Patent ID: 6228045
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In a plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot, and an ankle-encircling retention strap attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region, the improvement comprising:(a) said support strap including an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place; and(b) complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements carried by said retention strap and said support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot, said fastener elements including:(i) a first fastener element carried by an outer surface of the retention strap;(ii) a second fastener element carried by an inner surface of the support strap for being adjustably-mated with the first fastener element for retaining the support strap and the retention strap in a desired position relative to each other;(iii) a third fastener element carried on an outer surface of the support strap; and(iv) a fastener cover carried by said retention strap and having a fourth fastener element carried on an inner surface thereof for mating with the third fastener element of the support strap.