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swelling of the knee subsides, oftentimes a gap is formed KNEE BRACE between the brace and the knee thereby necessitating
that remedial measures be taken on the knee brace to FIELD OF THE INVENTION alleviate the gap and achieve a more precise fit of the
The present invention relates to braces for supporting 5 brace to the knee- Finally, most contemporary sports joints, and more particularly to a knee brace specifically braces nave further been deficient in their lack of proadapted for use in athletic, i.e. sports, applications. viding suitable protection to the patella portion of the
knee joint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
* ■ „v tv u ut .i 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, the knee jomt, although frequently 1U
considered a hinge joint, actually comprises two joints, The present invention specifically addresses and alle
lateral and medial, between the femur and tibia, and one viates the above-referenced deficiencies associated with
arthrodial joint between the patella and femur. The the prior art. More particularly, the present invention
primary movements of the knee comprise flexion, i.e., comprises a brace for supporting a knee joint which,
rearward rotational movement of the tibia relative the 15 although not limited thereto, is specifically adapted for
femur, and extension, i.e. forward rotational movement use in athletic, i.e. sports, applications.
of the tibia relative the femur. The brace is formed by a pair of frame members
The flexion and extension movements of the knee disposed on opposite sides of the knee joint which are
joint are not simply pivotal movements about a fixed pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof by way of
axis. During flexion, the axis around which movement 20 ratio-swing hinge members. The ratio-swing hinge
takes place shifts backward, and during extension it members are specifically designed to closely simulate
shifts forward. This is different from a more typical rotational movement of the tibia relative the femur
hinge joint, such as an elbow, where the axis of rotation whereby the pivot point of the hinge varies or changes
does not shift. As full extension is reached, the tibia is during rotational movement of the tibia relative the
rotated inward or rearward and the jomt in effect is 25 femur. As such> the brace of the present invention
disposed in a "locked" position with the ligaments taut. closely simulates normal y^tt movement, thereby en
This gives the joint greater stability in the extended hancin rehabilitation and preventing injury to the knee
position. As flexion is initiated, the tibia initial y lowers durin use In the preferred embodiment, each of the
or moves downwardly wuh the small external rotation frame memheTS is formed of a high strength, light
ofthe tibia whjch-unlooks the jomt and subsequently 30 t ^ ... sufficient
the tibia rotates or rolls about the joint to full flexion. „♦„„„♦,, ♦„ „j „„„,„i„ „ j
Accordingly, the initial unlocking of the knee joint Strelfh t0 adequately support the knee jomt even dur
during flexion precedes actual full rotation of the knee. m« ... impact associated with sports endeavors,
Due to the above complexity of knee movement, for sufficiently lightweight so as not to deter from
a knee brace to more fully support the knee joint of the 35 Performance of the physical endeavor Additionally,
user and facilitate rehabilitation and/or prevent re- the hm«e members are formed to include metal inserts
injury of an injured knee joint, the brace must more there°n wluch Me received du-ectlv ^° the frame
closely analogize the movement of the knee than a sun- members so as to impart greater strength and structural
pie hinge mechanism. Additionally, with specific rela- rigidity to the brace.
tion to athletic or sports applications, the requirement 40 ln the preferred embodiment, the lower frame memfor such analogized movement becomes acute. Further, ber deludes a tibia pad which is removably attachable for such sports applications, a knee brace must be rela- to the mner surface thereof. The tibia pad is used to tively lightweight to avoid over-constriction which provide a firm interface between the lower frame memreduces success in the athletic endeavor, yet possess ber 411(1 tne portion of the knee joint adjacent the crest sufficient structural strength to adequately support the 45 of the tibia- One or more wedge pads are also provided knee joint during impact thereupon. which are removably insertable between the inner sur
In recognizing the need for an effective sports knee face of the lower frame member and the tibia pad. The brace, various knee braces have been introduced into wedge pads are adapted to adjust the positioning of the the marketplace. Such contemporary knee braces, how- tibia pad relative to the knee joint so that the tibia pad ever, have generally failed to provide the precise simu- 50 is always firmly interfaced thereto. As such, the knee lation of knee joint movement as described above or brace of the present invention is adapted to provide a have comprised relatively heavy, bulky apparatus, firm interface between the brace and the knee irrespecthereby detracting from the user's athletic endeavor. tive of the degree of knee swelling without the necessity Further, such contemporary designs have typically of performing time-consuming and costly remedial opfailed to possess sufficient structural integrity to prevent 55 erations to the structure of the brace, re-injury of the knee joint as may be occasioned by The present invention additionally incorporates a impact to the knee joint during physical sport endeav- patella cup which is removably attachable to the upper ors. portion of the tibia pad. The patella cup is oriented
Additionally, most contemporary sports braces have within the knee brace in a manner so as to cover the
further been deficient in that the brace is not con- 60 knee cap of tie knee joint, thereby protecting it during
structed in a manner so as to provide a consistently firm sports endeavors.
interface between the knee brace and the portion of the So as not to hamper the physical endeavor yet pre
knee joint adjacent the crest of the tibia. This particular vent any hyper-extension of the knee joint during use,
area of the knee joint typically becomes swollen after the brace of the present invention incorporates a unique
surgery or the occurrence of other trauma to the knee. 65 stop mechanism into the ratio-swing hinges of the frame
As such, when the user is initially fitted with a knee members. In the preferred embodiment, the stop mecha
brace, the knee brace is typically sized to conform to the nism comprises differing sized stop inserts which may
shape of the knee at the time of the fitting. Thus, as the be rapidly inserted into the hinges to restrict extension
