Device for protecting the knee joint with a strap

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for protecting a user's knee joint, the device being for installing on a sports boot ( 2 ) and being characterized in that it comprises a shell ( 10 ) provided with an inside surface suitable for covering at least in part an anterior portion of the user's leg, the shell ( 10 ) having a top portion ( 11 ) for situating at knee level and a bottom portion ( 12 ) including connection means suitable for connecting the shell ( 10 ) to the sports boot ( 2 ), the top portion including side cheeks suitable for being put into contact with the knee on either side of the knee, and coming into contact at least with the condyles of the user's femur, at least one strap ( 3 ) for attaching around a zone of the leg and attachment means for attaching the strap ( 3 ) to the inside surface of the shell ( 10 ).

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for protecting the knee joint of a user, the device being for installing on a ski boot, said device comprising:
 a single rigid shell having an inside surface suitable for covering at least in part an anterior portion of the user's leg, the shell having a top portion for being situated level with the knee and a bottom portion including connection means suitable for connecting the bottom portion of the shell to the ski boot, the top portion including side cheeks suitable for extending over side faces of the knee and at least facing the condyles of the user's femur;   spacers pressed against the inside faces of said cheeks and presenting bearing surfaces suitable for fitting closely in part at least to the shapes of the sides of the knee at the level of the condyles so as to block forward movement in translation of the knee relative to the shell and so as to block movement in rotation of the knee relative to the shell, without hindering flexion movements of the lower limb;   at least a first strap for attaching around a zone of the top portion of the leg below the knee at the top portion of the calf; and   attachment means for attaching said first strap to the surface of the shell, including at least one intermediate piece having at least a first portion that is fastened to the inside surface of the shell and having at least one second portion that is fastened to the portion of the first strap, said attachment means allowing the inside surface of said shell to be spaced apart from the front portion of the leg at the level of an attachment zone; and   said first strap, on its own or in combination with said attachment means, being suitable for surrounding and for being in contact with the leg over the entire periphery of its section.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , comprising a single said first strap for attaching around the top portion of the calf, immediately below the knee joint. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said intermediate piece enables spacing between the front portion of the leg and the inside surface of the shell, at the level of said attachment zone, to be adjusted in the range 3 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said attachment means is fastened to at least one attachment zone of the inside surface of the shell, said attachment means being arranged symmetrically about the middle of the width section of the shell. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein said attachment means includes at least a single intermediate piece having its central portion fastened to a single attachment zone of the inside surface of the shell, substantially in the middle of the section of the shell, with its two side portions having ends arranged on either side of said central portion substantially symmetrically about said connection zone being fastened to the portion of the first strap that is suitable for coming into contact with the front portion of the tibia. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein said first strap and said intermediate piece comprise a piece of flexible material, constituted from a flexible strip of non-stretch textile material. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said first strap includes at least a first portion situated facing the inside surface of the shell and suitable for coming into contact against the anterior portion of the leg, and at least one second portion extending beyond the first portion, the width of the first portion being greater than the width of the second portion. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the face of the first strap that is to be exposed to contact with the leg includes a covering of flexible material, of cellular material type or of gel type. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said first strap has two strands that are distinct or in continuity with each other at a first end of each strand, the two strands being suitable for extending at least over two respective sides of the leg and each having a said first end fastened to said attachment means, the second free ends of the two strands being suitable for joining together over the posterior portion of the leg. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein said first strap includes a buckle frame of flexible material at the free end of one of the strands and/or a Velcro type self-adhesive system configured to secure the free end of the other strand on the posterior portion of the leg, said frame preferably being an orifice incorporated in the end of a first strand that is greater in width than the end of the second strand, which second strand is suitable for passing through said frame. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said spacers are spacers molded to have embossed shapes complementary to the shapes of the side faces of the knee at the level of the condyles. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said boot includes a cuff, and said connection means is suitable for securing the bottom portion of the shell to the cuff portion of the boot covered by the bottom portion of the shell in such a manner as to limit rotation of the shell relative to the boot about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis ZZ′ of the shell and/or of the cuff. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 27 , wherein said connection means comprises a first connection means, suitable for being fastened to the cuff of the boot, and a second connection means complementary to the first connection means of the cuff, for securing with the cuff of the boot, said connection means preferably comprising at least one second strap and/or at least one third strap fastened to or suitable for being fastened to said shell and/or fastened to or suitable for being fastened to said cuff. 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 28 , wherein said first and second connection means include at least one non-stretch second strap comprising two strands fastened to or suitable for being fastened in removable manner to either side on the rear of the cuff, and two strands of two third straps fastened to or suitable for being fastened in removable manner to each side of the shell in its bottom portion, said strands of said second third straps including complementary reversible connection means at their free ends suitable for reversibly securing the free ends of the strands of the second straps with the free ends of the strands of the third straps, securing the bottom portion of the shell to the cuff of the boot thus preventing the shell from moving in rotation relative to the boot about an axis substantially parallel to the axis (ZZ′) of the shell or of the cuff of the boot after said second and/or third straps have been tightened by the skier. 
     
     
         30 . Sports equipment comprising a sports boot including said first connection means and a protection device according to  claim 28  having said second connection means.