Patent US3581741A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3581741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knee brace
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-11-04
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A knee brace is disclosed which closely simulates the rockinghinge joint motion and sliding motion of a knee. The knee brace is comprised of an upper rigid body portion and a lower rigid body portion pivotably coupled together on the lateral side in a manner so that they may pivot relative to each other about an axis generally perpendicular to the zone of overlap and may slide relative to each other in all radial directions generally parallel to the zone of overlap. In each embodiment, the upper and lower body portions are pivotably connected to a connecting bar. The upper body portion may have an inflatable bladder on its inner surface. The knee brace may be worn under the pants of the wearer who may run, walk, or sit down without giving any indication that he is wearing a knee brace.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Rosman
- 👤 Anthony Calabrese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0123; A61F5/0125; A61F2005/0132; A61F2005/0172; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S2/00; Y10S2/908; Y10S2/91; Y10S2/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A knee brace comprising, a stiff upper portion to encircle a substantial portion of the thigh, means for holding said upper portion on the thigh, said upper portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections when worn on a knee, said inwardly positioned section depending below said outwardly positioned section to define a leg that will be along the medial cartilage or ligament of the knee joint, cushion means on the inner surface of said upper portion, a stiff lower portion to encircle a substantial portion of the calf, means for holding said lower portion on the calf, said lower portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections, an elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said outer section of said lower portion and having its other end connected adjacent the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, means on said elongated bar adjacent said stiff lower portion for engaging flexible strap means, and flexible strap mEans fixed to said inwardly positioned section of the upper portion and being releasably connected to said strap engaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A knee brace comprising, a stiff upper portion to encircle a substantial portion of the thigh, means for holding said upper portion on the thigh, said upper portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections when worn on a knee, said inwardly positioned section depending below said outwardly positioned section to define a leg that will be along the medial cartilage or ligament of the knee joint, cushion means on the inner surface of said upper portion, a stiff lower portion to encircle a substantial portion of the calf, means for holding said lower portion on the calf, said lower portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections, an elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said outer section of said lower portion and having its other end connected adjacent the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, means on said elongated bar adjacent said stiff lower portion for engaging flexible strap means, and flexible strap mEans fixed to said inwardly positioned section of the upper portion and being releasably connected to said strap engaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said cushion means includes a doughnut-shaped portion adjacent said inwardly positioned leg to lie against the knee joint, said strap means and said doughnut-shaped portion cooperating to provide lateral support for said knee joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said elongated bar has a section extending downwardly from said upper portion then a portion angled downwardly and outwardly away from said knee joint and finally a portion connected to said angled portion and extending downwardly toward said lower portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
218 words
A knee brace comprising a stiff upper portion to encircle a substantial portion of the thigh, means for holding said upper portion on the thigh, said upper portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections when worn on a knee, said inwardly positioned section depending below said outwardly positioned section to define a leg that will be along the medial cartilage or ligaments of the knee joint, cushion means on the inner surface of said upper portion, a stiff lower portion to encircle a substantial portion of the calf, means for holding said lower portion on the calf, said lower portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections, an elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said outer section of said lower portion and having its other end connected adjacent the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, a second elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said upper portion of said depending leg at a point substantially opposite the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion and having its other end pivotally connected to said inner section of said lower portion so that said first and second elongated bars cooperate to support said knee joint against lateral displacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
218 words
A knee brace comprising a stiff upper portion to encircle a substantial portion of the thigh, means for holding said upper portion on the thigh, said upper portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections when worn on a knee, said inwardly positioned section depending below said outwardly positioned section to define a leg that will be along the medial cartilage or ligaments of the knee joint, cushion means on the inner surface of said upper portion, a stiff lower portion to encircle a substantial portion of the calf, means for holding said lower portion on the calf, said lower portion having at least opposed inwardly and outwardly positioned sections, an elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said outer section of said lower portion and having its other end connected adjacent the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, a second elongated bar having one end pivotally connected to said upper portion of said depending leg at a point substantially opposite the lower end of said outer section of said upper portion and having its other end pivotally connected to said inner section of said lower portion so that said first and second elongated bars cooperate to support said knee joint against lateral displacement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein, said cushion means includes a doughnut-shaped portion adjacent said inwardly positioned leg to lie against the knee joint, said strap means and said doughnut-shaped portion cooperating to provide lateral support for said knee joint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein, said cushion means is an inflatable bladder, a valve supported by said upper portion for enabling said bladder to be inflated and said bladder extends to at least the lower edge of said upper portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as defined in claim 5 wherein, said first elongated bar depends downwardly from said upper portion, then outwardly away from said knee joint and again downwardly toward said lower portion, and said second elongated bar depends downwardly from said upper portion, then inwardly toward said knee joint and again downwardly toward said lower portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |