초록 ▼

A brace for protecting a pivoting joint situated between a first and second limb structure. The brace includes upper and lower frame members linked by a joint member, with each frame member having a cuff for encompassing a portion of each limb structure. Brace retention is accomplished with respecti

A brace for protecting a pivoting joint situated between a first and second limb structure. The brace includes upper and lower frame members linked by a joint member, with each frame member having a cuff for encompassing a portion of each limb structure. Brace retention is accomplished with respective upper and lower securement members each including a medial piece and a lateral piece each attached at respective outside edges thereof to an elastomeric central piece disposed there behind. Respective inside edges of the medial and lateral pieces have a tightening member for drawing the edges toward each other. The respective outside edges of the medial and lateral pieces are releasably attached to respectively adjacent frame and cuff sites with quick-release connectors releasable substantially without increased pressure on the limb structure. Such quick-connect and quick-disconnect operability provides proper brace placement without awkward, and potentially incorrect, brace orientation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace for stabilizing a uniting pivoting joint disposed between a first limb structure and a second limb structure of a living being, the brace comprising:a) an upper frame member and a lower frame member;b) a pivoting joint member connecting the upper and lo

1. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace for stabilizing a uniting pivoting joint disposed between a first limb structure and a second limb structure of a living being, the brace comprising:a) an upper frame member and a lower frame member;b) a pivoting joint member connecting the upper and lower frame members;c) an upper cuff for encompassing a portion of the first limb structure and secured to the upper frame member, and a lower cuff for encompassing a portion of the second limb structure and secured to the lower frame member; andd) an upper securement member for wrapping around the first limb structure in alignment with and not encompassed by the upper cuff, and a lower securement member for wrapping around the second limb structure in alignment with and not encompassed by the lower cuff, each said securement member comprising:i) a medial piece and a lateral piece, each said piece having a respective inside edge with a tightening member for drawing said inside edges toward each other, and each said piece having an outside edge respectively connectable to respective adjacent medial and lateral frame sites and medial and lateral cuff sites wherein at least one of said outside edges has a hand-operable first connector element to be joined to each adjacent frame site and each adjacent cuff site; andii) a second connector element disposed at said each adjacent frame site and each adjacent cuff site for receiving said first connector element, whereby said first and second connector elements are associateable and disassociateable substantially without increased pressure on the limb structure situated there beneath. 2. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising an elastomeric central piece disposed behind the medial and lateral pieces and to whose outside edges are respectively secured the outside edges of the medial and lateral pieces. 3. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 2 additionally comprising a liner section disposed behind the central piece and to which a generally vertical length of the central piece is secured for elasticized movement of the medial and lateral pieces in relation to the liner section. 4. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 2 wherein the medial, lateral, and central pieces comprise cloth fiber. 5. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tightening member comprises a plurality of opposing eyelets and a length of lace intertwined there through and having ends thereof releasably attachable to each other. 6. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second connector elements comprise cooperating male and female linking structures. 7. An exteriorly positionable anatomical brace as claimed in claim 6 wherein the male structure is a tab and the female structure is a slot, and wherein the tab has an outwardly spring biased side wall for retaining said tab within the slot and an outwardly finger-accessible extension of said side wall for moving said side wall inwardly and releasing the tab from the slot.