A preferred embodiment of a knee brace according to the present invention includes an elastic base that covers the knee and adjacent portions of the upper leg and the lower leg of a person, a mesh support layer covering an upper portion of the base and extending below the knee when the brace is worn; and a below-knee support panel made of an inelastic sheet material.
A different embodiment of a knee brace according to the present invention includes an elastic base that covers the knee and adjacent portions of the upper leg and the lower leg of a person, a mesh support layer having a symmetric upper closure assembly that includes overlapping ears and extending below the knee when the brace is worn; and a below-knee support panel made of an inelastic sheet material.
An alternative embodiment of a knee brace according to the invention includes an elastic base that covers the patella tendon and portions of the upper leg and the lower leg of a person, a mesh support layer covering an upper portion of the base and including a patella strap portion that extends over at least the patella tendon when the brace is worn; and a below-knee support panel made of an inelastic sheet material.
Another embodiment of a knee brace according to the invention includes an elastic base that covers the area surrounding the kneecap and portions of the upper leg and the lower leg of a person, a mesh support layer covering an upper portion of the base and including a patella support portion covering the area surrounding the kneecap and encircling the kneecap when the brace is worn; and a below-knee support panel made of an inelastic sheet material.
A knee brace according to the invention may include one or more upright support members located on a side portion of the base. The upright support member can include, for example, a resilient stay in an elongated pocket fixed to a side of the base, or a mechanical hinge having ends that fit into upper and lower pockets fixed to a side of the base.
In a knee brace according to the invention, the mesh support layer can include a lower portion sewn between the below-knee support panel and the base. However, this is not required, and the mesh support layer could be sewn on top of the below-knee support panel so that the below-knee support panel is sewn between the mesh support layer and the base.
In a knee brace according to the invention, the upper portion of the mesh support layer can include an above-knee rear strap and an above-knee front strap comprising a first strap portion and a second strap portion that can be releasably fastened together, for example using hook and loop material of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO, to tighten the above-knee front strap about the upper leg of the wearer.
In a knee brace according to the invention, the upper portion of the mesh support layer can include at least one suspension tab, and the base can include at least one suspension patch, whereby the suspension tab of the upper portion of the mesh support layer can be releasably fastened to the suspension patch of the base to position the upper portion of the mesh support layer on the base.
A knee brace according to the invention can include a below-knee strap closure assembly that can be releasably fastened around the lower leg, for example using one or more elastic straps and hook and loop material of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO, to tighten the below-knee strap about the lower leg of the wearer.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.