Article of Footwear for Leg Protection in Barrel Racing

Abstract

An article of footwear for barrel racing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the article of footwear has an upper pocket associated in the shin region with the upper of the article of footwear. The upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper and sized to receive a detachable shin guard, which shin guard is sized to fit in the upper pocket. The shin guard covers and protects the shin and knee of a barrel racer.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising:
 an upper having a calf region and a shin region;   an upper pocket associated with the upper,
 the upper pocket being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to 
 the upper, and sized to receive a shin guard; and 
   a shin guard comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion,
 the shin guard being sized to fit in the upper pocket. 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the exterior of the upper at the shin region of the upper. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper by one or more adjustable bands. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the interior of the upper at the shin region of the upper. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape. 
     
     
         6 . An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising:
 an upper having a calf region and a shin region;   a fastening member associated with the upper;   an upper pocket associated with the upper,
 the upper pocket being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to 
 the upper, and sized to receive a shin guard; and 
   a shin guard comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion,
 the shin guard being sized to fit in the upper pocket. 
   
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the exterior of the upper at the shin region of the upper. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper by said fastening member. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the interior of the upper at the shin region of the upper. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 6 , wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising:
 an upper having a calf region and a shin region;   a shin guard associated with the upper,
 the shin guard being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to the 
 upper, and comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion. 
   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape.