Abstract: A cervical collar for circumferential placement around the neck of a wearer in order to form a relatively rigid structure around the neck that is capable of bending circumferentially around the neck for a close fit thereon. A soft base is in confronting relationship to the neck. A splint assembly is fixed to the outer surface of the base and includes a plurality of parallel spaced apart upright splints that are uniformly distributed around the neck when the collar is installed thereon. The splints are separated by an expanse of material which forms a hinge. The hinge permits bending of the collar around the neck while holding the splints in place. Ventilation openings can be located in the spacing between adjacent splints in order to provide ventilation to the neck, facilitate bending of the collar about the neck, and to lessen the weight thereof.

Abstract: A knee brace including a tubular sleeve to encompass the knee region. An upper strap assembly includes first and second support straps that are fixed above the knee to sides of the sleeve. The free ends are fixed together and are extendable to a location beneath the knee to straddle the kneecap intension. A cymmetrical lower strap assembly has a pair of support straps fixed at one end to opposite sides of the sleeve at a location below the knee. The free ends are fixed together and are extendable to a location above the knee to also straddle the kneecap intension and tend to hold it in place during rigorous activity. Cross straps extend laterally from the point of fixation of the support straps.

Abstract: An ankle brace for providing generalized support to the ankle has a base and a tongue assembly that is separate from the base and is connected to the base in encompassing relationship to the ankle by a lace. The base has forward lateral and medial edges that straddle the foot and ankle, each edge having a row of lace eyelets. The tongue assembly has a wrap that fits over the front and the forward side portions of the foot and ankle, and a frontal member that overlies the front superior foot portion. The frontal member has lateral and medial edges that are situated close to the lateral and medial edges of the base, each edge also having a row of lace eyelets. A single lace has a lateral segment that is alternately trained through the lateral eyelets of the frontal tongue member and the lateral edge of the base, and a medial segment that is alternately trained through eyelets on the medial edge of the frontal tongue member and the medial edge of the base.