US4289122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ankle-foot orthosis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-23
•
Granted: 1981-09-15
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Expires: 1999-04-23
Abstract
Abstract An ankle-foot orthosis made of thin-sheeted polypropylene material which comprises a foot section and a leg section articulately attached to one another on each side of the ankle in order to facilitate dorsi-flexion. The leg section has a flanged lower lip overlapping the upper edge of the foot section. The overlap provides a stop for the backward movement of the leg section around the articulation point, thus limiting plantar flecion and foot drop.
Inventors
- 👤 Randy D. F. Mason
- 👤 William Vuletich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0104; A61F5/0111; A61F5/0127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An ankle-foot brace securable to a patient's leg for controlling the ankle movement which comprises: a unitary plantar element made of hard, thin-sheeted material having an upward projection shaped and dimensioned to wrap intimately around the heel and ankle area; a unitary leg element made of hard thin-sheeted material having an upper portion shaped and dimensioned to wrap intimately around the calf, a shank extending downward from said upper portion along the back of the lower leg, a broadening lower portion at the lower end of said shank partially extending over said projection and over both sides of said ankle area, and means for securing said upper portion to the leg; means for pivotally attaching the upward projection of the plantar element to the broadening lower portion of the leg element at ankle level about the normal flexure axis of the ankle; and means integral with said plantar element and said leg element for limiting the backward movement of the leg element in relation to the plantar element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An ankle-foot brace securable to a patient's leg for controlling the ankle movement which comprises: a unitary plantar element made of hard, thin-sheeted material having an upward projection shaped and dimensioned to wrap intimately around the heel and ankle area; a unitary leg element made of hard thin-sheeted material having an upper portion shaped and dimensioned to wrap intimately around the calf, a shank extending downward from said upper portion along the back of the lower leg, a broadening lower portion at the lower end of said shank partially extending over said projection and over both sides of said ankle area, and means for securing said upper portion to the leg; means for pivotally attaching the upward projection of the plantar element to the broadening lower portion of the leg element at ankle level about the normal flexure axis of the ankle; and means integral with said plantar element and said leg element for limiting the backward movement of the leg element in relation to the plantar element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The orthosis claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting comprise: at the lower edge of said lower portion an outward projecting rim shaped and dimensioned to cap the upper edge of said upward projection when the leg element is at its maximum backward position in relation to the plantar element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The orthosis claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means for attaching comprise a pair of rivets mounted on a common transversal axis on opposite sides of the ankle pivotally and loosely fastening said broadening lower portion to said upward projection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The orthosis claimed in claim 2 wherein said shank comprises a generally narrow, elongated section made of flexible material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-14 | 1985-03-16 | 1985-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-03-16 | 1989-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-14 | 1993-03-16 | 1993-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |