WO2014169335A1

WO2014169335A1 - Anti-roll knee support

Info

Publication number: WO2014169335A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000434
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cassie Ashe
Original assignee: Cassie Ashe
Priority date: 2013-04-19
Filing date: 2014-04-16
Publication date: 2014-10-23

Abstract

A knee support comprising a support portion (10) for engaging and at least partially surrounding the knee of the user; at least one connector portion (15, 25) extending from upper or lower portions of the support portion (10); and a respective anchor means for anchoring the distal end of the connector portion (15, 25) on the user.

Description

ANTI-ROLL KNEE SUPPORT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a knee support and in a particular form to an anti-roll knee support.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with a knee support and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

Knee supports are commonly used by people experiencing sore knees or minor knee strains.

There are a wide range of knee supports available today. Many rely on a simple tube design fitted over the knee. Made of flexible and durable materials, these devices are made to support the knee during movement and provide warmth and compression to alleviate the symptoms of sore knees, arthritic knees and minor sports strains.

During movement however, knee supports roll and move out of place and the benefits whether perceived or real of support, compression and warmth are no longer provided.

These products provide support, warmth and compression when the knee is in a static position. However, during movement they are prone to rolling and moving out of place. There are knee supports with anti-roll claims however, within the confines of the traditional sleeve design the support will roll or slide out of place.

The present invention seeks to provide a knee support, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided A knee support comprising a support portion for engaging and at least paitially surrounding the knee of the user; at least one connector portion extending from upper or lower portions of the support portion; and a respective anchor means for anchoring the distal end of the connector portion on the user.

The knee support can include at least two connector portions extending from an upper or a lower part respectively of the support portion; and having respective upper anchor means and lower anchor means for anchoring the distal ends of the two connector portions.

Generally the support portion substantially surrounds the knee of the user and can be a sleeve knee support portion for encircling the knee of the user.

The upper anchor can include an attachment means for mounting to the body or clothing of the user and preferably at or near the waist of the user. Generally the upper anchor surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

The knee support can comprise two tube-like sleeve knee supports that have integral connector portion which is able in use to extend and wrap superiorly over the anterior compartments of the upper legs of the user to a wide waistband forming an integral anchor means.

The knee support can have a lower anchor which includes an attachment means for mounting to the body or clothing of the user. Preferably the attachment means is for attaching to the body or clothing of the user at or below the calf. Preferably the lower anchor surrounds the user's leg and more preferably the lower anchor surrounds the user's foot. Generally the lower anchor surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

The knee support can comprise two tube-like sleeve knee supports that have integral connector portions which are able in use to extend and wrap inferiorly over the lower legs of the user to ankle or foot bands forming an integral anchor means.

Preferably the connector portions extend from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion for providing at least partially opposing stretching forces on the support portion to maintain the support portion in position on the knee.

Preferably at least one of the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces along the leg of the user. Preferably at least one of the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially laterally stretching forces across the leg of the user.

The knee support can in one preferred form have upper and lower connector portions extending between the support portion and respective upper and lower anchor means wherein the connector portions extend at an angle from an upper portion and lower portions of the support portion for providing opposing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing longitudinal support on the knee.

The upper and lower connector portions preferably extend between the support portion and respective upper and lower anchor means wherein the connector portions extend at an angle from an upper portion and lower portions of the support portion for providing opposing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing lateral support on the knee. The connector portions can extend at an angle from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion and wrap at least partially around the user for providing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain a lateral support on the knee.

Preferably the extension of the upper connector portion is anchored by anchor means at the hips and the connector portions in use on the user follow the lines of muscles that help support the knee such as Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialus. Preferably, the extension of the lower connector portion extends and wraps inferiorly over the posterior compartments of the lower legs following the lines of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles to the ankles, where it is anchored by anchor means.

The knee support can include the anchors and the connector portions being shaped to form a combined single garment. Preferably the combined single garment has cutouts around the central lower torso of the user.

In one preferable form the knee support has respective upper and lower connector portions extending from the knee supports and in use wrapping around the upper and lower compartments of the user's leg and anchored by respective upper and lower anchor means at the hips and ankles of the user and the support loosely following a figure eight pattern. The shape and stretchable material can provide lateral and / or longitudinal opposing stretching forces which eliminates the problem of the knee support rolling or sliding down the leg and maintains compression through stretching the supports during movement. The knee support can be made from materials such as neoprene or knitted elastic, to provide a snug but flexible fit to allow for increased support and freedom of movement without the distraction of the supports rolling or sliding out of place.

It can be seen that the invention of a knee support provides the benefit of preventing rolling of the knee support while assisting the effectiveness of the knee support.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views of support portion of knee support on a person showing some primary elements of function in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention having linear tension means;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic form of longitudinal and lateral support of knee support on a standing person in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention having linear tension means;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic form of lower longitudinal and lateral support of knee support on a standing person in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is an anterior view of the knee support on a standing person in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a lateral view of the knee support on a standing person in accordance with the fourth embodiment of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a posterior view of the knee support on a standing person in accordance with the fourth embodiment of Figure 6;

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show anterior, lateral and posterior view of the knee support on a standing person in accordance with the fifth embodiment of Figure 6 showing tucks and seams in the material for further support with the seams indicating where the knee support would be contained and also indicate how best to fit the structure to the body. Description of Preferred Embodiments

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. The Figures disclose a knee support comprising a support portion for engaging and at least partially surrounding the knee of the user; at least one connector portion extending from upper or lower portions of the support portion; and a respective anchor means for anchoring the distal end of the connector portion on the user.

Referring to Figures 6 to 8 there is shown a particularly preferred embodiment of a knee support having a support portion for engaging and at least partially surrounding the knee of the user; at least one connector portion extending from upper or lower portions of the support portion; and a respective anchor means for anchoring the distal end of the connector portion on the user. Details of this embodiment will be discussed later.

However the invention is not limited to this embodiment and therefore another form of mechanism is explained through Figures 1 to 5.

There can be considered to be six primary elements in preferred embodiments but which other embodiments might only include one or more of these elements. These elements are:

A knee support including connector portions extending from an upper or a lower part respectively of the support portion; and having respective upper anchor means and lower anchor means for anchoring the distal ends of the at least two connectors. This is for providing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces on the support portion to maintain the support portion in position on the knee.

A knee support wherein the connector portions extend from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion for providing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain lateral tension on the support portion in position on the knee.

A knee support having upper and lower connector portions extending between the support portion and respective upper and lower anchor means wherein the connector portions provide opposing at least partially longitudinal and/or lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing support on the knee. A knee support where the upper or lower anchor surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

A knee support wherein the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially longitudinal and/or lateral stretching forces along the leg of the user.

A knee support wherein the knee support including the anchors and the connector portions are shaped to form a combined single garment that has cutouts around parts of the lower torso of the user.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2 a support portion 10 of the knee support substantially surrounds the knee of the user in order to provide a support to the knee while worn by the user. However the user's leg, in most activities, goes from a straight position to a bent leg position where the bending occurs at the knee. This results in a difference of dimension on the outside of the knee to the inside of the knee as shown in Figure 2. Therefore such dimensional difference and continual movement results in the knee support sleeve rolling over at the top and/or bottom to become ineffective and irritating to the user.

A first element therefore is to have the knee support include at least one connector portions 15, 25 which extends from an upper or a lower part 10A 10B respectively of the support portion 10 and having respective upper anchor means 20 or lower anchor means 30 for anchoring the distal ends of an upper connector and or lower connector 25 respectively.

A main function of this connection is to provide longitudinal forces on the upper or lower section of the support portion 10 so as to prevent rolling from the top or from the bottom respectively of the support portion 10. In effect there is provided an upper longitudinal force ULg along the leg from the upper of the support portion 10 or a lower longitudinal force LLg along the leg from the lower of the support portion 10. Therefore the connector portions extend from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion for providing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces on the support portion to maintain the support portion in position on the knee.

A second of the elements of the knee support has the connector portions 15, 25 extending from an upper portion or lower portions 10A or 10B of the support portion 10 for providing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain lateral tension on the support portion in position on the knee. Generally this requires the connector portionsl5, 25 to be extending at an angle to the extension of the leg and therefore to provide upper lateral forces ULa or lower lateral forces LLa which are offset to the upper longitudinal force ULg along the leg from the upper of the support portion 10 or a lower longitudinal force LLg along the leg from the lower of the support portion 10.

The knee support can have the extension as shown in Figures 4 to 9 of the upper connector portion 25 being anchored by anchor means 30 at the hips and the connector portions 25 in use on the user following the lines of muscles that help support the knee such as Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialus. The extension of the lower connector portion 15 extends and wraps inferiorly over the posterior compartments of the lower legs following the lines of the

Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles, to the ankles where it is anchored by anchor means 30.

A third of the elements of the knee support has both of the upper and lower connector portions 15, 25 and which each respectively extends between the support portion 10 and respective upper and lower anchor means 20, 30. In this form the connector portions 15, 25 provide opposing at least partially longitudinal ULg, Llg and/or lateral stretching forces ULa,

Lla on the support portion 10 to maintain an opposing support on the knee.

Generally the connector portions extend at respective angles from an upper portion and lower portions of the support portion for providing opposing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing lateral support on the knee. The angles could be directly opposite or the angles could allow for differences in material and size and stretchability and length and direction of connector portions such that there are opposing forces that provide an effective bilateral support and aid the effectiveness of the knee support. A major element of the effectiveness is the element of twist of the connector portions around the upper or lower leg of the user. A fourth of the elements of the knee support is for the mounting of the upper or lower anchor

20, 30. In particular form the upper or lower anchor 20 surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported and/or the lower anchor 30 surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

Generally this can be shown in Figures 3, 4 or 5 where for the lower leg, the circumference increases from the knee at the Gastrocnemius muscle or calf muscle and then decreases to provide circumference Al to Al at the shin or A2 to A2 at the ankle or A3 to A3 at the foot which has smaller circumference. In this way mounting of anchor at these locations prevents significant sliding up the leg which would lessen the tension of the connector portion. Instead the extension of the connector portion is maintained with a solid anchor. The lower anchor includes an attachment means for attaching to the body or clothing of the user at or below the calf surrounding the user's leg, and in one form surrounding the user at the foot of the user.

A knee support has the upper anchor surrounds the user at a position A4 to A4 away from the knee at or above the waist of the user which is of smaller circumference that the Quadriceps femoris muscle or around the person at the level of the Gluteus medius muscles or buttocks of the user. In this way mounting of anchor at this location prevents significant sliding down the leg which would lessen the tension of the connector portion. Instead the extension of the connector portion is maintained with a solid anchor.

A fifth of the elements of the knee support wherein the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially longitudinal and/or lateral stretching forces along the leg of the user. Clearly the use of solid anchors of the knee support including an elastic waist fitting upper anchor 30 and an elastic foot encircling lower anchor 20 allows best stretching tension effect.

A sixth of the elements of the knee support has the knee support including the anchors and the connector portions shaped to form a combined single garment. Two sleeve knee supports 10 have respective upper and lower connector portions 15, 25 extending from the knee supports and in use wrap around the upper and lower sections of the user's leg and are anchored by respective upper and lower anchor means 20, 30 at the hips and ankles of the user.

An integral single garment has the substantial advantage of being located at the same correct position. The garment has knee supports comprising two tube-like sleeve knee supports 10 that have integral connector portions which are able in use to extend and wrap superiorly over the anterior sections of the upper legs the user to a wide waistband forming an integral anchor means while integral lower connector portions 25, which are able in use to extend and wrap inferiorly over the lower legs of the user to integral anchor means 30 having a stirrup design.

Clearly the single garment can include any one or more of the other elements and therefore have anchors at other than the feet. The garment can also include further tightening means such as hook and loop connectors that grab different parts of the garment to increase the tension as required to increase longitudinal or lateral forces ULg, Ula Llg or LLa.

The garment though has cutouts around parts of the lower torso of the user and the support and can loosely follow a figure eight pattern. The benefit of the cutouts is to not be a restrictive garment but to allow bodily functions to be readily undertaken without removal of the garment. However the cutouts also perform the function of providing defined lateral forces ULa and LLa as they then extend at an angle from the support portions. In particular the cutouts form the connector portions that can wrap or twist around the user's leg to provide the required directional forces. Looking at Figures 6 to 8 in further detail Figure 6 is an anterior view of the anti-roll knee support system. The shaded area represents the anti-roll knee support system, demonstrating the length of the knee support and where the anti-roll structures extend over the anterior compartment of the thigh from the knee to the hip. It also shows the anterior view of the structures that anchor the anti-roll knee support system at the ankle. The area between the dotted lines indicates the sleeve knee support, the remaining shaded areas indicate the anti- roll knee support system.

Figure 6 is a lateral view of the anti-roll knee support system. The shaded areas represent the anti-roll knee support system. The area between the dotted lines indicates the sleeve knee support, the remaining shaded areas indicate the anti-roll knee support system. Figure 7 is a posterior view of the anti-roll knee support system. The shaded areas represent the anti-roll knee support system, specifically extending from the knee to the ankle. The area between the dotted lines indicates the sleeve knee support, the remaining shaded areas indicate the anti-roll knee support system.

Referring to Figures 9A, 9B and 9C there are shown tucks and seams in the material for further support. The seams on the drawings indicate where the knee support would be contained and also indicate how best to fit the structure to the body. The seams include longitudinal seams 45 extending from top or bottom anchor in order to provide lateral support and lateral seams 46 extending across the lower leg. The seams are not primarily there for strength but they are there to tailor the antiroll structures to fit the curves of the body.

The anti-roll knee support system comprises two sleeve knee supports that extend and wrap around the upper and lower compartments of the leg and are anchored at the hips and ankles. This extension is the system and eliminates the problem of the knee support rolling or sliding down the leg and maintains compression through stretching the supports during movement. Therefore, allowing the knee supports to work more efficiently and the wearer to continue moving freely. Made from materials such as neoprene or knitted elastic, the anti-roll knee support system will provide a snug but flexible fit to allow for increased support and freedom of movement without the distraction of the supports rolling or sliding out of place.

The anti-roll knee support system builds on the concept of a traditional sleeve knee support with the system of extending and anchoring the support at the hips and ankles to eliminate the issue of rolling and sliding of the support during movement.

The anti-roll knee support system comprises two traditional tube sleeve knee supports that extend and wrap superiorly over the anterior compartments of the upper legs to a wide waistband. The extension is anchored at the hips following the lines of muscles that help support the knee such as Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialus. The anti-roll knee support system also extends and wraps inferiorly over the posterior compartments of the lower legs following the lines of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles, to the ankles where it is anchored with a stirrup design. The support loosely follows a figure eight pattern which is anchored at the hips and ankles. From top to bottom and from front to back (hip to knee and knee to ankle).

The anti-roll knee support system can be worn both under clothes or, over fitted sports pants / tights. The overall system will ensure that the knee support doesn't roll or move out of place. The anti-roll knee support system would be made from knitted elastic or neoprene to allow for effective support, compression, durability, flexibility and allow the product to be easily washed and dried for frequent use. The structures have been described separate to the knee supports but together the structures and knee supports are produced and worn as a complete one-piece article. Further clarification of the anti-roll knee support system is outlined in the drawings attached wherein

Worn as one piece, the anti-roll knee support system will ensure that the integrated sleeve knee supports provide the warmth, compression and support they are supposed to by preventing the knee supports from rolling and moving out of place. Being anchored at the hips and ankles, the knee support will be stretched during movement providing further compression and support. The anti-roll knee support system can be worn under clothes or, over fitted sports pants / tights. The anti-roll knee support system eliminates the issue of the knee support rolling during movement by anchoring the support at the hip.

The anti-roll knee support system eliminates the issue of the knee support sliding out of place through the system of anchoring the support at the ankle. During active movement, the Anti-roll knee support system will stretch the knee support superiorly and inferiorly allowing the knee support to work more efficiently as optimum position and compression will be maintained.

It can be seen that the structure surrounds the knee and supports the knee and stops the knee support from rolling or moving out of place. The knee support is built into the garment as a further means of maintaining an effective position on the user's body during movement.

Further there are cut-outs from a full garment. The hygiene / convenience factor is an additional benefit but it is not the primary reason for the design of the structure. The main reason for the cut-outs is to remove opposing and competing forces that would alter the position of the garment during movement. The structure follows the lines of the muscles that support the knee.

As the garment covers the muscles that support the knee, the position and movement of the garment are affected by movement of these muscles. As the garment does not come into contact with muscle groups that oppose the forces of the muscles that support knee movement, the garment is unaffected or minimally affected by the movement of these muscles. Therefore, the device of the invention has structures that anchor the knee with support from the hip and ankle to ensure that knee support is kept in an optimal position on the body during movement. This is unlike a complete stocking type arrangement, in which a knee support would still move out of place whether that be sliding or twisting.

Therefore, apart from openings at front and back of abdomen we have openings at front and back of lower legs. Usually, the structure doesn't extend beyond the waist. The structure partially covers areas of the lower body from the waist down, legs and feet. The structure follows the lines of the muscles that support the knee as shown in the drawings.

As the garment covers the muscles that support the knee, the position and movement of the garment are affected by movement of these muscles. As the garment does not come into contact with muscle groups that oppose the forces of the muscles that support knee movement, the garment is unaffected or minimally affected by the movement of these muscles. Therefore, the structures that anchor the knee support at the hip and ankle ensure that the knee support is kept in an optimal position on the body during movement.

The device provides anchor means at top and bottom and this in one form is defined to be at a circumference less than a circumference of a portion nearer the knee being supported. The anchors at the hip and ankle mimic the origin / insertion points of muscles to the skeleton.

This ensures that the parts of the structure follow the lines of muscles involved in knee support and start and end in a position that ensures these structures stay in place during movement.

There can be seen in the Figures that unlike a clothing article this is a knee support article that is a strip element that extends substantially along the outer length of the leg between the top and bottom anchor points. This provides a strip support element and not an item of clothing. This is an integral part of the device as it follows the lines of large muscles that support knee support. The invention is about copying the body's natural structure and removing competing forces to ensure that a knee support stays in place during movement. Generally it can be seen that the device has alternating support on either side of the leg between the top and bottom anchor points. Therefore we have support in all three dimensional angles and provides anti roll of the knee support.

The material can have lines of strength or variation in tension. The lines / seams are clearly indicated in the drawings of Figures 9A, 9B and 9C. Tension or strength of the knee support would be determined by the type of knee support built into the antiroll structure of the invention.

The antiroll structure surrounding the knee support can be manufactured to have varying degrees of tension. This could be achieved by using a range of materials that vary in strength and elasticity eg. neoprene, elastine, knitted elastic or lycra. Preferably the device can be made from lycra with more layers of lycra in the knee support area and anchor points than there are through the antiroll structures.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

In describing the prefen-ed embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the prefen-ed embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the an-angements described are applicable to the sport and medical industries associated with knee support.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A knee support comprising: a) a support portion for engaging and at least partially surrounding the knee of the user; b) at least one connector portion extending from upper or lower portions of the support portion; and c) a respective anchor means for anchoring the distal end of the connector portion on the user.

2. A knee support according to claim 1 wherein the knee support includes at least two connector portions extending from an upper or a lower part respectively of the support portion; and having respective upper anchor means and lower anchor means for anchoring the distal ends of the at least two connectors.

3. A knee support according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the support portion substantially surrounds the knee of the user.

4. A knee support according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the support portion is a sleeve knee support portion for encircling the knee of the user.

5. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper anchor includes an attachment means for mounting to the body or clothing of the user.

6. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper anchor includes an attachment means for mounting to the body or clothing of the user at or near the waist of the user.

7. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper anchor surrounds the user.

8. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper anchor surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

9. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper anchor surrounds the user at a position at or above the waist of the user.

10. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two tube-like sleeve knee supports that have integral connector portion which is able in use to extend and wrap superiorly over the anterior compartments of the upper legs of the user to a wide waistband forming an integral anchor means.

11. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower anchor includes an attachment means for mounting to the body or clothing of the user.

12. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower anchor includes an attachment means for attaching to the body or clothing of the user at or below the calf.

13. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower anchor surrounds the user's leg.

14. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower anchor surrounds the user at the foot of the user.

15. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower anchor surrounds the user at a position having a circumference less than a circumference of a portion of the user nearer the knee being supported.

16. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two tube-like sleeve knee supports that have integral connector portions which are able in use to extend and wrap inferiorly over the lower legs of the user to ankle or foot bands forming an integral anchor means.

17. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector portions extend from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion for providing at least partially opposing stretching forces on the support portion to maintain the support portion in position on the knee.

18. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces along the leg of the user.

19. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the connector portions is a strip of stretchable material for extending along the body of the user for providing at least partially laterally stretching forces across the leg of the user.

20. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims including cut-outs to remove opposing and competing forces that would alter the position of the garment during movement.

21. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structure follows the lines of the muscles that support the knee.

22. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims having upper and lower connector portions extending between the support portion and respective upper and lower anchor means wherein the connector portions extend at an angle from an upper portion and lower portions of the support portion for providing opposing at least partially longitudinal stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing longitudinal support on the knee.

23. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims having upper and lower connector portions extending between the support portion and respective upper and lower anchor means wherein the connector portions extend at an angle from an upper portion and lower portions of the support portion for providing opposing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain an opposing lateral support on the knee.

24. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector portions extend at an angle from an upper portion or lower portions of the support portion and wrap at least partially around the user for providing at least partially lateral stretching forces on the support portion to maintain a lateral support on the knee.

25. A knee support according to claim 22 wherein the extension of the upper connector portion is anchored by anchor means at the hips and the connector portions in use on the user follow the lines of muscles that help support the knee such as Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialus.

26. A knee support according to claim 22 or 23 wherein the extension of the lower connector portion extends and wraps inferiorly over the posterior compartments of the lower legs following the lines of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles, to the ankles where it is anchored by anchor means.

27. A knee support according to claim 24 wherein the anchor means has a stirrup design.

28. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the knee support including the anchors and the connector portions are shaped to form a combined single garment.

29. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the knee support including the anchors and the connector portions are shaped to form a combined single garment that has cutouts around the central lower torso of the user.

30. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the knee support includes an elastic waist fitting upper anchor.

31. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the knee support includes an elastic foot encircling lower anchor.

32. A knee support according to claim 1 comprising two sleeve knee supports that have respective upper and lower connector portions extending from the knee supports and in use wrapping around the upper and lower compartments of the user's leg and anchored by respective upper and lower anchor means at the hips and ankles of the user and the support loosely following a figure eight pattern.

33. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shape and stretchable material provides lateral and / or longitudinal opposing stretching forces which eliminates the problem of the knee support rolling or sliding down the leg and maintains compression through stretching the supports during movement.

34. A knee support according to any one of the preceding claims made from materials such as neoprene or knitted elastic, to provide a snug but flexible fit to allow for increased support and freedom of movement without the distraction of the supports rolling or sliding out of place.