Cuff Device for a Climber System

Abstract

A cuff device for a climber system includes a base. The base has an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base. First and second curved portions are located at the first and second ends, respectively. The first curved portion has a first radius of curvature that is greater than a second radius of curvature of the second portion. The first curved portion is configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device. An extension extends from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base. A sleeve is fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive a shank of a climber therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cuff device for a climber system, the cuff device comprising:  
       a base comprising: 
       an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base; 
       first and second curved portions located at the first and second ends of the base, respectively, the first curved portion having a first length of curvature that is greater than a second length of curvature of the second portion, the first curved portion configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device; and 
       an extension extending from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base; 
  a sleeve fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive a shank of a climber therein.  
 
     
     
         2 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein base is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve portion is formed from steel.  
     
     
         4 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein extension has a first plurality of holes located therein that align with a second plurality holes in the sleeve to removably receive an attachment device for adjustably attaching the device to the shank of the climber when received in the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The cuff device of  claim 4 , wherein the first plurality of holes are angled at a range between about 5 degrees to about 40 degrees on the extension. 
     
     
         6 . The cuff device of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment device comprises a screw or rivet. 
     
     
         7 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the extension is about 15 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the extension is between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the first curved portion has an angle of curvature of about 80 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the second curved portion has an angle of curvature of about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the first length of curvature is configured to fit around the user’s leg during use of the device. 
     
     
         12 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pad configured to be located along the inner surface of the base to contact the user’s leg during use, wherein the pad is shaped in a substantially similar manner to the base portion.    
     
     
         13 . The cuff device of  claim 12 , wherein the base further comprises a fastener attached to the inner surface to securely attach the pad to the inner surface.  
     
     
         14 . The cuff device of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a strap configured to be located around the user’s leg, the pad fixedly attached to the strap such that the base is configured to be located between the strap and the pad.   
     
     
         15 . The cuff device of  claim 14 , wherein the pad is stitched to the strap in at least two locations. 
     
     
         16 . The cuff device of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is formed of a first layer and a second layer. 
     
     
         17 . The cuff device of  claim 16 , wherein the first layer is formed of a rigid material and the second layer is formed of a softer material. 
     
     
         18 . The cuff device of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff device is configured to direct pressure towards the user’s calf muscle and away from sensitive areas during use. 
     
     
         19 . A climber system comprising: 
 a climber having a shank; and   a cuff device, the device comprising: 
 a base comprising: 
 an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between a first end and a second end of the base;  
 first and second curved portions located at the first and second ends of the base, respectively, the first curved portion having a first length of curvature that is greater than a second length of curvature of the second portion, the first curved portion configured to be located proximate to a front portion of a user’s leg during use of the cuff device; and  
 an extension extending from the base at an angle from a location closer to the second end of the base; and 
 
   a sleeve fixedly attached to the base and substantially aligned with at least a portion of the extension, the sleeve configured to receive the shank of the climber therein.   
     
     
         20 . The climber system of  claim 19 , wherein the cuff device is configured to direct pressure towards the user’s calf muscle and away from sensitive areas during use.