US Patent 9924750 Athletic protective shield

A protective shield for a lower leg of an ice skater is provided. The protective shield comprises a protective segment and a support segment to which the protective segment is secured. The protective segment comprises a web of interlocking metal loops. The protective segment is shaped and sized to fit over at least a rear portion of the lower leg including at least a portion of an Achilles tendon and at least a portion of a calf. The support segment is shaped and sized to fit around the lower leg, and is resilient to hold the protective shield in place around the lower leg during skating and to tension the protective segment against the rear portion of the lower leg.