Articulated orthosis providing lift support
OwnerIan K. Engelmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthosis having at least one adjustable joint for articulating two hinged parts of the orthosis, the joint comprises a tensor for carrying the load applied between the two hinged parts. Compression surfaces coupled to the hinged parts are constructed to apply compression forces to a compression element when the angle between the two parts widens. Preferably the compression element comprises a block of resilient material. The joint allows adjustability of the unloaded angle between the hinged parts by varying the dimensions of the block, while selecting blocks having different compressional characteristics such as modulus of elasticity allows varying the degree of resistance to widening the angle between the two hinged parts. The joint is particularly advantageous in constructing an articulating leg brace.
Claims16
An articulated orthosis having a first and a second hinged shell parts, the orthosis having an inner and outer surfaces, and at least one joint for hinging the first and second shell parts, the orthosis comprising:
- a tension element having a first anchor point coupled to the first hinged shell part and a second anchor point coupled to the second hinged shell part, the tension element having at least one generally flat outer surface which is substantially co-planar to the inner surface of the orthosis adjacent to the tension element;
- a first and a second compression surfaces coupled to the first and second shell respectively;
- a compression element comprising a first block of resilient material, disposed between the compression surfaces;
- wherein the compression surfaces are located so as to transmit forces to the compression element as a result of angular motion between the first and second hinged shell parts, the forces being operable to compress the compression element;
- wherein the compression element and tension elements form a joint which is located posteriorly and superiorly to an anatomical joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.