Athletic sleeve for protecting limbs

• US 4,951,317 A
• Filed: 04/10/1989
• Issued: 08/28/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred H. Gray, Rose A. Vaughn
• Original Assignee: Alfred H. Gray, Rose A. Vaughn
• Inventors: Vaughn, Rose A., Gray, Alfred H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Biefeld, Diana L.
• Application Number:
  US07/335,855
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 2/16, 2/22, 2/59, 2/61, 2/2, 2/24, 2/126, 2/170, 2/DIG. 6, 128/77, 128/80 C
• US Class Current: 2/16
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/06 Knee or foot protectors for the legs of players or sportsmen A63B71/1225
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/08 Arm or hand protective gloves A41D19/015 ; protectors for the hands of players or sportsmen A63B71/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/91 Hand or wrist protector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/917 Hand or wrist covering

Abstract

This invention relates to an article of clothing which can be worn by athletes to protect their arm muscles, or lower leg muscles, from the damaging affects of cold air or cold wind. This pull on and off sleeve, helps to prevent muscles from tightening or cramping, by eliminating exposure to cold air and wind. This invention does not press upon arm or leg muscles, or restrict elbow motion in any way. The athletic sleeve, which can be removed in less than one second, is so small that it can be carried in any pocket.

Claims

1. An athletic arm sleeve conformed for rapid mounting and removal from the forearm and elbow of a person, comprising:

a generally frusto conical fabric enclosure defined by an upper and a lower edge, said upper edge being larger in circumference than said lower edge;

a resilient, elastomeric band fixed to said enclosure proximate said upper edge;

a first set of mating hook and pile fastener tabs fixed to the exterior of said enclosure proximate said upper edge, said tabs of said first set being spaced relative each other whereby the circumference of said enclosure is shortened by folding said fabric to effect mating engagement of said first set of tabs, to expand said elastomeric band;

a second set of mating hook and pile fastener tabs fixed to the exterior of said enclosure proximate said lower edge, said tabs of said second set being spaced relative each other whereby the circumference of said enclosure is shortened by folding said fabric to effect mating engagement of said second set of tabs; and

a colored circumferential stripe fixed to the exterior of the enclosure proximate said upper edge for providing a visual indicating thereof and for providing an alignment index for the mating of said first set of tabs.

2. An athletic leg sleeve conformed for rapid mounting and removal from the lower leg portion of a person, comprising:

a generally rectangular fabric surface defined by an upper edge adjacent the knee of the wearer and a lower edge and a first and second lateral edge extending between said upper and lower edges;

a first hook and pile strip extending along said first lateral edge, said first strip including a first gap formed therein;

a second hook and pile strip extending along said second lateral edge, said second strip having a second gap formed therein, whereby the mating engagement of said first and second strips generally aligns said first and second gaps adjacent each other;

a pair of substantially parallel color bands fixed to said surface and extending between said first and second gap;

an elastomeric band fixed to said surface adjacent said upper edge; and

said first and second gaps and said color bands being disposed on said surface proximate said upper edge and in substantial alignment with each other when worn on a leg.