Catcher Leg Protector Wing Guard for Knee-Down Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catcher leg protectors compromise stability or protection when transitioning between catching styles, particularly in traditional and knee-down positions, leading to increased friction, exposure of critical impact areas, and potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose leg protector with a shin guard, knee guard, and wing guard, held together by straps, rivets, and sewing lines, featuring a wing guard that covers exposed areas and acts as a stabilizer, ensuring stability and protection across multiple catching styles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed configuration leg protector is used for traditional catching style, then protection is provided for that style, but stability and protection are compromised when transitioning to knee-down position
Solution Approach 1:
The leg protector is divided into multiple independent protective components: a shin guard, a knee guard, and separate wing guards. These segmented parts can be positioned and adjusted independently to provide optimal protection for different catching styles, allowing the catcher to maintain stability whether in traditional or knee-down position.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg protector incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow dynamic adaptation between catching styles. The separate wing guards can be repositioned, and the overall configuration can be adjusted to transition from traditional catching to knee-down position, maintaining protection and stability throughout the dynamic movement.
2Reliability
If a traditional shin guard design is used, then basic protection is provided, but drag and friction increase when the catcher moves or slides on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The leg protector utilizes flexible protective components that can conform to the catcher's leg and movement. The thin, streamlined design of the guards reduces air resistance and ground friction during sliding movements, while maintaining adequate protection through strategic coverage of critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of wing guards extends the protection laterally beyond the traditional vertical shin guard design. This dimensional expansion provides coverage for exposed areas during knee-down positioning and sliding, protecting critical impact zones without requiring increased drag from larger vertical profiles.
3Reliability
If critical impact areas are covered, then protection is improved, but exposure occurs during knee-down position transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The wing guards serve multiple functions: they protect the knee area during traditional catching, provide lateral coverage during knee-down transitions, and prevent exposure of critical impact areas regardless of catching style. This multi-functional design ensures continuous protection across different positions and movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing guards are pre-positioned to cover potential exposed areas before the catcher transitions into knee-down position. This preliminary coverage prevents injury by ensuring that critical areas are protected in advance of when exposure might occur during dynamic play.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a leg protector comprising separate shin and knee guards each with a separate padding layer. The guards are joined together by straps. The invention includes inside and outside wings over the kneecap.