Abstract:
This invention relates generally to providing relief to persons who suffer from arthritis of the knee and/or other knee ailments, and in particular to a soft, flexible sheath for protecting the knee and providing comfort to the user while sleeping. Various embodiments are described, which are constructed so that the wearer can bend and straighten his/her knees.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/861,007, filed Aug. 1, 2013, entitled “Protective Sheath,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Millions of men and women suffer arthritis of the knee(s). Arthritis of the knees can be the result of injury, misuse, or simply the passage of time, but once it begins, so does the search for relief, which takes many forms, including medication, exercise, surgery, and rehabilitation. With arthritis, or injury to the knee(s), even sleeping is a challenge: often, the person wakes over and over again, because of a stabbing pain in one or both knees. 
         [0003]    The relief suggested by medical care professionals is to place a pillow between the knees. However, the use of a pillow is less than satisfactory. For example, when the person falls asleep, the pillow typically becomes dislodged and the stabbing pain returns, particularly as the knees come into contact with each other. Accordingly, an alternative solution is desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a soft, flexible sheath constructed to be worn by a person with arthritis of the knee and/or other knee ailments while sleeping. The protective sheath of the present invention can slide up onto the person&#39;s leg, to cover the affected knee yet allow the knee to be articulated, and can remain in position throughout the night whether the person sleeps on his/her side, back, or stomach. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the invention provides a protective sheath configured to surround and extend above and below a user&#39;s knee and to provide cushioning of at least 0.5″ on either side of the knee to protect the knee when the user is sleeping. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the sheath comprises a front portion configured to be positioned at the front of the knee and a back portion configured to be positioned behind the knee, the front portion and the back portion securely attached together to surround the user&#39;s knee closely. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the front portion comprises a main body. In some embodiments, the main body comprises an outer face and an inner face, the inner face having two cushioned sections attached thereto and configured to be positioned at each side of the user&#39;s knee. In some embodiments, the main body comprises two or more panels sewn together. In some embodiments the main body includes an open portion configured to be positioned over the user&#39;s kneecap. 
         [0008]    In various embodiments, the front portion includes one or more cutouts at each side of the main body; side flaps securely attached at each side of the main body; and/or end flaps securely attached at each end of the main body. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the front portion is made from synthetic rubber. In some embodiments, the back portion is made from elastic nylon. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the front portion is configured to form an arch lengthwise and widthwise, providing a double curvature that conforms to a bent or relaxed knee. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the sheath comprises a rectangular panel made of foam rubber or sponge. In some embodiments, the panel has a thickness of about 0.5″ to 1.5″. In some embodiments, the panel has two short ends securely attached together to form a cylindrical sheath. In some embodiments, the cylindrical sheath has an inner diameter that is at least 0.5″ to 2.0″ greater than a diameter of the user&#39;s knee. 
         [0012]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described further below. This summary section is meant merely to illustrate certain features of the invention, and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The failure to discuss a specific feature or embodiment of the invention, or the inclusion of one or more features in this summary section, should not be construed to limit the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the device of the present application, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is an elevational view of a front section of a protective sheath in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is an elevational view of the back of the protective sheath of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the protective sheath of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the protective sheath of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the inside face of the front section shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the protective sheath of  FIG. 1A  worn by a person with his/her leg bent. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a plain view of a protective sheath positioned over the knee of a person in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the sheath of  FIG. 6  before it is assembled; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the protective sheath assembled from the material illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the protective sheath taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the protective sheath taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 6  surrounding a person&#39;s knee when the person is lying on his/her back. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a soft protective sheath that is adapted to surround the knee and protect the lateral and medial condyles, and permit the bending and straightening of the knee when the person is in bed. The protective sheath will substantially reduce contact between the knees and will reduce the piercing pain that occurs in the knee preventing the person from sleeping. In some embodiments, the protective sheath is adapted to be slid over a person&#39;s knee or knees and provide protection without vascular constriction. The protective sheath is configured to remain in place when the person is in bed, but is easily removable when the person is not in bed. 
         [0026]    One illustrated embodiment of the present invention relates to a fitted flexible sheath to be worn around a person&#39;s knee. Advantageously, a variety of different materials are combined to protect the medial and lateral aspects of the knee, while still allowing full range of motion and slippage control without restricting circulation. Reference is made to  FIGS. 1A-B ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , which depict an exemplary embodiment of a protective sheath, generally indicated as  100 . As depicted in the side views of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , sheath  100  has a front portion  116  and a back portion  112 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , when sheath  100  is in use, the front shell covers the knee, and the back panel fits snugly around the back of the leg. An open area  110  may be provided in front portion  116 , which can be positioned over the kneecap to allow the knee to bend comfortably and minimize pressure on the kneecap while wearing sheath  100 . Area  110  may vary in shape and/or size. In some embodiments, open area  110  is substantially oval, having a length through the center of the opening of about 1.0″ to 4.0″, preferably about 2.25″, and a width through the center of the opening of about 1.0″ to 3.0″, preferably about 1.75″. 
         [0027]    The front portion of sheath  200  is preferably made of a soft, sturdy, flexible material, such as, but not limited to, neoprene. As shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 , and  5 , in some embodiments, front portion  116  comprises several panels sewn together or securely attached by other means. In some embodiments, front portion  116  includes a main body and side flaps  104  and/or end flaps  102 . Side cutouts  106  on the main body may also be provided. The main body may comprise two or more panels joined together by stitching or other secure attachment means at one or more seams  108 . Side flaps  104 , end flaps  102 , cutouts  106 , seams  108 , and opening  110  function individually, together, or in any sub-combination to allow the leg to rest comfortably, and bend and straighten easily, when sheath  100  is worn. 
         [0028]    Sheath  100  is constructed to fit closely and extend around the knee, for example as shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, due to the cut of the panels and/or placement of the seams, front portion  116  has a curvature or arch along its length, which complements a bent or relaxed knee. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the length across the top of front portion  116  is greater than the length along the bottom. In an exemplary embodiment, the main body of front portion  116  (excluding end flaps  102 ) is approximately 7.5″ long down the center, and approximately 6.0″ at each side. Front portion  116  is also preferably curved along its width, as shown in  FIG. 3 , to cradle the knee from side to side. In an exemplary embodiment, the main body of front portion  116  (excluding side flaps  104 ) is approximately 7.5″ wide across the center, and approximately 6.5″ wide at each end. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , in some embodiments, back portion  112  is sewn to front portion  116  along the inner edges of side flaps  104 . Back portion  112  is preferably made of a thin, flexible material, such as, but not limited to, an elastic nylon (e.g., a nylon/spandex blend), and helps hold front portion  116  in place over the knee. Unlike other mechanisms for positioning front portion  116  (e.g., adjustable straps), back portion  112  is of a size and flexibility such that sheath  100 , while configured to be snugly fitted, does not restrict blood flow. Advantageously, different sizes of sheath  100  (e.g., small, medium, large) can be produced by using different sizes of back portion  112  attached to one size of front portion  116 . In some embodiments, the same or similar material is used to cover the area behind cutouts  106 . Side panels  104  and/or end panels  102  may be covered/reinforced on the back side with another material (different from neoprene or other material used for front portion  116 ). In some embodiments, the backs of side panels  104  are lined with a cushioned fabric  124  (e.g., a flexible cloth with a thin layer of foam backing, such as an open cell foam about ⅛″ thick), and the backs of end panels  102  are reinforced with an elastic band  122 . 
         [0030]    As shown in the end view of  FIG. 3 , side cushions  114  are provided on the sides of sheath  100  to protect both sides of the knee. Side cushions  114  are made of foam rubber or sponge material, such as, but not limited to, memory foam or a lower cost equivalent, optionally rounded and shaped to fit the inner face of front portion  116  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, side cushions  114  comprise memory foam, which can be shaped better, will conform better, and/or will more likely retain its shape as compared to other foam materials. Side cushions  114  have a thickness sufficient to cushion the knee, for example approximately 0.5″ to 2.5″ and in an exemplary embodiment about 1.5″. Side cushions  114  need not have a uniform thickness, and in some embodiments may be shaped so that they are thicker in the center than at the edges. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the face of side cushions  114  that will contact the person&#39;s knee is covered with a cushioned fabric (e.g., like the back sides  124  of side flaps  104 ). As depicted in the inside-out view of  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a central lengthwise segment of front shell  116  is unlined neoprene  118 , and the backs of end panels  102  are reinforced with an elastic band  122  (as also shown in  FIG. 1B ). In some embodiments, a non-slip rubber inset may be included at the top and bottom of the front shell, which will ensure that it stays in place regardless of movement. Side cushions  114  extend along the underside of front shell  116 , bordered by the inner seams of end panels  102  and side panels  104  and preferably not extending beyond open portion  110  in the center. 
         [0032]    Another illustrated embodiment of the present invention relates to a soft cylindrical sheath to be worn around a person&#39;s knee. Reference is made to  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 , which depict an exemplary embodiment of a protective sheath, generally indicated as  200 . As depicted in  FIG. 8 , sheath  200  includes a first opening  202  and a second opening  204  so that the sheath can slide over a person&#39;s knee and rest in a position extending slightly below the knee and slightly above the knee to provide protection to the knee when a person is trying to rest or sleep. 
         [0033]    One embodiment of sheath  200  is depicted in  FIG. 7 , wherein the sheath is made from a substantially rectangular panel of foam rubber or sponge material. The foam rubber or sponge material should have a thickness sufficient to cushion the knee, for example approximately 0.5″ to 1.5″ and in an exemplary embodiment preferably 1.0″. As depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , panel  210  is provided with a first end  212 , and a second end  214 , that are joined together by a suitable mechanical fastening mechanism  216  such as hot melt glue to form a cylindrical sheath. Other mechanical mechanisms such as stitching can be used to secure ends  212  and  214  together to form sheath  200 . In alternative embodiments, hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners can be used on first end  212  and second end  214  of panel  210  to permit the ends to be releasably secured together to permit sheath  200  to be formed by wrapping panel  210  around the knee and securing both ends together to form the protective sheath and thereby avoid having to slide a pre-formed sheath over the knee. In still a further embodiment, sheath  200  can be extruded in order to provide a one-piece tubular configuration in accordance with the invention. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , tubular sheath  200  covers the knee and offers it cushioning when the person is on his/her back. Advantageously, by having the inside diameter of protective sheath  200  greater than the outside diameter of the knee, at any portion of the knee that is covered by the sheath, the knee is given room to be bent or straightened and hence the protective sheath will remain on the knee during sleep, yet can be easily removed by the user. 
         [0035]    The inside diameter of sheath  200  is preferably at least 0.5″ to 2.0″ greater than the diameter of the knee. In an exemplary embodiment it should be approximately 1.0″ greater in diameter than the person&#39;s knee to ensure that there is sufficient room for the knee to be bent and articulated by the person during rest and sleep. As depicted in  FIG. 10 , in an exemplary embodiment sheath  200  allows a space B beyond the diameter of the knee A. 
         [0036]    While there have been shown and described fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, as is readily apparent, numerous modifications and changes may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Hence, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and, accordingly, all suitable modification equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.