Thigh protector

Abstract

A thigh protector may include an upper portion comprising two straps for attaching the at least one thigh protector to a belt, the two straps defining a space therebetween for permitting attaching of a hip pad or a holster to the belt through the defined space and a lower portion comprising a plurality of thigh plates attached to a base pad, the plurality of thigh plates defining a hinge area therebetween and configured to permit the at least one thigh protector to be opened and placed about a thigh of a wearer. The thigh protector may further include at least one rib extending laterally from a face of one of the thigh plates for receiving and supporting a shield. The rib may include at least one protrusion extending vertically from a top of the at least one rib for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one rib.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A thigh protector, comprising:
 an upper portion comprising two straps for attaching the at least one thigh protector to a belt, the two straps defining a space therebetween for permitting attaching of a hip pad or a holster to the belt through the defined space; and   a lower portion comprising a plurality of thigh plates attached to a base pad, the plurality of thigh plates defining a hinge area therebetween and configured to permit the at least one thigh protector to be opened and placed about a thigh of a wearer.   
     
     
         26 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , wherein the two straps are configured to fold over the belt and fasten to the upper portion. 
     
     
         27 . The thigh protector of  claim 26 , further comprising a securing mechanism configured on each of the two straps, the securing mechanisms configured to be adjustable permitting different positions in a range of height ons of the thigh protector for a wearer. 
     
     
         28 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , wherein the defined space forms one of: a U-shaped space, a V-shaped space and a rectangular space. 
     
     
         29 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , wherein the hinge permits opening and placing of the thigh protector about a wide range of thigh circumferences. 
     
     
         30 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one rib extending laterally from a face of one of the thigh plates for receiving and supporting a shield thereon. 
     
     
         31 . The thigh protector of  claim 30 , wherein at least one rib further includes at least one protrusion extending vertically from a top of the at least one rib for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one rib. 
     
     
         32 . The thigh protector of  claim 31 , wherein the lower portion includes at least one notch formed in a top edge of one of the thigh plates for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the thigh protector. 
     
     
         33 . The thigh protector of  claim 31 , wherein at least one rib comprises two ribs. 
     
     
         34 . The thigh protector of  claim 30 , wherein at least one rib comprises two ribs. 
     
     
         35 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , wherein the lower portion includes at least one notch formed in a top edge of one of the thigh plates for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one thigh protector. 
     
     
         36 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , further comprising an adjustable securing mechanism for closing the plurality of thigh plates and base pad about a thigh of a wearer, the adjustable securing mechanism facilitating length adjustment for different size thighs. 
     
     
         37 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of thigh plates comprise a solid material and are permanently attached to the base pad. 
     
     
         38 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , further comprising the hip pad. 
     
     
         39 . The thigh protector of  claim 25 , further comprising at least a portion of a quick release attaching mechanism that is configured to attach the thigh protector to a lower leg protector, the at least a portion of a quick release mechanism being located at a lower end of the thigh protector. 
     
     
         40 . A thighprotector, comprising:
 an upper portion comprising an attaching mechanism for attaching the at least one thigh protector to a belt of a wearer; and   a lower portion comprising a plurality of thigh plates attached to a base pad, the plurality of thigh plates defining a hinge area therebetween and configured to permit the at least one thigh protector to be opened and placed about a thigh of a wearer, at least one of the thigh plates configured with at least one of:   (a) at least one rib extending laterally from a face of the at least one of the thigh plates for receiving and supporting a shield thereon, and   (b) at least one notch formed in a top edge of one of the at least one thigh plate for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the thigh protector   
     
     
         41 . The thigh protector of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one rib comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         42 . The thigh protector of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one of the thigh plates is configured with at least one notch formed in a top edge of one of the at least one thigh plate for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the thigh protector. 
     
     
         43 . The thigh protector of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs includes at least one protrusion extending vertically from a top of the at least one of the plurality of ribs for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one rib. 
     
     
         44 . The thigh protector of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one rib includes at least one protrusion extending vertically from a top of the at least one rib for assisting in keeping a shield in place on the at least one rib.