GB2442190A

GB2442190A - A sports sock with a pocket for a shin guard

Info

Publication number: GB2442190A
Application number: GB0618881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin John Pattison; Stephanie Patricia Mulvany
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-26
Filing date: 2006-09-26
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Also published as: GB0618881D0

Abstract

A sports sock incorporates a pocket on the front of the sports sock, into which a shin guard is inserted. The shin guard has aeration holes and is secured in the pocket by an elasticated strip at the top of the pocket. The sports sock and shin guard reduces movement of the shin guard and prevents the shin guard contacting the user's bare skin thereby lessening perspiration, irritation and discomfort.

Description

Sports Sock and Shin Guard PAGE 1

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a sports sock which incorporates a gusset into which is placed a shin guard, typically used in various sports such as soccer and hockey. It is Conventional shin guards, which have a foam backing, arc placed inside traditionally styled sports socks, and rest on the bare skin of the user. They are sometimes fastened to the leg by one or two straps around the back of the calf.

Research has shown that conventional shin guards I. cause perspiration on the bare skin of the user, which, in turn, causes irritation and discomfort, especially when the running motion of the user makes the shin guard rub up and down.

2. slip down towards the ankle causing discomfort 3. slip around the leg, away from the desired area of protection, i.e. the shin bone Additionally, the traditional sports sock can be prone to falling down which, 4. can be contributory to the shin guard falling out, or 5. the shin guard being discarded by the user altogether.

The incorporation of an integral, made to measure gusset, on the front leg section of the body of the sports sock, into which the shin guard is positioned, and secured in place by an elasticated strip at the top of the gusset, avoids the occurrence of numbers lto5above.Thatistosaytheshj1AatnQe.llbethb the user, thereby keeping perspiration to a minimum and consequent irritation and discomfort to the leg. The insertion of the shin guard into a made to measure gusset means that there is a rigidity and firmness reducing movement of the shin guard, ensuring that at all times the shin bone (the area of protection) is always covered. The rigidity of the sports sock also means it will not fall down and the incorporation of the elasticated strip at the top of the gusset means the shin guard will not fall out. This complies with Football Association Law 4-Player's Equipment which states that shin guards are compulsorily worn in all competitive matches.

The proposed shin guard itself will be a thin, but robust, plastic sheet, contoured to the usual leg shape, without any attached backing, and with air holes incorporated therein. When the shin guard is secured in position, within the gusset, the part of the sock directly behind the shin guard and next to the skin, acts as the shock absorber.

This alleviates the need for any backing which is found on conventional shin guards.

The holes in the shin guard create aeration, that is to say, air is allowed to get to the bare skin of the shin area thereby reducing the effects described in number I above. z

PAGE 2 The absence of any backing on the shin guard allows easy insertion into, and withdrawal from the sock gusset by the shin guard.

The drawings on page 3 can also be used to describe the invention. Key:

Figure 1 Cross section from the front of the sock Figure 2 Cross section from the side of the sock Figure 3 View of the sock from above Figure 4 Front of the shin guard Figure 5 Cross section of he shin guard Figure 6 Back of the shin guard a denotes: Shin guard inserted here b denotes: Elasticated strip at top of gusset c denotes: Made to measure gusset d denotes: Sock turnover I turn down e denotes: Front of shin guard f denotes: Back of shin guard g denotes: Holes for aeration

Claims

I. A sports sock which incorporates a made to measure gusset on the front of the sports sock, and a thin and robust plastic shin guard without any backing and with aeration holes, which is inserted into the gusset and secured in place by an elasticated strip, which is at the top of the gusset.
2. A sports sock, in accordance with claim 1, which houses a thin and robust plastic shin guard which is not in contact with the user's bare skin, thereby lessening perspiration, irritation and discomfort.
3. A thin and robust plastic shin guard, in accordance with claim 1, which has no foam backing thereby allowing easy insertion into, and extraction from, the sock gusset.
4. A thin and robust plastic shin guard, in accordance with claim 1, which has air holes incorporated within, thus allowing aeration and lessening of perspiration, irritation and discomfort on the bare skin of the shin area.
5. A sports sock, in accordance with claim I, which acts as a shock absorber directly behind the thin and robust plastic shin guard when secured in the sock gusset.
6. A sports sock in accordance with claim 1, which has an integral thin and robust plastic shin guard, secured in place by an elasticated strip at the top of the gusset.
7. A sports sock in accordance with claim!, that reduces movement (slip or drop) of the thin and robust plastic shin guard
8. A sports sock in accordance with claim 1 and 6, which creates rigidity, ensuring the sock does not fall down and the thin and robust plastic shin guard fall out