Abstract: A hinged entry footwear for athletic and strenuous physical activity, includes a sole and heel structure, a forward foot casing secured to and above the sole, hinged anterior and posterior support casings extending vertically above the heel and an inflatable brace secured on the footwear including a main bladder portion for supporting the foot directly above the sole and heel and vertical stays disposed between the anterior and posterior casings and the wearer's ankle and lower leg. The central bladder includes an inflatable chamber disposed generally under the foot and the stays each include elongated upwardly extending inflatable chambers. A lateral branch of one of the stays extends across the front of the lower leg between the upper edge of the anterior casing and the lower leg. A manual inflation pump is secured to the lateral branch portion of the one stay and is supported by the anterior casing for inflating the brace to a selected working pressure.

Abstract: A joint support apparatus for wrapping around a joint to protect and support the joint during sports-like or sports-related activities. The main body of the apparatus being made of at least one sheet of flexible resilient material and constructed to urge the knee-joint to maintain a partially flexed position. The apparatus may also include a specially positioned pad to account for natural curvature of the knee-joint to maintain a more balanced support to the joint particularly during extension. Further the apparatus may also include an inflatable bladder.

Abstract: Hinged entry athletic footwear comprising a sole member and a heel member and further comprising a forward foot casing that is secured to and above the sole member to create a foot receiving cavity. The hinged footwear also includes an anterior support casing and a posterior support casing wherein the anterior support casing and the posterior support casing are generally complementary frustoconicals that rise above the heel member. A fastener is provided on the footwear for jointly fastening the anterior support casing and the posterior support casing to the forward foot casing so the anterior support casing and posterior support casing pivot forward and rearward about the fastener. Additionally, the footwear secures the anterior and posterior support casings to a wearer's ankle and lower leg.

Abstract: A joint support apparatus for wrapping around a joint to protect and support the joint during sports-like or sports-related activities. The main body of the apparatus being made of at least one sheet of flexible resilient material and constructed to urge the knee-joint to maintain a partially flexed position. The apparatus may also include a specially positioned pad to account for natural curvature of the knee-joint to maintain a more balanced support to the joint particularly during extension. Further the apparatus may also include an inflatable bladder.