Shin Protection Device

Abstract

Disclosed is a shin guard device configured to be secured to a user's footwear such that a guard aspect of the device is positioned in front of the user's lower leg. An exemplary embodiment is molded from a relatively thin gauge plastic and includes a lower toe portion, an upper shin guard portion and a fastener device in communication with the lower toe portion. When worn by a user, embodiments of a shin guard device provide for the upper shin guard portion to “float” or “stand” out ahead of the user's lower leg. By floating the upper shin guard portion out ahead of a user's lower leg, the lower leg may be protected from flying debris without hindering the user's mobility or causing undue discomfort.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shin guard device for protecting the lower leg of a user from flying debris, the shin guard device comprising:
 a toe portion; and   an upper shin guard portion;   wherein:
 the toe portion and the upper shin guard portion are integral to each other and reside in substantially perpendicular planes; 
 the toe portion is configured to interface with the top of the user's footwear; and 
 the upper shin guard portion is positioned such that a gap exists between the backside of the upper shin guard portion and the front of the user's lower leg. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer side wing aspect integral to the upper shin guard portion, wherein the outer side wing aspect is positioned relative to the upper shin guard portion such that a gap exists between the backside of the outer side wing aspect and the outside of the user's lower leg.   
     
     
         3 . The shin guard device of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more raised features on the outside of the outer side wing aspect. 
     
     
         4 . The shin guard device of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more raised features form a logo. 
     
     
         5 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner side wing aspect integral to the upper shin guard portion, wherein the inner side wing aspect is positioned relative to the upper shin guard portion such that a gap exists between the backside of the inner side wing aspect and the inside of the user's lower leg.   
     
     
         6 . The shin guard device of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more raised features on the outside of the inner side wing aspect. 
     
     
         7 . The shin guard device of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more raised features form a logo. 
     
     
         8 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more raised features on the front of the upper shin guard portion. 
     
     
         9 . The shin guard device of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more raised features form a logo. 
     
     
         10 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more rib features for providing structural rigidity at a point of intersection between the toe portion and the upper shin guard portion.   
     
     
         11 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising a knee relief aspect integral to the upper shin guard portion, wherein the knee relief aspect is positioned at the top of the upper shin guard portion and extends out in front of the upper shin guard portion. 
     
     
         12 . The shin guard device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener device for securing the shin guard device to the user. 
     
     
         13 . The shin guard device of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener device comprises an elastic band. 
     
     
         14 . The shin guard device of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener device comprises a strap and buckle. 
     
     
         15 . The shin guard device of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener device comprises hook and loop patches of material.