Controlled motion ankle walker brace
First Claim
1. A controlled motion hinge for an ankle walker brace, comprising:
- a hinge including;
a first strut having a first end and a second end;
a second strut having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second strut being rotatably attached to said first strut second end so that said first strut is rotatable through an angle relative to said second strut about a pivot axis through a joint of the wearer;
a channel having;
a first section formed in said first strut second end and having forward and rearward abutment surfaces, and a second section contiguous with said first section, formed in said second strut first end, and having forward and rearward abutment surfaces; and
a chock removably attachable within said channel, having;
a first portion having forward and rearward shoulders disposable within said first channel section, and a second portion having forward and rearward shoulders disposable within said second channel section, so that rotation of said upper strut in a first direction about the pivot axis causes said first upper strut forward abutment surface to engage said first chock portion forward shoulder, and said second chock portion rearward shoulder to engage said second strut rearward abutment surface, to limit rotation of said first strut to a specific first angle, and so that rotation of said first strut in a second direction about the pivot axis causes said first strut rearward abutment surface to engage said first chock portion rearward shoulder, and said second chock portion forward shoulder to engage said second strut forward abutment surface, to limit rotation of said first strut to a specific second angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled motion ankle walker brace for facilitating the rehabilitation process of an injured ankle and other injuries to the ankle region of a patient. The device includes a liner which wraps around the lower leg, ankle and foot of the patient to snugly and cushioningly hold the foot, a rocker-type shoe into which the patient'"'"'s foot is removably secured, and a hinge having a lower strut attached to the shoe and an upper strut extending along the lower leg of the patient. The upper strut has an enlarged axle to which the lower strut is rotatably attached such that the upper strut and lower strut rotate in relation to each other. A channel is formed in the lower portion of the upper strut and contiguously extends into the lower strut for receiving a chock. A variety of chocks, corresponding to various degrees of rotation are insertable into the channel to set the range of motion for the ankle walker brace in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The range of motion of the ankle walker brace is accurately and quickly set by the patient by simply attaching the desired chock into the channel by a single fastener. The configuration of the hinge allows for its construction to be of lightweight injection molded plastic material to aid the patient in having a more normal gait.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A controlled motion hinge for an ankle walker brace, comprising:
a hinge including;
a first strut having a first end and a second end;
a second strut having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second strut being rotatably attached to said first strut second end so that said first strut is rotatable through an angle relative to said second strut about a pivot axis through a joint of the wearer;
a channel having;
a first section formed in said first strut second end and having forward and rearward abutment surfaces, and a second section contiguous with said first section, formed in said second strut first end, and having forward and rearward abutment surfaces; and
a chock removably attachable within said channel, having;
a first portion having forward and rearward shoulders disposable within said first channel section, and a second portion having forward and rearward shoulders disposable within said second channel section, so that rotation of said upper strut in a first direction about the pivot axis causes said first upper strut forward abutment surface to engage said first chock portion forward shoulder, and said second chock portion rearward shoulder to engage said second strut rearward abutment surface, to limit rotation of said first strut to a specific first angle, and so that rotation of said first strut in a second direction about the pivot axis causes said first strut rearward abutment surface to engage said first chock portion rearward shoulder, and said second chock portion forward shoulder to engage said second strut forward abutment surface, to limit rotation of said first strut to a specific second angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A controlled motion hinge for an ankle walker, comprising:
a hinge including;
a first strut having a first end for extending along a side of a wearer'"'"'s leg, and a second end;
a second strut having a first end rotatably attached to said first strut second end so that said first strut is rotatable through an angle relative to said second strut about a pivot axis, and a second end for attaching to a shoe;
a channel having;
a first section formed in said first strut second end; and
a second section contiguous with said first section, formed in said second strut first end;
means, releaseably attachable within said channel, for limiting rotation of said first strut in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion to respective specific angles;
means for releaseably attaching said rotation limiting means to said hinge; and
means for releaseably attaching said hinge to the lower leg of the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification