Power straps for skaters

Abstract

While ice skating or in-line roller skating, a big effort is imparted on our ankles to support our body weight. Therefore, hockey players for example, will apply a plastic tape around the ankles for additional support. Tape however, doesn't provide a uniform and constant support, it hampers flexibility and it greatly pollutes the environment. Practically, it is a chore to install and remove the tape every time you want to go skating. Finally, even more tape is needed to hold the shin pad in place. The invention is composed of an elongated elastomeric strip of a minimal thickness and an important width. To each end is affixed quick-release fasteners. Hence, the practical inconveniences mentioned earlier are resolved by the simplicity of the invention. One advantage is the quick and simple one step application. The width of the invention allows hockey players to hold the bottom of the shin pad at the same time. Finally, the elastomeric strip's thinness will allow the invention to mold to the exterior of the equipment it is in contact with, providing a good tension and a uniform and constant support, without compromising flexibility.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device used as an accessory while practicing the sport of ice skating or in-line roller skating, including the derived sports which use as part of the equipment ice skates and/or in-line roller skates such as hockey, which provides additional ankle support and/or strength by encircle the ankle vicinity of the leg.  
     
     
         2 . A device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is suitable for use whenever additional ankle support is required, comprising: 
 An elongated strip of elastomeric material having opposed first and second ends; 
 said first opposed end comprising a quick-release fastener adapted to fasten with a second quick-release fastener disposed adjacent said second opposed end,  
   wherein said elongated strip is configured and disposed to be wrapped around the ankle vicinity of the leg of a person such that said quick-release fastener fastens with said second opposed end.    
     
     
         3 . A device, according to one of claims  1  or  2 , wherein said device's body is one single molded homogeneous and/or heterogeneous elongated elastomeric strip.  
     
     
         4 . A device, according to  claim 3 , wherein said device uses said elastomeric materials with the following mechanical properties:  
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                     
                 
                   100% Modulus 
                   0.45 MPa to 1.37 MPa 
                    [65 psi to 200 psi] 
                 
                   300% Modulus: 
                   0.69 MPa to 2.40 MPa 
                   [100 psi to 350 psi] 
                 
                   Tensile Strength: 
                   2.75 MPa (minimum) 
                   [400 psi (minimum)] 
                 
                   Ultimate elongation: 
                   500% (minimum) 
                 
                   Hardness: 
                   20 shore A to 60 shore A 
                 
                     
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         5 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein said device, wherein said first and second quick-release fasteners are disposed adjacent said first and second opposed ends respectively.  
     
     
         6 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein said first and second quick-release fasteners comprise a hook and loop fasteners and/or hook and pile fasteners and/or any other known, desired or required quick-release fastening system.  
     
     
         7 . A device, according to  claim 6 , wherein said fasteners can be adjustably connected together to vary the size of the loop formed by the elastomeric strip.  
     
     
         8 . A device, according to  claim 6 , wherein said fastener means are affixed to said elongated elastomeric strip after molding and/or during molding of elongated elastomeric strip.  
     
     
         9 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein said device is encircled around ankle vicinity of user's leg, while stretched, therefore inducing tension in the elongated elastomeric strip. Said tension provides support and/or strength by transferring tension to the ankle vicinity of the leg.  
     
     
         10 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein said device provides additional ankle support and/or strength and preserves its elastic properties throughout its operational range therefore not compromising ankle flexibility, wherein said elastic properties means that no permanent deformations are created in the elastomeric strip, said deformations are therefore reversible.  
     
     
         11 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  10 , wherein said device is installed on the exterior of the skates at the ankle vicinity of the leg and/or on the exterior of the skates and the bottom portion of the shin pad at the ankle vicinity of the leg.  
     
     
         12 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein said device's body is formed by an elastomeric strip, having a minimum width of 25 mm (≈1 in) and/or a maximum width of 200 mm (≈8 in) and/or a minimum thickness of 0.20 mm (≈{fraction (1/128)} in) and/or a maximum thickness of 12.7 mm (≈½ in) and/or a minimum length of 114 mm (≈4.5 in) and/or a maximum length of 635 mm (≈25 in).  
     
     
         13 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein said device is used in the sport of hockey to provide ankle support and/or hold the bottom portion of the shin pad, the equipment used to protect the user's leg.  
     
     
         14 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein said device is used in the sport of hockey to hold the upper portion of the shin pad, the equipment used to protect the user's leg.  
     
     
         15 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  14 , wherein said device's body is formed by an elastomeric strip wherein strip's outlining edge bears a radius that is greater than half the thickness of said elastomeric strip. Said radius' axis is parallel to the said strip's length.  
     
     
         16 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  15 , wherein said elastomeric strip comprises opposed lateral edges and wherein said edges have different radius' in relation with the varying circumferences of the user's leg wherein circumferences include skating and/or hockey equipment such as skate and/or shin pad, wherein said radius' axis' are perpendicular to the said strip's length.  
     
     
         17 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  16 , wherein said elastomeric strip comprises opposed elongated lateral edges and wherein at least one of said elongated lateral edges is scalloped.  
     
     
         18 . A device, according to one of  claims 1  to  17 , wherein said elastomeric material comprises two or more different types of elastomeric material, each having a different coefficient of elasticity.