# US 8,771,212 B1 · Adjustable splint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,212 B1 - Document ID: US8771212B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 11/156,791 - Filed: 2005-06-20 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2004-06-21 - Applicants: Edward D. Garris; Brett W. Shimel - Inventors: Edward D. Garris; Brett W. Shimel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771212B1 ## CPC - A61F 5/05875: {for fingers} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a splint for a body part, such as a human digit. The splint can include a unitary, semi-rigid, arcuate, and/or toroidal member; a first lock portion integral to the member; and a second lock portion integral to the member. The first lock portion can be adapted to releasably lockably engage the second lock portion so as to allow for continuously and/or incrementally adjustable contact of at least a portion of the member with a predetermined portion of the body part of a wearer of the splint. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A splint for a predetermined digit of a human body comprising: an arcuate annular body comprising a first arcuate semi-elliptical portion integrally formed with and coupled to a second arcuate semi-elliptical portion; a first strap integrally formed with and coupled to said body, said first strap comprising a first locking member and comprising a first major surface adapted to be disposed toward said predetermined digit; a second strap integrally formed with said body, said second strap comprising a second locking member; and said first locking member of said first strap adapted to releasably lockably engage with said second locking member of said second strap; said splint adapted to allow a full, normal range of motion, and to block hyperextension or hyperflexion, of a corresponding digit of a normal human body; and when operatively coupled, a longitudinal axis defined by said first strap and said second strap is angled, and non-parallel, with respect to a plane perpendicular to all planes containing a longitudinal axis of the finger. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion and said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion are of a substantially similar size. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion is sized larger than said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first major surface of said first strap comprises a plurality of locking teeth thereon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first major surface of said first strap comprises a plurality of transverse locking teeth thereon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said second locking member is formed integrally with said second strap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said second locking member and said second strap are two separable pieces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said second locking member is slideably mounted on said second strap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said second locking member is deflectable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said second locking member comprises locking teeth adapted to lockably engage with a plurality of transverse locking teeth of said first locking member of said first strap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first major surface of said first strap comprises a channel along at least a portion of a length of said first strap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first major surface of said first strap comprises a channel along at least a portion of a length of said first strap, said channel defining a substantially dovetail shape and said second strap engageable in said channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said arcuate second semi-elliptical portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at an angle greater than 30 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at an angle less than 150 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein an pair of intersections of said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion with said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion defines a line. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at a pair of intersections connectable by a line parallel to a minor axis of at least one of said arcuate semi-elliptical portions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at a pair of intersections adapted to be positioned on opposing sides of the predetermined digit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at a pair of opposing intersections adapted to be positioned below a dorsal surface of the predetermined digit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first arcuate semi-elliptical portion intersects said second arcuate semi-elliptical portion at a pair of opposing intersections adapted to be positioned above a volar surface of the predetermined digit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The splint of claim 1, wherein said first strap has a pull-through opening thereon having an ingress, an egress, and an internal passageway communicating therebetween. ### Claim 22 A splint, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid arcuate toroidal member; a first lock portion integral to and extending from a first location on said arcuate toroidal member; a second lock portion integral to and extending from a second location on said arcuate toroidal member, said first lock portion adapted to releasably lockably engage said second lock portion so as to allow for adjustable contact of at least a portion of said arcuate toroidal member with a predetermined portion of a body of a wearer of said splint, wherein, when operatively coupled, a longitudinal axis defined by said first lock portion and said second lock portion is angled, and non-parallel, with respect to a plane perpendicular to all planes containing a longitudinal axis of the predetermined portion of said body of said wearer; said splint adapted to allow a full, normal range of motion, and to block hyperextension or hyperflexion, of a corresponding portion of a normal human body. ### Claim 23 A splint, comprising: a unitary semi-rigid member comprising: a first ring portion and a second ring portion, each of said ring portions formed into a substantially arcuate semi-elliptical shape; a first strap portion extending from said first ring portion; a second strap portion extending from said second ring portion; said first strap portion adapted to releasably lockably engage said second strap portion so as to allow for adjustable engagement of said ring portions with a predetermined portion of a wearer's body, wherein, when operatively coupled, a longitudinal axis defined by said first strap portion and said second strap portion is angled, and non-parallel, with respect to a plane perpendicular to all planes containing a longitudinal axis of the predetermined portion of said wearer's body; said splint adapted to allow a full, normal range of motion, and to block hyperextension or hyperflexion, of a corresponding portion of a normal human body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The splint of claim 23, wherein said second strap portion defines a channel for receiving said first strap portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The splint of claim 23, wherein said first strap portion comprises a plurality of locking teeth, and wherein said second strap portion comprises a plurality of mating teeth mateable with said locking teeth. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The splint of claim 23, wherein said first strap portion comprises a plurality of locking teeth spaced equidistantly by half ring sizes. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The splint of claim 23, wherein said first strap portion and said second strap portion provide a substantially uniformly flush environment facing surface when engaged. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The splint of claim 23, wherein said first strap comprises a tab portion at an end thereof for permitting ease of manipulation of said first strap portion. ### Claim 29 A splint, comprising: a unitary support member comprising at least two ring portions, said ring portions being substantially arcuate semi-elliptical in shape and comprising respective first and second end points which intersect at respective first and second intersection points, a first strap member secured to and extending from said support member at said first intersection point, and a second strap member secured to and extending from said support member at said second intersection point, said second strap member further being adapted for removable engagement to said first strap member, wherein a longitudinal axis defined by said first strap member and said second strap member is angled, and non-parallel, with respect to a plane perpendicular to all planes containing a longitudinal axis of a predetermined part of a wearer's body to which said splint is operatively attached; said splint adapted to allow a full, normal range of motion, and to block hyperextension or hyperflexion, of a corresponding part of a normal human body. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The splint of claim 29, wherein said corresponding part is a digit.