US2476565A - Kneepad - Google Patents

Description

July, 19, 1949.

v F. RUSSELL KNEEPAD Filed Dec. 13, 946

- y IN VEN TOR. fazzzzzefassezl,

Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED "STATES 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a knee pad for use in the protection of the knees when performing work in a kneeling position, such as scrubbing floors, finishing concrete or the like, and my object is to produce a device of the character specified which can be quickly and easily secured in or removed from position, by slipping it over the the foot and lower leg.

More specifically my object is to provide a knee pad which will retain its position regardless of changes of posture or attitude during active work or interludes therein.

A further object of the invention is to produce a knee pad of simple, strong, durable and inexpensive construction, and which embodies a removable cushion element impervious to moisture and which may be washed or cleaned to keep it in a sanitary condition.

With the general objects named in view and others as will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and organization of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a knee pad embodying the invention, the view depicting the device as it appears in normal or inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a View of the knee pad as it appears when applied in operative position on a knee, the elastic holding element appearing in stretched position, the removable cushioning element being omitted.

Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the complete pad in inoperative position, the section being taken about midway the length of the pad.

Figure 4 is a face view of a folded doubled blank with the two ends juxtaposed and secured together by a line of stitching to provide a double layer sheet; the dotted lines indicating fold points in the production of a double thickness or two layer material, for greater strength and durability of the pad.

Referring to the drawing in detail, where like reference characters identify corresponding parts in all of the views, the pad is in the form of a pocket closed permanently at the ends and be- 7 tween the same at the back having a mouth for accessibility.

In the production of the device, an oblong sheet of cloth, rubber or rubberized fabric is folded to provide an unbroken front portion I and rearward thereof, a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal flaps 2, which preferably overlap (Figure 3). The ends of the sheet are now reversely folded to partially overlap or overlie the pad and provide turned-back ends 3.

To complete the pocket formed by the flaps 2 and prevent longitudinal displacement of a cushion hereinafter identified, the turned-back or ends 3 are connected together by lines of stitching 5 at their free margins, said stitching also securing a strip 6 of strong elastic material. The

elastic strip prevents reverse or unfolding move-.

ment of ends 3 and closes the ends of the pocket formed by the flaps 2, when the pad is in normal or inoperative position (Figure 1), but permits or causes such movement to a degree, when the elastic strip is under stress, as apparent by reference to Figure 2.

For the comfort of a kneeling operator, the pad is provided with a cushion l, for fitting in and substantially filling the pocket. The cushion may be of any suitable material, such as soft rubber, or a combination of materials, and preferably of sanitary character so that it may be cleaned when soiled by dirt. It is also desirable for the comfort of the wearer, that it be impervious to moisture. As shown the cushion comprises a flexible rubber sheath 8 containing raw cotton 9 or equivalent material. The cushion may be quickly and easily placed in or removed from the pocket through the mouth thereof when opened by reaching under the strip and spreading apart the overlapping flaps 2.

The pad is applied in operative position by pressing the front flaps 2 apart from the strip 6, and slipping the pad over the foot and lower leg, the elastic being stretched in this operation. In this operation, the pad assumes a substantially tubular form (Figure'2), the pocket portion and the elastic strip bowing oppositely in reversed direction-s. The front portion I, when the pad is on the knee, is long enough to completely cover the knee cap, and the ends 3 lie at opposite sides of the knee and are held firmly in place by the elastic strip.

The non-elastic material of the pad, shown as of a single thickness, may be of two or more layers for additional strength and wearing qualities, by simply utilizing a sheet long enough to fold into two or more layers (Figure 4) prior to the formation of the pocket by the production of the flaps 2 and connecting the ends 3 by the elastic strip. The dotted lines 2a and 30, respectively indicate the folding points for the production of flaps 2 and overlying ends 3.

From the above description and drawing it will be apparent that I have produced a device poswater and folded longitudinally to form at the 10 back of the sheet overlapping longitudinal flaps for the full length of the sheet to provide a pocket, the ends of the sheet being reversely folded to partially overlap the body of the pad at each end thereof, and an elastic strap, narrower than; the width of the knee pad, secured to the folded ends of the pad and overlapping portions of the longitudinal flaps, and retaining the ends of the pad in reversely folded position, and susceptible when put under stress to yield and permit a cushion to be placed in or removed from the pocket formed by the overlapping portions of the longitudinal flaps.

FANNIE RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date r 13691917 1 'Dessau Oct. 9, 1923 2,348,119 .Fridolph May 2, 1944

Images