Patent ID: 6409695
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An ankle-foot orthotic for restricting inversion and eversion of the foot while allowing plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the foot and permitting translational movement of said ankle-foot orthotic comprising:a foot shell; a lower leg shell; and a hinging means pivotally attaching said foot shell to said lower leg shell, said hinging means providing rotational and translational movement to, and restricting sideways bending movement of, said foot shell relative to said lower leg shell, said hinging means comprising a lateral mechanical joint and a medial mechanical joint, said lateral mechanical joint and said medial mechanical joint each comprising: a housing, said housing including a hollow interior, an open face, a solid face and a partially open end, said partially open end having an opening through said partially open end; a slider having an upper end and a lower end, said slider being rigid, said slider being positioned freely inside of said hollow interior of said housing, said lower end of said slider projecting through and outside of said opening of said partially open end of said housing, said upper end of said slider being larger than said opening of said open end of said housing but smaller than said hollow interior of said housing allowing translational movement of said slider inside of said hollow interior of said housing while restricting sideways movement of said slider inside of said hollow interior of said housing and preventing removal of said slider through said opening of said partially open end of said housing; a cover affixed to said open face of said housing; a spring means placed inside of said hollow interior of said housing, said spring means providing cushioning for said slider while allowing said slider to return to a neutral position inside of said hollow interior of said housing; and a pivoting means attached to said lower end of said slider.