Split footplate, ankle braces and bracing systems including the same and associated methods
AssigneeCropper Medical, Inc.
InventorJoseph T. Zachariasen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ankle brace includes a footplate with a lateral element, a medial element and an expandable element. The lateral element and the medial element of the footplate, which may be formed from a somewhat rigid material, are separate from one another and are spaced apart from one another. The expandable element is located between the lateral element and the medial element. It secures the lateral element and the medial element of the split footplate to one another. Braces and bracing systems that include the split footplate are disclosed, as are methods for supporting an individual's foot and/or ankle.
Claims32
A brace for use with a foot and/or ankle of an individual, comprising:
- a footplate including:
- a lateral element;
- a medial element separate from and spaced apart from the lateral element;
- and
- an expandable element between the lateral element and the medial element, the expandable element configured to enable the footplate to accommodate feet of a plurality of different widths.
A brace for use with a foot and/or ankle, comprising:
- a footplate including:
- a lateral element;
- a medial element separate from and spaced apart from the lateral element;
- and
- an expandable element between the lateral element and the medial element, the expandable element configured to enable the footplate to accommodate feet of a plurality of different widths;
- an upper cuff;
- a lateral hinge pivotally connecting a lateral side of the upper cuff to the lateral element;
- and
- a medial hinge pivotally connecting a medial side of the upper cuff to the medial element, the medial hinge configured for adjustment between a plurality of pivot points.
A method for supporting a foot and/or an ankle, comprising:
- selecting a footplate having a foot bed with an interior width that is less than a width of a foot with which the footplate is to be used;
- positioning a foot on the footplate, with an arch of the foot being placed over and supported by a medial element of the footplate and a heel of the foot being placed over a lateral element of the footplate, the foot urging the lateral element and the medial element apart from one another, while an expandable element between the lateral element and the medial element enables the urging while resiliently urging the lateral element and the medial element toward one another.
A system for supporting a foot and/or an ankle, comprising:
- standard footwear having a size configured to normally fit a foot of an individual;
- and
- a brace configured, when worn on the foot, to fit within the standard footwear, the brace including:
- a footplate including:
- a lateral element;
- a medial element separate from and spaced apart from the lateral element;
- and
- an expandable element between the lateral element and the medial element, the expandable element configured to enable the footplate to accommodate feet of a plurality of different widths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.