Gel and air cushion ankle brace
US5088478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/20
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ankle brace designed to be worn under the shoe has a first bladder which is filled with the high viscosity gel resistant to rapid deformation to apply pressure to the ankle and conform to its shape to provide support to the ankle. A second bladder inflatable with air is juxtaposed the first bladder to provide a uniform compressive force upon the bladder filled with the gel. A canvas ankle brace holds a pair of air and gel bladders along each of its sidewalls and is wrapped about the lower extremity and snugly fit thereto. Once the brace is in position, air is introduced into the second bladder to press the first bladder against the ankle and to conform to the shape thereof. Broad elastic straps may be secured to the lower rear of the brace to extend over the front of the ankle and the instep in a cruciate configuration. The outer ends of the straps are secured to lines which extend through openings in the outer casing of the brace, and D-rings secured to the ends of the lines permit the tensioning of the elastic straps by threading shoe laces through the rings and tightening the laces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.