Knee brace and method for securing the same
View Patent ↗A knee brace divided into anterior and posterior sides by a frontal plane, and having first and second sides divided by a median plane. The knee brace including a frame having proximal and distal portions, a stability strap having first and second ends respectively connected to first and second sides on the proximal frame portion along the posterior side thereof, and a cross strap having a first end connected to the first side of the proximal and a second end connected to the distal frame portions. A bracket assembly having a buckle connects the stability and cross straps to the frame. A sleeve is provided which covers the frame and upon which the bracket assembly rests.
1. A brace comprising:
a frame contoured to conform to an anatomical portion;
a strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion secured to the frame and the second end portion releasably attached to the frame;
a buckle assembly releasably connected to the frame and the strap second end portion, the buckle assembly having a closed, locked configuration placing the strap second end portion at a first location generally adjacent to the frame, and an open, unlocked configuration arranged to place the strap second end portion at a plurality of locations spaced away from the first location and the frame, the buckle assembly having two pivoting axes in the open, unlocked configuration.
2. The brace according to claim 1 , wherein the buckle assembly defines a protruding element and the frame defines a seating arrangement, the protruding element arranged to be insertable into and slidably engage the seating arrangement.
3. The brace according to claim 1 , wherein the strap is adjustable in length at one of the first and second end portions thereof.
4. The brace according to claim 1 , wherein the buckle assembly forms a first opening, and a strap link arranged generally obliquely relative to the first opening and forming a second opening.
5. The brace according to claim 4 , further comprising a second strap secured to the strap attachment via the second opening.
6. The brace according to claim 1 , further comprising a strap attachment securing to the first strap end portion, and arranged to connect to the frame.
7. The brace according to claim 1 , wherein the buckle assembly is rotatably mounted onto the frame.
8. A buckle assembly for a receiving a strap having first and second end portions, the buckle assembly comprising:
a bracket element defining an elongate extension arm and an opening located at second end of the extension arm for receiving the second end portion of the strap;
an elongate leverage body having first and second ends, the leverage body including a connecting feature located at the first end and defining a clearance into which the extension arm is adapted to be received;
a base element having first and second ends, the first end forming a receiving feature in which the connecting feature is adapted to engage in the closed, locked configuration;
wherein the second end of the leverage body is pivotally connected to the second end of the base element, and the first end of the bracket element is pivotally connected to the leverage body within the clearance and near the first end, such that bringing the bracket element toward the second end of the leverage body and the first end of the leverage body toward the first end of the base element places the buckle assembly into the closed, locked configuration.
9. The buckle assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the connecting feature is a hook extending from the leverage body.
10. The buckle assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the receiving feature is a recess formed by the base element.
11. A brace comprising:
a frame contoured to conform to an anatomical portion;
a strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion connected to the frame and the second end portion releasably attached to the frame;
a buckle assembly releasably connected to the frame, the buckle assembly having a closed, locked configuration and an open, unlocked configuration, the buckle assembly including:
a bracket element defining an elongate extension arm and an opening located at second end of the extension arm for receiving the second end portion of the strap;
an elongate leverage body having first and second ends, the leverage body including a connecting feature located at the first end and defining a clearance into which the extension arm is adapted to be received;
a base element having first and second ends, the first end forming a receiving feature in which the connecting feature is adapted to engage in the closed, locked configuration;
wherein the second end of the leverage body is pivotally connected to the second end of the base element, and the first end of the bracket element is pivotally connected to the leverage body within the clearance and near the first end, such that bringing the bracket element toward the second end of the leverage body and the first end of the leverage body toward the first end of the base element places the buckle assembly into the closed, locked configuration.
12. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the receiving feature of the base element is formed on a first side of the base element and the connecting feature of the base element is formed on a second side of the leverage body located adjacent to the first surface of the base element.
13. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the base element defines a protruding element and the frame defines a seat and an eyelet, the protruding element arranged to be insertable into the eyelet and slidably engage the seat so as to rest therewith.
14. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the strap is adjustable in length at one of the first and second end portions thereof.
15. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the bracket element defines an elongate head oriented generally perpendicular to the extension arm, the head forming the clearance.
16. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the base element forms a strap link oriented obliquely relative to the extension arm, the strap link forming a second opening.
17. The brace according to claim 16 , further comprising a second strap secured to the strap attachment via the second opening.
18. The brace according to claim 11 , further comprising a strap attachment securing to the first end portion of the strap, and connecting to the frame.
19. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the connecting feature is a hook extending from the leverage body.
20. The brace according to claim 11 , wherein the receiving feature is a recess formed by the base element.