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[0001] The instant invention relates generally to protective, cushioned, iron-on patches for articles of clothing; and, more specifically it relates to a protective clothing patch for the elbows, knees, shins, shoulder, buttocks, or the like.
[0002] Children need protection while running, rollerblading, skateboarding, riding bikes and scooters or when just plain playing and “rough-housing”. Gardeners often kneel or sit for long periods of time which can be painful on the knees or buttocks. Recreational sports enthusiasts of all ages are subject to scrapes and abrasions and are in need of proper protection for the vulnerable body parts. Many workmen also need protection for their knees while performing their jobs. Cushioned protection minimizes impact to the knees and bones.
[0003] The subject invention is a cushioned, iron-on clothing patch for the vulnerable body parts made with a more functional design. The tough, durable and feather-like, practical design, and targeted application assure that clothing remains versatile enough to wear for normal everyday use as well as for effective targeted protection.
[0004] Their are many existing pads and protective clothing to protect the knee area. U.S. Pat. No. 2,572,360, a pre-formed injury pad consisting of a flexible semi-cylindrical body section having a flexible quadrispherical end section. An inelastic fabric facing is attached only to the entire outer surface of the semi-cylindrical body section.
[0005] Shelby, James E. Illustrates a Knee Pad Attachment in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,322 the knee pad is for use on a supporting surface, and not attached to a person's knee, to provide support and cushioning to a person's knee. The pad has a lower region having a bottom for contacting the supporting surface, and a contoured upper region for contacting the front portion of the person's knee. The bottom has a frictional surface to resist sliding with respect to the supporting surface. Various properties of the upper region, relating to its contours and fitting with respect to the knee, are disclosed, particularly a concavity in the top of the pad. The concavity may be vacant. The top of the concavity may adjoin the top of the pad. The concavity may have a secondary inner concavity perimeter. The pad may have a plurality of outer perimeters, defining decreasing areas within the perimeters, from bottom to top of the pad.
[0006] The patent of Denman, Robert Z., a garment especially adapted for protecting the knees while gardening is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,666 A garment or pant specifically adapted for providing protection to a person's knees in a kneeling position while performing gardening or like chores, is disclosed. The garment has a pair of legs, and a pocket affixed to the exterior of each leg. A padded cushioning member is substantially fixedly held in each pocket. The pockets are affixed to the legs in such positions that the pockets and the cushioning member register in the appropriate positions, to provide a cushioning and insulating barrier between the wearer's knees and the ground when the wearer is in kneeling position.
[0007] Ritter, William H, has disclosed a Knee Protector in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,355 A knee protector covers the front of the knee, and extends rearwardly on both sides to protect against mechanical damage to the knee. The protector has foamed padding towards the leg for both comfort and mechanical protection, and a somewhat rigid outer shell to provide strength. For comfort as the leg is flexed, the front of the knee protector has a line about which the rigid shell can move, so that two sections of the shell are articulated, allowing movement in all directions. One side of the knee protector can be shortened to allow the use of a knee splint in conjunction with the knee protector.
[0008] Grimm, Thomas M., has disclosed a Knee Pad in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,570 A knee pad includes a base member which, when unassembled, is planar. A top member is operatively connected to the base member. In a preferred embodiment, the top member is also, when unassembled, planar. The base member has first and second points of attachment and; when unassembled, are at a first distance from each other. The top member has first and second points of attachment which, when unassembled, are also a first distance from each other. Provided are means for securing the top member to the base member at the points of attachment wherein, when assembled, the first and second points of attachment of the base member are at a second distance from each other. The second distance is less than the first distance wherein the base member forms a cupped region. Also provided is a means for attaching the base and top members to a user's knee.
[0009] Zeller, Marvin invented the Detachable Knee Pad as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 336,548. This is an ornamental design for a detachable knee pad, as shown and described.
[0010] The above-referenced prior art does not disclose any protective clothing pad in the form of a patch that can be adhered to a specific target area. There is a need for a permanent clothing protective clothing patch that provides cushioning protection which can be precisely placed by the user.
[0011] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a protective clothing patch that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a protective clothing patch that can be effectively used on elbows, knees, shins, shoulder, buttocks, or the like because of its targeted exact and precise placement. The protective clothing patch of the present invention is a feather-light cushioned patch for protection of the elbows, knees, shins, shoulders, buttocks or the like. The protective clothing patch has impact absorption properties targeted for at risk body parts.
[0012] The protective clothing patch provided is adhered by the user to the area of clothing which covers an area of high risk for impact with the ground or hard objects. The inner impact area is a cushion member of high-impact absorption material comprised of open cell polymer, parabolic in shape to contour to the shape of knees, elbows, shins, shoulder or buttocks. The outer sheath extends beyond the impact absorbing material by one inch to one and one-half inches ensuring a more than adequate tie-down surface for adhering to the clothing.
[0013] The ability to have exact placement of the patch onto the area of high risk for impact is very important. Many of the existing knee pads and protective gear do not allow targeted permanent placement. When a workman, child or gardener is required to carry around a temporary or removable pad or gear they tend to forget to use it or fail to use it as needed. Clothing that has preattached padding in a particular location does not give adequate protection as each individual is built differently. The padding may not necessarily line up with the elbow, knee, shin, shoulder or buttocks of each person in exactly the same way. The present invention due to its ability to be ironed on the exact target area determined by the user, provides a custom-made article of clothing with precision protection for the user's at risk body part.
[0014] The workers who use protective patches on an every day basis will tend to decrease injuries to target areas and therefore decrease sick days, injuries, workers compensation claims and accumulative long term damage which could lead to disability over the long term. The present invention provides an invaluable tool to employers. The workers will have a permanent protective patch on their clothing that protects the target areas.
[0015] Another object is to provide a protective clothing patch having a wide flat contact surface for a more even weight distribution to increase protection to a body part of a person. When kneeling on the floor or ground, or when falling during a sporting event, or sitting while gardening or working each target area is protected by the cushioned pad.
[0016] An additional object is to provide a protective clothing patch with adhesive to attach, in a target area, on a pair of pants, a shirt, sweatshirt, or the like clothing. An additional object is to provide the convenience of a protective clothing patch with adhesive to iron onto any area of the desired article of clothing (pants, shirt, jacket or uniform).
[0017] A further object is to provide a protective clothing patch that is simple and easy to use.
[0018] A still further object is to provide a protective clothing patch that is economical in cost to manufacture.
[0019] Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.
[0020] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
[0021] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
[0028] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
[0029] The cushion member
[0030]
[0031]
[0032] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.