US-12622472-B1 - Sport protective guard

US12622472B1US 12622472 B1US12622472 B1US 12622472B1US-12622472-B1

Abstract

A protective guard has a protective layer configured to be worn by a user. The guard has a first configuration configured to be worn on one of an arm of the user and a leg of the user. The guard also has a second configuration configured to be worn on a hand of the user.

Inventors

David J. Payton
Daniel R. Oriente

Assignees

David J. Payton
Daniel R. Oriente

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20241015

Claims (10)

1 . A protective guard in the form of a combination protective arm/leg guard and sliding guard for a baseball player comprising: a base member defining a rigid protective layer, the base member further defining a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side wherein the base member defines a curvature between the sides, the base member having an aperture therethrough; an external layer connected to the base member between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side wherein a pocket is formed between the base member and the external layer; and, a connector assembly connected to the base member, the connector assembly having a strap member having a hook and loop fastener thereon, wherein the guard has a first configuration configured to be worn by the player on one of an arm of the player wherein the strap is configured to be wrapped around and fastened around the arm by the hook and loop fastener, wherein the guard functions as an elbow guard, and a leg of the player wherein the strap is configured to be wrapped around and fastened around the leg by the hook and loop fastener, wherein the guard functions as a shin guard, and wherein the guard has a second configuration configured to worn by the player wherein the player inserts a hand into the pocket and wherein the aperture is configured to receive a thumb of the player, wherein the guard functions as a sliding guard, wherein the aperture comprises a pair of apertures, a first aperture in the base member spaced away from a second aperture in the base member, wherein the first aperture is configured to receive a right-hand thumb of the player and the second aperture is configured to receive a left-hand thumb of the player.
2 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the pocket is dimensioned to receive and cover fingers of the player.
3 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the base member has a cover member positioned over the protective layer.
4 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the base member has a distal extension.
5 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the strap member comprises a first strap member and a second strap member, the second strap member spaced away from the first strap member.
6 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the protective layer is made from a rigid plastic material.
7 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the pocket defines an opening proximate an intermediate location of the base member.
8 . The protective guard of claim 7 wherein the pocket defines a closed end at a distal end of the base member.
9 . The protective guard of claim 1 wherein the external layer is a resilient and flexible layer.
10 . A protective guard in the form of a combination protective arm/leg guard and sliding guard for a baseball player comprising: a protective layer configured to be worn by the baseball player, the protective layer having a first aperture and a second aperture spaced away from the first aperture, the guard having a first configuration configured to be worn on one of an arm of the player wherein the guard functions as an elbow guard and a leg of the player wherein the guard functions as a shin guard, and a second configuration configured to be worn on a hand of the player, wherein the first aperture is configured to receive a right-hand thumb of the player and the second aperture is configured to receive a left-hand thumb of the player wherein the guard functions as a sliding guard.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/544,563, filed on Oct. 17, 2023, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein and made a part hereof. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT None. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates generally to a sport protective guard and, more particularly, an elbow guard or leg guard that also functions as a sliding guard for the user. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of protective sports equipment have been developed over the years and are known in the art. The protective sports equipment can vary widely depending on the type of sport and the environments and circumstances experienced by athletes participating in the various sports. For example, helmets are widely used in baseball, softball, football, lacrosse and hockey. Additional types of protective equipment have been developed over time for baseball and softball athletes. While hitting in baseball and softball, the hitter often wears an elbow guard and/or a leg guard or shin guard. The elbow guard protects the hitter's elbow and additional portions of the arm in case of being hit with a pitched ball. Increased strength, athleticism and skill has increased overall pitching velocity, and some hitters prefer to stand closer to home plate, which circumstances have contributed to more hitters wearing elbow guards. A hitter may also wear a leg guard or shin guard proximate a lower leg and foot to prevent injury from a mishit ball (e.g., a foul ball) hitting the shin or foot. Elbow and leg guards are made from various types of materials and have various types of constructions and features. Once a hitter reaches base, the athlete typically removes the elbow guard and/or shin guard and gives such equipment to a base coach, as such guards are unnecessary when running the bases. Another type of protective equipment is a sliding guard or sliding mitt. When running bases, a risk exists of being hit with a thrown ball, colliding with a base while sliding or also colliding with a fielder while sliding into a base. The runner can also injure a hand or finger(s) when being tagged with a caught ball by a fielder. In view of these risks, runners have also worn gloves while running the bases to protect hands. In more recent times, sliding guards, or sliding mitts have been developed wherein a guard defines a pocket or compartment to cover a hand of a runner to minimize injury while running bases. A hitter may typically keep such gloves or sliding guard in a back pant pocket while hitting. These various types of protective gear have helped minimize injury for hitters and baserunners. The elbow guards and shin guards have various constructions where some designs are bulky and cumbersome in use. Thus, it is desirable to remove such equipment immediately upon reaching base. Now a baserunner, the athlete will then put on a glove or sliding guard for running the bases. Thus, the hitter/runner may have multiple types of protective equipment to manage and keep track of, which can be inefficient and cumbersome during play. There remains a need to make the use of such protective equipment more effective and efficient such as equipment having multiple uses for players. While sport protective equipment such as elbow guards, leg guards and sliding guards according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention is provided to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a sport protective equipment having multiple uses for an athlete. According to a first aspect of the invention, a protective guard has a first configuration worn by a hitter as an elbow guard and a second configuration worn by the hitter as a hand protector while running bases. According to another aspect of the invention, a protective guard has a first configuration worn by a hitter as a leg guard and a second configuration worn by the hitter as a hand protector while running bases. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a view of a baseball hitter wearing sport protective equipment in the form of an elbow guard and a leg guard according to the prior art; FIG. 2 is a partial view of a baseball hitter wearing an elbow guard according to the prior art; FIG. 3 is a baseball baserunner wearing sport