Articulated splints and goniometric hinge for the same
AssigneeLenjoy Engineering, Inc.
InventorsJohn Bennett, Willis C. Bradley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An orthopedic splint has two end plates connected to an intermediate hinge which flexes in a plane transverse to the plates and attaches to a limb in a less obtrusive position behind the joint rather than on opposite sides of the joint. The hinge has continuously adjustable stops for limiting flexing and extension and a spring contained in the hinge for preloading the splint. The entire splint including the hinge may be enclosed and contained in a zippered moisture absorbent contour fitting cover for improved esthetic appearance and comfort.
Claims47
A splint for bridging a joint on a human limb, comprising:
- first and second end plates shaped and configured for attachment to corresponding limb sections on opposite sides of a said joint;
- and
- a hinge connecting said end portions along a center line of said end plates, said hinge flexing in a plane generally transverse to said end plates at said center line.
A splint for bridging a joint of a human limb, comprising:
- an inner framework having first and second end plates adapted to conform to said limb, each of said end plates connected by a respective shank to a hinge flexible in a plane generally transverse to said end plates;
- and
- a unitary cloth covering having end portions contoured to conform to each of said end plates and a narrower midportion adapted to fit over and enclose said shanks and said hinge, such that said inner framework is substantially entirely enveloped by said unitary cloth covering.
A splint for attachment to a joint of a human limb comprising first and second end plates connected to each other by a hinge to allow flexing of the splint about a hinge axis, said hinge having first and second stops for limiting said flexing between an extended and a retracted position of said splint, characterized in that one or both of said stops are continuously rotatable about said hinge axis for setting a limited range of movement of any arbitrary arc segment contained between said extended and said retracted conditions.
A splint for bridging a joint of a human limb, comprising:
- an inner framework having first and second end plates deformable to conform to a said limb, each of said end plates connected by a rigid shank to a single hinge;
- said hinge having two swivels each connected to a respective said shank, said swivels together defining a generally cylindrical enclosure axially and radially containing a spring operative for biasing the splint towards an extended condition;
- first and second stops on said hinge continuously adjustable for setting a limited range of movement of any arbitrary arc contained between an extended and a retracted condition of said end plates;
- and
- a moisture absorbent covering adapted to fit over and enclose said inner framework including said hinge.
A hinge comprising first and second swivels, a shaft through said swivels defining a hinge axis, a detent element supported to one of said swivels,
- a pair of stop plates each having a stop thereon, said plates mounted for continuous rotation about said hinge axis, and friction lock means threaded to said swivels axially along said hinge axis and engageable for fixing said plates with said stops at selected angular positions relative to each other about said hinge axis;
- said stops cooperating with said detent element for limiting rotation of said swivels between a maximally extended and a maximally retracted position of said hinge within a continuously adjustable arbitrary arc of movement contained between said maximally extended and said maximally retracted conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.