Potentiating support with expandable framework

Abstract

A method of donning a potentiating support for a hinge joint of a body includes positioning a garment proximate an area of a body; positioning an expandable and recoverable framework in abutment with the area of the body such that the framework spans a hinge joint of the body, the framework defining a plurality of permanent openings extending therethrough regardless of whether the support is donned; applying tension at points of the framework such that the framework is expanded and the framework is tensioned in its abutment with the area of the body, said step of applying tension being performed by pulling on one or more fastening components that are attached at one or more points to said framework; and affixing each of the fastening components to the garment while applying tension to the framework to secure the expanded framework in its forced abutment with the area of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprising an elastically stretchable framework, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments,
 (a) wherein a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework;   (b) wherein a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a permanent opening in the framework comprising an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, the alignment opening serving to maintain the body support in a proper orientation relative to the hinge joint when the body support is worn;   (c) wherein none of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset;   (d) wherein the framework comprises a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side, a maximum width measurement of the framework, measured from the left side to the right side when not stretched, being less than a maximum height measurement of the framework, measured from the top side to the bottom side when not stretched; and   (e) wherein the framework is sized and dimensioned to abut the area of the body and span the hinge joint without overlapping itself.