Elastic brace assembly and methods of use

摘要

Example embodiments of the brace assembly utilize an elastic cross strap attached to mounting facilities about a joint to provide progressive resistance to the extension, flexion or other movement of body parts about the joint. In some embodiments for a knee joint, the brace assembly provides a progressive resisting force to resist hyperextension of the knee. Some embodiments of the assembly may be able to accommodate different joints, different size wearer's of the assembly and different tension settings such as for athletes during competition. Some embodiments of the brace assembly may be used bilaterally and can be made without metal bracing to comply with the requirements of some sports.

主权项

1. An elastic brace assembly comprising:
an elastic cross strap forming an upper mounting facility and a lower mounting facility; the elastic cross strap further forming a cross origin between the upper and lower mounting facilities whereby the cross strap provides a resistance force to an extension of the upper mounting facility and the lower mounting facility from the cross origin when the cross origin is positioned posterior to a user's joint; the elastic cross strap further comprises at least one portion forming a cross strap arm extending from the cross origin to at least one upper anterior resistance point and at least one portion forming a cross strap arm extending from the cross origin to at least one lower anterior resistance point; the upper anterior resistance point comprises a portion of the upper mounting facility and the lower anterior resistance point comprises a portion of the lower mounting facility; the elastic cross strap arms extending from the lower anterior resistance points to the upper anterior resistance points and crossing at the cross origin; the upper mounting facility further comprises an upper portion of a side brace; and the lower mounting facility further comprises a lower portion of the side brace whereby when the upper and lower anterior resistance points are positioned anterior to a thigh and shin of the user respectively and the cross origin is positioned posterior to a knee joint of the user, the elastic cross strap provides the resistance force to the extension.