CPC A61F 5/0125 (2013.01) [A61F 7/02 (2013.01); A61F 2005/0144 (2013.01); A61F 2005/0197 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0041 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0042 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0043 (2013.01); A61F 2007/023 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0226 (2013.01)] | 12 Claims |
1. A knee brace comprising;
a sleeve, said sleeve comprising an elastic material, said sleeve formed to fit on a leg of a wearer, and to extend a distance above the knee and extend a second distance below the knee;
a first stiffening member;
a second stiffening member;
wherein said first stiffening member is coupled to said second stiffening member to crisscross to form an X-shape; and wherein said coupled first and second stiffening members are secured to a medial side of said sleeve, with its crisscrossed x-shape being centered proximate to a knee joint portion of said sleeve;
a third stiffening member;
a fourth stiffening member;
wherein said third stiffening member is coupled to said fourth stiffening member to crisscross to form an X-shape; and wherein said coupled third and fourth stiffening members are secured to a lateral side of said sleeve with its crisscrossed x-shape being positioned centered proximate to said knee joint portion of said sleeve;
a plurality of slits in said sleeve into a corresponding plurality of pockets;
a plurality of thermal packs, with one of said thermal packs received in a respective one of said plurality of pockets;
wherein said thermal packs are triangular shaped; and
wherein said plurality of pockets are each triangular-shaped and respectively sized to receive one of said triangular shaped thermal packs therein in a clearance fit;
wherein said plurality of pockets comprises four of said triangular-shaped pockets, two of said triangular-shaped pockets on said medial side of said sleeve, and two of said triangular-shaped pockets on said lateral side of said sleeve;
wherein said two of said triangular-shaped pockets on said medial side are disposed in a respective triangular shape positioned between said x-shape of said first and second stiffening members; and
wherein said two of said triangular-shaped pockets on said lateral side are disposed in a respective triangular shape positioned between said x-shape of said third and fourth stiffening members.
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