Back to results
US 5,472,414 AGranted
Universal fit ankle brace
AssigneePro Orthopedic Devices, Inc.
InventorMichael K. Detty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneePro Orthopedic Devices, Inc.
InventorMichael K. Detty
Estimating the term…
A one-size-fits-all ankle brace has a base member which is a unitary piece of elastomeric material, e.g., plush fabric covered neoprene, having an upper portion including a pair of mounting straps, and a lower portion including a pair of mounting straps and a pair of short elastic tension straps attached to the lower portion adjacent respective lower mounting straps. The base member can be folded to form a jacket, wherein the upper mounting straps of the base member are wrapped around the ankle and the leg just above the ankle and the lower mounting straps of the base member wrapped around the ankle, arch, and instep. VELCRO.RTM. fastening components hold the mounting straps in place to secure the brace on the ankle. The upper mounting straps overlap each other from opposite directions than the lower mounting straps. The tension straps are criss-crossed across the jacket and are releasably secured to the upper mounting straps by VELCRO.RTM. fastening components. The amount that the tension straps are stretched effects the adjustment of the tension they provide for to the brace to stabilize the ankle. The material of the brace provides cushioning and thermal retention properties, thereby protecting the ankle from impact and helping to maintain the ankle at elevated temperatures to prevent injury and facilitate healing.
A brace for disposition on the ankle of a person, said brace comprising a generally planar base member and generally planar tension applying means secured thereto, said base member and said tension applying means being arranged to be laid flat to facilitate the mounting of the brace on the ankle by wrapping portions thereof about the foot, said base member being formed of an elastomeric material having a central portion having a longitudinal axis from which a pair of upper mounting straps and a pair of lower mounting straps extend, said upper mounting straps comprising a first upper mounting strap and a second upper mounting strap, said first upper mounting strap being arranged to be wrapped about the leg of the person immediately above the ankle from a first direction, said second upper mounting strap being arranged to be wrapped about the leg of the person immediately above the ankle from a second direction, opposite to said first direction, whereupon a portion of said first and second upper mounting straps overlie the ankle, with said first upper mounting strap overlying said second upper mounting strap and being releasably securable thereto at various points thereon irrespective of the size of the leg of the person, said lower mounting straps being arranged to be wrapped about the foot of the person from opposite directions, with said first lower mounting strap being arranged to be wrapped about the foot of the person from said first direction and wherein said second lower mounting strap is arranged to be wrapped about the foot of the person from said second direction and over said first lower mounting strap, whereupon said second lower mounting strap is releasably securable to said first lower mounting strap at various points thereon irrespective of the size of foot of the person, said tensioning means comprises plural stretchable tension straps secured to said base member on opposite sides of said axis, each of said tension straps comprising an elastomeric material having a free end, said tension straps being arranged to be crossed over each other and over said base member so that the free ends thereof are releasably secured to said base member at various selectable points thereon to adjust the tension applied by the brace to the ankle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.