INTERCHANGEABLE OUTER SHELL

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiments herein relate generally to knee pad devices worn over a user's pants. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a knee pad apparatus with an interchangeable outer shell for use by individuals in the construction, gardening and landscaping industries, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Individuals such as construction workers, gardeners, landscapers, plumbers, electricians and other skilled workers often perform their work while kneeling on the ground. This places significant stress on the knee, which can cause pain, injuries and/or damage to the individual's joints, ligaments or muscles. In addition, the individual's pants can easily wear and/or tear in the knee area when rubbing against the ground.

[0003] A variety of protective knee pads exist to provide cushion to individuals as disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,296,301, U.S. Patent Application Publications 2009/0083901 and 2005/0268370, which comprise outer members affixed to the knee portions of pants. However, these knee pads are limited in that they do not provide sufficient cushion to the user to comfortably work on different ground surfaces. More specifically, these knee pads cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate the user when performing different tasks on variable ground conditions such as hard wood floor, carpet, asphalt, concrete, soil, and the like.

[0004] As such, there is a need in the industry for a knee pad apparatus with enhanced cushion that addresses the limitations of the prior art, which effectively protects the user's knees when working on a variety of ground surfaces. There is a further need for the knee pad apparatus to be easily adjusted via interchangeable outer shells to best accommodate the user's work and type of ground surface present.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A knee pad apparatus with enhanced cushion coupled to a knee portion of pants worn by a user is provided. The knee pad apparatus is configured for use with different interchangeable outer shells. The knee pad apparatus comprises a cushion assembly comprising a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, the cushion assembly comprising an inner resilient pad member encapsulated by an outer fastening sheet, a first fastening sheet coupled to the knee portion of the pants and coupled to the outer fastening sheet on the rear face of the cushion assembly, a primary shell assembly coupled to the cushion assembly, the primary shell assembly comprising a first outer padded shell member and a second fastening sheet coupled thereto, the second fastening sheet coupled to the outer fastening sheet on the front face of the cushion assembly, wherein the primary shell assembly is configured to be detached from the cushion assembly to permit a secondary shell assembly to be coupled to the cushion assembly, the secondary shell assembly comprising a second outer padded shell member and a third fastening sheet coupled thereto, the third fastening sheet configured to couple to the outer fastening sheet on the front face of the cushion assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the knee pad apparatus shown in use;

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the knee pad apparatus;

[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of certain embodiments of the knee pad apparatus;

[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of certain embodiments of the knee pad apparatus shown in use;

[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the knee pad apparatus taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the knee pad apparatus;

[0013] FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of the alternate embodiment of the knee pad apparatus; and

[0014] FIG. 8 depicts a section view of the alternate embodiment of the knee pad apparatus shown in use. BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the knee pad apparatus is configured to be detachably coupled to the knee portions of pants 20 worn by user 22. In certain embodiments of the invention, the knee pad apparatus comprises an outer shell that can be interchanged to best accommodate the user's task, type of ground surface and/or working environment. The knee pad apparatus generally comprises cushion assembly 10, outer hard shell 12 and hook fastening sheets 16.

[0016] As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5, cushion assembly 10 comprises inner pad member 24 encapsulated by outer loop fastening sheet 18. Inner pad member 24 comprises a resilient, compressible and deformable cushion member made from foam, gel or other compressible material. In a preferred embodiment, inner pad member 24 comprises an inner concave shape configured to conform over the knee portion of pants 20 and an outer convex shape. Outer loop fastening sheet 18 is disposed entirely around inner pad member 24 and comprises a plurality of loop fasteners disposed throughout the exposed surface. In one embodiment, outer loop fastening sheet 18 is sewn to inner pad member 24. However, alternative fastening components can be used such as an adhesive, snap components, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

[0017] Outer loop fastening sheet 18 permits cushion assembly 10 to be attached to both pants 20 and outer hard shell 12 upon engagement with hook fastening sheets 16. Each hook fastening sheet 16 comprises a first side comprising a plurality of hook fasteners disposed throughout and a second side comprising an adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive of the second side of hook fastening sheet 16 is covered by a removable protective cover sheet.

[0018] A first hook fastening sheet 16 is coupled to a knee portion of pants 20 with the adhesive side pressed against the pants. The exposed hook fasteners of the first hook fastening sheet 16 engage with loops on the inner concave side of outer fastening sheet 18 of cushion assembly 10. The adhesive side of a second hook fastening sheet 16 is coupled to the inner surface of outer hard shell 12. The exposed hook fasteners of the second hook fastening sheet 16 engage with loops on the outer convex side of outer fastening sheet 18 of cushion assembly 10.

[0019] Outer hard shell 12 comprises an outer durable rubberized plastic cap that is used to kneel on surfaces that may have sharp hazardous objects, jobsite debris, gardening hazards, and the like. In one embodiment, the rubberized plastic cap of outer hard shell 12 comprises a plurality of segments oriented in a pattern. This pattern of segments enhances aesthetics and the grip of outer hard shell 12 when in contact with the ground.

[0020] In operation, hook fastening sheets 16 are adhered to both knee portions of pants 20 and a pair of outer hard shells 12. A pair of cushion assemblies 10 are disposed on the ground to permit user 22 to kneel into the assemblies. The engagement of hook fastening sheet 16 and outer loop fastening sheet 18 secures each cushion assembly 10 to the knee portion of pants 20. Outer hard shell 12 is secured to each cushion assembly 10 by the engagement of hook fastening sheet 16 and outer loop fastening sheet 18. This completes the assembly of the knee pad apparatus to pants 20. User 22 kneels on the ground and performs any task required.

[0021] The outer shell of the knee pad apparatus can be interchanged with another outer shell to best accommodate the work performed by user 22, type of ground surface and work environment present. FIGS. 6-8 depict outer soft shell 14, which is coupled to cushion assembly 10 in the same manner previously described. Hook fastening sheet 16 is adhered to outer soft shell 14. Outer soft shell 14 is secured to each cushion assembly 10 by the engagement of hook fastening sheet 16 and outer loop fastening sheet 18. Outer soft shell 14 is preferably made from a smooth nylon material.

[0022] It shall be appreciated that outer soft shell 14 and outer hard shell 12 can be easily and quickly interchanged as desired. This permits user 22 to easily switch between different tasks and job sites. Outer hard shell 12 is desirable for ground surfaces that have sharp objects or other hazards. Outer soft shell 14 is desirable for delicate surfaces such as hard wood floors, which can scratch from contact with harder surfaces such as the rubberized plastic of outer hard shell 12. It shall be appreciated that cushion assembly 10 provides enhanced cushion and comfort to user 22 regardless of whether outer hard shell 12 or outer soft shell 14 is used.

[0023] It shall be appreciated that the components of the knee pad apparatus described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of the knee pad apparatus described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.

[0024] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0025] Embodiments of the disclosed invention can be configured for use with different interchangeable outer shells.