US3194233A

US3194233A - Corrective and protective knee brace

Info

Publication number: US3194233A
Application number: US147633A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur C Peckham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-10-25
Filing date: 1961-10-25
Publication date: 1965-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-13

Description

July 13, 1965 A. c. PECKHAM CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE 4 Shee'os--Sheei'l 1 Filed oct. 25. 1961 Twan 'lll'.ll.

INVENTOR.

ARTHUR c. PECKHAM BY D July 13, 1965 A. c. PECKHAM 3,194,233

CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE Filed Oct. 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR C. PECKHAM July 13, 1965 A. c. PECKHAM 3,194,233

CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE `Filed Oct. 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Y o of "3 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR C. PECKHAM July 13, 1965 A. c. PECKHAM 3,194,233

CORREGTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE Filed Oct. 25. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR C. PECKHAM United States Patent O 3,194,233 CORREC'IIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE BRACE Arthur C. Peckham, 304 Trust Company Bldg.,

Watertown, N.Y. l Filed Oct. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 147,633 11 Claims. (Cl. 12S-80) This invention relates to a corrective and protective knee brace, and more particularly to a brace which may be worn for long periods without interfering with normal circulation. It is an improvement on Patent No. 2,467,- 907, issued April 19, 1949, to the same inventor.

Corrective and protective braces for the joints of the human body, such as knee braces, are generally designed to supplement or substitute for parts tof the point, or parts of the extremities associated with the joint. Such braces normally limit the joint to a range of movement permitting normal function of the joint without undue strain. The parts :of a joint may be naturally weak or may become weakened due to injuries or diseases such as old fractures, torn ligaments, arthritis or polio. The parts may also be weakened by diseases or injuries affecting the spinal cord or peripheral nerve and in which the muscles which control the function of the joint have become involved. Braces for preventing injury to the joint .in athletics, or for pre-operative or post-operative protection -for a weakened joint, or a joint injured through accident or disease, must provide support for the joint, and also should provide as near normal freedom of movement as possible.

Such braces, and in particular knee braces, usually employ straps or other means for encircling the knee in order to apply pressure on the knee proper. It 1s obvious that, ordinarily, whatever pressure is applied to the knee joint itself, equal pressure must be applied by straps elsewhere to the extremity involved, in this case, the leg. Straps, or other leg-encircling means, tend to interfere in varying degree with arterial and venous blood circulation as well as with the lymph supply to the structure of the limb involved. y

`It is, accordingly, the principal object of the present invention to provide a corrective and protective brace for a joint which will allow for a normal range of motion of the joint and, at the same time, will take the place of or supplement the function of one or more of the parts of the joint which have become weakened or injured as the result of accident, disease or natural causes.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a corrective and protective knee brace in which maximum support can be applied to the knee joint with a minimum amount of interference with the normal blood supply or circulation of the limb associated therewith.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a protective and corrective knee brace that is adapted for use in the prevention of injuries, in the treatment of injuries, in casesin which the knee requires pre-operative or post-operative support, or in cases where the knee has been weakened as the result of injury or disease.

Afurther object is to provide a supporting knee brace which, when adjusted,.holds lateral and rotative motion of the knee joint within normal limits, while allowing substantially a normal .range of motion inthe joint.

Other objects are to provide a knee brace having means for encircling the leg without the application of concurrent pressures on the leg that interfere with normal circulation, and which applies corrective and supporting pres- -sure to the lateral and medial sides of the knee joint with- .out pressure on the popiteal space posterior to the knee that would interference with the blood supply t-o the leg. Still other objects `are to provide a knee brace which may be easily put on and taken olf and which may be easily adjusted initially to apply the proper pressure to the joint.

3,194,233 Patented July 13, 1365 ice Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, partly in vertical section of a knee brace according to the present inven tion;

vmade preferably of woven, knitted, or one or two way FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof on a smaller scale, as viewed from the medial side of the leg;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2, as viewed from the lateral side of the leg;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the brace shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the portion shown in FIG. 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional View on lthe line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational View of a modified form of knee brace according to the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view on a smaller scale of the knee brace of FIG. 8 as viewed from the medial side of the leg;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 9 of the knee brace of FIG. 8 as viewed from the lateral side of the leg;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevagonal view of the adjustable clamping latch shown in FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the'parts shown in FIG. 11;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a portion of the brace shown in FIG. l1;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a stud shown in FIG. 11;

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view on the line 15-15 of FIG. 12;

FIGURE 16 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a modied form of clamping latch;

FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 16;

FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the adjustable latch pivot stud carrier shown in FIG. 17;

FIGURE 19 is a rear elevational view of the latch adjustment locking slide shown in FIG. 16

FIGURE 20 is an end elevation of the slide of FIG. 19;

FIGURE 21 is a rear elevational View of a modied form of protective covering fastener;

FIGURE 22 is a top plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 2l; v

FIGURE 23 is a sectional view on the line 23-23` of FIG. 2l;

FIGURE 24 is a front elevational view of another modification of the knee brace according to the invention;

FIGURES 25 and 26 are side elevational views of the knee brace of FIG. 24 as viewed from the medial and lateral side of the leg, respectively; and

FIGURE 27 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the knee brace of FIG. 24. j

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-3, a sleeve 1,

stretch fabric so as to beelastic, is shaped to conform to the contour of a persons leg at the knee joint, having a bulge at 2 and a depression at 3 for conforming to the front and back of the knee.

Four at metal strips or springs 4, 5, 6 and 7 are secured at one'end by rivets to metal or stiff leather plates 8 and 9, as shown, the springs being slightly arched as shown,

Vfor holdng'the elastic sleeve 1 ,extended when worn. VPlate S 1s oval Vin shape and plate 9 is round, the former being on the right-hand, or lateral side of the leg 10 shown at the left in FIG. 1. To each plate 8 and 9 a respective Vpad V11 and 12 of spongernbber or similar resilient material is secured by meansof stitching or adhesive, or both,

and the Vpad is secured in like manner to the sleeve 14.50V as ,toibe positioned on Veitherside of the joint as` shown.y

Springs@ andS are secured to'

thehright hand plate

8 and 5 springs 6 and 7 to the left hand plate V9, the upper springs 4 and 6 being pivotally secured thereto by onerrivet and the lower springs 5 'and 7 being fsecured'rby'two rivets. Springs 4 and 6 liesubstantially parallel to the femur 13 and springs Sand 7 substantially parallel to the tibia 14. 10

The outer endsof springs` 4, 5, 6 and '7 are secured to sleeve las by means of` a two-layer leather or fabric pocket k-16 stitched tothe sleeve, the outer portion 16V j of each pocket beingV shaped, and extended as VShownpto Y or-removed from the holes only when the link 3i) isswung to a position' normal,V tothe rnernber` 211:'- Since `the link is not; swung to this extent upon opening ther toggle latch 27V (see brokenzlinesinFIGURE 11),!itisneces;v 'Y

also be apparentthatzwhen Vthe .b race'isworny in athletic competition it will be -desirable tofprovidemembers-20 andzt with a protective covering` of leather-,'-or-of sponge,Y

rubber. 43. and leatherf44 as shownin :FIGURES 4,55 and cover the kmetal spring., VSoft cushioning material may .'15 A6. VThe portionsof thejknee-.encirclingmembers whichinbe secured to the inside of sleeve 1 at the outer ends of the springs as shown at 17. and 18,' FIGURES 1, 2 an'd73,

tocushion the oute'rf'end of each spring.v Y Means for forcing padsll` and 12 inward to exert presf sure ,on eitherY side of the knee joint are provided, com-Y 20 prising

thefrnembers

20 and 21 and means for joining the ends thereof to1complete1yk encircle the knee, which knee- ,encircling structure is the subject of the present invention.- 1

Pressure members 20 andV 21 aremade of Va rigid ma-y Y terial, preferably cast aluminum or the `like,'and arese.- 25:

thereof.: They forward portions ofmembers 29 and 21l 30 are again odset slightlyinwardly adjacent pads 1'1 and ,12

and thence curve around the front of the kneeto meet `Y in a Yhinged joint 25. Forward ends 23 and'24 :of the members 20 and 21V areralso oifsetdownwardly asplainly shown in FIG.,1 tomeet well below theknee joint to lavoid any

contactfbetweenmembers

20 and 21 andthe vkneecap.` A hinge pin 26 joins .the conventional hinge parts formed on theends'23 and,24. Y Y

' To therear of the plates S and 9,

members

20 and 21` are again offset slightly inwardly adjacent padsll and 12,

and thereaftercurvesmoothly toward one another around leg 10 (FIG. 7) to a point directly to the rearvof the knee joint where they are joined by a latching device generally `i .Y denoted27. Y Y

Any nsuitable means, including resilientv connecting means, may be used for bringing toward one another the respective rear ends 28and29 of the members 20 and 21j but theV togglelatch'27 is preferred. .Toggle leg or link' 30 :(FIGURES l1 and 12) is pivotally secured atfoneendV by astud 31 to the end29 of arm 21 and at the other end 50 -by a rivet 32 toa toggle latching link orlocking Vlegit?,k intermediate the -ends thereof, rivet 32 constituting the knee `pivot of the toggle. Y

Locking leg 33 is Vpivotally secured at one` end to the i end 28 of member V20 by a removable pin or screwr34 and Y lthe other end is' provided with a'laterally projecting ear 35 constituting ya stop Vfor engaging Lmember 20 fwhen the f toggleis closed. The stop -35may have a downwardlyV T turned inner HarigeV 36 (FIG.Y` 15) forembracing the mem-1 ber 20, and the bottom edge of leg 33 is provided with a 6 commodate aY portion of the leg 33, the leg being oisetAV 65 It' isadvantageous to `provide adjustment. means :for

altering the distance between pads 11 and 12 when toggle i 27 is closed, and for this purpose the rearl end 29lofmember 21 is provided .with a plurality ofbayonet-jointftype 70 VholesAt) (FIG. 13) into which the stud 31 on link 30 may be selectively inserted. Stud 31 is provided with a bay.; onet type lug at 41 (FIGURE 14) and istl secured as Vby soldering or welding to thelink 30.". The holes 401and 1- stud 31' .are oriented so that the stud may 'be inserted Vin k75 lclude the toggle latch VV27fr`nay beprovided with a removable flap 45 ofithisvifcovering, C-shapedy in =`cross-sectionfasv n .plainly shown'insFGlURrES'7 'and .23.' Thefre'e'end of; the flap 45 is provided WithatabV 46,;havingthereona snap fastener :47 '(FIG..7) which rnaygbe engaged withfone ofrfa pluralityy ofi mating fasteners 4781 fprovidedoncovering 44'.

The operation of the knee. brace. .Willnowbe described.Y YThe patient or; athlete .vvilllslipV his" footlhrough sleeve and pull it Lupin p'ositionlovertheknee Yj oint'in such :posi-j tion that pads 11 and12liejnn:eithers'sideofthejoint.'4 l Toggle-latchs27 isvthen closed to .put pressure'on the pads.` Y 11 and 12 to preventfexcessive" lateralfor.rotaryf'rnotion'v of the joint. f Y

At the lirst .application :of the brace rso'rneexperimentaf Y tion is necessary vto selectthe correctholef-40g in .whichVV studf31 should be located -but,qoncey adjufstedthe brace, Y Y. may be locked invplaeebya simpledovvnward movement` ofthe ltogglel locking Yleg ;33. Whenthey;rriembers 20tand. 'A f 21 are: provided with protectivelcovering, .thezap'ASgis Yj then applied and secured in place. in obvious'fmanner. 'Y

FIGURES :8,'f9'and10 showa modiiiedfor'rnof knee bracein'zwhich' the springs; 4,: 5, i6 =and`7 may be omitted-'fi Kneelencircling'mernbers ZG'Qand 21..'aregsimilarto vmerriv bers A20 and `21k except vthat thel forward; ends: thereof.v are bifurcated, being` providedgwitlr-portions.23rzA and 24a which are offset upwardly abovezthe kneec'ap as well as j with `the ,lportionsf23 andg24xfoifse't. therebeloW.. Ther portionsV 23a and 24d are hingedly joined at

ZvSaand Athe portions

23 and 24? Vare'.similarly;.joinedV at=25:'; the two `hingedjoints being axially aligned., 1.* y

Members 20,'Land 21T are provided attheY rearVV with al modied form of adjustable lockingfdeyice 2f7/fas. shown in FIGURES =16-20 inclusivee. The*togglefandlockofi device`27ris the same astthe.devicezzZ'Zj-'except that link vi f 30 of the toggle latchrj`f27. is pivotally secnredftoV a rernovi-` able anchor plate 50 by Zimea'ns of: astudxSl.; Anchorplate 50 is of the. samewidth asimember 21", the end-29. of Vwhich isre'cessed at'f52. so thatthe anchor. plateipmayf be received in the Vrecess'at a pluralityfof selectedpositions therealong Thefouter face 53 ofthe .recess 'A52 .and the adjacent inner fa'cez54 ofthe anchor plateSOfare provided with mating serrationsor teeth L55 Vso thatthe'twoparts;V are interengaged whenrthe yanchor plate 50 is; clamped recess 52.V

To clamptheanchor plate. Soiagainstthe serrated .face V 53 of membenZlat,anylnselectedposition'in .recesvs5235 y a slide or'v keeper.- '56-;is; provided. The slide -.StisV hollow.

and rectangular -inrcrossfsectilon as shown in FIGUREj2`0;

and is adapted to closelyembrace thenfleniberllV and*v ftobe ,slidabletherealongi Anchor'plate-50irirrccess 52` Y is of a'thicknesszjto precisely'll'the recesssdthat slide "56'may be moved rearwardly to embracet heanchor plate i Yand the recessediend' ofri'nember 2'1Vto .clamptheanclior Y plate'in'thefrecess. Aslot 5'7;"`(FIG'.-:19) may be'pfrovided;

vin one endV of theslidel 56'9for ystud .51f`fsoV that"` theslide-jinay be moved'eunder the toggleflink'll. A. conventional ball'l andsocket; type pfdetent mayl be .provided asat 5 8 for:V `keepingthe slide 56 in place. 'Y n l Y The operation ofthe brace' offYFIGURES 8'10"isfthe'V 1 same' as 'aboved'escribed for the embodiment of FIG` URES 1 3. The hinged joint between the upper portions 23a and 24a of members '20' and 21 being above and axially aligned with the hinged joint between the lower portions 23 and 24', the encircling members 20 and 21 -may be expanded and contracted by operation of the toggle latch 27 for applying and removing the brace. The initial adjustment of the brace may be accomplished by moving the slide 56 along arm 21' away from anchor plate 50, moving the plate toward one end or the other of the recess 52 and returning slide 56 into engagement with plate 50.

In FIGURES 21 and 22 is shown a modified form of fastening device for securing the flap 45 of the protective covering of the knee encircling pressure members over the latching device. The flap 45 is provided with a tab 46' and the adjacent end of the covering 44 is provided with a pocket member 59 stitched to covering 44. The free end of the flap 45 is secured in place by slipping the tab 46 into the pocket formed by the member 59 as shown in FIGURES 21 and 22.

In FIGURES 24-27 another modified form of knee brace is shown in which the knee encircling structure comprises the rigid metal arm members 6) and 61 behind the knee, being joined together by a toggle latch 27, and substantially

non-elastic straps

62 and 63, or other nonstretchable but flexible members, connecting the

pads

64 and 65 infront of theknee'.

'The

pads

64 and 65 are preferably somewhat larger than the above described pads 11 and 12, and the metal or

stiif leather plates

66 and 67 to which they are stitched are accordingly larger.

Plates

66, 67 are preferably dished or' cupped, as shown, and may both be oval in shape.

The ends of

straps

62 and 63 are stitched to the top and bottom, respectively, of the

plates

66 and 67 and are 468, which may be a sleeve such as the above described elastic sleeve 1 or simply a half sleeve, as shown, extending around the rear of the knee for holding the pads in position while fastening the brace.

The forward ends of

members

60 and 61 are secured .respectively to the

plates

66 and 67 by rivets 69, and the members curve around behind the knee, spaced therefrom like the rear portion of the above described

members

20 and 21. Means are provided for drawing together the rear ends of members 60 and 6l, to put pressure on the

pads

64 and 65, such as the toggle latch 67 previously described.

Members

60 and 61 and the latch 27 may have a protective covering for sport use.

The operation of the brace of FIGURES 24-27 is much the same as for the other above described embodiments. The brace is pulled on over the foot and pulled up to the knee with the

pads

64 and 65 on either side of the joint. Latch 27 is.then adjusted and closed to draw the pads together. Since the

straps

62 and 63 contact the bony portions of the front of the leg above and below the knee, they prevent the pads from being drawn to the rear, and consequently the pads put the desired pressure on either side of the knee when latch 27 is closed.

The

straps

62 and 63 are held taut against the front of the leg by the elastic half-sleeve 68 until latch 27 is closed. Thereafter, the pressure on the pads maintains the brace in place, and the

arm members

66 and 61 are held spaced from the back of the knee. The popiteal space posterior to the knee is therefore free from constriction, and circulation to the limb below the knee is without interference, while the knee joint is supported by the

pads

66 and 67 as hereinabove described.

It will now be apparent that there has been provided a brace which firmly prevents lateral motion and rotative motion of the knee joint beyond the normal limits by reason of the compressive action of the pressure pads. The pads in turn are held in place by the compressive action provided by the rigid leg-encircling members, and also by reason of the attachment of the pads to the elastic sleeve 1 or half sleeve 68 and

straps

62 and 63. Normal flexion and extension of the knee joint Within its normal range is therefore not restricted.

The main vessels which supply and return blood to and from the lower portions of the leg are located in the popiteal space posterior to the knee and the brace does not .exert pressure on or otherwise interfere with this area. There is very little, and purely localized, blood supply provided to the knee on its lateral and medial sides, and, consequently, interference with the blood and lymph supply to the knee and lower extremity is minimal.

The pressure which can be supplied against the joint may be easily adjusted initially by the toggle adjustment afforded by the

parts

31, 40, or

members

50, 56, and the pressure can be quickly applied by the

toggle latch

27 or 27 Consequently, after the initial adjustment, the knee brace lof the present invention may be quickly and easily put on and taken oif by the wearer.

The brace may be worn by orthopedic patients who ordinarily cannot freeiy move about because of the pain incident to the weight born by an injured or damaged knee. With the brace such patients can move about with safety while healing is taking place. In industry, time ordinarily lost by disabled workers with pre-operative and post-operative knees may be safely cut to the minimum by using the brace, and in some cases the necessity for operative attention may be eliminated by wearing the brace While natural healing takes place.

The brace is especially effective as a protective, as

vwell as a remedial, device for athletes. Pre-season examinations frequently reveal structural weaknesses of the knee from a variety of causes which ordinarily require time consuming and elaborate methods of strapping and bandaging. With the above disclosed type of knee brace, the athlete himself may simply put on and take off the the brace at will, once it has been adjusted tohis knee yby an expert or professional attendant.

As will be apparent to those familiar with the art, the

yinvention may be embodied in other specific forms With- Ajoint when the brace is worn, pressure pads secured to the sleeve on opposite sides thereof, a pair of curved pressure members each of which is secured to one of said pads, said members being hingedly connected and encircling said -joint when the brace is worn, and means at the free ends of said members for releasably securing said ends together to exert pressure on said pads, said members being rigid and being spaced from the joint when the brace is worn whereby there is minimal interference with the circulation in the joint.

2. A corrective and protective brace for a limb joint requiring corrective pressure on opposite sides thereof, comprising: structure adapted to encircle the limb at the joint and support the brace when the latter is worn, said structure including an elastic member; a pair of pressure pads secured to said structure on opposite sides thereof; a rigid member secured to each of said pads, said rigid members being curved to at least partially encircle said limb at the joint 4in spaced relation thereto when the brace is worn; and means connected to one end of each rigid member for releasably securing said ends together to exert inward pressure on said pads.

3. The brace of claim 2 having a soft resilient covering athletic use.

4.'A corrective and protective bracerfor a'limb jointY curvedY separable rigidstructure secured to said pads, said limb when the brace isworn, and means on Vsaid strucr'equiring corrective pressure .on opposite sides thereof, l comprising; an elastic sleeve adapted to encircle the limb 1 at the joint when the brace is. worn,a pair-.of pressure .padsfisecured on the sleeve on opposite sides thereof',a

structure extending around andbeingV spacedffrom saidVV ture adapted to urge said pads together.Y whereby pressure i- Vis put on the jointiby said pads without circulationdnterfV `tering pressure elsewhere on the limb. l ,Y

5. In a corrective and protective knee brace, an elastic sleeve yadapted to conform tothe wearersV leg at the kneey when the brace is worn,.pressure pads secured to said sleeve atopposite sides thereof, curved rigid pressure Vmembers secured to `said pads,.said members 'being separably connected together at the ends thereof whenthe..

Y brace'is worn for completely encirclingsaid knee in spaced against opposite,

relation thereto. and forcingv said pads sides of thewearers knee joint.

. 6.'A`corrective and protective knee brace for exerting pressure on opposite sides'of theWearers knee joint, cornprising an elastic sleeve adapted to be worn over the knee; j

pressurepads secured to opposite sides of. saidV sleeve,`a

curved rigid pressure member secured to the outerside: j

vsaid pads against 'the knee, one of said connecting. means being a hinged jointand the' other means being an adjustfable latch, saidlatch beingreleasable for putting on and taking offthe brace.

'7.'A-corrective and protective knee brace t'orrexerting..

' pressurecn oppositeV sides of vthe we-arers Vknee ljoint without interfering'with circulation .in the Wearers Vlimb comprising: an elastic sleeve adapted to be .worn over. the

knee, saidsleeve conforming to the kneejoint and extend? ing Vabove and Vbelowfsaid joint when the brace is Worn; al L i plate carrying a resilient padsecured onV opposite sides'of said sleeve; and` substantially rigid curved members se.-

cured to said plates and adapted topartially yencirclethe knee :to the. front and rear thereof, said members being Y spaced from the knee when the brace is Worn and being 1 verticallyoiset and hingedly joined .togetherin front of the knee, and said members being 'releasably' securedY together forf completely encircling the knee and forcing said 1 pads againstthe knee joint.,

8. The knee brace of claim 7.whereir1 said rigid'vmem'- bers are `bifurcated inV front oi-y the knee vwhen the brace Y is positioned thereon, .one of the bifurcations of {eachmember being olset above the-knee and the other bifurcation being oiset Vbelowthe knee,V the ends ofk the.v corre'- sponding vupperand. lower bifurcationscf the rriernberszr beinghingedly joined together,V said hiug'eifiointsbeing .Y

9; A; corrective and protective knee brace i foi; V*exerting pressure lonoppolsite sides;V of the wearers knee` joint 'Withff Y out` interfering .with circulation inthe Ywearers limb, corri-V Y prising: anfelastic sleeve Vadaptedto be rworno'v'erthey L knee,.said sleeve conforming tothe Vknee `andextending f f above and belowtheknee-joint whenthe brace .is`worn; Y a platecarrying' aresilien'tpad secured {"onA oppositesides j of said sleeve;` rneaus'carriedby said ,plates arid-secured l0! f said sleeve adjacent the upper. and ,lower'fendsthere'of for :l keeping saidsleeveextended;'a substantially Lrigidscurved; i memberfsecuredI VtoV each. plateandj adaptedto; extends; f around the knee- .tothe frontandfrear thereof'inV spaced Y relation thereto when the'brace is worn; `the forwardilds of' said members `being vvertically Voset Y andphingedly .joined togetherjinV frontwof the .kneerwhen-thebrce'is ig worn; toggle means having a'pair of togglelegseach having an end-.pivotallyrconnectedlto Vtherearward, Vend Vof -aw respectiveone ofsaidmmbers-for forcing. said rearwardV QV .s `ends of a respective one of saidmembersrfor forcing said rearward en'dsgtogether` to VVexertzja compressive `forcev on said 'pads, one-of gsaidl toggle Vlegs 'havingA "its Vother end Vpivotall'y connected 1to1 the. second toggle leg medially fof theends'there'of; 'and `latch means onf the. freef erridfofV saidV 1f second toggle leg 'forreleiasablv securing-'said vfreefrend,to"

its respective niember-Y y 5 10, Theknee braceof claim-9 includingm ansffonpiy.

'otally andrieleasably securing oneof said toggle-legstoiltsf A respectiveA memberv in ionek of :airpluralityiof selected posisaid brace is adjustableik .11. Al corrective Vand protective knee tions j along. the rearward fendfgof saidmember- Y whereby g means comprising a .pairv .of Vstraps fthe fendslof which are secured to saidr'pads, said straps, when'jthej braceisworn,. extending around in front of .the :wearers knee with' one.

strap above therknee andthe other belowlthegkneefpres- Y References Vthe:Exa1iner1 'UNITEDfsrArEs'PATENrsf brace. for exerting pressureon opposite sidesjof thewearers'kneeijoint, com-2f prisin'g: a Vpair of .opporsitelydisposed pressure pads f' 'i adaptedfto engage the opposite sides .o'ffthrejoint; ilexible

Claims

11. A CORRECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE KNEE FOR EXERTING PRESSURE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEARER''S KNEE JOINT, COMPRISING: A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED PRESSURE PADS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE JOINT; FLEXIBLE MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF STRAPS THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE SECURED TO SAID PADS, SAID STRAPS, WHEN THE BRACE IS WORN, EXTENDING AROUND IN FRONT OF THE WEARER''S KNEE WITH ONE STRAP ABOVE THE KNEE AND THE OTHER BELOW THE KNEE; PRESSURE MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF CURVED RIGID MEMBERS EACH OF WHICH IS SECURED AT ONE END OF ONE OF SAID PADS, SAID MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND AROUND IN BACK OF THE WEARER''S KNEE IN SPACED RELATION THERETO WHEN THE BRACE IS WORM; AND MEANS CONNECTED TO THE FREE ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID ENDS TOGETHER FOR EXERTING PRESSURE ON SAID PADS.