Patent US4250578A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4250578A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective knee support
Assignee: MICHAEL G MELENDEZ MD Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1979-03-16
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1999-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A support for encircling the knee to give support and protection to both the skeletal and muscular structure of the joint. The support includes a tubular device having several separate resilient protective pads attached thereto. A patella cover pad member is positioned on the anterior side of the support to cover and protect the patella and its retinaculum. Medial and lateral pad members are positioned on the strap to engage the knee, extending rearwardly over medial and lateral sides thereof from the patella cover member. The posterior surface of the knee is covered by a flexure pad member. The several independent members allow flexion and extension of the leg while providing both support and protective padding for the knee joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl S. Barlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:29
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/06; A41D13/065; A41D13/055; A41D13/0556; A41D13/0568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A non-rigid protective knee support, comprising: an elongated patella cover pad member formed of flexible resilient material to extend over the surface of a knee anterior to the patella; lateral and medial pad members formed of flexible resilient material positioned on opposite sides of the patella pad member; said lateral and medial pad members being separate of the patella cover pad member; a flexion pad member formed of flexible resilient material positioned between and separate from the lateral and medial pad members to cover the posterior surface of the knee; a tubular elastic device separately mounting the patella cover pad member, lateral and medial pad members, and the flexion member so when the elastic device is placed over a knee, the members will overlap the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia with (a) the patella pad member extending substantially vertically along the anterior side of the patella, (b) the lateral and medial pad members covering lateral and medial surfaces of the knee between the patella and anterior surfaces of the tibia and femur, (c) the flexion pad member extending between the lateral pad members along the posterior side of the knee to enable the elastic device to stretch between the separated pad members and permit the pad members to flex substantially independently of each other; and said elastic device having a top elastic edge adapted to encircle the thigh above said members and a bottom elastic edge adapted to encircle the calf below said members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A non-rigid protective knee support, comprising: an elongated patella cover pad member formed of flexible resilient material to extend over the surface of a knee anterior to the patella; lateral and medial pad members formed of flexible resilient material positioned on opposite sides of the patella pad member; said lateral and medial pad members being separate of the patella cover pad member; a flexion pad member formed of flexible resilient material positioned between and separate from the lateral and medial pad members to cover the posterior surface of the knee; a tubular elastic device separately mounting the patella cover pad member, lateral and medial pad members, and the flexion member so when the elastic device is placed over a knee, the members will overlap the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia with (a) the patella pad member extending substantially vertically along the anterior side of the patella, (b) the lateral and medial pad members covering lateral and medial surfaces of the knee between the patella and anterior surfaces of the tibia and femur, (c) the flexion pad member extending between the lateral pad members along the posterior side of the knee to enable the elastic device to stretch between the separated pad members and permit the pad members to flex substantially independently of each other; and said elastic device having a top elastic edge adapted to encircle the thigh above said members and a bottom elastic edge adapted to encircle the calf below said members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein said members are separated from one another and securely attached to the elastic device within individual pockets formed in the elastic device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the flexion pad member is formed of a resilient material having a thickness dimension less than the thickness dimension of the lateral and medial pad members and patella cover pad member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The support as defined by claim 3 wherein the flexion pad member is elongated with upright longitudinal side edges and top and bottom edges and wherein the flexion pad member is tapered at the top and bottom edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the patella cover member is ovoid in shape and separate from the lateral and medial pad members; and wherein the elastic device includes a pocket formed in the device enclosing the patella cover pad member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The support as defined by claim 5 wherein the patella cover pad member is concave to conform with the natural curvature of the anterior knee surface to hold the patella in position during flexion of the associated leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the lateral and medial pad members have top and bottom extensions that project laterally above and below the patella cover pad member to at least partially circumscribe the patella cover pad member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the elastic device is formed of an elastic laterally expansible fabric and wherein said members are located in closed pockets of the elastic device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the patella cover member and the lateral supportive members are approximately 0.375 inches thick.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The support as defined by claim 9 wherein the flexion pad member is approximately 0.25 inches thick.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The support as defined by claim 1 wherein the elastic device is formed of an elastic open woven fabric; and wherein said members are separated from one another and are enclosed within individual pockets formed within the fabric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The support as defined in claim 1 wherein the lateral and medial pad members extend rearward from the patella cover pad surface terminating in a rear edge having a preset length and wherein the flexion member has a length substantially greater than the length of the rear edge of the lateral and medial pad members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |