U.S. patent number 3,805,773 [Application Number 05/324,473] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-23 for training assist brace.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ballert Orthopedic Corp.. Invention is credited to Henry Sichau.
United States Patent |
3,805,773 |
Sichau |
April 23, 1974 |
TRAINING ASSIST BRACE
Abstract
A fully adjustable orthopedic training assist brace comprises a
relatively rigid foot member having a heel portion and a stirrup
connected thereto, an adjustable Velcro closure ankle strap and two
crossing adjustable Velcro closure instep straps for securing the
foot member to various size feet, and a pair of adjustable length
lower leg members pivotally coupled to the stirrup at the ankle and
having adjustable Velcro closure calf bands for attachment to the
calf. Also provided is a thigh brace including a modified calf
member having outwardly flared knee portions extending above the
calf bands, a pair of adjustable length thigh members coupled to
the knee portion for limited pivotal movement with respect thereto,
and having adjustable Velcro closure thigh bands for attachment to
the thigh, and a latch sleeve surrounding the joint between the
thigh and calf members to lock them against pivotal movement.
Inventors: |
Sichau; Henry (Morton Grove,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Ballert Orthopedic Corp.
(Chicago, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
23263741 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/324,473 |
Filed: |
January 17, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/0127 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
5/01 (20060101); A61f 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/80,83,84,85,88,87 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
548,527 |
|
Mar 1932 |
|
DD |
|
779,873 |
|
Apr 1935 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler
& Stotland
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An orthopedic training assist brace adjustable readily to fit
numerous sizes of feet and legs, said brace comprising a relatively
rigid foot member including a flat sole pad for readily receiving
thereon the foot of the wearer with or without an associated shoe
and a heel portion engaging the heel of the foot and limiting
rearward movement thereof with respect to said foot member,
adjustable ankle straps connected to said heel portion and two
pairs of instep attachment straps connected to said foot member for
extending over the foot forwardly of the ankle in a criss-cross
pattern to secure the foot to said foot member, a stirrup connected
to said foot member and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent to a
side edge thereof, a lower leg member connected to said stirrup for
pivotal movement with respect thereto adjacent to the ankle, said
lower leg member being provided at the upper end thereof with an
elongated slot therethrough, adjustable bias means on said lower
leg member to provide dorsoflexion and plantarflexion assistance to
the foot of the wearer, a calf member having a plurality of
longitudinally aligned spaced-apart holes therethrough, said calf
member being disposed in use in overlapping relationship with said
lower leg member with slected ones of said holes disposed in
alignment with said slot, and fastening means receivable through
said aligned holes and slot for adjustably coupling said lower leg
member to said calf member to vary the combined length of said calf
and lower leg members, and adjustable calf attachment means
connected to said calf member adjacent to the upper end thereof and
extending in use about the calf for securing said calf member
thereto.
2. The orthopedic training assist brace set forth in claim 1, and
including a pair of said lower leg members respectively disposed
along the opposite sides of the leg of the wearer, and a pair of
said calf members respectively connected to said leg members, said
adjustable calf attachment means comprising a pair of calf bands
respectively connected to said calf members and cooperating to
surround the calf of the wearer with the free ends of one of said
calf bands respectively disposed in overlapping relationship with
the free ends of the other of said calf bands, and fastening means
for securing together the overlapping ends of said calf bands.
3. An orthopedic training assist brace adjustable readily to fit
numerous sizes of feet and legs, said brace comprising a relatively
rigid foot member for accommodating a foot thereon and including a
heel portion, said heel portion engaging the heel of the foot and
limiting rearward movement thereof with respect to said foot
member, adjustable foot attachment straps connected to said foot
member for extending over the foot forwardly of the ankle to secure
the foot to said foot member, a stirrup connected to said foot
member and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent to a side edge
thereof, a lower leg member connected to said stirrup for pivotal
movement with respect thereto adjacent to the ankle, a calf member
having a first abutment surface thereon inclined with respect to
the longitudinal axis thereof and being adjustably coupled to said
lower leg member adjacent the upper end thereof and generally
parallel thereto for varying the combined length of said calf and
lower leg members, adjustable calf attachment means connected to
said calf member and extending in use about the calf for securing
said calf member thereto, a lower thigh member having a second
abutment surface thereon inclined with respect to the longitudinal
axis thereof and being connected to said calf member for pivotal
movement with respect thereto adjacent to the knee, said first and
second abutment surfaces being engageable with each other when said
calf member and said lower thigh member are disposed substantially
parallel to each other in a straight-leg configuration for
preventing pivotal movement of said lower thigh member forwardly
with respect to said calf member, a sleeve disposed in surrounding
relationship with said lower thigh member for sliding movement
longitudinally thereof between a latching condition and a relating
condition, said sleeve in the latching condition thereof being
engageable with the upper end of said calf member along the side
edge thereof for preventing pivotal movement of said lower thigh
member rearwardly with respect to said calf member thereby to lock
said calf member and said lower thigh member in the straight-leg
configuration thereof, said sleeve in the releasing condition
thereof being out of engagement with said calf member for
accommodating pivotal movement of said calf member and said lower
thigh member with respect to each other, said lower thigh member
having a widened stop portion at the bottom thereof dimensioned to
prevent the passage of said sleeve thereover, and a depressable
stop member projecting from said lower thigh member adjacent to the
lower end of said second abutment surface for yieldably resisting
the passage of said sleeve thereover, said sleeve in the latching
condition thereof being disposed between said stop member and said
widened stop portion and yieldably held in place thereby, said
sleeve in the releasing condition thereof being disposed above said
stop member and yieldably held out of said latching condition
thereby, and two knee straps respectively disposed on said lower
thigh member and said calf member immediately above and below the
knee for strapping across the front of the leg securely to position
the knee with respect to said calf member and said lower thigh
member, an upper thigh member adjustably coupled to said lower
thigh member adjacent to the upper end thereof and generally
parallel thereto for varying the combined length of said upper and
lower thigh members, and adjustable thigh attachment means
connected to said upper thigh member adjacent to the upper end
thereof and extending in use about the thigh for securing said
upper thigh member thereto.
4. The orthopedic training assist brace set forth in claim 3, and
including a pair of said upper thigh members respectively disposed
along the upper sides of the thigh, said thigh attachment means
comprising a pair of calf bands respectively connected to said
upper thigh members and cooperating to surround the thigh with the
free ends of one of said thigh bands respectively disposed in
overlapping relationship with the free ends of the other of said
thigh bands, and fastening means for securing together the
overlapping ends of said thigh bands.
5. An orthopedic training assist brace adjustable readily to fit
numerous sizes of feet and legs, said brace comprising a relatively
rigid foot member for accommodating a foot thereon, adjustable foot
attachment means connected to said foot member for securing the
foot thereto, a stirrup connected to said foot member and
projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent to a side edge thereof,
elongated lower leg structure connected to said stirrup for pivotal
movement with respect thereto adjacent to the ankle, said lower leg
structure having a first abutment surface thereon inclined with
respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, elongated upper leg
structure connected to said lower leg structure for pivotal
movement with respect thereto adjacent to the knee, said upper leg
structure having a second abutment surface thereon inclined with
respect to the longitudinal axis thereof and engageable with said
first abutment surface when said upper and lower leg structures are
disposed generally in vertical alignment with each other in a
straight-leg configuration for preventing pivotal movement of said
lower leg structure forwardly with respect to said upper leg
structure, a sleeve carried by said upper leg structure for sliding
movement longitudinally thereof between a latching condition and a
releasing condition, said sleeve in the latching condition thereof
being engageable with the upper end of said lower leg structure for
preventing pivotal movement thereof with respect to said upper leg
structure thereby to lock said upper and lower leg structures in
the straight-leg configuration thereof, said sleeve in the
releasing condition thereof being out of engagement with said lower
leg structure for accommodating pivotal movement of said upper leg
structure and said lower leg structure with respect to each other,
said upper leg structure having a widened stop portion at the
bottom thereof diminished to prevent the passage of said sleeve
thereover, and a depressable stop member projecting from said upper
leg structure adjacent to the lower end of said second abutment
surface for yieldably resisting the passage of said sleeve
thereover, said sleeve in the latching condition thereof being
disposed between said stop member and said widened stop portion and
yieldably held in place thereby, said sleeve in the releasing
condition thereof being disposed above said stop member and
yieldably held out of said latching condition thereby, and
attachment means connected to said upper and lower leg structures
for attachment thereof to the leg.
Description
In certain diseases, such as poliomyelitis cases, or after certain
operations, the legs of the patient frequently become temporarily
weakened or paralyzed, and in the treatment of such cases the
weakened leg or foot must be supported in a suitable brace which
will allow the patient to duplicate the natural movements of the
foot and leg during walking, whereby the physical therapist will be
able to assist the patient in recovering the greatest degree of
mobility of the leg and foot, and also allows the therapist to
train the patient to use the brace. It also is desirable that the
foot be permitted as much freedom of movement as possible,
particularly in the case known as "drop-foot", to allow exercise of
the paralyzed or weakened muscles. Such action is of great benefit
as it aids in restoring the muscles, it promotes proper circulation
of the blood in the temporarily or permanently paralyzed limb and
helps to prevent atrophy of the limb.
A primary object of the invention is to provide a training assist
brace which finds greatest utility in the use of physical therapy
rooms, hospitals and the like, wherein the physical therapist
determines that some form of training assist brace is required for
use by the patient, and wherein the therapist may see a great
number of patients from day to day, the therapist being able to use
the instant training assist brace on such great number of patients
by making the necessary adjustments in the brace, and thereby
eliminate the need for a large number of specialty braces
heretofore normally required by the therapist. The present brace
also allows the therapist to determine the degree of improvement in
the patient and to make a determination as to the nature of the
permanent brace to be worn by the patient if such permanent brace
is necessary.
Normally the physical therapist at the hospital is required to
maintain a substantial stock of various-sized braces because of the
different sizes of the numerous patients' legs and feet which the
therapist treats. The present invention provides a training assist
brace for use by the therapist which is designed to be capable of
being readily applied or removed from a patient's leg so that the
training assist brace will fit the patient with maximum comport and
is light in weight in order not to unnecessarily fatigue the
patient, yet the training assist brace will be usable on numerous
patients, with varying size legs and feet.
A further object is to provide a training assist brace which may
easily be fitted with an upper leg portion to provide additional
leg support above the knee if the therapist deems such support to
be required, and wherein the brace and upper leg portion may be
adopted to legs of different individuals with the assurance that
the knee joint will always be accurately positioned with respect to
the patient's knee, thereby to allow proper movement of the
leg.
The present invention relates to an orthopedic training assist
brace which includes a foot portion adjustable to fit various
patients, whether or not the patient is wearing a shoe, and also
includes leg portions adjustable longitudinally and
circumferentially to accommodate the patient's leg.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a
training assist brace which includes a sandal-type foot member
having a plurality of adjustable Velcro fasteners and upper and
lower leg members including adjustable Velcro calf and thigh
fastening bands.
It is an important object of the present invention to provide an
orthopedic training assist brace adjustable readily to fit various
patients who have different sizes of feet and legs, the brace
comprising a relatively rigid foot member including a heel portion,
the heel portion engaging the heel of the foot of the patient and
limiting rearward movement thereof with respect to the foot member,
adjustable foot attachment means connected to the foot member for
extending over the foot forwardly of the ankle to secure the foot
to the foot member, a stirrup connected to the foot member and
projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent to a side edge thereof, a
lower leg member connected to the stirrup for pivotal movement with
respect thereto adjacent to the ankle, a calf member adjustably
coupled to the lower leg member adjacent to the upper end thereof
and generally parallel thereto for varying the combined length of
the calf and lower leg members, and adjustable calf attachment
means connected to the calf member adjacent to the upper end
thereof and extending in use about the calf of the patient for
securing the calf member thereto.
In connection with the foregoing object, still another object of
this invention is to provide an orthopedic training assist brace of
the type set forth, wherein the calf member has a first abutment
surface thereon, and further including a lower thigh member having
a second abutment surface thereon and being connected to the calf
member for pivotal movement with respect thereto adjacent to the
knee, the first and second abutment surfaces being engageable with
each other when the calf member and the lower thigh member are
disposed generally in vertical alignment with each other in a
straight-leg configuration for preventing pivotal movement of the
thigh member forwardly with respect to the calf member, latch
mechanism movable between a latching condition for holding the calf
member and the lower thigh member in the straight-leg configuration
thereof and a releasing condition accommodating pivotal movement of
the calf member and the lower thigh member with respect to each
other, an upper thigh member adjustably coupled to the lower thigh
member adjacent to the upper end thereof and generally parallel
thereto for varying the combined length of the upper and lower
thigh members, and adjustable thigh attachment means connected to
the upper thigh member adjacent to the upper end thereof and
extending in use about the thigh of the patient for securing the
upper thigh member thereto.
Further features of the invention pertain to the particular
arrangement of the parts of the training assist brace whereby the
above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are
attained.
The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following specification taken in
connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a training assist brace
constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the
present invention, showing a first embodiment of the calf
member;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of a
portion of the calf member of FIG. 1, showing the pivot adjusting
means;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the stirrup of the training assist
brace of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the vertical adjustment
means of the training assist brace of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a top-plan view of the calf and fastening means of the
training assist brace of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line
6--6 in FIG. 5, and showing the fastening means on the calf
band;
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of calf
member with attached thigh member constructed in accordance with
and embodying the features of the present invention, with the parts
shown in a straightleg configuration;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view in partial
section of the knee-joint latch mechanism of the training assist
brace of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 9--9 of
FIG. 8, showing further details of the knee-joint latch mechanism;
and
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the training
assist brace of FIG. 7, shown in the bent-knee configuration
thereof.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the
drawings, there is shown a training assist brace, generally
designated by the numeral 50, which includes a foot pad 60 and a
double-action lower leg brace 80, adapted to have adjustably
connected thereto either a calf member 100 or an upper leg assembly
200 (FIG. 7). Secured to the foot pad 60 and forming a rigid spine
therefor is a generally conventional caliper stirrup 55 having a
foot plate 51 provided adjacent to one end thereof with a pair of
transversely extending slots 52 respectively extending inwardly
from the opposite sides of the foot plate 51. The conventional
stirrup is modified so that the foot plate 51 has a pair of
openings or holes 53 extending therethrough and communicating with
the slots 52.
A pair of upstanding calipers 54 are also provided, constructed
substantially as mirror images of each other, each of the calipers
54 including a relatively short mounting flange 56 integral
therewith and extending therefrom substantially normal thereto at
one end thereof and shaped and dimensioned to be received in a
corresponding one of the slots 52 in the foot plate 51. When the
mounting flanges 56 are respectively inserted in the slots 52, they
may be secured to the foot plate 51 by rivets or other suitable
fasteners 57 which are received through the holes 53 and through
complementary holes in the attachment flanges 56. Each of the
calipers 54 has a part circular upper end provided with a circular
opening 58 extending therethrough and having a pair of
substantially radially extending abutment surfaces 59 for a purpose
to be described more fully below.
The foot pad 60 includes a relatively rigid outer sole 61 which may
be constructed of leather or rubber or other suitable material, and
an insole 62 fixedly secured to the outer sole 61 and substantially
congruent therewith. Preferably, the foot plate 51 of the stirrup
55 is sandwiched between the outer sole 61 and the insole 62 for
securely fastening the stirrup 55 to the foot pad 60, with the
calipers 54 respectively extending upwardly from the opposite sides
of the foot pad 60 adjacent to the rear end thereof to points
adjacent to the opposite sides of a patient's ankle. Wrapped around
the rear end of the foot pad 60 and secured thereto and extending
vertically upwardly therefrom is a heel member 63 for receiving the
heel of the foot and limiting rearward movement of the foot with
respect to the foot pad 60.
Respectively secured to the heel member 63 of the opposite edges
thereof and projecting upwardly and forwardly therefrom are two
ankle staps 65 and 66, respectively provided with mating patches 67
of synthetic materials which adhere when pressed together, such as
those sold under the trademark "Velcro", for fastening the ankle
straps 65 and 66 together, thereby to secure the foot to the foot
pad 60 and limit forward and upward movement of the foot with
respect to the foot pad 60. More particularly, the Velcro material
includes a first patch providing a plurality of monofilament hooks
and a second fabric pad which engages the hooks. Each of the ankle
straps 65 and 66 is of sufficient length to accommodate a wide
range of adjustments in the length of the fastened-together straps,
thereby to accommodate a wide range of foot sizes.
Also secured to the foot pad 60 are two pairs of instep straps,
generally designated by the numeral 70, each of the pairs of straps
70 including a front strap 71 and a rear strap 72, each having one
end thereof fixedly secured between the outer sole 61 and the
insole 62. Preferably, the pairs of straps 70 are arranged in a
criss-cross relationship, with the front straps 71 being
respectively secured to the opposite sides of the foot member 62
adjacent to the front end thereof and with the rear strap 72 being
respecitvely secured to the opposite sides of the foot pad 60 just
forwardly of the calipers 54, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Each
pair of straps 71 and 72 is provided with mating Velcro patches 73
thereon for securing the strap ends together above the instep of
the foot. Each of the straps 71 and 72 is of sufficient length to
provide a wide range of adjustment to accommodate a wide range of
foot sizes, whether or not the patient is wearing a shoe. Thus, it
will be appreciated that the patient can readily step onto the foot
member 60 with or without a shoe, thereby facilitating use of the
device 50 as a physical therapy-training assist until the patient
is ready for a permanent brace.
Respectively secured to the calipers 54 of the stirrup 55 and to
extend upwardly therefrom along the inner and outer sides of the
patient's leg are a pair of double-action lower leg brace members,
generally designated by the numeral 80, which are constructed
substantially as mirror images of each other, whereby only one of
the brace members 80 will be described in detail. Each of the brace
members 80 includes a control bar 81 having a clevis 82 at the
lower end thereof for receiving therein the upper end of the
corresponding caliper 54 for pivotal coupling thereto by means of a
pivot pin or screw 83 adjacent to the ankle. The control bar 81 is
provided with a pair of longitudinally extending bores 84
therethrough, the lower ends of the bores 84 opening between the
legs of the clevis 82 and respectively overlying the bearing
surfaces 59 on the associated caliper 54. Received in each of the
bores 84 is a bearing 84a which rests upon the associated one of
the stirrup caliper bearing surfaces 59, as best seen in FIG. 2.
Also received in each of the bores 84 is a coil compression spring
85 having the lower end thereof seated on the bearing 84a and
having the upper end thereof bearing against a set screw 86 which
is threadedly received in the upper end of the bore 84. The upper
end of the control bar 81 is provided with a laterally offset
attachment portion 87 extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to
be connected by means of rivets or other suitable fasteners 87a to
the lower end of an elongated extension bar 88. The extension bar
88 preferably has a slightly outwardly flared upper end having
centrally disposed therein an elongated slot 89 extending
longitudinally of the bar 88.
The lower leg braces 80 may be connected alternatively to the calf
member 100 or to the full upper leg assembly 200, as desired,
depending upon the type of leg assist brace required, but the calf
member 100 will be described first. The calf member 100 includes a
pair of elongated bars 101 constructed as mirror images of each
other, each of the bars 101 having a plurality of longitudinally
spaced-apart holes 102 therein, each having a diameter
substantially equal to the width of the slots 89 in the lower leg
brace bars 88. In use, the calf member bars 101 are respectively
disposed along the inner surfaces of the bars 88 in overlapping
relationship therewith, with the holes 102 disposed in alignment
with the slots 89 for receiving therethrough a pair of wire loop
type set screws 103 for securing the bars 88 and 101 together. It
will be understood that the amount of overlap of the bars 88 and
101 may be varied to adjust the length of the training assist brace
50 to accommodate different length legs. The wire loop type set
screws make this adjustment relatively easy to accomplish without
additional tools.
Secured to the inner and outer ones of the bars 101 adjacent to the
upper end thereof by rivets or other suitable fasteners 104 are an
inner calf band 105 and an outer calf band 106, each being of
part-cylindrical shape and constructed of a flexible material such
as leather. Each of the calf bands 105 and 106 is provided along
the outer surface thereof with a pair of circumferentially
extending and vertically spaced-apart Velcro patches 107, the outer
calf band 106 also being provided on the inner surface thereof with
a Velcro patch 108 adapted to mate with the Velcro patches 107.
In use, the free ends of the inner calf band 105 are received
within the free ends of the outer calf bands 106 in overlapping
relationship therewith, with the mating Velcro patches 107 and 108
being engageable for fastening the calf bands 105 and 106 together
about the calf of a patient. Also provided are four Velcro strips
109, respectively adapted to mate with the Velcro patches 107 on
the outer surfaces of the calf bands 105 and 106 at the front and
rear sides of the calf bands when they are wrapped around the calf
of the patient providing more secure closure.
In use, the patient places his foot onto the insole 62 of the foot
pad 60 and against the heel member 63 and securely fastens the
ankle straps 66 and 67 and the criss-crossing instep straps 71 and
72, firmly to secure the foot to the foot pad 60 and to prevent
movement of the foot with respect to the foot pad 60. It will be
noted that the calipers 54 are adapted to extend upwardly on the
inner and outer sides of the ankle, the length of the calipers 54
being such that the pivotal connection between the calipers 54 and
the lower leg brace control rods 81 will be positioned
substantially at the patient's ankle to accommodate either
dorsiflexion or plantarflexion movements of the foot, depending on
the type of movement the therapist deems necessary. While two of
the compression springs 85 have been illustrated in FIG. 2, in
normal use only one of the springs 85 will be used, the spring 85
being placed in either the front or rear one of the bores 84,
respectively to limit either plantarflexion or dorsiflexion. By
appropriate adjustment of the set screws 86, the compression of the
spring 85 may be varied to adjust the force which opposes and
counterbalances the flexion to be limited.
When the overlap of the bars 88 and 101 has been adjusted to the
appropriate length of the patient's leg and the set screws 103 have
been firmly fastened in place, the calf bands 105 and 106 are
respectively wrapped around the inner and outer sides of the calf
and are secured together by the Velcro patches 107 and 108 and the
Velcro strips 109 in the manner indicated in the drawings, the
circumferential lengths of the calf bands 105 and 106 being such as
to permit a wide range of overlap, thereby to accommodate a wide
range of patient calf sizes.
Referring now also to FIGS. 7 through 10 of the drawings, there is
illustrated an upper leg assembly, generally designated by the
numeral 200 which may alternatively be attached to the lower leg
brace 80, the assembly 200 including a calf brace, generally
designated by the numeral 210, a lower thigh brace generally
designated by the numeral 220 and an upper thigh brace generally
designated by the numeral 240. The calf brace 210 includes a pair
of extension bars 211 constructed as mirror images of each other,
each of the bars 211 being provided with an outwardly flared upper
end 214 and having a plurality of longitudinally aligned
spaced-apart openings 213 therein adjacent to the lower end
thereof. The bars 211 are respectively adapted to be disposed along
the inner surfaces of the bars 88 in overlapping relationship
therewith and adjustably secured thereto by the wire loop type set
screws 103 in the same manner as was described above with respect
to the calf member 100. Respectively secured to the inner and outer
ones of the bars 211 by suitable fasteners such as rivets 212 are
inner and outer calf bands 205 and 206, respectively identical in
structure and function to the calf bands 105 and 106 described
above, being additionally provided with Velcro straps 209,
identical in structure and function to straps 109 described
above.
Each of the calf brace bars 211 is provided at the upper end
thereof with an inclined bearing surface 215, the bars 211 also
having secured thereto adjacent to the upper end thereof a knee
strap 216, preferably provided with a buckle 217 and a cushioning
pad 218, the pad 218 being provided with loops 219 through which
the strap 216 is received. In use, the strap 216 extends around the
front of the patient's leg immediately below the knee to limit
forward movement of the patient's knee with respect to the bars
211.
A pair of lower thigh brace members 220 are provided, constructed
substantially as mirror images of each other, whereby only one of
these braces 220 will be described in detail. Each of the lower
thigh braces 220 is substantially in the form of an elongated bar
having an outwardly flared lower end terminating at the bottom end
thereof in a clevis having part-circular shaped legs adapted to
receive therebetween the upper end of the corresponding one of the
calf brace bars 211 and pivotally secured thereto by a pivot pin or
screw 222. Preferably, the part-circular legs of clevis 221 have a
diameter slightly greater than the portion of the lower thigh brace
220 immediately thereabove, for a purpose to be described more
fully below.
Formed on the lower thigh brace 220 between the clevis arms is an
inclined bearing surface 223 shaped complementary to the bearing
surface 215 on the calf brace 210. Disposed in surrounding
relationship with the lower thigh brace 220 immediately above the
clevis end 221 is a latch sleeve 225 having dimensions sufficient
to accommodate sliding movement thereof with respect to the lower
thigh brace 222, but insufficient to permit the latch sleeve 225 to
pass over the clevis end 221, the sleeve 225 extending
longitudinally of the thigh brace 220 a distance substantially
equal to the vertical distance between the upper and lower edges of
the inclined bearing surface 223. Centrally disposed in the outer
surface of the lower thigh brace 220 adjacent to the upper end of
the inclined bearing surface 223 is a cylindrical opening or recess
224 receiving therein a coil compression spring 227 and a ball
bearing 226, the lip of the opening 224 being peened as at 228 to
retain the bearing 226 therein. Normally, the compression spring
227 urges the bearing 226 outwardly so that it projects outwardly
beyond the outer surface of the lower thigh brace 220 a distance
slightly greater than the clearance between the thigh brace 220 and
the sleeve 225, as best seen in FIG. 9.
When the calf brace bars 211 and the lower thigh braces 220 are
disposed substantially in vertical alignment in the straight-leg
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9, the inclined
bearing surfaces 215 and 223 are disposed parallel to each other
and cooperate to prevent further pivotal movement of the thigh
brace 220 in a clockwise direction with respect to the calf brace
210, as viewed in FIG. 8. When the sleeve 225 is disposed against
the enlarged clevis end 221, as viewed in FIG. 8, it surrounds the
region of overlap between the inclined bearing surfaces 215 and 223
for locking the thigh braces and the calf brace members in the
straight-leg configuration thereof and preventing pivotal movement
thereof with respect to each other. When it is desired to bend the
knee to pivot the thigh brace 220 rearwardly with respect to the
calf brace 210, the sleeve 225 is moved upwardly along the thigh
brace 220, depressing the bearing 226 against the urging of the
compression spring 227, until the sleeve 225 is disposed in a
releasing position completely above the bearing 226, as shown in
broken line in FIG. 8. The sleeve 225 is retained in its releasing
position by the bearing 226, whereby there is freely accommodated a
rearward pivotal movement of the thigh brace 220 with respect to
the calf brace 210 to a bent-knee position illustrated in FIG. 10.
The adjustability of the lower brace portions via the set screws
103 permits placement of the pivot pin at the patient's knee joint,
regardless of the length of the patient's calf.
Preferably, each of the lower thigh braces 220 has a middle
inwardly bent portion immediately above the bearing 226 and an
outwardly flared upward portion having centrally disposed therein
an elongated slot 229 extending longitudinally of the thigh brace
220. Also secured to the middle portion of the thigh braces 220 is
a knee strap 230, preferably provided with a buckle 231 and a
cushioning pad 232, the pad 232 having loops 233 therein for
accommodating therethrough the strap 230. In use, the strap 230 is
fastened about the front portion of the patient's thigh immediately
above the knee for cooperation with the strap 216 securely to
position the patient's knee with respect to the upper leg assembly
200, the straps 216 and 230 each having a length sufficient to
accommodate a wide range of different leg sizes.
The upper thigh brace 240 includes a pair of elongated bars 241
constructed as mirror images of each other, each of the bars 241
having a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart holes 242
therein, each having a diameter substantially equal to the width of
the slots 229. In use, the bars 241 are respectively disposed along
the inner surfaces of the lower thigh braces 220 in overlapping
relationship therewith, with the holes 242 in alignment with the
slots 229 for receiving therethrough the wire loop set screws 243,
adjustably to secure the upper thigh brace 240 to the lower thigh
braces 220.
Respectively fixedly secured to the bars 241 adjacent to the upper
ends thereof as by rivets or other suitable fasteners 244 are an
inner thigh band 245 and an outer thigh band 246, each being
substantially part-cylindrical in shape and constructed of a
flexible material such as leather or the like. Preferably, the
thigh bands 245 and 246 are similar in construction and function to
the calf bands 205 and 206, each of the thigh bands 245 and 246
being provided with outer Velcro patches thereon and the outer
thigh band 246 having an inner Velcro patch thereon. Also provided
are four Velcro strips 249 functioning in the same manner as the
Velcro strip 109 described above. The thigh bands 245 and 246 are
of sufficient length to accommodate a wide range of patient leg
sizes and still provide overlapping of the Velcro patches to fasten
the upper thigh brace 240 to the patient's thigh.
In use, the calf bands 205 and 206 and the thigh bands 245 and 246
are securely fastened about the calf and thigh of the patient in
the same manner as was described above with respect to the calf
bands 105 and 106, and the straps 216 and 230 are then secured
across the front of the patient's leg immediately above and below
the knee, it being readily appreciated that a wide variety of size
adjustments are permitted to accommodate an accurate fit to the
patient's leg.
In a preferred constructional example of the training assist brace
50 of the present invention, the outer sole 61 of the foot pad 60
may be of any suitable shoe sole material and may preferably be of
the rubber crepe type. The insole 52 may be of any suitable
material such as leather, whereby the foot pad 60 is adapted for
use with or without the patient's shoe on, adding greater
versatility to the brace. The straps 65, 66, 71, 72, 109, 209, 216,
230 and 249 may be formed of any suitable material such as leather
or fabric, while the stirrup 55 and the bars 81, 88, 101, 211, 220
and 241 are all formed of metal, preferably duraluminum. The rivets
or pins 57 are disposed below the rear portion of the upper
surfaces 62 of the foot pad 60, and by lifting that portion and
removing the rivets or pins 57 it is easy to change the foot pad
60.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a
novel orthopedic training assist brace usable whether or not the
patient has his shoe on and characterized by maximum adjustability
to accommodate a wide variety of patient foot, leg and shoe
sizes.
More particularly, there has been provided an orthopedic training
assist brace of the character described which includes a
sandal-type foot member having ankle and instep adjustable Velcro
straps for accommodating a wide variety of patient foot sizes,
whether or not the patient is wearing his shoe, and also provides
full vertical adjustability whereby the device has utility as a
training assistance device in physical therapy.
In addition, there has been provided an orthopedic training assist
brace of the character described, which includes leg portions which
are longitudinally and circumferentially adjustable, the
circumferential adjustments including calf and thigh bands having
Velcro fastening means thereon.
Finally, there has been provided an orthopedic training assist
brace which includes a lower leg portion adaptable to be used with
either a calf brace or with a full upper leg assembly which
includes a calf brace and thigh braces pivotally coupled together
in a knee joint. In this connection, there is also provided a novel
knee joint latch for locking the knee joint in a straight-leg
position.
While there have been described what are at present to be
considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it
is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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