Leg and knee support devices for squatting and kneeling

Abstract

One or more devices designed to decrease stress to the knee for use in activities requiring longstanding or repetitive squatting and/or kneeling positions. The devices include at least one cushion that increases the distance between the buttock and the calf during squatting, and may optionally include other cushions for the knee and ankle area. The devices may optionally comprise at least one weight-supporting layer and at least one pressure distribution layer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for relieving stress to the knee comprising at least one compressible cushion having one or more convcavely shaped sides generally conforming to a body part to be cushioned, wherein the cushion is removably attached to the body.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one cushion comprises a chamber filled with one of the group selected from a fluid, a gas, a bead or a solid.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the chamber is surrounded by compressible foam.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one cushion comprises: 
 a weight-supporting layer;    a pressure distribution layer having at least one generally concave surface; and    an attachment means for removably affixing the device to the body.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the weight-supporting layer comprises at least one encapsulated filled chamber, and the pressure distribution layer surrounds the chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the chamber contains material of a greater density than the pressure distribution layer.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the weight-supporting layer comprises at least one fluid, foam, bead, solid or gas filled chamber and the chamber is surrounded by a layer of compressible cellular material.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is shaped to be positioned between a buttock and a calf and an ankle, wherein the device increases the distance between the buttock and calf during squatting.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises two juxtaposed cushions that are shaped to be concave on the side opposing the body and generally planar on the side opposing the opposite cushion.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cushions are irremovably attached using straps.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the cushions are irremovably attached using straps.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes one cushion adapted for attachment to the buttock, and a second cushion adapted for attachment to the lower calf and heel.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device further includes a third cushion adapted for attachment to the ankle and shin.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the third cushion extends to cover the knee.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the device includes a fourth cushion adapted to be attached opposite the knee.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means is a garment to which the cushion or cushions are attached.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the attachment means is a garment to which the cushion or cushions are attached.  
     
     
         18 . A device for relieving stress to the knee comprising at least one compressible cushion having one or more convexly shaped sides generally conforming to a body part to be cushioned, wherein the cushion comprises a weight-supporting layer and a pressure distribution layer, and wherein the weight-supporting layer may further comprise at least one fluid or solid or bead or gas filled cell and the pressure distribution layer comprises a cellular foam material and wherein the cushion(s) are removably attached to the body.  
     
     
         19 . A method for decreasing stress to the knee during squatting on a surface, comprising the step of inserting at least one cushion with at least one concave side between the buttock and calf that separates the buttock from the calf during squatting by a distance of from 2 inches up to 12 inches, wherein at least one concave side faces the buttock.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method includes the additional step of inserting at least one cushion with at least one concave side between an ankle and the surface, wherein the concave side faces the ankle.