GB2169502A - Knee support device - Google Patents

Abstract

A knee support device consists of a structural member 3 carrying a black plate 7 on which is a block 4 and a pad of resilient material 6 which may incorporate magnets. The member 3 may be attached to a saddle frame of a motorcycle and is angularly adjustable by bolt 5. Other applications of the knee support device include its incorporation in horse saddles and wheel chairs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Knee support device This invention relates to a knee supportdevice which has many applications such as for use with saddles for horses orformotorcycles orcycles,for use with chairs, wheelchairs, in schools and offices where people sit for long periods, in factories, in restaurants, libraries, conference rooms etc.

The human body tends to become fatigued if retained in one position for a long period. By using the knee support device according to this invention this fatigue can be overcome because the knee support device enables the muscles of different parts of the body to relax at different times, it automatically encourages the bodyto adjust its center of gravity to thefrontand causesthespineto straighten up and improve respiration and b!ood circulation.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is a knee support device comprising a plate or block on which is a pad of resilient material, the plate or block being carried by a supporting structure and being angularly adjustable relativelytothe supporting structure.

Preferably a pair of knee support devices are provided spaced apart to receive both knees of a person using the devices.

The plate or block may be supported on the supporting structure by means of a bolt which passes longitudinallythrough the plate or block and enables the position ofthe kneesupportdeviceto be adjusted by loosening the bolt, adjusting the device angularly and then tightening the boltagain.

The resilient material may for example be foamed rubberorfoamed plastics material.

It may incorporate within it small magnets which are believed to have a curative effect in relation to rheumatism, neuralgia, muscle fatigue and muscle pain and also to improve capillary circulation.

The magnets may beforexample of rare earth cobalt and are embedded in the foamed cushions.

From another aspect the invention comprises a saddle for a horse orfor a motor cycle or cycle, the saddle including laterally projecting knee support devices each comprising a plate or block covered with a pad of resilient material and carried bythe supporting saddle structure, the plate or block being angularly adjustable relatively to the supporting structure.

In the case of a motorcycle or cycle saddle the saddle itself may be supported on a metal frame and the metal frame may have radially projecting arms which carry the knee support devices.

In the case of a saddle for a horse, camel or other animal, the knee support devices may be carried on arms which project outwardly from supporting members which may be carried on girth straps attached to the saddle.

The kneesupportdevices however used, may include straps which encompass the leg ofthe user so as to hold the knee firmly in position on the knee support device.

The knee support device may also applied for exampleto a wheelchair and in this case a single horizontal plate or block may be arranged to cross the front of the chair and have a pad of resilient material on it and be angularly adjustable so as to accommodate the position of the knees of the user of the chair. The pad may also be adjustable in height.

The knee supports may also be used in conjunction with office chairs, desks, library chairs, in schools, offices, factories, hospitals, shops, banks, restaurants, conference rooms etc. Alternatively the knee supports may be incorporated in the seating arrangements intrains,ferry's, private cars, aeroplanes, and in opera and concert halls for example.

When us'3d as a knee supporting device in conjunction with the saddle of a horse, the device enables the knees of the riderto rest on the cushion of the knee support and the weight of the bodywill transmitted to the saddle and evenly distributed on the horses back. Even when the rider changes position the direction of his weight on the horses back will not be changed. Also by using the knee supports the rider can adjust his body to a more horizontal position thus reducing air resistance and increasing speed. With the knee supports the body weight is not rested on the neckofthe horse but on the horses back allowing morefreedom for the horses neck. Knee support devices may be made detachable if required and are preferably made of strong lightweight aluminium alloys.

When used with a motorcycle the knee supports can be designed and adapted for different types of motorcycles and the supporting structure forthe knee supports can be fixed to the motorcycles using screws etc. The knee support devices in this instance are useful in assisting the motorcyclistto sit with his vertebrae straight improving the blood circulation and respiration and relieving fatigue. In this instance the device is also useful in acting as a bufferwhere there is a collision thus reducing injuries caused to the motorcyclist.

In each instance there may be magnets incorporated in the knee supports and the magnets may also be incorporated in cushions on the seats of chairs, in the cushion covering of saddles, in backrests etc.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa side elevation, partly in section of a saddle assembly equipped with knee rests embodying the invention, particularly suitable for a motorcycle; Figure 2 is a plan of the same saddle assembly with knee rests; Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section in the direction of the arrow A shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a horse equipped with a saddle which has knee rests embodying the invention, parts ofthe horse being omitted; Figure 5 is a plan of the same portion of the horse with the saddle assembly and knee rests on it; Figure 6 is an elevation of a simplerform of knee support device for a motorcycle; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same device; Figure 8 is a plan view of the knee support device perse; Figure 8A is a section through parts of the knee support device;; Figure 9 is an isometricviewofamotorcycle embodying knee support devices according to the invention; and Figure 10 is a side elevation of a wheelchair incorporating a knee rest in accordance with the invention.

In Figure 1 is shown a saddle frame 1 on which is mounted a longitudinal saddle support 2. Attached to the saddle support 2 at the left hand end are a pair of depending structural members 3 which carry the knee support devices of the invention. Each knee support device comprises a back plate 7 to which is attached block4 and the resilient pad of material 6.

A bolt 5 passes through the block 4, as can best be seen in Figures 1,2 and 3 together and engages in the lower end of the structural support 3. The bolt has a head 11 by means of which it can be screwed and unscrewed so as to adjust the angle of the knee support device.

The rotational movement of the knee support device when its angle is being adjusted is guided by a pin 12 engaging in a slot 7A which limits the degree of adjustment and also helps to retain the knee support device in position.

It will be appreciated there is one of these knee support devices on each side of the saddle.

The saddle support member 2 carries a main saddle 10A carried on a bolt 10 and a secondary saddle 8. The saddles each consist of a wooden block to which is attached a foamed rubber or foamed plastic pad with a cover over the whole assembly.

Embedded within the resilient pads on the knee supports and on the saddles there may be a number of small magnets, not shown, each magnet being of the rare earth cobalt type and of a size of the order of 10 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thick.

Reverting to Figure lit will be seen thatthe saddle support member 2 is carried by springs 14 located between spring caps 15 so that the whole assembly is resiliently supported and pivotable about the pivot or bolt 10.

In Figure 4 is shown a horse equipped with a saddle assembly incorporating knee support devices embodying the invention. On the horse is a blanket 17 on which is a leather apron 18 to which a saddle 19 is attached by means of straps 20. A conventional girth strap 21 and conventional stirrups 22 are provided.

An additional girth strap 23 assists in supporting ihe knee support devices. The knee suppport devices are carried on support members 24 which have slots 25 in them engageable over the girth strap 23.

The knee support devices comprise metal brackets 26 on which are mounted wooden blocks 27 carrying resilient pads 28. As before a bolt 29 with a head 30 passes through each block 27 and is engaged in the support member 24 so that by slackening off the bolt the angle of the knee support device can be adjusted. Each knee support device incorporates a pair of straps 30 which may be used to hold the riders legs firmly against the knee supports in use. Again the knee support devices may incorporate magnets in the resilient pads 28.

In Figure 6,7 and 8 is shown a knee support device which may be used on a motorcycle as shown in Figure 9. The device comprises a curved bar 31 on which is pivoted a block 32. The block 32 may have a resilient pad on it and may be shaped to receive the knee of the rider and it is angulariy adjustable.

dne of the bars 31 is placed on each side of the motorcycle or a single bar could be used which extends to both sides ofthe motorcycle. The bar not only acts to receive the knees of the rider on the knee support devices but also acts as a crash bar in the event of the motorcycle having an accident.

In Figure 9 is illustrated a wheelchair which has a knee support device 41 which again may comprise a backing plate 42, a block on the backing plate and a resilient cushion on the block. The device may extend substantially across the full width of the wheelchair so as to receive comfortably both knees of the user. The device has a bracket 43 on its rear face which is pivoted buy a pin 44 to a vertical tubular post 45 received in a tubular socket 48 and adjustable therein by means of an adjustment nut 47. The chair may be provided with small wheels 50 with rubbertyres 49 as shown.

By adjusting both the height and angle of the knee support device it may be adjusted to different sizes of patient and may be adjusted to suit the comfort of the person in the wheelchair.

Any of the knee support devices described may incorporate the magnets as referred to previously.

Claims (12)

1. A knee support device comprising a plate or block on which is a pad of resilient material, the plate or block being carried by a supporting structure and being angularly adjustable relatively to the supporting structure.

2. A pair of knee support devices according to claim 1 spaced apart to receive both knees of a person using the device.

3. A knee support device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the plate or block is supported on the supporting structure by means of a bolt which passes longitudinally through the plate or block and enables the position of the knee support device to be adjusted by loosening the bolt, adjusting the device angularly and then tightening the bolt again.

4. A knee support device according to any of claims 1 to 3 and in which the resilient material is foamed rubber or foamed plastics material.

5. A knee support device according to any preceding claim in which the pad of resilient material incorporates within it small magnets.

6. A knee support device according to claim 5 in which the magnets are of rare earth cobalt and are embedded in the foamed cushions.

7. A saddle for a horse or for a motorcycle or cycle, the saddle including laterally projecting knee support devices each comprising a plate or block covered with a pad of resilient material and carried by the supporting saddle structure, the plate or block being angularly adjustable relatively to the supporting structure.

8. A saddle according to claim 7 when adapted for use on a motorcycle or cycle saddle, the saddle itself being supported on a metal frame and the metal frame having radially projecting arms which carry the knee support devices.

9. A saddle according to claim 7 when adapted for a horse, camel or other animal, the knee support devices being carried on arms which project outwardly from supporting members which may be carried on girth straps attached to the saddle.

10. A knee support device according to any of claims 1 to 6 or a saddle according to claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 including straps which encompass the leg of the user so as to hold the knee firmly in position on the knee support device.

11. A knee support device applied to a wheelchair, the device comprising a single horizontal plate or block arranged to cross the front of the chair and have a pad of resilient material on it and be angularly adjustable so as to accommodate the position of the knees of the user of the chair.

12. A knee support device substantially as herein before particularly described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A knee support device according to claim 11 in which the pad is also adjustable in height.

13. A knee support device substantially as herein before particularly described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A knee support device substantially as herein before particularly described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A knee support device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A knee support device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1 to 16 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A saddle for a horse or for a motorcycle or cycle, the saddle including laterally projecting knee support devices each comprising a plate or block covered with a pad of resilient material and carried by the supporting saddle structure, the plate or block being angularly adjustable relatively to the supporting structure.

2. A knee support device according to claim 1 in which the plate or block is supported on the supporting structure by means of a bolt which passes longitudinally through the plate or block and enables the position of the knee support device to be adjusted by loosening a bolt, adjusting the device angularly and then tightening the bolt again.

3. A knee support device according to claim 1 or claim 2 aid in which the resilient material is foamed rubber or foamed plastics material.

4. A knee support device according to any preceding claim in which the pad of resilient material incorporates within it small magnets.

5. A knee support device according to claim 4 in which the magnets are of rare earth cobalt and are embedded in the foamed cushions.

6. A saddle according to claim 1 when adapted for use on a motorcycle or cycle saddle, the saddle itself being supported on a metal frame and the metal frame having radially projecting arms which carry the knee support devices.

7. A saddle according to claim 1 when adapted for a horse, camel or other animal, the knee support devices being carried on arms which project outwardly from supporting members.

8. A saddle according to claim 7 and in which the supporting members are carried on girth straps attached to the saddle.

9. A saddle according to any preceding claim including straps which encompass the leg of the user so as to hold the knee firmly in position on the knee support device.

10. A knee support device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A knee support device substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.