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A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of elastic material is configured to closely fit around portions of the knee

A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of elastic material is configured to closely fit around portions of the knee and adjacent leg portions. Direct patella support is provided by upper crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg above the knee, or by lower crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg below the knee, or by both upper and lower crossed straps. Additional direct patella support may be provided by a patella opening. One or more generally upright lateral pockets containing semi-rigid stays may also be provided on the sides of the base for lateral support. A popliteal opening may be provided to reduce the possibility of chafing at the rear of the knee.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A knee brace, comprising: (a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;(b) a first upper support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with

1. A knee brace, comprising: (a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;(b) a first upper support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base above the knee; and(c) a second upper support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base above the knee;wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;whereby the upper support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension. 2. The knee brace of claim 1 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base. 3. The knee brace of claim 2 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member. 4. The knee brace of claim 3 wherein the resilient stay member is removable. 5. The knee brace of claim 2 wherein the base includes a patella opening. 6. The knee brace of claim 5 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped. 7. The knee brace of claim 2 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together. 8. The knee brace of claim 2 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 9. The knee brace of claim 2 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn. 10. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base includes a patella opening. 11. The knee brace of claim 10 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped. 12. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together. 13. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 14. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve. 15. The knee brace of claim 1 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve. 16. The knee brace of claim 1 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn. 17. A knee brace, comprising: (a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;(b) a first lower support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base below the knee; and(c) a second lower support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base below the knee;wherein the first lower support strap and the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;whereby the lower support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension. 18. The knee brace of claim 17 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base. 19. The knee brace of claim 18 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member. 20. The knee brace of claim 19 wherein the resilient stay member is removable. 21. The knee brace of claim 18 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 22. The knee brace of claim 18 wherein the base includes a patella opening. 23. The knee brace of claim 22 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped. 24. The knee brace of claim 18 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together. 25. The knee brace of claim 18 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn. 26. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base includes a patella opening. 27. The knee brace of claim 26 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped. 28. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together. 29. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 30. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together, and the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 31. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve. 32. The knee brace of claim 17 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve. 33. The knee brace of claim 17 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn. 34. A knee brace, comprising: (a) a base wearable in snug covering relationship to portions of a knee and adjacent portions of a leg of a person, the base having a first side and a second side;(b) a first upper support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the first upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base above the knee; and(c) a second upper support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base above the knee and the lower end of the second upper support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base above the knee;(d) a first lower support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the first lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base below the knee; and(e) a second lower support strap formed of fabric and having an upper end, a midpoint, and a lower end, with the upper end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the second side of the base below the knee and the lower end of the second lower support strap permanently fastened directly to the first side of the base below the knee;wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion and the first lower support strap and the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base in a crossed fashion;whereby the upper and lower support straps self-adjust to the position of the knee as the knee moves between flexion and extension. 35. The knee brace of claim 34 further comprising at least one upright support member fastened to a side of the base. 36. The knee brace of claim 35 wherein at least one upright support includes a resilient stay member. 37. The knee brace of claim 36 wherein the resilient stay member is removable. 38. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the base includes a patella opening. 39. The knee brace of claim 38 wherein the patella opening is diamond shaped. 40. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together. 41. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together. 42. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened together, and wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened together. 43. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 44. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 45. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the midpoint of the first upper support strap and the midpoint of the second upper support strap are permanently fastened to the base, and wherein the midpoint of the first lower support strap and the midpoint of the second lower support strap are permanently fastened to the base. 46. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the base is a tubular sleeve. 47. The knee brace of claim 34 wherein the base is an openable and reclosable sleeve. 48. The knee brace of claim 34 including at least one popliteal opening when the knee brace is worn.