IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,159,588
Granted Patent B1
US 10,159,588 · App. 15/005,552 · Granted Dec 25, 2018

Self adjusting knee brace

Inventor: Ronald E. Nelson (Cambridge, WI)
Assignee: Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc.
A61F5/0106A61F5/0109
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,159,588
App. No.
15/005,552
Granted
Dec 25, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of elastic material is configured to closely fit around portions of the knee and adjacent leg portions. Direct patella support is provided by upper crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg above the knee, or by lower crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg below the knee, or by both upper and lower crossed straps. Additional direct patella support may be provided by a patella opening. One or more generally upright lateral pockets containing semi-rigid stays may also be provided on the sides of the base for lateral support. A popliteal opening may be provided to reduce the possibility of chafing at the rear of the knee.

Claims (63)

1. A knee brace, comprising:

(a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;

(b) a first upper support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base above the knee; and

(c) a second upper support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base above the knee;

wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;

whereby the upper support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension.

2. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together.

3. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

4. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve.

5. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve.

6. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base includes an patella opening.

7. The knee brace of claim 6 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped.

8. The knee brace of claim 1 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.

9. The knee brace of claim 1 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base.

10. The knee brace of claim 9 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member.

11. The knee brace of claim 10 wherein the resilient stay member is removable.

12. The knee brace of claim 9 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together.

13. The knee brace of claim 9 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

14. The knee brace of claim 9 wherein the base includes an patella opening.

15. The knee brace of claim 14 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped.

16. The knee brace of claim 9 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.

17. A knee brace, comprising:

(a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;

(b) a first lower support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base below the knee; and

(c) a second lower support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base below the knee;

wherein the first lower support strap and the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;

whereby the lower support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension.

18. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together.

19. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

20. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together, and the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

21. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve.

22. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve.

23. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base includes an patella opening.

24. The knee brace of claim 23 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped.

25. The knee brace of claim 17 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.

26. The knee brace of claim 17 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base.

27. The knee brace of claim 26 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member.

28. The knee brace of claim 27 wherein the resilient stay member is removable.

29. The knee brace of claim 26 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together.

30. The knee brace of claim 26 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

31. The knee brace of claim 26 wherein the base includes an patella opening.

32. The knee brace of claim 31 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped.

33. The knee brace of claim 26 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.

34. A knee brace, comprising:

(a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;

(b) a first upper support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base above the knee; and

(c) a second upper support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base above the knee;

(d) a first lower support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base below the knee; and

(e) a second lower support strap having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened to the second side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened to the first side of the base below the knee;

wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion and the first lower support strap and the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;

whereby the upper support straps and the lower support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension.

35. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together.

36. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together.

37. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together, and wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together.

38. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

39. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base.

40. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve.

41. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve.

42. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped.

43. The knee brace of claim 34 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.

44. The knee brace of claim 34 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base.

45. The knee brace of claim 44 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member.

46. The knee brace of claim 45 wherein the resilient stay member is removable.

Continuity (1)
Continuation 10379208 · Mar 4, 2003
Cited By (2)
US 12,268,622 US 12,458,520