US 4,281,462 A · Calliper system for laying out stirrups used in lower extremity orthosis

Abstract

An accurate mechanical method and associated calliper for determining the vertical and longitudinal center lines and the mid-point between joint holes in the laying out of a stirrup for use in the foundation of a lower extremity orthosis. The calliper comprises an assembly with three main parts: a floating, calibrated main bar containing two lateral internal springs of equal tension connected to a center punch or marking pin, and two end bars of equal size connected to the other ends of the internal springs, which end bars slide in and out of the main floating bar. Each end bar includes a pin which attaches it to the main bar spring, a stirrup dowel and a scale to be used for inter alia measuring varus or valgus deformities of the ankle. The assembly is placed on a stirrup by inserting the stirrup dowels on the two end bars into the joint holes on the stirrup, thus positioning the main bar for measurement and marking purposes. The center point is marked by, for example, striking the center marking pin with a hammer, which center point is used to determine the bend lines for the stirrup which are then used for appropriately bending the stirrup into the configuration desired for a particular user. The pins on the end bars can also be used if desired for marking the defining points of the stirrup's vertical or lateral axis.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of making an orthosis stirrup from a flat, piece of bendable stirrup material having joint holes at either end for use in a lower extremity orthosis, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a stirrup calliper having two end sections and a moveable central section carrying a marking device and being laterally moveably connected between said two end sections, said two end sections having protruding anchoring means protruding down from said end sections for anchroing said end sections to the stirrup joint holes;
(a) placing said calliper on the flat stirrup material and inserting said protruding anchoring means into the joint holes and thereby anchoring said anchoring means to the stirrup joint holes;
(c) centrally locating said marking device over the desired center position of the flat stirrup material off-set, if any, as desired;
(d) using said marking means to mark the center position of the stirrup material off-set, if any, as desired;
(e) using the marked position as a base for determining the bend lines for the arms of the stirrup;
and
(f) bending up the arms of the stirrup at the bend lines determined in step "e" to form the stirrup.

4 more elements

A measuring and marking calliper for determining and relatively marking the center point between two spaced elements on an item, comprising:

two opposed, extended, end sections;
and
a movable central section carrying a marking device and being laterally movably connected between said two end sections, said two end sections having anchoring means for anchoring said end section to the two spaced elements, said movable central section being laterally movable with respect to said end sections to position said marking device relative to the center point between the two spaced elements, said cenral section being of tubular construction open at both ends, and said end sections being of like tubular construction but of smaller cross sectional dimension and being slidably nestably positioned in the opposing open ends of said central section;
spring means connected between said central section and said end sections for resiliently connecting said central section to said opposed, extended end sections with equal, opposing forces, said spring means resiliently pulling and positioning said central section centrally with respect to said end sections by means of the equalizing of said equal, opposing forces, said marking device being usable to mark the center position between the two spaced elements off-set, if any, as desired, said marking device being a vertically movable pin extending down through said central section, said spring means being connected at its proximal ends to said pin.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Calliper system for laying out stirrups used in lower extremity orthosis

Life of this patent

Calliper system for laying out stirrups used in lower extremity orthosis

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14