US20130318675A1

US20130318675A1 - Leg pads for a hockey goalkeeper

Info

Publication number: US20130318675A1
Application number: US13/483,685
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee MACKEY
Original assignee: Bauer Hockey LLC
Current assignee: Bauer Hockey LLC
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2013-12-05

Abstract

A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper playing hockey (e.g., roller hockey) is provided. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The leg pad comprises a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The slider may be mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through an opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to protective athletic equipment and, more particularly, to leg pads for hockey goalkeepers.

BACKGROUND

Leg pads are worn by hockey goalkeepers to protect their legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/or to protect their legs when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing surface. A hockey goalkeeper's leg pad typically comprises protective padding for providing padded protection to the goalkeeper's leg and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding.
When the goalkeeper moves his/her leg on the playing surface to perform a maneuver during play, such as a shift of his/her leg or of his/her entire body on the playing surface to make a save, the leg pad's outer covering contacts the playing surface and friction between the outer covering and the playing surface, if too high, may create undesirable resistance to movement of the goalkeeper's leg. In some cases, such as when playing ice hockey on an icy playing surface, frictional effects may be unimportant or negligible. However, in other cases, such as when playing roller hockey on a dry playing surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, or wooden playing surface), friction between the outer covering and the playing surface may create significant resistance to movement of the goalkeeper's leg, particularly if the outer covering's material tends to “grab” onto the playing surface in some situations.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements directed to facilitating movement of a hockey goalkeeper's leg pads on a playing surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The slider is mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The slider comprises an undermounted portion disposed underneath and overlapped by the outer covering. The slider comprises an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The slider comprises an undermounted portion disposed underneath and affixed to the outer covering. The slider comprises an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises protective padding and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The outer covering comprises an opening in the medial side of the leg pad. The leg pad comprises a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved. The slider is removable from the leg pad without removing at least a majority of the outer covering from the leg pad.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of arranging a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper. The leg pad is wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg. The leg pad comprises a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The method comprises: removing a first removable part fastened to the leg pad; providing a second removable part comprising a slider; and fastening the second removable part to the leg pad in place of the first removable part such that the slider is in the medial side of the leg pad to facilitate sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved
These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example of leg pads for protecting legs of a hockey goalkeeper in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the right leg pad;

FIG. 3 shows a medial side view of the right leg pad;

FIG. 4 shows a lateral side view of the right leg pad;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the right leg pad;

FIG. 6 shows a slider of the right leg pad;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the right leg pad in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a medial side view of the right leg pad of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A shows a medial side view of a right leg pad in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in which sliders are removable;

FIG. 9B shows end views of removable parts of the right leg pad of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 shows the right leg pad of FIG. 9A with the sliders installed thereon;

FIG. 11 shows a medial side view of a right leg pad in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in which removable parts without sliders can be replaced by removable parts comprising sliders;

FIG. 12A shows a front view of the goalkeeper's right leg; and

FIG. 12B shows a medial side view of the goalkeeper's right leg.

The description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂wearable by a hockey goalkeeper in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂are worn on the hockey goalkeeper's legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂while playing hockey to protect the legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂against an impact from a puck, ball, hockey stick or other object and/or to protect the legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing surface 12. In this embodiment, a type of hockey played is roller hockey such that the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂are roller hockey goalkeeper leg pads, the hockey goalkeeper is a roller hockey goalkeeper, and the playing surface 12 is a dry playing surface for roller hockey (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, or wooden playing surface or any other dry playing surface on which roller hockey is played).
The leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂protect various regions of the goalkeeper's legs 16 ₁, 16 ₂. With additional reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, each leg 16 _x. of the goalkeeper comprises an upper leg 18, a knee 19, a lower leg 20, and a foot 21. The upper leg 18 is above the knee 19, while the lower leg 20 is below the knee 19 and above the foot 21. The leg 16 _xof the goalkeeper has a front 22, a back 23, a medial side 24 (sometimes referred to as an “inner side”), and a lateral side 25 (sometimes referred to as an “outer side”).
In this embodiment, each leg pad 10 _xcomprises an upper leg portion 30, a knee portion 31, a lower leg portion 32, and a foot portion 33 respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to the upper leg 18, the knee 19, the lower leg 20, and the foot 21 of the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xwhen the leg pad 10 _xis worn on the leg 16 _x. The upper leg portion 30 is above the knee portion 31, while the lower leg portion 32 is below the knee portion 31 and above the foot portion 33. Each of these portions of the leg pad 10 _xcomprises a frontal part, a medial part, and a lateral part such that the leg pad 10 _xcomprises a frontal portion 26, a medial portion 27, and a lateral portion 28 respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to the front 22, the medial side 24, and the lateral side 25 of the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xwhen the leg pad 10 _xis worn on the leg 16 _x. The frontal portion 26 comprises a front 34 of the leg pad 10 _x, the medial portion 27 comprises a medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _x, and the lateral portion 28 comprises a lateral side 36 of the leg pad 10 _x. In this embodiment, the knee portion 31 comprises a knee wing 39 and the lower leg portion 32 comprises a calf wing 59.
The leg pad 10 _xcan be secured to the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xin any suitable way. For example, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10 _xcomprises straps (not shown) to secure the leg pad 10 _xto the goalkeeper's leg 16 _x. Such straps are well known and will not be discussed herein.
As further discussed later on, the leg pad 10 _xfacilitates sliding of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xis moved as the goalkeeper performs a maneuver during play, such as, for example, a shift of his/her leg 16 _xor a shift of his/her entire body on the playing surface 12 to make a save. This sliding facilitation makes it easier for the goalkeeper to move his/her leg 16 _xand thus makes it easier to perform the desired maneuver on the playing surface 12. Notably, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10 _xfacilitates sliding of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xis moved. This can be particularly beneficial in situations where the goalkeeper uses a so-called “butterfly” goaltending style in which he/she goes down on both of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂with his/her toes pointing outwards and top ends of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂converging towards and possibly meeting one another. In that position, at least part of the medial side 35 of each of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂lies on the playing surface 12 and, therefore, facilitating sliding of the medial side 35 of each of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂is useful.
With additional reference to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10 _xcomprises protective padding 40, an outer covering 42 disposed over the protective padding 40, and an inner liner 44 disposed under the protective padding 40. The leg pad 10 _xalso comprises a plurality of sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉for facilitating sliding of the leg pad 10 _x, including sliding of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _x, on the playing surface 12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xis moved.
The protective padding 40 provides padded protection to the goalkeeper's leg 16 _x. To that end, the protective padding 40 may comprise any suitable shock-absorbing material. For example, in some embodiments, the protective padding 40 may comprise foam, such as polyurethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam, expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam), vinyl nitrile (VN) foam, or any other suitable foam, and/or may comprise shock-absorbing material other than foam (e.g., a gel).
In this embodiment, the protective padding 40 comprises protective padding portions 48 ₁-48 P distributed in the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10 _x. More particularly, in this example, the protective padding portions 48 ₁-48 P are distributed in the frontal, medial and lateral parts of the upper leg portion 30, the knee portion 31, the lower leg portion 32, and the foot portion 33 such that they are distributed in the frontal portion 26, the medial portion 27, and the lateral portion 28 of the leg pad 10 _x. In some cases, different ones of the protective padding portions 48 ₁-48 P may be distinct pads separate from one another. In other cases, different ones of the protective padding portions 48 ₁-48 P may be part of a common pad. The protective padding 40 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
The outer covering 42 faces away from the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xand may comprise any suitable material. For example, in this embodiment, the outer covering 42 comprises synthetic pliable material. More particularly, in this embodiment, the synthetic pliable material of the outer covering 42 is synthetic leather. For instance, in some examples of implementation, the synthetic leather of the outer covering 42 may be polyurethane (PU) leather. The outer covering 42 may comprise various other materials and/or be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments (e.g., it may comprise a nylon fabric, a polyester fabric, a Cordura™ fabric, or any other suitable fabric).
The inner liner 44 faces the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xand may comprise any suitable material. For example, in this embodiment, the inner liner 44 comprises fabric. For instance, in some examples of implementation, the fabric of the inner liner 44 may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, synthetic microfibers, a synthetic woven knit, a polyurethane laminate, a mesh, or any other suitable fabric. The inner liner 44 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.
The protective padding 40, the outer covering 42 and the inner liner 44 are fastened together during manufacturing of the leg pad 10 _x. In this embodiment, the outer covering 42 is affixed to at least one of the protective padding 40 and the inner liner 44. More particularly, in this example, the outer covering 42 is sewn to the inner liner 44 along a perimeter of the leg pad 10 _xto form a cavity receiving the protective padding 40 and is laced to both the protective padding 40 and the inner liner 44 by laces 49 ₁-49 _L. In other embodiments, the outer covering 42 may be affixed to one or both of the protective padding 40 and the inner liner 44 by other types of fasteners (e.g., staples, an adhesive, etc.).
Each of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉is provided to facilitate sliding of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12 when the goalkeeper's leg 16 _xis moved. More particularly, in this embodiment, the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₈are located in the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xto facilitate sliding of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12. In this example, the slider 46 ₁is located in the medial part of the foot portion 33, the sliders 46 ₂-46 ₅are located in the medial part of the lower leg portion 32, and the sliders 46 ₆-46 ₈are located in the medial part of the knee portion 31. Also, in this embodiment, the slider 46 ₉is located in the front 34 of the leg pad 10 _xto facilitate sliding of the front 34 of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12. More specifically, in this example, the slider 46 ₉is located in the front part of the foot portion 33 adjacent to the medial part of the foot portion 33. This can further facilitate sliding since that region of the front part of the foot portion 33 near the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xmay come into contact with the playing surface 12 as the goaltender moves his/her leg 16 _xduring play.
The sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉are mounted beneath the outer covering 42 and exposed through respective openings 50 ₁-50 ₉of the outer covering 42 to slide on the playing surface 12. Specifically, each slider 46 _xis at least partly disposed beneath the outer covering 42 and is exposed through an opening 50 _xof the outer covering 42 such that it can contact and slide on the playing surface 12.
The slider 46 _xcan therefore slide on the playing surface 12 while being anchored in the leg pad 10 _x. This anchoring can help to retain the slider 46 _xin the leg pad 10 _x, particularly against frictional forces exerted on the slider 46 _xwhen it slides on the playing surface 12.
With additional reference to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the slider 46 _xcomprises an undermounted portion 52 and an exposed portion 54. The undermounted portion 52 is disposed underneath and overlapped by the outer covering 42. The exposed portion 54 is exposed through the opening 50, of the outer covering 42 and comprises a sliding surface 55 to slide on the playing surface 12.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xis affixed to the outer covering 42. In this example, the undermounted portion 52 is sewed to the outer covering 42 via stitches 63 ₁-63-_T. In other examples, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xmay be affixed to the outer covering 42 via any other suitable fastener (e.g., staples, an adhesive, etc.). Also, in other embodiments, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xmay be affixed to the protective padding 40 in addition to or instead of the outer covering 42.
In this embodiment, the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _xprojects outwardly relative to the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _x. More particularly, in this example of implementation, the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _xprojects outwardly such that it extends through the opening 50, of the outer covering 42 and at least part of its sliding surface 55 protrudes outwardly beyond an external surface 57 of the outer covering 42. This may help to prevent or limit contact between the outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12. The exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _xmay not project outwardly relative to, but may rather be flush with, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xin other embodiments.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xsurrounds the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _x. More specifically, in this case, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xextends along an entirety of a perimeter of the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _x. In other embodiments, the undermounted portion 52 may be shaped in a manner such that it extends along less than all of the perimeter of the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _x. For example, in some embodiments, the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xmay extend along two or more spaced apart portions of the exposed portion 54 of the slider 46 _x(e.g., in an intermittent fashion).
The slider 46 _xand the opening 50 _xof the outer covering 42 can have any suitable shape and be arranged in any suitable manner on the leg pad 10 _x. For example, in this embodiment, each of the slider 46 _xand the opening 50 _xof the outer covering 42 is elongated. More particularly, in this example of implementation, each of the slider 46 _xand the opening 50 _xof the outer covering 42 is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the leg pad 10 _x. Other shapes and/or orientations of the slider 46 _xand the opening 50 _xof the outer covering 42 may be used in other examples of implementation.
The sliding surface 55 of the slider 46 _xis exposed to, faces and contacts the playing surface 12 when the slider 46 _xslides on the playing surface 12. In this embodiment, the sliding surface 55 is uneven such that, when the slider 46 _xslides on the playing surface 12, less than all of the sliding surface 55 contacts the playing surface 12. More particularly, in this example, the sliding surface 55 of the slider 46 _xis uneven such that a first part 71 of the sliding surface 55 projects outwardly relative to a second part 73 of the sliding surface 55. This results in the slider 46 _xabutting against the playing surface 12 such that the first part 71 of the sliding surface 55 has a greater tendency to contact the playing surface 12 than the second part 73 of the sliding surface 55. In this case, when the first part 71 of the sliding surface 55 contacts the playing surface 12, the second part 73 of the sliding surface 55 does not contact the playing surface 12.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the sliding surface 55 of the slider 46 _xcomprises a plurality of sliding contact areas 60 ₁-60 ₃spaced apart by recesses 62 ₁, 62 ₂. Each sliding contact area 60 _xis an area of the sliding surface 55 which can be in contact with and slide on the playing surface 12 when the slider 46 _xslides on the playing surface 12. In this example, the sliding contact areas 60 ₁-60 ₃are on outwardly projecting or raised portions 70 ₁-70 ₃of the sliding surface 55 that define the recesses 62 ₁, 62 ₂between them. As such, in this example, the sliding surface 55 of the slider 46 _xcan be seen as having a “peak and valley” configuration in which each outwardly projecting portion 70 _xdefines a “peak” and each recess 62 _xdefines a “valley”. The sliding surface 55 of the slider 46 _xmay have any other number of sliding contact areas and recesses in other embodiments (e.g., two sliding contact areas with a single recess in between, or four or more sliding contact areas with three or more recesses in between).
In this embodiment, to facilitate sliding, a coefficient of friction C_sbetween the slider 46 _xand the playing surface 12 is lower than a coefficient of friction C_ocbetween the outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12. For instance, in some examples of implementation, a ratio C_s/C_ocof the coefficient of friction C_sbetween the slider 46 _xand the playing surface 12 and the coefficient of friction C_ocbetween the outer covering 42 and the playing surface 12 may be no more than 0.9, in some cases no more than 0.85, in some cases no more than 0.8, and in some cases even less (e.g., no more than 0.6). The ratio C_s/C_ocof the coefficients of friction may have any other value in other examples of implementation.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slider 46 _xis more rigid than the outer covering 42. More specifically, in this example of implementation, a hardness H_sof the slider 46 _xis higher than a hardness H_ocof the outer covering 42. For example, in some embodiments, the hardness H_sof the slider may be at least 60 durometers Shore D, in some cases at least 70 durometers Shore D, in some cases at least 80 durometers Shore D, and in some cases at least 90 durometers Shore D. The hardness H_sof the slider 46 _xmay have any other suitable value in other embodiments.
The slider 46 _xcan be made of any suitable material. For example, in this embodiment, the slider 46 _xcomprises polymeric material. More specifically, in this example, the polymeric material of the slider 46 _xis polycarbonate. In other examples, the polymeric material of the slider 46 _xmay be nylon, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or any other suitable polymeric material. In other embodiments, the slider 46 _xmay comprise another type of polymeric material, metallic material, composite material (e.g., a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) and/or any other suitable material or combination of materials (e.g., a coating of PFTE on a base material).
The sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉may have any other suitable shape and/or be made of any other suitable material. Also, while there are nine sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉in the leg pad 10 _xin this embodiment, there may be any other number of sliders such as the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉in other embodiments (e.g., only one slider, or two, three or more sliders) as discussed previously. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment in which the leg pad 10 _xcomprises twelve sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂located in the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xto facilitate sliding of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xon the playing surface 12. In this example, the slider 46 ₁is located in the medial part of the foot portion 33, the sliders 46 ₂-46 ₉are located in the medial part of the lower leg portion 32, and the sliders 46 ₁₀-46 ₁₂are located in the medial part of the knee portion 31. In this embodiment, there is no slider located in the front 34 of the leg pad 10 _x(i.e., the slider 46 ₉located in the front part of the foot portion 33 in the embodiment discussed above is omitted in this embodiment). In this example, different ones of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂have different shapes, namely the sliders 46 ₁, 46 ₅, 46 ₆are smaller than the sliders 46 ₂-46 ₄, 46 ₇-46 ₁₂.
The leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂may be constructed in various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂may have any other suitable shape and/or be made of any other suitable material.
In embodiments considered above the leg pad 10 _xis constructed such that its sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉or 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are permanently present on the leg pad 10 _x. That is, the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉or 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are irremovable from the leg pad 10 _xwithout damaging the leg pad 10 _x.
In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10, the leg pad 10 _xmay be constructed such that its sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are removable from the leg pad 10 _x. In other words, a slider 46 _xmay be removably fastenable to the leg pad 10 _xsuch that the slider 46 _xcan be fastened to the leg pad 10 _xand then unfastened and removed from the leg pad 10 _x(without damaging the leg pad 10 _x). For example, in some cases, this may facilitate replacement of the slider 46 _xby a new slider 46 _x* when the slider 46 _xis worn out or damaged. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, this may allow the leg pad 10 _xto be configured in various configurations, including a “slider configuration” in which one or more of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are provided on the leg pad 10 _xand a “no-slider configuration” in which the leg pad 10 _xis free of sliders (i.e., has no sliders-the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are not provided on the leg pad 10 _x).
More particularly, in this embodiment, the leg pad 10 _xcomprises a plurality of removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂which are removable from a main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xpad and comprise respective ones of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂. In addition, in this embodiment, the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂comprise respective portions 38 ₁-38 ₅of the outer covering 42. Each removable part 53 _x/61 _xis removably fastenable to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xsuch that the removable part 53 _x/61 _x, including one or more of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉it comprises, can be fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xand then unfastened and removed from the leg pad 10 _x. The removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂, when fastened to the leg pad 10 _x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _x. More specifically, in this example: the removable part 53 ₁, when fastened to the leg pad 10 _x, constitutes a region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xlocated in the foot portion 33 of the leg pad 10 _x; the removable parts 53 ₂, 61 ₁, when fastened to the leg pad 10 _x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xlocated in the lower leg portion 30 of the leg pad 10 _x, the region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xconstituted by the removable part 61 ₁being located in the calf wing 59 ₁of the lower leg portion 30; and the removable parts 53 ₃, 61 ₂, when fastened to the leg pad 10 _x, constitute respective regions of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xlocated in the knee portion 31 of the leg pad 10 _x, the region of the medial side 35 of the leg pad 10 _xconstituted by the removable part 61 ₂being located in the knee wing 39 ₁of the knee portion 31.
In this embodiment, a slider 46 _xof a removable part 53 _x/61 _xis at least partly disposed beneath the portion 38 _xof the outer covering 42 of the removable part 53 _x/61 _xand is exposed through an opening 50 _xof the portion 38 _xof the outer covering 42 of the removable part 53 _x/61 _x, and the undermounted portion 52 of the slider 46 _xis affixed (in this case sewed) to the portion 38 _xof the outer covering 42 of the removable part 53 _x/61 _x, as discussed in embodiments considered previously.
The removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂can be fastened to the leg pad 10 _xusing any suitable fastener. For example, in this embodiment, the removable parts 53-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂are fastenable to the leg pad 10 _xusing different fasteners, namely hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro) fasteners 45 ₁-45 ₃, 87 ₁, 87 ₂and laces 77 ₁, 77 ₂. Any other number of fasteners (e.g., one, three, etc.) and/or any other type of fastener (e.g., buttons, clips, zippers, etc.) may be used to fasten the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂in other embodiments.
More particularly, in this embodiment, each removable part 53 _xcomprises a hook portion 69 of the hook-and-loop fastener 45 _xused to fasten that removable part, a lacing area 74 ₁to receive the lace 77 ₁used to fasten that removable part, and a lacing area 74 ₂to receive the lace 77 ₂used to fasten that removable part. The main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xcomprises lacing areas 75 ₁, 75 ₂to receive respective ones of the laces 77 ₁, 77 ₂, a loop portion 89 of each of the hook-and-loop fastener 45 ₁-45 ₃, and a loop portion 90 of each of the hook-and- loop fasteners 87 ₁, 87 ₂.
The lacing area 74 ₁of the removable part 53 _xis configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75 ₁of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xin order to define a lacing channel for receiving the lace 77 ₁, thereby lacing the removable part 53 _xto the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x. In this example, the lacing area 74 ₁of the removable part 53 _xcomprises a plurality of lacing conduits 78 ₁-78 _Gand the lacing area 75 ₁of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xcomprises a plurality of lacing conduits 79 ₁-79 _Rsuch that the lacing conduits 78 ₁-78 _Gof the removable part 53 _xcan be aligned with respective ones of the lacing conduits 79 ₁-79 _Rof the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xto define the lacing channel through which the lace 77 ₁can be passed. Thus, in this case, when the removable part 53 _xis laced to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x, the lacing area 74 ₁of the removable part 53 _x, the lacing area 75 ₁of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x, and the lace 77 ₁form a hinge-like joint 80. The removable part 53 _xcan be folded over onto the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xabout the hinge-like joint 80 such that the portions 69, 89 of the hook-and-loop fastener 45 _xoverlap and interconnect. In this position, the lacing area 74 ₂of the removable part 53 _xis configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75 ₂of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xand a lacing area of a removable part 61 _xto receive the lace 77 ₂, as discussed below. To that end, in this example, the lacing area 74 ₂of the removable part 53 _xcomprises a plurality of lacing holes 58 ₁-58 _hand the lacing area 75 ₂of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xcomprises a plurality of lacing holes 68 ₁-68 _b.
Also, in this embodiment, the removable part 61 ₁is configured to be mounted over a calf wing member 91 of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xand the removable part 61 ₂is configured to be mounted over a knee wing member 92 of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x. More particularly, in this example, the removable part 61 ₁comprises a pocket 93 for receiving the calf wing member 91 and the removable part 61 ₂comprises a pocket 94 for receiving the knee wing member 92. Each removable part 61 _xcomprises a hook portion 98 of the hook-and-loop fastener 87 _xused to fasten that removable part, straps 95 ₁, 95 ₂for connection to the calf wing member 91 or knee wing member 92 over which it is mounted, and a lacing area 96 to receive the lace 77 ₂used to fasten that removable part. The removable part 61 ₁can be slipped onto the calf wing member 91 so that its pocket 93 receives the calf wing member 91, the portions 98, 90 of the hook-and-loop fastener 87 ₁overlap and interconnect, and its straps 95 ₁, 95 ₂are connected to the calf wing member 91 (e.g., its straps 95 ₁, 95 ₂and the calf wing member 91 may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners to interconnect them). Similarly, the removable part 61 ₂can be slipped onto the knee wing member 92 so that its pocket 94 receives the knee wing member 92, the portions 98, 90 of the hook-and-loop fastener 87 ₂overlap and interconnect, and its straps 95 ₁, 95 ₂are connected to the knee wing member 92 (e.g., its straps 95 ₁, 95 ₂and the knee wing member 92 may comprise hook-and-loop fasteners to interconnect them).
The lacing area 96 of the removable part 61 _xis configured to cooperate with the lacing area 75 ₂of the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xand the lacing area 74 ₂of the removable part 53 _xto receive the lace 77 ₂, thereby lacing the removable parts 53 _x, 61 _xto the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x. In this example, the lacing area 96 of the removable part 61 _xcomprises a plurality of lacing holes 99 ₁-99 _d. Respective ones of the lacing holes 58 ₁-58 _hof the removable part 53 _x, the lacing holes 99 ₁-99 _dof the removable part 61 _x, and the lacing holes 68 ₁-68 _bof the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xcan be aligned with one another to allow passage of the lace 77 ₂through these holes, thereby lacing these components together.
The removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂comprising the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, a removable part 53 _x/61, may comprise a slider 46 _xbut may not comprise any portion of the outer covering 42 such that the slider 46 _xcan be individually clipped, buttoned or otherwise fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x.
The removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂thus facilitate installation of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂on the leg pad 16 _xand removal of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂from the leg pad 10 _x. This can be useful in various ways.
For example, in some embodiments, when a slider 46 _xneeds to be replaced since it is no longer in acceptable condition (e.g., being worn out or damaged), a removable part 53 _x/61 _xcomprising the slider 46 _xcan be unfastened and removed from the leg pad 10 _xand a replacement removable part 53 _x*/61 _x* comprising a replacement slider 46 _x* can be fastened to the leg pad 10 _xin place of the removable part 53 _x/61 _x.
As another example, in some embodiments, the leg pad 10 _xmay be configured in various configurations in which it is either free of any slider (i.e., has none of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂) or has some or all of the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂, depending on what the goalkeeper desires. For instance, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, the leg pad 10 _xmay comprise a plurality of removable parts 153 ₁-153 ₃, 161 ₁, 161 ₂fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _xwhere respective ones of the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂comprising the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are fastenable. In this case, each removable part 153 _x/161 _xis free of any slider but otherwise substantially identical to a removable part 53 _x/61 _xmountable in its place. The removable part 153 _x/161 _xcan thus be unfastened and removed from the leg pad 10 _xand replaced by the removable part 53 _x/61 _x, and vice versa. For example, in some cases, the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂comprising the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂may be provided as an option or add-on for mounting in place of the removable part 153 ₁-153 ₃, 161 ₁, 161 ₂without sliders.
In this embodiment, the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂allow the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂to be installed on and removed from the leg pad 16 _xwithout removing at least a majority of the outer covering 42 from the leg pad 10 _x. In other words, the removable parts 53 ₁-53 ₃, 61 ₁, 61 ₂allow the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂to be installed on and removed from the leg pad 10 _xwhile at least a majority of the outer covering 42 remains in place on the leg pad 10 _x. More particularly, in this example, a removable part 53 _x/63 _xcan be installed on or removed from the leg pad 10 _xwhile respective portions of the outer covering 42 in the frontal portion 26, the medial portion 27, and the lateral portion 28 of the leg pad 16 _xremain in place. In other examples, the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂may be installable on and removable from the leg pad 16 _xwithout removing any of the outer covering 42 from the leg pad 10 _x(e.g., in cases where each slider 46 _xis a removable part that includes no portion of the outer covering 42 and that can be individually clipped, buttoned or otherwise fastened to the main structure 67 of the leg pad 10 _x).
Although embodiments considered above illustrate an example of how the leg pad 10 _xmay be constructed such that its sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are removable, in other embodiments, the leg pad 10 _xmay be constructed in various other ways such that its sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂are removable. For example, in other embodiments, the leg pad 10 _xmay comprise quick-type connectors which allow its sliders 46 ₁-46 ₁₂to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the leg pad 10 _x.
While in embodiments considered above the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂are roller hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing roller hockey, in other embodiments, leg pads constructed using principles described herein in respect of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂can be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing another type of hockey on a dry playing surface (e.g., field or street hockey).
Although in embodiments considered above the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂are for playing roller hockey on a dry playing surface, in other embodiments, leg pads constructed using principles described herein in respect of the leg pads 10 ₁, 10 ₂can be hockey goalkeeper leg pads for playing ice hockey on an iced playing surface. In such embodiments, sliders such as the sliders 46 ₁-46 ₉may have a lesser effect given that the iced playing surface inherently provides low friction and high slideability.
Any feature of any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with any feature of any other embodiment discussed herein in some examples of implementation.
To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an element in one figure has been used to designate the same element if used in any other figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.
Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure.
Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the leg pad comprising:

a) protective padding;

b) an outer covering disposed over the protective padding, the outer covering comprising an opening in the medial side of the leg pad; and

c) a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved, the slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.

2. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises: an undermounted portion disposed underneath and overlapped by the outer covering; and

an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.

3. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the exposed portion projects outwardly relative to the undermounted portion.

4. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the undermounted portion surrounds the exposed portion.

5. The leg pad of claim 2, wherein the undermounted portion is affixed to the outer covering.

6. The leg pad of claim 5, wherein the undermounted portion is affixed to the outer covering by being sewed to the outer covering.

7. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider protrudes outwardly beyond an external surface of the outer covering.

8. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein a coefficient of friction between the slider and the playing surface is lower than a coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing surface.

9. The leg pad of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the coefficient of friction between the slider and the playing surface and the coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing surface is no more than 0.9.

10. The leg pad of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the coefficient of friction between the slider and the playing surface and the coefficient of friction between the outer covering and the playing surface is no more than 0.8.

11. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is more rigid than the outer covering.

12. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider has a hardness of at least 60 durometers Shore D.

13. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider has a hardness of at least 80 durometers Shore D.

14. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises polymeric material.

15. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises at least one of polycarbonate and nylon.

16. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface being uneven such that, when the slider slides on the playing surface, less than all of the sliding surface contacts the playing surface.

17. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface being uneven such that a first part of the sliding surface projects outwardly relative to a second part of the sliding surface.

18. The leg pad of claim 17, wherein, when the first part of the sliding surface contacts the playing surface, the second part of the sliding surface does not contact the playing surface.

19. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a sliding surface for facing and contacting the playing surface when the slider slides on the playing surface, the sliding surface comprising a first sliding contact area, a second sliding contact area, and a recess between the first sliding contact area and the second sliding contact area.

20. The leg pad of claim 19, wherein each of the first sliding contact area and the second sliding contact area forms a peak of the sliding surface.

21. The leg pad of claim 19, wherein the recess is a first recess and the sliding surface comprises a third sliding contact area and a second recess between the second sliding contact area and the third sliding contact area.

22. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the leg pad.

23. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a foot portion for overlying a foot of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being located in the foot portion.

24. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a lower leg portion for overlying a lower leg of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being located in the lower leg portion.

25. The leg pad of claim 1, comprising a knee portion for overlying a knee of the hockey goalkeeper, the slider being located in the knee portion.

26. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is a first slider and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer covering comprising a second opening in the medial side of the leg pad, the leg pad comprising a second slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the second slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the second opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.

27. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the first slider and the second slider are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the leg pad.

28. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the first slider and the second slider are spaced apart in a thickness direction of the leg pad.

29. The leg pad of claim 26, comprising a foot portion for overlying a foot of the hockey goalkeeper and a lower leg portion for overlying a lower leg of the hockey goalkeeper, the first slider being located in the foot portion, the second slider being located in the lower leg portion.

30. The leg pad of claim 26, wherein the outer covering comprises a third opening in the medial side of the leg pad, the leg pad comprising a third slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the third slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the third opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.

31. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is a first slider and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer covering comprising a second opening in the front of the leg pad, the leg pad comprising a second slider in the front of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the front of the leg pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the second slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the second opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface.

32. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the protective padding comprises foam.

33. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the outer covering comprises synthetic pliable material.

34. The leg pad of claim 33, wherein the synthetic pliable material comprises polyurethane.

35. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the slider is removable from the leg pad.

36. The leg pad of claim 35, wherein the leg pad comprises a removable part which is removably fastened to a main structure of the leg pad, the removable part comprising the slider and a portion of the outer covering.

37. The leg pad of claim 36, wherein the slider is a first slider and the opening of the outer covering is a first opening, the outer covering comprising a second opening in the medial side of the leg pad, the leg pad comprising a second slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on the playing surface when the leg is moved, the second slider being mounted beneath the outer covering and exposed through the second opening of the outer covering to slide on the playing surface, the removable part comprising the second slider.

38. The leg pad of claim 1, wherein the playing surface is a dry playing surface.

39. The leg pad of claim 38, wherein the dry playing surface is a roller hockey playing surface and the leg pad is a roller hockey goalkeeper leg pad.

40. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the leg pad comprising:

a) protective padding;

c) a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved, the slider comprising:

i. an undermounted portion disposed underneath and overlapped by the outer covering; and

ii. an exposed portion exposed through the opening of the outer covering and comprising a sliding surface to slide on the playing surface.

41. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the leg pad comprising:

a) protective padding;

i. an undermounted portion disposed underneath and affixed to the outer covering; and

42. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, the leg pad being wearable on a leg of the hockey goalkeeper to protect the leg, the leg pad comprising a front, a medial side, and a lateral side respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of the leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg, the leg pad comprising:

a) protective padding;

b) an outer covering disposed over the protective padding; and

a slider in the medial side of the leg pad for facilitating sliding of the medial side of the leg pad on a playing surface when the leg is moved, the slider being removable from the leg pad without removing at least a majority of the outer covering from the leg pad.