Orthopedic aid

Abstract

An orthopedic aid formed by shin shell positioned upon an underlying pad which extends beyond the shell to the knee joint and an anti-slip member is positioned upon the shell which is held in place on the shin.

1 . A method of producing a protective appliance comprising, in combination: a generally rigid shell including a concave interior and a convex exterior, and means for connecting said shell on the shim below the knee joint. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including a pad on the concave interior of said shell with said pad configured to extend to the knee joint when said shell is connected on the shim below said knee joint. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further including a skid-resistant cover on the convex exterior of said shell which is configured to fit on the shin below the knee joint 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said cover extends within the outer periphery of said shell. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a side strap is attached to said shell. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further including an attachment member comprising a flexible strap having a left hand section and a right hand section, which sections can overlap whereby when said shell is attached to the leg of an individual, the flexible strap remains disposed behind said shell and its attached pad assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the left hand strap section and right hand strap section are generally straight strap sections respectively joinable together. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said shell is oval-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cover is oval shaped and overlies said shell. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pad is oval shaped with the combination of said shell and cover asymmetrically disposed on said pad. 
     
     
         11 . A method of protecting a knee which comprises the steps of:
 (a) applying a generally rigid shell including a concave interior and a convex exterior on the fibula portion of the leg   (b) positioning said shell at the front of the fibula below the patella, thereby to permit a person to kneel on the fibula without injury or pain to the patella.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of kneeling on the fibula with said shell in place. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of employing a skid-resistant cover on said convex exterior. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of employing a pad on said concave interior. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of positioning said pad asymmetrically under said rigid shell. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of fastening said shell to said fibula by straps 
     
     
         17 . The method of manufacturing a protective appliance, which comprises the steps of
 (a) providing and oval shell having a concave interior for engaging the fibula portion of a leg and a convex exterior; and   (b) attaching means for securing said shell to the fibula portion of said leg   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including the steps of:
 (a) attaching a skid-resistant, elastomeric cover to said convex exterior; and 
 (b) attaching a pad to said concave interior. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further including the steps of asymmetrically positioning said shell on a pad with Velcro™ straps, and providing said shell with a non-skid cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further including the step of positioning said pad under said shell to have a bill portion that extends beyond the patella when said shell is positioned on said fibula.