Knee support

Abstract

A knee support comprising a supportive pad enclosed in a fabric cover, configured to the user through the use of fasteners. The knee support is compressible and flexible so that it conforms to the shape of the anatomical area just below the knee and to the shin, can be easily worn over or under clothing, and does not interfere with the poses and exercise routines of floor or hard surface exercises. The knee support can be pulled up over the kneecap, or partially over the kneecap, when needed without having to release the fastener. A behind-the-knee pad, which can be used by itself or in combination with the knee support, is also disclosed. A method for supporting the knee when the user is engaging in floor, mat or other hard surface exercises, and a method for preventing hyperextension of the knee, is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knee support comprising:
 a supportive pad enclosed in a fabric cover, the supportive pad comprising:
 length and width, each substantially greater than thickness; 
   a fastener extending from the fabric cover and configured to encircle the leg with the top of the knee support below the knee and the pad supporting the leg shin;   the knee support being movable from below the knee to a position covering the knee without releasing the fastener; and   the supportive pad being conformable to the shape of the leg both below the knee and when covering the knee.   
     
     
         2 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the supportive pad is constructed of a compressible material having a compressibility between 14 kPa and 103 kPa (2 psi and 15 psi). 
     
     
         3 . The knee support of  claim 2 , wherein the supportive pad comprises:
 a length between 75 mm and 300 mm;   a width between 75 mm and 230 mm; and   a thickness between 5 mm and 30 mm.   
     
     
         4 . The knee support of  claim 2 , wherein the supportive pad comprises:
 a length between 110 mm and 250 mm;   a width between 90 mm and 210 mm;   a thickness between 9 mm and 26 mm; and   a compressibility between 14 kPa and 55 kPa (2 psi and 8 psi).   
     
     
         5 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the supportive pad comprises a concave top. 
     
     
         6 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the supportive pad comprises length and width, each at least three times greater than the thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the supportive pad comprises an extended length between the top and bottom greater than the width. 
     
     
         8 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover contains a pocket configured to receive the supportive pad. 
     
     
         9 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover contains a pocket configured to receive an additional supportive pad. 
     
     
         10 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover is constructed of a temperature-regulating material, or a temperature-regulating material is attached to the fabric cover. 
     
     
         11 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover is constructed of a sweat-wicking material, or a sweat-wicking material is attached to the fabric cover. 
     
     
         12 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises fabric extensions of the fabric cover to be tied around the leg and secured below the knee of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a self-engaging fastening device. 
     
     
         14 . The knee support of  claim 13 , wherein the self-engaging fastening device is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover comprises an elastic material, the fabric cover extending below and laterally from the knee pad to form a sock-like sleeve that encircles the leg and fastens to the leg by the tension of the elastic fabric cover. 
     
     
         16 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a leg warmer. 
     
     
         17 . The knee support of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover comprises a thickness between 1 mm and 6 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The knee support of  claim 1 , in combination with a behind-the-knee pad configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the knee, opposite the knee support. 
     
     
         19 . The knee support in combination with the behind-the-knee pad of  claim 18 , wherein the behind-the-knee pad comprises an additional supportive pad enclosed in an additional fabric cover, and the additional fabric cover is equipped with an additional fastener configured to encircle the leg. 
     
     
         20 . The knee support in combination with the behind-the-knee pad of  claim 19 , wherein the additional fastener comprises fabric extensions of the additional fabric cover to be tied around the leg and secured below the knee of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The knee support in combination with the behind-the-knee pad of  claim 19 , wherein the additional fastener comprises a self-engaging fastening device. 
     
     
         22 . The knee support in combination with the behind-the-knee pad of  claim 21 , wherein the self-engaging fastening device is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         23 . A knee support comprising:
 a supportive pad enclosed in a fabric cover, the supportive pad comprising:
 a length between 75 mm and 300 mm; 
 a width between 75 mm and 230 mm; 
 a thickness between 5 mm and 30 mm; 
 a compressibility between 14 kPa and 103 kPa (2 psi and 15 psi); and 
   a fastener extending from the fabric cover and configured to encircle a leg and to fasten the knee support to the user below the knee with the pad supporting the leg shin.   
     
     
         24 . A method of providing support to a knee while engaging in floor or hard surface exercises, the method comprising:
 providing a supportive pad configured to the user below the knee, the supportive pad comprising:
 a length and width substantially greater than the thickness; 
   a fastener extending from the fabric cover and configured to encircle the leg with the top of the knee support below the knee and the pad supporting the leg shin;   moving the supportive pad from below the knee to a position covering the knee without releasing the fastener;   the supportive pad conforming to the shape of the leg both below the knee and when covering the knee.   
     
     
         25 . A method of providing support to a knee while engaging in floor or hard surface exercises, the method comprising:
 providing a supportive pad configured to the user below the knee, the supportive pad comprising:
 a length between 75 mm and 300 mm; 
 a width between 75 mm and 230 mm; 
 a thickness between 5 mm and 30 mm; and 
 a compressibility between 14 kPa and 103 kPa (2 psi and 15 psi). 
   supporting the knee such that the patellar tendon does not come in contact with the floor.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the method of providing support to a knee further comprises:
 providing a behind-the-knee pad configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the knee, opposite of the knee support; and   supporting the back of the knee to prevent hyperextension of the knee joint.   
     
     
         27 . A method of providing support to a knee while extending a leg and engaging in floor or hard surface exercises, the method comprising:
 providing a supportive pad configured to the user on the posterior side of the knee, the supportive pad comprising a thermal pad; and   supporting the back of the knee to prevent hyperextension of the knee joint.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the thermal pad is a heat pack. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the thermal pad is a cold pack. 
     
     
         30 . A kit comprising:
 a supportive pad;   a thermal pad;   a fabric cover with a pocket configured to interchangeably receive each of the supportive pad and the thermal pad; and   a fastener extending from the fabric cover and configured to encircle the leg with the fabric cover with the supportive pad or thermal pad below the knee.   
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 30 , wherein the thermal pad is an ice pack. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 30 , wherein the thermal pad is a heat pack. 
     
     
         33 . A method comprising:
 providing a fabric cover with a pocket configured to interchangeably receive each of a supportive pad and a thermal pad;   configuring the fabric cover and the supportive pad to the user below the knee while engaging in floor or hard surface exercises;   interchanging pads and configuring the fabric cover and the thermal pad to the knee of the user for thermal treatment after exercise.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the thermal pad is an ice pack. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the thermal pad is a heat pack. 
     
     
         36 . A knee support comprising:
 a supportive pad, the supportive pad comprising:
 length and width, each substantially greater than thickness; 
   a fastener extending from the supportive pad and configured to encircle the leg with the top of the knee support below the knee and the pad supporting the leg shin;   the knee support being movable from below the knee to a position covering the knee without releasing the fastener; and   the supportive pad being conformable to the shape of the leg both below the knee and when covering the knee.