Kneepad with positioning support

Abstract

A kneepad with positioning support has an elongated, rigid, vertical brace extending from a shoe of the wearer up to the kneepad. The adjustable-height kneepad support has two overlapping, vertical braces that attach together at various, adjustable heights. The support is attached to a built-in padded kneepad by a pivoting (hinge) connection or to an existing kneepad with a hinged clamp. The support device prevents the kneepad from slipping down and is held in place with adjustable lower leg and knee straps. The need for over-tightening of the kneepad strap or straps is eliminated, while still allowing for full flexibility of movement and comfort for the user.

1 . An adjustable support device for a kneepad, the device comprising:
 a height adjustable kneepad support attached to a lower leg of a user, the kneepad support comprising a pair of interconnected elongated rigid vertical braces fabricated of high strength lightweight material comprising a bottom brace having a bottom arched base and an attached bottom arched pad both curved to rest laterally over a top of a shoe of a wearer, an adjustable strap attached around a lower leg of a user, a narrower bottom brace vertical connecting portion extending upwardly from the bottom arched base, the bottom brace vertical connecting portion having a series of evenly spaced openings along the length thereof; a top brace comprising a top brace vertical connecting portion extending downwardly and having a series of evenly spaced openings along the length thereof to overlap and mate with the bottom brace vertical connecting portion in any of a variety of overlapping configurations with fasteners interconnecting a number of overlapping openings therebetween to adjust the height of the kneepad support, a wider top portion extending laterally above the top brace vertical connecting portion; a horizontal hinge device for attaching the wider top portion of the kneepad support to a kneepad attached to a knee of the user by an adjustable strap so that the kneepad pivots relative to the kneepad support to allow a full range of bending motion between the lower leg and the knee of the user with the kneepad support resting on a shoe of the user to support the kneepad to prevent the kneepad from slipping down, thereby allowing loose attachment of the adjustable straps around the knee and the lower leg of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the kneepad support is attached to a built in kneepad fabricated of high strength lightweight material and further comprising an adjustable strap attached to the kneepad for attaching around a back of a leg of the wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the kneepad and the kneepad support are each fabricated of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the kneepad and the kneepad support each have an outer shell and an inner pad over at least a portion thereof to protect the knee and shin of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  further comprising a thin, non-skid rubber pad bonded to the outer shells to prevent slipping on slippery surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising a memory foam cushion attached inside the kneepad, the cushion exhibiting memory characteristics, and the cushion structured to increase airflow and comfort to the knee area. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the hinge device comprises a molded hinge allowing a front-to-back tilt of at least 90 degrees and allowing a side-to-side tilt of 5 degrees between the kneepad support and the kneepad to allow the kneepad support to align itself to the individual wearer to eliminate slipping of the kneepad and eliminate the need for readjustment. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising means for attaching the kneepad support to an existing kneepad. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the means for attaching the kneepad support to an existing kneepad comprises a clip-on fastener attached to the kneepad support by a hinge device.