JP7233681B2 - knee brace - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a knee brace for wearing on a human leg.

A supporter attached to a leg is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, tightening straps to be wrapped around the knees are provided on both sides of the back strap body in a bifurcated manner, and the tip ends of the tightening straps that face each other above and below the knees are overlapped. A knee joint support that is attached by hook-and-loop fasteners is described.

JP 2014-61139 A

The inventor studied a harness worn on the lower limb and found that applying compression to the flexor muscles of the lower limb can relax the extensor muscles. As a result, it can be expected that the movement of the knee will become smoother and fatigue around the knee will be alleviated. For example, it is possible to stimulate the flexor muscles that contribute to knee flexion by applying an abutment force to the flexor muscles that contribute to knee flexion around the knee in the region extending from the lower leg to the thigh.

However, the supporter described in Patent Literature 1 does not have a function of applying contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to bending of the knee in the area extending from the lower leg to the thigh. Based on this, the inventor believes that the supporter described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of applying contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to knee flexion in the region extending from the crus to the thigh. recognized.

It is an object of the present invention, which has been made in view of such problems, to provide a knee brace capable of imparting contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to bending of the knee in a region extending from the crus to the thigh. It is in.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a knee brace according to one aspect of the present invention includes a tubular body that is worn on a region extending from the crus to the thigh across the knee; and a band-shaped portion having elasticity to such an extent that it abuts on a predetermined portion when worn. The strip extends from the crus through the knee to the thigh, and is provided so as to apply a contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to knee flexion.

According to this aspect, it is possible to apply contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to knee flexion.

It should be noted that arbitrary combinations of the above-described constituent elements and mutually replacing the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention in methods, devices, systems, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a knee brace capable of imparting contact force to a flexor muscle group that contributes to bending of the knee in a region extending from the crus to the thigh.

Fig. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace according to the first embodiment is worn on the right leg; 1. It is a front view which shows the state which mounted|worn the knee brace of FIG. 1 on the right leg. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace according to the first embodiment is worn on the left leg; Fig. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace shown in Fig. 3 is worn on the left leg; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the knee brace of FIG. 1; 4 is an exploded view of the knee brace of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace according to the second embodiment is worn on the right leg. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace shown in FIG. 7 is attached to the right leg; FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace according to the second embodiment is worn on the left leg; FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace of FIG. 9 is worn on the left leg; FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the knee brace of FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the knee brace of FIG. 9;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment and modified examples, the same or equivalent constituent elements and members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, in each drawing, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted.

Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components, and the terms The constituent elements are not limited by
In addition, in this specification, the knee joint that connects the thigh and the lower leg at the leg transition and the portion surrounding the knee joint are referred to as "knee", and the vicinity of the center of the shallow depression on the back side of the knee is "popliteal fossa". , the protruding portion on the front side of the knee is called the “kneecap”.

In the following description, "parallel" and "perpendicular" include not only perfectly parallel and perpendicular, but also deviate from parallel and perpendicular within a margin of error. Moreover, "substantially" means that they are the same within an approximate range. Moreover, the "direction along the stretching direction" includes not only the direction parallel to the stretching direction but also the direction parallel to the stretching direction.

[First embodiment]
The configuration of the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace 100R according to the first embodiment of the invention is worn on the right leg 30. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace 100R is attached to the right leg 30. FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace 100L is attached to the left leg 30. FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace 100L is attached to the left leg 30. FIG. The knee brace 100R and the knee brace 100L are collectively referred to as the knee brace 100. FIG.

For the sake of convenience, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the extending direction of the lower leg 32, the direction from the knee 36 to the tip of the foot will be referred to as the "forward direction" and the "front side", and the opposite direction will be referred to as the "reverse direction." , is called the "opposite side". Further, when the leg 30 is stretched straight, the calf side is referred to as the "rear side of the leg" and the shin side is referred to as the "front side of the leg". Also, the boundary between the rear side and the front side of the leg 30 is referred to as a "front-back boundary". Further, on the rear side and the front side of the leg 30, the thumb side in the width direction of the leg 30 is referred to as the "thumb side", and the little finger side is referred to as the "anti-thumb side". In addition, in the horizontal direction of the body, the direction toward the center of the body is called "inward" or "inside", and the direction away from the center of the body is called "outward" or "outside". Note that even when the reference numerals indicating the parts of the leg 30 indicate the knee brace 100 , these refer to the parts of the leg and not the knee brace 100 .

FIG. 5 is a flattened view of the knee brace 100R for the right leg 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flat development view of the knee brace 100L for the left leg 30. As shown in FIG. 5 and 6 show the state in which the front and rear boundaries of the leg 30 on the anti-thumb side are opened and deployed. In these figures, the dashed line La indicates the front-rear boundary of the leg 30 on the thumb side. A dashed line Lb indicates a boundary between a first tubular body 22 and a second tubular body 24, which will be described later. The boundaries defined by broken lines La and Lb are merely examples, and the knee brace 100 can be worn in any manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the knee brace 100 includes a tubular body 20 and a belt-shaped portion 10 . The tubular body 20 is a tubular portion that is attached to a human leg 30 . In particular, the tubular body 20 is worn on a region extending from the crus 32 to the thigh 34 across the knee 36 . The band-shaped portion 10 is provided on the cylindrical body 20 and is a band-shaped portion having stretchability to the extent that it abuts on a predetermined portion when worn on the leg 30 .

(cylindrical body)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tubular body 20 of this embodiment includes a first tubular body 22 that mainly accommodates a portion extending from the crus 32 to the knee 36, and and a second tubular body 24 containing a portion spanning 34 . In this example, the first and second tubular bodies 22 and 24 are integrally formed by knitting threads into a tubular shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a first opening 20h is provided on the front side of the cylindrical body 20, and a second opening 20j is provided on the opposite side of the second cylindrical body 24 of the cylindrical body 20. be done.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a first end portion 20d is provided at a first opening 20h on the front side of the cylindrical body 20, and a second end portion 20e is provided at a second opening 20j on the opposite side. It is The first end portion 20d and the second end portion 20e of this embodiment function as a mouth rubber portion that tightens the surrounding portion. The first end 20d tightens the area intermediate the knee 36 and the ankle. When the distance from the knee 36 to the groin is taken as 100%, the first end 20d may be provided to contract the knee 36 in a range of 20% to 80%. The second end 20e tightens the area intermediate the knee 36 and the groin. When the distance from the knee 36 to the groin is taken as 100%, the second end 20e may be provided so as to contract from the knee 36 in a range of 20% to 80%. The first and second ends 20d and 20e may be sewn with a knitted rubber band or braided with an elastic thread such as a rubber thread, for example. The first and second ends 20d, 20e in this example are quilted. By configuring in this way, it is possible to suppress slippage during wearing.

(Band)
The band-shaped portion 10 extends from the crus 32 through the knee 36 to the thigh 34 and is provided so as to apply a contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to the bending of the knee 36 . For example, the flexor muscles that contribute to bending the knee 36 mainly include the thigh flexor muscles and the crus flexor muscles. In addition, the femoral flexor group includes the biceps femoris muscle, semitendinosus muscle, semimembranosus muscle, and the like. The biceps femoris is the largest and most important of the femoral flexors. The leg flexors include the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius, the soleus, the tibialis posterior, and the popliteus. Among the leg flexor muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus are the largest and most important.

The band-shaped part 10 is a band-shaped body that extends along the shape of the leg when worn on the leg 30 of the wearer, and imparts a contractile force to the leg 30 by its restoring force in a shrinking direction. The band-shaped portion 10 is made of a material having greater stretchability than the tubular body 20 . In particular, the band-shaped portion 10 is formed of a sheet-like fabric having a larger elastic limit and a smaller elastic modulus than the tubular body 20 . The band-shaped portion 10 may be formed of a fabric woven with a material having great elasticity, such as rubber. The belt-shaped part 10 may be formed from a fabric thicker than the tubular body 20 .

(First and second strips)
The first and second strips 14, 16 extend from the calf to the thigh flexor through between the popliteal fossa 36j and the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 at a position that imparts contact force to the calf flexor and femoral flexor. It extends in the extending direction of the leg 30 . For example, the first and second ligaments 14, 16 may extend to a position that applies abutment forces primarily to the gastrocnemius and biceps femoris muscles. The first and second band-shaped portions 14, 16 are spaced apart on both sides of the popliteal socket 36j, approach as they approach the tip of the foot, and are connected at the medial-lateral central portion of the calf. That is, as shown in each figure, the first band-shaped portions 14, 16 are arranged in a V-shape, and the apex of the V-shape is placed at the medial-lateral central portion of the calf. The distance between the first band-shaped portions 14 and 16 increases from the inner and outer central portion of the calf toward the opposite side, and the distance becomes maximum at the end on the opposite side. The first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 may straddle the front-rear boundary, but in the present embodiment, they are arranged on the rear side of the leg 30 so as not to straddle the front-rear boundary.

The width of the first and second strips 14, 16 may be in the range of 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably in the range of 10 mm to 35 mm, more preferably in the range of 15 mm to 32 mm. good. The widths of the first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 of this embodiment are set within the range of 20 mm to 30 mm.

The leading ends 14d, 16d are located near the first end 20d, and the opposite leading ends 14e, 16e are located near the second end 20e. The ends 14d, 16d may be positioned within a range of 20% to 80% from the knee 36, taking the distance from the knee 36 to the ankle as 100%. From the viewpoint of applying the contact force more effectively, the position of the end portion 14d is preferably in the range of 30% to 70% from the knee 36, and more preferably in the range of 40% to 60% from the knee 36.

The ends 14e, 16e may be positioned within a range of 20% to 80% from the knee 36 when the distance from the knee 36 to the groin is 100%. From the viewpoint of applying contact force more effectively, the positions of the ends 14e and 16e are preferably in the range of 30% to 70% from the knee 36, and more preferably in the range of 40% to 60% from the knee 36.

The first band-shaped portion 14 and the second band-shaped portion 16 may be separated, but the first band-shaped portion 14 and the second band-shaped portion 16 of the present embodiment are connected to each other.

The first strip 14 and the second strip 16 may be arranged parallel or non-parallel. The first band-shaped portion 14 and the second band-shaped portion 16 of the present embodiment are arranged such that the mutual separation distance gradually decreases from the opposite side toward the front side.

(Third strip)
The third band-shaped portion 12 extends in the extending direction of the leg 30 across the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 from the calf to a position beyond the knee 36 at a position that applies a contact force to the medial portion of the soleus muscle. The third strip 12 may have a portion along the medial side of the soleus muscle. The medial part of the soleus muscle refers to the part of the soleus muscle protruding from the gastrocnemius muscle toward the center of the body when the leg 30 is viewed from the rear side. The front end 12d of the third band-shaped portion 12 of the present embodiment is positioned closer to the ankle than the front end 14d of the first band-shaped portion 14 is. Further, the end 12e of the third band-shaped portion 12 on the opposite side is positioned closer to the knee 36 than the end 14e of the first band-shaped portion 14 on the opposite side. Also, the third strip portion 12 extends substantially parallel to the first strip portion 14 and is shorter than the first strip portion 14 . The third strip 12 is located on the opposite side of the first strip 14 to the second strip 16 .

(Fourth strip)
The fourth belt-shaped portion 18 extends along the lateral side of the soleus muscle from the calf to a position beyond the knee 36, straddling the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 at a position that applies a contact force to the lateral side of the soleus muscle. Stretch in the stretching direction. The fourth strip 18 may have a portion along the lateral side of the soleus muscle. The lateral portion of the soleus muscle refers to a portion of the soleus muscle protruding from the gastrocnemius muscle in the direction away from the center of the body when the leg 30 is viewed from the rear side. The front end 18d of the fourth band-shaped portion 18 of the present embodiment is positioned closer to the ankle than the front end 16d of the second band-shaped portion 16 is. Further, the end 18e of the fourth band-shaped portion 18 on the opposite side is placed closer to the knee 36 than the end 16e of the second band-shaped portion 16 on the opposite side. Also, the fourth strip portion 18 extends substantially parallel to the second strip portion 16 and is shorter than the second strip portion 16 . The fourth strip 18 is located on the opposite side of the second strip 16 to the first strip 14 .

The width of the third and fourth strips 12, 18 may be in the range of 5 mm to 40 mm, preferably in the range of 10 mm to 35 mm, more preferably in the range of 15 mm to 32 mm. good. The widths of the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 of this embodiment are set within the range of 20 mm to 30 mm.

The third and fourth band-shaped portions 12, 18 of this embodiment extend to avoid the kneecap 36h. Also, the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12, 18 approach each other toward the front side, and are closest to each other at the front end portions 12d, 18d. Further, the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 are spaced apart from each other toward the opposite side, and are farthest apart from each other at the ends 12e and 18e on the opposite side.

In the knee 36, the popliteal 36j is recessed from the surroundings, and if the band-shaped portion 10 passes through the popliteal 36j, there is a risk that the contact force around the popliteal 36j will decrease. Therefore, the band-shaped portion 10 of the present embodiment extends to avoid the popliteal fossa 36j.

In the knee 36, the kneecap 36h protrudes from the surroundings, and when the band-shaped portion 10 passes through the kneecap 36h, there is a possibility that the contact force around the kneecap 36h is reduced. Therefore, the band-shaped portion 10 of the present embodiment extends to avoid the kneecap 36h.

Features of the knee brace 100 configured as described above will be described.

The knee brace 100 includes a tubular body 20 that is worn over a region extending from the lower leg to the thigh with the knee 36 interposed therebetween, and the tubular body 20 that is provided on the tubular body 20 so that when the knee brace 100 is worn on the leg 30, it is attached to a predetermined portion. and a band-shaped portion 10 having stretchability to the extent that it abuts. The band-shaped portion 10 extends from the crus through the knee 36 over the thigh, and is provided so as to apply contact force to the flexor muscles that contribute to the bending of the knee 36 .

According to this configuration, the band-shaped portion 10 can apply a compressive force to the flexor muscles that contribute to the flexion of the knee 36, so that the extensor muscles of the leg 30 can be relaxed. This allows the knee 36 to move smoothly and relieve fatigue around the knee 36 .

The band-shaped portion 10 extends in the extending direction of the leg 30 from the calf through between the popliteal 36j and the front-rear boundary of the leg 30 to the thigh flexor muscle group at the position where the contact force is applied to the leg flexor muscle group and the thigh flexor muscle group. It may also include first and second strips 14, 16 that do. The first and second band-shaped portions 14, 16 may be separated from each other across the popliteal socket 36j, become closer toward the tip of the foot, and be connected at the left and right central portions of the calf. In this case, the inclusion of the first and second band-shaped portions 14, 16 makes it possible to apply compressive force to the flexor muscles of the lower leg and the flexor muscles of the thigh, thereby relaxing the extensor muscles corresponding to these flexors.

Strip 10 may include third and fourth strips 12,18. The third strip 12 may extend in the extensional direction of the leg 30 across the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 from the calf to a position beyond the knee 36 at a position that applies a contact force to the medial portion of the soleus muscle. The fourth strip 18 may extend in the extensional direction of the leg 30 across the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 from the calf to a position beyond the knee 36 at a position that imparts a contact force to the lateral portion of the soleus muscle. In this case, a direct compressive force can be applied to the medial and lateral portions of the soleus muscle, thereby relaxing the extensor group corresponding to these flexors.

The third strip 12 may be spaced apart from the first strip 14 and extend substantially parallel to the first strip 14 , or may be shorter than the first strip 14 . In this case, if the third band-shaped portion 12 is too long, it will be difficult to bend the knee 36, but since it is not too long, the knee 36 will be easy to bend.

The fourth strip 18 may extend substantially parallel to the second strip 16 away from the second strip 16 or may be shorter than the second strip 16 . In this case, if the fourth band-shaped portion 18 is too long, it will be difficult to bend the knee 36, but since it is not too long, the knee 36 will be easy to bend.

The third and fourth band-shaped portions 12, 18 may extend to avoid the kneecap 36h. In this case, a decrease in compressive force of the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12, 18 in the vicinity of the knee 36 can be suppressed. In addition, when the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 pass through the kneecap 36h, discomfort may occur in the kneecap 36h when the knee 36 is flexed.

[Second embodiment]
A configuration of a knee brace 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. FIG. In the drawings and description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components and members as in the first embodiment. Explanations overlapping with those of the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted, and the explanation will focus on the configuration different from that of the first embodiment. The knee brace 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the arrangement of the first and second belt-shaped parts 14, 16 and the third and fourth belt-shaped parts 12, 18 is different, and the rest of the configuration is the same. is. Accordingly, the first and second strips 14, 16 and the third and fourth strips 12, 18 will be described. It should be noted that the first and second strip portions 14, 16 and the third and fourth strip portions 12, 18 of the second embodiment correspond to the first and second strip portions 14, 16 and 14, 16 of the first embodiment within a consistent range. It has features similar to those of the third and fourth strips 12,18.

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace 200R according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn on the right leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace 200R is attached to the right leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 9 is a rear view showing a state in which the knee brace 200L is attached to the left leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the knee brace 200L is attached to the left leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. The knee brace 200R and the knee brace 200L are collectively referred to as the knee brace 200. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flat development view of the knee brace 200R for the right leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flat development view of the knee brace 200L for the left leg 30, and corresponds to FIG. 11 and 12 show a state in which the front and rear boundaries of the leg 30 on the side opposite to the thumb are opened and deployed. In these figures, the dashed line La indicates the front-rear boundary of the leg 30 on the thumb side. A dashed line Lb indicates a boundary between a first tubular body 22 and a second tubular body 24, which will be described later. The boundaries defined by broken lines La and Lb are merely examples, and the knee brace 200 can be worn in any manner.

(First and second strips)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 extend from the calves to the popliteal fossa 36j and the leg at positions that apply contact force to the cranial flexor muscles and the femoral flexor muscles. It extends in the extending direction of the leg 30 through between the front and rear boundaries of the leg 30 to reach the thigh flexor muscle group. On the rear side of the leg 30, the first and second band-shaped portions 14, 16 are separated across the popliteal fossa 36j, become closer as they go away from the toe, and are connected at the left and right central portions of the thigh. That is, as shown in each figure, the first band-shaped portions 14 and 16 are arranged in an upside-down V shape, and the vertices of the V shape are on the rear side of the leg 30 and at the left and right center above the knee of the thigh. be placed. The distance between the first band-shaped parts 14 and 16 increases from the left and right central portions above the knee toward the front side, and the distance becomes maximum at the ends on the front side. The first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 may straddle the front-rear boundary, but in the present embodiment, they are arranged on the rear side of the leg 30 so as not to straddle the front-rear boundary.

In the present embodiment, the ends 14d, 16d of the first and second belt-shaped portions 14, 16 on the side below the knee extend to the first end 20d on the side below the knee of the cylindrical body 20 and contact the first end 20d. The ends 14e, 16e of the first and second strips 14, 16 above the knee extend to a position spaced apart from the second end 20e of the tubular body 20 above the knee. The ends 14e, 16e do not contact the second end 20e. In this example, the ends 14e, 16e are vertically centered between the popliteal socket 36j and the second end 20e.

(Third and fourth strips)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, the third and fourth strips 12, 18 are separated from each other. The third and fourth strips 12, 18 extend from a position above the knee to apply a contact force to the biceps femoris muscle, straddling the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 and extending below the knee to the shin. The third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 are spaced apart across the knee cap 36h on the front side of the leg 30, and come closer as the toes are approached. On the rear side of the leg 30, the third and fourth strips 12 and 18 approach the second end 20e as they approach.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the third band-shaped portion 12 is spaced apart from the first band-shaped portion 14 and extends substantially parallel to the first band-shaped portion 14 . The third strip 12 is arranged on the opposite side of the first strip 14 to the second strip 16 . Further, the fourth belt-shaped portion 18 is spaced apart from the second belt-shaped portion 16 and extends substantially parallel to the second belt-shaped portion 16 . The fourth strip 18 is arranged on the opposite side of the second strip 16 to the first strip 14 . The ends 12e, 18e above the knee of the third and fourth strips 12, 18 extend to the second end 20e above the knee of the tubular body 20 and contact the second end 20e on the rear side of the leg 30. . The ends 12d and 18d of the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 on the side below the knee extend to a position away from the first end 20d on the side below the knee of the cylindrical body 20. As shown in FIG. The ends 12d, 18d do not contact the first end 20d. In this example, the ends 12d and 18d are positioned vertically centered between the kneecap 36h and the first end 20d.

Features of the knee brace 200 configured as described above will be described.

The band-shaped part 10 extends in the extension direction of the leg 30 from the calf through between the popliteal fossa and the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg 30 to the femoral flexor muscle group at a position where a contact force is applied to the leg flexor muscle group and the thigh flexor muscle group. First and second strips 14,16 may be included. On the rear side of the leg 30, the first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 are spaced apart across the popliteal fossa 36j, get closer as they go away from the toes, and are connected at the left and right central portions of the thigh. good. In this case, the inclusion of the first and second band-shaped portions 14, 16 makes it possible to apply compressive force to the flexor muscles of the lower leg and the flexor muscles of the thigh, thereby relaxing the extensor muscles corresponding to these flexors.

The band-shaped part 10 extends from the position above the knee where a contact force is applied to the biceps femoris muscle, straddles the front-rear boundary of the leg 30, extends to the shin below the knee, and is separated from each other. A fourth strip 12,18 may be included. On the front side of the leg 30, the third and fourth bands 12, 18 are spaced apart across the knee cap 36h and may converge as they approach the toe. In this case, a direct compressive force can be applied to the biceps femoris muscles, thereby resulting in relaxation of the extensor groups associated with these flexors.

The third strip 12 may be spaced apart from the first strip 14 and extend substantially parallel to the first strip 14 . The fourth strip 18 may be spaced apart from the second strip 16 and extend substantially parallel to the second strip 16 . The ends 12e, 18e of the third and fourth strips 12, 18 above the knee may extend to the second end 20e of the tubular body 10 above the knee. The ends 12 d and 18 d of the third and fourth band-shaped portions 12 and 18 on the side below the knee may extend to a position separated from the first end 20 d on the side below the knee of the tubular body 10 . In this case, compared to the case where the second end 20e above the knee of the tubular body 10 is located above the ends 12e and 18e, the distance to the upper end of the tubular body 10 can be shortened. 10 will not be unnecessarily long.

The ends 14 d and 16 d of the first and second band-shaped portions 14 and 16 on the side below the knee may extend to the first end 20 d on the side below the knee of the tubular body 10 . The ends 14e, 16e above the knee of the first and second strips 14, 16 may extend to a position away from the first end 20d above the knee of the tubular body 10. As shown in FIG. In this case, the distance to the lower end of the tubular body 10 can be shortened as compared with the case where the first end 20d on the side below the knee of the tubular body 10 is located below the ends 14d and 16d. 10 will not be unnecessarily long.

The above has been described based on the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments are illustrative and that various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of the invention and that such variations and modifications also fall within the scope of the claims of the invention. It is about to be done. Accordingly, the description and drawings herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[Modification]
Modifications will be described below. In the description of the modified example, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components and members as in the first embodiment. Explanations overlapping with those of the first embodiment will be appropriately omitted, and the explanation will focus on the configuration different from that of the first embodiment.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the first opening 20h on the front side of the cylindrical body 20 is located in the middle of the leg 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening on the front side of the tubular body 20 may extend up to the ankle.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the second opening 20j on the opposite side of the cylindrical body 20 is located in the middle of the thigh 34, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening on the opposite side of the tubular body 20 may extend to the vicinity of the base of the leg.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example in which the left and right knee braces 100L and 100R are independent was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the left and right knee braces may be partially connected.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example in which a pair of left and right knee braces 100 are provided was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. A knee brace for only one leg may be provided.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example in which the left and right knee braces 100L and 100R have symmetrical shapes was shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The left and right knee braces may have asymmetric shapes or identical shapes.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example in which the tubular body 20 is formed in an integral tubular shape by circular knitting has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tubular body 20 may be flatly knitted by plain knitting and formed into a tubular shape by sewing or the like. Alternatively, the tubular body 20 may be provided with a fastener at a predetermined location, wrapped around the leg with the fastener open, and wrapped around the leg with the fastener closed.

In the description of the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the knee brace 100 is an independent mounting body, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the knee brace may be part of a garment or support worn on the body.

It should be noted that these modified examples can also be applied to the second embodiment as long as there is no contradiction. These modifications have the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiments.

Any combination of the above embodiments and variations is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the effects of each of the combined embodiments and modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... strip|belt-shaped part 14... 1st strip|belt-shaped part 16... 2nd strip|belt-shaped part 12... 3rd strip|belt-shaped part 18... 4th strip|belt-shaped part 20... Cylindrical body 20d... 1st strip|belt-shaped part End 20e Second end 20h First opening 20j Second opening 22 First cylindrical body 24 Second cylindrical body 30 Leg 32 Lower leg 34 Thigh 36 Knee 36h Kneecap 36j Popliteal fossa 100 Knee brace.

Claims (6)

a cylindrical body that is attached to a region extending from the lower leg to the thigh across the knee;
A band-shaped part provided in the tubular body and having elasticity to the extent that it abuts on a predetermined part when worn on the leg,
The band-shaped portion extends from the lower leg through the knee to the thigh, and is provided so as to apply a contact force to a flexor muscle group that contributes to bending of the knee ,
The band-shaped portion extends in the extension direction of the leg from the calf to the thigh flexor muscle group through between the popliteal fossa and the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg at a position where a contact force is applied to the leg flexor muscle group and the thigh flexor muscle group. , including a second strip,
The first and second band-shaped portions are separated on both sides of the popliteal fossa, approach as the tip of the foot approaches, and are connected at the left and right central portions of the calves,
The band-shaped portion includes third and fourth band-shaped portions,
The third band-shaped part extends in the extension direction of the leg across the front and back boundary of the leg from the calf to a position beyond the knee at a position where a contact force is applied to the medial part of the soleus muscle,
The fourth band-shaped part extends in the extending direction of the leg across the front and back boundary of the leg from the calf to a position beyond the knee at a position where a contact force is applied to the lateral part of the soleus muscle,
The knee brace, wherein the third belt-like part extends substantially parallel to the first belt-like part away from the first belt-like part and is shorter than the first belt-like part. 2. The knee brace according to claim 1 , wherein said fourth strap extends substantially parallel to and away from said second strap and is shorter than said second strap. The knee brace according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the third and fourth band-like portions extend to avoid the kneecap. a cylindrical body that is attached to a region extending from the lower leg to the thigh across the knee;
A band-shaped part provided in the tubular body and having elasticity to the extent that it abuts on a predetermined part when worn on the leg,
The band-shaped portion extends from the lower leg through the knee to the thigh, and is provided so as to apply a contact force to a flexor muscle group that contributes to bending of the knee,
The band-shaped portion extends in the extension direction of the leg from the calf to the thigh flexor muscle group through between the popliteal fossa and the anterior-posterior boundary of the leg at a position where a contact force is applied to the leg flexor muscle group and the thigh flexor muscle group. , including a second strip,
On the rear side of the leg, the first and second band-shaped portions are separated from each other across the popliteal fossa, approach as they go away from the tip of the foot, and are connected at the left and right central portions of the thigh,
The belt-shaped part extends from a position above the knee where a contact force is applied to the biceps femoris muscle, straddles the front and back boundary of the leg, extends to the shin below the knee, and is separated from each other. including a fourth strip,
A knee brace, characterized in that, on the front side of the leg, the third and fourth band-shaped portions are separated with the kneecap interposed therebetween, and approach as the tip of the foot approaches. the third strip-shaped portion extends substantially parallel to the first strip-shaped portion away from the first strip-shaped portion;
the fourth strip-shaped portion extends substantially parallel to the second strip-shaped portion away from the second strip-shaped portion;
the ends of the third and fourth band-shaped portions above the knee extend to the ends above the knee of the tubular body,
5. The knee brace according to claim 4 , wherein the ends of the third and fourth band-shaped portions below the knee extend to a position away from the end of the tubular body below the knee. the ends of the first and second band-shaped portions below the knee extend to the ends below the knee of the tubular body,
6. The knee brace according to claim 5 , wherein the ends of the first and second band-shaped portions above the knee extend to a position away from the end of the tubular body above the knee.

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