Patent ID: 6875187
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A knee brace for supporting a leg of a wearer whose knee joint is affected by osteo-arthritis, the brace comprising: a) a lateral hinge component and a medial hinge component positionable respectively laterally and medially adjacent the knee joint, the lateral hinge component and the medial hinge component each being formed as a ratio swing hinge; b) a lower member at least partially circumscribable about a lower leg portion situated below the knee joint of the wearer, said lower member having a lateral element and a medial element each extending upwardly and connectingly engaged respectively to the lateral hinge component and medial hinge component for extension-flexion movement; c) an upper member at least partially circumscribable about an upper leg portion situated above the knee joint of the wearer, said upper member having a lateral element extending downwardly and connectingly engaged to the lateral hinge component providing play at a point of engagement between said lateral element and said lateral hinge component for extension-flexion and horizontal pivotal movements, and a medial element extending downwardly to a distal end terminating above the medial hinge component, said distal end having a configuration non-obstructingly to an upper shape of said medial hinge component; and d) a medially disposed arm connectingly engaged to the medial hinge component for extension-flexion and horizontal pivotal movement and extending upwardly therefrom adjacent the medial element of the upper member, with said arm and said medial element connected to each other with a releasably securable slidable engager whereby said arm and medial element are selectively vertically slidable and securable against each other along a slot formed adjacent a marked gradient on said arm for laterally inwardly and outwardly selectively and retainably positioning the upper member in angular relationship to the lower member.