Knee protector

A knee protector comprising a body portion of rubber-like material of roughly tubular formation and adapted to be applied to the leg of a user substantially in surrounding relation to the knee joint, said body portion having an internal front fluid filled cushioning compartment and two side fluid-filled cushioning compartments adjacent the knee joint, said front compartment being disposed to overlie and cover the knee cap and the two side compartments being disposed to overlie and cover the two lateral sides of the knee joint, interconnecting flow passage means for fluid formed in the body portion communicating the front compartment with the two side compartments and the two side compartments with each other, whereby in response to impact against the protector adjacent one fluid compartment such compartment will be compressed and will force fluid therefrom through said flow passage means and into other compartments of the body portion;

• and relatively rigid mechanical bracing means comprising arcuate top and bottom leg embracing portions embedded in the material of the body portion above and below the cushioning compartments therein, and articulated side sections extending between and connecting said top and bottom portions formed of a plurality of hingedly connected plate members extending vertically through the side compartments of the body member, said plates being resistant to lateral bending and said hinged connections providing high flexibility in the normal direction of bending of the knee.