Patent ID: 6074355
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A knee brace comprising:a rigid thigh brace member adapted to be attached to the wearer's upper leg that includes a pair of first arms each having a mating end;a lower leg brace member adapted to be attached to the wearer's lower leg that includes a pair of second arms each having a mating end;a pair of hinges adapted to be disposed laterally on opposite sides of the knee when the thigh brace member and the lower leg brace member are attached to the wearer's leg, each hinge being operably connected between one of the first arms and one of the second arms to form a polycentric binge comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart face plates wherein the arms are pivotally secured at the mating ends thereof between the face plates at spaced-apart pivotal connections, the hinges enabling pivoting of the thigh brace member relative to the lower leg brace member between a position of knee extension and knee flexion when attached to the wearer's leg each hinge further including an extension cushion configured to be resiliently pliant for cushioning and gradually limiting the forward pivotal movement of the first and second arms to a position of knee extension, the knee brace further adapted to concurrently deliver a posterior shear force to the tibia as the first and second arms move to a position of knee extension.