Abstract:
A hinge (100) includes an upper hinge component (110) and a lower hinge component (112). A cover plate (102) is pivotally connected at first location point (114) to the upper hinge component (110) and at a second location point (116) to the lower hinge component (112). First and second plates (106, 108) are pivotally connected at a third location point (126) to the upper hinge component (110) and at a fourth location point (128) to the lower hinge component (112). The first plate (106) is positioned between the cover plate (102) and the upper and lower hinge components (110, 112). The upper and lower hinge components (110, 112) are positioned between the first and second plates (106, 108). The cover plate (102) is mounted on an outer side (O) of the hinge (100) and the connection of the cover plate (102) at the first location point (114) rotates around the third location point (126) and the connection of the cover plate (102) at the second location point (116) rotates around the fourth location point (128).
Abstract:
An outsole (100) for an orthopedic device (11) includes a heel part (122), a forefoot part (124), and a mid-foot part (126) separating the heel part (122) from the forefoot part (124). A longitudinal axis (114) extends in a longitudinal direction between an anterior end (115) of the forefoot part (124) and a posterior end (117) of the heel part (122). A transverse axis (119) intersects the longitudinal axis (114) and extends in a transverse direction between a lateral edge (123) of the outsole (100) and a medial edge (121) of the outsole (100). A bottom surface (116) extends along the longitudinal axis (114) and between the medial and lateral edges (121, 123). The bottom surface (116) defines an apex (136) at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse axes (114, 119) and at least one apical line (138) passing through the apex (136) and subtending an oblique angle (β) to the longitudinal axis (114). The bottom surface (116) curves through the apex (136) and along the at least one apical line (138) in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.
Abstract:
An orthopedic device has upper and lower frames (11, 14) hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges (16, 18) on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension. Each of the upper and lower frames (11, 12) includes opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion (13). A force strap (20) is connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween, and the force strap generally extends along a first location (100) proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction (A) at the first location to the second primary hinge. The upper frame is rigid or semi-rigid, and may include means (23) for permitting movement in proximal-distal directions (P-D) and means (36) for permitting movement in lateral-medial directions (L-M)
Abstract:
An orthopedic device (100) includes a base shell (102) having ankle and foot receiving portions (101, 103). The base shell (102) forms an opening (105) over a dorsal aspect of the base shell (102). A dorsal shell (104) is contoured to generally correspond to the opening (105) in the base shell (102). The dorsal shell (104) includes a proximal member (162) connected to distal member (164) via a flexible or resilient connecting portion (166) arranged to accommodate a portion of a user's lower leg or ankle. A first flexible edge portion (168) is attached to a distal terminal end of the distal member (164). The first flexible edge portion (168) is arranged to bend or flex relative to the distal member so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the user's toes from the distal member (164).
Abstract:
A strap tab assembly has a strap tab (20) defining a substantially square-shaped locking hole (24) located generally at a first end, and an elongated slot (22) on a second end. The strap tab assembly includes a top cap (30) defining a top cover (36), a square-shaped locking projection (34) corresponding in shape to the locking hole (24), and a female portion (38) forming a center channel (32) and extending beyond and concentric with the locking projection (34). A bottom cap (40) has a male portion (44) adapted for being received in the center channel (32) of the female portion (38) to engage the top cap (30). The locking projection (34) extends beyond the periphery of the female portion (38), and is configured and dimensioned to correspond to and engage an inner periphery of the locking hole (24).
Abstract:
A hinge (2) for an orthopedic device includes an upper hinge component (6), a lower hinge component (8), a first plate (10) pivotally connected at a first location point to the upper hinge component (6) and connected at a second location point to the lower hinge component (8), and a second plate (12) pivotally connected at the first location point to the upper hinge component (6) and at the second location point to the lower hinge component (8). A first rotation stop (13) is connected at a third location point to the first and second plates (10, 12). A center link (4) is pivotally attached at a fourth location point to the upper hinge component (6) and at a fifth location point to the lower hinge component (8). The center link (4) has a first stop surface (40) arranged to directly abut the first rotation stop (13). The hinge components (6, 8) and the center link (4) are arranged between the first and the second plates (10, 12).
Abstract:
A spinal orthosis (10) has an elongate spinal frame defining lower, middle and upper portions (15, 17, 19), and a lumbar assembly (12) including a lumbar belt (38) connected to the lower portion (15) of the spinal frame (14). A middle bracket assembly (24) is pivotally connected to the middle portion (17) of the spinal frame (14), and a strap (18) has a first end secured to the upper portion (19) of the spinal frame (14). The strap (18) extends from the upper portion (19) of the frame to the middle bracket assembly (24) with the strap (18) redirecting from the middle bracket assembly (24) and the second end of the strap (18) securing to the lumbar belt (38).
Abstract:
A method (100) includes selecting a defined motion path (27) of a hinge assembly (3) comprising a first hinge arm (5) including a first gear (19) having a first plurality of teeth (21), and a second hinge arm (7) including a second gear (23) having a second plurality of teeth (25) arranged to interact with the first teeth (21). The method (100) involves determining a first profile of the first gear (19) and a second profile of the second gear (23) based on the defined motion path (27), which includes a variable translation of the second hinge arm (7). The method (100) involves connecting the first hinge arm (5) to the second hinge arm (7) such that as the second hinge arm (7) rotates the interaction between the first and second teeth (21, 25) along the first and second profiles translates the second hinge arm (7) along the defined motion path (27).