Method for injection-molding an orthopedic device and product of the method
DCFirst Claim
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1. A unitary one-piece injection-molded relatively rigid thermoplastic device having flexible hooks adapted to be releasably attachable to at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, the device comprising:
- at least one relatively rigid wall member intended to provide a function, said wall member being injection-molded; and
a field of flexible injection-molded hooks formed in their hook shape substantially simultaneously and integrally with said functional wall member during the injection-molding of the wall member on at least one predetermined area thereof, said field of hooks being structured and dimensioned for releasable attachment to the at least one associated cooperative member, said field of hooks comprising spaced rows each of one-way facing hooks, such that in each row all hooks face in the same direction and such that in at least some adjacent rows the hooks face in different directions, and said predetermined area of said field of hooks comprising substantially less than the total area of said injection-molded wall member.
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Abstract
An injection-molded thermoplastic device having a field of injection-molded hooks integrally formed in predetermined areas on the device during the injection-molding of the device for releasable attachment to a strap with loops.
76 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A unitary one-piece injection-molded relatively rigid thermoplastic device having flexible hooks adapted to be releasably attachable to at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, the device comprising:
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at least one relatively rigid wall member intended to provide a function, said wall member being injection-molded; and
a field of flexible injection-molded hooks formed in their hook shape substantially simultaneously and integrally with said functional wall member during the injection-molding of the wall member on at least one predetermined area thereof, said field of hooks being structured and dimensioned for releasable attachment to the at least one associated cooperative member, said field of hooks comprising spaced rows each of one-way facing hooks, such that in each row all hooks face in the same direction and such that in at least some adjacent rows the hooks face in different directions, and said predetermined area of said field of hooks comprising substantially less than the total area of said injection-molded wall member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
wherein said associated cooperative loop-bearing member is releasably attachable to said field of hooks to hold the wall member against the inner or outer side of the lower leg and ankle.
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9. A unitary one-piece injection molded relatively rigid thermoplastic device having hooks adapted to be releasably attachable to at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, the device comprising:
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at least one relatively rigid wall member intended to provide a function, said wall member being injection-molded; and
a field of injection-molded single tip hooks, said field having a length and a width, said field comprising hooks interspersed in both the length and the width of the field, said field of hooks being structured and dimensioned for releasable attachment to the at least one associated cooperative member, said hooks being oriented within said field such that the tips of said hooks do not all face in the same direction, such that said orientation of said hooks facilitates secure attachment of said field of hooks to said cooperative member, said field of hooks facing in different directions being formed in their hook shape substantially simultaneously and integrally with said functional wall member on at least one predetermined area thereof. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
wherein said associated cooperative loop-bearing member is releasably attachable to said field of hooks to hold the wall member against the inner or outer side of the lower leg and ankle.
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22. A unitary one-piece injection-molded relatively rigid thermoplastic device having flexible hooks adapted to be releasably attachable to at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, the device comprising:
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at least one relatively rigid wall member intended to provide a function, said wall member being injection-molded; and
a field of flexible injection-molded hooks formed in their hook shape substantially simultaneously and integrally with said functional wall member during the injection-molding of the wall member on at least one predetermined area thereof said field of hooks being structured and dimensioned for releasable attachment to the at least one associated cooperate member, said field of hooks having a length and a width, said field comprising hooks interspersed in both the length and the width of the field, and said pre-determined area of said field of hooks comprising substantially less than the total area of said injection molded wall member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
wherein said associated cooperative loop-bearing member is releasably attachable to said field of hooks to hold the wall member against the inner or outer side of the lower leg and ankle.
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34. A unitary one-piece injection-molded relatively rigid thermoplastic device having hooks adapted to be releasably attachable to at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, the device comprising:
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at least one relatively rigid wall member intended to provide a function, said wall member being injection-molded; and
a field of injection-molded hooks, said field having a length and a width, said field comprising hooks interspersed in both the length and the width of the field, said field of hooks being structured and dimensioned for releasable attachment to the at least one associated cooperative loop-bearing member, said field of hooks being formed in their hook shape substantially simultaneously and integrally with said functional wall member on at least one predetermined area thereof. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
wherein said associated cooperative loop-bearing member is releasably attachable to said field of hooks to hold the wall member against the inner or outer side of the lower leg and ankle.
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Specification