Patent US2735050A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4280489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ankle brace
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1980-04-21
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Granted: 1981-07-28
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Expires: 2000-04-21
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a generally U-shaped stirrup member having a base portion and a pair of opposed sidewall portions attached to the base portion. A pair of air-inflatable liners or airbags are disposed interiorly of the stirrup member in juxtaposed relation to the sidewall portions, respectively, and extend in a substantially coextensive manner therewith. By this arrangement, when the stirrup member is fitted about the lower extremity, the sidewall portions engage the lateral and medial portions of the lower extremity. A plurality of fastener straps are provided to maintain the sidewall portions of the stirrup member snuggly fitted about the lower leg above the ankle. Means are provided for facilitating inflation of each airbag after the stirrup member has been fitted about the lower extremity and the fastener straps have been engaged.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn W. Johnson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
Orthopedic apparatus for use in connection with the lower extremity and for immobilizing the ankle against inversion or eversion while permitting planto flexion and dorsiflexion thereof comprising: a base portion and a pair of spacedapart sidewall portions attached to opposed side regions of said base portion and extending upwardly therefrom to form a generally U-shaped stirrup member adapted to be fitted about the lower extremity with the heel of the lower extremity resting on the base portion and the upstanding sidewall portions confronting corresponding opposed side portions of the lower extremity, each of said sidewall portions extending longitudinally above the ankle of the lower extremity and having a predetermined lateral extent such that the corresponding opposed longitudinally extending side edges of said sidewall portions are spaced far enough apart from each other to define a pair of openings disposed opposite the front and back portions of the lower extremity respectively when said stirrup member is fitted about the lower extremity as aforesaid, each of said sidewall portions being attached to its corresponding base portion side region by means of a flexural hinge so as to facilitate flexure of each sidewall portion toward and away from each other and toward and away from corresponding confronting side portions of the lower extremity, and a pair of flexible support members, each one of said flexible support members being substantially coextensively disposed in a juxtaposed manner with respect to the inwardly facing surface of a corresponding one of said sidewall portions so as to engage a corresponding confronting portion of the side of said lower extremity when said sidewall portions are flexed toward each other, at least one of said flexible support members comprising an inflatable bladder, and fastening means for maintaining said sidewall portions and said support members in engagement with corresponding confronting side portions of the lower extremity when said stirrup member is fitted about said lower extremity as aforesaid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
Orthopedic apparatus for use in connection with the lower extremity and for immobilizing the ankle against inversion or eversion while permitting planto flexion and dorsiflexion thereof comprising: a base portion and a pair of spacedapart sidewall portions attached to opposed side regions of said base portion and extending upwardly therefrom to form a generally U-shaped stirrup member adapted to be fitted about the lower extremity with the heel of the lower extremity resting on the base portion and the upstanding sidewall portions confronting corresponding opposed side portions of the lower extremity, each of said sidewall portions extending longitudinally above the ankle of the lower extremity and having a predetermined lateral extent such that the corresponding opposed longitudinally extending side edges of said sidewall portions are spaced far enough apart from each other to define a pair of openings disposed opposite the front and back portions of the lower extremity respectively when said stirrup member is fitted about the lower extremity as aforesaid, each of said sidewall portions being attached to its corresponding base portion side region by means of a flexural hinge so as to facilitate flexure of each sidewall portion toward and away from each other and toward and away from corresponding confronting side portions of the lower extremity, and a pair of flexible support members, each one of said flexible support members being substantially coextensively disposed in a juxtaposed manner with respect to the inwardly facing surface of a corresponding one of said sidewall portions so as to engage a corresponding confronting portion of the side of said lower extremity when said sidewall portions are flexed toward each other, at least one of said flexible support members comprising an inflatable bladder, and fastening means for maintaining said sidewall portions and said support members in engagement with corresponding confronting side portions of the lower extremity when said stirrup member is fitted about said lower extremity as aforesaid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said stirrup member comprises a unitary preformed member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said stirrup member is fabricated from a substantially flat sheet of thermoplastic material and said sidewall portions are bent upwardly with respect to said base portion under heat and pressure to define a pair of flexural axes lying substantially within the plane of said base portion at the bottom of each sidewall portion respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said sidewall portions each have a recess for receiving a corresponding malleolus on said lower extremity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein voids respectively exist between at least the lower portions of said sidewall portions and the confronting corresponding opposed side portions of the lower extremity in the region of the ankle when said stirrup member is fitted about said lower extremity as aforesaid, and said at least one inflatable bladder is adapted to be inflated to a predetermined pressure to form a pressurized cushion filling its corresponding void.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said predetermined pressure is within the range of about 15 mm Hg. to about 25 mm Hg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the flexural hinge comprises a web of flexible material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sidewall portions are of thermoplastic material and the web is a strap of woven material attached between the base portion and each sidewall portion.
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) | 1984-07-27 | 1985-01-26 | 1985-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-27 | 1989-01-26 | 1989-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-27 | 1993-01-26 | 1993-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |