This invention relates to a reinforced support device suitable for the
protection of a body part against overextension. In particular, this
invention relates to a device comprising at least one reinforcement spine
used to protect a body part against overextension and a plate disposed
below a portion of the spine used to provide additional support and
comfort. The reinforcement spine can flex in direction of the body part's
natural movement and is substantially inflexible in the direction of
overextension. Together, the reinforcement spine and plate prevent
overextension of the protected body part and disperse the incident forces
by transferring those forces from the reinforcement spine to the plate.