WO2013178893A1

WO2013178893A1 - Device for protecting the knee joint with a strap

Info

Publication number: WO2013178893A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/050797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre GOUNIOT
Original assignee: Gouniot Pierre
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Also published as: EP2854972A1; US20150106991A1; FR2991140B1; FR2991140A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device for protecting the knee joint of a user, intended to be installed on a sports shoe (2), characterised in that it comprises a shell (10) provided with an inner surface capable of at least partially covering an anterior portion of the leg of the user, the shell (10) comprising an upper portion (11) intended to be located at the knee and a lower portion (12) comprising linking means capable of linking the shell (10) to the sports shoe (2), the upper portion comprising side panels suitable for being brought into contact with the knee on either side of the knee, being in contact, at a minimum, with the condyles of the femur of the user, at least one strap (3) intended to be attached around an area of the leg and means for connecting the strap (3) to the inner surface of the shell (10).

Description

"Knee joint protection device with strap"

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for protecting the knee joint of a user intended to be installed on a sports shoe. The invention relates to a device for protecting the knee joint of a user comprising a shell partially surrounding the anterior and lateral parts of the tibia and of the knee equipped with a strap adapted to control the back translation of the knee relative to soft-boiled. It 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.

The document US-A1-4136404 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 therefore does not allow the forces applied to the device to be transferred to the device. 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.

In this frame the following rotations and translations can occur:

- Z-axis axial rotation of the tibia at the knee corresponding to the angle between two transverse vectors of the tibia and femur, one at the tibial plateau, and the other between the two femoral condyles; projected in the plane of the tibial plateau (XY plane); and

- The rotation in lateral flexion corresponding to the angle between the two transverse vectors of the tibia and the femur, but in the plane YZ still called valgus-varus; and

- The rotation in frontal flexion corresponding to the angle between two longitudinal vectors of the tibia and femur in the XZ plane; and

- The shear of the knee corresponding to the translations between the tibia and the femur along the three axes X, Y and Z, including a shear towards the front of the femur along the X axis.

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 a frontal flexion angle between the femur and the tibia of 90 °, the internal axial rotation of the tibia is approximately 30 °, concomitantly carrying the tip of the tibia. foot in, combined with the movement of adduction or abduction of the foot, the external axial rotation of the tibia It being about 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 forward shearing of the femur along the X axis, and relative axial and lateral rotations of 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 do this, the present invention provides a device for protecting the knee joint of a user, intended to be installed on a sports shoe, characterized in that it comprises:

a rigid shell having an inner surface adapted to at least partially cover an anterior portion of the leg of the user, the shell comprising an upper portion intended to be located at the knee and a lower portion having suitable connecting means to bind the shell to the sports shoe, the upper part comprising lateral cheeks able 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 in with respect to 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 first strap, alone or in combination with said connecting means, being adapted to surround the entire leg and be in contact with the leg over the entire periphery of the section of the latter.

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 sides 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 possibly by intermediary wedges as described below, bearing on the soft tissues that cover the condyles and / or distal femoral epiphyses in association with a rigid shell shin guard limited in its movements with respect to the ski boot makes it possible to maintain the thigh relative to the boot. 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 in 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. hull and thus maintain the knee in position vis-à-vis the side cheeks so that the device can perform its protective function without hindering the movements of the lower limb that said strap is attached below the knee.

The characteristic according to which said first strap follows the periphery of the leg, thus makes it possible to optimize the function of said first strap and the binding of the shell with the leg without inducing rotation of the shell with respect to the boot in case of rotation at the knee.

The advantages of this embodiment are explained below with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. the embodiment according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A .This embodiment is advantageous with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1B in which the strap 3 'comprises two independent strands whose fixing points are arranged on the side edges 10d of the shell, the strap 3 'being in contact with only the rear part of the leg.

Indeed, during the tests carried out, it has been found that - in certain circumstances - in the embodiment according to FIG. 1B, the shell could undergo a forward translation along the X axis with respect to the knee and, at the contrary, that the knee could undergo a translation backwards with respect to the shell along the X axis, that is to say that the knee could leave the hull and therefore the device no longer ensures its protection function.

This occurs in particular during flexion movements of the member and during a rotational movement of the knee relative to the hull, particularly from a bending angle of the femur of 35 ° relative to the tibia. These movements indeed cause a displacement of the femoral condyles relative to the shell which may have as a consequence of causing a relative translation to the back of the knee, the knee is no longer protected by the cheeks and thus generating situations at risk lesionnel.

This movement of relative translation of the knee during said movements of flexion of the lower limb results from muscle movements and deformations of the soft tissues which causes the modification of the shape of the contour of the section of the leg at constant perimeter, and in particular causes the modification of the volume of the leg on its posterior part, the soft tissues may have, at the level of said condyles, a thickness of about 1 centimeter.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, because the strap only covers the posterior portion of the leg, a decrease in the volume of the posterior portion of the leg causes a relaxation of the pressure of the strap, allowing the translation of the knee backward relative to the hull. Said first strap no longer fulfills satisfactorily its function of locking the translation of the knee backwards relative to the hull.

On the other hand, in the embodiment according to the invention and in FIG. 1A, because the strap 3 covers the entire periphery of the leg, which remains at a constant perimeter, a modification of the volume of the leg has no effect. impact on the contact of the strap relative to the leg, and said connection means of the strap to the inner surface of the shell prevent the relative translation rearward of the knee relative to the hull, despite the movements of the condyles and / or crush soft tissues.

This embodiment of the invention therefore makes it possible, in a simple and clever way, to clamp the relative translation towards the rear of the knee with respect to the shell and to maintain a substantially constant tension of the strap in contact with the leg during movement. flexion of the lower limb, despite the overall change in shape of the leg section and movements and deformities of muscles and soft tissues.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the strap, after tightening the strap on the soft tissues, induces a pressure by pressing on the only posterior part of the leg, which varies according to the angular position of the femur relative to the tibia and increases the pressure or decreases depending on the position of the skier when tightening said strap on the leg in the relaxed position or standing the pressure of the strap will decrease from a flexion of an approximate angle of 35 ° between the tibia and the femur. On the contrary, in the case where the skier serves the strap in a seated or bent position, the pressure increases sharply on the leg when the skier is standing up and creates significant discomfort by soft tissue shear at the upper calf.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A and new claim 1, the strap ensures a quasi constant pressure on the soft tissues and therefore does not cause differential pressure on the posterior part of the leg and does not risk cause soft tissue shear at the upper calf according to the angular position and also maintains a constant position of the knee relative to the hull. Finally, it should be noted that in the embodiment according to the invention and in FIG. 1A, the said connection means fill the space between the shell and the front part of the leg, which allows the strap can go around the leg in all circumstances. This space between the front of the leg and the hull is necessary because the hull is applied against the collar of the shoe and against the knee by means of 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 connecting means are flexible in non-elastic materials, and said first strap is a flexible strip of non-elastic materials, especially textile material. Such flexible connection means allow that during an impact the shin does not come into contact with a wounding rigid part.

More particularly, the connecting means are attached to at least one connecting zone of the inner surface of the shell, the said connecting means being arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle of the section width of the shell, the said shell having preferably a shape symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane. 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 over a height of 25 to 55 cm, preferably from 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 cm. mm.

More particularly, the connecting means comprise at least one intermediate piece of which at least a first part is fixed to the inner surface of the shell and of which at least a second part is fixed to the part of the first strap.

More particularly still, the connection means comprise at least a single intermediate piece, a central portion of which is fixed to a single connection zone of the inner surface of the shell substantially in the middle of the section of the shell, and of which two lateral parts are arranged. on either side of said central portion and substantially symmetrically with respect to said connection zone are attached to the portion of the first strap adapted to be in contact with the front portion of the tibia.

More particularly, the insert is connected to the inner surface of the shell at a height of the height of the shell such that the strap is intended to be applied to an upper portion of the calf of the user vis-à-vis screw of said connection zone of said insert on said inner surface of the shell.

Preferably, said intermediate connecting piece comprises a piece of flexible material, preferably made from a flexible band, non-elastic materials.

More particularly still, said first strap comprises at least a first portion located opposite the inner surface of the shell capable of being in contact on the anterior portion of the leg and at least a second portion extending to the first part, the width of the first part being greater than that of the second part. It was found that a larger strap width on the front face of the leg could improve comfort and decrease local stresses by a distribution of the forces on a larger surface, because the front face of the leg has a decrease in soft tissue thickness and thus the pressure on the soft tissue surface increases.

Advantageously, at least a portion of the face of the first strap intended to be exposed in contact with the leg comprises a coating of damping material, preferably a flexible material of cellular type or gel type.

More particularly still, said first strap comprises two distinct or continuous strands at a first end of each strand, the two strands being able to extend over at least respectively the two lateral sides of the leg and comprising said first ends. are attached to said connecting means, the second free ends of the two strands being able to meet on the rear part of the leg.

Advantageously, said first strap comprises a loop of flexible material at the free end of one of the strands and / or a velcro-type self adhesive system configured to secure the free end of the other strand to the rear portion of the strap. leg, preferably said passer being an integrated orifice at the end of a first strand of greater width than the end of the second strand adapted to pass in said passer.

Preferably, the device comprises shims applied against the inner faces of said cheeks and having bearing surfaces in ergonomic shapes adapted to fit at least partially the shape of the sides of the knee at the level of the condyles so as to block the translation relative knee to the front relative to the hull and block the rotation of the knee relative to the hull, without impeding the bending movements of the lower limb, preferably wedges molded into bumpy shapes complementary to those of the lateral faces of the hinge knee at the level of the condyles. Said wedges have the essential function of blocking the rotation of the femur along the Z axis of the tibia and blocking the rotation of the femur relative to the tibia and therefore, with respect to the hull, on the one hand, and on the other hand, block the forward translation of the knee relative to the hull. Said first strap serves to block the translation towards the rear of the knee relative to said shell. The wedges do not block the relative translation towards the rear of the knee relative to the hull because they are configured not to hinder the bending movements of the lower limb.

Preferably, the shims are molded into shapes resulting from the surfaces complementary to those of the lateral faces of the knee observed at the level of the condyles between at least two bending positions.

This characteristic makes it possible to adapt the same shell to various dimensions of condyles by interposing spacers. 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.

The inner surface of the wedges can preferably be made to measure to fit the shape of the lower limb of the skier without hindering the flexion / extension of the knee. Ergonomic wedges, for example, conform to the shape of knee rib morphology without interfering with frontal flexion of the knee. The surface defined by the contour of the wedges thus corresponds to the surface defined by the contour of the cheek as described below and therefore has a surface area of at least 50 cm ² , preferably at least 100 cm ² .

Advantageously, the ergonomic wedges have a surface resulting from the melting of the surfaces observed at the level of the skier's condyles for at least two preferred angular positions of the skier's lower limbs, in particular with an angle α between the vertical and the femur of 70 ° and 135 °. °.

This personalization feature allows the device to be particularly pleasant to use in all ski positions. In addition, this customization of the protective device according to the invention is very interesting insofar as it ensures a better bonding 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.

Advantageously, said cheeks and / or said wedges comprise seals made of flexible material intended to be in contact with the sides of the skier's knee.

(S). More particularly, said wedges comprise a rigid support covered with flexible material linings intended to be in contact with the skier's knee, that is to say on the part intended to bear on the sides of the knee. The trimmings are arranged on the inner faces of the cheeks or, preferably, wedges when they are present. This feature increases the comfort of the skier without affecting the effectiveness of the invention in terms of rotation along the Z axis.

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 and shims are advantageously made from a rigid inorganic or organic material, in monolithic or composite form, chosen from the following materials: magnesium, aluminum, titanium, metal alloys, filled or uncoated polymers, reinforced or not, resins composite 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, for example Keviar * brand from Dupont de Nemours and or Poly p-phenylene-2,6-bezobisoxazole (PBO) * trademark of the company Toyobo Japan and / or the PIPD M5 from the company Dupont de Nemours, and / or the Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) DYNEEMA brand of the company DSM Holland. The degree of reinforcement in the composite is between 0% and 70%. The reinforcement may be woven or knitted or braided, of the 2D or 3D or unidirectional type, or of cut fiber. Organic or inorganic fillers can be added to the matrix according to the desired specifications. Incidentally, the polymer materials of the matrix as well as the reinforcing fibers may contain carbon nanotubes in order to improve the mechanical characteristics. These materials in general make it possible to ensure good rigidity of the hull and shims while ensuring a good lightness and a certain comfort. More particularly, a composite material made of carbon fiber is used for the shell, optionally mixed with other types of fibers, impregnated in a preferably epoxy polymer resin.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rigid support of the wedges is made of balsa-type wood material. This material has characteristics of high compressive strength including 1 MPa to 30 MPa, more particularly 5 to 25 MPa for relatively low densities of 50 to 300 Kg / m ^3, more particularly 100 to 250 Kg / m ³ .

More particularly, a BALTEK® SB 100 or 150 balsa brand sold by the company ALKAN BALTEC CORPORATION (USA) is used.

On at least one face of the lining in contact with the lower limb, a film or fabric of spandex or elastic type with a thickness of at least 10 μιτι may be affixed by gluing on the said surface to conform to the shape of the hold.

The material of the film or fabric may have a low coefficient of friction. By way of example, the material may be manufactured from polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE (former Teflon brand DUPONT from Nemours USA). The thickness of the film or fabric is selected according to the desired mechanical characteristics.

In the case where the cheeks or 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 femoral condyles are held by the shims positioned at the cheeks and the wedges allow reduced axial rotation relative movements of the femur and tibia because the tissues 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 adjustment and adaptation capabilities of the device by the use of wedges make it possible to adapt the device to the variability of the skiers: age, sex, physical condition, muscle tone and contraction levels etc. The conditions predicted loads are also so many parameters of adjustment of the device: shear, lateral bending, velocities, 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 30c for applying the user's knee patella, said cushion being preferably formed from a cellular material having a density of between 30 kg / m3 and 900 kg / m3.

More particularly, said shims and said cheeks each have a contour substantially in the shape of an ellipse portion on the upper portion and the rear portion of said contour of the cheek, the major axis XI of the ellipse being inclined at an angle inclusive between 45 ° and 135 °, preferably 70 ° to 110 °, with respect to the main longitudinal axis Z of the hull and / or with respect to the hull in section in a longitudinal vertical median plane of the hull.

The preferential use of elliptical contoured cheeks is particularly adapted to a lateral support at the lateral flanks of the thigh, the orientation of the cheeks allowing correct maintenance of the skier's femur in ski position without any discomfort for the latter.

Even more particularly, the large radius of the ellipse is at least 5 cm, preferably 6 to 15 cm, in particular 8 to 11 cm, and the small radius of the ellipse is at least 2 cm, more particularly 3 to 15 cm. 10cm.

More particularly, the major axis of the ellipse is located 2 to 5cm from the upper end of the shell and the center of the ellipse is located 5 to 10cm from the rectilinear section of the front face of the shell. section in a longitudinal median plane of the hull.

Such dimensions of the ellipse and such inclination has the major axis of the ellipse of 70 ° to 110 ° allow to maintain the ratio between the cheeks and the end of the lower femoral epiphysis despite the movements of the condyles during flexion / extension of the knee. 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.

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 XI, and located on the rear of an axis parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse ZI (and therefore perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse) located at about half of the large radius (R) of the ellipse from the rectilinear front 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, said shoe comprises 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 hull relative to the boot about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ZZ 'of the shell and / or collar. This embodiment of the connecting means also makes it possible to optimize the transfer of the forces on the boot, by the mode of binding of the shell on said shoe.

More particularly, said connecting means comprise first connecting means adapted to be fixed on the collar of the boot and second connecting means complementary to the first connecting means of the collar to be secured to the collar of the boot, said connecting means preferably comprising at least one second (and / or third) strap (s) fixed (s) or suitable (s) to be fixed (s) to said shell and suitable (s) to be fixed (s) to said 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 allowable angular amplitude of axial rotation along Z between the tibia and the femur less than 45 °.

Preferably said first and second connecting means immobilizes the shell 10 in rotation with respect to the shoe 2 about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ZZ 'of the shell or collar (21) of the shoe 2.

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.

Thus, in a particular embodiment, the first and second attachment means comprise two second and third straps, each of which has one end attached to the collar and the other end to the shell, the extension of the straps limiting the rotation, of preferably blocking said rotation, in each of the two directions of rotation.

The use of the second and third straps allows to adjust the rotational positioning of the shell in both directions of rotation and to limit this movement in both directions of rotation.

In a variant, the first connecting means comprise at least one guide piece intended to be installed on the collar of the boot, this guide piece being able to cooperate with the second connecting means of the complementary shell of this guide piece. to limit the rotation on the predetermined angular sector. This implementation may involve the installation on each shoe of at least one particular element allowing the operation of the connecting means of the shell by controlling exactly the behavior of the shell relative to the shoe. It is envisaged here that these first binding means installed on the shoe are elements present by default on the shoe as a attachment or other element with respect to which the hull will be positioned to be limited in rotation.

The invention also relates to a sports equipment glide or roller comprising a sports shoe and a protective device.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a sports equipment comprising a sports shoe 2 comprising said first connecting means and a protection device according to the invention comprising said second connecting means. 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:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the connection principle of the first strap

3 on a connecting piece located on the inner face substantially median of the shell 10 of a device according to the invention (Figure 1A) in comparison with a strap connection 3 'fixed on the side edges 10d of the shell not according to the present invention (Figure 1B);

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a connecting piece and a first strap in perspective without the leg (FIG. 2) and around the upper part of the calf (FIG. 3);

FIGS. 4A to 4C represent views of the shell, front view (FIG. 4A), profile view (FIG. 4B) and top view (FIG. 4C);

In FIG. 4C, there is shown a hull with a substantially circular horizontal section, the lateral cheeks 11a and 11b being also slightly curved in opposite directions of the two ribs.

FIG. 5A shows the shell equipped with first connecting means comprising second straps 13a-1, 13a-2 on this embodiment;

FIG 5B represents the shoe equipped with second complementary connecting means comprising third straps fixed on a hook 23 at the rear of the collar 21; FIG. 5C illustrates a connection embodiment of said first and second complementary linking means of FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a variant in which said first and second complementary connecting means comprise a single pair of second or third straps 13a or 13b connecting a fastener 23 to the rear of the collar and lateral orifices 0 in lower part 12 of the hull;

FIG 7 shows a device according to the invention provided with wedges 30a, 30b and central cushion 30c;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show shims 30a, 30b consisting of a flexible lining 30-1 over a rigid support 30-2;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a third embodiment of said link means, and

FIG. 10 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 clarification in the present description, leg is understood to mean the part 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 10 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 FIG. 10 as a function of the flexion position of the skier S.

In Figures 1 to 7, 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 connecting means for securing the shell 10 with the collar 21 of the shoe 2. The upper part of the shell 10 has two lateral flanges 11a, 11b which cover the faces lateral knee vis-à-vis CF condyles of the femur F on both sides of the leg of the skier S, this overlap being provided 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 from 45 to 65% of 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 consisting of two layers of said composite material based on carbon fibers constituting two outer skins on each side of a ROHACELL ^® or AIREX ^® aluminum honeycomb or honeycomb core.

In general, the present invention allows protection of the knee by transferring at least in part certain mechanical stresses induced at the level of the condyles C _F 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 10 has an elongated dimension oriented Z substantially from the knee (upper part 11) to the collar 21 of the shoe 2 (lower part 12). In Figure 5A, 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 20 cm. The portion of the shell between the cheeks has a domed horizontal section with concavity turned towards the leg, in particular of partly circular section at the frontal level of 2 to 15 cm radius, more particularly from 3 to 8 cm radius. To allow the device to always be properly in contact with the knee sides at the condyles C _F , the device comprises at least a first strap 3, visible in Figures 2 and 3, adapted to surround the leg and secondly 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.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show in greater detail a first embodiment of the first strap 3 and its connection to the shell 10. In fact, according to the invention, the first strap 3 is connected to the shell 10 at the surface internal 4 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 faces 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 changes in contact between the knee sides at the condyles C _F and the lateral cheeks lia, 11b during his movements.

In the case of Figures 2 and 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 a intermediate piece 4 secured to the first strap 1 on the one hand and to the inner surface 10b of the shell 10 on the other hand. The internal surface 10b is secured to a connection 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 between the leg zone 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 FIGS. 2 and 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 piece 4 forms a loop because:

a central portion 4c of said loop is fixed on a connection zone 10c of the inner surface 10b of the shell, said zone 10c being preferably disposed in the middle and symmetrically with respect to the middle of the section of the shell, and

two lateral parts 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 in contact with the front portion of the tibia, the ends 4a and 4b being disposed symmetrically with respect to said first portion 4c or in the middle of the section of the shell.

In Figures 2 and 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 orifice integrated 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 said passing and comprising a velcro-type self adhesive or hook-and-loop fastener element configured to secure the free end 3d-2 of the other strand 3b with the end 3d-1 of a first strand 3a, on the rear part of the leg .

It has been found that a loop of rigid material can cause soft tissue inflammation. The interest of the passer in flexible material such as textile is that it conforms to the change in the shape of the soft tissues. Also the greater width of a portion of the strap allows the cutting of a textile loop at one of its ends and thus the attachment of the other end of the strap passing through the opening of said passer. The passing of one end of the strap may be textile material and be an integral part of said strap.

Fixing the insert 4 on the inner surface 10b of the shell 10 can be effected by various means and in particular by a seam or by riveting or screwing. The fixing of the insert 4 on the first strap 3, at the attachment areas 4a, 4b can also be operated by any means. In the case of using an intermediate piece 4 of flexible material, of the textile material type, a plurality of seams can be used for connection to the strap 3.

In a non-illustrated variant, the intermediate part 4 similarly comprises two attachment zones 4a, 4b on the strap 3, but this latter is this time made by two separate strands 3a, 3b, that is to say that there is no portion3c webbing between the fixing areas 4a, 4b but a connecting portion of the intermediate part 4 between the areas 4a and 4b. By this means, the first strap 3 in combination with the portion connecting the zones 4a and 4b of the connecting piece can be applied continuously over the entire periphery of the leg in question.

A variant not shown is to provide that the strands 3a, 3b are each attached to the shell 10 at a separate connection area but that the strands 3a, 3b are connected between the connection areas. We then find a monobloc strap solution in continuous contact around the leg but two areas of connection of the hull.

In an unillustrated configuration, at least one of the strands of the first strap 3 is such that a portion of its length has a first dimension in width and a second portion of its length has a second dimension in width. more narrow. In particular the narrower zone may correspond to the distal portion adapted to be assembled with the other strand of strap. For example, the strap is of variable width. On the anterior portion of the leg, the width of the strap is constant and a narrowing is effected at the lateral level of the leg, on one of the strands to allow said strand to be inserted into the other strand called textile stringer.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the first strap 3 can be covered in its exposed surface in contact with the leg of the user by a coating of damping material, so as to follow the movements of the user with limited friction.

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 C _F. The lateral cheeks 11a and 11b may themselves be in contact with the garment covering the condyles C _F or come into contact with these same condyles C _F via wedges, as will be described later.

It is easy to understand that the cooperation between the upper part 11 of the hull

10 and the part of the knee corresponding to the present area of the condyles C _F is important for the effectiveness of the device of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the contact of the lateral cheeks on the condyles of the femur is ensured by means of ergonomic wedges inserted on the inner face of the cheeks.

The inner surface of the wedges can be tailored to fit the shape of the lower limb of the skier without hindering the flexion / extension of the knee.

The lateral cheeks are of contour 11c in ellipse portion, their major axis XI being oriented at an angle α about 90 ° (FIG. 5A) 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 thus a good retention of the femur in axial and lateral rotations relative to the tibia. The following achievements show preferential orientations of the lateral cheeks between 70 ° (Figure 9) and 90 ° (Figure 5A).

In FIG. 5A, the contour 11c of the upper and the 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 XI 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 XV parallel to the major axis of the ellipse XI. 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 line X2 of the lower tangent of the ellipse parallel to XI and on the rear of an axis Z2 parallel to the minor axis ZI of the ellipse is located at about Vi 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 .

The wedges have a surface of contact with the lateral face of the knee of different shape for the two opposite lateral faces of the knee, more particularly a bumpy shape of variable thickness less than 25 mm, in particular from 1 to 25 mm

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.

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].

Figures 8A and 8B show the shims 30a, 30b consisting of a flexible lining 30-1 over a rigid support 30-2. Note that the surfaces of these functional parts 30-1 of the wedges 30 are molded into shapes well special. FIG. 5B shows a shell 10 completed with a single spacer support 30a, 30c and cushion 30c that is useful for positioning the shell 10 with respect to the skier's leg S.

These shapes correspond to the fusion of the surfaces observed at the level of the condyles CF of the femur F between the two preferred positions, which may for example be the extreme flexion positions of the thigh of the skier S shown in FIG. a maximum comfort of the skier who, between the two most extreme positions, retains a lateral pressure adapted to his morphology, even personalized, 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. Nevertheless, between the lateral cheeks 11a, 11b here formed by the lateral wedges 30a, 30b of the wedges 30, the invention may comprise a cushion 30c allowing the application of the patella of the knee of the user. It is understood that the invention thus makes it possible to differentiate the physical contact modalities between the condyles C _F 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, a cushion material of lower density than that of the side flanges 11a, 11b is advantageously used so as to produce a more supple support with damping of the forces transmitted during the contact. For example, a cushion in a cellular material density of 30kg / m ³ and 900kg / m ³ 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 cheeks 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. 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.

Figures 4A and 4B and 5A to 5C 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 13a-1, 13a-2 fixed 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 removably attachable 12a, 12b on each side of the hull in the lower part thereof , said strands said second and third straps having at their free ends 13c, 13d complementary reversible connecting means capable of reversibly securing the free ends 13c of the strands of second strap 13a with 13d strands 13b-l, 13b -2 of the third straps 13, the fastening of the lower part 12 of the shell 10 with the collar 21 of the shoe 2 thus immobilizing the shell 10 in rotation relative to the shoe 2 about a sub-axis stantially parallel to the axis ZZ 'of the shell or collar 21 of the boot (2) after clamping said second and / or third straps by the skier.

Said second straps 13a-1, 13a-2 are fixed on a hook 23 fixed or paste to be fixed on the back of the collar 21. The third straps 13b-1, 13b-2 are fixed, in particular riveted, to passers or orifices O on the two lateral edges in the lower part 12 of the shell 10. The free ends of the second straps 13a-1, 13a-2 comprise fastening clips 13c able to cooperate in reversible fixation with complementary elements 13d at the free ends of the third straps 13ba-l, 13ba-2

In Figures 6 A and 6 B, 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 the orifices 0 of the shell. In this case, it is the adjustment of the straps fixed in the orifices 0 or on the hook 23 which completely determines the angular sector on which the hull can pivot with respect to the boot 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.

According to another variant, represented in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lower part 12 of the device 10 here comprises second connecting means 12a in the form of two notches 12a separated by a tongue L. The second means of connection of the shell 12a are complementary to first connecting means, noted 22a, making guide pieces on the collar 21 of the shoe 2, formed of two elements denoted M1 and M2 jaw. Each tab denoted L is slid between the two pairs of jaws Ml and M2 placed on either side of the collar 21. It is noted here that it can be envisaged to use only a single pair of jaws Ml, M2 placed on one side only of the collar 21 of the shoe 2, preferably the outer side. This pair of jaws associated with a tongue of the type is sufficient, strictly speaking, to limit the rotation of the shell relative to the shoe when the shell is also secured to the shin of the skier using a said first strap 3 or Velcro tape. Nevertheless, the use of two pairs makes it possible to make the behavior of the hull more robust and in particular to avoid its overall pivoting around the tongue L. The width of the open space between the two jaws M1 and M2 being greater than width of the tongue L, the latter can move slightly, this movement causes a rotational movement on a limited angular sector of the device 10. Thus, the attachment of the device 10 on the collar 21 of the shoe 2 offers a degree of freedom in rotation relative to the shoe 2 on a predetermined angular sector and limited. The jaws Ml and M2 may also be positioned so that the tongue is immobilized in rotation. In this case, the attachment of the shell with the shoe is maximum and the protection of the knee is optimal.

Indeed, during a movement of the femur in rotation with respect to the axis of the ski, it then abuts on the side cheeks 11a and 11b and prevents the torsion of the knee. However, this can be detrimental to skiability in the case of an application to skiing.

Here is therefore understood the advantage of the implementations of the invention for which freedom of rotation limited in its magnitude is obtained. The use of a slight angular sector on which the hull 10 has a freedom of movement in rotation is interesting from a skiability point of view. Such freedom of rotation over a limited angular sector does not substantially impair the protection conferred by the invention since the joints concerned have a certain margin of tolerance before deterioration.

The elements M1 and M2 jaw are fixed relative to the shoe 2. However, at least one of the elements M1 and M2 may be slidably mounted in order to adjust the lateral space in which the second connecting means 12a and 12b of the hull will be able to move. This thus makes it possible to adjust the angular sector on which the tongues La of the second connecting means 12a of the shell 10 can move in the first connecting means 22a fixed on the collar 21 of the boot 2.

Claims

1. Device for protecting the knee joint of a user, intended to be installed on a sports shoe (2), characterized in that it comprises:

- a rigid shell (10) provided with an internal surface capable of covering at least partially a front part of the user's leg, the shell (10) comprising an upper part (11) intended to be located at knee level and a lower part (12) comprising connecting means (0,13a,13b,23) capable of connecting the shell (10) to the sports shoe (2), the upper part comprising lateral cheeks capable of extending facing the lateral faces of the knee and capable of being brought into contact with the lateral faces of the knee at least opposite the condyles of the user's femur;

- at least one first strap (3) intended to be attached around an area of the upper part of the leg below the knee, preferably in the upper part of the calf, and

- means of connection (4) of the strap (3) to the surface of the hull (10),

- said first strap, alone or in combination with said connection means, being able to surround the entire leg and be in contact with the leg over the entire periphery of the section of the latter.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said connection means (4) are flexible in non-elastic materials, and said first strap

(3) is a flexible strip made of non-elastic materials, in particular textile material.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the connection means (4) are fixed to at least one connection zone (10c) of the internal surface (10b) of the shell (10), said means of connection being arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle of the width section of the shell (10), said shell preferably having a shape symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the connection means comprise at least one intermediate piece (4) of which at least a first part (4c) is fixed to the internal surface of the shell (10b) and of which at least a second part (4a, 4b) is fixed to the part of the first strap (3).

5. Device according to claims 3 and 4 characterized in that the connection means comprise at least a single intermediate piece (4) of which one central part (4c) is fixed to a single connection zone (10c) of the internal surface (10b) of the shell (10) substantially in the middle of the section of the shell, and of which two lateral end parts (4a, 4b) arranged on either side of said central part and substantially symmetrically with respect to said connection zone (10c) are fixed to the part of the first strap (3) capable of being in contact with the frontal part of the tibia

6. Device according to one of the two claims 3 to 5 characterized in that said intermediate piece (4) comprises a piece of flexible material, preferably made from a flexible strip, of non-elastic materials.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said first strap (3) comprises at least a first part (3c) located opposite the internal surface of the shell (10) capable of being in contact on the front part of the leg and at least a second part (3b) extending beyond the first part, the width of the first part (3c) being greater than that of the second part (3b).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least part of the face of the first strap (3) intended to be exposed to contact with the leg comprises a covering of flexible material, preferably of the type cellular or gel-like material.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims wherein said first strap (3) comprises two strands (3a, 3b) distinct or continuous at a first end (3c) of each strand, the two strands (3a , 3b) being able to extend over at least respectively the two lateral sides of the leg and each comprising a said first end (3c) fixed to said connection means (4), the second free ends (3d-l, 3d- 2) of the two strands being able to meet on the rear part of the leg.

10. Device according to claim 9 characterized in that said first strap (3) comprises a loop (5) of flexible material at the free end (3d-l) of one of the strands (3a) and/or a system self-adhesive velcro type configured to secure the free end (3d-2) of the other strand (3b) on the rear part of the leg, preferably said loop being an orifice integrated into the end (3d-l ) of a first strand (3a) of greater width than the end (3d-2) of the second strand (3b) capable of passing through said loop.

11 Device according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the device comprises wedges (30, 30a-30b) applied against the internal faces of said cheeks and having bearing surfaces in ergonomic shapes capable of fitting in part at least the shape of the ribs of the knee at the level of the condyles so as to block the relative translation of the knee forward relative to the shell and block the rotation of the knee relative to the shell, without hindering the flexion movements of the lower limb, preferably wedges molded in bumpy shapes complementary to those of the lateral faces of the knee at the level of the condyles, more preferably wedges made of material made of balsa type wood.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said shoe comprises a collar (21) and said connecting means (0,13a, 13b,23) are capable of securing the lower part of the shell with the portion of the collar (21) of the shoe covered by the lower part of the shell so as to limit the rotation of the shell relative to the shoe around an axis substantially parallel to the axis ZZ' of the shell and/or of the necklace.

13. Device according to claim 12 characterized in that said connecting means comprise first connecting means (13a,23) capable of being fixed on the collar of the shoe and second connecting means (0,13b) complementary to the first means of connecting the collar to be secured with the collar of the shoe, said connecting means preferably comprising at least a second strap and/or third strap (13a, 13b) fixed or capable of being fixed (0) to the said shell and/or fixed or capable of being fixed (23) to said collar.

14. Device according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in that said first and second connecting means comprise at least one second non-elastic strap (13a) comprising two strands (13a-l, 13a-2) fixed or capable of being fixed by removable manner (23) on each side on the rear of the collar, and two strands (13b-l, 13b-2) of two third straps (13b, 13b-l, 13b-2) fixed or capable of being fixed so removable (0) 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 strands (13a-l, 13a-2) of second strap (13a) with those (13d) of the strands (13b-l, 13b-2) of third straps (13b), the securing of the lower part (12) of the shell (10) with the collar (21) of the shoe (2) thus immobilizing the shell (10) in rotation relative to the shoe (2) around an axis substantially parallel to the axis (ZZ ⁷ ) of the shell or the collar (21) of the shoe (2) after tightening of said second and/or third straps by the skier.

15. Sports equipment comprising a sports shoe (2) comprising said first connecting means (13a, 23) and a protective device according to one of claims 13 or 14 comprising said second connecting means (13b, 0 ).