Patent US3898709A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3898709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hinge for knee brace
Assignee: SURGICAL APPLIANCE IND
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Filing: 1974-09-26
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A lockable hinge for a knee brace with an actuator permitting the hinge to be locked or unlocked while the knee brace is worn beneath clothing. The hinge includes two elongated hinge arms joined together at a centrally located pivot point. The locking mechanism is located near the pivot point and includes a spring biased pin effective to engage aligned openings in both hinge arms. The pin is carried by an elongated spring and is disengaged from one hinge arm either by depressing a lever or a bowed portion of the spring which is readily accessible even through clothing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hector E Lewis
- 👤 Executrix By June Rae Maclean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0123; A61F5/0125; A61F2005/0132; A61F2005/0158; A61F2005/016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, a locking pin, and a locking pin support member; means supporting said locking pin support member upon said first arm, said pin being in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; spring means urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture iN said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and means responsive to lateral pressure for causing said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, a locking pin, and a locking pin support member; means supporting said locking pin support member upon said first arm, said pin being in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; spring means urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture iN said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and means responsive to lateral pressure for causing said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lockable hinge of claim 1 in which said pin is disposed at all times within the locking aperture in said first arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
201 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, and a locking pin; a spring member mounted upon said first arm and carrying said locking pin, said spring member supporting said pin in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; said spring member urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture in said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and a lever pivotally mounted upon said first arm, said lever being effective in response to lateral pressure to cause said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
201 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, and a locking pin; a spring member mounted upon said first arm and carrying said locking pin, said spring member supporting said pin in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; said spring member urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture in said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and a lever pivotally mounted upon said first arm, said lever being effective in response to lateral pressure to cause said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The lockable hinge of claim 3 in which said spring member is an elongated leaf spring having an opening in the free end thereof and in which said pin is provided with two spaced heads, the pin passing through said opening in the leaf spring with the heads being disposed on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lockable hinge of claim 4 in which said lever member overlies said leaf spring and engages said pin intermediate said spaced heads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, and a locking pin; an elongated leaf spring member carrying said locking pin at one end thereof; means pivotally supporting the center portion of said spring member upon said first arm, said pin being in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; said spring member urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture in said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and said spring member being rocked in response to lateral pressure upon the portion remote from said pin for causing said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
212 words
A lockable hinge for a knee brace, said hinge comprising: a first and a second elongated hinge arm; a pivot connection between said first and second hinge arms, said pivot connection being disposed near one end of each arm, whereby said arms can be rotated to a plurality of angular positions relative to one another; each of said arms having a locking aperture formed therein spaced from said pivot connection, and a locking pin; an elongated leaf spring member carrying said locking pin at one end thereof; means pivotally supporting the center portion of said spring member upon said first arm, said pin being in alignment with said locking aperture in said first arm; said spring member urging said pin through the aperture in said first arm and toward said second arm, said pin being effective to enter the aperture in said second arm to lock said hinge arms in a predetermined angular position when the aperture in said second arm is brought into alignment with said pin; and said spring member being rocked in response to lateral pressure upon the portion remote from said pin for causing said pin to be shifted outwardly and withdrawn from the aperture in said second hinge member to free said hinge members for relative rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lockable hinge of claim 6 in which said pin is disposed at all times within the locking aperture in said first arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lockable hinge of claim 6 in which said elongated spring has an opening receiving said locking pin and said locking pin has two spaced heads disposed on opposite sides of said spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |