Protective Pad Assembly with Self-Retaining Device

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/087,980 filed Dec. 23, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 12,369,655, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/317,699 filed Mar. 8, 2022 by Picone et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

The present invention relates to protective cushioning devices in general and, more particularly, to a protective pad assembly including an outer protective unit and a self-retaining device connectable to the outer protective unit and capable of clamping both around a cushion pad and a body part, such as a user's knee and/or elbow joint, and able to suspend and retain the outer protective unit onto a knee or elbow without the use of straps, elastic bands, magnets and/or additional support.

Typically, protective pads or cushioning devices, such as kneepads or elbow pads, are attached to a body part of a user over a garment by various methods including belt straps, clips, wraps, elastic stretch material, glues, tapes or adhesives. A common drawback of prior art methods of fastening such products is that they become uncomfortable to the user (wearer) during prolonged usage do to binding, burning and/or chaffing, which may result in irritation to the skin, limb tingling, and bruising, all of which is brought on by constriction of the blood vessels. For example,shows a known kneepadutilizing strapsandto fasten the kneepadto a knee (or knee area)of a legof a user. The legof the user includes an upper portion (or thigh portion)and a lower portionseparated by the knee. The strapwraps around the upper portionof the leg, and a strapwraps around the lower portionof the leg, or above and below the knee, as illustrated in. A drawback of such fastening strapsandis that they can cause discomfort to the user (wearer) and constriction of blood vessels during prolonged usage, eventually leading to bruising and/or skin irritation. Specifically, the strapsandmay cause constriction of the blood vessels and eventually may cut and chafe the thigh portionand/or the calf portion, respectively. Also, occasionally, strapped knee pads fail to stay in place, and ultimately get loose and start to move and fall down on the leg.

illustrates a sectional view of a kneepad assemblydisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,150 attached to pants (or trousers). The kneepad assemblyincludes a flexible inner memberin the form of a base cushion made of an impact absorbing material disposed inside the pants, and an outer memberin the form of a protective cushion made of an impact absorbing material disposed outside the pants. Securing devices use magnetic attraction to attach the outer memberand the inner memberto each other and to the pants. Each securing device includes an inner magnetically attractive elementattached to the inner member, and an outer magnetically attractive elementattached to the outer member. A drawback to the use of magnetically attractive elementsandis that the elementsandpotentially can slide relative to the garment during use.

illustrates a protective pad (or kneepad) assemblyin the form of an inner padto be disposed inside the pantsfor being positioned over an elbow area or a kneeof a user (or wearer), and an outer memberin the form of a removable outer elastic band disposed outside a garment in alignment with the inner pad. The inner padfurther comprises a securing deviceprovided for releasably attaching to a securing deviceof the removable outer elastic band, thus releasably attaching the inner padand the outer elastic bandto each other through the material of the pants.

In the kneepad assemblies ofthe protective pads are attached solely to the pants and rely on the integrity of the pants and the position the pants when the pads are attached. However, as the user moves and changes position, the material of the pants also moves and stretches in different directions, such as up or down or sideways, and ultimately changes the position of the protective pads from the original setting. It may become uncomfortable for the user to be required to make frequent readjustments of the protective pads to reposition them for comfort.

illustrate a protective pad assemblyconfigured to protect an elbow of an arm or a kneeof a legof a user (or wearer) from impact, as disclosed in US 2021/0267285. The protective pad assemblycomprises an inner support unit in the form of a sleeve (or band) unitto be positioned adjacent to and below the elbow of the arm or the kneeof the legof the user, and an outer protective unitconfigured to be disposed over the sleeve unitfor protecting the elbow or the kneeof the user from impact. The outer protective unitincludes an outer protective padwith magnetic outer securing components, and the sleeve unitreciprocally includes complementary magnetic inner securing componentsreleasably attachable to the outer securing components.

Other known protective pad assemblies have the drawback of requiring permanent alterations to the garment fabric and/or damaging the garment fabric, such as by requiring or creating holes in the garment fabric in order to attain proper attachment.

Therefore, there is a need for a protective pad assembly that overcomes drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art, enhances its performance and advances the art.

The present invention is directed to a protective pad assembly for removably positioning on an arm or a leg of a user of the protective pad assembly for protecting an elbow or a knee of the user. The protective pad assembly comprises an outer protective unit including a protective cushion pad configured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-retaining device mounted to the outer protective unit for retaining the outer protective unit on the arm or leg of the user over one of the elbow and the knee thereof. The self-retaining device includes a resilient retaining split-ring clamp having two opposite free ends spaced from one another so as to define a gap therebetween. The free ends of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp are circumferentially expandable or contractable relative to one another for retaining the protective pad on an arm or a leg of the user of the protective pad assembly over one of the elbow and the knee thereof. The resilient retaining split-ring clamp has a spectrum of inherent preloaded tensions configured to clamp the resilient retaining split-ring clamp around the arm or leg of the user to retain the protective pad on to the arm or leg of the user over one of the elbow and the knee thereof solely by a resilient force of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp.

The protective pad assembly in accordance with the present invention makes the wearing of protective pad assemblies easier and faster to put on and more comfortable and minimizes the risk of blood clots and nerve damage due to the strangulation effect of straps tightly pulled around user's limb.

Other aspects of the invention, including system, devices, methods, and the like which constitute parts of the invention, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods. This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “inner” and “outer”, “inside” and “outside,” “horizontal” and “vertical,” “front” and “rear,” “upper” and “lower,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion and to the orientation relative to a vehicle body. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. The term “integral” (or “unitary”) relates to a part made as a single part, or a part made of separate components fixedly (i.e., non-moveably) connected together. Additionally, the words “a” and/or “an” as used in the claims mean “at least one” and the word “two” as used in the claims mean “at least two”. For the purpose of clarity, some technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.

illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a protective pad assemblyconfigured to protect an elbow of an arm or a kneeof a legof a user (or wearer) from impact. The legof the user includes an upper portion (or thigh portion)and a lower portion(or calf portion) separated by the knee. The protective pad assemblycomprises an outer protective (or protective pad) unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-adjustable, self-retaining deviceremovably attachable to the outer protective unit.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, preferably fabricated from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) material, which is the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The protective cushion padis provided to be disposed outside trousers (pants), as shown in. The protective cushion padhas a concave central cushion member (or portion)and two (2) flexible side cushion members (or portions)andoutwardly extending from opposite sides of the central cushion memberand formed integrally therewith, as best shown in.shows an outer surfaceof the protective cushion pad, whileshows an inner surfaceof the protective cushion pad. As best shown in, the self-retaining deviceis removably mounted to the protective cushion padof the outer protective unit, including the central cushion member portionand the flexible side cushion membersand.

The self-retaining deviceincludes a circular self-retaining split-ring (or resilient (i.e., elastic) retaining split-ring) clampmade of a resilient material. According to the first exemplary embodiment, the resilient self-retaining split-ring clampis made from any formable resilient material including plastics such as ABS or PVC, composites, spring steel, resilient wood or the like. The resilient self-retaining split-ring clamphas a rectangular cross-section and has an inner surfaceand an outer surface, as best shown in. Furthermore, the resilient self-retaining split-ring clamphas two opposite free ends (or split portions)andspaced from one another so as to define a gap therebetween and spreadable relative to one another, as best shown in. Moreover, the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare circumferentially expandable or contractable for securing (retaining) the outer protective unitover an arm or a leg of the user of the protective pad assembly. The resilient retaining split-ring clamphas a modulus of elasticity sufficient to clamp the protective cushion padof the outer protective unitaround the arm or legof the user to retain the protective cushion padonto the arm or legof the user over one of the elbow and the kneethereof. Thus, the resilient retaining split-ring clampis able to position and maintain (or support) the protective cushion padon to the kneeor elbow of the user without the use of straps, elastic bands, magnets, etc., i.e., without any further support. In other words, the self-retaining deviceis configured to maintain the outer protective uniton the user's kneeor elbow solely by resiliency (or a resilient force, elasticity) of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp. The resilient retaining split-ring clampis mounted over the flexible padand attaches to the front and sides of the leg, and does not wrap around the back of the leg. Furthermore, the thickness of the foam cushion padis the only material that rests against the skin or pants and the tension from the resilient self-retaining deviceis sufficient enough to keep the cushion padon the legcomfortably and without causing strangulation of blood vessels, and irritation of the skin as with straps.

The resilient retaining split-ring clampof the removable self-retaining deviceresembles a spring clamp that is rigid but flexible. The inherent spectrum of preloaded tensions of the resilient self-retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceprovides automatic pressure adjustments. Depending on the inherent characteristics of the material of the split-ring clamp, a predetermined spectrum of preloaded tensions can be fabricated. The preloaded tensions of the resilient split-ring clampmay be increased or decreased (i.e., adjusted, modified) by making adjustments to the thickness, height, and/or diameter of the resilient material of the resilient retaining split-ring clamp.

The resilient split-ring clampis removably mountable (attachable) to the protective cushion padby manually opening or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, as shown in, placing the resilient split-ring clampover the protective cushion padso that the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare positioned over the side cushion membersandthereof, respectively, and then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceto the side cushion membersandof the protective cushion pad, respectively, to form the protective pad assembly, as shown in. In this way, the inner surfaceof the resilient self-retaining split-ring clampengages the outer surfaceof the protective cushion pad.

The protective pad assemblyis attached to a lower leg areaof the legof the user (wearer) below and adjacent to the kneeas shown in. The protective pad assemblyis attachable to the user (wearer) by manually pulling open or spreading apart the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceand the two side cushion membersandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, shown in, then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceand the side cushion membersandof the protective cushion padat the lower leg areabelow the knee, as best shown in.

The protective pad assemblymay be removed from the legby pulling open or spreading the free endsandof the resilient retaining ringof the self-retaining deviceand the side cushion membersandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, and then separating and detaching the protective pad assemblyfrom the legof the user (wearer). Similarly, the protective pad assemblycan be attached to the legof a user wearing shorts, as best shown in, and detached therefrom in the exact manner as previously described for the user wearing pants. However, in this case, the protective pad assemblyis mountable to the skin of the user (wearer) at the kneeand the lower leg area, as shown in.

The protective pad assemblyis held in place at the kneeand the lower leg areasolely by the resilient split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceapplying an elastic force and grabbing the legof the user, so as to clamp the outer protective unitto the legof the user at the lower leg areaadjacent to the kneethereof. The outer protective unitwhen combined with the self-retaining devicecompletes the protective pad assembly, and provides an inherent spectrum of automatic pressure adjustments so that the self-retaining deviceenables the protective pad assemblyto adjust automatically to different size limbs (the arm or the legof the user) and maintain sufficient tension to stay on the limb of the user (wearer). For example, the protective pad assemblycan adjust automatically to multiple calf sizes of the leg accommodating 12.5″ calves and larger sizes up to 17″ calves whereas one (1) size fits all.show the protective pad assemblyattached at the kneeand the lower leg areaand attached to the legwithout the use of straps, elastic bands, etc., which are common for a typical protective pad assembly, which cut and pinch the user (wearer) behind the kneeand back of the lower leg areaof the legand result in irritation to the skin and limb tingling and bruising, which is brought on by constriction of the blood vessels.

Various modifications, changes, and alterations may be practiced with the above-described embodiment, including but not limited to the additional embodiments shown in. In the interest of brevity, reference characters inthat are discussed above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment of inare not further elaborated upon below, except to the extent necessary or useful to explain the additional embodiments of. Modified components and parts are indicated by the addition of a hundred digits to the reference numerals of the components or parts.

A protective pad assemblyaccording to a second exemplary embodiment is illustrated in. The protective pad assemblycomprises an outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-adjustable, self-retaining devicesecured to the outer protective unit. The outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion padpreferably fabricated from EVA material, while the self-retaining deviceincludes a circular self-retaining split-ring (or resilient retaining split-ring) clampmade of a resilient material. According to a second exemplary embodiment, the resilient retaining split-ring clampis non-removably (i.e., permanently) attached to the protective cushion pad, as shown in, by utilizing a set of fasteners, such as snap fasteners, as best shown in. The protective cushion padis formed with a pair of through holesandeach formed in one of side cushion members (or portions)andof the protective cushion pad, respectively. Similarly, the resilient retaining split-ring clampis formed with a pair of through holesandcomplementary to the through holesandthrough the protective cushion pad. Each of the through holesandis formed on one of free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, respectively.

As shown in, each of the snap fastenersattaches one of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampto one of the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, respectively. Moreover, each of the snap fastenersincludes a male partand a female partconfigured to snap together. The male partsof the snap fastenersare configured to extend through the through holesandin the protective cushion pad, and the complementary through holesandin the retaining split-ring clampto join the protective cushion padand the retaining split-ring clamp, as best shown in. It shall be appreciated that alternative methods of permanent attachment of the resilient retaining split-ring clampto the protective cushion pad, such as adhesive bonding and other mechanical fasteners (e.g., rivets, bolts- and nuts, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in, the resilient split-ring clampis non-removably attached (secured) to the protective cushion padso as to form the protective pad assemblyby manually opening or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, placing the resilient split-ring clampover an outer surfaceof the protective cushion padso that the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare positioned over the side cushion portionsandthereof, respectively, so that the through holesandin the retaining split-ring clampare aligned (or registered) with the through holesandin the protective cushion pad, releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampto the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, respectively. Next, the male partsof the snap fastenersare inserted into the aligned through holes,and,in the retaining split-ring clampand the protective cushion pad. Then, the female partsof the snap fastenersare pressed over (snaped with) the male partsof the snap fastenersto non-removably join the resilient split-ring clampand the protective cushion padand, thus, form the protective pad assembly, as shown in.

In a protective pad assemblyof a third exemplary embodiment illustrated in, the outer protective unitis replaced by an outer protective unit, and the self-retaining deviceis replaced by a self-retaining device. The outer protective unitofcorresponds substantially to the outer protective unitof, while the self-retaining devicecorresponds substantially to the self-retaining deviceof, and only the portions of the outer protective unitand the self-retaining device, which differ, will therefore be explained in detail below.

The protective pad assemblycomprises the outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and the self-retaining deviceremovably mounted to the outer protective unit, as best shown in. According to the third exemplary embodiment, the outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, preferably fabric fabricated from EVA. As best shown in, the protective cushion padhas a concave bodyand, unlike the protective cushion padof the first exemplary embodiment, does not have two (2) side cushion portions outwardly extending from opposite sides of the concave body, such as the side cushion portionsandof the outer protective unitof the first exemplary embodiment best shown in. The protective cushion padhas an outer surfaceand an inner surface, as best shown in.

The self-retaining deviceincludes the circular self-retaining split-ring (or resilient (i.e., elastic) retaining split-ring) clamphaving opposite free ends (or split portions)andspaced from one another and spreadable relative to one another. Each of the free endsandof the retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceis provided with a flexible cushion padand, respectively, secured to the inner surfaceof the resilient self-retaining split-ring clamp, as best shown in. The flexible cushion padsandcan be attached to the free endsandof the retaining split-ring clampby adhesive bonding, hot glue and/or fastened by snap fasteners and other mechanical fasteners such as rivets, screws, nuts and bolts. The removable self-retaining deviceworks like a spring clamp that is rigid but flexible. The removable self-retaining devicehas an inherent spectrum of preloaded tensions that provides automatic pressure adjustments. Depending on the characteristics and dimensions of the material utilized for manufacturing the retaining split-ring clamp, the self-retaining devicewith a predetermined spectrum of tensions can be fabricated relatively inexpensively.

The removable self-retaining devicewith the flexible cushion padsandis removably mountable (attachable) to the protective cushion padby manually opening or spreading the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, as shown in, placing the resilient split-ring clampover the protective cushion padso that the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampand the flexible cushion padsandare positioned outside the concave bodyof the protective cushion pad, then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceso that the inner surfaceof the resilient self-retaining split-ring clampengages of an outer surfaceof the protective cushion padto form the protective pad assembly, as shown in.

The protective pad assemblycan be attached to the legof the user (wearer) wearing pantsat the kneeand lower leg areaas shown in. The protective pad assemblyis mountable to the legof the user (wearer) by manually pulling open or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining ringwith the incorporated cushion padsand, then, releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining ringat the kneeand lower leg areaas shown in. The protective pad assemblymay be removed from the legby pulling open or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining ringof the self-retaining devicesimultaneously, then separating and detaching the protective pad assemblyfrom the legof the user (wearer). Similarly, the protective pad assemblycan be attached to the legof the user wearing shorts, as best shown in, and detached therefrom in the exact manner as previously described for the user wearing pants. However, in this case the protective pad assemblyis mountable to the skin of the user (wearer) at the kneeand the lower leg area, as shown in.

It shall be appreciated that the protective pad assemblyis held in place at the kneeand the lower leg areasolely by the resilient split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceapplying an inherent elastic force and grabbing the legof the user, so as to clamp the outer protective unitto the legof the user at the lower leg areaadjacent to the kneethereof. It shall be further appreciated that the self-retaining device, when combined with the outer protective unit, completes the protective pad assembly, and provides an inherent spectrum of automatic pressure adjustments which enables the self-retaining deviceof the protective pad assemblyto adjust automatically to different size limbs and maintain sufficient tension to stay on the user (wearer).

In a protective pad assemblyof a fourth exemplary embodiment illustrated in, the outer protective unitof the first exemplary embodiment is replaced by an outer protective unit. The outer protective unitofcorresponds substantially to the outer protective unitof, and only the portions of the outer protective unit, which differ, will therefore be explained in detail below.

The protective pad assemblycomprises the outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-retaining devicenon-removably mounted (or secured, attached) to the outer protective unit, as best shown in. According to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, preferably fabricated from EVA. The protective cushion padhas a concave central cushion member (or portion)and two (2) flexible side cushion members (or portions)andoutwardly extending from opposite sides of the central cushion memberand formed integrally therewith, as best shown in. The protective cushion padhas an outer surfaceand an inner surface. As best shown in, the self-retaining deviceis non-removably mounted (or permanently secured) to the protective cushion padof the outer protective unit, including the central cushion memberand the flexible side cushion members portionsand. Specifically, the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceis inserted or embedded into the central cushion member portionand the flexible side cushion members portionsandof the protective cushion padby lamination, insert molding or over-molding processes, as best shown in. As further shown in, the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare disposed in the flexible side cushion membersandof the protective cushion pad.

The protective pad assemblyis attached to the legof the user (wearer) wearing pantsat the knee areaas shown in. The protective pad assemblyis mountable to the user (wearer) by manually pulling open or spreading the flexible side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, which in turn spreads apart the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining devicewithin the protective cushion pad, and then releasing the flexible side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padat the kneeand lower leg areaof the leg, as shown at. The protective pad assemblyis removable by pulling open or spreading the flexible side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, which in turn spreads apart the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining devicewithin the protective cushion pad, and then the protective pad assemblyis released and detached from the legof the user (wearer). Alternately, the protective pad assemblycan also be attached to the legof the user wearing shorts, as shown in, and detached in the exact manner as previously described for wearing pants.

It shall be appreciated that the protective pad assemblyis held in place at the kneeand lower leg areaof the legsolely by the inserted or embedded self-retaining devicewhich generates and exerts inherent forces of tension to grab the legand clamp the outer protective unitto the lower leg areaof the leg. The protective pad assemblyhas an inherent spectrum of automatic pressure adjustments provided by the inserted or embedded self-retaining devicethat enables the protective pad assemblyto adjust automatically to different size limbs and maintain sufficient tension to stay on the user (wearer).

A protective pad assemblyaccording to a fifth exemplary embodiment is illustrated in. The protective pad assemblycomprises an outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-adjustable, self-retaining devicesecured to the outer protective unit. The outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, best shown in, preferably fabricated from EVA material, and a flexible hard cap(best shown best in) removably attachable to the protective cushion pad. The flexible hard capis a tub-shaped body having rounded upward wallsand a flat central bottom portionas shown in. The hard capis fabricated from a rigid EVA material, which is durable and lightweight. The flat portionof the flexible hard capis used for stability when making contact with the ground or surface.

The self-retaining deviceincludes a circular self-retaining split-ring (or resilient retaining split-ring) clampmade of a resilient material. The resilient self-retaining split-ring clamphas two opposite free ends (or split portions)andspaced from one another and spreadable relative to one another, as best shown in. Moreover, the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare circumferentially expandable or contractable for securing (retaining) the outer protective unitover an arm or a leg of the user of the protective pad assembly.

According to the fifth exemplary embodiment, the resilient retaining split-ring clampis non-removably (i.e., permanently) attached to the hard cap, as best shown in, by utilizing fastening rivets. The flexible hard capis formed with a pair of through holesand(best shown in), while the resilient retaining split-ring clampis formed with a pair of through holesand(best shown in) complementary to the through holesandthrough the flexible hard cap. The rivetsextend through the through holesandin the hard capand the complementary through holesandin the retaining split-ring clampto join the hard capand the retaining split-ring clamp, as best shown in. It shall be appreciated that alternative methods of permanent attachment of the resilient retaining split-ring clampto the hard cap, such as adhesive bonding and other mechanical fasteners (e.g., snap fasteners, bolts- and nuts, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in, the resilient split-ring clampis non-removably attached (secured) to the hard capby placing an outer surfaceof the resilient split-ring clampover and in contact with an inner surfaceof the hard capso that the through holesandin the retaining split-ring clampare aligned (or registered) with the through holesandin the hard cap. Next, the rivetsare inserted into the aligned through holes,and,in the retaining split-ring clampand the hard cap, then the retaining split-ring clampand the hard capare riveted together by the rivets, as shown in.

The resilient split-ring clampwith the hard capis removably mountable (attachable) to the protective cushion padby manually opening or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, as shown in, placing the resilient split-ring clampwith the hard capover the protective cushion padso that the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare positioned over the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, respectively, and then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceto the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, respectively, to form the protective pad assembly, as shown in. Accordingly, the inner surfaceof the resilient self-retaining split-ring clampengages the outer surfaceof the protective cushion pad.

The protective pad assemblyis attached to a lower leg areaof the legof the user (wearer) below and adjacent to the kneeas shown in. The protective pad assemblyis attachable to the user (wearer) by manually pulling open or spreading apart the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceand the t two side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, shown in, and then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampand the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padat the lower leg areabelow the knee, as best shown in.

The protective pad assemblymay be removed from the legby pulling open or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampand the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, then separating and detaching the protective pad assemblyfrom the legof the user (wearer). Similarly, the protective pad assemblycan be attached to the legof the user wearing shorts, as best shown in, and detached therefrom in the exact manner as previously described for the user wearing pants.

It shall be appreciated that the protective pad assemblyis held in place at the kneeand lower leg areaof the legsolely by resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining devicewhich generates and exerts inherent tension sufficient to grab the legand clamp the outer protective unitto the lower leg areaof the leg. The protective pad assemblyhas an inherent spectrum of automatic pressure adjustments provided by the resilient retaining split-ring clampthat enables the protective pad assemblyto adjust automatically to different size limbs and maintain sufficient tension to stay on the user (wearer).

A protective pad assemblyaccording to a sixth exemplary embodiment is illustrated in. The protective pad assemblycomprises an outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-adjustable, self-retaining devicemounted to the outer protective unit. The outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, preferably fabricated from EVA material, and a flexible hard cap(best shown best in) non-removably attached to the protective cushion pad. As best shown in, the protective cushion padis similar to the protective cushion padand has a central cushion member (or portion)and two (2) flexible side cushion members (or portions)andoutwardly extending from opposite sides of the central cushion memberand formed integrally therewith. The flexible hard capis a tub-shaped body having rounded upward wallsand a flat central bottom portion, as best shown in. The flat portionof the flexible hard capprovides stability when making contact with the ground or surface. A raised back stop portionused to contain the end of the flexible protective cushion pad. The hard capis fabricated from a rigid EVA material, which is durable and lightweight.

The protective cushion padis formed with a pair of through holesand, each formed in the central cushion portionthereof, while the flexible hard capis formed with a pair of through holesandcomplementary to the through holesandthrough the protective cushion pad, as best shown in. The hard capis non-removably (i.e., permanently) attached to an outer surfaceof the protective cushion pad, as best shown in, by utilizing snap fasteners, so as to form the outer protective unit. The male partsof the snap fastenersextend through the through holesandin the protective cushion pad, and the complementary through holesandin the hard cap, to join the protective cushion padand the hard captogether, as best shown in. It shall be appreciated that alternative methods of permanent attachment of the hard capto the protective cushion pad, such as adhesive bonding and other mechanical fasteners (e.g., rivets, bolts- and nuts, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention. The male partsand the female partsof the snap fastenerssnap together to join the material of the protective cushion padand the hard capbetween them, with the male partsaffixed from the protective cushion padand the female partsof the snap fastenersaffixed from the hard capas best shown in. With the snap fastenersinstalled, the protective cushion padand the hard capbecome a permanent unit and form the outer protective unitas shown in.

The outer protective unitis removably connectable to the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceto assemble the protective pad assemblyof the sixth embodiment. Specifically, the resilient split-ring clampis removably mountable (attachable) to the outer protective unitby manually opening or spreading the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clamp, as shown in, placing the resilient split-ring clamparound the protective cushion padand the hard capso that the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampare positioned over the side cushion portionsandthereof, respectively, and then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceto the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion pad, respectively, to form the protective pad assembly, as shown in. Although the protective cushion padand the hard capare formed as a unit, it shall be understood that the bottom (or base)of the outer protective unitinherently has enough flexibility such that one can separate the protective cushion padfrom the flexible hard cap, which allows placement of the resilient retaining split-ring clampin the space between the protective cushion padand the hard cap, as illustrated in.

The protective pad assemblyis attached to a lower leg areaof the legof the user (wearer) below and adjacent to the kneeas shown in. The protective pad assemblyis attachable to the user (wearer) by manually pulling open or spreading apart the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining deviceand the two side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, shown in, and then releasing the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampand the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padat the lower leg areabelow the knee, as best shown in. The protective pad assemblymay be removed from the legby pulling open or spreading of the free endsandof the resilient retaining split-ring clampand the side cushion portionsandof the protective cushion padsimultaneously, then separating and detaching the protective pad assemblyfrom the legof the user (wearer). Similarly, the protective pad assemblycan be attached to the legof the user wearing shorts, as best shown in, and detached therefrom in the exact manner as previously described for the user wearing pants.

It shall be appreciated that the protective pad assemblyis held in place at the kneeand lower leg areaof the legsolely by resilient retaining split-ring clampof the self-retaining devicewhich generates and exerts tension sufficient to grab the legand clamp the outer protective unitto the lower leg areaof the leg. The protective pad assemblyhas an inherent spectrum of automatic pressure adjustments provided by the resilient retaining split-ring clampthat enables the protective pad assemblyto adjust automatically to different size limbs and maintain sufficient tension to stay on the user (wearer).

The protective pad assemblyis attached to the legof the user (wearer) wearing pantsat the knee areaand the lower leg areaof the legas shown in. Alternately, the protective pad assemblycan also be attached to the legof the user wearing shorts(shown in), and detached in the exact manner as previously described for wearing pants.

A protective pad assemblyaccording to a seventh exemplary embodiment is illustrated in. The protective pad assemblycomprises an outer protective unitconfigured to protect the elbow or the knee of the user from impact, and a self-adjustable, self-retaining devicemounted to the outer protective unit. The outer protective unitincludes a flexible (or elastic, resilient) protective cushion pad, preferably fabricated from EVA material, and a flexible short hard capnon-removably attached to the protective cushion pad. As best shown in, the protective cushion padhas a central cushion portionand two (2) flexible side cushion portionsandoutwardly extending from opposite sides of the central cushion portionand formed integrally therewith. The short hard capis shorter than the protective cushion pad(as shown in) and has a tub-shaped body with a flat central bottom portion, as best shown in. The hard capis shorter than the protective cushion padby a distance K (shown in), which is the distance between a bottom portionof the protective cushion padand a bottom portionof the short hard cap, as best shown in. As further illustrated in, the resilient split-ring clampis mounted to the protective cushion padonly below the short hard cap. The short hard capis approximately two-thirds (⅔) of height of the protective cushion padand is approximately 40% lighter in weight as compared to the full size hard capsandof the fifth and sixth exemplary embodiments. The flat bottom portionof the flexible hard capprovides stability when making contact with the ground or surface. The hard capis fabricated from a rigid EVA material, which is durable and lightweight. The short hard capsecured to the longer protective cushion padprovides more torsional and/or twist motion for the user.