HK1214095B - Knee brace - Google Patents

Description

Knee pad

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of articles worn by a person to reduce the likelihood, severity or worsening of physical injury, and more particularly to the field of knee wraps worn on the lap.

Background

Flexible knee wraps are used by athletes and others engaged in vigorous physical activity to protect the knee from injury and to avoid deterioration from existing injuries. The knee is one of the most used joints of the body, as it is used for any activity involving walking or running. The knee is also a common subject of injury due to the relatively high stress levels it must withstand. In normal walking, in industries involving physical labor, and especially during strenuous exercise, the knee may experience abnormal movements caused by rapid changes in direction, fatigue, uneven surfaces, or impact. These abnormal movements can cause sprains or more serious injuries, including dislocations, strains, or tears in the tissue that makes up the knee.

Several different types of abnormal motion can cause damage to the knee. First, hyperextension of the knee joint can occur, wherein the knee flexes in its normal anterior-to-posterior manner, but beyond its normal range of motion. A second type of abnormal motion is axial rotation, in which the lower leg is twisted about the knee joint about the thigh. A third type of abnormal motion is lateral flexion of the lower leg about the thigh, wherein the knee joint flexes from side to side, replacing the normal anterior-posterior motion. In addition, abnormal movement of the patella (patella) can lead to injuries such as chondromalacia patella, which is a softening or degeneration of the inferior surface of the patella, and dislocation of the patella, also known as subluxation of the patella.

Devices have been used for many years to protect the knee against abnormal movements, which in particular embodiments vary in their ability to protect against different types of abnormal movements. In addition to protecting the knee from abnormal movement, devices sometimes provide additional benefits, such as isolating the knee to keep it warm, protecting the knee from impact, or compressing the knee to reduce discomfort. However, the protection provided by these devices from abnormal motion is often accompanied by a reduction in the range of normal motion or comfort. These devices may also have other undesirable aspects such as increased weight on the leg, potential for self-injury or injury to others caused by rigid components, difficulty in application and removal, cost, appearance, and irritation or abrasion of the skin.

For these reasons, there has been a constant motivation to find improved knee wraps that can protect the knee from abnormal motion without affecting the range of normal motion or comfort, while avoiding the undesirable aspects of prior art devices.

Disclosure of Invention

In a preferred embodiment, the knee brace according to the invention comprises a base and a spider member having pairs of upper and lower tension bands, wherein the spider member is permanently fastened to the inner surface of the base.

According to another aspect of the invention, a knee brace according to the invention comprises a base and a spider member having pairs of upper and lower tension straps, wherein the spider member is permanently fastened to the base by a plurality of stitches through a central axis of the base and the spider member.

According to another aspect of the invention, a knee brace according to the invention comprises a base having pairs of upper and lower apertures, and a spider-shaped member positioned between the base and a person's leg when donned and having pairs of upper and lower tension straps, wherein the tension straps extend through the apertures in the base when the knee brace is donned.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

figure 1A is a plan view of a knee brace of the prior art laid flat to expose the outer surface of the knee brace;

figure 1B is a plan view of the prior art knee brace of figure 1A laid flat to expose the inner surface of the knee brace;

figure 2A is a plan view of a knee brace according to the invention laid flat to expose the outer surface of the knee brace;

figure 2B is a plan view of the knee brace of figure 2A laid flat to expose the inner surface of the knee brace;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the kneepad of FIGS. 2A-2B applied to a person's leg with the base mounting strap tightened but with the spider-shaped strap loosened;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the kneepad of FIGS. 2A-2B applied to a person's leg with the base mounting strap fastened and at the same time the spider-shaped strap fastened;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the knee brace of FIGS. 2A-2B applied to a person's leg with the base mounting straps fastened, but with the spider-shaped straps unfastened; and

figure 4B is a side view of the kneepad of figures 2A-2B applied to a human leg with the base mounting strap fastened and at the same time the spider-shaped strap also fastened.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, figures 1A and 1B show a prior art knee wrap 20 of similar design to that taught in U.S. patent No. 5,472,413, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The prior art knee brace 20 includes a base member 22 and a spider member 24, each made by cutting a planar sheet 26 of elastomeric material into a desired shape. The outer surface 31 of the base member 22 is preferably covered with a loop-laden fabric 28 that is bonded to the hook-type material when the loop and hook-type materials are pressed together.

The base portion 22 of the prior art knee wrap 20 has a base central portion 30 extending vertically from the upper edge 36 to the lower edge 38, and has a central axis 40 extending vertically downward along the middle of the base central portion 30. The base 22 includes a first upper mounting strap 32A, a second upper mounting strap 32B, a first lower mounting strap 34A, and a second lower mounting strap 34B of the base extending from the central portion 30.

As perhaps best shown in fig. 1B, fig. 1B shows the inner surface 39 of the base member 22, the first upper mounting strip 32A and the first lower mounting strip 34A terminating in a hook-type strip fastening tab 46 adapted to be separably attached to the loop carrying fabric 28 on the outer surface 31 of the base member 22. The strap fastening tabs 46 are sewn to the mounting strap by stitches 48.

The base also has a patella opening 52 which receives the patella when the knee pad is worn, which may be formed to include a notch 74 to prevent bunching when the knee pad is worn, and preferably includes a binding 76, although neither of these features is required.

As perhaps best shown in fig. 1A, fig. 1A shows the outer surface 31 of base 22, and knee wrap 20 of the prior art includes spider member 24. The spider member 24 has a spider member central portion 54 extending vertically from an upper edge 56 to a lower edge 58, and has a central axis 60 extending vertically downward along the middle of the spider member central portion 54. Spider member 24 is permanently attached to outer surface 31 of base 22 by stitches 72, the stitches 72 extending around the periphery of spider member central portion 54.

The spider member 24 includes a first upper tension band 62A, a second upper tension band 62B, a first lower tension band 64A, and a second lower tension band 64B extending from the central portion 54. Each of the tension bands 62A, 62B, 64A, 64B terminates in a hook-type fastening tab 66 adapted to be detachably attached to the fabric 28 on the outer surface of the base 22 and sewn to the tension band with stitches 68. Spider member 24 also has a patellar opening 70 that receives the patella when the knee pad is worn.

Figures 2A and 2B show external and internal plan views, respectively, of a flat-lying knee brace 120 according to the invention. Knee brace 120 includes a base member 122 and a spider member 124, each made by cutting a planar sheet 126 of elastomeric material into a desired shape. The outer surface of the base member 122 is preferably covered with a loop-carrying fabric 128 that adheres to the hook-type material when the loop and hook-type materials are pressed together.

The base portion 122 of the knee brace 120 has a base central portion 130 extending vertically from an upper edge 136 to a lower edge 138, and has a central axis 140 extending vertically downward along the middle of the base central portion 130. The base 122 includes a first upper mounting strap 132A, a second upper mounting strap 132B, a first lower mounting strap 134A, and a second lower mounting strap 134B of the base extending from the central portion 130.

As perhaps best shown in fig. 2B, fig. 2B shows the inner surface 139 of the base member 122, the first upper mounting strap 132A and the first lower mounting strap 134A terminating in hook-type strap fastening tabs 146 adapted to be detachably attached to the loop-carrying fabric 128 on the outer surface 131 of the base member 122. The hook strip fastening tab 146 is sewn to the mounting strip with stitches 148.

As best shown in fig. 4A and 4B, when base 122 of knee brace 120 is applied to a person's leg, first upper mounting strap 132A overlaps second upper mounting strap 132B at the rear of the leg, allowing hook-type fastening tabs 146 at the ends of first upper mounting strap 132A to adhere to loop-fiber bearing fabric 128 on the outer surface of second upper mounting strap 132B to fasten knee brace 120 about the wearer's thigh 142. Similarly, the first lower mounting strap 134A overlaps and is bonded to the second lower mounting strap 134B at the rear of the leg to secure the knee brace 120 about the wearer's lower leg 144.

The base portion 122 also preferably has a patellar opening 152 that receives the patella (patella) when the knee brace is worn. The patella opening 152 may match the size of the patella such that the wearer's patella extends from the patella opening 152 when the knee brace 120 is worn, although this is not required. The patella opening 152 is preferably circular in shape, but this is not required and other shapes, such as diamond, oval, rectangular or square, may also be used. In addition to providing direct patella stabilization, the patella opening 152 may help position the knee brace 120 relative to the patella during application of the knee brace 120.

The base 122 may be formed to include a recess 174 between the upper 132A, 132B and lower 134A, 134B mounting straps so that when the knee brace 120 is fitted on a leg, the gaps on each side form an opening at the rear of the knee, although this is not required. The recess 174 may help avoid friction, it may provide ventilation, and it may help avoid bunching or over-restricting movement.

The base 122 is preferably formed as a closable sleeve made of a sheet of elastic material as shown in fig. 2A-2B, which provides generalized support and compression along with therapeutic warmth to the knee region, although other materials may be used. The base 122 may also be formed, for example, as a tubular elastic sleeve shaped to fit snugly around the knee and adjacent leg. The base preferably includes a binding 176, although neither of these features is required.

As perhaps best shown in fig. 2B, which shows the inner surface 139 of the base 122, the knee brace 120 includes a spider-shaped member 124. The spider member 124 has a spider member central portion 154 extending vertically from an upper edge 156 to a lower edge 158, and has a central axis 160 extending vertically downward along the middle of the spider member central portion 154. The central portion 154 of the spider member 124 is permanently attached to the inner surface 139 of the base 122 by stitches 171 extending along the central axis 160 of the central portion 54 of the spider member.

The spider member 124 includes a first upper tension band 162A, a second upper tension band 162B, a first lower tension band 164A, and a second lower tension band 164B extending from the central portion 154. Each of the tension bands 162A, 162B, 164A, 164B terminates in a hook-type fastening tab 166 adapted to be detachably attached to the loop-carrying fabric 128 on the outer surface of the base 122 and sewn to the tension band with stitches 168. Spider member 124 also has a patellar opening 170 that receives the patella when the knee pad is worn.

While there are some similarities between kneepads 20 of the prior art and kneepads 120 according to the present invention, there are at least three important differences, without limitation. First, spider member 24 of prior art knee wrap 20 is secured to outer surface 31 of base 22. In contrast, spider member 124 of knee brace 120 according to the present invention is secured to base 122 to inner surface 139 of base 122.

Second, spider member 24 of prior art knee brace 20 is secured to base 22 by stitches 72, with stitches 72 extending around the outer periphery of spider member central portion 54. Instead, spider member 124 of knee brace 120 is secured to base 122 by stitches 171, stitches 171 extending along central axis 160 of spider member central portion 54.

Third, both central portion 54 of spider member 24 and tension bands 62A, 62B, 64A, 64B of prior art knee wrap 20 are on outer surface 31 of base 22 during normal use. In contrast, in kneepad 120, central portion 154 of spider member 124 is on inner surface 139 of base 122, and tension bands 162A, 162B, 164A, and 164B extend through apertures 133A, 133B, 135A, 135B to outer surface 131 of base 122.

There are various possibilities regarding alternative embodiments of the knee wraps according to the present invention.

Although in a preferred embodiment the kneepad comprises a base formed as a closable sleeve made from a sheet of elastic material, this is not essential. For example, the base may also be formed from a tubular elastic sleeve shaped to fit snugly around the knee and adjacent leg. The base need not include a patella opening, and the patella opening (if present) may have a variety of shapes, for example, circular, square, rectangular, oval, diamond, trapezoidal, or any substantially equivalent shape. All such alternative embodiments will be referred to herein as bases.

Although in a preferred embodiment the lateral sides of the base terminate in an upper and a lower fastening strip, respectively, with a side recess between the upper and lower fastening strips, this is not essential. For example, the sides of the base, or portions thereof, may be straight.

Although in a preferred embodiment the base may be detachably fastened around the wearer's leg using hook and loop material of the type that bonds when pressed together, this is not required. For example, other fasteners (e.g., buttons, clasps, buckles, pins, zippers, straps, buttons, or other substantially equivalent items) may be substituted for the hook and loop type fastener material.

Although in the preferred embodiment, the various components are permanently secured together using sutures, this is not required. For example, other means (e.g., glue, thermal bonding, or other substantially equivalent means) may be used.

One or more vertical support members may be provided on one or both sides of the base of the knee brace to provide support and protect the knee from abnormal movement, although this is not required. The vertical support member may be formed, for example, by placing a resilient retention member in the elongate side pocket. The resilient retention member may comprise a flat spiral core of stainless steel or other flexible material of conventional construction commonly used in various types of knee wraps.

For example, the elongated side pockets may be formed between vertical sewn seams that secure the side pocket cover strips to the base. The side pocket cover strips may be made of the same elastic sheet material as the base, although this is not required. The binding may be secured to the edges of the side pocket cover strips, although this is not required.

The exact number, location and configuration of the vertical support members (if provided) may vary. For example, there may be a single elongated side pocket forming only one vertical support member, or there may be one or more elongated side pockets on each side of the knee with resilient retainers in each elongated side pocket. The elongated side pockets may be openable at one end to allow removal of the resilient retainers so that the knee wrap may be washed, or so that different resilient retainers may be inserted to adjust the amount and type of support provided. The vertical support member may comprise a mechanical hinge, a plastic rod, a metal rod, a narrow strip of reinforcement sheet material, or other substantially equivalent items, or a combination of these various alternatives.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the front portion of the knee pad according to the invention does not carry any structure and can be smooth except for any stitching securing the spider member to the inside of the base. The smooth outer surface may be maintained, for example, to provide an attractive and clean appearance that will not impede or impede movement during use. Alternatively, other structures, such as smooth materials used in contact sports (e.g., soccer balls or thick knee bolsters in industries such as concrete or tile work) or in sports (e.g., volleyballs), may be positioned on the exterior surface for specific applications.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein as shown in the drawings, but encompasses all such forms thereof that fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. A knee brace, comprising:

(a) a base portion capable of being worn in close-fitting covering relation over a knee portion and an adjacent portion of a person's leg, said base portion having an outer surface and an inner surface when worn; and

(b) a spider member having a first upper tension band, a second upper tension band, a first lower tension band, and a second lower tension band,

wherein the spider member is positioned between the base and the human leg when worn;

wherein the base comprises a first upper aperture, a second upper aperture, a first lower aperture, and a second lower aperture; and

wherein the first upper tension band extends through the first upper aperture, wherein the second upper tension band extends through the second upper aperture, wherein the first lower tension band extends through the first lower aperture, and wherein the second lower tension band extends through the second lower aperture when the knee brace is donned.

2. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the base carries a loop-type material, and

wherein each of the first upper tensioning band, the second upper tensioning band, the first lower tensioning band and the second lower tensioning band has a free end bearing hook-type material, whereby the free ends of the tensioning bands are detachably attachable to the outer surface of the base.

3. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base has a base central portion mid-line axis, wherein the spider member has a spider member central portion mid-line axis, and wherein the spider member is permanently fastened to the base by a plurality of stitches through at least a portion of the base central portion mid-line axis and through at least a portion of the spider member central portion mid-line axis.

4. The knee brace of claim 3 wherein the spider member is not otherwise permanently attached to the base.

5. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the spider member is permanently fastened to the inner surface of the base.