Leg Guard Interlocking Hinge for Knee Alignment and Coverage
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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 become misaligned during 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 connected by an interlocking hinge, adjustable ankle extension, and customizable strapping system to ensure proper fit and alignment during various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a triple kneecap design is used to cover the kneecap, then the kneecap area is protected, but the lateral portions of the knee are not adequately protected and the design becomes misaligned during player movements
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 move independently through hinge joints, allowing the guard to segment and adapt to player movements while maintaining protection coverage. The knee guard specifically includes two separate kneecap protectors that can pivot independently to cover both the central and lateral knee areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg guard incorporates hinge joints between the thigh guard, knee guard, and shin guard, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust and pivot as the player moves. This dynamic design enables the leg guard to maintain proper alignment and protection coverage during blocking motions, drops to knees, and transitions to standing positions, eliminating the misalignment issues of rigid triple kneecap designs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed rigid structure is used for the leg guard, then structural stability is maintained, but the leg guard cannot adapt to different player sizes and becomes misaligned during movements
Solution Approach 1:
The leg guard uses hinge joints and articulation points that allow the structure to flex and adapt to different player movements and body sizes. The thigh guard, knee guard, and shin guard can pivot relative to each other, maintaining structural integrity while adapting to the player's anatomy and motion range.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg guard design incorporates adjustable parameters including the positioning of hinge joints, the length and positioning of straps, and the configuration of the dual kneecaps. These adjustable parameters allow the same basic structure to be customized for different player sizes and preferences, providing both structural stability and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the leg guard is designed to cover the knee area, then knee protection is provided, but the design requires constant repositioning during blocking motions and position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joints allow the knee guard to automatically pivot and reposition itself as the player moves through blocking motions and position changes. The dynamic structure follows the player's leg movements, maintaining proper alignment and protection without requiring manual intervention or constant repositioning by the player.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg guard's hinge joint mechanism enables the protective equipment to self-adjust and self-reposition automatically during player movements. The structure serves itself by using the player's natural motion to maintain proper alignment, eliminating the need for the player to stop and readjust the equipment during gameplay.
Data Source
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.