Apparatus for medially thickened shin pad to reduce lower leg discomfort when snow skiing

Abstract

The present invention comprises a novel device that is placed over the anterior portion of the lower leg with the intent to reduce pressure on the Tibialis Anterior muscle and Tibialis Anterior tendon when a direct force is applied to the anterior lower leg. This may provide relief to and protection against the “shin-bang” condition which many suffer from, principally those who are snow skiing. One way this is achieved is through a novel medially thickened shin pad embedded in an innovative ski sock. Another way is through a novel medially thickened shin pad embedded in the tongue of a ski boot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus designed to reduce lower leg discomfort comprising:
 a device placed onto the anterior portion of the lower leg to reduce pressure on the Tibialis Anterior muscle and Tibialis Anterior tendon when a direct force is applied to the anterior lower leg.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises a medially thickened shin pad, wherein a medial portion of the shin pad is thicker than a middle and a lateral portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the thickened medial portion of the shin pad is configured to put exaggerated pressure on the medial boney portion of the tibia. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the shin pad is approximately 14 cm in length and 10 cm in width. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad has a medial thickness of approximately 10 mm, a middle thickness of approximately 5 mm, and a lateral thickness of approximately 5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is comprised of one or more of open cell foam of one or more varieties or closed cell foam of one or more varieties. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is comprised of one or more of: fabrics, yarn, plastics, metal, open cell foam, closed cell foam, wood, rubber, fiberglass, and sand. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is split into two or more segments. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is attached to a sock. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is an insert secured against the leg. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the medially thickened shin pad is attached to the tongue of a ski boot. 
     
     
         12 . A method of reducing pressure on an anterior portion of the lower leg including the Tibialis Anterior muscle and Tibialis Anterior tendon when a direct force is applied to the anterior lower leg, comprising:
 Securing a medially thickened shin pad between the leg and the source of the direct force, the medially thickened shin pad comprising a pad having a thickened medial portion and a thinner middle and lateral portion, wherein the medial portion is placed to put exaggerated pressure on the medial boney portion of the tibia while the middle and lateral portions reduce pressure on the anterior compartment of the leg.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the shin pad is approximately 14 cm in length and 10 cm in width. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the medial portion of the medially thickened shin pad has a thickness of approximately 10 mm, while the middle portion and lateral portion each have a thickness of approximately 5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is comprised of one of: closed cell foam of one or more varieties and open cell foam of one or more varieties. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is comprised of one or more of: fabrics, yarn, plastics, metal, open cell foam, closed cell foam, wood, rubber, fiberglass, and sand. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is split into two or more segments. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  also comprising attaching the medially thickened shin pad to a sock. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the medially thickened shin pad is an insert secured against the leg. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  also comprising securing the medially thickened shin pad to the tongue of a ski boot.