Shin protectors and methods of using shin protectors

Abstract

Embodiments of the shin protector apparatus aid in covering undesirable blemishes such as bruises caused by thin blood and skin tears due to delicate skin. One embodiments include a shin protector having a tubular body with a top end and a bottom end for covering a portion of a user's lower leg from the ankle to the popliteal fossa area of the user's leg, an aperture at the top end of the shin protector and an aperture at the bottom end of the shin protector so that the shin protector may be worn on a portion of a user's leg, a strap attached to the bottom end of the tubular body for maintaining the relative position of the shin protector in relation to the user's foot, and at least two support stays for supporting the shin protector positioned along the length of the tubular body.

1 . A shin protector comprising:
 a tubular body with a top end and a bottom end for covering a portion of a user's lower leg from the ankle to the popliteal fossa area of the user's leg;   an aperture at the top end of the shin protector and an aperture at the bottom end of the shin protector so that the shin protector may be worn on a portion of a user's leg;   a strap attached to the bottom end of the tubular body for maintaining the relative position of the shin protector in relation to the user's foot; and   at least two support stays for supporting the shin protector positioned along the length of the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two pockets positioned on the exterior of the tubular body for accommodating the two or more removable support stays. 
     
     
         3 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two support stays are permanently attached to the interior of the tubular body surface. 
     
     
         4 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two support stays are permanently attached to the exterior of the tubular body surface. 
     
     
         5 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two support stays are permanently attached to the interior of the tubular body surface. 
     
     
         6 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is constructed of a stretchable material such as a neoprene material. 
     
     
         7 . The shin protector of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is further comprised of:
 a first member fabricated from a first predetermined material having a thickness in an amount sufficient to cover one or more areas of the leg, foot and/or knee, said first member having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined length sufficient to substantially cover the shin area of the wearer's leg; and   a second member fabricated from a second predetermined material having a predetermined amount of elasticity and having a second predetermined shape which is connected along two respective edges to two respective edges of said first member for conforming the protector to the shin area of the wearer's leg.   
     
     
         8 . The shin protector of  claim 7 , wherein said first member is a padded material with a thickness of approximately ¼ to ¾ inch. 
     
     
         9 . The shin protector of  claim 7 , wherein said first member has a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined length sufficient to cover a substantial portion of the wearer's leg in the shin area wherein said second member has a predetermined amount of elasticity connected along two respective edges thereof to two respective edges of such first member for conforming the apparatus to the shin area of a wearer's leg. 
     
     
         10 . A method of securing a shin protector on a user's shin, comprising the steps of:
 (1) inserting a user's leg into a shin protector comprised of:   a tubular body with a top end and a bottom end for covering a portion of a user's lower leg from the ankle to the popliteal fossa area of the user's leg;   an aperture at the top end of the shin protector and an aperture at the bottom end of the shin protector so that the shin protector may be worn on a portion of a user's leg;   a strap attached to the bottom end of the tubular body for maintaining the relative position of the shin protector in relation to the user's foot; and at least two support stays for supporting the shin protector positioned along the length of the tubular body; and   (2) securing the shin protector to the user's leg by inserting the user's foot into the strap.