Patent US4219892A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4219892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knee brace for preventing injury from lateral impact
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-02-05
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1999-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A pair of cuffs are positioned on the thigh and calf respectively adjacent the knee joint. Each of these cuffs encloses and is backed by a fluid-filled chamber made of a flexible resilient material. The inner surface of this chamber is bonded to an elasticized fabric band which encircles the leg and positions each of the cuffs immediately adjacent the knee joint. An accordion-folded section of tubing extends from the upper to the lower fluid filled chamber along each side of the knee forming a unitary fluid-filled system. A pair of flexible but inextensible straps overlays each of the accordion-folded tubes and is securely fastened to the cuffs. Upon lateral impact, fluid migrates from the side of the knee which has been struck to the opposite side causing the cuffs to firmly grip the thigh and calf, and the accordion-folded tube on the opposite side to fill with fluid, creating compressive force between the knee joint and the tensioned straps and preventing dislocation of the knee joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Rigdon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:06
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/055; A41D13/0556; A41D13/0568; A41D13/06; A41D13/065; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/012; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/12; A63B71/1225; A63B2071/125; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for preventing accidental dislocation of the joint between a pair of limbs of the human body as a result of a blow to said joint or limbs, comprising: a first means to circumferentially frictionally engage a first one of said limbs about a region thereof adjacent said joint, a second means to circumferentially frictionally engage the other of said limbs about a region thereof adjacent said joint, a flexible substantially inextensible member extending from said first means to said second means across said joint, said flexible inextensible member being connected to each of said means to engage and, interposed between said flexible inextensible member and said joint, a first means responsive to the force of impact of a blow to the region of said joint generally on the side opposite said flexible inextensible member, to expand and create compressive force between said joint and said flexible inextensible member, to contract upon subsidence of said force of impact and to thereby brace said joint against movement under the influence of said blow, said means responsive to said force of impact and said flexible member permitting unhindered flexure of said joint in the absence of said blow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for preventing accidental dislocation of the joint between a pair of limbs of the human body as a result of a blow to said joint or limbs, comprising: a first means to circumferentially frictionally engage a first one of said limbs about a region thereof adjacent said joint, a second means to circumferentially frictionally engage the other of said limbs about a region thereof adjacent said joint, a flexible substantially inextensible member extending from said first means to said second means across said joint, said flexible inextensible member being connected to each of said means to engage and, interposed between said flexible inextensible member and said joint, a first means responsive to the force of impact of a blow to the region of said joint generally on the side opposite said flexible inextensible member, to expand and create compressive force between said joint and said flexible inextensible member, to contract upon subsidence of said force of impact and to thereby brace said joint against movement under the influence of said blow, said means responsive to said force of impact and said flexible member permitting unhindered flexure of said joint in the absence of said blow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said joint is a human knee joint and said first one of said limbs is the thigh and said other one of said limbs is the calf.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said means to frictionally engage said limbs further includes second means responsive to said force of impact to: increase the frictional force between each of said means to frictionally engage, and the corresponding one of said limbs; and to decrease said frictional force in response to subsidence of said force of impact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said means to engage comprises an outer shell shaped and dimensioned to be receivable circumferentially about a corresponding one of said limbs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 4 further including a compliant fluid-filled chamber within each of said outer shells, each of said fluid-filled chambers extending circumferentially between said one of said limbs and said shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said fluid-filled chambers are mutually interconnected for fluid flow therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6 wherein a flexible tube mutually interconnects said fluid-filled chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said joint is a human knee joint and said flexible tube is serpentine in shape and is so joined to said fluid filled chambers as to lie along a side of said knee joint when said shells are in position on said limbs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said first means responsive to the force of impact of said blow comprises said flexible tube extending in fluid communication between said fluid-filled chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible, substantially inextensible member extending between said first and second means to circumferentially frictionally engage said limbs comprises a strap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said first and second means responsive to said force of impact comprise a unitary fluid-filled system extending: circumferentially of said limbs within said first and second means to engage said limbs, and between said flexible member and said joint.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |