Patent ID: 6039709
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An orthopedic hinge assembly for connecting portions of an orthopedic device, comprising:(a) a pair of opposed exterior plates containing indicia on an exterior surface of at least one exterior plate and at least a first and second spaced apart slot on each opposed exterior plate in which a threaded thumb wheel mounted on a threaded adjustment screw is received;(b) a first elongated bar having a first end portion insertable into a first pocket on the orthopedic device and having a second end portion containing a first and second spaced apart slot, each slot receiving the threaded adjustment screw and thumb wheel and aligned respectively with the first and second spaced apart slots on the exterior plates respectively;(c) a second elongated bar having a first end portion insertable into a second pocket of the orthopedic device and having at a second end portion integral gear teeth;(d) a cam gear juxtaposed to the second end portion of the first elongated bar engageable with the gear teeth at the second end portion of the second elongated bar;(e) the second end portion of the first elongated bar and the second end portion of the second elongated bar together with the cam gear enclosed by the opposed exterior plates; and(f) means for joining the exterior plates together to retain the adjustment screws in position so that the thumb wheels can be turned to adjust the position of the second elongated bar with respect to the first elongated bar.