Orthotic joint

Abstract

Disclosed is an orthotic joint for an orthotic knee, hip or other similar brace that would eliminate the use of sidebars and would automatically lock upon full extension. The locking mechanism could also be fixed in an unlocked position if desired. Instead of a lock, one of a series of barrels of different diameters could be used as stops. The diameter of the barrel would determine the degree of stop. The locking mechanism or barrel would be vacuum-formed into the knee section of a typical custom-made knee orthosis or knee ankle foot orthosis. A round disk with a range-of-motion cutout and a locking hole is positioned between the thigh and calf portions of the brace. In one embodiment, a plunger mounted through the locking mechanism would roll on a cutout in the disk until reaching the tapered hole and then be forced in by a spring to lock the joint. Barrels, instead of a plunger, could be used if a stop, instead of lock, is desired. The locking mechanism could be unlocked by pulling or turning the plunger. This is accomplisher rotating a machined male part relative to a machined female part.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.