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US 5,707,347 AGranted
Impact-dispersing knee brace
OwnerDickie Ray Bixlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An impact-dispersing knee brace consisting of an inner frame or skeleton and an outer protective shell. Both are affixed to side supports with the supports being hinged to provide flexibility to the knee. The double wall construction helps disperse impact forces, especially side impact forces, throughout the device. The outer shell also protects the knee-cap and back of the knee when the knee is extended and prevents the leg from hyperextending. A spring-biased hinge mechanism allows for slight movement and give in the device.
Claims7
An impact-dispersing knee brace, comprising:
- (a) an upper cuff for placement around the lower thigh and a lower cuff for placement around the lower leg, said upper and lower cuffs each comprising an arcuate anterior segment hinged to a similarly arcuate posterior segment, said anterior and posterior segments each having an arcuate inner frame element affixed to and extending between an inner portion of two complementary side frame members and an arcuate outer shell affixed to and extending between an outer portion of said side frame members;
- and
- (b) a hinge for connecting said upper cuff and said lower cuff.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.