Orthopedic appliance with weight activated brake and variable extension assist

An orthopaedic appliance comprising:

• an upper strut assembly hingably engaged with a lower strut assembly by a hinge means for rotational motion of the lower strut assembly from a first position, forming an approximate straight angle with the upper strut assembly, to a second position, forming an acute angle therewith, the lower strut assembly further being adapted for linear translation toward and away from the hinge means;
• a means for braking engaged with the hinge means and adapted for providing resistance to the rotating of the lower strut assembly when the lower strut assembly translates toward the hinge means;
• a means for urging motion engaged with the hinge means and adapted for providing an urging force directed for urging the lower strut assembly toward the first position, the magnitude of the urging force corresponding to a camming surface contour of a camming surface means of the means for urging motion.