral cuff members and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position. 
     As embodied and broadly described herein, according to another broad aspect, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goaltender having a leg with a knee, a shin, a calf and a foot with an ankle and a forefoot, the leg pad being wearable on the leg to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a pad body adapted to be positioned adjacent to a front part of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side of the leg pad, a medial portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a medial part of the leg, a lateral portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a lateral part of the leg, a bottom portion to be positioned adjacent the forefoot and an inner side adapted to at least partially face the shin; a cuff member comprising: a medial cuff member extending rearwardly from a medial portion of the inner side and a lateral cuff member extending rearwardly from a lateral portion of the inner side, the medial cuff member comprising an upper projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf slightly below the knee and a lower projection extending toward the lateral cuff member and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf slightly above the ankle. In use, the medial and lateral cuff members, the upper and lower projections and a bottom portion of the inner side define a longitudinal channel in which the calf is at least partially received, wherein the upper and lower projections at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members tightly maintain the leg within the channel while allowing movement of the leg between a standing position and a knelt position, and wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat surface extending from the medial portion to the lateral portion. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided herein below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a hockey goaltender wearing left and right leg pads in accordance with an embodiment, the hockey goaltender being in a knelt or butterfly position; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a left leg pad in accordance with an embodiment, the leg pad comprising medial and lateral protective panels in an assembled configuration and a cuff member in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the leg pad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing the medial and lateral protective panels and the cuff member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing the cuff member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing an inner face of a medial cuff member of the cuff member of  FIG. 2 , the cuff member being in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary rear view showing an outer face of the medial cuff member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view showing an outer face of a lateral cuff member of the cuff member of  FIG. 2 , the cuff member being in the open configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmentary rear view showing the outer face of the lateral cuff member of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show front and side views of a goaltender&#39;s left leg. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Before any variants, examples or preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other variants or embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional suitable items. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. 
     Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Similarly, the words “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear” designate locations or positions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. 
     To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the term “about”. It is understood that whether the term “about” is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to an actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a leg pad  100  for a hockey goaltender having a leg  10 , the leg pad  100  being wearable on the leg  10  of the hockey goaltender to protect the leg  10 . 
     The leg pads  100  are worn on the hockey goaltender&#39;s legs  10  while playing hockey to protect the legs  10  against an impact from a puck, ball, hockey stick or other object and/or to protect the legs  10  when the goaltender kneels toward and against a playing surface. A type of hockey played may be ice hockey such that the leg pads  100  are ice hockey goaltender leg pads, the hockey goaltender is an ice hockey goaltender, and the playing surface  10  is an ice playing surface. The leg pad  100  is also known as a “goalie pad”, a “goalkeeper&#39;s pad” or a “goaltender&#39;s pad” such as those worn by an ice hockey goaltender. 
     The hockey goaltender leg pad  100  (also hereinafter referred to as “leg pad  100 ”) can have different sizes and shapes and is adapted to at least partially cover the leg  10 . 
     The leg pads  100  protect various regions of the legs  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , which each shows a left leg of the goaltender, the leg  10  comprises an upper leg  12  (or thigh  12 ), a knee  14 , a lower leg  16 , and a foot  13  with an ankle  15  and a forefoot  18 . The upper leg  12  is above the knee  14 , while the lower leg  16  is below the knee  14  and above the foot  13 . The lower leg  16  comprises a shin  17  and a calf  19 . The leg  10  has a front  20 , a back  22 , a medial side  24  (sometimes referred to as an “inner side”), and a lateral side  26  (sometimes referred to as an “outer side”). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the leg pad  100  is adapted to be worn on the left leg  10 . A corresponding leg pad can be worn on the right goaltender&#39;s leg. Although the leg pad  100  is shown and described herein as a hockey goaltender&#39;s pad, it is understood that other embodiments of the leg pad  100  may be used for ice hockey, field hockey and other sports. 
     The leg pad  100  extends along a substantially longitudinal axis L (or longitudinal direction L) between two opposite ends  102 ,  104  (or upper and lower ends  102 ,  104 ). When the leg pad  100  is worn by the goaltender in a standing position, it is understood that the leg pad  100  extends along the longitudinal axis L (i.e. vertical longitudinal axis) between the thigh  12  (upper leg  12 ) and the foot  13  of the goaltender such that the leg pad  100  at least partially covers the leg  10 . 
     The leg pad  100  comprises a pad body  200  adapted to be positioned adjacent to the front part  20  of the leg, the pad body comprising an outer side  202  of the leg pad  100 , a medial portion  210  adapted to be positioned adjacent to the medial part  24  of the leg  10 , a lateral portion  220  adapted to be positioned adjacent to the lateral part  26  of the leg  10 , a bottom portion  201  to be positioned adjacent the forefoot  18  and an inner side  230  adapted to at least partially face the shin  17 . In the following description, it is understood that the upper end  102 , the lower end  104 , the medial portion  210 , the lateral portion  220 , the bottom portion  201 , the inner side  230 , and the outer side  202  are part of the pad body  200  and/or of the leg pad  100 . It is understood that the inner side  230  may be entirely or partially covered by an inner liner that is suitable for contacting the leg and that the outer side may be entirely or partially covered by a material that is suitable for contacting the ice surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the leg pad  100  also comprises a cuff member  300  extending rearwardly from the inner side  230 , the cuff member  300  comprising an upper projection extending from the medial portion of the pad body  200  toward the lateral portion  220  of the pad body  200  and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf  19  slightly below the knee  14 , and a lower projection extending from the medial portion  210  of the pad body  200  toward the lateral portion  220  of the pad body  200  and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf  19  slightly above the ankle  15 . 
     It is understood that the cuff member  300  may comprise a first (medial) cuff member  310  extending rearwardly from a medial portion  232  of the inner side  230  and the cuff member  300  may comprise a second (lateral) cuff member  320  extending rearwardly from a lateral portion  234  of the inner side  230 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the medial cuff member  310  comprises an upper projection  312  extending toward the lateral cuff member  320  and being adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the calf  19  slightly below the knee  14 , and a lower projection  314  extending toward the lateral cuff member  320  and being adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the calf  19  slightly above the ankle  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 9 , the cuff member  300  also comprises an upper attachment member  330  extending from the upper projection  312  toward the lateral cuff member  320  and being adapted to connect the upper projection  312  to the lateral cuff member  320 ; and a lower attachment member  340  extending from the lower projection  314  toward the lateral cuff member  320  and being adapted to connect the lower projection  314  to the lateral cuff member  320 . 
     In use, i.e. when the leg pad  100  is worn by the goaltender, when the leg pad  100  is at least partially attached to, or connected to, or engaged with the leg  10 , and when the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  are in a closed configuration, as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  and a portion of the inner side  230  define together a longitudinal channel  400 , a longitudinal leg-receiving channel  400  or a longitudinal calf-surrounding channel  400  extending substantially along the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad  100  and being adapted to at least partially receive the calf  19 , wherein the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  at least partially surround the respective upper and lower parts of the calf  19  and wherein the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  tightly maintain the leg  10  within the channel  400  while allowing movement of the leg  10  between a standing position and a knelt position. 
     It is understood that the knelt position or the butterfly position is a position of the goaltender wherein the outer side  202  of the pad body  200  (or pad outer shell  200 ) at least partially contacts a ground or ice surface and wherein the leg pad  100  extends along a substantially horizontal direction (see for instance  FIG. 1 ). 
     It is thus understood that the leg pad  100  is particularly adapted to allow the goaltender to use the butterfly technique, which usually refers to a technique of goaltending distinguished by the goaltender guarding the lower part of the net by dropping to the knees to block shoots toward the net. In other words, the leg pad is configured to easily allow the goaltender to go from the standing position in which the leg pad  100  extends along a substantially vertical direction to the knelt position in which the leg pad  100  extends along a substantially horizontal direction wherein the leg pad  100  at least partially contacts the ice surface. 
     The cuff member  300  is adapted to be in an open configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , wherein the medial cuff member  310  and the lateral cuff member  320  are spaced apart from each other for the leg pad  100  to be engaged with the leg  10  of the goaltender. 
     It is understood that the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  of the cuff member  300  are shaped and dimensioned, when the cuff member  300  is in the closed configuration, to tightly maintain the leg  100  within the channel  400  (or leg-receiving channel  400 ), while allowing pivotable movement of the leg  10  within the channel  400 . In other words, the cuff member  300  is shaped and dimensioned to tightly fit to the leg  100  of the goaltender while allowing certain amount of freedom and/or rotation of the leg  100 —in particular movement and/or rotation of the ankle of the leg—within the leg-receiving channel  400  at least partially delimited by the cuff member  300  and the pad body  200 . In other words, the leg pad  100  is shaped and dimensioned to snugly fit to the leg  10  of the goaltender (and more particularly to the lower leg  16  thereof) while allowing freedom of (pivotable) movement of the leg  10  between the standing position and the knelt position. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the medial cuff member  310  has an inner face  350 , considered with respect to the leg-receiving channel  400  at least partially defined thereby when the cuff member  300  is configured into the closed configuration. The medial cuff member  310  also has an opposed outer face  352 . 
     The medial cuff member  310  comprises a medial side portion  354  extending rearwardly from the medial portion  232  of the inner side  230 . The upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  extend from the medial side portion  354 . In other words, in the embodiment shown, the medial cuff member  310  has a substantially C-shape but other shapes could also be conceived. 
     The medial side portion  354  comprises a bottom edge  355  and an upper edge  357  forming respectively medial bottom and upper edges of the leg-receiving channel  400 . The medial side portion  354  extends along the leg-receiving channel  400  between the bottom and upper edges  355 ,  357  along a medial longitudinal distance L 1 . The medial side portion  354  and the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  are shaped and dimensioned to at least partially cover the calf  19 . 
     The lower projection  314  comprises the bottom edge  355  and the upper projection  312  comprises the upper edge  357  (i.e. bottom edges of the lower projection and of the medial side portion substantially form together a continuity and so do upper edges of the upper projection and of the medial side portion) but it could also be conceived a medial cuff member comprising an upper projection and/or a lower projection that would comprise respectively a upper edge and a bottom edge that would form a discontinuity with the upper edge and the bottom edge of the medial side portion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the medial longitudinal distance L 1  of the cuff member  300  is comprised between about 10 cm and about 40 cm. In another embodiment, the medial longitudinal distance L 1  is comprised between about 15 cm and about 35 cm. In another embodiment, the medial longitudinal distance L 1  is comprised between about 22 cm and about 27 cm. 
     The medial side portion  354  and the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  extend along a medial transversal distance T 1  such that the medial side portion  354  and the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  at least partially cover the calf. 
     The medial transversal distance T 1  is defined between a free end of at least one of the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  and a securing end  359  of the medial side portion  354  (i.e. a junction between the medial side portion  354  and the inner side  230 , i.e. the end of the medial side portion  354  secured—for instance sewn—to the inner side  230 ). In the embodiment shown, the upper and lower projections  312 ,  314  have substantially identical dimensions considered in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad  100 , but it could also be conceived a medial cuff member with upper and lower projections having different dimensions and/or shapes. 
     The medial transversal distance T 1  is comprised between about 5 cm and about 25 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T 1  is comprised between about 10 cm and about 22 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T 1  is comprised between about 15 cm and about 20 cm. In another embodiment, the medial transversal distance T 1  is comprised between about 17 cm and about 20 cm. 
     The medial side portion  354  comprises a longitudinal pad  361  extending from the bottom edge  355  to the upper edge  357 . 
     The longitudinal pad  361  comprises a plurality of protection blocks  363  (three, in the embodiment shown, for instance at least partially made in a material having rigidity properties and/or in a yieldable and force-absorbing material), extending from the bottom edge  355  to the upper edge  357  and slightly pivotable with respect to each other. In other words, in the embodiment shown, the longitudinal pad  361  comprises longitudinal flexing zone  365  (two, in the embodiment shown) extending from the bottom edge  355  to the upper edge  357 , for instance between adjacent protection blocks  363 . The longitudinal pad  361  is thus shaped and dimensioned to better fit the calf  19  of the goaltender when the cuff member  300  is in the closed configuration (i.e. for the leg-receiving channel  400  to have a substantially tubular shape). 
     The medial side portion  354  comprises upper and lower strips  370 ,  372  of VELCRO™ female loops extending transversely, for instance along substantially an entirety of a width of the medial side portion  354 . 
     The upper attachment member  330  comprises an upper inner strap  332  (considered with respect to the leg-receiving channel  400  when the cuff member  300  is in the closed configuration). The upper inner strap  332  extends from the upper projection  312  and comprises an upper strip of VELCRO™ male loops  334 . Similarly, the lower attachment member  340  comprises a lower inner strap  342  extending from the lower projection  314 . The lower inner strap  342  comprises a lower strip of VELCRO™ male loops  344 . It is understood that the VELCRO™ female loops and male loops could be arranged in a reversed order (i.e. male loops on the medial side portion and female loops on the upper and lower attachment members). 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4, 8 and 9 , the lateral cuff member  320  comprises upper and lower rings  322 ,  324 , for instance secured (for instance sewn) to an outer face  380  of the lateral cuff member  320 , or at a junction between the lateral cuff member  320  and the inner side  230 . The upper and lower rings  322 ,  324  are shaped and dimensioned so that the upper and lower inner straps  332 ,  342  of the upper and lower attachment members  330 ,  340  pass in the respective upper and lower rings  322 ,  324  and for the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops  344 ,  344  to engage the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops  370 ,  372  for affixing the cuff member  300  to the leg  10 , when the cuff member  300  is configured into the closed configuration (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The upper and lower attachment members  330 ,  340  may be at least partially made of an elastic and/or resilient material for the upper and lower attachment members  330 ,  340  to be stretchable in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axis (i.e. in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal direction L of the leg pad  100 ) so as to increase a length of the upper and lower attachment members  330 ,  340  and to strongly affix the cuff member  300  to the leg  10 . 
     It is understood that the shape, the configuration, and the location of the medial cuff member can vary from the embodiment shown, as well as the shape and the configuration of the upper and lower projections, the upper and lower attachment members and the medial side portion. For instance, any other fastening means could be conceived to affix the cuff member to the leg, when the cuff member is configured into the closed configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 8 and 9 , the lateral cuff member  320  comprises an inner face  382 , the opposed outer face  380 , and bottom and upper edges  384 ,  386  forming respectively lateral bottom and upper edges of the leg-receiving channel  400 . The lateral cuff member  320  is shaped and dimensioned to at least partially cover the calf  19 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the lateral cuff member  320  extends along the leg-receiving channel  400  between the bottom and upper edges  384 ,  386  along a lateral longitudinal distance L 2 . The lateral longitudinal distance L 2  of the cuff member  300  is comprised between about 10 cm and about 30 cm. In some other embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is comprised between about 15 cm and about 25 cm. in some other embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is comprised between about 20 cm and about 24 cm. 
     The lateral cuff member  320  extends along a lateral transversal distance T 2  such that the lateral cuff member  320  at least partially covers the calf  19 . In the embodiment shown, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is defined between a free end of the lateral cuff member  320  and a securing end  321  of the lateral cuff member  320  (i.e. the junction between the lateral cuff member  320  and the inner side  230 , i.e. the end of the lateral cuff member  320  secured, for instance by being sewn, to the inner side  230 ). 
     The lateral transversal distance T 2  is comprised between about 3 cm and about 15 cm. In some other embodiment, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is comprised between about 5 cm and about 10 cm. In some other embodiment, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is comprised between about 6 cm and about 8 cm. 
     For instance, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is smaller than the medial transversal distance T 1 . In some embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is smaller than about 90% of the medial transversal distance T 1 . In some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is smaller than about 70% of the medial transversal distance T 1 . In some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is smaller than about 50% of the medial transversal distance T 1 . In yet some other embodiments, the lateral transversal distance T 2  is smaller than about 40% of the medial transversal distance T 1 . 
     For instance, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is smaller than the medial longitudinal distance L 1 . In some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is smaller than about 95% of the medial longitudinal distance L 1 . In some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is smaller than about 90% of the medial longitudinal distance L 1 . In yet some embodiments, the lateral longitudinal distance L 2  is smaller than about 85% of the medial longitudinal distance L 1 . 
     In best shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper and lower rings  322 ,  324  are secured to the junction between the lateral cuff member  320  and the inner side  230  via upper and lower ring-securing portions  323 ,  325  extending along at least a portion of a width of the lateral cuff member  320  and facing the outer surface  380  of the lateral cuff member  320 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the lateral cuff member  320  comprises a longitudinal flexing zone  327  extending from the bottom edge  384  to the upper edge  386 . The lateral cuff member  320  is thus shaped and dimensioned to better fit the calf  19  of the goaltender when the cuff member  300  is in the closed configuration (i.e. for the leg-receiving channel  400  to have a substantially tubular shape). 
     It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, and the location of the lateral cuff member can vary from the embodiment shown, as well as the shape, the configuration and the location of the upper and lower rings. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom portion  321  of the inner side  320  at least partially delimiting the longitudinal channel  400  comprises a flat surface  331  extending from the medial portion  210  toward the lateral portion  220 . In the embodiment shown, the flat surface  331  extends proximate the medial cuff member  310 , and more particularly proximate the medial side portion  354  thereof. The flat surface  331  is shaped and dimensioned not to prevent the rotation of the calf within the longitudinal channel  400  when the goaltender the goaltender goes from the standing position to the knelt position. In other words, there is no protuberance or projection on the medial portion of the bottom portion  201  for allowing and/or facilitating movement and/or rotation of the leg (for instance the movement and/or the rotation of the foot  13 , for instance of the ankle  15  thereof) when the goalie moves to butterfly position. In other words, there is not protuberance or projection on the bottom portion  201  that would abut the medial side of the leg (for instance the foot, for instance the ankle thereof) when the goalie moves to butterfly position. In the embodiment shown, the flat surface  331  extends up to a protuberance  333  (or projection  333 , or convexity  333 ) (i.e. a curved surface  333  toward the longitudinal channel  400 ) adapted to contact the lateral side of the foot and/or of a skate worn by the goaltender. In the embodiment shown, the protuberance  333  is proximate the lateral cuff member  320 . 
     It is understood that the pad body  200  (or pad outer shell  200 , or protection body  200 ) is adapted to protect the anterior (front) side  20  of the leg  10 . 
     For instance, the pad body  200  has a substantially rectangular shape extending between the two ends  102 ,  104  along the longitudinal direction L. When the pad body  200  is mounted onto the leg  10 , in particular via the cuff member  300 , the pad body  200  generally extends between the foot  13  and a portion of the thigh  12  (or upper leg  12 ) of the player. In an alternate embodiment, the pad body  200  might have another length. The outer side  202  of the pad body  200  is configured to shield the leg  10  from the hazards and the inner surface  230  (or inner side  230 ) is shaped to receive at least a portion of the leg  10 . Protective padding fills the space between the inner side  230  and the outer side  202 . The lateral portion  220  of the pad body  200  corresponds substantially to the lateral side  26  of the leg  10 , while the medial portion  210  thereof corresponds substantially to the medial side  24  of the leg  10 . 
     It is understood that the shape, the configuration and the dimensions of the pad body  200  can vary from the embodiment shown. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the leg pad  100  comprises a medial protective panel  500  extending rearwardly from the inner side  230  of the pad body  200 . The medial protective panel  500  extends along a medial side of the calf  19  and is adapted to at least partially cover the medial side of the calf  19 . The medial protective panel  500  comprises inner and outer lateral panel members  501 ,  503  extending along the medial side of the calf  19  and rearwardly from the inner side  230 . 
     The leg pad  100  further comprises a lateral protective panel  510  extending rearwardly from the inner side  230 , the lateral protective panel  510  extending along a lateral side of the calf  19  and is adapted to at least partially cover the lateral side of the calf  19 . In other words, the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  are shaped and dimensioned to protect at least partially the lateral and medial sides  24 ,  26  of the leg  10  as well as a portion of the back  22  of the leg  10 . 
     The medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  are configurable into an assembled configuration, in which they are at least partially assembled to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 2 to 3  and define together an outer channel  520  containing at least partially the leg-receiving channel  400  defined at least partially by the cuff member  300 . In other words, and as best shown in  FIG. 3 , considered in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal axis L of the leg pad  100 , the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  extend between the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  (i.e. extends at least partially within the outer channel  520 ). 
     The leg pad  100  comprises an outer strap  521 , for instance extending between the inner and outer lateral panel members  501 ,  503 , for affixing the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  to the leg  10  (at least the inner lateral panel member  501  and the lateral protective panel  510 , in the embodiment shown), when the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  are configured into the assembled configuration. 
     For instance, the outer strap  521  comprises a strip  522  of VELCRO™ female loops and a strip  524  of VELCRO™ male loops, the outer strap  521  being engageable into a fastening ring  526  extending rearwardly from the lateral portion of the inner side  230  and the strips  522 ,  524  being engageable with each other for affixing the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  in the assembled configuration. 
     The medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  are also configurable into a spaced-apart configuration, as represented in  FIG. 5 , wherein the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  are spaced-apart from each other in order to allow access to the cuff member  300 , to engage the leg  10  of the goaltender into the leg-receiving channel  400  and/or to remove the leg  10  therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the leg pad  100  further comprises a knee-protecting panel  530  extending rearwardly from the inner side  230  to extend along a medial side of the knee  14 . In the embodiment shown, the knee-protecting panel  530  extends above the medial protective panel  500 . The leg pad  100  might further comprise a knee-securing strap  540  to increase the safety of the affixing of the leg pad  100  to the leg  10 . 
     The medial protective panel  500 , the lateral protective panel  510  and the knee-protecting panel  530  can be made from any suitable material to shield the portions of the leg  10  from the hazards and also allow flexibility to accommodate movements of the goaltender. For example, the medial protective panel  500 , the lateral protective panel  510  and the knee-protecting panel  530  can be formed of a yieldable and force-absorbing material to allow the player to move while also shielding the leg  10 . 
     It is appreciated that the shape, the configuration, the number and the location of the medial protective panel, the lateral protective panel and the knee-protecting panel, in particular with respect to the pad body, can vary from the embodiment shown. Moreover, the shape, the configuration and the location of the outer strap and the knee-securing strap can also vary from the embodiment shown. 
     In use, the cuff member  300  is in the open configuration and the leg  10  is positioned between the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320 , the leg facing the inner side  230 . The method further comprises configuring the cuff member  300  into the closed configuration, for the leg to be arranged within the leg-receiving channel  400  at least partially delimited by the medial cuff member  310 , the lateral cuff member  320  and the portion  231  of the inner side  230 . The method further comprises releasably attaching the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  together with the upper and lower inner straps  332 ,  342  passing in the respective upper and lower rings  322 ,  324  and the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops  334 ,  344  engaging the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops  370 ,  372  for affixing the cuff member  300  to the leg  10 . The upper and lower inner straps  332 ,  342  thus pass in the respective upper and lower rings  322 ,  324  and the upper and lower strips lower strips  334 ,  344  of VELCRO™ male loops are affixed to the upper and lower strips  370 ,  372  of VELCRO™ female loops for affixing the cuff member to the leg. It is understood that the goaltender can achieve certain amount of tightness and flexibility by adjusting the tension of the upper and lower inner straps  332 ,  342  and/or the arrangement of the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops  334 ,  344  engaging the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops  370 ,  372 . 
     It could also be conceived a leg pad  100  wherein the upper and lower ring-securing portions  323 ,  325  would be releasably securable to the lateral cuff member  320 , for instance to the outer surface  380  thereof. The upper and lower ring-securing portions  323 ,  325  could be securable thereto via one of VELCRO™ male and female loops on an inner surface thereof cooperating with the other one of VELCRO™ male and female loops on the outer surface  380  of the lateral cuff member  320 . A user could thus easily detach the medial and lateral cuff members  310 ,  320  from each other without having to disengage the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops  334 ,  344  from the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops  370 ,  372  and without having to remove the upper and lower inner straps  332 ,  342  from the respective upper and lower rings  322 ,  324 . Moreover, once the user has determined an adequate engagement of the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ male loops  334 ,  344  with the upper and lower strips of VELCRO™ female loops  370 ,  372  to provide him an adequate tightening of the cuff member  300 , the releasable securing of the upper and lower ring-securing portions  323 ,  325  to the lateral cuff member  320  makes it possible not to modify the adequate tightening for further usages of the leg pad  100 . 
     The method further comprises configuring the medial and lateral protective panels  500 ,  510  into the assembled configuration and releasably attaching the medial and lateral protective panels together with the outer strap  521  being engaged into the fastening ring  526  and with the strips  522 ,  524  engaging with each other. 
     The above description of the variants, examples or embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed variants or embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described variants or embodiments may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to a skilled person in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that a skilled person in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed variants or embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a”, “an”, or “the”, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, including, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.