Support means and leg pad for a goalkeeper in ice sports or roller sports and use of the support means and leg pad

Abstract

The support means (1) for supporting the ankle of a goalkeeper in a kneeling position in ice sports or roller sport is configured to be removably attached to a goalkeeper's leg pad (10) or to form an integral part of a goalkeeper's leg pad (10), wherein the support means (1) is configured such that, when in use, a supporting force exerted in a kneeling position of the goalkeeper via the support means (1) on the ankle of the goalkeeper helps the goalkeeper to maintain the skate (20) of the respective leg in a position, in which the heel end of the skate (20) is positioned at the same level or higher than the toe end of the skate (20).

Description

[0001] Support means and leg pad for a goalkeeper in ice sports or roller sports and use of the support means and leg pad

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention concerns a support means for supporting the ankle of a goalkeeper in a kneeling position in ice sports or roller sports and a goalkeeper’s leg pad for ice sports or roller sports. The invention further concerns uses of such support means and leg pad.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In ice hockey, so called butterfly style has become a very commonly used technique among goaltenders. Goaltenders using the butterfly style often drop to their knees and spread their legs to the sides to block the lower part of the goal. The arms are spread to block and catch shots aimed at upper parts of the goal. While the butterfly style has been found to be a very effective technique, it is also very challenging and straining for the goaltenders. In a butterfly save position, the joints of the knees and hips of the goaltender are often bent to extreme positions. This can cause discomfort and also exposes the goaltender to stress injuries, in particular of the hip. During a single ice hockey game, the goaltender may drop to the knees tens of times. During training, the number of saves and thus the time spent in the butterfly position is even greater. The goaltenders’ training and playing is thus very wearing and may lead to stress injuries that may cause a need for medical rehabilitation and even surgery. In the worst case, the stress injuries may even end the career of a goaltender.

[0006] Similar save techniques can also be used by the goaltenders in other ice sports, such as ringette or rinkball, and in roller sports, such as inline hockey. Also in those sports the goaltenders are thus exposed to the discomfort and injury risk associated with the butterfly style.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide solutions for reducing the discomfort and injury risk associated with the butterfly style. The problems of the prior art can be addressed by a support means and a goalkeeper’s leg pad according to the invention and by uses of the support means and the leg pad. The support means according to the invention is configured to support the ankle of a goalkeeper in a kneeling position in ice sports or roller sports, the support means being configured to be removably attached to a goalkeeper’s leg pad or to form an integral part of a goalkeeper’s leg pad, wherein the support means is configured such that, when in use, a supporting force exerted in a kneeling position of the goalkeeper via the support means on the ankle of the goalkeeper helps the goalkeeper to maintain the skate of the respective leg in a position, in which the heel end of the skate is positioned at the same level or higher than the toe end of the skate.

[0009] The support means defined above can be used in ice sports or roller sports.

[0010] The leg pad according to the invention comprises a support means defined above and / or attachment means for removably attaching such a support means to the leg pad.

[0011] The goalkeeper’s leg pad defined above can be used in ice sports or roller sports.

[0012] The support means may comprise or be in a form of a support structure. The support structure may be a single part or it may comprise two or more parts. If the support structure comprises two or more parts, they may be configured to function together, without necessarily being physically connected.

[0013] With the support means and leg pad according to the invention, the ankle of the goaltender may be kept in a more convenient position in the butterfly position and also in other positions, in which at least one knee of the goaltender contacts the ice via the leg pad. This configuration may help reduce physical strain on the ankle, knee and / or hip joints during training and playing.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means is configured to support said skate in the kneeling position to a position, in which the angle between a longitudinal axis of the skate and a horizontal plane is 5 to 45 degrees. The support means could be configured to support the skate to a smaller angle. The angle could be, for instance, in the range of 10 to 30 degrees.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means is configured to exert the supporting force on the ankle of the goalkeeper by forming a support structure that prevents the heel end of the skate to be at a lower level than the toe end in the kneeling position, such as the butterfly position.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means is configured to exert the supporting force on the ankle of the goalkeeper by forming a support structure that keeps the heel end of the skate at a higher level than the toe end in the kneeling position, such as the butterfly position.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the greatest height of the support means in a use position is at least 4 cm.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, in a use position of the support means the height of the support means increases towards the rear side of the leg pad.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means is configured to contact the ice or ground and / or the skate when the goalkeeper is in a butterfly position. However, it is not necessary that the support means contact the ice and the skate directly, but the support means can be arranged between or within parts of a leg pad.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means has a shape that tapers towards the front side of the leg pad in a mounted position of the support means. The support means can thus form an inclined surface for supporting the skate and the ankle of the goalkeeper. Also, when the goaltender is standing, the tapering shape leaves more space for movements of the goaltender.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means is configured to protrude in a mounted position and in a non-loaded state in the lateral direction of the leg pad beyond any medial side pad of the leg pad. This allows making the support means large enough to support the ankle of the goalkeeper in the butterfly position, but to leave enough room between the skate and the support means in a standing position of the goalkeeper to ensure that the support means does not limit moving of the goalkeeper.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means comprises a C-shaped support structure that is configured to open towards a rear side of the leg pad in a use position of the support means. According to an embodiment of the invention, the C-shaped support structure is made of a flexible sheet material.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means comprises a support block that is configured to be removably attached to a leg channel pad and / or to another medial side pad of the leg pad. A removable support block allows easy modification of the leg pad, for instance in case the rules of the sport does not allow the use of the support means in official games.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support block comprises a base and an arch-shaped portion protruding from the base.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support block comprises attachment means for attaching the support block to a leg pad. According to an embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the attachment means of the leg pad comprise hook and loop fasteners.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the attachment means of the leg pad allow adjusting of the position of the support means. This allows the support means to be positioned optimally for each goaltender. For instance, the attachment means of the leg pad could be configured to allow the support means to be moved at least 5 cm in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad and / or at least 3 cm in the front-rear direction of the leg pad.

[0028] In some embodiments, the position and / or configuration of the support structure may be adjustable. Such adjustability may be provided by the geometry or dimensions of the support structure itself and / or by the configuration of one or more attachment elements on the support structure and / or the leg pad. For example, the support structure may be adjustable in one or more directions, including front-to-back, side-to-side, and / or vertical directions, when the leg pad is viewed in a horizontal orientation, such as when the goalkeeper is in the butterfly position. In certain configurations, the support structure may be displaceable by at least 1 cm in one or more directions. Suitable configurations for achieving adjustability may include, for example, hook and loop fasteners, sliding channels, modular inserts, or other suitable structures. Such adjustability may help accommodate anatomical variation and individual preferences among goalkeepers.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means forms an integrated part of a leg channel pad and / or another medial side pad of the leg pad. Integrated support means ensure that the support means are held firmly in the leg pad. Also, the other parts of the leg pad can be adapted to the support means to ensure that moving of the goalkeeper is not unnecessarily limited. Additionally, integration may allow the support structure to be used in official games, for example, in cases where the rules of a particular league or governing body prohibit the use of add-on components or externally attached structures.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means and / or the attachment means are arranged in the lower end of a leg channel pad and / or another medial side pad of the leg pad.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support means and / or the attachment means are arranged in the lowermost third of the leg pad. The support means and / or the attachment means could be arranged in the lowermost fourth of the leg pad.

[0032] Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Embodiments of the invention are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a leg pad according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a rear view of a leg pad according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0036] Figs. 3A and 3B show, respectively, a medial side view and a lateral side view of a leg pad according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of a leg pad according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0038] Fig. 5 shows a support block according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6A shows the skate of a goaltender using a leg pad with support means according to an embodiment of the invention in the butterfly position,

[0039] Fig. 6B shows the skate of a goaltender without the support means in the butterfly position,

[0040] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a support block according to another embodiment of the invention,

[0041] Fig. 8 shows a side view of the support block of figure 7,

[0042] Fig. 9 shows a front view of the support block of figure 7,

[0043] Fig. 10 shows a top view of the support block of support block of figure 7,

[0044] Fig. 11 shows the support block of figure 7 attached to a leg pad,

[0045] Fig. 12 shows schematically a leg pad according to a further embodiment of the invention,

[0046] Fig. 13 shows another view of the leg pad of figure 12,

[0047] Fig. 14 shows a goaltender in the butterfly position,

[0048] Fig. 15 shows a standing goaltender, and

[0049] Fig. 16 shows a leg pad according to a still further embodiment of the invention.

[0050] The description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be limiting the scope of the claims.

[0051] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0052] The invention concerns a support means 1 for supporting the ankle of a goaltender (goalkeeper) in a kneeling position, in particular in a butterfly position, in ice sports or roller sports. The support means 1 may comprise a support structure or be in a form of a support structure. The support structure may be a single part or it may comprise two or more parts. If the support structure comprises two or more parts, they may be configured to function together, without necessarily being physically connected. The purpose and the function of the support structure is to help keeping the ankle of the goaltender in a more comfortable and / or physically less straining position when the goaltender is in a kneeling position, such as the butterfly position.

[0053] The support structure may be configured to support or influence the ankle region in a way that may contribute to improved comfort or biomechanical alignment during kneeling positions, such as the butterfly position.

[0054] The support structure can be configured to prevent the heel end of the skate to be at a lower level than the toe end or to keep the heel end of the skate at a higher level than the toe end when the goaltender is in a kneeling position, such as the butterfly position.

[0055] In addition to helping the goaltender to maintain the skate in a more comfortable and / or physically less straining position when the goaltender is in a kneeling position, the support means may also contribute to improved stability of the leg pad by anchoring or resisting undesired rotation.

[0056] When the support structure supports the ankle of the goaltender, it can be positioned between the ankle and the ice or ground. A supporting force is thus transmitted from the ice or ground via the support structure to the ankle of the goaltender. The supporting force does not need to be transmitted solely via the support structure, but the supporting force can be additionally transmitted via one or more parts of a goaltender’s leg pad. The support structure can be a removable or an integrated part of the goaltender’s leg pad.

[0057] The support means 1 is configured to be used with a goaltender’s leg pad 10, either as a removable part or as an integral part of the leg pad 10. Figures 1 to 4 and 11 to 16 show different views of leg pads 10 according to embodiments of the invention. Figure 14 shows the legs of a goaltender in the butterfly position with leg pads 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 15 shows the legs of a standing goaltender with leg pads 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The figures are simplified and do not show all the details of the leg pad 10, such as different straps needed to attach the leg pad 10 to the leg of the user.

[0058] The leg pad 10 is configured for use in ice sports or roller sports. The leg pad 10 is suitable in particular for ice hockey. However, the leg pad 10 could also be used, for instance, in ringette, rinkball or inline hockey. The leg pad 10 is configured to protect the leg of the goaltender. The lower end of the leg pad 10 is configured to extend below the ankle of the goaltender and the upper end of the leg pad 10 is configured to extend above the knee of the goaltender.

[0059] The leg pad 10 has a front side 10A, rear side 10B, medial side 10C, lateral side 10D, lower end 10E and upper end 10F. The terms above refer to the positions of different parts of the leg pad 10 when the leg pad 10 is worn by a standing goaltender. The rear side 10B thus faces the front of the leg of the goaltender and the front side 10A faces forward from the goaltender. The medial side 10C faces the other leg of the goaltender and the lateral side 10D faces to the side from the goaltender. The direction from the lower end 10E to the upper end 10F can be referred to as a longitudinal direction, the direction from the medial side 10C to the lateral side 10D as a lateral direction, and the direction from the front side 10A to the rear side 10B as a front-rear direction.

[0060] The leg pad 10 is configured to extend at least to the height of the knee of the goaltender. Typically, the leg pads 10 are configured to extend to a certain height above the knee of the goaltender. The lower end 10E of the leg pad 10 is typically configured to cover the front side of the toe of the goaltender’s skate 20.

[0061] The front side 10A of the leg pad 10 is provided with padding that extends from the lower end 10E of the leg pad 10 to the upper end 10F of the leg pad 10. The padding extending from the lower end 10E of the leg pad 10 to the upper end 10F can be made of several parts and forms the body of the leg pad 10. A landing pad (landing gear) 12 is arranged on the medial side 10C of the leg pad 10. The term “landing pad” refers here to padding that is configured to be at the height of the knee of the goaltender. When the goaltender is in the butterfly position, the landing pad 12 is positioned between the ice and the knee of the goaltender. In the embodiments of the figures, the leg pad 10 comprises a lower medial side pad 11 that is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 below the landing pad 12. When the goaltender is in the butterfly position, the lower medial side pad 11 is between the ice and the lower leg of the goaltender. The lower medial side pad 11 could be integrated with the landing pad 12. The medial side 10C could thus be provided with a single continuous pad configured to extend from the height of the knee to the height of the lower leg of the goaltender. Instead of a single lower medial side pad 11 arranged below the landing pad 12, the medial side of the leg pad 10 could be provided with two or more pads below the landing pad 12.

[0062] The leg pad 10 comprises a leg channel 17. The leg channel 17 is configured to receive the lower leg of the goaltender. The leg channel 17 is configured to extend approximately from the ankle of the goaltender to the upper end of the calf. The leg channel 17 is formed by pads 17A, 17B arranged on two sides of the area that is configured to receive the leg of the goaltender. The rear side of the leg channel 17 may comprise one or more straps 18 for keeping the leg pad 10 in place. The leg channel 17 may be formed by more than two pads. For instance, on one or both sides of the leg channel 17 there can be arranged two pads that are at least partly overlapping and form a stack in the lateral direction of the leg pad 10.

[0063] In the butterfly position, the legs of the goaltender are spread to the sides to block the lower part of the goal. The arms are spread to block and catch shots aimed at upper parts of the goal. The butterfly position can be very challenging and straining for the goaltenders. In the butterfly save position, the joints of the knees and hips of the goaltender are often bent to extreme positions. This can cause discomfort and also exposes the goaltender to stress injuries, in particular of the hip. During a single ice hockey game, the goaltender may drop to the knees tens of times. During training, the number of saves and thus the time spent in the butterfly position is even greater. Similar strain can be experienced also in other positions, in which at least one knee of the goaltender contacts the ice via the leg pad 10.

[0064] Figure 6B shows the position of the skate 20 of a goaltender without the support means according to the invention. In the undesired situation of figure 6B, the angle between the ice and an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the skate is negative, and the toe end of the skate 20 is thus located higher than the heel end of the skate 20. This orientation of the skate may be indicative of a leg or ankle position that is not biomechanically favorable and may be associated with increased strain in the ankle, knee, and / or hip joints of the goalkeeper. The support means 1 and leg pad 10 described herein may help reduce physical strain on the ankle, knee, and / or hip joints during kneeling or transitional movements. The support means 1 according to the invention can be configured to be removably attached to a goalkeeper’s leg pad 10. In this context, the expression “removably attached” means that the support means 1 can be attached to the leg pad 10 and detached from the leg pad 10 in a non-destructive manner. Instead of being removably attached to the leg pad 10, the support means 1 can form an integral part of a goalkeeper’s leg pad 10. The support means 1 can be used as a retrofit solution in existing leg pads 10. However, leg pads 10 can also be redesigned to allow optimal integration of the support means 1. Any part of the leg pad 10 may include one or more recesses, openings, or cutouts in which the support means 1 is configured to sit at least partially, thereby enhancing positioning and stability. A support means 1 that is integrated to the leg pad 10 can be attached to a surface of the leg pad 10, for example by stitching and / or gluing. Alternatively, an integrated support means 1 can be arranged within a part of the leg pad 10.

[0065] The support means 1 according to the invention is configured such that when the goaltender is in the butterfly position, a supporting force exerted via the support means 1 on the ankle of the goaltender helps the goaltender to maintain the skate 20 of the respective leg in a position, in which the heel end of the skate 20 is positioned at the same level or higher than the toe end of the skate 20. A supporting force is thus transmitted from the ice or ground via the support means 1 to the ankle and / or to the lower leg of goaltender. The support means 1 forms a support structure that helps preventing the heel end of the skate to be at a lower level than the toe end or keeping the heel end of the skate at a higher level than the toe end. The support means 1 can contact the ice and the skate 20 of the goaltender directly or indirectly at one or more locations or contact points. The support means 1 can thus be positioned in the leg pad 10 below any medial side pads of the leg pad 10 or attached either onto the medial side or onto the lateral side of a part of the leg pad 10. The support means 1 could also be within a part of the leg pad 10.

[0066] Figure 6A shows the position of the skate 20 of a goaltender with the support means 1 according to the invention in a kneeling position, such as the butterfly position. As shown in the figure, the heel end of the skate 20 is positioned higher than the toe end of the skate 20. This orientation of the skate can reduce stress in lower extremities including hip, knee, and / or ankle joints with attached tendons and muscles of the goaltender. The support means 1 may be configured such that the support means 1 supports the ankle of the goaltender to a position, where the angle A between the longitudinal axis A of the skate 20 and a horizontal plane B is 0 to 45 degrees. Preferably, the angle A is at least 5 degrees. The angle can be configured to be in the range of 10 to 30 degrees.

[0067] Depending on the embodiment, the support means 1 may have different properties, such as size, weight, rigidity, compressibility, flexibility, and / or impact absorption. These properties may be influenced by factors such as the geometry, material selection, and implementation configuration, such as whether the support means 1 is integrated into the leg pad 10 or removably attachable to it.

[0068] The support means 1 is made of one or more materials having suitable properties for providing the support function. The support means 1 needs to have sufficient rigidity to help the goaltender to maintain the desired angle. On the other hand, it is advantageous that the support means 1 has some flexibility to prevent harsh impacts as the goaltender drops to the butterfly position. The support means 1 can comprise similar materials as other parts of the leg pad 10. In some applications, the flexibility may not be needed, for instance if the support means 1 is located such that other parts of the leg pad 10 provide sufficient cushioning. The support means 1 can comprise two or more different materials to provide both sufficient rigidity and comfort. For instance, the support means 1 can comprise a core that is made of a rigid material and an outer shell that is made of a more elastic material. Alternatively, the support means 1 could comprise more rigid material on the medial side and more elastic material on the lateral side. Materials that could be used in the support means include plastic, foam plastic, rubber, carbon fiber and composite materials. However, also many other materials and material combinations could be used.

[0069] The material or materials of the support means 1 can be chosen such that when the support means 1 supports the ankle of the goaltender, the support means 1 is compressed at most 20 percent in the direction of the supporting force compared to a non-compressed state. The support structure 1 may be made of one or more materials that compress, for example, by no more than 50 percent in the direction of the supporting force compared to a non-com- pressed state. The support means 1 can be configured such that the support means 1 compress more when a sufficiently large force is applied to the support means. This could be the case when, for example, the goaltender stretches his or her leg to a fully extended position. In such a situation, the support means 1 can allow the ankle of the goaltender to drop closer to the ice or ground.

[0070] In the lateral direction of the leg pad 10, the largest dimension of the support means 1 could be at least 5 cm and at most 15 cm, or at most 20 cm. In the front-rear direction of the leg pad 10, the largest dimension of the support means 1 could be at least 5 cm and at most 20 cm. If the support means 1 is integrated to the leg pad 10, the support means 1 can form a bulge or protrusion to a pad of the leg pad 10. For instance, the support means 1 can be integrated to a leg channel pad 17B or to another medial side pad 11 of the leg pad 10 and form a bulge or protrusion that raises at least 4 cm from an adjacent area of the pad 17B, 11 .

[0071] In the front-rear direction of the leg pad 10, the support means 1 can be configured to extend close to the body of the leg pad 10. The support means 1 can be connected to the body of the leg pad 10. The support means 1 can also be configured to extend close to the rear end of any of the medial side pads. In the embodiments of figures 1 to 6A, the support means 1 extends to the rear end of the lower medial side pad 11 of the leg pad 10. The support means can be configured to extend to the rearmost 20 percent of the lowermost medial side pad 11 . If the support means 1 is attached to a pad 17B of the leg channel 17, or forms an integral part of such a pad, the support means 1 can extend to the rearmost 20 percent of the pad 17B. The support means 1 could extend even beyond the rearmost end of the leg channel pad 17B and / or the lowermost medial side pad 11 .

[0072] The support means 1 can be formed by a support block that can be attached to the leg pad 10. The term “support block” means here a support element that can be a one-piece part or can comprise two or more parts. An example of a support block 1 is shown in figure 5. The support block 1 can be attached to a leg pad 10 removably. For attaching the support block 1 to the leg pad 10, the support block 1 can be provided with any suitable attachment means. For example, the support block 1 can be provided with hook and loop fasteners (Velcro). The leg pad 10 can be provided with attachment means that are configured to cooperate with the attachment means of the support block 1 . If the support block 1 comprises hook and loop fasteners, the leg pad 10 can thus comprise corresponding hook and loop fasteners. If the support means 1 is configured to be removably attached to the leg pad 10, the support means 1 can be easily detached from the leg pad 10 when needed. For instance, depending on the dimensions and location of the support means 1 in the leg pad 10, the leg pad 10 may not meet the requirements set by the rules of the sport for the equipment of goaltenders. In such a case, the support means 1 could be used only during training and removed before official games. Also, the support means 1 could be provided in different dimensions and shapes, and different versions could be easily tested to find the configuration best suited for each goaltender.

[0073] The attachment means of the leg pad 10 can be configured to allow adjusting of the position of the support means 1 . This allows the support means 1 to be positioned optimally for each goaltender. For instance, the attachment means of the leg pad could be configured to allow the support means 1 to be moved at least 5 cm in the longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 and / or at least 3 cm in the front-rear direction of the leg pad 10.

[0074] In some embodiments, the position and / or configuration of the support structure 1 may be adjustable. Such adjustability may be provided by the geometry or dimensions of the support structure 1 itself and / or by the configuration of one or more attachment elements on the support structure 1 and / or the leg pad 10. For example, the support structure may be adjustable in one or more directions, including front-to-back, side-to-side, and / or vertical directions, when the leg pad is viewed in a horizontal orientation, such as during a butterfly position. In certain configurations, the support structure 1 may be displaceable by at least 1 cm in one or more directions. Suitable configurations for achieving adjustability may include, for example, hook and loop fasteners, sliding channels, modular inserts, or other suitable structures. Such adjustability may help accommodate anatomical variation and individual preferences among goaltenders.

[0075] In the embodiment of figure 5, the support block 1 has a shape that tapers in a mounted position of the support block 1 towards the front side 10A of the leg pad 10. In a supporting position of the support block 1 , the height of the support block 1 thus increases towards the rear end of the leg pad 10. When the goaltender is in the butterfly position, substantially the whole upper surface of the support block 1 contacts the skate 20, as shown in figure 6A. When the goaltender is standing, the tapered shape leaves more space for movements of the goaltender. Also an integrated support means 1 can have a similar tapering shape. Although the tapered shape is advantageous, the support block 1 could also have some other shape. The geometry of the support block 1 may for example be straight, curved, tapered, arched, wedge-shaped, stepped, or any other suitable shape. The geometry can affect the angle between the skate and the playing surface and can thereby influence the alignment of the ankle, distribution of pressure, and comfort when the goaltender is in a kneeling position.

[0076] Depending on the leg pad 10, a removable support block 1 could be attached to different parts of the leg pad 10. For instance, the support block 1 could be attached to the medial side of the lowermost medial side pad 11 . The support block 1 could thus contact the ice when the goaltender is in the butterfly position. The outer surface of the support block 1 could be made of a similar material as other outer surfaces of the leg pad 10 to ensure that the support block

[0077] 1 has similar gliding properties on the ice as the rest of the leg pad 10. Alternatively, the support block 1 could be attached onto the inner side of the lowermost medial side pad 11 or to a leg channel pad 17B. When the goaltender is in the butterfly position, the support block 1 may thus not contact the ice, but the support force may be exerted on the ankle of the goaltender via the lowermost medial side pad 11 and the support block 1 and, optionally, via the leg channel pad 17B.

[0078] Figures 7 to 11 show another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of figures 7 to 11 , the support means comprises a support block 1 having an arch-shaped portion 3. The support block 1 further comprises a base 2. The base 2 is flat and can comprise attachments means, such as hook and loop fasteners (Velcro), for attaching the support block 1 to the leg pad 10. The base 2 and the arch-shaped portion 3 can form a one-piece part, or the base

[0079] 2 and the arch-shaped portion 3 can be separate parts attached to each other. The arch-shaped portion 3 raises from the base 2 so that in the mounted position of the support block 1 , the height of the support block 1 increases towards the rear end of the pad to which the support block 1 is attached. A support block 1 with the arch-shaped portion 3 can be made lightweight, and by adjusting the dimensions of the arch-shaped portion 3, the flexibility of the support block 1 can be optimized. In figure 11 , the support block 1 is attached to the front end of the lowermost medial side pad 11 of the leg pad 10. By arranging the support block 1 closer to the body of the leg pad 10, it can be made smaller. The largest height of the support block 1 could be, for instance, 4 cm or more.

[0080] Instead of being removably attached to the leg pad 10, the support block 1 could be attached to the leg pad 10 for example by stitching and / or gluing. The support means 1 does not need to be formed by a single part, but the support means 1 could be formed, for example, by two parts arranged on opposite sides of a pad of the leg pad 10.

[0081] Instead of a separate support block 1 that is either removably or non-remova- bly attached to the leg pad 10, the leg pad 10 can be provided with support means that forms a non-separable part of some other part of the leg pad 10. The support means 1 can thus comprise, for instance, a protrusion that is arranged at the lower end of a leg channel pad 17B or a medial side pad 11 of the leg pad 10. The protrusion can extend even onto both sides of the medial side pad 11 or the leg channel pad 17B.

[0082] Figures 12 and 13 show schematically a support means 1 and a leg pad 10 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of figures 12 and 13, the support means 1 comprises a C-shaped support structure. In the use position of the support structure 1 , it opens towards the rear side of the leg pad 10. The support structure 1 is made of a flexible sheet material. Figure 12 shows the support structure 1 in a state where it supports the ankle of the goaltender in a butterfly position. The support structure 1 is configured to have a sufficient rigidity to exert a supporting force on the ankle of the goaltender. Figure 13 shows the support structure 1 in a compressed state. When a sufficient force is exerted on the support structure 1 , it can compress to allow the heel of the goaltender to drop close to the ice or ground. This can happen, for example, when the goaltender’s leg is extended.

[0083] The support structure 1 of figures 12 and 13 is attached to the lowermost medial side pad 11 of the leg pad 10. The support structure 1 may be further attached to the body of the leg pad 10. The support structure 1 can be removably or non-removably attached to the leg pad 10. The support means 1 and / or the attachment means for the support means 1 are arranged close to the lower end 10E of the leg pad 10. The attachment means and / or the support means 1 should be arranged in the lowermost third of the leg pad 10. Preferably, the attachment means and / or the support means 1 are arranged in the lowermost fourth of the leg pad 10. If the support means 1 is attached to the lowermost medial side pad 11 and / or to a leg channel pad 17B or forms an integral part of such a pad 11 , 17B , the support means can extend to the lowermost end of the leg channel pad 17B or other pad 11 or even below the pad 17B, 11 .

[0084] Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of figure 16, the support means 1 is formed by an elongated support structure. The support structure has a first end that is attached to the body of the leg pad 10 close to the medial side of the leg pad 10. The support structure protrudes rearwards inside a leg channel pad. In a non-loaded state, the support means protrudes rearwards in such an angle that the support structure is inclined towards the lateral side of the leg pad 10. The support structure is configured to have a sufficient rigidity to be able to help the goaltender to maintain the ankle in a desired ankle in a kneeling position. Also the attachment of the support structure to the body of the leg pad 10 needs to be sufficiently rigid to prevent the support structure from excessively turning about the attachment point when the support structure supports the ankle of the goaltender. However, the support structure may be allowed to bend and / or turn when sufficiently large force is exerted on it, for instance when the goaltender’s leg is extended.

Claims

Claims:1 . A support means (1 ) for supporting the ankle of a goalkeeper in a kneeling position in ice sports or roller sports, the support means (1 ) being configured to be removably attached to a goalkeeper’s leg pad (10) or to form an integral part of a goalkeeper’s leg pad (10), wherein the support means (1 ) is configured such that, when in use, a supporting force exerted in a kneeling position of the goalkeeper via the support means (1 ) on the ankle of the goalkeeper helps the goalkeeper to maintain the skate (20) of the respective leg in a position, in which the heel end of the skate (20) is positioned at the same level or higher than the toe end of the skate (20).

2. The support means (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the support means (1 ) is configured to support said skate (20) in the kneeling position to a position, in which the angle (A) between a longitudinal axis (A) of the skate (20) and a horizontal plane (B) is 5 to 45 degrees.

3. The support means (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the support means (1 ) is configured to support said skate (20) in the kneeling position to a position, in which the angle (A) between the longitudinal axis (A) of the skate (20) and the horizontal plane (B) is 10 to 30 degrees.

4. The support means (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -3, wherein the support means (1 ) is configured to contact the ice or ground and / or the skate (20) when the goalkeeper is in a butterfly position.

5. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (1 ) is configured to exert the supporting force on the ankle of the goalkeeper by forming a support structure that prevents the heel end of the skate (20) to be at a lower level than the toe end in the kneeling position.

6. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (1 ) is configured to exert the supporting force on the ankle of the goalkeeper by forming a support structure that keeps the heel end of the skate (20) at a higher level than the toe end in the kneeling position.

7. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the greatest height of the support means (1 ) in a use position of the support means (1 ) is at least 4 cm.

8. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in a use position of the support means (1 ) the height of the support means (1 ) increases towards the rear side of the leg pad (10).

9. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (1 ) has a shape that tapers towards the front side (10A) of the leg pad (10) in a mounted position of the support means (1 ).

10. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (1 ) comprises a C-shaped support structure that is configured to open towards a rear side of the leg pad (10) in a use position of the support means (1 ).11 . The support means (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the C-shaped support structure is made of a flexible sheet material.

12. The support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means comprises a support block (1 ) that is configured to be removably attached to a leg channel pad (17B) and / or to another medial side pad (11 ) of the leg pad (10).

13. The support means (1 ) according to claim 12, wherein the support block (1 ) comprises a base (2) and an arch-shaped portion (3) protruding from the base (2).

14. The support means (1 ) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the support block (1 ) comprises attachment means for attaching the support block (1 ) to a leg pad (10).

15. The support means (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

16. The use of the support means (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims in ice sports or roller sports.

17. A goalkeeper’s leg pad (10) for ice sports or roller sports, wherein the leg pad (10) comprises a support means (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 15 and / or attachment means for removably attaching a support means (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 15 to the leg pad (10).

18. The leg pad (10) according to claim 17, wherein the attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

19. The leg pad (10) according to claim 17, wherein the support means (1 ) forms an integrated part of a leg channel pad (17B) and / or another medial side pad (11 ) of the leg pad (10).

20. The leg pad (10) according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the support means (1 ) and / or the attachment means are arranged in the lower end of a leg channel pad (17B) and / or another medial side pad (11 ) of the leg pad (10).21 . The leg pad (10) according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the support means (1 ) and / or the attachment means are arranged in the lowermost third of the leg pad (10).

22. The use of the goalkeeper’s leg pad (10) according to any of claims 17- 21 in ice sports or roller sports.

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