Shin guard with three dimensional image element

Abstract

A shin guard includes a protective plate having a front face and a rear face. The rear face is contoured to fit around a shin of a wearer of the shin guard. Further, the shin guard includes a three dimensional image element carried on the front face. This image element projects an image outline through a sock worn over the shin guard.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A shin guard, comprising:
 a protective plate having a front face and a rear face, said rear face being contoured to fit around a shin of a wearer of said shin guard; and   a three dimensional image element carried on said front face.   
     
     
         2 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in the shape of a player number. 
     
     
         3 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is in the shape of a logo. 
     
     
         4 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is tapered outwardly from a central area toward an outer edge so that said central area projects a greater distance from said front face than does said outer edge. 
     
     
         5 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , further including a fastener for securing said protective plate to the shin of the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The shin guard of  claim 5 , wherein said fastener is a strap. 
     
     
         7 . The shin guard of  claim 6 , wherein said strap includes a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The shin guard of  claim 5 , wherein said fastener is a sleeve of elastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , further including an ankle pad depending from said protective plate. 
     
     
         10 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , further including a foot loop for securing said shin guard around a foot below said protective plate. 
     
     
         11 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is a discrete body releasably attached to said front face of said protective plate. 
     
     
         12 . The shin guard of  claim 11 , wherein said three dimensional image element is attached to said front face by a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is a discrete body secured to said front face by an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The shin guard of  claim 1 , wherein said three dimensional image element is integrally formed as a permanent part of said protective plate as a single piece construction.