# US 12,004,987 B2 · Living hinge for athletic brace or support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,987 B2 - Document ID: US12004987B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/845,869 - Filed: 2022-06-21 - Published: 2022-10-06 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-12 - Assignees: Rubber City Bracing Company LLC - Applicants: Rubber City Bracing Company LLC - Inventors: Dustin Ducharme; Annunziato Amendola; Bryan Den Hartog; David B. Kay; Anthony Perera; Brian Milliff; Patrick Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004987B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/0127: {for the feet (A61F5/0111 takes precedence)} - A61F 5/01: Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces - A61F 2005/0165: {with limits of movement} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract The invention comprises an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace, support for a joint complex and is a network of interlinking elastomeric bands that extend radially from a hub member having a section of reduced rigidity to support a joint in tension but provide for controlled hinging about an axis defined through the hub member. In particular, the brace is provided for an ankle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of donning a rear-entry ankle brace, the brace comprising, an elastomeric component configured to span an ankle joint, comprising a distal end portion configured to extend over and cover a top and medial and lateral sides of a mid-foot, a proximal end portion configured to extend over and cover a front and medial and lateral sides of a lower portion of a leg, and an intermediate portion that extends between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and that is configured to extend over and cover a front and medial and lateral sides of an ankle joint, wherein the proximal end portion defines a leg opening for rear entry of brace, which leg opening extends from a proximal edge of the proximal end portion along an entire length of the proximal end portion, the proximal edge of the proximal end portion defining a top of the elastomeric component of the brace, leg straps for adjustably tensioning the proximal end portion on the lower leg, each said leg strap extending from a respective rear edge of the leg opening, and a foot strap having a first end attached on a medial side of the brace to the distal end portion for adjustably tensioning the distal end portion on the mid-foot, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the rear-entry ankle brace so as to span an ankle joint; (b) tensioning the leg straps for closing the leg opening and securing the leg straps in tension by attaching the leg straps on a front of the brace; and (c) extending the foot strap from the first end under the brace so as to define a plantar surface of the brace and further extending the foot strap over a front of the intermediate portion to the medial side of the brace for attaching a second end of the foot strap on the medial side of the brace, whereby the first and second ends of the foot strap are both located on the medial side of the brace. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric component further defines, on the medial side of the brace, a central hub with radiating struts that extend from the central hub and with interstitial areas extending between the radiating struts; and wherein the foot strap extends over the central hub. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the interstitial areas comprise areas that are substantially thinner than the radiating struts and that include perforations extending through the elastomeric component for breathability of the brace when worn. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the second end of the foot strap is configured to be secured in tension at the central hub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein each of a plurality of the radiating struts extend on the medial side of the brace from the central hub to the proximal edge of the proximal portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein each of a plurality of the radiating struts extend on the medial side of the brace from the central hub to a distal edge of the distal portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion is positioned so as to extend below the foot of the wearer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion is positioned so as to entirely encircle the foot of the wearer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric component consists of a single molded piece of one or more thermoplastic materials. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising using hook-and-loop fasteners to secure the second end of the foot strap in tension on the medial side of the brace. ### Claim 11 A method of donning a rear-entry ankle brace, the brace comprising, an elastomeric component configured to span an ankle joint, comprising a distal end portion configured to extend over and cover a top and medial and lateral sides of a mid-foot, a proximal end portion configured to extend over and cover a front and medial and lateral sides of a lower portion of a leg, and an intermediate portion that extends between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and that is configured to extend over and cover a front and medial and lateral sides of an ankle joint, wherein the proximal end portion defines a leg opening for rear entry of brace, which leg opening extends from a proximal edge of the proximal end portion along an entire length of the proximal end portion, the proximal edge of the proximal end portion defining a top of the elastomeric component of the brace, leg straps for adjustably tensioning the proximal end portion on the lower leg, each said leg strap extending from a respective rear edge of the leg opening, and a foot strap having a first end attached on a lateral side of the brace to the distal end portion for adjustably tensioning the distal end portion on the mid-foot, the method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the rear-entry ankle brace so as to span an ankle joint; (b) tensioning the leg straps for closing the leg opening and securing the leg straps in tension by attaching the leg straps on a front of the brace; and (c) extending the foot strap from the first end under the brace so as to define a plantar surface of the brace and further extending the foot strap over a front of the intermediate portion to the lateral side of the brace for attaching a second end of the foot strap on the lateral side of the brace, whereby the first and second ends of the foot strap are both located on the lateral side of the brace. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the elastomeric component further defines, on the lateral side of the brace, a central hub with radiating struts that extend from the central hub and with interstitial areas extending between the radiating struts; and wherein the foot strap extends over the central hub. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the interstitial areas comprise areas that are substantially thinner than the radiating struts and that include perforations extending through the elastomeric component for breathability of the brace when worn. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second end of the foot strap is configured to be secured in tension at the central hub. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each of a plurality of the radiating struts extend on the lateral side of the brace from the central hub to the proximal edge of the proximal portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each of a plurality of the radiating struts extend on the lateral side of the brace from the central hub to a distal edge of the distal portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end portion is positioned so as to extend below the foot of the wearer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end portion is positioned so as to entirely encircle the foot of the wearer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the elastomeric component consists of a single molded piece of one or more thermoplastic materials. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising using hook-and-loop fasteners to secure the second end of the foot strap in tension on the lateral side of the brace.