Hinged ankle brace
US8641654B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2005/0172
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hinged ankle brace having a semi-rigid ankle cuff and a semi-rigid foot bed rotatably connected by a medial hinge and a lateral hinge provides enhanced stability and support to a wearer's ankle. The medial hinge of the ankle brace may be higher than the lateral hinge to accurately replicate the bending motion of an ankle. The ankle brace also includes ratchetably interconnected semi-rigid straps. These semi-rigid straps provide a semi-rigid structure encircling the ankle of a wearer for enhanced support. The ratchet mechanism may include a curved window that enables angular adjustment of the ratcheting straps. The ankle brace may also include a soft inner liner and a soft outer sleeve. The outer sleeve is configured to provide compression to the semi-rigid shell, which in turn provides additional compression to the ankle. The semi-rigid foot bed may include posterior extensions that cup and support the wearer's heel, and a posterior cut-out portion that receives the wearer's heel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.