Adjustable hinge joint support

Abstract

A brace for supporting the knee of the wearer. The brace has an adjustable support mechanism for accommodating a variety of leg shapes. The hinge portion of the brace is adjustable so that there is proper balanced support on opposite sides of the knee. Furthermore, the brace is universal in applicability and may be used on either the right or left leg.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A unitary adjustable hinged knee support apparatus adapted to accommodate a variety of leg shapes and sizes in association therewith by utilizing adjustable and non-adjustable support sections above and below a user's knee, comprising: 
 an adjustable open upper-support section adapted to receive an upper leg portion of the user and comprising a first flap and a second flap operable to be opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's upper leg portion and subsequently adjusted to accommodate the specific size of the user's upper leg portion;    a non-adjustable, closed lower-support section adapted to slidably receive a lower leg portion of the user with a fixed size therearound; and    a plurality of adjustable flexible hinges adapted to be oppositely disposed about a patella, the plurality of adjustable flexible hinges comprising an upper, flexible portion operable to position the support apparatus in an anatomically correct manner relative to the knee in association with the adjustment of the first and second flaps of the upper support section.    
   
   
       25 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the first flap comprises a hook and pile surface and the second flap comprises a mating hook and pile surface for mated engagement of the first flap to the second flap.  
   
   
       26 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the support apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a patella so as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user of the support apparatus.  
   
   
       27 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the support apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a popliteal portion of the knee so as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user of the support apparatus.  
   
   
       28 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the upper flexible portion of the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a hook and pile material operable to matingly engage the upper, flexible portion to the adjustable open upper-support section in order to adjust the position of the plurality of flexible hinges.  
   
   
       29 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of flexible hinges comprise at least two single axis hinges.  
   
   
       30 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of flexible hinges comprise at least two polycentric hinges.  
   
   
       31 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of flexible hinges comprise spiral stays.  
   
   
       32 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of removable, adjustable half-horseshoe buttress oppositely disposed about the aperture,  
   
   
       33 . The support apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the apparatus is sized to accommodate the needs of a child or an adult.  
   
   
       34 . A unitary adjustable hinged knee support apparatus adapted to accommodate a variety of leg shapes and sizes in association therewith by utilizing adjustable and non-adjustable support sections above and below a user's knee, comprising: 
 an adjustable open upper-support section adapted to receive a thigh region of the user and comprising a first flap and a second flap operable to be opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's thigh region and subsequently adjusted to accommodate the specific size of the user's thigh region;    a non-adjustable, closed lower-support section adapted to slidably receive a calf region of the user with a fixed size therearound;    a plurality of adjustable flexible hinges adapted to be oppositely disposed about a patella; and    the plurality of adjustable flexible hinges comprise an upper, flexible portion operable to position the support apparatus in an anatomically correct manner relative to a knee in association with the adjustment of the first and second flaps of the upper support section and a lower portion permanently secured to the non-adjustable, closed lower-support section of the unitary adjustable hinged knee support apparatus.    
   
   
       35 . The support apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the first flap comprises a hook and pile surface and the second flap comprises a mating hook and pile surface for mated engagement of the first flap to the second flap.  
   
   
       36 . The support apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the support apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a patella so as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user of the support apparatus.  
   
   
       37 . The support apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the upper flexible portion of the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a hook and pile material operable to matingly engage the upper, flexible portion to the adjustable open upper-support section in order to adjust the position of the flexible hinges.  
   
   
       38 . The support apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising a plurality of removable, adjustable half-horseshoe buttress oppositely disposed about the aperture,  
   
   
       39 . The support apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus is sized to accommodate the needs of a child or an adult.  
   
   
       40 . A method of using an adjustable hinged unitary knee support apparatus, comprising: 
 securing a non-adjustable, closed lower section of the support apparatus to a calf region of a user;    securing an adjustable open upper section of the support apparatus to a thigh region of the user; and    adjusting a position of a plurality of adjustable flexible hinges oppositely disposed about a patella, the plurality of adjustable flexible hinges comprise an upper, flexible portion operable to position the support apparatus in an anatomically correct manner relative to a knee of the user.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the adjustable open upper section of the support apparatus comprises a first and a second flap, the first flap including a hook and pile surface and the second flap including a mating hook and pile surface for mated engagement of the first flap and the second flap.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second flaps enable the adjustable open upper section of the support apparatus to be opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's thigh region in order to accommodate the specific size of the user's thigh region.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the upper, flexible portion of the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a hook and pile material operable to matingly engage the upper, flexible portion to the adjustable open upper-support section so as align the medial portion of the plurality of hinges to conform to the contours of a leg.