Abstract:
A flexible knee brace that provides support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg, and assists with the rehabilitation of the knee when injured, pre-surgery, and post-surgery. The knee brace is made of an elasticized sleeve worn over the leg and spanning the knee. The sleeve has a plurality of channels running vertically on each side of the patella, nearly the full length of the sleeve. The channels house flexible elongated strips that may be removed or added to adjust the bending resistance of the knee brace. The knee brace is secured in place by an elastic strap sewn onto the sleeve and running laterally above the patella.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to knee braces, and more particularly, to a knee brace that provides support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg, and assists with the rehabilitation of the knee when injured, pre-surgery, and post-surgery. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many designs for knee braces have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes a plurality of elongated channels running vertically on each side of the patella, nearly the full length of the knee brace sleeve. The channels house flexible elongated strips that may be removed or added, enabling the patient to control the amount of bending resistance the knee brace has. 
     Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,477 issued to Peters for Knee Sleeve. However, it differs from the present invention because Peters teaches a ready-to-wear pull-on knee support adapted to be placed over the knee. The support comprising a generally cylindrical body comprising a resilient flexible unitary sleeve, which is preferably formed from an elasticized fabric laminate. The elasticized fabric laminate includes an open-cell polymeric foam core, an outer surface comprising an elasticized fabric having a looped structure and an inner surface for wear next to the body, comprising an elasticized cotton fabric. The support includes integral parallel proximal and distal encircling straps adapted to encircle the lower thigh and upper calf, respectively, medial and lateral stabilizing or reinforcing straps and infinitely adjustable proximal and distal posterior closure means. A patella opening can be provided for patella support. A popliteal opening can be provided or the popliteal area may be covered, in which case the popliteal area is formed with a C-seam extending outwardly from the distal and proximal closure means over the outer popliteal area. 
     Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,505 issued to Labour et al. for Knee Brace For Preventing Lateral Displacement Of The Patella. However, it differs from the present invention because Labour et al. teaches a knee brace for preventing lateral displacement of the patella, made of an elasticized sleeve worn over the leg and spanning the knee. The sleeve carries a pair of pads, one of, which lies immediately adjacent the outer edge of the patella and blocks the patella from lateral displacement. The second pad overlies the medial femoral epicondyl to prevent the sleeve from rotating outwardly as forces are applied against the first pad by the patella. The pads are locked in place by an elastic strap secured to the sleeve and running laterally to medially over the knee. 
     Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A knee brace for rehabilitating an injured knee, comprising a tubular sleeve assembly made of an elastic webbing material. The sleeve assembly is designed to fit over a leg and extend from below the knee upwardly to the thigh of the leg. In addition, an elongated pocket assembly is attached to the sleeve assembly. The elongated pocket assembly is positioned on the sleeve assembly longitudinally over the patella of the knee when the sleeve assembly is worn on the leg. The elongated pocket assembly has at least one vertical channel. The at least one vertical channel selectively houses at least one elongated strip having a predetermined bending resistance so as to impede bending of the leg at the knee. 
     The elongated strip is removable, enabling a patient to remove and insert additional elongated strips of various gauges to adjust the predetermined bending resistance of the knee brace. As the predetermined bending resistance of the knee brace increases, support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg increases, resulting in lesser stress to the knee. As the predetermined bending resistance to the knee brace decreases, support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg decreases, resulting in greater stress to the knee. 
     The instant invention further comprises a strap assembly secured to the sleeve assembly adjacent to the elongated pocket assembly that extends around the leg. Fastening means secured thereon fastening the strap assembly to the sleeve assembly. 
     The channel extends substantially longitudinally the full length of the sleeve assembly on either side of the patella. The sleeve assembly is stretchable both in a circumferential and axial direction. The strap assembly is stretchable lengthwise and the fastening means is a hook and loop fastener. The strap assembly when tightens above the patella. 
     A method of rehabilitating an injured knee with a knee brace, comprises: 
     A) diagnosing the severity of injury to a knee; 
     B) weighing and determining the athletic ability of a patient in need of knee rehabilitation; 
     C) inserting a predetermined number of elongated strips into each channel of said knee brace; 
     D) slipping said knee brace onto said knee; and 
     E) adding or removing said elongated strips to adjust the pressure on said knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of a leg of said patient until said knee is rehabilitated. 
     It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a knee brace having channels that house removable flexible elongated strips, enabling a patient to control the amount of bending resistance the knee brace has. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a knee brace that is comfortable and provides support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg, and assists with the rehabilitation of the knee when injured, pre-surgery, and post-surgery. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a knee brace that assists patients with arthritic conditions. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the instant invention with its flexible elongated strips. 
     FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the instant invention with its flexible elongated strips partially inserted in their respective channels. 
     FIG. 3 shows an isometric rear view of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the instant invention worn by the patient when their leg is straight. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of the instant invention worn by the patient. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the instant invention worn by the patient when their leg is bent. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes sleeve assembly  20 , pocket assembly  30 , and strap assembly  50 . 
     As seen in FIG. 1, the instant invention comprises elasticized sleeve assembly  20 , which is slid onto the leg and worn over the knee. Sleeve assembly  20  has ends  22  and  24 , and extends from the upper portion of the calf of the leg, end  24 , to the thigh, end  22 . The brace shown in the illustrations is designed to fit over either leg. 
     Sleeve assembly  20  is stretchable both in a longitudinal and circumferential direction and preferably is knitted of a soft cotton yarn and elasticized thread so as to be comfortable on the body. In addition, the material selected for sleeve assembly  20  should be lightweight and be sufficiently yielding so as to conform to the contours of the leg when worn. The sleeve assembly  20  in an adult size may be approximately ten inches long and twelve inches in circumference at the middle. Of course the size may vary depending upon the body build of the patient to wear the device. 
     As seen in the illustrated embodiment, pocket assembly  30  is knitted onto sleeve assembly  20 . In the preferred embodiment, stitching  36  defines two channels  35 , one on each side of the patella. In an alternate embodiment, more than one channel  35  may be defined on each side of the patella. Pocket assembly  30  has ends  32  and  38 . Also seen are elongated strips  40 , which slide into channels  35  through their respective slits  34  at end  32 . 
     As seen in FIG. 2, each elongated strip  40  is partially inserted within its respective channel  35 . Pocket assembly  30  is sewn onto sleeve assembly  20  with stitching  31 . Once inserted, elongated strips  40  stay within their respective channel  35  and do not cross or overlap one another. Elongated strips  40  extend substantially the full length of sleeve assembly  20  and typically may be made of a spring-like material such as flat coil wire affording considerable flexibility to the brace. The principal purpose of elongated strips  40  is to impede bending of the leg at the knee with predetermined resistances. The predetermined resistances being the gauge and/or material of elongated strips  40 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, front portion  26  of sleeve assembly  20  does not include an opening for the patella. However, in an alternate embodiment, an opening to accommodate the patella of the patient may be presented for patient comfort. The opening is aligned with the patella when sleeve assembly  20  is worn. The opening may relieve pressure against the patella, prevents abrasion of the skin during vigorous activity of the patient, and increases the flexibility of the instant invention  10  at the patella. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, rear portion  28 , seen in FIG. 3, of sleeve assembly  20  does not include an opening for the popliteal area. However, in an alternate embodiment, an opening to accommodate the popliteal area of the patient may be presented for patient comfort. The opening is aligned with the popliteal area when sleeve assembly  20  is worn. The opening may relieve pressure against the popliteal area, prevents abrasion of the skin during vigorous activity of the patient, and increases the flexibility of the instant invention  10  at the popliteal area. 
     As seen in FIGS. 1-3, strap assembly  50  is made of elastic webbing stretchable lengthwise but non-stretchable across its width in the preferred embodiment. Lateral end  52  is secured with stitching  36  to the outer surface of sleeve assembly  20 , just above the patella area of the patient. When securing the knee brace, strap assembly  50  extends laterally around front portion  26 , wrapping around rear portion  28  and continues around the leg of the patient the full length of strap assembly  50 . Free end  54  has a Velcro-type fastener  56  stitched thereon and is designed to releasably lock onto the female type strap assembly  50  when wrapped around the leg of the patient. It will be appreciated that the patient may pull strap assembly  50  as tightly as desired to effectively apply pressure above the patella. 
     As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, sleeve assembly  20  has stitching  37  and  25 . In the preferred embodiment, stitching  37  is placed behind the patella to allow the patient to easily bend at the knee. Stitching  25  is defined simply for manufacturing purposes in the illustrated embodiment. 
     It is noted that when properly worn, the patient will feel the knee brace spring back to its natural position, seen in FIG. 4, from the bent position, seen in FIG. 6, thus supporting the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg. 
     In summary, the knee brace of this invention, unlike the prior art devices in combination, enables a patient to impede bending of the leg at the knee with predetermined resistances. The patient has the ability to remove or insert additional elongated strips  40 , of various gauges, to adjust the bending resistance of the knee brace. 
     As the bending resistance of the knee brace increases, the support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg increases. Thus, resulting in lesser stress to the knee. As the bending resistance to the knee brace decreases, the support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg decreases. Thus, resulting in greater stress to the knee. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the patient may insert one or two elongated strips in each channel  35 . The elongated strips may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material that is flexible, yet retains its natural position. 
     The present invention also includes a method of rehabilitating an injured knee with a knee brace, comprising: 
     A) diagnosing the severity of injury to said knee; 
     B) weighing and determining the athletic ability of a patient in need of knee rehabilitation; 
     C) inserting a predetermined number of elongated strips into each channel of said knee brace; 
     D) slipping said knee brace onto said knee; and 
     E) adding or removing said elongated strips to adjust the pressure on said knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of a leg of said patient until said knee is rehabilitated. 
     Step A) of the method includes, diagnosing the severity of injury to the patient&#39;s knee. This step is to be performed by a trained medical professional and an orthopedic doctor whenever possible. Proper diagnosis will help establish the amount of bending resistance the knee brace should have. Keeping in mind that as the bending resistance to the knee brace increases, the support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg increases. Thus, resulting in lesser stress to the knee. As the bending resistance to the knee brace decreases, the support to the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of the leg decreases. Thus, resulting in greater stress to the knee. 
     Step B) of the method includes, weighing and determining the athletic ability of a patient in need of knee rehabilitation. Proper determination will help establish the amount of bending resistance the knee brace should have according to the patient&#39;s weight. 
     Step C) of the method includes, inserting a predetermined number of elongated strips into each channel of the knee brace. The predetermined number of elongated strips is established with the results of Steps A)-C) above. Each elongated strip is slid into its respective channel through its respective slit. 
     Step D) of the method includes slipping the knee brace onto the injured knee. 
     Step E) of the method includes, adding or removing the elongated strips to adjust the pressure on the knee, meniscus, ligaments, and muscles of a leg of the patient, until the injured knee is rehabilitated. 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.