Patent ID: 7384406
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An orthopedic brace, comprising: an upper support assembly; a lower support assembly; and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the upper and lower support assemblies; wherein the upper support assembly includes an upper strut operably connected at a first end thereof to the hinge, and an upper wing member slidable with respect to the strut and spaced from the hinge, the upper strut being pivotable about an axis of the hinge, but not translatable with respect thereto, the upper wing member having an inner side configured to face toward a wearer's leg when the brace is worn and an outer side configured to face away from the wearer's leg when the brace is worn, the upper wing member further including a longitudinal channel having a substantially rectangular cross-section that is open along at least a portion of the inner side of the upper wing member and closed along the outer side of the upper wing member, the longitudinal channel slidably receiving the upper strut such that the upper wing member is slidable along the strut between a plurality of indented stop positions to adjust an overall length of the upper support assembly; and wherein the lower support assembly includes a lower strut operably connected at a first end thereof to the hinge, and a lower wing member slidable with respect to the strut and spaced from the hinge, the lower strut being pivotable about the hinge axis, but not translatable with respect thereto, the lower wing member having an inner side configured to face toward the wearer's leg when the brace is worn and an outer side configured to face away from the wearer's leg when the brace is worn, the lower wing member further including a longitudinal channel having a substantially rectangular cross-section that is open along at least a portion of the inner side of the lower wing member and closed along the outer side of the lower wing member, the longitudinal channel slidably receiving the lower strut such that the lower wing member is slidable along the strut between a plurality of indented stop positions to adjust an overall length of the lower support assembly; and wherein the upper wing member includes a first locking assembly that selectively fixes a position of the upper wing member with respect to the upper strut among the plurality of indented stop positions of the upper support assembly, and the lower wing member includes a second locking assembly that selectively fixes a position of the lower wing member with respect to the lower strut among the plurality of indented stop positions of the lower support assembly.