Modular protective system for joints, method, and kit

Abstract

A modular protective system for protecting a joint of a human or an animal is provided. The modular protective system can include modular pads for attachment to a garment fitted to surround the joint. The modular pads can include an elongated upper pad for positioning above the joint, an elongated lower pad for positioning below the joint, separated from the elongated upper pad, and a flexible and stretchable intermediate pad. The elongated upper pad and the elongated lower pad each include an undersurface for attachment to the garment. The flexible and stretchable intermediate pad can include a top cap portion, for positioning on top of the joint, and two side portions.

1 . A modular protective system for a joint of a human or an animal comprising modular pads fitted to surround the joint, the modular pads comprising:
 an elongated upper pad, for positioning above the joint, comprising an undersurface;   an elongated lower pad, for positioning below the joint, separated from the elongated upper pad leaving a gap for the joint and comprising an undersurface,   wherein the elongated upper pad and the elongated low pad are independently slidable; and   a flexible and stretchable intermediate pad comprising,   a top cap portion, for positioning on top of the joint, overlapping approximately half of each of the elongated upper pad and the elongated lower pad and covering both a lower portion of a front surface of the elongated upper pad and an upper portion of a front surface of the elongated lower pad; and   two side portions, each side portion configured to be positioned at opposite sides of the joint and comprising an undersurface, the side portions keeping the flexible and stretchable intermediate pad in contact with the elongated upper pad and the elongated lower pad.   
     
     
         2 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the top cap portion comprises a flexible and stretchable polymeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The modular protective system of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible and stretchable polymeric material is a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoset rubber, preferably polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         4 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elongated upper pad, the elongated lower pad, or both comprise a rigid material; or   the elongated upper pad, the elongated lower pad, or both comprise a flexible material.   
     
     
         5 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the side portions each comprise a notch forming a space between two articulable elements of the side portion, wherein the space diminishes as the joint is bent. 
     
     
         6 . The modular protective system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the notch in each side portion forms an angle converging towards the top cap portion, so that when the joint is bent the angle of the notch decreases; or   the notch in each side portion forms a curve with a vertex towards the top cap portion, so that when the joint is bent the curve decreases in width.   
     
     
         7 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is designed for a joint of a human, preferably a knee, an elbow, a shoulder, a hand, a finger, a back, a hip, a neck, or a wrist. 
     
     
         8 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is designed for a joint of an animal, preferably a knee. 
     
     
         9 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated upper pad and the elongated lower pad are independently slidable while covered by the flexible and stretchable intermediate pad. 
     
     
         10 . The modular protective system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated upper pad and the elongated lower pad are independently slidable while in contact with the flexible and stretchable intermediate pad. 
     
     
         11 . A garment comprising the modular protective system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment is fitted for a human and comprises a glove, a knee guard, an elbow guard, a back pad, an ankle protector, a shoulder pad, or an athletic sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment is fitted for an animal and comprises a knee guard. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the garment comprises a tubular part or a rectangular part fitted to surround the joint. 
     
     
         15 . A method for protecting a joint of a human or an animal, the method comprising:
 covering the joint with the modular protective system of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a first flexibility of the joint about the radius of joint movement is greater as compared to a second flexibility of the joint about the radius of joint movement when the joint is covered with a protective covering comprising attached parts, exclusively rigid parts, or both. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for providing the modular protective system of  claim 1 , the kit comprising:
 a plurality of elongated upper pads;   a plurality of elongated lower pads; and   a plurality of flexible and stretchable intermediate pads.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the system is designed for the joint of a human, preferably a knee, an elbow, a shoulder, a hand, a finger, a back, a hip, a neck, and a wrist. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the system is designed for a joint of an animal, preferably a knee. 
     
     
         20 . A method for protecting a joint of a human or an animal, the method comprising:
 covering the joint with the garment of  claim 11 .