US20070017005A1

US20070017005A1 - Kneepad assembly

Info

Publication number: US20070017005A1
Application number: US11/453,217
Authority: US
Inventors: David Shircliff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2006-06-15
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: US7062787B1; US6807682B1

Abstract

A knee pad assembly for protecting a knee of a worker installing tile, wood floors, etc. The knee pad assembly includes an outer knee pad structure and a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/108,050 filed Mar. 28, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to workmen's equipment and more particularly to a knee pad assembly for protecting the knee of a worker that includes an outer knee pad structure and a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure; the outer knee pad structure being molded of plastic and including a bottom knee support plate having a non-slip bottom surface and a top portion integrally formed with a knee and shin receiving structure that defines an inner knee and shin pad receiving channel; the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel being partially defined by a bottom channel surface of the knee and shin receiving structure and includes a pad protrusion receiving cavity formed therein; the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure being shaped to seat into the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel and having a pad protrusion extending from a bottom surface thereof adapted to seat into the pad protrusion receiving cavity of the outer knee pad structure.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Many individuals who work installing tile, wood flooring, etc. have to spend a considerable amount of time on one or more knees in order to accomplish the work. This constant weight on the knees can lead to knee pain as well as knee injury. It would be a benefit to these individuals to have one or more knee pad assemblies that could be attached, respectively, to one or more knees as needed for providing cushioning to their knees as well as reducing the wear and tear on their knees.

GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a kneepad assembly that includes an outer knee pad structure and a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure; the outer knee pad structure being molded of plastic and including a bottom knee support plate having a non-slip bottom surface and a top portion integrally formed with a knee and shin receiving structure that defines an inner knee and shin pad receiving channel; the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel being partially defined by a bottom channel surface of the knee and shin receiving structure and includes a pad protrusion receiving cavity formed therein; the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure being shaped to seat into the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel and having a pad protrusion extending from a bottom surface thereof adapted to seat into the pad protrusion receiving cavity of the outer knee pad structure.
Accordingly, a kneepad assembly is provided. The kneepad assembly includes an outer knee pad structure and a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure; the outer knee pad structure being molded of plastic and including a bottom knee support plate having a non-slip bottom surface and a top portion integrally formed with a knee and shin receiving structure that defines an inner knee and shin pad receiving channel; the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel being partially defined by a bottom channel surface of the knee and shin receiving structure and includes a pad protrusion receiving cavity formed therein; the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure being shaped to seat into the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel and having a pad protrusion extending from a bottom surface thereof adapted to seat into the pad protrusion receiving cavity of the outer knee pad structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the outer knee pad structure of an exemplary embodiment of the knee pad assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear end, plan view of the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an underside plan view of the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a underside perspective view of the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the knee pad assembly of the present invention with the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure installed within the outer knee pad structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an end plan view of the exemplary knee pad assembly of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure of FIG. 7 in isolation.
FIG. 10 is an underside perspective view of the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the exemplary knee pad assembly of FIG. 7.
FIG. 12 is sectional view of the knee pad assembly of FIG. 7 along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-12 show various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the kneepad assembly of the present invention generally designated 10. Kneepad assembly knee pad system 10 includes a molded plastic, outer knee pad structure, generally designated 12 and a resilient, molded foam inner knee and shin pad structure, generally designated 14.
Outer knee pad structure 12 is molded of tough plastic and including a bottom knee support plate, generally designated 16, having a non-slip bottom surface 18 and a top portion 20 integrally forming a knee and shin receiving structure 22 that defines an inner knee and shin pad receiving channel 24. Inner knee and shin pad receiving channel 24 is partially defined by a bottom channel surface 28 of knee and shin receiving structure 22 and includes a pad protrusion receiving cavity 30 formed therein.
Resilient, molded foam inner knee and shin pad structure 14 is shaped to seat into the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel 22 and has a pad protrusion 36 extending from a bottom surface 40′ thereof adapted to seat into the pad protrusion receiving cavity 30 of outer knee pad structure 12.
It can be seen that a kneepad assembly has been provided.
It is noted that the embodiment of the kneepad assembly knee pads system described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1) A kneepad assembly comprising:

an outer knee pad structure; and

a resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure;

the outer knee pad structure being molded of plastic and including a bottom knee support plate having a non-slip bottom surface and a top portion integrally formed with a knee and shin receiving structure that defines an inner knee and shin pad receiving channel;

the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel being partially defined by a bottom channel surface of the knee and shin receiving structure and includes a pad protrusion receiving cavity formed therein;

the resilient foam inner knee and shin pad structure being shaped to seat into the inner knee and shin pad receiving channel and having a pad protrusion extending from a bottom surface thereof adapted to seat into the pad protrusion receiving cavity of the outer knee pad structure.