Segmented Shin and Knee Protector with Wing Guards for Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shin and knee protectors for baseball catchers and similar sports hinder movement due to their weight and drag, and expose vulnerable areas leading to potential injuries during use.
Innovation Solution
A shin and knee protector design featuring separate guards with padding, elastic and non-elastic straps, and wing guards that stabilize and cover exposed areas, allowing for improved mobility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shin and knee protectors are used, then protection is provided, but mobility is hindered due to weight and drag
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is divided into separate components: a shin guard and a knee guard with wing guards, each independently attachable to the player's body. This segmentation allows the player to wear only the necessary protective elements rather than a complete rigid shell, reducing overall weight and drag while maintaining protection in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The shin guard is designed to be removable and adjustable, allowing the player to take it off or adjust its position during gameplay. This dynamic capability enables the player to optimize mobility when full protection is not needed while maintaining protection when required, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional shin and knee protectors are used, then knee protection is provided, but exposed areas remain vulnerable to injury
Solution Approach 1:
The knee guard is separated into distinct components including front protection and wing guards that can independently cover different vulnerable areas. The wing guards specifically address the exposed lateral areas that traditional protectors miss, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single bulky device.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing guards extend the protection laterally beyond the traditional front-facing knee guard, adding coverage in the horizontal dimension. This dimensional expansion ensures that exposed side areas are protected while maintaining the mobility benefits of separate, lightweight components.
3Reliability
If wing guards are added for stability and coverage, then protection and stabilization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing guards are integrated with the knee guard as a unified assembly that attaches to the same strap system. This merging allows multiple protective functions (front knee protection, lateral coverage, and stabilization) to be achieved through coordinated components rather than separate devices, managing complexity while enhancing reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances mobility and reduces the risk of injury by minimizing drag and providing comprehensive coverage, enabling catchers to move faster and slide effectively while maintaining knee stability.
Implementation Method 1
The top third and bottom two-thirds of the shin guards are held together by elastic and non-elastic straps 17.
Implementation Method 2
A protector comprises a hard outer layer and a padding layer fitted therein.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shin and knee 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.