FR3004318A1 - PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION AND IN SITU PLACEMENT OF PLATES OF A DEVICE FOR PROTECTING THE ARTICULATION OF THE KNEE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation and in situ placement of wedges between a device for protecting the knee joint of a user and lateral faces of the knee of said skier, comprising at least one rigid shell (10) comprising or supporting, on its upper part (11) rigid lateral cheeks (11a-11b) extending opposite the lateral faces of the knee, the (or) said wedge (s) being applied to the least against the inner surface of at least one said cheek, characterized in that it comprises the successive steps in which: a) positioning at least 1 empty bag (31) in the space between at least one lateral face of the knee and the inner surface of a said lateral cheek, said pouch consisting of a flexible wall provided with a filling orifice (31a), and b) injecting or pouring a filling material into said pocket via a said filling opening (31a) until the said wall surface is in contact with said lateral face of the knee and conforms to its shape, said filling material consisting of a curable thermo-curable polymer resin preferably of 10 ° C. to 30 ° C., and c) the hardening is carried out by crosslinking said filling material in situ in the space between said cheek and the knee, preferably at room temperature.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process for the preparation and in situ placement of protective shims between a device for the protection of the knee joint. protecting the knee joint of a user and the lateral faces of the knee of said skier. More particularly, the present invention relates to a protective device comprising at least one rigid shell adapted to be arranged at least partly in front of the anterior surface of the lower limb at the level of the tibia, said shell partially surrounding the anterior and lateral parts of the tibia and comprising or supporting, on its upper part, rigid lateral cheeks extending vis-à-vis the lateral faces of the knee at the level of the femoral condyles on either side of the knee, the said one or more shims (s) being applied at least against the inner surface of at least one said cheek. The invention relates to a device for protecting the knee joint of a user intended to be installed on a sports shoe. The invention also relates to equipment incorporating such a device and a sports shoe.

The invention finds application particularly for the practice of sports or leisure in which the knee joint is highly sought, including sliding sports (including downhill skiing, monoski, snowboarding, ski touring) and rollerblading (including inline skating and roller skating). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The practice of the activities indicated above generates each year numerous cases of pathologies related to the knee joint, whether simple sprains or accompanied by ligament rupture. Usually, alpine skiing for the least, it prevents inadmissible stresses on the knee joint by shoe attachments able to release the latter if the torque exerted on the binding is greater than a predetermined value. Fixing this trigger value of the release of the attachment is in itself problematic. Document US-A-4136404 describes a device that can complete the action of a ski binding and attached to a ski boot. But the system disclosed is complex in its structure and obvious discomfort: the lower limb of the skier is, on both sides of the knee to the thigh, retained in an articulated frame at the knee. His cooperation with the knee joint to protect him is otherwise weak. WO 2007-061379 discloses a goalkeeper's simple goalkeeper's ice hockey gear that does not include a hard shell and has the tether strap 311 attached around the leg in the knee joint area. This device does not allow to transfer the forces applied to the device at the knee to the shoe and without hindering the frontal flexion movements at the knee.

There is therefore a need for devices for protecting the knee joint which at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the techniques hitherto known. The object of the invention is to limit the risk of knee injuries including sprains and ligament rupture related to a relative axial rotation of the tibia or excessive femur and / or shear in the XY plane. The aim of the invention is to provide a protective device which must not interfere with the skier in normal ski conditions, in particular in frontal flexion at the knee. We measure the rotations and translations between the tibia and the femur along the three axes at the knee. For this, if we define a local coordinate system linked to the upper end of the tibia: the substantially horizontal plane XY is a plane of the tibial plateau; the Z axis being the longitudinal axis of the tibia. The natural mobility of the knee depends on its frontal flexion angle in the XZ plane in axial rotation according to Z. Indeed, if, in full extension, the knee does not allow axial rotation of the tibia with respect to the femur, the amplitude of the axial, external or internal rotation of the tibia, authorized by the knee increases with its frontal flexion angle. Thus, at an angle R of frontal flexion between the femur and the tibia of 90 °, the internal axial rotation of the tibia is about 30 °, concomitantly bearing the tip of the foot inwards, combined with the movement of adduction or abduction of the foot, the external axial rotation of the tibia being approximately 40 ° in external rotation. Although the locking of the ankle by the ski boot strongly limits this axial rotation amplitude of the tibia, it can still reach 20 ° in internal rotation and 25 ° in external rotation, a total amplitude of 45 °. The object of the present invention is to provide a device aimed essentially or mainly at limiting shearing in the tibial plane, in particular a shear towards the front of the femur along the axis a, and axial and lateral rotations relative to the femur and tibia, without interfering with the frontal flexion at the knee and in particular without recourse to a pivot connection at the knee and / or without recourse direct connection around the thigh.

The present invention also aims to provide a simple device to manufacture and install on the lower limb and can be used for a skier regardless of the pair of ski he uses. According to the present invention, the device essentially comprises simply a rigid shell provided with lateral cheeks at its upper part without connection with the thigh and with means for connecting the shell with the collar which allow a controlled limitation of rotation along an axis substantially. parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the shell and the collar. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the present invention provides a method for preparing and placing shims in situ between a device for protecting the knee joint of a user and lateral faces of the knee of said user, in particular a skier, as described above, characterized in that it comprises the successive steps in which: a) At least one empty pocket is positioned at least in the space between at least one lateral face of the knee and the inner surface of at least one said lateral cheek, said pocket being constituted by at least one flexible wall provided with at least one filling orifice and, preferably, at least one discharge orifice, and b) injecting or sinking , preferably at ambient temperature, a filling material inside said pocket via a said filling opening until said wall is in contact with at least said lateral face of the knee and in a manner the form, said filler material consisting of a thermosetting polymer resin crosslinkable at -50 ° C to 100 ° C, preferably at 10 ° C to 30 ° C, and c) curing said filling material in situ in the space between said cheek and the knee, preferably at room temperature. The method according to the present invention is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to obtain wedges having an ergonomic shape cooperating optimally with the knee because of the customization of the shape of the wedges as a function of the shape of the knee. concerned user. More particularly, the inner surface of the wedges is made to measure to fit the shape of the knee of the skier without hindering the flexion / extension movements of the lower limb. And, the shims applied against the inner faces of said cheeks have bearing surfaces in ergonomic forms able to conform at least partially to the shape of the sides of the knee at the level of the condyles so as to block the relative translation of the worm. before the knee relative to the hull and block the rotation of the knee relative to the hull, without impeding the bending movements of the lower limb. This characteristic of customizing the wedges allows the device to be particularly pleasant to use in all ski positions. In addition, this customization of the shims of the protective device according to the invention is very interesting insofar as it ensures better fastening of the lateral cheeks with the knee. This prevents a penalizing game is present at this level of the device, such a game involving an angle of rotation of the femur relative to the shoe greater than the maximum angle provided by the device according to the invention. This characteristic also makes it possible to adapt the same shell to various dimensions of condyles by interposing wedges. The same molded shell can thus be used for different sizes of devices but also to achieve personalized devices. In this case, only the shims must be modified to obtain various sizes or a personalized device. More specifically, said wedges have the essential function of blocking the rotation of the femur relative to the hull and therefore relative to the tibia.

It is understood that the wall of said pocket can be held in place by gluing or other means, preferably reversible attachment, such as self-gripping adhesive against said inner surface of the cheek or on a frame on the said internal surface of said cheek. Preferably, the positioning of the empty bag is done by inserting the injection pipes and evacuation of filling material through bores provided in the shell during its manufacture. It is also understood that said filling material has a viscosity capable of rendering it injectable or castable before crosslinking. In one embodiment, two empty pockets are used at the level of the two lateral cheeks in the space respectively between each said lateral cheek and each said lateral face of the knee, each said pocket substantially following the contour of each said cheek. In a variant, there may be a single pocket extending on and between the two cheeks. In particular, it implements a single pocket extending along the inner surface of said shell from the first lateral cheek to the second lateral cheek in a space between said shell and the lateral faces and the front face of said knee . It is then possible to limit the swelling in the central space between the two cheeks, in particular by welding, or to reduce the thickness of the central zone facing the patella. A single pocket may also be composed of two compartments connected by injection and evacuation channels. More particularly, said filler material is a thermosetting resin that can be crosslinked at a temperature of from -50 ° C. to 100 ° C., preferably from 10 ° C. to 30 ° C., preferably a thermosetting resin chosen from polyurethane, silicone, polyester and epoxy resins. more preferably of the polyurethane type. More particularly, said filler material has a crosslinking time of less than 30 min, preferably less than 5 min at room temperature and has a hardness capable of mechanically withstanding a pressure of at least 1 MPa, preferably 10 to 100 MPa, more particularly from 20 to 50 MPa after crosslinking, preferably with a hardness of between 10 Shore A and 100 Shore D, and a viscosity before crosslinking of less than 1000 MPa.s, preferably less than 500 MPa.s, preferably still less than 100 MPa.s. More preferably, said filler material further comprises organic or inorganic fillers, preferably in the form of hollow microspheres and / or pieces of fiber capable of reducing the density of said filling material and / or increasing its rigidity, preferably the said material having a density of 500 to 1500 kg / m 3. It is possible to add organic or inorganic fillers in the form of a hollow or solid microsphere, for example microspheres hollowed out of glass beads with a density of 0.15 to 0.60. g / cm3 and particle size of 2-130 pm, this in order to decrease the density of the filler material. Advantageously, each said pocket comprises at least one filling orifice and at least one preferably closable discharge orifice and the said bag is filled to a defined limit or until the filling material is evacuated in an overflow container through the drain port.

In a variant, the air contained in said bag is expelled through said discharge orifice as it is filled by said filling material in said filling orifice. Even more particularly, before the injection of the product, the bag can be evacuated with air. A manometer can be positioned on the injection circuit to control the pressure applied to the knee joint. A pressure limiter adjustable or not at a predetermined pressure can be added to the circuit. The pressure exerted by the pockets, filled with injected material, on the knee can vary from [0 to 0.6 bar].

Advantageously, said discharge orifice is located above said filling orifice, preferably said filling orifice being located in the lower portion of said pocket and said discharge orifice being located in the upper part of said pocket. More particularly still, a filling resin injection device is used comprising: a gun cooperating with at least one cartridge or reserve filled with said filling material and at least one first pipe connected to a said filling orifice; pocket, and - preferably, at least one flexible pipe connected to a said pocket discharge port communicating with an overflow container resin or air. In one embodiment, after filling of said bag and before crosslinking of said filling material, the user performs at least one bending movement between: a natural relaxed extension position in which the femur is inclined at an angle R between 140 and 170 ° with respect to the tibia, and - bending position in which the femur is inclined at an angle of about 45 ° to 100 ° with respect to the tibia. More particularly, the tibia and femur in the relaxed position has an angle of about 16 ° with the perpendicular to the ground to place the center of gravity of the person at the foot of his feet. As a result, the angle R between the tibia and the femur is, in total, about 148 °. More particularly, during and after filling the bag, the user alternates between said relaxed position and said bent position, at a frequency of between 1 mHz and 1 Hz until at least partial hardening of the filler material. Thus, the surface of the wedges after crosslinking of the filling material, on the knee side, has a surface whose embossed shape results from the molding of surfaces complementary to that of the lateral faces of the knee at the level of the condyles in the different bending positions between the relaxed position and maximum bending position. Thus made by molding the different forms of morphology on the side of the knee, the wedges do not interfere with the frontal flexions of the knee. In a variant, simpler to carry out and in practice sufficiently efficient, during and after the filling of the pocket, the skier remains in the same static position corresponding preferably to said natural relaxation position in which the femur and the tibia are inclined. an angle R between 140 and 170 °, preferably about 148 °. Advantageously, after step c), once said filling material is cured inside a said pocket to form a first wedge made in situ, a second wedge is reproduced in the same shape as said first wedge intended for the same user, which is made by machining a solid material of lower density, preferably of density of 50 to 300 kg / m 3, and having compressive strength characteristics of at least 1 MPa preferably 5 to 25 MPa. Preferably, said second wedge is made in a balsa-type wood. This embodiment therefore makes it possible to obtain wedges of optimal shape with a non-flowable or non-injectable material of lower density than said filling material and having identical or even improved compressive strength properties. The present invention also provides a device for protecting the knee joint of a user, in particular a skier, comprising at least one rigid shell arranged or able to be arranged at least partly in front of the anterior face of the lower limb at the level of the knee. shin, said shell comprising or supporting, on its upper part rigid lateral cheeks extending vis-à-vis the lateral faces of the knee at the femoral condyles on either side of the knee, the (or) said shim (s) being applied at least against the inner surface of at least one said cheek obtained by or useful for carrying out a method according to the invention.

More particularly, the protection device according to the invention comprises at least one so-called ergonomic wedge fixed on the inner surface of a said cheek, said pocket being empty or filled with said filling material, the contact surface of said wedge with the lateral side of the knee constituted by said solid reticulated pocket being of embossed shape. According to other particular features: said shims and said cheeks each have the same contour substantially in the shape of an ellipse portion on the upper part and the rear part of said contour of the cheek, the major axis of the ellipse being inclined an angle of between 45 ° and 135 °, preferably 70 ° to 110 ° with respect to the main longitudinal axis (ZZ ') of the shell and / or with respect to the straight section of the front face of the hull in section in a longitudinal vertical median plane of the hull; the surface of each cheek substantially corresponds to the surface of the upper lateral part of the shell situated above the lower tangent (X2) of the ellipse parallel to the major axis of the ellipse (X1), and situated on the rearward of an axis parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse (Z1) (and therefore perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse) located at about half of the large radius (R) of the ellipse from the front rectilinear section of the hull in a longitudinal vertical median plane of the hull. More particularly, the center of the ellipse is disposed substantially vis-à-vis the condyle to ± 20mm according to the flexion at the knee. And, the lower tangent of the ellipse parallel to the major axis of the ellipse is located substantially vis-à-vis the tibial plane when the major axis of the ellipse is substantially 90 ° of said longitudinal axis of the hull parallel to the rectilinear section of the front face of the hull in section in a longitudinal median plane of the hull.

More particularly, the large radius of the ellipse is at least 5 cm, preferably 6 to 15 cm and the small radius of the ellipse is at least 2 cm, more particularly 3 to 10 cm. More particularly, the major axis of the ellipse is located 2 to 5 cm from the upper end of the shell and the center of the ellipse is located 5 to 10 cm from the rectilinear section of the front face of the hull in section in a longitudinal median plane of the hull. Such dimensions of the ellipse and such an inclination of the major axis of the ellipse from 70 ° to 110 ° make it possible to maintain the ratio between the cheeks and the end of the lower femoral epiphysis despite the displacements of the condyles during the knee flexion / extension movements. This inclination also corresponds to an intermediate inclination of the positions of the thigh in motion or at rest. More particularly, the cheeks each have a surface capable of covering the entire surface of the sides of the knees, preferably an area of at least 50 cm 2, preferably at least 100 cm 2.

Such a size of the cheeks makes it possible to ensure good coverage of the distal femoral epiphysis and / or the femoral condyle while preventing the skier from being obstructed by the device according to the invention. More particularly, the device is adapted for a said shoe comprising a collar and said connecting means are adapted to secure the lower part of the shell with the portion of the collar of the shoe covered by the lower part of the shell so as to limit the rotation of the shell relative to the boot about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ZZ 'of the shell and / or the collar. The fastening of the lower part of the shell with the collar of the shoe provided by the combination of the first and second connecting means makes a connection to at least one degree of freedom in rotation of the shell relative to the shoe around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the collar of the shoe, the connecting means being such that this rotation of the shell relative to the shoe is limited to a predetermined angular sector, preferably less than 14 °.

Such angular limitation allows for increased protection of the tibia and knee joint while allowing considerable movement latitude in certain ski situations. An angular limitation of 14 ° corresponds on average to the permissible angular amplitude of axial rotation along Z between the tibia and the femur less than 45 °.

This implementation of said second and / or third straps uses either the elasticity of the second strap adapted according to the desired rotation limitation, or a particular adjustment of the tightening of the second strap and / or third strap then inextensible to allow a limited rotation of the shell relative to the shoe. Such a particular adjustment of the tightening of the second strap and / or third strap allowing limited rotational movement on a predetermined angular sector is achieved by means of a mechanical element allowing to lengthen or shorten or maintain a predetermined length of the second strap and / or third strap. This type of device facilitates the establishment of the connection between the shell and the collar.

More particularly, the device comprises: a rigid shell having an internal surface capable of covering at least partially an anterior part of the user's leg, the shell comprising an upper part intended to be situated at the level of the knee and a lower part comprising connecting means adapted to bind the shell to the sports shoe, the upper part comprising side cheeks adapted to extend vis-à-vis the lateral faces of the knee and able to be brought into contact with the lateral faces of the knee at least vis-à-vis the condyles of the femur of the user; at least one first strap intended to be fastened around an area of the upper part of the leg below the knee, preferably in the upper part of the calf, and means for connecting the strap to the surface of the shell, said connecting means being flexible in non-elastic materials, preferably textile material, and - said first strap, alone or in combination with said connecting means, being adapted to surround the entire leg and be in contact with the leg all around the periphery of the section of the latter, said first strap being a flexible band non-elastic material, preferably textile material. More particularly, the device is installed on a ski boot comprising a footwear portion surmounted by a collar, the device comprising first connecting means intended to be fixed on the collar of the shoe and a rigid shell intended to cover at least partially the front of the skier's tibia, this hull extending between an upper portion intended to be located at the knee of the skier and a low end covering a portion of the collar of the shoe, the shell comprising or supporting, on its part high, rigid lateral cheeks capable of being brought into contact with the knee on either side of the knee while being at least in contact with the condyles of the skier's femur, the lower part of the shell being intended to partially cover the collar of the shoe and comprising second connecting means complementary to the first binding means of the collar of the shoe for securing the hull with and over the collar of the boot, said connecting means preferably comprising at least a second strap and / or third strap fixed or capable of being fixed to said shell and / or fixed or adapted to be fixed to said collar so that the association of the first and second connecting means makes a connection with a limitation of the rotation of the shell relative to the shoe about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of the hull of the shoe, said cheeks completely covering the sides of the knee, preferably the cheeks each having an area of at least 50 cm 2, preferably at least 100 cm 2, and said shell having in horizontal section a rounded profile shape convex convex face towards forward so that the concave rearward shape covers the front and a portion of the lateral faces of the knee and / or tibia and extends over only part of the sides of the tibia and, in the lower part, on a part of the sides of the collar, the fastening of the lower part of the shell with the collar of the shoe provided by the combination of the first and second connecting means realizing, by clamping said second and / or third straps immobilization in rotation of the shell relative to the boot around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the collar of the boot, and the shell supporting at least one connecting element to the tibia at the top, preferably a strap equipped with a self-gripping tape for its support around the shin (T). The function of this device is to ensure a transmission of effort between the top of the lower limb and the shoe so as to relieve the knee joint. A support of the hull on the condyles of the femur on the one hand, and a connection of the hull to the shoe, on the other hand, participates in this effect, drifting out of the knee joint of the mechanical stresses it could not bear without injury. In this context, said first strap and said connecting means, as they cooperate with the shell and tibia, allow effective application of the upper part of the shell on the knee, including during the movements of the body. 'user. More specifically, the rigid shell has an essential main function of supporting the cheeks and transfer the support forces from the knee against the cheeks to the shoe and thus until the attachment of the shoe on the ski which controls the level of 'effort tolerated, fixing releasing the shoe beyond a certain threshold. The secondary function of the hull is to protect the front of the shin from possible shocks. The surface of the cheeks therefore has an essential role because during the support of the ribs of the knee on the cheeks, the transfer of effort is maximum if the support surface of the cheek with the side of the knee is optimal. Consequently, the use of simple cheeks and wedges bearing on the soft tissues that cover the condyles and / or distal femoral epiphysis in association with a rigid shell-shin protector limited in its movements relative to the ski boot makes it possible to maintain the thigh relative to the shoe. This limitation greatly reduces the risk of pathogenic movements of axial or lateral rotation of the tibia and femur at the knee and / or shear including shear towards the front of the femur along the X axis.

The rigid shell according to the present invention, because it is attached to the boot on the one hand, and that it comprises on the other hand rigid side cheeks in its upper part, therefore more generally has the function of protecting the knee joint by controlling the relative movements of the knee in translation forward and relative rotation relative to the hull. Said first strap has the main function of controlling the relative translation of the knee backwards relative to said shell during movement and / or deformation of the muscle mass and / or soft tissue during flexion movements of the lower limb.

In particular, the mode of connection of the first strap around the upper leg, below the knee and not at the knee, optimally controls the relative translation to the back of the knee relative to the knee. shell and thus maintain the knee in position vis-à-vis the side cheeks so that the device can fulfill its protective function without hindering the flexion of the lower limb of the fact that said strap is attached below the knee . This first strap allows, in a simple and clever way, to clamp the relative translation rearward of the knee relative to the shell and maintain a substantially constant tension of the strap in contact with the leg during changes in angular position of the leg , despite the overall change in the shape of the leg section and movements and deformations of the muscles and soft tissues during significant knee flexion and / or rotation. Finally, it should be noted that in the embodiment according to the invention, said connecting means fill the space between the shell and the front portion of the leg, which allows the strap can make the complete turn leg in all circumstances. This space between the front of the leg and the hull is necessary because the shell is applied against the collar of the shoe and against the knee via the wedges. Said connection means make it possible to fill the space between the inner surface of the shell and the front part of the leg, which allows that said first strap can - once tightened around the leg - go around the leg without being in contact with said shell, and can remain in contact with the entire periphery of the leg during the various movements and / or deformations of the muscle mass and / or the soft tissues at the part of the leg with which said first strap is in contact.

Preferably, said shell has in horizontal section a rounded profile shape convex convex face forward so that the concave rearward shape covers the front and a portion of the lateral faces of the knee and / or the shin and extends over only a portion of the sides of the shin and, in the lower part, on a portion of the sides of the collar. The hull may extend to a height of 25 to 55 cm, preferably 30 to 50 cm in practice depending on the size of the skier, and the said connecting means will make it possible to space the shell of the frontal part of the tibia from 3 to 50 mm. . Advantageously, said cheeks and / or shims are further coated with flexible material lining intended to be in contact with the sides of the skier's knee (S). More particularly, the lining is disposed on the inner faces of the cheeks or, preferentially, wedges opposite the knee. This feature increases the comfort of the skier without affecting the effectiveness of the invention in terms of lateral rotation.

The fittings may be made of flexible material of the cellular material type (foam, etc.), or of the gel type (silicone, etc.). Thus, the liner is advantageously made from at least one elastomeric or plastic material of the EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) or other type and thermoformable or not and of sufficient thickness and density to allow comfort during the movements. of the lower limb when skiing. More particularly, the material may be a silicone gel in the form of a plate of 1 to 10 mm and preferably 2 to 5 mm. The shell is advantageously made from a rigid inorganic or organic material, in monolithic or hybrid form, selected from the following materials: magnesium, aluminum, titanium, metal alloys, polymers with or without charge, reinforced or not, composite resins or not , loaded or not, reinforced or not. Advantageously, the composite consists of a matrix based on epoxy, polyester or other thermosetting resin, or a thermoplastic resin of the polyamide (PA) or polycarbonate (PC) type, or the like, and at least one reinforcing material. The reinforcement may be based on carbon fiber, and / or fiberglass, and / or aramid. These materials in general make it possible to ensure good rigidity of the hull while ensuring a good lightness and a certain comfort. On at least one side of the liner in contact with the lower limb, an elastane or elastic-type film or fabric having a thickness of at least 10 μm may be affixed by gluing to said surface to conform to the shape of the liner. the hold.

The material of the film or fabric may have a low coefficient of friction. By way of example, the material can be made from polytetrafluoroethene, PTFE. The thickness of the film or fabric is selected according to the desired mechanical characteristics.

In the case where the wedges comprise a flexible lining on the part intended to bear on the sides of the knee, said connecting means may not allow a degree of freedom of the shell relative to the shoe around a Z axis substantially parallel to the axis of the collar of the shoe, because the condyles of the femur are held by the wedges positioned at the cheeks and wedges allow reduced movements relative axial rotation of the femur and tibia because the soft tissues that between the condyle and the wedges deform during a rotational movement. The clamping of the angular sector is then sufficiently made by the shape and play of the wedge which is in contact with the soft tissues at the level of the condyles of the femur.

In general, the ability to adjust and adapt the device by the use of wedges can adapt the device to the variability of skiers: age, sex, fitness, muscle tone and contraction levels etc ... predicted loading conditions are also so many parameters of adjustment of the device: shearing, lateral bending, speeds, position of the skier, vertical acceleration, prestressing between the device and the knee etc. More particularly, the device further comprises between the lateral cheeks and, where appropriate, between the wedges, a cushion for applying the knee patella of the user, said cushion being preferably formed of a cellular material with a density of between 30 kg. / m3 and 900 kg / m3.

The invention also relates to a sports equipment gliding or roller comprising a sports shoe and a protective device according to the invention. The present invention finally provides a kit for making shims in situ that is useful for carrying out a process according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises: said empty bags, and a said shell preferably equipped with said connecting means, and - an injection device of said filling resin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments having no limiting character. In the figures: - Figures 1 illustrate the principle of connection of the first strap 3 around the upper part of the calf; - Figures 1A, 1B and 2 show a shell with connecting means consisting of second strap 13a and r third straps 13b; FIG 3 shows a shell comprising a connecting piece 4 and a first strap 3 in perspective without the leg; FIG. 4 represents the mode of manufacture of the shims in situ with pockets inserted between the shell and the knee; FIG. 5 represents the two pockets being filled without showing the shell to which they are attached; FIG. 6A represents an empty flattened pocket; FIG 6B represents the two pockets after filling; FIGS. 7A and 7B show in horizontal section without the leg, the two empty pockets before filling (FIG. 7A) and the two bags filled unsymmetrically after filling (FIG. 7B); FIGS. 8A and 8B show in view from behind the leg, the two empty pockets before filling (FIG. 8A) and the two filled pockets unsymmetrically after filling (FIG. 8B); and FIG. 9 shows different alpha angles of frontal flexion of the femur and a 70 ° inclination of the long axis of the ellipse of the cheeks 11a, 11b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT Without further specification in the present description, the term "leg" means the portion of a lower limb of the user equipped with the device of the invention at which the tibial bone extends. . It is therefore an area extending below the knee towards the foot. In its part located above the knee, the lower limb has, in its bone structure, the femur which is the bone of the thigh. At the knee is the patella. The tibia and the fibula are the bones of the leg. The tibia articulates at the top via the tibial trays at the lower part of the femur (femoral condyles). Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the invention. In this figure, the lower body of a skier S is shown. The skier S wears a ski boot 2, itself attached to a ski 1, via a fastener 1a. The shoe 2 has a footwear portion surmounted by a collar 21.1e foot P, the tibia T and the femur F of the skier S are shown. The femur F has CF condyles at its distal end. These condyles CF take a plurality of intermediate positions between two extreme positions shown in Figure 10 according to the bending position of the skier S. In Figures 1 to 3, the skier S carries a device according to the invention. This device comprises a rigid shell 10 comprises an upper part 11 and a lower part 12. The lower part 12 covers the upper part of the collar 21 and comprises lo connecting means for securing the shell 10 with the collar 21 of the boot 2. The upper part of the shell 10 has two lateral cheeks 11a, 11b which cover the lateral faces of the knee opposite the condyles CF of the femur F on either side of the skier's leg S, this covering being ensured by the lateral cheeks irrespective of the bending position of the skier S. The shell is made of a material comprising carbon fibers optionally mixed with other types of fibers, especially of flax or polymer, for example aramid, said fibers being impregnated in an epoxy resin, the fiber content being 45 to 65%, preferably 50 to 60%. The shell may consist of a monolithic structure of said composite material based on carbon fibers or a sandwich structure, that is to say composed of two layers of said composite material based on carbon fibers constituting two skins on each side of a honeycomb core made of aluminum or cellular foam brand ROHACELL® or AIREX®. In general, the present invention allows a protection of the knee 25 by transferring at least partly certain mechanical stresses induced at the CF condyles of the femur towards the base of the leg and in particular to the shoe 2 which is equipped the user. To transmit the stresses that the knee joint would not be able to absorb without injury, the device according to the invention comprises a shell 10 made sufficiently rigidly. The shell 30 has an elongate dimension oriented Z substantially from the knee (upper part 11) to the collar 21 of the shoe 2 (lower part 12). In Figure 2, the height H of the hull will be 25 to 55 cm, more particularly 30 to 50 cm depending on the size of the skiers. The shell 10 advantageously has a lateral dimension high enough to allow the shell 10 to have a sufficient torsional resistance in the direction of the tibia T. The distance D between the two cheeks will be in particular 8 to 20cm. The portion of the shell between the cheeks has a domed horizontal section with concavity turned towards the leg, in particular of substantially central circular section at the frontal level of 2 to 15 cm, preferably 3 to 8 cm radius.

To allow the device to always be properly in contact with the knee sides at the condyles CF, the device comprises at least a first strap 3, visible Figures 1 and 3, adapted to surround the leg and secondly connected to the hull 10. Advantageously, the first strap 3 is configured to be applied on an upper part of the leg, namely an area at the upper end of the calf. More specifically, the first strap 3 is advantageously positioned around the leg immediately below the knee joint. Any material may be suitable for the first strap 3 and may include non-elastic polymeric textile materials or having a low elastic elongation so as to produce little variations in length of the strap 3 during the stresses it takes. For example, the first strap 3 may be formed as a single band or several bands. In all cases, the first strap 3 may have an overall width of between 2 cm and 6 cm.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail a first embodiment of the first strap 3 and its connection to the hull 10. In fact, according to the invention, the first strap 3 is connected to the hull 10 at the inner surface 10b. of the shell 10. By internal surface 10b is meant the surface of the shell 10 located directly opposite the leg opposite the outer surface 10a which is oriented outwards. Thanks to this connection of the first strap 3, the cooperation between the shell 10 and the leg of the user is particularly intimate and the user avoids contact changes between the knee sides at the condyles CF and the lateral cheeks 11a , 11b during his movements.

In the case of Figures 1 to 3, the first strap 3 consists of 2 strands 3a, 3b in one piece with a strand 3a oriented on one side of the leg and a strand 3b oriented on the other side of the leg. The two strands advantageously join at a portion 3c of the first strap 3c vis-à-vis the front or front of the leg facing the tibia and vis-à-vis the inner surface 10b of the shell 10 substantially in the middle of the section of the shell 10.

The connection of the first strap 3 to the shell 10 thus formed is effected in the case illustrated by means of connecting means comprising an intermediate piece 4 secured to the first strap 1 on the one hand and to the first strap 3 on the other hand. internal surface 10b of the shell 10. The attachment to the inner surface 10b operates on a connecting zone 10c of said inner surface 10b. This connection zone 10c is advantageously positioned substantially in the middle of the width of the shell 10 so as to have a system of first strap 3 substantially symmetrical along a vertical plane passing through the shin. The intermediate part 4 is furthermore fixed to the first strap 3. In the case represented, this fastening is balanced by resorting to two fastening zones, respectively 4a and 4b, arranged after fixing and positioning on the leg, on an equal footing. distance from the connection area 10c. Thus, the portion 3c of the first strap 3 extends between the attachment zones 4a, 4b. An advantageous effect of the intermediate part 4 is that it ensures an optimal adjustment of the spacing of 3 to 50 mm relative between the leg area considered for the application of the strap 3 and the inner surface 10b of the shell. The use of the invention is therefore the opportunity to adjust the relative position of the device and the leg of the user in a front-rear position. In FIG. 3, more precisely, said intermediate piece 4 consists of a flexible band made of non-elastic materials, preferably of the same flexible non-elastic material as said first strap. The said flexible intermediate part 4 forms a loop because: a central part 4c of the said loop is fixed on a connection zone 10c of the internal surface 10b of the shell, the said zone 10c being arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the the section of the shell, and two lateral portions 4d on either side of the central portion 4c, having ends 4a, 4b of said intermediate piece on either side of said loop being fixed on a central portion. 3c said first strap intended to come into contact with the front portion of the tibia, the ends 4a and 4b being arranged symmetrically with respect to said first portion 4c or the middle of the section of the shell. In Figure 3 the connecting piece 4 although consisting of a flexible band, is shown with side elements 4d of the flexible band in the maximum position away from the shell and therefore stretched.

The central portion 3c of the first strap is extended on each side by two strands 3a and 3b respectively. The 3d-1 end of one of the strands 3a has a loop 5 through which can be housed the 3d -2 end of the second strand 3b. Preferably, the loop 5 is made of flexible material being an integrated orifice at the free end 3d-1 of one of the strands 3a and of greater width than the end 3d-2 of the second strand 3b adapted to pass into the said passing and comprising a self-adhesive element or hook-and-loop type Velcro configures to secure the free end 3d2 of the other strand 3b with the end 3d-1 of a first strand 3a, on the rear part of the leg.

Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the hull connecting means on the shoe. In this variant embodiment, the fastening of the lower part of the shell to the collar of the shoe provided by the combination of the first and second connecting means immobilizes the shell in rotation with respect to the boot around a axis substantially parallel to the axis of the collar of the shoe. More particularly still, said first and second connecting means comprise at least one second non-elastic strap 13a comprising two strands attached or removably attachable 23 on each side to the rear of the collar, and two strands 13b-1, 13b-2 of two third straps 13b, 13b-1, 13b-2 fixed or capable of being fixed in a removable manner O on each side of the shell in the lower part thereof, said strands of said second and third straps comprising at their free ends 13c, 13d complementary reversible connection means capable of reversibly securing the free ends 13c of the second strap strands 13a with those 13d of the strands 13b-1, 13b-2 of the third straps 13, the joining of the lower part 12 of the shell 10 with the collar 21 of the shoe 2 thus achieving immobilization in rotation of the shell 10 relative to the shoe 2 about a substantially parallel axis refers to the axis ZZ 'of the shell or collar 21 of the shoe (2). Said second straps 13a are fixed on a hook 23 fixed or paste to be fixed on the rear of the collar 21. The third straps 13b-1, 13b-2 are fixed, in particular riveted, to loops or holes O on the 2 side edges in the lower part 12 of the shell 10.The free ends of the second straps 13a comprise fastening clips 13c able to cooperate in reversible attachment with complementary elements 13d at the free ends of the third straps 13b-1, 13b-2 Figures lA and 1B, in a simplified version, only one strap is used on each side permanently attached to the shell or the back of the shoe. The connecting means comprise only two second or third straps 13a, 13b secured to the parts 23 of the collar or O-holes of the shell. In this case, it is the adjustment of the straps fixed in the orifices O or on the hook 23 which entirely determines the angular sector on which the shell can pivot with respect to the shoe if necessary. Advantageously, the strap will have a particular length or a particular marking for its adjustment. In a variant, the laxity of adjustment of the straps 13a, 13b or their pre-calibrated elasticity makes it possible to limit the rotation of the shell 10 with respect to the boot 2 if necessary. It is understood that the implementation of two straps, one on each side of the shoe 2 is necessary to limit the rotation in both directions. The device 10 comprises two lateral cheeks 11a and 11b, intended to be placed on either side of the knee to grip it at the level of the condyles of the femur CF. The lateral cheeks 11a and 11b can themselves be in contact with the garment covering the condyles CF or come into contact with these same condyles CF via shims, as will be described later. The lateral cheeks are of contour 11c in ellipse portion, their major axis X1 being oriented by an angle α about 90 ° (FIG. 2) or 70 ° (FIG. 9) with respect to the axis ZZ 'of the shell . This orientation included between 45 ° and 135 ° makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory support of the femoral condyles and therefore a good retention of the femur in axial and lateral rotations relative to the tibia. The following embodiments show preferential orientations of the lateral cheeks between 70 ° (FIG. 9) and 90 ° (FIG. 2).

In FIG. 2, the contour 11c of the upper and rear portions of the cheek has a shape that includes substantially an upper half-ellipse and a half-lateral ellipse of the same virtual ellipse centered at C1 substantially facing the condyle CF. The major axis X1 of the ellipse is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal principal axis of the hull and perpendicular to the rectilinear section of the boundary of the front face 10a of the hull in a plane of longitudinal median section of the hull. Each cheek is delimited by the lower tangent X2 of said ellipse substantially vis-à-vis the tibial plane X'Y 'parallel to the major axis of the ellipse Xl. The large radius R of the ellipse is 65mm and the small radius r of the ellipse is 50mm. The center Cl of the ellipse is located at a distance d = 68mm from the boundary of the front face 10a of the hull in a plane longitudinal median section of the hull. The total area of each cheek 11a, 11b as delimited by the surface located above the lower tangent line X2 of the ellipse parallel to X1 and on the rear of an axis Z2 parallel to the minor axis Z1 of the The ellipse is located approximately 1/2 R from the rectilinear section of the front face 10a of the hull in section in a longitudinal median plane of the hull, and said surface being about 100cm 2. Thus, the lateral cheeks completely cover the distal femoral epiphysis by coming to bear each on either side of the end of the femur, namely on the condyles of the femur CF on each side of the knee. They make it possible to limit the lateral rotation of the femur F relative to the foot P of the skier S. It is easily understood that the cooperation between the upper part 11 of the shell 10 and the part of the knee corresponding to the present area of the condyles CF is important. for the effectiveness of the device of the invention. The contact of the lateral cheeks on the femoral condyles is ensured by means of 2 ergonomic wedges inserted on the internal face of the cheeks. The inner surface of the wedges can be made to measure to fit the shape of the lower limb of the skier without hindering the flexion / extension movements of the lower limb by the method according to the invention described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

Positioning the hull 10 on the skier's leg. The shell is held on the leg and the collar of the ski boot by the connecting means described above. Two flattened empty pockets 31 whose walls delimit inflatable chambers made of organic material and preferably of polymer and with a wall thickness of less than 1 mm and of shapes and surfaces sufficient to cover the lateral surfaces of the knee, preferably along the contour of the said cheeks 11a and 11b are positioned and fixed for example by gluing or any other fixed or removable mechanical means on the inner face of the cheeks. Each pocket 31, provided with at least one inlet orifice 31a with or without a tip 31c, is connected by any flexible or rigid means 32c, 32d to a central unit which comprises either a pump or injection gun 32a adapted to inject a filling resin. Also, at least one outlet orifice 31b may or may not have a nozzle 31c in order to evacuate the air from the circuit before or during the injection of the product. Preferably, the inlet orifice 31a of the resin is situated lower along the Z axis than the outlet orifice 31b so that the air contained in the pockets 31 is driven off by the flow of resin and this avoids the creation of pockets. of air which would have the effect of affecting the filling of the (or the) wedge (s) and therefore the shape of the hold and thus the protection of the skier. The injectable resin in liquid form is a material of the silicone type or other thermosetting resin, for example Polyurethane polymerization time or sufficiently rapid crosslinking, so that the subject carrying the shell can maintain any position, less than 30 minutes and preferably less than 5 minutes, at room temperature or not. The injected material is of sufficient hardness after crosslinking or polymerization to withstand a pressure of several 10 bar. In one embodiment the circuit comprises a main inlet in the form of a pipe 32c on which can be positioned a stopcock or other device 33-3 for blocking the inlet or the outlet which connects the injection gun 32a at one end 32c-1 of said pipe 32c, the other end 32c-2 of the pipe is provided with a first connection element or T 33-1 which allows the resin to be diverted into each pocket through 2 flexible hoses 32d which are connected to at least one inlet port 30a located on each pocket 31, each outlet port 31b connected to a flexible pipe 32e which is connected to a second T-connection element 33-2 to bring together again the two outlets 31b of the two pockets so that the overflow of resin is removed by a single circuit in a container 34. It is understood that the orifices 31a and 31b of the pockets 31 are disposed on the faces of the pockets applied against the faces internal cheeks 11a 11b and 32b which are connected thereto pass through the openings 11-1 and 11-2 of the cheeks 11a and 11b, which further allows the pockets 31 to be held in the screwed-in position. -vis cheeks 11a and 11b the time of filling the pockets. More specifically, a filling resin injection device comprising: a) a gun 32a cooperating with at least one cartridge or reserve 32b filled with said filling material and a first end 32c-1 of a first pipe 32c whose second end 32c-2 cooperates with a first T-connection element 33-1connected to the first ends 32c1-1 of two second flexible pipes 32d) whose second ends 32d-2 are connected to the said two said filling orifices 31a 2 pockets, preferably after passing through the openings 11-1 of the shell at the cheeks and b) first ends 32e-1de two third flexible pipes 32e connected to said evacuation orifices 31b of the 2 pockets preferably after having traversed second ports 11-2 of the shell at the cheeks, the second ends 32e-2 communicating, preferably via a second connection element T-piece (33-2) with an evacuation container (34) overflow of resin or air. In another embodiment, the outlet port 31b of each pocket is connected to a different hose connected directly to a different container for the two pockets. In this variant, the two outlet pipes 32e of the two pockets are independent and allow independent evacuation of the air or overflow of resin in a container. The advantage of this circuit is that it allows the air contained in the circuit of a first pocket to escape even if the filling of each pocket is not simultaneous. Indeed, it has been found that the filling of the two pockets is not always uniform and the overflow of resin of a first pocket can be evacuated by the output network of the second pocket and through the T 33-2 which connects the 2 outlet pipes 32e, and in this case the air contained in the second pocket can no longer or hardly evacuate and this can create air bubbles in the pocket named above. An example of the injected resin manufactured by the company AXSON TECHNOLOGIES is the following comprising 2 components polyol and isocyanate: Material: trade name F38 rapid setting polyurethane casting resin Manufacturer: Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH. Brand RenCast® FC 52/53 Isocyanate / FC 53 Polyol. Its viscosity is: less than 1000 MPa.s, preferably less than 500 and more particularly less than 100 MPa.s.A lower viscosity ensures the filling of the bag for good flowability. The bags are made from polymeric material and preferably pvc and in the form of film assembled by ultrasonic welding or high frequency welding or heat or other technology well known to those skilled in the art.

With this method we obtain a method of manufacturing ergonomic wedges and economic cost. According to other particular characteristics: the walls of said pockets consist of a polymeric material, preferably PVC, having a thickness of less than 1 mm, preferably said wall being formed in a pocket by assembling film (s) by welding, especially by thermo welding or high frequency. ; the volume of each said pocket is at least 10 μm, preferably 20 to 250 ml, more preferably 25 to 75 ml. ; -the said pocket has after filling a surface facing and in at least partial contact with a lateral face of the knee of 50 to 150 cm 2 and a thickness of less than 25 mm in particular 1 to 25 mm when filled and after crosslinking . In one embodiment, after filling of said bag and before crosslinking of said filling material, the user performs at least one bending movement between: a natural relaxed extension position in which the femur is inclined at an angle R 148 ° relative to the tibia, and - bending position in which the femur is inclined at an angle R of about 90 ° relative to the tibia.

More particularly, the tibia and femur in the relaxed position has an angle of about 16 ° with the perpendicular to the ground to place the center of gravity of the person at the foot of his feet. As a result, the angle between the tibia and the femur is, in total, about 148 °. More particularly, the user will alternate between the relaxed and flexed position at a frequency of between 1 mHz and 1 Hz until at least partial curing of the filler material. Thus, the surface of the wedges after crosslinking of the filling material, on the knee side, has a surface whose embossed shape results from the molding of the positive surfaces, in relief, of the lateral faces of the knee at the level of the condyles in the different flexion positions. between the relaxed position and the maximum bending position. Thus made by molding the various forms of dynamic morphology on the side of the knee, the wedges do not interfere with the frontal flexions of the knee. In a second embodiment of shims 30a and 30b, simpler to perform and in practice equally effective, the wedge surface results from a single angular position and preferably relaxed and static natural posture. The natural angle of the relaxed 148 ° position between the tibia and the femur is the result of the angle (Fig. 1) of about 16 °, the inclination of the collar of the shoe with respect to an axis vertical perpendicular to the ground, and the inclination of the femur relative to the vertical. Indeed, it has been found that in said relaxed position, the surface of the condyles (CF) in contact with the wedge represents about 90% of the surface of the wedge while, with a bending angle of, for example, 90 °, the surface of the condyles in contact with the wedge represents about 10% of the wedge surface only. Advantageously, the force with which the cheeks come to rest support (in the absence of effort due to rotation at the knee) on the condyles will be adjustable. The cheeks apply a force on the condyles substantially normal to the flanks of the thigh intensity in the range] 0.100N]. The bumpy shapes of the bearing surfaces of the blocks after filling correspond to the molding of the surfaces complementary to the surfaces of the lateral faces of the knees observed at the level of the condyles CF of the femur F between the two preferred positions, which may for example be the extreme positions of flexion of the thigh of the skier S shown in Figure 9.So, it ensures maximum comfort of the skier who, between the two most extreme positions, retains a lateral pressure adapted to its morphology, or custom, on the condyles of the femur. The functional parts 30a and 30b of the spacer 30 are thus unsymmetrical because the sides of the knee have distinct shapes and deformations during the articulatory movement thereof. On the other hand, a symmetry may exist between the corresponding functional parts of the two knees. The wedges 30a, 30b delimit an intermediate portion of the inner surface 10b of the shell 10 at the front of the tibia, which portion may remain recessed relative to the surface of the portions 30a, 30b. However, between the side cheeks 11a, 11b here formed by the lateral wedges 30a, 30b of the wedges 30, the invention may comprise a cushion (not shown) for the application of the patella knee of the user. It is understood that the invention thus makes it possible to differentiate the physical contact modalities between the condyles CF and the shell 10 via the lateral cheeks 11a, 11b possibly constituted by the wedges 30a, 30b and the front surface of the knee at the level of the patella. More specifically, it is advantageous to use a material for the cushion of lower density than that of the side flanges 11a, 11b so as to produce a more flexible support with damping of the forces transmitted during the contact. For example, a cushion in a cellular material density of 30kg / m3 and 900kg / m3 has been satisfactory. According to one embodiment, the surface of the cushion brought to be vis-à-vis the ball is located in the continuity of the surface of the portions 30a, 30b covering the side flanges 11a, 11b. The use of a sufficiently flexible material allows to conform to the shape of the ball when it is in contact with the cushion. The cushion also provides a damper function against violent shocks by damping the rearward movement of the entire hull in case of impact. This cushion can be made by filling a pocket in situ as wedges. Another function of the cushion is to avoid the persistence of a space between the lateral wedges 30a, 30b likely to receive snow during the practice of winter sports. It should be noted that a silicone-based cellular material gives good results in view of the density constraints explained above and its resistance to high temperature variations. This same material can be used as a coating of the surface of the first strap 3 brought to be in contact with the leg of the user. Because the pockets are made in situ and the fixing of the pocket on the cheek can be removable, in the case where it is desired to further lighten the mass of said filled bag, it is possible to replace said pocket by a second block made as follows. Firstly, the shape of the full pocket made in situ is scanned and reproduced in digital format in an STL file. Then, the second shim is milled in a solid material of lower density than said filling polymer using a dedicated machining machine that allows its machining software to directly process the STL type file from of the scan. The machined material will preferably be balsa whose mechanical characteristics make it possible to resist compression up to 25 N / mm 2 (25 MPa) and to obtain a density of 50-300 Kg / m 3 and preferably 100 to 250 Kg / m 3, in particular, the BALTEK SB 100 (12 MPa) or 150 (20 MPa) material manufactured by ALCAN BALTEC CORPORATION (USA) is used.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of preparing and placing in situ at least one wedge (30a, 30b) between a user knee joint protection device (100) and at least one side face of said wearer's knee, said protection device comprising at least one rigid shell (10) arranged or adapted to be arranged at least partly in front of the anterior face of the lower limb at the level of the tibia, said shell (10) comprising or supporting, on its upper part (11) rigid lateral cheeks (11a-11b) extending opposite the lateral faces of the knees at the level of the femoral condyles on either side of the knee, the said wedge (s) ) being applied at least against the inner surface of at least one said cheek, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps in which: a) at least one empty bag (31) is positioned at least in the space between at least one side face of the knee and the inner surface of at least one said jo a side, said pocket being constituted by at least one flexible wall provided with at least one filling orifice (31a) and preferably at least one discharge orifice (31b), and b) injecting or pouring, preferably at ambient temperature, a filling material inside said pocket via a said filling opening (31a) until said wall is in contact with at least said lateral face of the knee and in accordance with the form, said filling material consisting of a thermosetting polymer resin which can preferably be crosslinked at a temperature of 10 ° C. to 30 ° C., and c) curing is carried out by crosslinking said filling material in situ in space between said cheek and the knee, preferably at room temperature. 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that implements 2 empty pockets at respectively 2 side cheeks in the space between respectively said side cheek and each said side face of the knee, each said pocket substantially following the outline of each said cheek. 3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that: - said filler material is a thermosetting resin preferably polyurethane, and- said filler material has a crosslinking time of less than 30 min, preferably less than 5 min at room temperature and has a hardness capable of mechanically withstanding a pressure of at least 1 MPa, preferably 10 to 100 MPa after crosslinking, preferably with a hardness of between 10 and 100 Shore D, and a viscosity before crosslinking less than 1000 mPa.s, preferably less than 500 mPa.s, more preferably less than 100 mPa.s. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said filler material further comprises organic or inorganic fillers, preferably in the form of hollow microspheres and / or pieces of fiber capable of reducing the density of said material of filling and / or increasing the rigidity, preferably said material having a density of 500 to 1500 kg / m3. 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it implements an injection device (32) of filling resin comprising: - A gun (32a) cooperating with a cartridge or reserve (32b) filled said filler material and at least a first pipe (32c, 32d) connected to a said pocket filling port (31a), and - preferably, at least one flexible pipe (32e) connected to a said discharge port (31b) communicating with a discharge vessel (33) overflow of resin or air. 6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that: - the volume of each said bag is at least 10m1, preferably 20 to 250 ml, more preferably 25 to 75 ml, and - said pocket after filling a surface facing and in at least partial contact with a side face of the knee of 50 to 150 cm2 and a thickness less than 25 mm when filled and after crosslinking. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that after filling of said pocket and before crosslinking said filler material, the user performs at least one bending movement between: - a relaxed position of extension natural in wherein the femur is inclined at an angle R between 140 and 170 ° relative to the tibia, and flexion position in which the femur is inclined at an angle R of about 45 ° to 100 ° relative to the tibia. 8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that during and after the filling of the pocket, the skier remains in the same static position corresponding preferably to the natural position of relaxation in which the femur and tibia are inclined at an angle R between 140 and 170 ° preferably about 148 °. 9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that after step c), once said filling material is cured inside said pocket to form a first wedge made in situ, reproducing a second wedge of the same shape as said first wedge for the same user, which is made by machining a solid material of lower density, preferably of density of 50 to 300 kg / m3, and having characteristics compressive strength of at least 1 MPa, preferably 20 to 50 MPa. 10. The method of claim 9 characterized in that said second wedge is made in a balsa type wood. 11. Device for protecting the knee joint of a skier comprising at least one rigid shell (10) arranged or able to be arranged at least partly in front of the anterior face of the lower limb at the level of the tibia, said shell (10) ) comprising or supporting, on its upper part (11) rigid lateral cheeks (11a-11b) extending opposite the lateral faces of the knee at the level of the condyles of the femur on either side of the knee, the said shim (s) being applied at least against the internal surface of at least one said cheek obtained by or useful for carrying out a method according to one of the claims. 1 to 10, 12. Protective device according to claim 11 characterized in that it comprises at least one so-called ergonomic wedge comprising a said pocket, fixed on the inner surface of said cheek, said pocket being empty or filled with said filling material, the contact surface of said wedge with the lateral face of the knee consisting of said reticulated full pocket being of bumpy shape. 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that said shims (30a-30b) and said cheeks (11a-11b) each have a same contour (11c) substantially shaped ellipse portion on the upper portion and the rear portion of said contour of the cheek, the major axis (X1) of the ellipse being inclined at an angle of between 45 ° and 135 °, preferably 70 ° to 110 ° with respect to the main longitudinal axis (ZZ ') of the hull and / or with respect to the rectilinear section of the front face (10a) of the hull in section in a longitudinal vertical median plane of the hull.New page 30 14. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13 characterized in that said shell comprises: - connecting means (0,13a, 13b, 23) adapted to secure the lower part of the shell with the portion of the collar ( 21) of the boot covered by the lower part of the shell so as to limit the rotation of the shell relative to the boot about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ZZ 'of the shell and / or the collar, and at least one first strap (3) intended to be fastened around an area of the upper part of the leg below the knee, preferably in the upper part of the calf, and connection means (4) of said first strap ( 3) on the surface of the shell (10), said connecting means (4) being flexible non-elastic materials, preferably textile material; and said first strap, alone or in combination with said connecting means, being capable of surrounding the entire leg and being in contact with the leg over the entire periphery of the section of the latter, said first strap (3) being a flexible band made of non-elastic materials, preferably of textile material. 15. Kit for making in situ wedges useful for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that it comprises: - said empty pockets (31), and a - a said shell (10) preferably equipped with said connecting means, and - a filling resin injection device (34).