Hinge assembly
AssigneeOssur Iceland Ehf
InventorsDavid SANDAHL, Tomas NJALSSON, Valgeir PETURSSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hinge assembly with improved durability is provided with a first hinge arm with a first end portion, a second hinge arm with a second end portion, and a wear insert integrated with the second end portion. A gear segment of the first end portion is integrally formed from the first hinge arm and composed of a first material. The wear insert of the second end portion is distinctly formed from the second hinge arm. The wear insert is formed of a second material, while the second hinge arm is formed of the first material.
Claims20
A hinge assembly comprising:
- a first hinge member defining a first toothed segment;
- a second hinge member defining a second toothed segment;
- an insert retained within the second hinge member and defining at least a portion of the second toothed segment;
- wherein the insert is configured to mesh with the first toothed segment and transmit movement between the first hinge member and the second hinge member.
An orthopedic device comprising:
- a first frame member;
- a second frame member;
- a hinge assembly coupling the first frame member and the second frame member;
- wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first toothed segment and a second toothed segment configured to mesh with the first toothed segment;
- and
- wherein the second toothed segment comprises an insert retained within a hinge component of the hinge assembly.
A wear insert for a hinge assembly, comprising:
- a body configured to be retained within a hinge member and defines at least a portion of a toothed segment of the hinge member;
- a plurality of gear teeth arranged along an outer edge of the body and configured to mesh with a corresponding toothed segment of another hinge member;
- a rotational opening extending through the body;
- one or more apertures extending through the body and configured to receive material of the hinge member therethrough;
- one or more projections configured to be embedded within the hinge member;
- a first wear surface extending along a first side of the body and a second wear surface extending along a second side of the body opposite the first side;
- wherein the gear teeth comprise rounded tooth tips;
- and
- wherein the body defines one or more debris-management features between adjacent gear teeth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.