Compact, full-range of motion and multi-degree of freedom structure for supporting orthotic devices

A compact, multi-Degree of Freedom (DoF) support structure (1) located within a single biomechanical plane, for supporting an orthotic device (30) allowing for a user's full range of motion in all biomechanical plans, the support structure comprising:

• a support belt (11) configured to be secured around the user's body, connected to a multi-DoF motion element (20) through a first interconnection (41), the multi-DoF motion element (20) including a first (21), a second (22) and a third (23) rotational DoF mechanisms, the first rotational DoF mechanism (21) being connected to the second rotational DoF mechanism (22) through a second interconnection (42), and the second rotational DoF mechanism (22) being connected to the third rotational DoF mechanism (23) through a third interconnection (43), each of the first (21), second (22) and third (23) rotational DoF mechanisms being uniquely selected from a group consisting of a frontal plane rotational DoF mechanism, a transverse plane rotational DoF mechanism and a sagittal plane rotational DoF mechanism;
• the multi-DoF motion element (20) further including an attachment mechanism (44) for connecting thereto an orthotic device (30);
• wherein in use the compact, multi-Degree of Freedom (DoF) support structure (1) supports the orthotic device (30) while allowing for the user's full range of motion in all biomechanical plans.