Patent ID: 7160263
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An ankle brace of the type adapted to extend along the lateral and medial aspects of an injured ankle and lower leg for supporting the ankle during healing, and comprising: (a) a medial side support for extending along the medial aspect of the ankle and lower leg, the medial side support including an elongate, rigid support member having a lower end of sufficiently narrow width and thinness to fit inside a shoe being worn by a wearer of the brace, said medial side support including a soft, flexible perimeter edge portion mechanically adhered to and extending outwardly in overlapping, non-interfitting relation to the rigid support member for protecting the medial aspect of the leg and ankle from irritation resulting from contact with edges of the rigid support member; (b) a lateral side support for extending along the lateral aspect of the ankle and lower leg, the lateral side support including an elongate, rigid support member having a lower end of sufficiently narrow width and thinness to fit inside the shoe, said lateral side support including a soft, flexible perimeter edge portion mechanically adhered to and extending outwardly in overlapping, non-interfitting relation to the rigid support member for protecting the lateral aspect of the leg and ankle from irritation resulting from contact with edges of the rigid support member; and (c) connector means for connecting the medial side support and lateral side support together at their respective lower ends and extending under the foot of the wearer of the brace.