WO2007061379A1

WO2007061379A1 - A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper

Info

Publication number: WO2007061379A1
Application number: PCT/SE2006/050519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörgen WIKSTRÖM; Olow SUNDSTRÖM
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-28
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2007-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-28

Abstract

A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, which is attachable to the leg (101) of a user, the leg pad comprising a rear side (301) for abutment against the leg (101) of the user and a front side (302) opposite said rear side (301), the first end (303) of the leg pad being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the foot (105) of the user, and its second end (304) being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the knee (107) of the user, the leg pad comprising the features that from the first end (303) of the leg pad to its second end (304) the surface (305) of the front side (302) extends along a substantially straight line, and in that the rear side (301) is provided with a backwardly protruding portion for abutment against the lower leg of the user. A goalkeeper pad for hockey, which is attachable to the leg (101 ) of a user, the pad comprising a rear side (301 ) for abutment against the leg (101) of the user, a front side (302) opposite said rear side (301 ), and retention means for receiving the knee portion (107) of the user and retaining the same, which retention means (309) is connected to the rear side (301 ) of the pad, and pivotally adjustable, whereby the retention means (309) is positionable in several positions.

Description

A LEG PAD FOR A HOCKEY GOALKEEPER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, which is attachable to the leg of a user, the leg pad comprising a rear side for abutment against the leg of the user and a front side opposite said rear side. The first end of the leg pad is intended to be positioned in the proximity of the foot of the user and its second end is intended to be positioned in the proximity of the knee of the user. Further, the present invention relates to a goalkeeper pad for hockey, which is attachable to the leg of a user, the pad comprising a rear side for abutment against the leg of the user, a front side opposite said rear side, and at least one retention means for receiving the knee portion of the user and retaining the same, which retention means is connected to the rear side of the pad.

Background of the Invention

Today, conventional leg pads for hockey goalkeepers have a design which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which illustrate prior art. The leg pad comprises an outwardly angled portion intended to be positioned at the foot of the user, the purpose of which is to protect the skate of the user and to prevent pucks from passing. However, this angled portion creates problems. When a hockey goalkeeper positions himself in a so called "butterfly" position, which is a position in which the goalkeeper is standing on his knees having his lower legs and the leg pads angled outwardly to the sides and longitudinal sides of the leg pad abutting the ice, the angled portions rebound the puck, which hits the front side of the leg pad on said angled portion, back in front of the goal and thus in the direction towards the oppo- nent/-s trying to score a goal, whereby the opposing team receives an additional opportunity to score a goal. Naturally, this is not desirable for the goalkeeper in question and his team. Further, the leg pads of today are inflexible and not adjustable enough for users having different leg lengths, different proportions regarding the legs and different requirements regarding the fit of the pad.

The Object of the Invention The object of the present invention is thus to provide a leg pad which prevents the puck from rebounding back to the area in front of the goal and thereby to the members of the opposing team. The purpose is also to provide a leg pad which is more flexible and more adaptable for several types of users with different leg lengths, different proportions regarding the legs and different requirements regarding the fit of the pad.

Summary of the Invention The above mentioned object is achieved by providing a leg pad of the kind defined in the introductory part, which comprises the special features which are mentioned in the characterizing portion of claim 1.

By providing a surface of the front side of the leg pad which, from the first end of the leg pad to its second end, extends along a substantially straight line, the pucks, which hit the front side of the leg pad, are rebounded to the areas beside the goal or behind the goal, instead of to the area in front of the goal. Hereby, the opposing team does not receive a second opportunity to score a goal on a puck rebounded off the goalkeeper. This extension of the front side is enabled by the provision of the special feature that the rear side of the leg pad is provided with a backwardly protruding portion for abutment against the lower leg of the user.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the leg pad according to the present invention, the surface of the front side is lying in substantially the same plane.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the leg pad according to the present invention, a compartment for the front portion of a skate is provided between the protruding portion and the first end of the leg pad, whereby the first end of the leg pad is positioned in close proximity to the ground on which the user of the skate is standing.

According to other advantageous embodiments of the leg pad according to the present invention, the protruding portion consists of a supporting means which is movable between the first end and the second end of the leg pad, and the supporting means is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad. By these features, a more flexible leg pad is provided which can be adapted to the proportions and requirements of different users. According to still another advantageous embodiment of the leg pad according to the present invention, the supporting means and the rear side of the leg pad are provided with first attachment means for removable attachment of the supporting means to the rear side of the leg pad. By this, the above-mentioned movability is attained in an uncomplicated and effective manner.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the leg pad according to the present invention, the leg pad comprises retention means for receiving the knee portion of the user and retaining the same, which retention means is attached to the rear side of the leg pad, and where the retention means is pivotally adjustable, whereby the retention means is positionable in several positions. Hereby, a flexible leg pad is provided, which can be adapted to the leg proportions and the requirements of different users. According to further advantageous embodiments of the leg pad according to the present invention, the retention mean is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad, and the rear side of the leg pad and the retention means are provided with second attachment means for removable attachment of the retention means to the rear side of the leg pad. Hereby, a still more flexible leg pad is provided, which can be adapted to the leg proportions and requirements of different users, and by means of the removable attachment said movability of the retention means is provided in an uncomplicated and effective way.

According to a still advantageous embodiment of the leg pad according to the present invention, the attachment means of the rear side comprise an attachment surface which covers a substantial portion of the rear side of the leg pad.

Advantageously, said attachment means are of Velcro tape type, but also attachment means of button attachment type, lacing type etc. are possible.

By an attachment surface of Velcro tape type, e.g., a wide range of op- tions regarding the position of the attachment means and the retention means on the rear side of the leg pad are provided.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by providing a goalkeeper pad of the kind defined in the introductory part, which comprises the special features which are mentioned in the characterizing portion of claim 12. Hereby, a flexible goalkeeper pad is provided, which can be adapted to the leg proportions and the requirements of different users.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the goalkeeper pad according to the present invention, the retention means is laterally movable, trans- versally to the longitudinal extension of the pad. By this, a still more flexible and adaptable goalkeeper pad is attained.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the goalkeeper pad according to the present invention, the rear side of the pad and the retention means are provided with attachment means for removable attachment of the retention means to the rear side of the pad.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the goalkeeper pad according to the present invention, the attachment means of the rear side comprise an attachment surface which covers a substantial portion of the rear side of the pad. This results in a wide range of options regarding the position of the retention means

Advantageously, the attachment means are of Velcro tape type, but also attachment means of button attachment type, lacing type etc. are possible

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a prior art leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-section side view of the leg pad of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-section side view of an embodiment of the leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper according to the present invention,

Fig. 4 is schematic perspective view of the leg pad of Fig. 3, seen from behind, and Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the leg pad of Fig. 4, but with the supporting means and the retention means moved in relation to Fig. 4.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper according to prior art, which leg pad is attachable to the leg 101 of a user. The leg pad comprises a rear side 102 for abutment against the leg 101 of the user and a front side 103 opposite said rear side 102, the first end 104 of the leg pad being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the foot 105 of the user, and its second end 106 being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the knee 107 of the user. The leg pad is provided with upper side shields 108 attached to the longitudinal sides of the leg pad and provided with straps 109 to be strapped around the leg 101 of the user. The leg pad is also provided with lower side shields 110, and these are also attached to the longitudinal sides of the leg pad and provided with straps 111 to be strapped around the leg 101 of the user. At the foot 105 of the user, the leg pad has a bend 112 which outwardly angles the first end 104 of the leg pad away from the remaining portion of the leg pad.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section side view of the leg pad of Fig. 1 , where the retention means 201 of the leg pad for receiving the knee portion 107 of the user and retaining the same is visible. This retention means 201 is attached to the rear side 102 of the leg pad and is provided with straps 202 which are strapped around the leg 101 of the user. The rear side 102 of the leg pad extends along a substantially straight line from the second end 106 to the foot 105 of the user where the leg pad is outwardly angled away from leg 101 of the user in order to cover the skate 105 of the user. In a corresponding way, the surface of the upper front side 103 of the leg pad extends along a substantially straight line from the second end 106 of the leg pad to the bend 112 at the foot 105 of the user, whereupon the surface is outwardly angled and extends towards the first end 104 of the leg pad. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-section side view of an embodiment of the leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper according to the present invention. The leg pad is attachable to the leg 101 of a user, the leg pad comprising a rear side 301 for abutment against the leg 101 of the user and a front side 302 opposite said rear side 301. The first end 303 of the leg pad is intended to be positioned in the proximity of the foot 105 of the user, and its second end 304 is intended to be positioned in the proximity of the knee 107 of the user. From the first end 303 of the leg pad to its second end 304, the surface 305 of the front side 302 extends along a substantially straight line, and the rear side 301 is provided with a backwardly protruding portion 306 for abutment against the lower leg of the user, which pro- truding portion 306 enables the design of the leg pad with said extension of the surface 305 of the front side 302. Further, the surface 305 of front side 302 is lying in substantially the same plane. The protruding portion 306 consists of a supporting means 306 which is movable between the first and second ends 303, 304 of the leg pad, and is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad. The supporting means 306 consists of a cushion built up and filled by a suitable material, which has been designed for abutment against the lower leg. The supporting means 306 and the rear side 301 of the leg pad are provided with first attachment means 307 for removable attachment of the supporting means 306 to the rear side 301 of the leg pad. A compartment 308 for the front portion of a skate 105 is provided between the protruding portion 306 and the first end 303 of the leg pad, by providing the support means 306 at a distance from the first end 303 of the leg pad, whereby the first end 303 of the leg pad is positioned in close proximity to the ground on which the user of the skate is standing. Further, the leg pad comprises retention means 309 for receiving the knee portion 107 of the user and retaining the same, which retention means 309 is connected to the rear side 301 of the leg pad, and pivotally adjustable, and also laterally movable, transver- sally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad, whereby the retention means 309 is positionable in several positions. The rear side 301 of the leg pad and the reten- tion means 309 are provided with second attachment means 310 for removable attachment of the retention means 309 to the rear side 301 of the leg pad. The retention means 309 comprises straps 311 to be strapped around the leg 101 of the user. In this embodiment, the attachment means 307, 310 are of Velcro tape type, but button attachment type, lacing type and other attachment means can be used.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the leg pad of Fig. 3, seen from behind. The leg pad is intended to be attached to the left leg of a user. The attachment means 307, 310 of the rear side of the leg pad comprise an attachment surface 401 of Velcro tape type, which covers a substantial portion of the rear side 301 of the leg pad. On the attachment surface 401 , the retention means

309 and the supporting means 306 can, by means of their attachment means 307,

310 which also are of Velcro tape type, be optionally positioned on the rear side 301 of the leg pad to attain an individual adjustment for each user. The leg pad is provided with upper side shields 402, 403 attached to the longitudinal sides of the leg pad, and with lower side shields 404, 405, which also are attached to the longitudinal sides of the leg pad. The side shields 402, 403, 404, 405 are provided with attachment elements 406, 407, 408, 409 to which straps are attached, the straps then being strapped around the leg of the user. At the second end 304 of the leg pad, the longitudinal side, which is facing the right leg pad of the user, is provided with an outwardly curved protrusion 410. A corresponding protrusion 410 is provided on the corresponding position of the right leg pad. By means of the protrusion 410, the distance between each second end of the leg pads and the ice is reduced when the user positions himself in butterfly, and pucks are more effectively blocked.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the leg pad of Fig. 4, but with the supporting means and the retention means moved in relation to their positions in Fig. 4.

Claims

1. A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper, which is attachable to the leg of a user, the leg pad comprising a rear side for abutment against the leg of the user and a front side opposite said rear side, the first end of the leg pad being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the foot of the user, and its second end being intended to be positioned in the proximity of the knee of the user, characterized in that from the first end of the leg pad to its second end, the surface of the front side extends along a substantially straight line, and in that the rear side is provided with a backwardly protruding portion for abutment against the lower leg of the user, which protruding portion enables the design of the leg pad with said extension of the surface of the front side.

2. A leg pad according to claim 1 , characterized in that the surface of the front side is lying in substantially the same plane.

3. A leg pad according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a compartment for the front portion of a skate is provided between the protruding portion and the first end of the leg pad, whereby the first end of the leg pad is positioned in close proximity to the ground on which the user of the skate is standing.

4. A leg pad according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protruding portion consists of a supporting means which is movable between the first end and the second end of the leg pad.

5. A leg pad according to claim 4, characterized in that the supporting means is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad.

6. A leg pad according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the supporting means and the rear side of the leg pad are provided with first attachment means for removable attachment of the supporting means to the rear side of the leg pad.

7. A leg pad according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the leg pad comprises retention means for receiving the knee portion of the user and retaining the same, which retention means is connected to the rear side of the leg pad, and in that the retention means is pivotally adjustable, whereby the reten- tion means is positionable in several positions.

8. A leg pad according to claim 7, characterized in that the retention mean is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the leg pad.

9. A leg pad according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the rear side of the leg pad and the retention means are provided with second attachment means for removable attachment of the retention means to the rear side of the leg pad.

10. A leg pad according to claim 6 or 9, characterized in that the attachment means of the rear side comprise an attachment surface which covers a substantial portion of the rear side of the leg pad.

11. A leg pad according to any of the claims 6, 9 and 10, characterized in that the attachment means are of Velcro tape type.

12. A goalkeeper pad for hockey, which is attachable to the leg of a user, the pad comprising a rear side for abutment against the leg of the user, a front side opposite said rear side, and at least one retention means for receiving the knee portion of the user and retaining the same, which retention means is connected to the rear side of the pad, characterized in that the retention means is pivotally adjustable in relation to the rear side of the pad, whereby the retention means is positionable in several positions.

13. A goalkeeper pad according to claim 12, characterized in that the retention means is laterally movable, transversally to the longitudinal extension of the pad.

14. A goalkeeper pad according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the rear side of the pad and the retention means are provided with attachment means for removable attachment of the retention means to the rear side of the pad.

15. A goalkeeper pad according to claim 14, characterized in that the attachment means of the rear side comprises an attachment surface which covers a substantial portion of the rear side of the pad.

16. A goalkeeper pad according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the attachment means are of Velcro tape type.