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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to joint protecting apparatus and more particularly, to a joint protector with light source means.
2. Description of the Related Art
When making a physical exercise in the open space, for example, running, jogging, climbing, etc., the knees receive much pressure from the body. Further, when playing a sports game, for example, a ball game, the knees may be injured accidentally. During recovery period, the injured knee may be protected with a knee protector, for example, a kneepad. A protector of this kind provides a certain protective effect, however it does not give a warning signal to other people not to touch the injured area.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a joint protector, which is equipped with a light source to show the presence of the joint protector.
To achieve this object of the present invention, the joint protector comprises a sleeve and a lighting unit. The sleeve is made of an elastic material, having a first opening and a second opening through which the sleeve is mountable on a limb of a person. The lighting unit is fastened to the outside wall of the sleeve, comprising a circuit board, at least one light emitting element, and a battery. The circuit board comprises a control circuit. The at least one light emitting element is respectively mounted on the circuit board and electrically connected to the control circuit. The battery is installed in the circuit board and electrically connected to the control circuit for providing electricity to the at least one light emitting element subject to the control of the control circuit.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a joint protector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the circuit board used in the joint protector according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the circuit board used in the joint protector according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the present invention, showing the joint protector fastened to the knee.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a joint protector 1 is shown comprising a sleeve 10 and a lighting unit 20.
The sleeve 10 is made of an elastic material, having a first opening 11 at one end, a second opening 12 at the other end, and a third opening 13 in the periphery through the inside and outside of the sleeve 10.
The lighting unit 20 is fastened to the sleeve 10, comprised of a circuit board 21, a shield 22, three light emitting elements 211, a control switch 212, and a battery 213.
The shield 22 is made of a flexible light-transmittable material, having a front wall 221, a back wall 222, an accommodating chamber 223, and a flange 224. The accommodating chamber 223 is formed on the inside of the shield 22 between the front wall 221 and the back wall 222. Further, an opening 225 is formed in the back wall 222 in communication with the accommodating chamber 223. The flange 224 extends outwards around the back wall 222 and bonded to the outside wall of the elastic sleeve 10 around the third opening 13 by glue. The front wall 221 is marked with a warning sign, for example, the sign of “DANGEROUS”.
The circuit board 21 is housed in the accommodating chamber 223, comprising a control circuit 214, a rack 215 disposed at the back side, and a battery chamber 216 defined in the rack 215. The battery 213 is inserted into the battery chamber 216 and electrically connected to the control circuit 214. When installed, the battery 213 is aimed at the third opening 13 so that the user can replace the battery 213 conveniently when battery power is low.
The three light emitting elements 211 are light emitting diodes mounted in the front side of the circuit board 21 and electrically connected to the control circuit 214. The control switch 212 is installed in the front side of the circuit board 21 and electrically connected to the control circuit 214. The control switch 212 can be a manual switch or vibration switch adapted to control the supply of battery power from the battery 213 to the light emitting elements 211. The control circuit 214 controls the lighting mode of the light emitting diodes 211, for example, controlling the light emitting elements 211 to flash in a proper order, or to flash at the same time.
FIG. 4 shows an application example of the present invention. The leg is inserted through the first opening 11 and second opening 12 of the elastic sleeve 10, enabling the elastic sleeve 10 to be secured to the knee. According to this embodiment, the control switch 212 is a mercury switch that switches on the circuit upon a vibration. When the user is moving, the control switch 212 is alternatively switched on and off, thereby causing the light emitting elements 211 to flash, thereby giving a warning signal to other people not to touch the user's injured knee so as to prevent a secondary injury.