Dynamic extension splint
First Claim
1. An adjustable splint device for applying force across a body joint comprising a first elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, a second elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, joint means for connecting one end of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axes of said first and second strut members, said joint means operating to permit pivotal movement of said first and second elongated sturdy members between a first extended position where said first and second elongated strut members extend outwardly away from opposite sides of said joint means and a second closed position where said first and second elongated strut members extended outwardly in close proximity from the same side of said joint means and including at least one pivot pin mounted for rotation relative to said first and second elongated strut members about which at least one of said elongated strut members pivots, bias means mounted at said joint means and connected to provide a bias to oppose pivotal movement of said first and second elongated strut members in a first direction between said first extended position and second closed position and to aid such pivotal movement in a second direction opposite to said first direction between said first extended position and second closed position, said bias means including spring means extending around said pivot pin, sand connected between said pivot pin and at least one of said first and second elongated strut members, and bias adjustment means mounted at said joint means and operative to adjust the bias of said bias means by rotation of said pivot pin.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dynamic extension splint is provided which has a pair of elongated strut assemblies which each include a pivotal joint. Each strut assembly is removably supported on one side of a strut support unit which operates to mount the strut assemblies on a body member in alignment with a body joint. A strut assembly includes first and second elongated strut members which are flat units which extend from a pivotal joint. This joint connects one end of the first and second strut members for pivotal movement about one or more pivot axes, and a bias unit mounted at the joint opposes pivotal movement of the strut members in one direction and aids such pivotal movement in a second opposite direction. The bias of this bias unit is adjustable by a bias adjustment mechanism also located at the pivotal joint.
-
Citations
34 Claims
- 1. An adjustable splint device for applying force across a body joint comprising a first elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, a second elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, joint means for connecting one end of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axes of said first and second strut members, said joint means operating to permit pivotal movement of said first and second elongated sturdy members between a first extended position where said first and second elongated strut members extend outwardly away from opposite sides of said joint means and a second closed position where said first and second elongated strut members extended outwardly in close proximity from the same side of said joint means and including at least one pivot pin mounted for rotation relative to said first and second elongated strut members about which at least one of said elongated strut members pivots, bias means mounted at said joint means and connected to provide a bias to oppose pivotal movement of said first and second elongated strut members in a first direction between said first extended position and second closed position and to aid such pivotal movement in a second direction opposite to said first direction between said first extended position and second closed position, said bias means including spring means extending around said pivot pin, sand connected between said pivot pin and at least one of said first and second elongated strut members, and bias adjustment means mounted at said joint means and operative to adjust the bias of said bias means by rotation of said pivot pin.
- 10. An adjustable splint device for applying force across a body joint comprising a first elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, a second elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, joint means connected one end of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axes of said first and second strut members, said joint means including pivot means for mounting at least one of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about said pivot means, said pivot means being rotatable relative to said first and second strut members, bias means mounted at said joint means and connected to provide a bias to oppose pivotal movement of said first and second strut members in a first direction and to aid said pivotal movement in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said bias means being connected between said pivot means and at least open of said first and second strut members, and bias adjustment means mounted at said joint means and operative to rotate said pivot means relative to said first and second strut members to adjust the bias of said bias means.
- 28. An adjustable splint device for applying force across a body joint in a body member, comprising a pair of elongated strut assemblies, each such strut assembly having a first elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, a second elongated strut member having a longitudinal axis extending between opposed ends thereof, joint means connecting one end of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said first and second strut members, said joint means including pivot means for mounting at least one of said first and second strut members for pivotal movement about said pivot means, said pivot means a being rotatable relative to said first and second strut members, bias means mounted sat said joint means and connected to provide a bias to oppose pivotal movement of said first and second strut members in a first direction and to aid said pivotal movement in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said bias means being connected between said pivot means and at least one of said first and second strut members, bias adjustment means mounted sat said joint means and operative to rotate said pivot means relative to said first and second strut means to adjust the bias of said bias means, and strut support means mountable upon said body member for supporting said strut assemblies on opposite sides of said body joint with the joint means thereof in alignment with said body joint.
Specification