Shin Guard Compression Sleeve

Abstract

Tools and techniques for providing protection to a foot and leg with a shin guard compression sleeve underlying a shin guard are presented. A shin guard compression sleeve may comprise a toe shoe having individual toe apertures and pockets intended to contain the toes of a foot received therein, and, an elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe. The elastic tubular liner may compressively receive a portion of a leg and have a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of a shin guard receiving the sleeve, such that the tubular liner defines a first layer under the shin guard, and a second layer overlapping the first layer when folded over. The second layer may hook over an end portion of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers of the elastic tubular liner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shin guard compression sleeve for underlying a shin guard, the sleeve comprising:
 a toe shoe configured to contain the toes of a foot received therein; and   an elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe, the elastic tubular liner having a length sufficient to extend beyond the top of the shin guard, the tubular liner defining a first layer underlying the shin guard and folding over as a second layer, wherein the second layer overlaps the shin guard and hooks over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers.   
     
     
         2 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the toe shoe further comprises at least one layer of rubber along an outsole providing anatomical support. 
     
     
         3 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the toe shoe further comprises an orifice configured to provide an exposed heel. 
     
     
         4 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic tubular liner further comprises at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet of material operatively attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner. 
     
     
         5 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising an arch wrap operatively associated with the sleeve, the arch wrap being configured to wrap an arch area of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is forcibly secured to the foot received therein. 
     
     
         6 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises moisture-wicking material along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin. 
     
     
         7 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 6 , wherein the moisture-wicking material is an integrated cotton skin. 
     
     
         8 . The shin guard compression sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises antimicrobial material along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or the elastic tubular liner in contact with a user's skin. 
     
     
         9 . A method for protecting a foot and lower leg received within a shin guard compression sleeve for underlying a shin guard, comprising:
 providing a toe shoe and elastic tubular liner operatively associated with the toe shoe;   engaging the toes of a foot received within the toe shoe;   compressively receiving a portion of a leg in the elastic tubular liner as a first layer;   folding over the elastic tubular liner as a second layer overlapping the first layer; and   hooking the elastic tubular liner over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, thereby sandwiching the shin guard between the first and second layers.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the toe shoe further provides anatomical support along an outsole of the toe shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the toe shoe further comprises an orifice configured to provide an exposed heel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic tubular liner further provides at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides moisture-wicking properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides antimicrobial properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin. 
     
     
         15 . A method for protecting a foot and lower leg, comprising:
 providing a toe shoe figured to contain the toes of a foot received therein; and   operatively associating an elastic tubular liner with the toe shoe, wherein the elastic tubular liner comprises dual compression layers having a first layer receiving a portion of a lower leg, and a second layer overlapping a shin guard sandwiched between the first and second layers, the second layer configured to hook over a dorsal edge of the shin guard, and wherein the elastic tubular liner further comprises moisture-wicking properties along an inner surface of the tubular liner.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the toe shoe further provides anatomical support along an outsole of the toe shoe. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the toe shoe further provides an orifice configured to expose a heel of a foot received therein. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elastic tubular liner further provides at least one pocket along the shin area for receiving additional shin-protective gear, wherein each pocket is defined by a sheet attached to one of the first or second layers of the elastic tubular liner. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides moisture-wicking properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.  1   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the shin guard compression sleeve further provides antimicrobial properties along at least one of an inner surface of the toe shoe or elastic tubular liner configured to contact a user's skin.