Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A knee joint protector consisting of a rocker connection member adapted for placement on one side of a human knee joint, two planar linear rigid tongues each about 1/4 inch thick and about 1.50 inches wide and each pivotally connected at one end to said rocker connection member, the other end of one of said tongues in position to extend along a limb immediately above said knee joint, the other end of the other of said tongues in position to extend along a limb immediately below said knee joint, a separate rigid unitary sleeve having two open ends and surrounding each tongue sufficiently close to permit free longitudinal sliding movement of said tongues in said sleeves but to prevent twisting of said tongues in said sleeves about said pivotal connections, said sleeves adapted to be firmly attached to the limb in such positions at desired locations related respectively to the knee joint, and said tongues and said connections between said rocker connection member and said tongues permitting substantially free bending of the joint normally with compensating free sliding of said tongues in said sleeves but with portions engaging between said rocker connection and said tongues preventing reverse bending of the joint when said tongues on opposite sides of said rocker connection member are substantially in alinement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A knee joint protector consisting of a rocker connection member adapted for placement on one side of a human knee joint, two planar linear rigid tongues each about 1/4 inch thick and about 1.50 inches wide and each pivotally connected at one end to said rocker connection member, the other end of one of said tongues in position to extend along a limb immediately above said knee joint, the other end of the other of said tongues in position to extend along a limb immediately below said knee joint, a separate rigid unitary sleeve having two open ends and surrounding each tongue sufficiently close to permit free longitudinal sliding movement of said tongues in said sleeves but to prevent twisting of said tongues in said sleeves about said pivotal connections, said sleeves adapted to be firmly attached to the limb in such positions at desired locations related respectively to the knee joint, and said tongues and said connections between said rocker connection member and said tongues permitting substantially free bending of the joint normally with compensating free sliding of said tongues in said sleeves but with portions engaging between said rocker connection and said tongues preventing reverse bending of the joint when said tongues on opposite sides of said rocker connection member are substantially in alinement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A knee joint protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connections between said rocker connection member and said tongues provides a clearance for such normal bending movement, and provides tightly engaging surfaces preventing opposite bending of the knee joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A knee joint protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connections between said rocker connection member and said tongues provide a clearance for such normal bending movement, and provides a fixed pin in said rocker connection member preventing reverse bending of the joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A knee joint protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said tongues have at least four to five inches inside said sleeves which are open ended for longer tongues to extend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A knee joint protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said tongues and said connections between said rocker connection member and said tongues are so arranged that in said position for preventing reverse bending said tongues on opposite sides of said rocker connecting member are in less than a true alinement position by about 5° to 10°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
Two knee joint protectors as defined in claim 1, each joint protector having a rocker connection member and two linear rigid tongues each pivotally connected at one end to said rocker connection member, and a separate rigid unitary sleeve surrounding each of said tongues sufficiently close to permit free longitudinal sliding movement of each tongue in its associated sleeve but to prevent twisting of said tongues in said sleeve about said pivotal connections, whereby said joint protectors may be assembled closely alongside opposite sides of a knee with said four sleeves tightly bound to the leg, thus permitting substantially free bending of said knee joint normally with compensating sliding of said tongues in their associated sleeves.