Abstract: An extra-light orthosis includes a woven elastic fabric sleeve, shaped to exert compression forces on a member on either side of and on a joint, and a plate fixed onto an inner face of the sleeve to come into direct contact with the skin on the joint, the plate including an elastic fabric layer onto which a layer of polymer gel is adhered, an annular part shaped to surround the top of a joint protruding area, and a tab extending from an outer edge of the annular part, in an axial direction of the sleeve, the plate adhering to the skin such that, under the effect of the compression forces exerted by the sleeve, when the sleeve is longitudinally stretched, the plate remains stretched and applies tensile forces locally to the skin parallel to the surface of the skin, toward the center of the annular part and of the joint.

Abstract: A physical therapy system includes a rehabilitation device with a limb supporting plate configured to support a limb of a patient, a fastener securing the limb to a first surface of the plate, and a plurality of sliding or rolling elements attached to a second surface of the plate. The rolling/sliding elements may facilitate movement of the plate without directional bias. A deployment surface includes a substantially flat surface configured so the limb rehabilitation device may roll or slide over the flat surface, first and second raised edges attached the flat surface, and a measuring scale to facilitate measurement of the range of motion of the limb rehabilitation device over the deployment surface. The first raised edge and the second raised edge are configured to confine motion of the limb rehabilitation device over the deployment surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a garment for use by a wearer positioned on a ground surface. The garment comprises pants, a plurality of left pant patches, and a plurality of right pant patches. The pants have a left pant half and a right pant half. Each of the plurality of left pant patches overlies a respective portion of the left pant half, is elongate, and is characterized by a coefficient of static friction with the ground surface greater than that for the respective portion of the left pant half underlying it. Moreover, each of the plurality of right pant patches overlies a respective portion of the right pant half, is elongate, and is also characterized by a coefficient of static friction with the ground surface greater than that for the respective portion of the right pant half underlying it.

Abstract: Leg braces configured to assist in straightening of a user's leg are shown and described. Each of the leg braces includes an anterior brace configured to be braced against an anterior portion of the leg proximal to the knee joint, having a selectively expandable and contractible bladder and an anterior brace attachment mechanism for attaching the anterior brace to a posterior brace. In some examples, each of the leg braces further includes the posterior brace configured to be braced against a posterior portion of the leg, the posterior brace having a rigid elongate base, an upper posterior brace attachment mechanism, and a lower posterior brace attachment mechanism for attaching the posterior brace to the leg below the knee joint.

Abstract: The baby garment with multiple interchangeable themed knee pads is adapted for use with infants. Specifically, the baby garment with multiple interchangeable themed knee pads is a pair of pants intended for infants wherein non-skid knee pads are attached to the pants such that the knee pads will rest between the knee of the infant and the surface upon which the infant is crawling. The knee pads of the baby garment with multiple interchangeable themed knee pads are removable and replaceable. A plurality of knee pads are provided for esthetics purposes. The baby garment with multiple interchangeable themed knee pads comprises pants, a plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and a plurality of knee pads.

Abstract: An article of apparel for a human being, designed or arranged to be worn around an appendage such as an arm or leg, and designed or intended to resist impact. The article contains a material in the form of a spongy, elastic polymer engineered to absorb energy, shock, vibration and impact. The article of apparel can be used to protect hard, bony areas of the human body such as elbows, knees and ankles. The article will be of use to persons engaged in sports involving bats, sticks, mallets, pucks and hard balls, as well as to cyclists, and anyone whose occupation requires the knees or elbows to come into contact with hard surfaces.

Abstract: An elbow brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the elbow. The elbow brace includes a base and a tension member. The base is comprised of elastic material and configured to closely fit around the elbow. A tension member having upper and lower pairs of tensioning straps is fastened to the interior surface of the base, with the tensioning straps extending through upper and lower apertures in the base for detachable attachment to the exterior surface of the base. The tension member may include an anchor portion made of material that stretches in multiple directions, and strap portions that stretch primarily lengthwise.

Abstract: A reconfigurable knee brace which is particularly suitable for cold therapy. The brace includes a large wrap which fits over the front of the leg and wraps around the knee. Two or more securing straps are provided to hold the wrap in place. Once in position, an internal air bladder can be inflated to secure the fit. The user inflates the air bladder using an included squeeze pump and selectively deflates the bladder using a release button. One or more removable stays are positioned on the left and right lateral sides of the knee. When the stays are in position, the knee is held in place and cannot flex or extend. However, the stays are made removable. Once the stays are removed, the knee is able to flex and extend (though it is still stabilized by the encircling wrap).

Abstract: A knee protection device includes congruently joined outer and inner cover members having cooperatively disposed arcuate configured portions disposed to minimize engagement between strap portions of the outer and inner cover members with a back portion of a knee portion of a leg of a person using the device. The device further includes an outer pad member fabricated from relatively pliable material and disposed adjacent to the outer cover member, and an inner pad member fabricated from relatively more pliable material than the outer pad member and disposed between the outer pad member and the inner cover member. The positions of the outer and inner pad members, relative to the outer and inner cover members, are maintained by thread inserted through the outer and inner cover members and adjacent to the pad members after the pad members have been centrally disposed between the cover members.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cart for reducing and alleviating ergonomic stresses on the musculoskeletal system of workers in a variety of building trades, including tile setting and grouting, concrete staining, wood floor refinishing, finish carpentry, electrical finishing, plumbing, and others, that require workers to spend extended periods of the working day in compromising and unsupported kneeling positions. The cart is designed to distribute forces along the shinbone of the worker and redirect them from the back, pelvis, keens, ankles and other joints. A further advantage of the cart is the ability to maneuver around the work surface using pivoting shin supports and without the need for repeated standing and kneeling.

Abstract: An article of apparel for a human being, designed or arranged to be worn around an appendage such as an arm or leg, and designed or intended to resist impact. The article contains a material in the form of a spongy, elastic polymer engineered to absorb energy, shock, vibration and impact. The article of apparel can be used to protect hard, bony areas of the human body such as elbows, knees and ankles. The article will be of use to persons engaged in sports involving bats, sticks, mallets, pucks and hard balls, as well as to cyclists, and anyone whose occupation requires the knees or elbows to come into contact with hard surfaces.

Abstract: A non-encircling comfort pad system that allows the user to selectively attach a pad to and detach the pad from the article of clothing is disclosed. The non-encircling comfort pad system includes a pad having a pad fastener part and a mount fastener part that is attached to the article of clothing. The pad fastener part is configured to engage the mount fastener part such that the pad is held to the article of clothing without requiring any encirclement of the protected body part.

Abstract: 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. Some embodiments of the mounting facilities may have through holes.

Abstract: A medical aid for supporting the function of the knee joint, in particular a knee joint orthosis with a pad engaging around the patella of the knee joint. An improved patellar pad has the additional function of supporting movement and has additional preventive/therapeutic functions.

Abstract: A weight-displacing knee pad is disclosed that includes a knee body having an inner member substantially enclosed an outer cushion member. The outer cushion member includes an exterior surface defining a knee-receiving cavity and a shin-receiving surface and at least a portion of the inner member includes a shin-support body disposed beneath the shin-receiving surface. At least a portion of the shin-support body has a triangular cross-section with an apex extending upwardly toward the shin-receiving surface. The inner member is made of a different material than the outer cushion member. The weight-displacing knee pad also includes a forward knee-movement barrier with a forward knee-barrier support body defined by at least a portion of the inner member.

Abstract: An extremity supporting exercise system is described. The system includes two knee sliders and two hand sliders. Each knee slider includes a knee pad and a knee base. The knee pad includes a recessed portion that is adapted to receive a user's knee. A patella support is disposed within the knee portion to support the user's patella when using the knee slider. Alternatively, each hand slider includes a hand pad and a hand base. The hand pad includes a series of linger indentations that are flanked by thumb receptacles. Importantly, the knee base and hand base are formed of a rigid and slippery material to allow the sliders to easily slide across a ground surface. Thus, through use of the exercise system, a user can support their hands and knees while sliding the hands and knees across a ground surface to perform a variety of exercises.

Abstract: Various embodiments of garments for use in conjunction with knee pads are disclosed. In one embodiment, the knee pads can be integrated into the garment. The garment can include leg gathering devices for positioning the knee pads over the knees of the wearer when the knee pads are needed. Releasing the leg gathering devices, on the other hand, allows the pants to drape normally. In an alternative embodiment, a knee pad can be provided that can be releasably attached to a garment. In this embodiment, the garment can include a plurality of engaging devices for attachment to the knee pad. The engaging devices can be positioned at different heights for allowing vertical adjustability.

Abstract: A method or system comprising iteratively updating a value of an operating parameter of a storage region of a storage device based on dynamic characterization of the storage region during operation of the storage device and using the updated value of the operating parameter during access to the storage region.

Abstract: A knee pad includes a double layer elastic fabric tube which is proportioned to cover the knee region of a child and a pattern of rubber-like miniature pads located on the outer surface of the fabric tube. The elastic fabric tube includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner surfaces of both of the layers include cloth loops which are disposed in a facing relationship with each other allowing the outer and inner layers to slide relative to one another.

Abstract: An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes a rigid frame and a flexible subshell connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the rigid frame. The subshell may have a shell body and a perimeter edge portion defining a lip extending outwardly from a surface of a shell body and defining a clearance between the shell body and the lip. The subshell may include a plurality of slots and ventilated padding is used in combination with the slots. A tightenable fastener may be adjustably secured to the rigid frame and extend through an opening on the subshell, wherein the first side portion of the subshell is adjustable in location relative to the rigid frame.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam, a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam, and a polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material are disclosed and described herein. The materials are formed in the presence of a polymerization reaction initiator (an isoprenoid compound), and a polymerization reaction accelerator. The polyurethane foam is formed from an isocyanate and a polyol. The polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material comprises the polyurethane foam which is cross-linked to the polyurethane backbone to a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam. Optional gelling agents, emulsification control agents, reinforcement fillers, cross-linkers, reinforcement polymers, rubber reinforcers, silk proteins, emollients, stabilizers and colorants are also described. The polyurethane and polyurethane-polyorganosiloxane foam materials exhibit a high degree of flexibility, resilience and excellent impact absorption.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lower leg supporting and knee protecting device (1) which is intended to be connected to a user's (2) legs (3) and be used in connection with kneeling work and the like. The lower leg supporting and knee protecting device (1) includes at least one underlay supporting element (6), at least one padding (7) and at least one connection device (8). Unique to the present lower leg supporting and knee protecting device (1) is that the underlay supporting element (6) includes at least one contact surface (11) which allows the device to be used in a first operational mode and that a second contact surface (12) allows the device to be used in a second operational mode.

Abstract: An embodiment of a leg protector of the present disclosure includes an upper thigh pad that is structurally attached to an upper bracing shell including lateral and medial uprights. The upper shell and thigh pad can be held to the player via a strap and/or garment. The uprights extend to uni- or polycentric hinges arranged on, and in one embodiment biased against, either side of the player's knee. A connecting member extends in a frontward direction from each hinge and attaches to a patella pad held in place over the player's knee. The patella pad may additionally be connected to the thigh pad via one or more connecting strip. Each hinge is also connected to a lower bracing shell, which includes lateral and medial uprights that extend down and around the player's lower leg, anteriorly or posteriorly. The lower shell can also be fitted via a strap or garment.

Abstract: A protective athletic garment that provides cushioning effect to areas of wearer's body and shock absorbing capability, while keeping resistance to impact and collision during activities. The garment comprises an article of clothing which covers a portion of a wearer's body and a protective element attached into areas susceptible to injury. The protective element is preferably formed of a base layer of polyurethane shock absorbent foam and a top layer of thermoplastic polyurethane foil including flex zones and raised elements to provide high abrasion resistance and low friction sliding ability during falls. The protective element comprises ventilation holes and a plurality of grooves to stitch the protective element to the garment to create any style of garment. The protective element can be used for different portions of the wearer's body by varying the shape and/or size of the protective element to accommodate a variety of human body portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee pad and a knee pad assembly. A pad for cushioning the knee when kneeling on a surface comprises structure defining longitudinal first passageways with their longitudinal axes arranged to be positioned, in use, so that they intersect with the surface being knelt on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protecting a user's knee joint, the device being for installing on a sports boot (2) and being characterized in that it comprises a shell (10) provided with an inside surface suitable for covering at least in part an anterior portion of the user's leg, the shell (10) having a top portion (11) for situating at knee level and a bottom portion (12) including connection means suitable for connecting the shell (10) to the sports boot (2), the top portion including side cheeks suitable for being put into contact with the knee on either side of the knee, and coming into contact at least with the condyles of the user's femur, at least one strap (3) for attaching around a zone of the leg and attachment means for attaching the strap (3) to the inside surface of the shell (10).

Abstract: A protective knee band having a tube-shaped band with protective front knee area. The tube shaped band can be a multi-layer band with elastic bands on each end. The protective front knee area can include an additional cushion layer and a flexible rubberized pad. The protective knee band allows the skin under the band to breathe while protecting the knee. The band also can easily be pushed down the leg from the knee to the ankle when not required and then pulled back up to the knee when required.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pair of pants with pockets for holding various types of knee pads therein. Each of the pockets is positioned on the knee portions of the pants so that it is directly positioned over the wearer's knees when the wearer is wearing the pants. The side edges and the bottom edge of the pockets are stitched to the pants, leaving the top edge open. The pocket further includes a pocket flap that spans the top edge thereof. The upper portion of the pocket and the flap comprise fasteners that can engage so as to close the pocket and prevent the knee pad from escaping the pocket. In one embodiment, the interior of the pockets include a waterproof lining, so as to prevent the knee pad from coming into contact with moisture.

Abstract: A membrane serves as the base layer for a knee pad, with a rigid shell being connected to an exterior surface of the membrane and a combination of elastic webbing and a padded layer being connected to an interior surface of the membrane. A user places there knee in the central portion, with their weight causes the elastic webbing to contract and pull a first form fitting brace and second form fitting brace about the sides of the user's knee. The elastic webbing further serves to help suspend the user's knee above the rigid shell. The form fitting nature of the present invention, which adheres to the contours of the user's knee, allows it to remain in place whether the user is kneeling or standing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer lining fabric comprising at least two warp-knitted fabric layers of at least one polymer thread material having a weight of ?100 g/m2. The number of weft threads per centimeter of length is larger than the number of warp threads per centimeter of width of the fabric layers and, in the plane of the layers of the fabric, the direction of warp threads of one layer is twisted with respect to the direction of warp threads of an adjacent layer by an angle ? of at least 20°. Clothing comprising the multilayer lining fabric is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gun stock retainer, a gun rest operable to mount on a human knee, and an inclined seat pad may be used separately or included in a single garment (e.g., a hunting vest). The gun stock retainer includes an opening in a base material and a retaining strap including a nonslip material operable to engage the stock and pull the stock into the base material and the opening. The gun rest includes a knee cup shaped to conform to a front of a wearer's knee, a knee strap to hold the knee cup to the wearer's knee, and a cradle attached to the knee cup and sized to receive a fore-end of a gun. The inclined seat pad is generally wedge-shaped and is attached or releasably attached to a back portion of fabric of the garment via a hinge.

Abstract: A gel cushion, such as may be incorporated in a knee pad or other body-worn pad, that avoids undue accumulation of heat within the cushion, and that provides a stable and comfortable resting surface for at least a portion of a user's body. The cushion may further provide decreasing incremental compression in response to incrementally increasing loads, whereby users of different weights may be comfortably supported thereon.

Abstract: A protective shell has a proper size, shape, and thickness to cover and attach to an anatomical joint or part. The protective shell is made of a material that is rigid, and that is partially or entirely transparent or semitransparent. The protective shell has an exterior face and an interior face, allowing for the application of graphics to be placed upon the interior face while viewing the graphics from the exterior face and protecting the graphic from being scraped off as a result of friction from a ground surface or with a collision from another object. The frontal external face is concave in shape to be less exposed to the ground plane and being scraped than the rest of the external faces of the shell while allowing the graphic that is placed upon the interior face to be viewed more clearly from the front of the exterior face.

Abstract: A user wearable article of protective equipment for protecting a portion of a body of the user. The article of protective equipment generally conforms to the portion of the body of the user to be protected when worn by the user. The article of protective equipment comprises: (i) an energy absorbent core, the core having a body-facing side and an opposing non-body-facing side, the core comprising a polymeric foam; and (ii) an outer shell generally covering the nonbody-facing side of the core, the outer shell being deformable during the use of the article of protective equipment by the user.

Abstract: Lightweight and flexible personal protective padding systems for the protection of joints, bones and muscles, where one embodiment includes a hard outer shell structure as shielding, a gas filled compartment or bladder to stabilize the system and absorb and disperse impact energy and/or a web structure suspended across opposed peripheral edges of the outer shell and between the shell and user's body to absorb energy and to provide ventilation. Hybrid structures include both the bladder and web structure.

Abstract: The orthopedic support garment includes a garment body made of stretchable fabric and configured to be worn in a form-fitting manner on the upper body of a wearer. The garment body has a front body portion, a rear body portion joined to the front body portion, and right and left sleeve portions attached to the front and rear body portions. Also provided is at least one tensor band laid out along one of the front and rear body portions in a manner intended to substantially correspond to at least one of the fascial lines extending along the upper body of the wearer. When the garment is worn by the wearer, the at least one tensor band may be placed in tension so as to provide proprioceptive feedback to the wearer during movement.

Abstract: A joint protector for protecting a human user's knee or elbow from injury is provided with an internally hollowed body formed of a shock absorbing foam material; two opposite sleeves formed of fabric and sewn to a periphery of the body; two flexible inner tubes disposed in the sleeves respectively; and a plurality of plastic cords disposed in each inner tube. The joint protector can increase resistance to slip when it is worn on the knee or the elbow.

Abstract: A knee pad provided for engagement to a user in an as-worn position with an interior surface surrounding the front of the user's knee. A plurality of projections extend from the body and are made of compressible material to provide a cushioned support to the knees of the user during use.

Abstract: A comfort guard apparatus and method of use comprises a compartmentalized chamber positioned adjacent to protective equipment such as shin guards, chest protectors, and helmets. In one embodiment, the apparatus is interchangeable and removably positioned between the user and the protective equipment. In another embodiment, the apparatus is built in to the protective equipment including clothing such as shirts and pants. The apparatus can be replaced with a freshly cooled or warmed version during use. The apparatus conforms to the body of the user, keep the chamber in contact with a greater surface area, and prevent the contents of the compartments from gravitating towards edges. Adjacent compartments can be separated by a breakable membrane or contain breakable packets. The apparatus cushions the user from abrupt edges of the protective equipment. The apparatus, positioned against the body of the wearer, regulates the wearer's body temperature which contributes to enhanced athletic performance.

Abstract: A knee pad holding mechanism for holding a knee pad over the knee region of a pantleg having a first length of fabric material and a second length of fabric material operatively secured together to form a pocket, the pocket being sized and shaped to receive a knee pad and having at least one opening located along each of the outside edges of the pocket for receiving a strap associated with the knee pad. In one embodiment, the first length of fabric material can be secured directly to the knee region of a pantleg wherein the pantleg forms the second length of fabric material. Other embodiments include using a loop, eyelet, slits or an additional section of fabric having a slit associated therewith for receiving a strap associated with the knee pad. The present mechanism is also adaptable for use to receive an elbow pad.

Abstract: A garment having a piece of clothing with a plurality of pad segments located proximate a backside of a wearer's body, including at least one joint region, for protecting the wearer by dissipating energy resulting from a sudden impact. The pad segments arranged with respect to the interior radius of the joint region such that an interstitial space located between each adjacent pad segment becomes narrower moving a protruding portion of each adjacent pad segment closer together, and in some instances such that the adjacent protruding portions touch one another, when the joint region moves from an extended position to a flexed position. The garment with energy dissipating pad segments may be used alone or in conjunction with pads that shield energy.

Abstract: A sports pad is provided including an outer shell defining a pocket and a pad received and held in the pocket. A three dimensional image element is captured between said outer shell and the front face of the pad. That image element projects an image outline through the outer shell to enhance the uniform of the player wearing the sports pad.

Abstract: A knee pad system includes a knee pad attached to a base that includes integrated roller balls on its exterior surface. The roller balls can roll within the base and facilitate movement of the knee pad over a flat surface when worn by a user. The improved knee pad system can include a locking mechanism selectively preventing the roller balls from moving within said base. The knee pad of the improved knee pad system can be selectively detached from and reattached to the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment (10) for motorcyclists which comprises a pair of trousers (20), having a belt portion (30), at least one adjusting insert (70) and at least one protective element (40) which is removably applied to the knee portion of the garment (10). Said at least one protective element (40) is removably housed in a pocket (50) arranged in the garment (10). The garment (10) is also provided at the bottom portion of said pair of trousers (20) with fixing means (60) suitable for defining a plurality of height positions h1, h2 with reference to the belt portion (30) of the garment (10). According to the invention, said at least one adjusting insert (70) is suitable for being removably fixed to the fixing means (60) in order to adjust the length L, L+?L1, L+?L2 of the trousers (20).

Abstract: An article of apparel may include a garment component and a pad component. A pair of linear regions of the pad component may be secured to the garment, and a region of the pad component between the linear regions may be unsecured to the component. The pair of linear regions may be positioned at spaced and separate edge areas of the pad component. A central area of the pad component may be at least partially spaced from the garment component when the garment component is substantially unstretched.

Abstract: An adjustable kneepad support that is a brace formed by a pair of elongated, flexible, overlapping thin beam members that are movable relative to each other for lengthwise adjustment. Flexing of the beam members allows operation of a flex-latch that can release a fixed position of the beam members to allow sliding of the members to a newly adjusted lengthwise position.

Abstract: A ski boot (1) includes an inner boot (1.1) that is designed to accommodate the skier's foot and a leading shell (1.2) that surrounds the inner boot (1.1), making it possible to hold the skier's ankle in place. This boot (1) also includes a calf support (3) attached to the shell (1.2) that is designed to accommodate the skier's calf, and a thigh support (5) that forms an angle (?) with the calf support (3) that is designed to accommodate the skier's thigh when the latter is in the bent position. Preferably, the boot includes a damping element (8, 23, 27) that is installed between the calf support (3) and the thigh support (5), as well as elements (25, 26) for adjusting the angle (?) between the calf support (3) and the thigh support (5).

Abstract: Protective components may include a plate element and a cushioning element that are secured together with a hook-and-loop fastening system. The cushioning element may include a pair of material layers and a pad or a plurality of pad components located between the material layers. The plate element may include a polymer material and the pad may include a polymer foam material, with the polymer material of the plate element having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material of the pad.

Abstract: A paint suit. A hood is attached to the top of the suit. An elastic waistband and two elastic sleeves are also attached. A central vertical hook-and-loop fastener secures the paint suit onto the wearer. The paint suit includes a breast pocket and preferably four lower pockets. Two knee pads are built into the paint suit. The paint suit also includes two arm pit vents and a back vent.