Shin Guard Strap Mounting for Leg Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shin guard securing structures compromise comfort and stability, often leading to slippage and inadequate protection of the tibia's anterior leading edge due to compression and improper fitting.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight shin guard design featuring an adjustable, resilient leg conforming mount with a detachable securing strap that uses hook and loop material for adjustment, allowing the strap to cuff around the leg without intersecting the rigid shell, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If straps are secured to the rigid shell of the shin guard, then the shin guard can be held in place, but the straps compress the wearer's leg toward the rigid shell causing discomfort and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a soft mounting portion as an intermediary layer between the rigid shell and the wearer's leg. This soft material absorbs compression forces and prevents direct contact between the rigid shell and the leg, eliminating discomfort while maintaining secure attachment through the strap system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shin guard is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid shell for impact protection, a soft mounting portion for comfort and strap attachment, and separate straps for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between stability and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If padding is positioned between the wearer's leg and the rigid shell, then comfort is improved, but the straps still compress the leg toward the non-conforming shell causing slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the mounting portion by making it soft and conformable rather than rigid. This allows the mounting surface to adapt to the wearer's leg shape, improving both comfort and stability by preventing slippage through better conformity rather than compression.
3Strength
If a substantially rigid member is positioned near the anterior leading edge of the tibia, then impact resistance is improved, but the rigid structure does not conform to the wearer's leg shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material qualities to different regions of the shin guard: the anterior leading edge area uses rigid material for impact resistance, while the mounting and side areas use soft, conformable material for comfort and fit. This local differentiation allows the rigid shell to provide protection without requiring overall rigidity that would prevent leg conformity.
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
The design provides enhanced comfort and stability by preventing slippage while maintaining effective protection of the tibia, ensuring the shin guard remains properly positioned during use.
Implementation Method 1
a detachable securing strap (20) having an adjustment structure (24)
Data Source
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AI summary
A shin guard with a securing strap operably secured to a soft, shin conforming strap mount extending from a resilient shin conforming pad that is secured to a substantially rigid shell. The strap has a longitudinal centerline that does not intersect the substantially rigid shell when worn, thereby allowing the strap to cuff around the wearer's leg. The strap may be rigidly or detachably secured to the strap mount, and a strap adjustment structure may be provided to further improve wearer fit and comfort. Two shin forming strap mounts may be provided, thereby allowing shin conforming straps above and below the elongate substantially rigid shell.