CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/984,931 filed on August 4, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The kinetic nature of sport, which makes it exciting to watch and participate in, also lends itself to a high incidence of injury. In a typical year, more than 8 million people in the United States suffer a sports injury. Advancements in the technologies that protect coaches, trainers, and competitors directly contribute to the general welfare by serving to decrease this high incidence of injury and the overall risk that athletes are exposed to. In the field of combat sports, the acute risk of injury associated with the intentional delivery of kinetic energy to an opponent renders the potential benefits of such advancements even more significant.

SUMMARY

[0003] Products related to the field of protective guards for practicing combat sports are disclosed herein. People who practice combat sports, whether as professional athletes, amateur fighters, or as a fitness hobby, wear protective gear to avoid injury and unnecessary discomfort during training. Coaches that use their own bodies to drill students on specific strikes require protective gear to avoid the discomfort and potential injury associated with repetitive strikes. Protective gear for practicing combat sports, and for sports in general, is mainly focused on padding the front side of the body as competitors generally face each other and risk the greatest injury from front side collisions. However, in the field of combat sports, and particularly in the field of mixed martial arts, strikes to the back of the leg have increased in prevalence. Vigorous strikes to the calf can deleteriously impact the tibial and sural nerves and render a competitor's leg entirely inoperable for short periods of time. The delivery of these strikes from the front of an opponent requires a high level of skill that can only be obtained from repetitive drills.

[0004] The inventor of the present application, a seasoned trainer of mixed martial arts competitors, has found that there is no readily available method for providing adequate protection for drilling students on the proper delivery of a calf strike. Protective guards for use in combat sports available on the market do not provide an easy solution for protecting a fighter's calf because they are mainly concerned with strikes delivered to the front side of a competitor. For example, shin guards for use in combat sports available on the market are not designed with calf protection in mind and are not easily augmented to provide such protection.

[0005] In specific embodiments of the invention, a shin guard and calf pad for use by a user while practicing combat sports are disclosed. The shin guard can include a pad shaped to fit at least part of a user's shin. The pad of the shin guard can extend so as to protect the instep of the foot or at least part of the top of the feet. The shin guard can also be part of a full leg guard that also protects the front surface of the thy. The calf pad can include a pad shaped to fit at least part of a user's calf. The calf pad can be concave to wrap around the backside of the user's leg and provide protection from one side of the shin guard to the other. The calf pad can be shaped to cover a back side of a standard sized gastrocnemius muscle from the knee to the calcaneal tendon with at least a half inch of firm padding. Firm padding is strong enough, in terms of thickness and hardness, to protect the sural nerve from debilitating damage at the point at which it passes through the groove of the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle while at the same time being soft enough to not injure the person being trained.

[0006] In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard and calf pad can be adapted so that they can be attached to each other. In specific embodiments, the calf pad can be adapted to attach to a shin guard that has not been specially adapted to attach to the calf pad. As such, the calf pad can be considered part of a kit to enhance the utility of existing shin guards. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad can be detachably attached to the shin guard. As such, the calf pad can be used when training to receive calf kicks and can then be removed to avoid an undue amount of weight and drag when conducting other drills. In specific embodiment of the invention, the calf pad can be permanently attached to the shin guard.

[0007] Fig. 1 includes an example of a shin guard 110 and calf pad 120 in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention. The shin guard 110 illustrated in the example of Fig.

1 includes a pad 112 shaped to fit the user's shin. The pad 112 includes portion 114 to also protect the user's instep. The shin guard can include a strap 116 to secure the shin guard to the user's feet. Strap 116 can be, for example, an elastic strap to fasten portion 114 of the shin guard to the user's feet. In the example of Fig. 1, the shin guard 110 is attached to a sleeve 118. The shin guard 110 can be permanently or detachably attached to the sleeve 118, so that the user can wear the shin guard 110 by wearing the sleeve 118. In specific embodiments of the invention, the sleeve 118 can be provided as part of the shin guard. In alternative specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard 110 could include straps or other ways to be fastened and/or be placed around the user's leg or to otherwise comfortably secure the shin guard to the user's shin.

[0008] The calf pad 120 illustrated in the example of Fig. 1 includes a pad shaped to fit at least part of the user's calf. The calf pad 120 can be attached to the shin guard 110 so that both the user's shin and calf are protected. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad 120 is detachably attached to the shin guard 110. The calf pad 120 can include attachments means so that the calf pad 120 can be easily attached to the shin guard 110. The shin guard 110 can be adapted to receive the calf pad 120 and can include attachment means so that the calf pad 120 can be easily attached thereto. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad 120 can be provided with attachments means so that it can be possible to attach the calf pad 120 to an existing shin guard not originally adapted for receiving the calf pad 120.

[0009] In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad 120 can be provided with a fastening surface and/or attachment means disposed along an inner surface of the calf pad, so that the fastening surface and/or attachment means are not exposed when the calf pad is attached to the shin guard 110. In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard 110 can be provided with a fastening surface and/or attachment means disposed along an outer surface of the shin guard so as to match the fastening surface and/or attachment means on the calf pad 120. In those embodiments, the fastening surface and/or attachment means of both the shin guard 110 and calf pad 120 can be covered and not exposed when the calf pad 120 is attached to the shin guard 110. In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard 110 can be provided with a smooth fastening surface to which the calf pad 120 can be attached to, so that the shin guard 110 is available for use without the calf pad 120 while still presenting a smooth surface in either configuration. In this way, the shin guard can be configured so as to not include hard, cutting, harming or uncomfortable surfaces exposed when the calf pad is detached which might otherwise injure a person who is striking at the shin guard with the calf pad removed.

[0010] In specific embodiments of the invention, by providing a shin guard adapted to receive a calf pad, and a calf pad that can be easily attached to the shin guard, convenient protection to combat sport participants can be provided. In specific embodiments of the invention, by providing a calf pad with attachment means, existing shin guards that are not designed to provide calf protection can be adapted to include the calf pad and thus augmented to provide calf protection. In specific embodiments of the invention, by providing a calf pad that covers the attachment means when attached to the shin guard, a safer and more esthetical combination of shin and calf guard can be obtained. In specific embodiments of the invention, by providing a shin guard with a smooth fastening surface, a safe and comfortable use of the shin guard alone can be obtained without giving up the feature of optionally attaching a calf pad if needed.

[0011] In specific embodiments of the invention, a training gear set for combat sports is provided. The training gear set can comprise a shin guard and a calf pad. The calf pad can be a concave calf pad. The calf pad can be detachably attached to the shin guard. The shin guard can be part of a full leg guard. The training gear set can include the full leg guard and the calf pad.

[0012] In specific embodiments of the invention, a shin and calf guard for use in combat sports is provided. The shin and calf guard can comprise a first pad, shaped to fit a shin, and a second pad, shaped to fit a calf. The first pad can comprise a first attachment means for attaching the first pad to the second pad. The second pad can comprise a second attachment means for attaching the second pad to the first pad. The second pad can be detachably attached to the first pad via the first and second attachment means.

[0013] In specific embodiments of the invention, a calf guard kit for attaching a calf guard to a shin guard for combat sports is provided. The calf guard kit can comprise a calf pad shaped to fit a calf and at least one attachment means for attaching the pad to the shin guard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 includes an example of a shin guard and calf pad, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0015] Figure 2 includes a perspective view, a side view and a back view of a shin guard, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0016] Figure 3 includes a front view, a back view and a side perspective view of a calf pad, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. [0017] Figure 4A includes an example of a calf pad and a shing guard, adapted to be attached to each other via fastening surfaces, in a detached position, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0018] Figure 4B includes an example of a calf pad and a shing guard, adapted to be attached to each other via attachment means, in a detached position, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0019] Figure 5A includes an example of a shin guard and a calf pad in an attached position, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0020] Figure 5B includes an example of a shin guard and a calf pad with uneven padding and a higher top edge in an attached position, in accordance with specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Products related to the field of protective guards for practicing combat sports in accordance with the summary above are disclosed in detail herein. The products disclosed in this section are nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, are provided for explanatory purposes only, and should not be used to constrict the full scope of the invention.

[0022] In specific embodiments of the invention, a shin guard is provided. Fig. 2 includes a perspective view 210, a side view 220 and a back view 230 of a shin guard in accordance with specific embodiment of the invention. The shin guard illustrated in Fig. 2 can be similar to the shin guard 110 illustrated in Fig. 1 and can comprise the same or similar elements. [0023] The shing guard can take on various forms so as to fit and protect as least part of a user's shin. The shin guard can be provided in different sizes to cover the shin completely or in part. The shin guard can be provided in different sizes to fit users with different heights and shin lengths. For example, portion 112 of the shin guard 110 illustrated in view 220 could be provided with different sizes (e.g. small, medium, large, etc.) and different coverage (e.g. partial, total, etc.). The shin guard can comprise a pad and a cover for the pad. The thickness of the padding can be enough so as to absorb impact and protect the user while at the same time being light weight, comfortable, and allow for the user's mobility. The hardness of the padding could vary depending on the material and desired resistance, and could be, for example, between 30 and 60 in the Shore 00 scale or between 20 and 95 in the Shore A scale. For example, the Shore hardness could be of 60 in the Shore 00 scale, such as in the case of sponge neoprene, or 45 in the Shore A scale, such as in the case of soft neoprene. The padding could be of about 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) to 2 inches (5.08 cm) in thickness.

[0024] The shin guard can optionally be provided with instep protection, as represented, for example, by portion 114 in view 220. The instep protection can be permanently attached to the shin guard, or detachably attached to the shin guard. The instep protection can be an extension of the shin guard pad or a separate pad attached to the shin guard pad. In any of those cases, the shin guard and instep protection can be provided in a way that does not restrict any movement of the user when in use. The instep protection of the shin guard can be provided in various sizes so as to cover the instep completely or in part and/or to fit users with different foot lengths.

[0025] The shin guard can be made of different combinations of materials. The pad of the shin guard can be made of a material that can absorb shocks and reduce the chances of injuries. For example, the material of the pad can be any kind of synthetic rubber such as neoprene or silicone. As another example, the material of the pad can be ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The pad can comprise any combination of suitable materials and/or include padding technologies such as air or gel padding. The cover of the pad can be made of a flexible and durable material that can be shock resistant. The material can be a ventilated material so as to provide comfort and avoid odors. Additionally, the material can be sweat resistant. The material can be, for example, a synthetic fabric such as polyester or nylon. As another example, the material of the cover can any type of leather, including genuine and synthetic leather.

[0026] The shin guard can be attached to the user leg in various ways. The shin guard can include a foot strap, such as strap 116, or fastener to be placed around the user foot to securely fasten the shin guard to the user's foot. The foot strap can be attached to the instep protection portion 114 of the shin guard if provided, or to any other portion of the shin guard that can ensure a comfortable and reliant fit when the user wears the shin guard. In the example of Fig. 2, the shin guard is attached to a leg sleeve 118 or sock that the user can snugly wear to wear the shin guard. The shin guard can be permanently or detachably attached to the leg sleeve. For example, the shin guard can be sewn to the leg sleeve or attached through special adhesive substances. Alternatively, the shin guard could be attached via hook and loop materials or other technology that allows for the shin guard to be detached. Those embodiments can be advantageous in that, for example, the leg sleeve can be washed after use and reattached to the shin guard, or the leg sleeve can be replaced when it becomes worn while the shin guard, which is likely the most expensive part of the gear, remains the same. The leg sleeve can be made of a flexible and breathable material. The material of the sleeve can be selected to protect the user skin, and to provide a comfortable wear while at the same time staying in place while the user is training. For example, the material of the sleeve can be any combination of synthetic materials such as synthetic rubber, Nylon, Polyethylene, or polyester. The sleeve could also comprise any combination of natural latex rubber or spandex and other materials. In alternative embodiments of the invention (not shown), the shin guard can be attached to the user's leg by using fasteners such as elastic straps and/or hook and loop fasteners around the leg. The sleeve can be provided with additional fastening mechanisms, such as fastener 122 illustrated in view 210, to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for the user.

[0027] In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard can be adapted to receive a calf pad, as will be described below in more detail.

[0028] In specific embodiments of the invention, a calf pad is provided. Fig. 3 includes a front view 310, a back view 320 and a side perspective view 330 of a calf pad in accordance with specific embodiment of the invention. The calf pad illustrated in Fig. 3 can be similar to the calf pad 120 illustrated in Fig. 1 and can comprise the same or similar elements.

[0029] The calf pad can take on various forms so as to fit and protect as least part of a user's calf. The calf pad can be sized to entirely cover a back side of a standard sized gastrocnemius muscle from the knee to the calcaneal tendon with at least a half inch of padding with a Shore hardness as described below. Those of ordinary skill in the art of sizing protective gear for those that practice mixed martial arts will be aware of the standard small, medium, large, etc. sizing for human calves. In specific embodiments, the calf pad will have a vertical extent of at least two thirds of a standard sized calf (e.g., 8 to 14 inches of vertical extent). In specific embodiments the calf pad can extend substantially all the way from one side of the shin guard to the other around a back side of the leg. The calf pad and shin guard can be provided in varying sizes (e.g., small, medium, large) to tailor the sizing for particular users. The calf pad can comprise a patchwork or mesh of interconnected pads that are held together (such as by a pliant sheathing layer) or it can comprise a solid contiguous piece of padding material. The calf pad can be provided in different sizes to cover the calf completely or in part. The calf pad can be provided in different sizes to fit users with different heights and calf lengths (L) and width (W). The calf pad can be concave to wrap around the backside of the user's leg and provide protection from one side to the other. The calf pad can comprise a pad and a cover for the pad. The thickness of the padding can be enough so as to absorb impact and protect the user while at the same time being light weight, comfortable, and allow for the user's mobility. The padding should also not be so hard that it injures or unduly harms the person repetitively striking the pad. The hardness of the padding could vary depending on the material and desired resistance, and could be, for example, between 30 and 60 in the Shore 00 scale or between 20 and 95 in the Shore A scale. For example, the Shore hardness could be 60 in the Shore 00 scale, such as in the case of sponge neoprene, or 45 in the Shore A scale, such as in the case of soft neoprene. The padding of any degree of hardness in the above-mentioned ranges could be at least 0.5 inches and in other embodiments could be between 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in thickness.

[0030] The calf pad can be made of different combinations of materials. The pad of the calf pad can be made of a material that can absorb shocks and reduce the chances of injuries. For example, the material of the pad can be any kind of synthetic rubber such as neoprene or silicone. As another example, the material of the pad can be EVA. The pad can comprise any combination of suitable materials and/or include padding technologies such as air or gel padding. The cover of the pad can be made of a flexible and durable material that can be shock resistant. The material can be a ventilated material so as to provide comfort and avoid odors. Additionally, the material can be sweat resistant. The material can be, for example, a synthetic fabric such as polyester or nylon. As another example, the material of the cover can any type of leather, including genuine and synthetic leather.

[0031] The calf pad can be attached to the user leg in various ways. For example, the calf pad can be attached to a leg sleeve in a similar manner as was described for the shin guard of Fig. 2. The calf pad can include elastic straps or other fasteners attached to at least one of the lateral edges so that the user can fasten the calf pad by placing the straps or fasteners around the leg. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad can be adapted to be attached to a shin guard, as will be described below in more detail.

[0032] In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard and calf pad are adapted to be attached to each other. Fig. 4A includes an example of a calf pad, such as calf pad 120 of Fig. 1, and a shing guard, such as shin guard 110 of Fig. 1, adapted to be attached to each other via fastening surfaces, in a detached position. Fig. 4B includes an example of a calf pad, such as calf pad 120 of Fig. 1, and a shing guard, such as shin guard 110 of Fig. 1, adapted to be attached to each other via attachment means, in a detached position. [0033] In specific embodiments of the invention, the shin guard and calf pad can include fastening surfaces, such as surfaces 450a and 450b in Fig. 4A. The fastening surfaces can be any surface on the shin guard and calf pad that are adapted to secure the two pieces together. The fastening surfaces can be surfaces with intrinsic attaching properties, such as surfaces made of any hook and loop fastening material or adhesive material. In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surfaces can be provided in at least one portion of the shin guard and at least one portion of the calf pad. In specific embodiments of the invention, the at least one portion including a fastening surface on the shin guard can match the at least one portion including a fastening surface on the calf pad so that the two pieces can be attached together via the fastening surfaces. In the example of Fig. 4A, the fastening surface 450b on the shin guard is disposed along an outer portion of a lateral surface of the shin guard and the fastening surface 450a on the calf pad is disposed along an inner portion of the lateral edges of the calf pad. In this way, the calf pad can be attached to the shin guard via the fastening surfaces 450a and 450b. The fastening surfaces 450a and 450b can be disposed along both lateral edges on the calf pad and both lateral surfaces on the shin guard, or in any other portion of the shin guard and calf pad. In the specific example of Fig. 4A, the fastening surface 450a on the calf pad can allow for the attachment of the shin guard, and the fastening surface 450b on the shin guard can allow for the attachment of the calf pad. In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surfaces, such as 450a and 450b can be complementary or matching fastening surfaces, for example, they can be opposite sides of a hook and look fastening mechanism. For example, fastening surface 450a can be a hooking surface and fastening surface 450b can be the loop where the hooking surface would attach to. In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surfaces can be of an adhesive material suitable for this kind of application. In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surface can be provided in only one of the two pieces, either the shin guard or calf pad, while the other can be made of a material or shape that allows for the attachment of the fastening surface. For example, the calf guard can be provided with a fastening surface, such as a hook material, while the shin guard can have an external cover of a material that attached to the calf pad hooking fastening surface. In a similar example, the calf guard can include an adhesive fastening surface while the cover of the shin guard or material of the leg sleeve is suitable to be adhered to such adhesive material without further preparation.

[0034] In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surfaces are provided as part of the cover of the shin guard and calf pad, or as part of the leg sleeve, or can be attached thereto via sewing, adhesives, hook and loop materials, etc. For example, a double sided hook and loop pair can be provided so that the inner part of the pair provides the hook and loop functionality while the outer part is made of an adhesive substance that can be adhered to the shin guard and calf pad. In this example, one part of the hook and loop pair can be attached to the shin guard and the other to the calf pad via the adhesives, and the shin guard and calf pad can then be attached together via the hook and loop mechanism, which would constitute the fastening surface in this example.

[0035] In the alternative or in combination, the fastening surfaces can be the area of the shin guard and/or calf pad where attachment means 460 for attaching the two pieces together can be provided, as illustrated in Fig. 4B. The attachment means 460 for attaching the shin guard and calf pad to each other can be the fastening surface itself, can be provided on the fastening surface, or can be provided on the shin guard and calf pad independent to any fastening surface mentioned before.

[0036] The attachment means 460 for attaching the shin guard and calf pad to each other can be any physical structure that serves to secure the shin guard and calf pad together. Fig. 4B illustrates an example where complementary or matching attachment means are placed in the two pieces so that they can be secured together. In the example of Fig. 4B, the shin guard comprises holes or apertures 460b, such as buttons or snap holes, and the calf pad comprises heads 460a, such as buttons or snap heads. In the example of Fig. 4B, the attachment means are disposed along an inner lateral portion of the calf pad and an outer lateral portion of the shin guard. However, attachment means can be provided on any portion of the shin guard and/or calf pad.

[0037] The attachment means for attaching the two pieces together can be any type of hook and loop mechanism. The attachment means can also be pairs of snap heads and snap holes, or buttons and button holes. The attachment means can also be magnetic pieces attached to or embedded within the calf pad and/or shin guard. The attachment means can be pairs of hooks and receivers for the hooks. For example, the calf pad illustrated in Fig. 4B can be provided with hooks in place of the illustrated buttons, and the complementary holes in the shin guard be adapted to receive such hooks. The attachment means can also include pairs of hook and eye fasteners, or pairs of eyelets and laces. The attachment means can also include sewing and/or stitching, adhesives, pins, rings, clips, press buttons, sew-on strips of hook and look pairs, zippers, etc.

[0038] The attachment means can be strips of suitable material that can be threaded between the shin guard and calf pad. For example, the calf pad could be provided with one or more strips attached to its top or button edge that could be placed within the leg sleeve of the shin guard so that the strips are threaded between the sleeve and the user's leg. The strips could then be fastened via hook and loop or other mechanisms placed on the other edge of the calf pad, for example. In this example, the shin guard does not need any additional attachment means.

[0039] In specific embodiments of the invention, the fastening surfaces/attachment means can be strips of hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners) attached to at least one portion of the calf pad and at least one portion of the shin guard. The strips can be disposed along an inner portion of the lateral edges of the calf pad and along an outer portion of a lateral surface of the shin guard.

[0040] The means for attaching the shin guard and the calf pad to each other can be placed on the shin guard (for attaching the calf pad), in the calf pad (for attaching the shin guard), or in both the shin guard and calf pad. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad can be permanently attached to shin guard via the attachment means and/or fastening surface. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad can be detachably attached to shin guard via the attachment means and/or fastening surface.

[0041] The means for attaching the calf pad can be any part of the attachment means discussed above. For example, the means for attaching the calf pad can include hook and/or loop fasteners, buttons, button holes, snaps, snap holes, magnetic pieces, hooks, hooks receivers, such as hook eyes for hook and eye fasteners, eyelets, laces, sewing and/or stitching, adhesives, pins, rings, clips, press buttons, sew-on strips of hook and look pairs, zippers, etc. The means for attaching the calf pad can be located on any portion of the shin guard that allows for the calf pad to be attached via the attachment means.

[0042] The means for attaching the shin guard can be any part of the attachment means discussed above. For example, the means for attaching the shin guard can be hook and/or loop fasteners, buttons, button holes, snaps, snap holes, magnetic pieces, hooks, hooks receivers, such as hook eyes for hook and eye fasteners, eyelets, laces, sewing and/or stitching, adhesives, pins, rings, clips, press buttons, sew-on strips of hook and look pairs, zippers, etc. The means for attaching the shin guard can be located on any portion of the calf pad that allows for the shin guard to be attached via the attachment means.

[0043] In specific embodiments of the invention, the means for attaching the calf pad to the shin guard and the means for attaching the shin guard to the calf pad can be complementary. For example, the calf pad can be provided with the hook side of a hook and loop pair, while the shin guard can be provided with the loop side of the hook and loop pair. As another example, the calf pad can be provided with snap heads, buttons, hooks, pins, etc. while the shin guard can be provided with holes or receivers for such snap heads, buttons, hooks, pins, etc. This last example is illustrated in Fig. 4B.

[0044] Attachment means can be provided indistinctly in both the calf pad and the shin guard. However, in specific embodiments of the invention, it can be desired to provide a smooth fastening surface for the shin guard. Those specific embodiments can be advantageous when the calf pad is detachably attached to the shin guard and the shin guard can be used alone, when the calf pad is detached. A smooth fastening surface is a fastening surface that does not present hard, cutting, scratching or otherwise harming or uncomfortable finishing. In specific embodiments of the invention, providing a smooth fastening surface on the shin guard allows for the use of the shin guard when the calf pad is detached, with no risk for the user or their opponent to be hurt by the surface, while at the same time still providing the benefit of being optionally attached to a calf pad to provide calf protection. In embodiments using complementary fastening surfaces, in order to provide a smooth fastening surface on the shin guard, the fastening surface on the shin guard can be the less aggressive of the two. For example, when a hook and loop mechanism is being used, the loop side of the mechanism, which is usually the softer side, can be placed on the shin guard, and the hook side of the mechanism, which is usually the scratchy and rougher side, can be placed on the calf guard. In this way, the two pieces are still adapted to be connected together, and the shin guard can be used alone while still presenting a comfortable and safe surface. An example of those specific embodiments is illustrated in Fig. 4A, where surface 450b can be a smooth fastening surface, such as a loop for a hook and loop mechanism, and surface 450a can be the hook of the mechanism. As another example, hard or protruding attachment means, such as buttons, hooks or snaps, can be provided in the calf pad, while the shin guard is provided with holes or receivers for such hard or protruding attachment means that do not interfere for the shin guard to be used alone. An example of those specific embodiments is illustrated in Fig. 4B, where attachment means 460b are holes and attachment means 460a are heads for the holes.

[0045] In specific embodiments of the invention, it can be desirable that the calf pad covers the attachment means when attached to the shin guard. Those specific embodiments can be advantageous to protect the user and protect the attachment means themselves. For example, when the fastening surface and/or attachment means are provided on an internal surface of the calf guard, as illustrated in the examples of Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the calf pad will be able to cover its own fastening surface and/or attachment means when attached to the shin guard. In specific embodiments of the invention, when the fastening surface on the shin guard matches the fastening surface of the calf pad, the calf pad can be able to cover the fastening surfaces and/or attachment means of both the shin guard and the calf pad. Those specific embodiments can be particularly advantageous when the attachment means are hard, protruding, or present any risk for the user. Attachment means of any kind, including metal, plastic, or other hard materials could be used without harming the user, because they can be covered by the calf pad.

[0046] In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad and shin guard can be a matching pair. For example, the calf pad and shin guard can be provided in a set, and have similar properties, appearance, and material. In those embodiments, both the shin guard and the calf pad can be already prepared to be attached to each other. For example, the shin guard and calf pad can be provided with the attachment means and/or fastening surfaces described below.

[0047] In specific embodiments of the invention the calf pad and the shin guard can be separate pieces that do not conform a matching pair. In those embodiments, the shin guard and calf pad can be prepared so that they can be attached to each other. For example, attachment means for attaching the two pieces together can be provided. As explained before, a double-sided attachment means can be used to provide both pieces with means for attaching to each other. The double-sided attachment means can be, for example, a pair of hook and loop straps that can be sewn or adhered to the shin guard and calf pad, so that each piece comprises one side of the hook and loop mechanism. In this way, both the shin guard and the calf pad can be prepared for being attached to each other. The double-sided attachment means can be provided individually or as part of a kit together with either the shin guard, the calf pad, or both. [0048] In specific embodiments of the invention, existing shin guards, not adapted to receive a calf pad, can be augmented to provide calf protection. For example, attachment means for attaching the shin guard to a calf pad can be provided and attached to the existing shin guard via sewing, stitching, adhesives, straps, hook and loop mechanisms, etc. In specific embodiments of the invention, the calf pad can be provided with a kit for adapting an existing shin guard so that it can be attached to the calf pad. In those embodiments, the calf pad can be provided with attachment means for attaching to a shin guard. For example, the calf pad can be provided with attachment means fixed thereto that can be used to attach to an existing shin guard, such as elastic straps. As another example, the calf pad can be provided with attachment means fixed thereto, and attachment means to be attached to the shin guard, such as the double-sided attachment means mentioned above. In those embodiments, the calf pad can be already prepared to be attached to a shin guard and only the shin guard needs to be prepared by attaching the attachment means, that can be provided in the kit with the calf pad. For example, strips of loop material with adhesive backings can be provided to adhere to existing shin guards while the calf pads include hook material configured to match with the appropriately places strips.

[0049] Fig. 5A includes an example of a shin guard, such as shin guard 110 of Fig. 1, and a calf pad, such as calf pad 120 of Fig. 1, in an attached position, in accordance with specific embodiment of the invention. As explained before, the calf pad can be detachably attached to the shin guard.

[0050] The attachment means and/or fastening surfaces can be provided as explained with reference to Fig. 4A and 4B. As illustrated in the example of Fig. 5A, when the shin guard and calf pad are in an attached position, the attachment means and/or fastening surfaces are not visible. In those embodiments, when the shin guard and calf pad are attached, the calf pad can cover the attachment means of both the calf pad itself and the shin guard. As explained before, those embodiments can be particularly advantageous when the attachment means are hard or can cause discomfort if worn externally. For example, when the attachment means are placed externally, such as around the shin guard and/or calf pad, the attachment means could harm an opponent user that is not wearing protection or can otherwise interfere during the practice. Those embodiments can also be advantageous to protect the attachment means from the strikes received on the shin guard and calf pad. Additionally, it can be esthetica I ly appealable that the two pieces combine together in a single accessory where the attachment means are not visible. [0051] Fig. 5B includes an example of a shin guard, such as shin guard 110 of Fig. 1, and a calf pad with non-even padding and higher top edge, in an attached position, in accordance with specific embodiment of the invention.

[0052] As illustrated in the example of Fig. 5B, the top edge 502 of the calf pad can be higher than the top edge 504 of the shin guard. In this way, the whole calf can be covered and protected. Those embodiments can be advantageous, for example, in practices where the calf kicks are more prone to landing up higher than strikes to the shins, or when the user is being trained to strike the upper portion of the calf right below the knee.

[0053] As illustrated in the example of Fig. 5B, an upper portion 506 of the calf pad can be thicker than a lower portion 508 of the calf pad. Those embodiments can be advantageous in that an attacker can be more prone to attack directly under the knee and that area of the calf is likely to be the most affected. However, although the illustrated example represents a calf pad with more padding in the upper portion, the thickness of the pad can be equally increased for the whole pad, or specifically reinforced in other areas such as the ankles, for protection during foot sweeps and other techniques.

[0054] It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments may or may not overlap with each other. Thus, part of one embodiment, or specific embodiments thereof, may or may not fall within the ambit of another, or specific embodiments thereof, and vice versa. Different embodiments from different aspects may be combined or practiced separately. Many different combinations and sub-combinations of the representative embodiments shown within the broad framework of this invention, that may be apparent to those skilled in the art but not explicitly shown or described, should not be construed as precluded.

[0055] While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Although examples in the disclosure where generally directed to a shin guard comprising a leg sleeve, the same approaches could be utilized to provide other shin guards with calf protection. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims