Unidirectional resistance pivot assembly for a splint
First Claim
1. A pivot assembly comprising, in combination:
- a first member;
a second member;
means for mounting the first member for pivotal movement relative to the second member about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position; and
means for providing a force to resist pivotal movement of the first and second members as a result of pivotal movement of the first and second members, with the resistance force being substantially larger when pivotal movement is from the first position than when pivotal movement is towards the first position;
wherein the resistance force providing means comprises means for providing sliding frictional forces to resist pivotal movement of the first and second members, with the sliding frictional forces being substantially larger when pivotal movement is from the first position than when pivotal movement is towards the first position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The upper and lower sections (12, 14) of a splint (10) are pivotable about a pivot axis (17) by a pair of pivot assemblies (16). Each pivot assembly (16) includes a housing (18) having a cylindrical side wall (20) and a spacer (30) having a cam track (34). The housing (18) is closed by a closure plate (36) which pivotably mounts an arcuate brake shoe (46) and which mounts a cam (60). Relative rotation of the housing (18) and closure plate (36) causes the cam (60) to follow on the cam track (34) for pivoting the brake shoe (46) to engage the side wall (20) with variable braking force. In preferred forms, a compression block (80) having an aperture (82) formed therein is positioned between the brake shoe axis and the end of the brake shoe (46) to provide a visual indication of the resistance force. In preferred forms, a V-shaped projection (90) is formed on the brake shoe (46) for slideable receipt in a V-shaped groove (84) formed in the side wall (20).
79 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A pivot assembly comprising, in combination:
- a first member;
a second member;
means for mounting the first member for pivotal movement relative to the second member about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position; and
means for providing a force to resist pivotal movement of the first and second members as a result of pivotal movement of the first and second members, with the resistance force being substantially larger when pivotal movement is from the first position than when pivotal movement is towards the first position;
wherein the resistance force providing means comprises means for providing sliding frictional forces to resist pivotal movement of the first and second members, with the sliding frictional forces being substantially larger when pivotal movement is from the first position than when pivotal movement is towards the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- a first member;
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21. A pivot assembly for a splint across a body joint between first and second limbs comprising, in combination:
- a first member adapted to be attached to the first limb;
a second member adapted to be attached to the second limb;
means for mounting the first member for pivotal movement relative to the second member about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position;
a generally arcuately shaped friction engagement surface carried by the first member; and
a generally arcuately shaped brake shoe carried by the second member for sliding engagement with the generally arcuately shaped friction engagement surface, with the generally arcuately shaped brake shoe and generally arcuately shaped friction engagement surface being movable relative to each other for providing sliding frictional forces to resist pivotal movement of the first and second members. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- a first member adapted to be attached to the first limb;
Specification