Lower Leg Protection Device Using Disposable Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for protecting legs and pants while kneeling, standing, or lying on the ground are either expensive, limited in coverage, or uncomfortable, as they often only protect the knee or shin without safeguarding the entire lower leg from soiling and injury.

Innovation Solution

A lower leg protection device comprising a hard knee protector, ankle and instep protectors, padded soft material covering the front of the leg, a covering for the back of the leg, and a mechanism for attachment, providing comprehensive protection and comfort by covering the entire lower leg.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated pair of pants is used for the activity, then the pants are protected from damage, but the cost increases and the pants still get dirty and unsalvageable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of pantsVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable plastic wrap or similar inexpensive protective covering instead of dedicated pants. This cheap, single-use material protects the user's actual pants from damage while being economical compared to purchasing and maintaining dedicated work pants that still get soiled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a kneeler device is used, then the knee is protected from injury, but the cost increases and only the knee is protected not the entire leg

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of kneeVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible plastic wrap or similar thin film materials that can conform to the entire lower leg shape. This flexible covering extends protection from the knee down to the ankle, covering the whole lower leg area rather than just the knee, while remaining simple and inexpensive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a shin guard with hard plastic is used, then the shin is protected from impact, but comfort decreases and the entire lower leg is not protected from soiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of shin from impactVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hard plastic shin guards with flexible plastic wrap or similar soft, conformable materials. This flexible material drapes over the entire lower leg including the shin, providing impact protection while being much more comfortable as it conforms to the leg's shape rather than forcing a rigid structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective covering combines different material properties - using flexible plastic wrap or similar materials that provide both impact resistance and comfort. This composite approach integrates the protective function with the comfort requirement, creating a single solution that addresses both needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If a shin guard with hard plastic is used, then the shin is protected from impact, but the entire lower leg is not protected from soiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of shin from impactVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible plastic wrap or similar thin film materials that naturally drape and conform to the entire lower leg shape. This flexible covering extends from the knee down to the ankle, providing continuous protection across the whole lower leg surface area, eliminating gaps in coverage that rigid shin guards create.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11812801B2Protective leg device and method

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 BERRYMAN MARVIN R

AI summary

A protective leg device and method designed to keep a user's legs clean while kneeling or standing on the ground or floor when engaging in activities such as gardening, grouting, landscaping, construction, and the like and which provides comfort while salvaging a user's pair of pants.