Orthotic joint and method
AssigneeBecker Orthopedic Appliance Company
InventorsJames A. Johnson, Robin W. McCall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical joint for pivotally connecting two members, particularly members of an orthopedic or orthotic device, to limit the degree of pivotal movement between the members and precisely and easily adjust the position of limited pivotal movement between the two members.
Claims29
An orthotic joint for pivotally connecting two orthotic members, comprising:
- (a) a pair of cooperating discs each having an axis of rotation, a periphery and, each disc having a curved slot radially spaced from the axis of rotation, at least a portion of each curved slot overlapping, the extent of slot overlap defining a permitted range of pivotal movement of said joint;
- (b) means for adjustably and removably mounting said discs in fixed relation to each other to define the slot overlap in a fixed position;
- (c) means for mounting said discs in fixed relation to one of the orthotic members;
- and
- (d) structure for pivotally traversing the slot overlap, said structure mounted in fixed relation to the other orthotic member.
An orthosis comprising:
- (a) upper and lower orthotic members;
- (b) a pair of cooperating discs, each disc having a curved slot, at least a portion of each curved slot overlapping, the extent of slot overlap defining a permitted range of pivotal movement of said joint;
- (c) means for adjustably and removably mounting said discs in fixed relation to each other to define the slot overlap;
- (d) means for mounting said discs in fixed relation to one of the orthotic members;
- (e) structure for pivotally traversing the slot overlap, said structure mounted in fixed relation to the other orthotic member;
- and
- (f) means for attaching said upper and lower orthotic members in operative position on a person.
A method of adjusting an orthotic joint to provide a desired range of pivotal movement in said joint, wherein said joint comprises a pair of cooperating discs, each disc having a curved slot, at least a portion of each curved slot overlapping, the extent of slot overlap defining a permitted range of pivotal movement of said joint, structure for adjustably and removably mounting said discs in fixed relation to each other to define the slot overlap, structure for containing said discs in fixed relation to one of the orthotic members and structure for pivotally traversing the slot overlap, said structure mounted in fixed relation to the other orthotic member, comprising:
- adjusting the relative relationship of said discs to provide a desired degree of slot overlap which corresponds to the desired range of pivotal movement of said joint;
- and
- installing said discs while in said relative relationship in said structure for containing said discs to provide the desired range of pivotal joint movement.
An orthotic joint for pivotally connecting two orthotic members comprising:
- (a) a pair of cooperating discs, each having an axis of rotation, a periphery having at least one radially extending protrusion and, each disc having a curved slot radially spaced from the axis of rotation, at least a portion of each curved slot overlapping, the extent of slot overlap defining a permitted range of pivotal movement of said joint;
- (b) a first orthotic member comprising an opening having a periphery with at least one recess complementary to said at least one protrusion of said discs and spaced apart along the periphery of the opening, to permit said discs to be adjustably and removably mounted in fixed relation to each other in said opening and to define the slot overlap in a fixed position in fixed relation to the first orthotic member;
- and
- (c) a protruding member for pivotally traversing the slot overlap, said protruding member mounted in fixed relation to the other orthotic member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.