STRAPPING SYSTEM

• US 20110146032A1
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Lau, Yu, Hu, Irving, Lee, Jane
• Application Number:
  US12/962,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20110146032A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/265.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/47 Strap-end-attaching devices

Abstract

A strapping system includes a flexible, textile strap having locking elements. The strap defines an attachment portion upon which a reinforcement element formed from a solid mass of polymeric material inseparably and integrally secures. The locking elements of the strap are embedded at least in part into the thickness of a reinforcement element.

Claims

1. A strapping system, comprising:

a flexible, textile strap having locking elements, and defining an attachment portion; and

a reinforcement element inseparably and integrally secured to the attachment portion of the strap, the locking elements of the strap being embedded at least in part into the thickness of a reinforcement element.

2. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the locking elements are formed along a single side of the strap.

3. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is secured to a first side of a first end portion of the strap.

4. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is secured to first and second sides of a first end portion of the strap.

5. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein an opening extends through a thickness of the reinforcement element and the strap.

6. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element includes a traction texture formed by a solid mass of molded polymeric material.

7. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is flexible.

8. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein a first surface of the reinforcement element includes plurality of gripping tabs extending therefrom.

9. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is contoured in a predetermined shape, the reinforcement element being flexible and resiliently bending from the predetermined shape to an additional shape upon the exertion of a force, the reinforcement element returning to the predetermined shape upon removal of the force.

10. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the strap is substantially more flexible than the reinforcement element.

11. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is substantially compressible.

12. The strapping system according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcement element has at least one protrusion extending therefrom, the reinforcement element secured to a free end portion of a strap.

13. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is an elongate frame element formed from a substantially rigid material.

14. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element has an arcuate shape in a first configuration formed as at least part of a cuff, the cuff being resilient to bending upon application of a force and substantially returning to the first configuration upon release of the force.

15. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element forms a structure and secures to a generally intermediate portion of a strap, the structure forming a slot permitting the extension of a second strap therethrough.

16. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element forms a structure and secures to a generally intermediate portion of a strap, the first structure forming at least one slot along an exterior side thereof, a second strap including a second structure having an engaging element arranged to slidably interlock with the slot of the first structure.

17. The strapping system according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element forms a structure encasing opposed sides of the strap along an intermediate portion of the strap.

18. A strapping system, comprising:

a flexible strap having a reinforced portion defining a plurality of locking elements; and

a reinforcement element inseparably and integrally secured to the reinforced portion of the strap, the locking elements of the strap being embedded at least in part into the thickness of a reinforcement element;

wherein the reinforcement element is contoured in a predetermined shape, the reinforcement element being flexible and resiliently bending from the predetermined shape to an additional shape upon the exertion of a force, the reinforcement element returning to the predetermined shape upon removal of the force.

19. The strapping system according to claim 18, wherein the reinforcement element defines a traction texture.

20. A strapping system, comprising:

a flexible textile strap having a reinforced portion defining a plurality of locking elements; and

a reinforcement element inseparably and integrally secured to the reinforced portion of the strap, the locking elements of the strap being embedded at least in part into the thickness of a reinforcement element;

wherein the reinforcement element is contoured in a predetermined shape and is formed from a solid mass of molded polymeric material, the reinforcement element being flexible and resiliently bending from the predetermined shape to an additional shape upon the exertion of a force, the reinforcement element returning to the predetermined shape upon removal of the force.