Hockey Leg Pad Ankle Protection via Movable Lower Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hockey leg pads often compromise ankle protection and mobility due to rigid materials, either providing inadequate flexibility or exposing the ankle when trying to accommodate increased range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A leg pad design featuring an upper and lower shell with a movable band that adjusts between positions in response to ankle flexion, allowing for increased protection and flexibility by overlapping when the lower shell is in the first position and pivoting in the second position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the shin protecting region substantially overlaps the ankle with rigid protective material, then ankle protection is improved, but the player experiences limited range of motion and discomfort while moving and skating
Solution Approach 1:
The lower shell is made movable relative to the upper shell through a band connection, allowing the protective structure to dynamically adjust its position in response to ankle flexion. This enables the rigid protective material to maintain protection while accommodating the natural range of motion of the ankle joint during skating and movement.
2Ease of operation
If the player uses a shorter leg pad to achieve greater range of motion in the ankle region, then mobility is improved, but part of the ankle or forefoot becomes exposed and unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The movable lower shell allows the protective coverage to dynamically extend and retract with ankle movement. When the ankle is in neutral position, the lower shell provides full coverage; when the ankle flexes, the lower shell moves accordingly, maintaining protection throughout the range of motion without requiring a shorter pad design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional leg pads use rigid protective material for adequate protection, then protection is improved, but maneuverability decreases due to the rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The leg pad incorporates a movable lower shell connected by a band, transforming the rigid protective structure into a dynamic system. The lower shell can move independently in response to ankle flexion, allowing the rigid protective material to maintain its protective function while the overall structure adapts to the player's movements and skating maneuvers.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a leg pad for a hockey player. The leg pad extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises an upper portion, a bottom portion and a band. The upper portion has a knee cap for covering a knee joint of the player. The bottom portion has an upper shell for covering a substantial part of a shin of the hockey player and a lower shell for at least partially covering the shin and ankle of the hockey player. The band extends along part of a periphery of the upper shell and part of a periphery of the lower shell. The band interconnects the upper shell and the lower shell to one another wherein the lower shell is movable relative to the upper shell between a first position and a second position in response to flexion of the ankle.