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Abstract

A knee brace comprises an anterior femoral shell conforming to the shape of the upper leg of a person, an anterior tibial shell conforming to the shape of the lower leg of the person, and a posterior calf cuff conforming to the shape of the lower leg of the person. The knee brace further includes first and second mechanical hinges positioned on the medial and lateral sides of the knee of the person, respectively. The first mechanical hinge comprises an upper bar having an upper end fixedly mounted to the femoral shell and a lower end, a center link member pivotally mounted on the lower end of the femoral shell, and a lower bar having a lower end fixedly mounted to the tibial shell and an upper end pivotally mounted on the center link member. The construction of the first mechanical hinge provides for anterior-posterior and rotational movement of the lower bar relative to the upper bar, the exact path of movement of the lower bar relative to said upper bar closely following the natural motion of the knee joint of the person. The second mechanical hinge comprises an upper bar having an upper end fixedly mounted to said femoral shell and a lower bar having a lower end fixedly mounted to the calf cuff. The upper end of the lower bar is pivotally interconnected to the lower end of the upper bar so as to provide for anterior-posterior movement of the lower bar relative to the upper bar. The knee brace additionally includes straps for holding the femoral shell in place on the upper leg of the person and straps for holding the tibial shell and the calf cuff in place on the lower leg of the person.

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First Claim