Knee brace with kneecap-encircling flexible resilient pad
US4116236A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1977 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2005/0176
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A knee brace including an elastic sleeve stretchable only in a circumferential direction having an opening in the front thereof for accommodating the kneecap of a wearer when in knee-encircling relation thereto. A resilient flexible circumferentially relatively inelastic annular, or alternatively inverted U-shaped, pad is loosely mounted to the interior of the elastic sleeve in the region generally surrounding the kneecap opening with the upper and opposite sides of the pad adjacent at least the top and opposite sides of the sleeve kneecap opening, respectively, to limitedly variably positionably locate the pad relative to the sleeve kneecap opening to permit the pad to self-align centrally of the wearer's kneecap notwithstanding limited misalignment between the sleeve kneecap opening and the wearer's kneecap. The circumferential relatively inelasticity of the resilient pad, particularly the portion thereof which is integral with the pad side sections, resists rearward movement and dislocation relative to the wearer's kneecap of the opposite side pad sections when the wearer's knee is fixed. Flat helical spring stays located exteriorly of the elastic sleeve and confined by inelasti…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.