Integrated Lower-Leg Guard Structure for Combat Joint Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective devices for lower extremities in combat training are cumbersome, provide limited protection, and interfere with movement, failing to adequately safeguard critical areas like knees, ankles, and calves while compromising the authenticity of training environments.

Innovation Solution

A combined shin, knee, ankle, and calf guard system with adjustable, removable components that provide comprehensive protection without restricting movement, featuring a shin guard with a centrally positioned pad and flexible knee cavity, a dorsum guard, and optional Achilles guard, all integrated with adjustable straps for secure fit and customizable padding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple independent protective devices (shin pads, knee pads, ankle guards) are worn separately to provide comprehensive protection, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity and restrictiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidnumber of protective devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent protective devices (shin guard, knee guard, ankle guard, dorsum guard, Achilles guard) into a single integrated lower extremity combat training device. The shin guard serves as the base structure with knee, ankle, and dorsum guards attached thereto, creating a unified protective system that covers the entire lower extremity without requiring practitioners to wear multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional protective devices are added to protect knees and joints, then protection coverage is improved, but the devices conflict with each other and force one or the other out of position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint protectionVSAvoiddevice positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design ensures that the knee guard, ankle guard, and dorsum guard are all attached to the shin guard in predetermined positions, eliminating conflicts between independently worn devices. The knee guard is positioned above the centrally positioned pad on the shin guard, the ankle guard is positioned below the centrally positioned pad, and the dorsum guard is adhered to the back of the shin guard, ensuring stable positioning without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective devices are nested in a hierarchical structure where the knee guard, ankle guard, and dorsum guard are all attached to the base shin guard structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple protective elements to coexist in a compact, organized manner that maintains proper positioning and prevents interference between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective devices are made comprehensive and cover multiple body regions, then protection coverage is improved, but ease of operation and movement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive protectionVSAvoidmovement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective devices incorporate flexible materials and designs that allow natural movement of the lower extremity. The padded fabric, hook and loop arrangements, and overall construction enable practitioners to move freely while maintaining protection, preventing the device from restricting movement or requiring adaptation of training techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If protective devices are designed for maximum protection, then reliability is improved, but the devices become cumbersome and interfere with training authenticity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidcumbersomeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By consolidating multiple protective functions into a single integrated device, the patent eliminates the cumbersomeness of wearing multiple separate protective devices. The unified design reduces bulk and complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection across the shin, knee, ankle, dorsum, and Achilles regions, allowing practitioners to train without the burden of multiple independent devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260061294A1Lower extremity combat training device

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 THE BLACKSMITH BRAND LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure is for a lower extremity combat training device. The lower extremity combat training device has a shin guard, a knee guard, and a dorsum guard. The knee guard is an extension of the shin guard. A padded medial side and a padded lateral side extend into the knee guard and are, additionally, a medial side of the knee guard and a lateral side of the knee guard, respectively. The knee guard remains aligned with and moves with the shin guard. The knee guard further has a padded knee cavity secured between the medial side of the knee guard and the lateral side of the knee guard. The dorsum guard is adhered to the shin guard and extends from a bottom side of the shin guard.