Knee pad

Abstract

Disclosed are knee pad assemblies, methods and systems comprising a knee pad base and an outer cover that forms the contacting surface of the knee pad. A removable cover may be secured to a knee pad base. Replacement cover configurations may be provided that are adapted to various surfaces, including roofing, tile, wood, carpet, concrete and asphalt. The knee pad base can be adapted for different user weights and durations for wearing the pad. The outer cover can provide a floating suspension. The knee pad base may be held in place on knee of the user by various mechanisms. The restraint mechanisms can be adjusted by the user. The knee pad assembly can also include a tension/release mechanism so that strap tension is decreased or released when kneeling but increases tension or engage when the user stands to retain the knee pad in the desired location.

1 . An improved knee pad assembly comprising:
 A base having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface of the base shaped to substantially conform to the contours of a human knee,   a pad member having a front surface and a back surface, the pad back surface being shaped to substantially cover the base front surface,   a suspension component, disposed between and engaged with the base front surface and the pad member back surface,   wherein the pad member back surface is sized and shaped to substantially contact the suspension component, providing a floating suspension for the pad member, and,   wherein the base has integrated therewith an attachment element, the attachment element configure to slideably pass through the pad member for removeably attaching the knee pad assembly to a user.   
     
     
         2 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 1  wherein the attachment element is a strap or cord. 
     
     
         3 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component has an ILD of between 45 and 100. 
     
     
         4 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component is distributed primarily around a parameter of the base front surface. 
     
     
         5 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 3  wherein the suspension component also has a cross member component. 
     
     
         6 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component is a substantially rectangular section of foam material. 
     
     
         7 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 1  wherein the suspension component comprises,
 a guide member having a front surface and a back surface, 
 the guide member being configured to accept a guide element, 
 the guide member front surface being configured to substantially mate with the front surface of the pad member, 
 the guide member front surface having disposed thereon a suspension element, and, 
 wherein the base contains the guide element that is configured to slideably engage the guide member and engage the pad member. 
 
     
     
         8 . An improved knee pad assembly comprising:
 a rear base having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface adapted to fit the contours of the back of a human knee joint and leg, the rear based being sized to extend above and below the knee joint,   a pad member having a front surface and a back surface, the pad member back surface being adapted to fit the contours of a human knee, and,   an attachment member configured to engage both the pad member and the rear base to secure the knee pad assembly to a user.   
     
     
         9 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 8  wherein the front surface of the pad member is covered substantially with a resilient material in a honeycomb configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 8  wherein the attachment member is attached to the pad member and releaseably engages the rear base. 
     
     
         11 . The improved knee pad of  claim 10  wherein the attachment member is an elastic cord. 
     
     
         12 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 11  wherein the pad member includes a releaseable ratchet element that cooperates with the attachment member to allow the attachment member to be tightened and loosened with one hand. 
     
     
         13 . An improved knee pad assembly comprising:
 a base having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface of the base shaped to substantially conform to the contours of a human knee,   a pad member having a front surface and a back surface, the pad back surface being shaped to substantially cover the base front surface,   an attachment means disposed on the base and the pad member for removeably attaching the pad member to the base,   a base attachment element configured to pass around the back of a human knee joint, both above and below the joint, to secure the base to a user, and,   a releaseable ratchet element disposed on the front surface of the base, the releaseable ratchet element configured to allow the user to tighten or loosen the base attachment element with one hand.   
     
     
         14 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 13  wherein the base attachment elements are straps. 
     
     
         15 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 13  wherein the pad members are disposable. 
     
     
         16 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 13  wherein the front surface of the pad members substantially incorporates one or more of the materials from the group: leather, cloth, plastic, fiber glass, foam, rubber, carbon fiber, composites, metal. 
     
     
         17 . The improved knee pad assembly of  claim 13  where the pad member is configured to be interchangeable with a replacement pad member with a front surface which substantially incorporates a material different from the pad member front surface being replace, the replacement pad member front surface being substantially comprised of one or more of the materials from the group: leather, cloth, plastic, fiber glass, foam, rubber, carbon fiber, composites, metal.