Body pad

Abstract

A pad, such as a knee pad or other body-worn pad, that avoids undue accumulation of heat within the pad, and that provides a stable and comfortable resting surface for at least a portion of a user's body. The pad may further provide decreasing incremental compression in response to incrementally increasing loads, whereby users of different weights may comfortably be supported thereon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12 / 387,758 filed on May 6, 2009 currently pending the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference, which in turn claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 050,968 filed on May 6, 2008, presently abandoned, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to body-worn protective equipment, and, more particularly, to knee pads or the like for cushioning a wearer's body from forces.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Various activities, such as many occupational activities, recreational activities, or the like, involve kneeling for some duration of time. As is well known, prolonged periods of continuous kneeling and / or frequent assumption of a kneeling position can cause or contribute to the development or onset of knee damage or injury. For example, bruising, tendon strain,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The resilient material is preferably formed of a polymer gel, or other suitable material, whereby the mounds may preferably deform, at least partially, in a compression direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the generally planar surface, in response to a force applied thereto, while resisting such a force, such as a force imparted to the mounds when a user rests thereon. Thus, the resilient mounds preferably cushion a portion of a user's body disposed thereagainst, especially when bearing the user's weight. The resilient material and / or the substantially hemispherical shape of the mounds preferably provide(s) an increasing resistance force and preferably deform to a greater extent in response to an increasing load applied thereto. Accordingly, the mounds preferably accommodate users of different weight, and provide sufficient cushioning to comfort a user resting thereon.

[0009]Additionally, the selective arrangement of the rows of mounds preferably provides stability to a user resting thereon. For example, two rows may be arranged generally proximate and on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the pad. Thus, when a user places a portion of their body generally centrally on the pad, the rows preferably straddle the portion of the user's body and resist lateral movement of the user's body relative to the pad. Such resistance of lateral movement is preferably provided by mounds of each row generally retaining the user's body, or at least the portion thereof, partially between adjacent mounds of each row. Furthermore, the resilient material and / or the substantially hemispherical shape of the mounds preferably provide(s) a resistance force to oppose lateral or shear forces. Such lateral or shear resistance force may preferably result in less lateral deformation than a compression deformation exhibited in response to an equal force in the compression direction.

[0011]Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the pad of the present disclosure is its ability to provide cushioning substantially proportionate to a force applied thereto, whereby relatively smaller forces are cushioned by partial deformation of a resilient material, and whereby incremental increases in a force applied to the resilient material result in sequentially smaller amounts of additional deformation.

[0012]Another feature and advantage of the pad of the present disclosure is its ability to securely cushion a portion of a user's body by resistance of lateral forces and / or via at least partially cupping the portion of the user's body.

[0013]Yet another feature and advantage of the pad of the present disclosure is its ability to resist or prevent accumulation of excess thermal energy, whereby discomfort associated with heat and / or sweating may be avoided.

Problems solved by technology

As is well known, prolonged periods of continuous kneeling and / or frequent assumption of a kneeling position can cause or contribute to the development or onset of knee damage or injury.

Unfortunately, however, such knee pads have suffered from a number of disadvantageous performance characteristics.

Since the pads are all made with substantially the same amount of padding material, most users find that the cushioning provided is either too great, wherein the pad is not stable, or the cushioning provided is too little, wherein the user experiences discomfort.

Additionally, and especially where a conforming cup is provided, the padding functions as a thermal insulator, whereby the user's knee may become hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable, and whereby the knee pad may experience premature wear and / or may become excessively soiled.

Furthermore, conventional cushion materials are directionally unbiased, whereby in addition to compressing in a desired direction, the cushion may also shear or deform in directions other than the desired direction.

Such off-axis compression or deformation causes unsteadiness, which can sap a wearer's energy due to the constant need to shift position or weight to maintain or regain balance.

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