Catcher Leg Guard Interlocking Hinge for Lateral Knee Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leg guards for baseball and softball catchers do not provide adequate protection for the lateral portions of the knee, often misalign during dynamic movements, and lack customization for individual player sizes, hindering performance and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A leg guard design featuring a dual kneecap configuration with a pivotable thigh guard and knee guard, adjustable ankle extension, and customizable strapping system, including hook and loop fasteners, to ensure secure fit and protection across various positions and player sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a triple kneecap design is used to cover the kneecap, then coverage of the kneecap is improved, but protection for the lateral portions of the knee is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of kneecapVSAvoidprotection of lateral knee portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The leg guard is divided into multiple independent protective components: a thigh guard, a knee guard with dual kneecaps, and a shin guard. Each component can be independently positioned and adjusted to provide comprehensive coverage of different anatomical regions including the lateral portions of the knee that were previously unprotected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If existing leg guards are used, then some protection is provided, but the pads become misaligned and mispositioned during dynamic movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidalignment of pads during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The leg guard incorporates a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the thigh guard and knee guard to pivot relative to each other, accommodating the natural range of motion in the thigh-knee joint. This dynamic adjustment maintains proper alignment and positioning of the protective pads throughout various catching stances and movements, preventing misalignment that occurs with rigid designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the leg guard does not fit different sized players

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of designVSAvoidcustomization for different player sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The leg guard incorporates multiple adjustable features including an extendable ankle portion with adjustable length, repositionable hinge mechanisms, and adjustable strapping systems. These universal adjustment capabilities allow a single leg guard design to accommodate players of various sizes and leg lengths while maintaining proper fit and protection, eliminating the need for completely different designs for different player types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250222339A1Leg guard

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 AMPAC ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a leg guard having a toe guard, a shin guard, a knee guard including an extended kneecap wrap, a thigh guard, and an interlocking hinge. The interlocking hinge helps prevent an opening from forming between the thigh guard and the knee guard during play and prevents the leg guard from moving or rotating about the user's leg during movement. The leg guard also includes a slider assembly attached to the thigh guard that allows for the cushion pad to remain fixed against the thigh of the user while only the cover shell slides up and down the leg as the user assumes any one of a plurality of positions.