Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a knee brace which includes an upper and lower cuff which are attached at the medial and lateral sides of the knee joint by freecentric locking hinges. The freecentric hinge includes a free floating center of rotation which allows simultaneous translation and rotation of the upper hinge arm relative to the lower hinge arm. The freecentric hinge may further include a locking mechanism which comprises a pin located on the upper hinge arm and a hook located on the lower hinge arm which may be forced into engagement to prevent further rotation of the hinge when it is desired to prevent hyperextension of the user's knee. A pair of tension straps may be attached across the back of the user's knee from the upper cuff to the lower cuff, and adjusted in its length so that extension of the knee tends to generate tension in the strap which aids in pulling the upper and lower cuff members to be pulled towards each other. The motion of the upper and lower cuffs toward each other causes the hook and pin of the locking mechanism to be correctly positioned for interengagement and locking of the hinge against further extensional rotation. If desired, the upper hinge arm may be attached to the upper cuff in a manner which allows free sliding movement therebetween in order to compensate for forces incident on the brace due to the motion of the hinge as it tracks the rotation of the user's knee.

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First Claim