Roofer's kneepads

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies noted in the prior art concerning kneepads, particularly as they pertain t

Problems solved by technology

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.

This unsupported leg geometry continuously strains a kneeling worker's ankle and toe muscles as they counterbalance fore and aft motions of the upper body, regardless of whether a task is being performed on a flat or inclined surface.

It also puts strain on the worker's back.

The shear force results in an unpleasant feeling, as the worker's skin, whether through clothing or not, stretches to stop sliding down the roof.

The strain on the back is also worse in this pos

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