Hockey goalkeeper leg pads wearable on legs of a hockey goalkeeper to protect the legs, in which protective parts (e.g., pad members) of the hockey goalkeeper leg pads are adjustable to adjust how the hockey goalkeeper leg pads fit on the legs, and their adjustability is provided in a way that may be relatively light, easy to use, and simple to manufacture.

A hockey sock with an adjustable mechanism that provides a wearer with a continuous range of sizing options is provided. The adjustable mechanism may be used to adjust the size of the hockey sock, and to secure other protective equipment, such as shin pads, worn underneath the sock. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable mechanism comprises at least one strap housing affixed to the inner layer of the sock and configured to receive a strap extending circumferentially about the sock and within the strap housing. The strap extends into a strap adjustor, which in conjunction with the strap forms the adjustable mechanism for the sock. The wearer is able to adjust the size of the hockey sock by exerting a tightening force to the strap adjustor to conveniently adjust the sock to the desired fit. A user may access the adjustable mechanism while the sock is being worn for the purpose of changing the inner circumference of the sizing of the sock so as to obtain a better fit.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

The present invention is directed to a leg guard that provides increased protection while also providing maximum articulation and increased freedom of movement for the user. More particularly, the leg guard includes a toe guard, a shin guard, a knee guard including an extended knee cap wrap, an extended knee guard, a thigh guard, a left hinge, and a right hinge. Through the use of an extended knee cap wrap and a hinged configuration, the leg guard provides additional protection for the knees of a catcher and allows catchers to freely and quickly move to or through different stances without having to re-position the pads of the leg guard. The hinged configuration provides enhanced mobility for the user by preventing the leg guard from shifting and rotating about the shin of the user and allowing the leg guard to remain static without axial rotation or vertical movement.

Provided herein is a device for reinforcing the lower body during the performance of a compound weightlifting exercise including at least two thigh bands, each defining an opening for a wearer's thigh, at least two biasing straps, each biasing strap having a proximal end and a distal end, each biasing strap connected at the distal end thereof to one of the at least two generally circular thigh bands, and a waist portion connected to the proximal end of each biasing strap. When worn, each of the biasing straps extends between the waist portion and the thigh bands, over one of the wearer's buttocks and a rear portion of the wearer's thigh.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

The present invention relates to a hinged leg guard that may be used by catchers in diamond sports like baseball or softball. The hinged leg guard preferably includes a thigh guard, knee guard, shin guard that may be attached to one another by a flexible fabric. The thigh guard and shin guard also are preferably attached to a double hinge member that allows them to move relative to the knee guard. The knee guard also is preferably coupled to the double hinge member. When the hinged leg guard alternates between the extended and contracted position, an extension member of the knee guard preferably translates in one translational degree of freedom within a receiver of the hinge member. The translational movement preferably helps to keep the knee guard adjacent to the knee when a wearer crouches.

The present invention is directed to a leg guard that provides increased protection while also providing maximum articulation and increased freedom of movement for the user. More particularly, the leg guard includes a toe guard, a shin guard, a knee guard including an extended knee cap wrap, an extended knee guard, a thigh guard, a left hinge, and a right hinge. Through the use of an extended knee cap wrap and a hinged configuration, the leg guard provides additional protection for the knees of a catcher and allows catchers to freely and quickly move to or through different stances without having to re-position the pads of the leg guard. The hinged configuration provides enhanced mobility for the user by preventing the leg guard from shifting and rotating about the shin of the user and allowing the leg guard to remain static without axial rotation or vertical movement.

An article of protective equipment includes a one-piece body. The body includes a first region, an edge, and a second region. The first region is formed from a first composite material having a first matrix component and a first reinforcement component. The second region extends between the first region and the edge. The second region is formed from a second composite material having a second matrix material and a second reinforcement component. One of the first reinforcement component and the second reinforcement component has a plurality of first items arranged randomly. The other of the first reinforcement component and the second reinforcement component has a plurality of second items arranged in a predetermined arrangement. The body is configured to protect the wearer from an input load, and the second region is configured to flex under the influence of the input load.

A protective covering is provided having a central protective plate portion and a terminal edge portion encircling the central protective plate portion. A coupling region is interposed between the terminal edge portion and the central protective plate portion. The coupling region transitions from a pliable material of the terminal edge portion to a rigid material of the central protective plate portion, where the coupling region extends from a first edge to a second edge. The first edge has a higher concentration of the pliable material than the rigid material and the second edge has a higher concentration of the rigid material than the pliable material. A first surface of the coupling region has a higher concentration of the pliable material than the rigid material and a second surface of the coupling region has a higher concentration of the rigid material than the pliable material.