Roofer's kneepads

Abstract

The invention is a wedge-shaped support adapted to be fastened to a user's lower leg to provide comfort when the user is kneeling on an inclined roof, used in pairs. Each shin wedge comprises a wedge of lightweight material capable of supporting the user's weight. The acute dihedral angle of each wedge is approximately equal to the pitch angle of the roof on which the wedge kneepads are being used, thereby providing a substantially horizontal upper kneeling surface when the wedge is oriented towards the peak of the roof. The wedge's lower surface typically comprises a durable pad that prevents premature abrasion of the lightweight material and improves grip onto the inclined surface. Each wedge's upper surface typically includes a soft layer that serves as an ergonomic kneeling pad for the user. An attachment harness secures the wedge kneepad to the user's shin and thigh or knee.

1 . A shin wedge comprising
 a body that is wedge shaped, comprising   an upper surface that is dimensioned and configured to supportingly receive the user's kneefront and to supportingly receive a portion of a user's shin, wherein said upper surface extends from a user's kneefront distally to more than one-quarter of the distance along said user's shin but to less than one-half of the distance along said user's shin;   a lower surface comprising a substantial area that is substantially flat, wherein said lower surface intersects said upper surface at a wedge angle, being the included angle;   a third surface that faces in the direction of a user's foot;   one or more harness straps connected to said body, dimensioned and configured to secure the shin wedge to a user's leg.   
   
   
       2 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is flat. 
   
   
       3 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is configured with a groove that is a portion of an elliptical cylinder running the entire length of the shin wedge. 
   
   
       4 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is configured with a groove that is a portion of an elliptical cylinder running from the distal end of the shin wedge to near the proximal end, where said groove terminates in a semi-globular hollow configured to receive the user's kneefront. 
   
   
       5 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said wedge angle is chosen to be within plus or minus 10 degrees of the pitch of a roof on which its user kneels. 
   
   
       6 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said wedge angle is chosen to be within the range 10 degrees to 40 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The shin wedge of  claim 1  wherein said lower surface comprises an external covering of material having a high coefficient of friction. 
   
   
       8 . The shin wedge of  claim 7  wherein said external covering comprises ridges or knobs of the same material. 
   
   
       9 . The shin wedge of  claim 7  wherein said external covering is detachable from and re-attachable to the remainder of said shin wedge. 
   
   
       10 . The shin wedge of  claim 7  wherein said external covering is wedge shaped. 
   
   
       11 . The shin wedge of  claim 1  wherein said upper surface comprises a resilient covering. 
   
   
       12 . The shin wedge of  claim 11  wherein said resilient covering is made of plastic foam or gel. 
   
   
       13 . The shin wedge of  claim 11  wherein said resilient covering is shaped for either the left leg or the right leg of a user. 
   
   
       14 . The shin wedge of  claim 1  wherein there are at least two of said harness straps, all configured to fit a user's leg below the knee. 
   
   
       15 . The shin wedge of  claim 1 , wherein said harness straps comprise at least one harness strap configured to fit a user's leg below the knee and one harness strap configured to fit the user's leg at or above the knee. 
   
   
       16 . A shin wedge comprising
 a body that is generally wedge shaped, having an upper surface in the range 6 inches to 16 inches, and having a lower surface, and having a third surface that faces in the direction of a user's foot;   support means upon said upper surface that is dimensioned and configured to support a portion of a user's leg;   gripping means upon said lower surface that is adapted to resist sliding along a surface on which it rests;   attachment means to connect said body to a user's leg.   
   
   
       17 . The shin wedge of  claim 16 , wherein the height of said third surface establishes a dihedral angle between said upper surface and said lower surface that is between 10 degrees and 40 degrees. 
   
   
       18 . The shin wedge of  claim 16 , wherein said support means comprises a groove that is a portion of an elliptical cylinder running from the distal end of the shin wedge to at least near the proximal end. 
   
   
       19 . The shin wedge of  claim 18  wherein said groove is lined with a resilient covering. 
   
   
       20 . The shin wedge of  claim 16 , wherein said gripping means comprises a material having a coefficient of friction that effectively prevents slipping along said surface on which it rests, wherein said surface on which it rests is selected from the group consisting of asphalt shingles, wood, copper, steel, tile, slate, and waterproofing membrane. 
   
   
       21 . The shin wedge of  claim 16 , wherein said attachment means comprises at least two straps that encircle a user's leg and grip said user's leg.