Abstract:
A compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing is provided. Also provided is an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Starting in 2010, leading obstacle course race (OCR) organizers held the first ever OCR events in the United States. At that time courses were laid out with light to moderate physical challenges such as climbing over small walls, crawling through tunnels, and carrying buckets filled with stone. The general recommendations issued for race day were to wear clothes and sneakers one could throw away and a new set of clothes and shoes to put on afterwards as races typically include significant amounts of contact with mud and dirt. The use of protective gear was frowned upon by fellow racers as a sign of weakness, nor was it really needed in these early race courses. Numerous OCR events were held without injury to racers. 
         [0002]    Over time a notable trend occurred—obstacle course race challenges became much more dangerous. The human spirit is always pushing its limits and wanting to overcome bigger challenges. OCR organizers took notice of the desires of participants for harder challenges and raised the bar of difficulty each year. Presently, this young sport is taking the world by storm and championships are now held worldwide. It is now the norm to see competitors climbing ropes 20 feet high, scaling cliff-side rocky terrain, traversing ropes across bodies of water, crawling under barbed wire and even leaping over tractor dug trenches or stacks of wood on fire. Many events take place at ski resorts year round testing the endurance of each racer by breaking down the body through extended, rugged and elevated distances. This has made current race courses significantly more dangerous and caused numerous injuries amongst participants as well as increasing their level of fatigue—itself a cause of injury due to participant error and physiological conditions. 
         [0003]    Obstacle Course Races can average anywhere from 3.5 to 13.5 miles. Since many courses are laid out through woods and mountains, it is difficult to provide nutrients throughout the event, forcing racer to carry their own supplies. Often, due to the difficulty of the course, energy foods such as energy gel packs carried in the pockets of racers fall out during the race. 
         [0004]    Currently, there is no product dedicated specifically to protecting the OCR participant against such injuries and fatigue. What is needed is a protective product dedicated specifically to protecting the OCR participant against light injury and fatigue without hampering their ability to race competitively. The new “Padded Limb Compression Sleeve” from Obstacle Guard can now assist OCR participants to compete at the top of their game by filling this unmet need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In general, the foregoing and other objects are achieved with the invention as follows: 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the invention is in a compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention is in an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of an arm sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of an arm sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a leg sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a rear view of a leg sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention is directed, inter alia, to provision of a protective, fatigue reducing racing garment for obstacle course racing where mobility is not adversely impacted. When worn, the protective, fatigue reducing racing garment prevents injury to areas of the limbs and reduces fatigue during racing. A further central feature of the invention is the provision for energy supplement storage. 
         [0013]    By way of overview, in a protective, fatigue reducing racing garment of the invention there is (i) a compression shell, (ii) padding and (iii) an energy storage system. Generally speaking, the compression shell is formed of an elastic material. The padding is formed of a suitably flexible but still protective material capable of absorbing impacts. the energy storage system comprises a compartment located on the compression shell within easy hand reach of a running individual. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment of the present invention, an arm unit  100  has an arm compression shell  101  which encases a human arm, preferably from the bicep to the wrist, covering the wrist bone (or just above the wrist). Arm compression shell  101  has two openings, a hand opening  102  and an upper arm opening  103 . Hand opening  102  and upper arm opening  103  are configured to form a water tight seal around the arm of the wearer. Such water tight seal is preferably accomplished by two tight elastic closures  104 , one located at each of hand opening  102  and upper arm opening  103 . Preferably, the arm compression shell  101  is made of an elastic fabric material with a weight of 200 gsm (grams per square meter). Suitable fabrics include LYCRA® and TACTEL®, CORDURA® and preferably a fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester. Most preferably fabrics having UV blocking properties, air permeability and water wicking ability are selected, for example the previously mentioned fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester with water wicking ability. For example, fabrics which remove moisture via capillary action may be used, examples of which include polyester, polyethylene, and microfiber-based fabrics. 
         [0015]    The arm unit  100  has strategically placed padding zones  105  covering the elbow  105 A and forearm  105 B. The padding may be any suitable lightweight padding, preferably EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam of 10 mm thickness is used though other suitable padding materials are EPE (expanded polyethylene) foam, neoprene or silicone gel padding or even a hard shell PVC. EVA foam is preferred because its density and tear strength values stand at five or more times that of EPE foam. EVA foam is also preferred as more resilient than EPE, with the former&#39;s tensile strength exceeding that of the latter by as much as several orders of magnitude. The elbow padding zone  105 A and forearm padding zone  105 B are preferably not solid regions, but is instead divided into a series of shaped pads so as to maximize flexibility while retaining protection of the covered region. Most preferably elbow padding zone  105 A is composed of 13 pads with the largest pad at the upper end of the elbow joint and a roughly rectangular pad covering the point of the elbow. The spacing between the pads is arranged such that the joint is easily flexed, with the arrangement of pads preferably spanning 100.6 mm in length and 85.6 mm in width at the largest spans. Most preferably the pads form a series of trapezoids, triangles and polygonal shapes arranged as in  FIG. 1 , preferably having rounded edges. Similarly, the forearm padding zone is broken into a series of pads, most preferably  5  substantially rectangular pads so as to allow for rotation of the forearm while retaining padding over the forearm and maintaining a snug fit of the arm unit (e.g. the forearm does not rotate within the garment, instead the garment rotates with the forearm). 
         [0016]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment of the present invention, elbow padding zone  105 A includes 13 pads,  105 A. 1 - 105 A. 13  bounded by grooves allowing for rotation and bending of the elbow joint. Pad  105 A. 1  is trapezoidal, with sides measuring top side 6.5 cm, bottom side 3.5 cm, and right and left sides 3.0 cm and located in the upper middle of the padding zone  105 A such that it covers the upper portion of the elbow joint. Pad  105 A. 2  is rectangular, with side measuring 2.3 cm top and bottom and 2.0 cm left and right and located below pad  105 A. 1  such that it covers the point of the elbow joint. Pads  105 A. 3 - 5  are rectangular, with sides measuring 2.3 cm top and bottom and 0.6 cm left and right and located below pad  105 A. 2 . Along the left side of the middle run of pads  105 A. 1 - 105 A. 5  and below the left side of trapezoidal pad  105 A. 1  a series of 4 pads  105 A. 6 - 105 A. 9  are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the elbow joint. Pad  105 A. 6  is located adjacent to and below pad  105 A. 1 &#39;s left side and is parallelogram-like in shape with sides measuring 2.2 cm by 1.0 cm. Beneath pad  105 A. 6  is pad  105 A. 7  which is trapezoidal with sides measuring 2.2 cm by 2.2 cm by 2.0 cm by 0.4 cm. Beneath pad  105 A. 7  is a rectangular pad  105 A. 8  with sides measuring 2.0 cm by 0.5 cm. Beneath pad  105 A. 8  is a triangular pad  105 A. 9  with sides measuring 0.8 cm by 1.0 cm by 1.3 cm. Along the right of the middle run of pads  105 A. 1 - 105 A. 5  and below the right side of trapezoidal pad  105 A. 1  a series of 4 pads  105 A. 10 - 105 A. 13 , which match and are the mirror image of pads  105 A. 6 - 105 A. 9  are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the elbow joint. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1  again, forearm padding zone  105 B includes 5 substantially rectangular pads  105 B. 1 - 105 B. 5  bounded by grooves allowing for rotation of the forearm. Pads  105 B. 1 - 105 B. 5  measure 13.5 cm by 2.0 cm and are located upon the forearm starting above the wrist bone. Forearm padding zone  105 B preferably measures 133.4 mm by 47.6 mm at the largest spans. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in embodiments of the present invention, the arm unit  100  further includes a storage compartment  106 . Preferably storage compartment  106  is capable of being opened and closed repeatedly in muddy or dirty conditions. Therefore, most preferably the closure is an overlapping sewn in fold. Preferably the storage compartment  106  can store up to four energy gel packs and is located on the bicep to provide easy access while racing. Similarly, the leg unit  200  described below, may also have a storage compartment  106 , preferably located near the top of the leg unit  200  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0019]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment of the present invention, a leg unit  200  has an arm compression shell  201  which encases a human leg, preferably from the thigh to the ankle, covering the ankle bone (or just above the ankle bone). Leg compression shell  201  has two openings, a foot opening  202  and an upper leg opening  203 . Foot opening  202  and upper leg opening  203  are configured to form a water tight seal around the leg of the wearer. Such water tight seal is preferably accomplished by two tight elastic closures  204 , one located at each of foot opening  202  and upper leg opening  203 . Preferably, the leg compression shell  201  is made of an elastic fabric material with a weight of  200  gsm (grams per square meter). Suitable fabrics include LYCRA® and 
         [0020]    TACTEL®, CORDURA® and preferably a fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester. Most preferably fabrics having UV blocking properties, air permeability and water wicking ability are selected, for example the previously mentioned fabric having 8% spandex and 92% Polyester with water wicking ability. For example, fabrics which remove moisture via capillary action may be used, examples of which include polyester, polyethylene, and microfiber-based fabrics. 
         [0021]    The leg unit  200  has strategically placed padding zones  205  covering the knee  205 A and shin  205 B. The padding may be any suitable lightweight padding, preferably EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam of 10 mm thickness is used though other suitable padding materials are EPE (expanded polyethylene) foam, neoprene, or silicone gel padding or even a hard shell PVC. EVA foam is preferred because its density and tear strength values stand at five or more times that of EPE foam. EVA foam is also preferred as more resilient than EPE, with the former&#39;s tensile strength exceeding that of the latter by as much as several orders of magnitude. The knee padding zone  205 A and shin padding zone  105 B are preferably not solid regions, but is instead divided into a series of shaped pads so as to maximize flexibility while retaining protection of the covered region. Most preferably knee padding zone  205 A is composed of 11 pads with the largest pad at the upper end of the knee joint and a roughly V-shaped pad and series of rectangular pads covering the point of the knee and below. The spacing between the pads is arranged such that the joint is easily flexed, with the arrangement of pads preferably spanning 164.2 mm in maximal length and 118.9 mm in maximal width. Most preferably the pads form a series of trapezoids, triangles and polygonal shapes arranged as in  FIG. 1 , preferably having rounded edges. Similarly, the shin padding zone is broken into a series of pads, most preferably 5 substantially rectangular pads so as to allow for flexing of the shin area muscles and bones while retaining padding over the shin and maintaining a snug fit of the leg unit. 
         [0022]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment of the present invention, knee padding zone  205 A includes 11 pads,  205 A. 1 - 205 A. 11  bounded by grooves allowing for rotation and bending of the knee joint. Pad  205 A. 1  is trapezoidal, with sides measuring top side 9.5 cm, bottom side 4.4 cm, and right and left sides 4.5 cm and located in the upper middle of the padding zone  205 A such that it covers the upper portion of the knee joint. Pad  205 A. 2  is an 8 sided polygon made of a winged rectangle which tracks the bottom contours of pad  205 A. 1  and measures 10 cm across its maximum length and has a maximal width of 3.0 cm. Pads  205 A. 3 - 205 A. 5  lie below pad  205 A. 2 , are rectangular and measure 3.5 by 1.7 cm. The middle run of pads are flanked by on either side by 3 polygonal pads  205 A. 6 ,  205 A. 7 ,  205 A. 8 ,  205 A. 9 ,  205 A. 10  and  205 A. 11 . Pads  205 A. 7  and  205 A. 9  are 5 sided polygons with sides measuring 4.0 cm (located parallel to pad  205   a.   2 &#39;s bottom right/left edge), 3.0 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.8 cm and 1.4 cm. Pads  205 A. 7  and  205 A. 10  are substantially rectangular measuring 1.5 cm by 1.0 cm. Pads  205 A. 8  and  205 A. 11  are triangular with dimensions of 2.0 cm by 2.3 cm by 3.0 cm. All of which are located such that they allow for rotation and bending of the knee joint. 
         [0023]    The shin padding zone  205 B includes five pads  205 B. 1 - 205 B. 5  which are largely rectangular and bounded by grooves allowing for movement of the shins Pads  205 B. 1 - 205 B. 5  have maximal dimensions of 5.0 cm by 2.2 cm and are located upon the shin. 
         [0024]    Measurements of the aforementioned pads  105 A. 1 - 105 A. 13 ,  105 B. 1 - 105 B. 5 ,  205 A. 1 - 205 A. 11  and  205 B. 1 - 205 B. 5  are necessarily somewhat approximate as the pads have rounded edging and are deformed due to pressure applied by the fabric topping which sandwiches the pads to the sleeve. 
         [0025]    While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the aspects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.