Patent ID: 7578800

Claim:
A device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a user, the device comprising: a knee brace positionable about the knee joint of the user, the knee brace including: an upper frame member; a lower frame member having a brace connection point; and a joint member pivotally connected to the upper and lower frame members; a boot wearable on the foot of the user, the boot having a boot connection point; and a tether member having a first coupling element coupled to the knee brace at the brace connection point and a second coupling element coupled to the boot at the boot connection point, the first coupling element including a first fastening portion and a first linking portion, the first fastening portion coupling the first coupling element with the knee brace at the brace connection point, the second coupling element including a second fastening portion and a second linking portion, the second fastening portion coupling the second coupling element with the boot at the boot connection point, the first and second linking portions being cooperatively engageable, the boot and knee brace being attachable and detachable via the first and second coupling elements, the boot connection point being moveable relative to the brace connection point when the first and second coupling elements are attached.