Joint protection device and method

Abstract

The invention is directed to a joint protection device that has a frame of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material has a flash point above 500 degrees Celsius. A solid face is attached to the frame. The solid face has a first side and a second side and has a high gas permeability for an elastomer. A hardness adjustable structure is attached to the second side of the solid face. The hardness adjustable structure does not support microbiological growth. In one case, the elastomer is a silicone rubber, which meets the flame resistant or flame retardant clothing (FRC) requirements. This also makes the device flexible so that it is more comfortable to wear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A joint protection device, comprising:
 a frame of an elastomeric material that has a flash point above 500 degrees Celsius;   a solid face attached to the frame having a first side and a second side, the solid face having a high gas permeability for an elastomer;   a hardness adjustable structure attached to the second side of the solid face, wherein the hardness adjustable structure does not support microbiological growth.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hardness adjustable structure is made of the elastomeric material and has a plurality of voids. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a depth of the hardness adjustable structure varies. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of voids are a hexagonal close packed structure. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the voids are not perpendicular to the solid face. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of voids are cylindrical. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hardness adjustable structure is made of the elastomeric material and has a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone rubber. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making hardness adjustable joint protection device, comprising the steps of:
 selecting an elastomeric material with a high chemical resistance;   selecting a joint on the human body to protect;   creating a shape that covers the joint; and   defining a plurality of voids in the shape to create a predefined hardness.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of creating a shape includes the step of determining a likely pressure to be experienced by the joint. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of determining the predefined hardness based on the likely pressure to be experience by the joint. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further selecting a slope of the plurality of voids to match a direction of travel when the joint impacts an object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the shape is contoured to a shape of the joint. 
     
     
         14 . A joint protection device, comprising:
 an elastomeric structure having a shape designed to protect a joint, wherein the elastomeric material does not support microbiological growth;   a plurality of voids in the elastomeric structure; and   the shape having a thickness that varies across its length.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least some of the plurality of voids are not perpendicular to a surface of the elastomeric structure. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of voids are not of uniform shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the voids are uniformly placed over at least a portion of the elastomeric structure. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone rubber.