Roofer's kneepads

US20090151039A1Inactive Publication Date: 2009-06-18VISIONARY TECH

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[0021]Referring to FIG. 1, roofer 1 is shown kneeling comfortably on inclined roof surface 3 using a pair of shin wedges 2 configured according to the present invention. The shape of the shin wedges is generally that of a wedge, having two non-parallel plane surfaces meeting at the thin side of the solid figure but not necessarily forming a sharp edge there. This shape could be described as a blunt wedge, but here is simply called “wedge”. The top surface may be not a flat plane, but rather (as will be described below) it may have a lengthwise depression to conform to the shin of the user. Opposite the thin blunt side is a thicker side to complete the solid triangle. The shin wedges are always worn so that the thin end is near the users knee (the proximal end) and the thick end is towards the foot (the distal end).

[0022]The shin wedge also usefully provides leverage, allowing the user to lever a knee up by rotation of the shin wedge about its distal edge.

[0023]In FIG. 1, for illustr...

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Abstract

The invention is a wedge-shaped support adapted to be fastened to a user's lower leg to provide comfort when the user is kneeling on an inclined roof, used in pairs. Each shin wedge comprises a wedge of lightweight material capable of supporting the user's weight. The acute dihedral angle of each wedge is approximately equal to the pitch angle of the roof on which the wedge kneepads are being used, thereby providing a substantially horizontal upper kneeling surface when the wedge is oriented towards the peak of the roof. The wedge's lower surface typically comprises a durable pad that prevents premature abrasion of the lightweight material and improves grip onto the inclined surface. Each wedge's upper surface typically includes a soft layer that serves as an ergonomic kneeling pad for the user. An attachment harness secures the wedge kneepad to the user's shin and thigh or knee.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to kneepads and shin pads and means for alleviating pressure and discomfort of the knees and legs of workers when they are working on inclined surfaces such as roofs.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Kneeling to work on either a sloped surface such as a roof, or a horizontal surface such as a floor, presents an ergonomically challenging task that stresses a worker's legs and feet. When a worker is kneeling on any surface, either with both knees or partially kneeling on one knee, the front of the worker's knee makes contact and supports the bulk of the worker's weight. Contact with the surface is made, through the skin of course, by the upper part of the shin bone, also called the tibia, and sometimes but not necessarily the kneecap, also called the patella. This contact surface has no established name, and will here be called the “kneefront”. However the worker's toes must typically apply balancing pressure that varies with upper body...

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Application Information

Patent Timeline

18 Jun 2009

Publication

US20090151039A1

IPC: A41D13/06

CPC: E04D15/00; A41D13/065

Inventors: KIELLAND, PETER JOHANN