Kneepad having an ergonomic notch

Abstract

A kneepad comprises a base, a rigid cap attached to the base, and a notch located on the base or rigid cap. The notch is configured to conform to a leg of the user to prevent the base and the rigid cap from changing position on the knee of the user during movement.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 527,851, filed Dec. 8, 2003, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] Historically, to prevent knee injuries during physical activity that requires being in a kneeling position, a user would wear a protective kneepad over the front of their knee. Traditional protective kneepads normally includes some type of rigid cap secured against the front of a knee by some type of strap that surrounds the knee and leg of the user. [0003] These traditional protective kneepads, however, suffer from a number of deficiencies. For example, protective kneepads are often designed for use when a user is in a kneeling position only. This creates problems when a user wearing a protective kneepad must often move from a kneeling position to a standing position while performing an activity. The const...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a kneepad may include a base, a rigid cap attached to the base, and a notch located on the base or rigid cap. The notch is configured to conform to a leg of the user to prevent the base and the rigid cap from changing position on the knee of the user during movement. More specifically, the notch is configured to prevent the shin or the thigh of the user from coming into contact with the rigid cap and to ease pressure on the knee while the user is standing.

Problems solved by technology

These traditional protective kneepads, however, suffer from a number of deficiencies.

This creates problems when a user wearing a protective kneepad must often move from a kneeling position to a standing position while performing an activity.

The constant movement from a kneeling position to a standing position typically causes the kneepad over the front of a knee to move out of position due to the shin or thigh of the user coming into contact with the rigid cap portion of the protective kneepad.

This movement of the protective kneepad causes discomfort to the user, and more seriously, increases the possibly of injury due to the fact that the protective kneepad may no longer protect the front of the knee.

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