Tether member connecting a knee brace to a boot

Abstract

The invention provides a device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a user. The device includes a knee brace positionable about a knee joint of a user and a foot member wearable on a foot of a user. Additionally, the device includes a flexible tether member including a first coupling element coupled to the knee brace and a second coupling element coupled to the foot member. The foot member and knee brace are attachable and detachable via the first and second coupling elements. The flexible tether member is adjustable in length to dispose the flexible tether member in tension at least in a portion of a maximum foot range of rotation, where the maximum foot range of rotation of the user's foot relative to the knee joint causes hyperextension of a knee ligament.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a knee brace, a foot member, and a tether member according to one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a knee brace, foot member, and a rigid tether member;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another aspect of the present invention, showing a portion of the knee brace, foot member and tether member, the tether member being a push-pin with a spring-loaded locking mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a foot member, knee brace and tether member, the tether member being a push-pin with a spring-loaded locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of protective pants, the pants comprised of a left pant leg, a right pant leg, and a connection aperture located on at least one of the left and right pant legs;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pant leg from a pair of protective pants, the pant leg having a connection aperture located adjacent to a user's knee, the connection aperture having a closing mechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of a pair of reinforcement strips, the reinforcement strips comprised of a fabric material having a bonding agent disposed thereon.

Claims

1. A device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a user, the device comprising: a knee brace positionable about a knee joint of a user, the knee brace including: an upper frame member;a lower frame member having a brace connection point; anda joint member pivotally connected to the upper and lower frame members;a foot member wearable on the foot of the user, the foot member having a foot connection point; anda 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 foot member at the foot connection point, the foot member and knee brace being attachable and detachable via the first and second coupling elements.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the first coupling element includes 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; andthe second coupling element includes a second fastening portion and a second linking portion, the second fastening portion coupling the second coupling element with the foot member at the foot connection point, the first and second linking portions being cooperatively engageable.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second linking portions are male and female linking structures.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first linking portion is a male linking structure, and the second linking portion is a female linking structure.

5. A device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a motorcycle rider, the device comprising: a knee brace positionable about a knee joint of the rider, the knee brace including: an upper frame member;a lower frame member having a brace connection point; anda joint member pivotally connected to the upper and lower frame members;a motorcycle foot member wearable on the foot of the rider, the motorcycle foot member having a foot connection point; anda tether member coupling the knee brace and the motorcycle foot member at the brace and foot connection points.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the tether member is a push-pin.

7. A pair of protective pants to be worn over a knee brace, the protective pants comprising: a left pant leg;a right pant leg coupled to the left pant leg; anda connection aperture located on at least one of the left and right pant legs.

8. The protective pants according to claim 7, wherein the connection aperture includes a closing mechanism.

9. The protective pants according to claim 8, wherein the closing mechanism is a zipper.

10. A reinforcement strip for repairing an aperture, the reinforcement strip comprised of a fabric material having a bonding agent disposed thereon.

11. The reinforcement strip of claim 10 wherein the aperture is located on a pair of pants.

12. The reinforcement strip of claim 11 wherein the pair of pants are protective pants to be worn over a knee brace.