Joint
US5316546A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 31, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F5/0106
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hinge for use in an orthosis having the function of supporting, protecting and/or controlling a body joint. The hinge includes first and second sets of flexible, substantially planar, elongated strip-shaped elements mutually slidable in a plane-to-plane contacting relationship. The strip-shaped elements are carried by supporting members having a controlling and guiding function and at least one of the sets of strip-shaped elements is comprised of resilient strip elements having a degree of springiness and stiffness and being resiliently flexible in the longitudinal direction of the strip yet essentially rigid against bending about an axis essentially perpendicular to the hinge axis of the joint. The second set of strip-shaped elements is of a lower degree of springiness and stiffness than the first set and serves as spacer elements having the function of guiding and supporting the resilient elements such that the spacing between the elements is maintained constant along substantially the entire length of the elements. At least one of the strip shaped elements of both the first and second sets is fixed at its opposite ends with a means being provided for the supporting members to …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.