Abstract:
An ankle brace that can be configured to fit feet and ankles of differing sizes. The brace includes a base that wraps around the sides and rear of the foot and ankle, with forward edges that come toward another but do not meet. Two movable flaps are releasably fixed to the base, one on each side of the base, using hook and loop type fastening material. Straps and loops are mounted in alternating fashion on the forward edges of the two flaps, with one end of each strap remaining free. The free end of each strap can be trained through a loop mounted on the opposite movable flap and then looped back for attachment to the mounted end of the strap using hook and loop type fastening material, to fasten the brace securely to the foot and ankle. By repositioning the movable straps the effective size of the brace is varied.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the field of articles worn by persons to reduce the likelihood, severity, or exacerbation of injury to the body, and more specifically to the field of braces worn on the ankle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The ankle joint connects the lower leg and the foot of a person, providing a pivot point that allows the foot to rotate relative to the lower leg. Together the lower leg, ankle joint, and foot make up a complex system that must be sturdy yet flexible in order to bear a person&#39;s weight while providing freedom of movement.  
           [0003]    The ankle joint is one of the most frequently used joints in the body, as it is required for any activity that involves walking or running. Further, it receives relatively high levels of stress as it bears dynamic loads that are multiples of the entire weight of the body. During ambulation, and especially during strenuous sports such as football, basketball, tennis, or soccer, quick changes in direction or uneven playing surfaces can cause the ankle to move beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in an injury commonly referred to as a sprained ankle. A sprained ankle is a source of some discomfort that can make sports less enjoyable or reduce athletic performance, and it can reduce mobility and productivity during normal day-to-day activities. For these reasons, there has long been motivation to find ways to support and protect the ankle while maintaining good freedom throughout the normal range of motion, to reduce injuries without diminishing mobility.  
           [0004]    Ankle braces have been used for many years, in a variety of specific embodiments directed to particular applications. Although there is considerable variety in the construction of ankle braces today, one common feature is that eyelets and a shoelace are used to secure the ankle brace about the ankle joint and to adjust the degree of compression and tension provided by the brace. However, the eyelets and shoelace used for this purpose have several disadvantages.  
           [0005]    First, shoelaces are known to break, and they may be most likely to do so in response to the kinds of stress encountered during vigorous sports. When a shoelace on an ankle brace breaks, the ankle joint may be subjected to unexpected stress, causing injury or exacerbating existing injury. For this reason, it would be useful to find a substitute for the shoelace and eyelets that would be less likely to undergo catastrophic failure.  
           [0006]    Second, a shoelace threaded through eyelets and placed under tension by tying the shoelace will have essentially uniform tension throughout its length. If the eyelets are uniformly spaced, this means that the compression and tightness of the brace will be essentially uniform across all the pairs of eyelets. However, it may not be desirable to have uniform compression and tightness of the brace across all the pairs of eyelets. For example, it may be desirable to have greater compression above and below the ankle joint and lesser compression in the vicinity of the ankle joint in order to combine good support with adequate freedom of motion. It is known that by varying the spacing of the eyelets, the compression and tightness of the brace can be varied across the pairs of eyelets. However, once the brace is manufactured, the spacing of the eyelets is fixed, so that the compression and tightness of the brace cannot be adjusted to take into account the particular size and shape characteristics of the person wearing the brace. For this reason, it would be desirable to find a substitute for the shoelace and eyelets that would allow the compression and tightness of the brace to be flexibly adjusted across the length of the brace at the time the brace was fastened about the ankle joint, in order to take into account the particular size and shape characteristics of the person wearing the brace.  
           [0007]    Third, a shoelace and eyelets require a fair degree of manual dexterity and the use of two hands when they are placed under tension and tied in order to fasten the brace about the ankle. Especially in contact sports where hands take physical punishment or where pads or protective equipment are worn, or in environments requiring gloves, manual dexterity may be limited so that the person wearing the brace may need the help of an additional person. Further, because of the high level of manual dexterity required, the process of fastening the brace may consume valuable time. For these reasons, it would be desirable to find a substitute for the shoelace and eyelets that would allow the brace to be fastened or adjusted with a lower level of manual dexterity.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention features an adjustable ankle brace in which fastening straps are used, rather than eyelets and a shoelace. The present invention features lower potential for catastrophic failure of the fastening about the ankle, and greater flexibility in adjustment of tension and tightness of fit about the ankle. The present invention also features easier fastening about the ankle compared to the prior art.  
           [0009]    No matter how the strap is fastened, the tension applied by each strap is applied independently of the tension applied by other straps. Thus, if one strap breaks or becomes detached, the overall tension applied by the plurality of straps diminishes but is not lost completely, thereby avoiding the catastrophic failure associated with breakage of the shoelaces seen in the prior art. The tension applied by each strap can be adjusted independently of the tension applied by the other straps, thereby allowing the wearer to flexibly adjust the fit of the brace to accommodate a wide range of applications. Each strap can placed under tension using only one hand. This feature contrasts with the process of fastening the shoelaces used in the prior art, as tensioning and tying a shoelace requires the use of two hands and possibly even the assistance of another person. Further, the independence of the tension applied by each strap allows iterative adjustment of the fit, by starting out with low levels of tension and adjusting the tension of the straps to suit the wearer. The relatively large size of the straps used in this invention compared to the size of the shoelaces used in the prior art makes the straps relatively easy to grip, lowering the level of manual dexterity required to fasten or adjust the ankle brace.  
           [0010]    The invention may utilize a base and a movable and detachable closure assembly. The closure assembly of the invention uses straps and loops to fasten the brace upon the foot and ankle. Alternatively, a different movable and detachable closure assembly may be used that has straps and fastening patches to fasten the brace upon the foot and ankle. In either case, the position of the closure assembly on the base can be changed by detaching and reattaching the closure assembly in a new position on the base to adjust the effective size of the brace to fit a wide range of sizes. If desired, closure assemblies may be utilized that are not movable and detachable.  
           [0011]    Adjustable size ankle braces according to the invention may use hook and loop type fastening material as detachable attachment means. The straps, loops, and fastening patches may be placed along a curved line. Further, a resilient stay member may be mounted on each side of the base.  
           [0012]    Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    In the drawings:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ankle brace according to the invention installed on a foot;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the ankle brace;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a back view of the base of the ankle brace pressed flat;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a front view of a resilient stay member made of flattened springs.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of a resilient stay member made of flattened springs.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a front view of the closure assembly of the ankle brace;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a back view of the closure assembly of the ankle brace;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ankle brace with the detachable and movable side flaps of the closure assembly exploded from the base;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of an ankle brace according to the invention installed on a foot;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a front view of the closure assembly of the ankle brace of FIG. 9;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a back view of the closure assembly of the ankle brace of FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the ankle brace of FIG. 9 with the detachable and movable side flaps of the closure assembly exploded from the base;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an ankle brace according to the invention installed on a foot with the fastening straps fastened;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the ankle brace of FIG. 13 installed on a foot with the fastening straps unfastened;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further modified ankle brace according to the invention installed on a foot with the fastening straps fastened; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the ankle brace of FIG. 15 installed on a foot with the straps unfastened. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an ankle brace in accordance with the invention indicated generally at  10 , as worn on the right foot  11  and ankle  12  of a person. Although the figures and this detailed description show the ankle brace worn on the right foot, the construction of the ankle brace is preferably essentially symmetric and the ankle brace can be worn on either the left or right foot. The foot has an instep region  13  and a toe region  14  that extend out from an opening in the front of the ankle brace. The foot also has a heel region  15  that extends out from a opening in the rear of the ankle brace. The lower leg  16  of the person extends out from an opening at the top of the ankle brace. The ankle brace of FIG. 1 is comprised of a base, indicated generally at  17 , and a closure assembly, indicated generally at  18 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows the base  17  of the ankle brace  10  in perspective view. The base  17  has a first side  25  and a second side  26 , each with an exterior surface  27  and a lining  28  that are formed of sheet materials. As shown in the back view of the base  17  in FIG. 3, the first side  25  and the second side  26  of the base  17  are preferably generally symmetrical. As best shown in FIG. 3, each side of the base has an upper forward edge  29 , a lower forward edge  30 , an upper rear edge  31 , a lower rear edge  32 , a top edge  33 , and a bottom edge  34 . Although the first side  25  and second side  26  of the base  17  may be made as a single piece, they are preferably made as two separate pieces, with a bottom edge attachment member  35  that is secured, preferably using stitching  36 , to join the bottom edges  34  of the first and second sides of the base to each other so that the base wraps around the foot and ankle.  
         [0032]    As best shown in FIG. 2, the ankle brace preferably has a front stretchable elastic member  40  that is approximately rectangular in shape with a top edge  41 , a bottom edge  42  , a first side edge  43 , and a second side edge  44 . The first side edge  43  and the second side edge  44  of the front stretchable elastic member  40  are secured, preferably using stitching  45 , to the upper forward edges  29  of the first side  25  and second side  26  of the base, so that the front stretchable elastic member  40  spans the gap between the upper forward edges  29  of the first and second sides of the base. This front stretchable elastic member  40  serves mainly to hold the base  17  on the ankle and foot during adjustment as the closure assembly  18  is the primary way that tension is applied to the brace to fasten it securely to the foot and ankle.  
         [0033]    As best shown in FIG. 3, the ankle brace also preferably has a rear stretchable elastic member  50  that is approximately rectangular in shape with a top edge  51 , a bottom edge  52 , a first side edge  53 , and a second side edge  54 . The first side edge  53  and second side edge  54  of the rear stretchable elastic member  50  are secured, preferably using stitching  55 , to the upper rear edges  31  of the first side  25  and second side  26  of the base, so that the rear stretchable elastic member  50  spans the gap between the upper rear edges  31  of the first and second sides of the base.  
         [0034]    As best shown in FIG. 3, an edge binding  56  is secured, preferably using stitching  57 , to cover the edges of the sides of the base (except for the bottom edges of the sides of the base  34  that are secured together with the bottom edge attachment member  35 ) and the top edge  51  of the rear stretchable elastic member  50 . The lower forward edges  30  of the first side  25  and the second side  26  of the base and the bottom edge  42  of the front stretchable elastic member  40  form an opening for the toes. The lower rear edges  32  of the first side  25  and the second side  26  of the base and the bottom edge  52  of the rear stretchable elastic member  50  form an opening for the heel. The top edges  33  of the first side  25  and the second side  26  of the base, the top edge  41  (hidden in FIG. 3, shown in FIG. 2) of the front stretchable elastic member  40 , and the top edge  51  of the rear stretchable elastic member  50  form an opening for the leg.  
         [0035]    As best shown in FIG. 3, attachment means for detachable attachment of the closure assembly  18  to the base  17  is secured to the first side  25  and second side  26  of the base. The attachment means may be formed, for example, as mounting patches  65  that are secured to the first side  25  and second side  26  of the base, preferably using stitching  66 . Each mounting patch  65  has a leading edge  67  near the upper forward edge  29  of the side of the base on which the patch is secured, a trailing edge  68  approximately parallel to and spaced substantially rearward of the leading edge  67 , a top edge  69  near the top edge  33  of the side of the base on which the patch is secured, and a bottom edge  70  located near the bottom of the foot when the brace is worn. The mounting patches  65  are preferably of sufficient dimension to encompass the region on each side of the ankle  12 . The exterior surface  71  of each mounting patch includes detachable attachment means, preferably comprised of material of the type that adheres when pressed against a complementary material, one example of which is the hook and loop type material sold under the trademark Velcro.  
         [0036]    As best shown in FIG. 3, an elongate pocket  72  is preferably formed between each mounting patch  65  and the exterior surface  27  of the side of the base on which the mounting patch is secured, preferably by stitching  73 . The stitching  73  may be, at least in part, the same stitching  66  used to secure the mounting patches  65  to the base, or it may be separate stitching. On each side, the elongate pocket  72  preferably runs approximately parallel to the trailing edge  68  and bottom edge  70  of the mounting patch  65 , beginning at the upper trailing corner of the mounting patch where the top edge  69  and trailing edge  68  of the mounting patch meet, running parallel to the trailing edge  68  and the bottom edge  70  of the mounting patch, and ending at the lower leading corner of the mounting patch where the bottom edge  70  and leading edge  67  of the mounting patch meet. A resilient stay member  74  is preferably located in each elongate pocket  72 . The resilient stay member may be formed of a pair of interleaved helical springs  75  made of stainless steel that have been flattened, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or other flexible material of conventional construction commonly used in various types of braces. There may be more than one elongated side pocket  72  containing a resilient stay member  74  on each side, and the elongated side pocket  72  may be openable at one end to allow removal of the resilient stay member or replacement of the resilient stay member with a different resilient stay member having different resiliency to adjust the amount of support provided.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 6 and 7 show front and back views of the closure assembly  18  in a closed position and without the base. FIG. 8 shows the closure assembly  18  in an open position exploded from the base. As best shown in FIG. 8, the closure assembly  18  has a first detachable movable side flap  80  and a second detachable movable side flap  81 . Each detachable movable side flap is preferably comprised of an attachment tab  82 , a carrier strip  83 , fastening straps  84 , and fastening loops  85 . The carrier strip  83  is secured to the exterior surface  86  of the attachment tab, preferably using stitching  87 . Edge binding  88  is preferably secured to the leading edge  89  of each detachable movable side flap, preferably using stitching  90 .  
         [0038]    As best shown in FIG. 8, each fastening strap  84  has a proximal end  91 , that extends through and includes a middle section  95  of the strap, with an interior surface  96  and an exterior surface  97  and a distal end  98  with an interior surface  99  and an exterior surface  100 . The proximal end  91  of each fastening strap  84  is secured to a detachable movable side flap at a location on a carrier strip  83 , preferably using stitching  92 . The exterior surface  97  of the proximal end  91  (including the middle section  95 ) and the exterior surface  100  of the distal end  98  include detachable attachment means, preferably comprised of materials of the type that adhere when pressed together, one example of which is the hook and loop type material sold under the trademark Velcro.  
         [0039]    As best shown in FIG. 8, each fastening loop  85  is secured to a detachable movable side flap at a location on a carrier strip  83 , preferably using a fabric loop  93  secured to the carrier strip  83  and attachment tab  82 , preferably using stitching  94 . Each fastening loop  85  is large enough that a fastening strap  84  may be passed through it. The fastening loops  85  are preferably made of metal, but they may be made of plastic, fabric, or other suitable material, or they may be implemented as slots in the detachable movable side flaps.  
         [0040]    As best shown in FIG. 8, the fastening straps  84  and fastening loops  85  are arranged on the first detachable movable side flap  80  complementary to the arrangement on the second detachable movable side flap  81  so that a fastening strap  84  on one detachable movable side flap is opposite a fastening loop  85  on the other detachable movable side flap, preferably with an equal number of fastening straps  84  and fastening loops  85  on each detachable movable side flap arranged in alternating fashion along each carrier strip  83 . Each fastening strap  84  may be trained through a fastening loop  85 , and the distal end  98  of that fastening strap  84  detachably attached to at least a portion of its own proximal end  91  (which includes the middle section  95 ) by pressing the detachable attachment means on the exterior surface  100  of the distal end  98  against the detachable attachment means on the exterior surface  97  of the proximal end  91 . In this way, tension may be placed on the fastening straps to fasten the ankle brace securely on the foot and ankle.  
         [0041]    As best shown in FIG. 8, attachment means for detachable attachment of the closure assembly  18  to the base  17  is provided on the interior surface  101  of each attachment tab. The attachment means may be, for example, material of the type that adheres when pressed against a complementary material, one example of which is the hook and loop type material sold under the trademark Velcro. Each detachable movable side flap can be detachably attached to a side of the base  17  by pressing the attachment means found on the interior surface  101  of its attachment tab  82  against the attachment means found on the exterior surface  71  of a mounting patch  65 . Once attached, the positions of the detachable movable side flaps relative to the base can be adjusted by pulling them away from the corresponding sides of the base, moving them relative to the base, and then re-attaching them. In this way, the size of the ankle brace can be adjusted to achieve a proper fit for a wide range of ankle and foot sizes.  
         [0042]    Although the ankle brace shown in FIGS.  1 - 8  uses a closure assembly with fastening straps and fastening loops that is detachably attached to the base, alternative embodiments of the invention may be used. Another embodiment of the ankle brace, shown in FIGS.  9 - 12 , uses a different closure assembly  18 A without fastening loops that is detachably attached to the same base  17  as is used in the ankle brace of FIGS.  1 - 8 . Otherwise, the same parts perform the same functions as in the brace of FIGS.  1 - 8 .  
         [0043]    Further embodiments, shown in FIGS.  13 - 14  and in FIGS.  15 - 16 , use closure assemblies  18 B and  18 C, respectively, similar to the ankle braces of FIGS.  1 - 8  and FIGS.  9 - 12 , respectively, but the closure assemblies of the ankle braces of FIGS.  13 - 14  and FIGS.  15 - 16  are permanently secured to their bases using stitches instead of detachable attachment means, and are therefore not detachable. Instead of adjusting the size of the ankle brace by moving the closure assemblies, the fastening straps are adjusted to achieve a proper fit for a range of ankle and foot sizes.  
         [0044]    As shown in FIGS.  9 - 12 , the ankle brace  10 A is similar to the ankle brace  10  of FIG. 1. In particular, the ankle brace  10 A uses the same base  17  as the brace  10 , but with a different closure assembly  18 A. To avoid repetition of details which are the same for both embodiments, the following description of the ankle brace  10 A will be concerned mainly with the details of the closure assembly  18 A that differ from the details of the closure assembly  18  of the ankle brace  10 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 10, 11, and  12  show front, back, and exploded views of the closure assembly  18 A of the ankle brace  10 A. As best shown in FIG. 12, the closure assembly  18 A has a first detachable movable side flap  80 A and a second detachable movable side flap  81 A. Each detachable movable side flap has an attachment tab  82  and a carrier strip  83  secured to the attachment tab, preferably using stitching  87 . Fastening straps  84 A and strap fastening patches  85 A are secured in alternating fashion to each carrier strip  83 , preferably using stitching  94 A. Each strap fastening patch  85 A is preferably approximately the same width as a fastening strap  84 A and preferably approximately twice as long as it is wide. The fastening straps  84 A and strap fastening patches  85 A are arranged on the first detachable movable side flap  80 A complementary to the arrangement on the second detachable movable side flap  81 A so that a fastening strap  84 A on one detachable movable side flap is opposite a strap fastening patch  85 A on the other detachable movable side flap, preferably with an equal number of fastening straps  84 A and strap fastening patches  85 A on each detachable movable side flap.  
         [0046]    As best shown in FIG. 12, each fastening strap  84 A has a proximal end  91 A and a distal end  98 A with an interior surface  99 A and an exterior surface  100 A. The interior surface  99 A of the distal end  98 A and the exterior surface  102  of the strap fastening patch include detachable attachment means, that are preferably comprised of materials of the types that adhere when pressed together, one example of which is the hook and loop type material sold under the trademark Velcro. Tension may placed on each fastening strap  84 A, and the detachable attachment means on the interior surface  99 A of the distal end  98 A of the fastening strap may be detachably attached to the detachable attachment means on a strap fastening patch  85 A. In this way, the ankle brace according to the second preferred embodiment may be fastened securely on the foot and ankle.  
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 13, the ankle brace  10 B is similar to the ankle brace  10  shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the ankle brace  10 B uses a base  17 B that is similar to the base  17 , and a closure assembly  18 B that is similar to the closure assembly  18 . The main difference between the ankle brace  10 B and the ankle brace  10  is that the closure assembly  18 B is permanently secured to the base  17 B, instead of being detachable. To avoid repetition of details which are the same for both embodiments, the following description of ankle brace  10 B will be concerned mainly with those details that differ from those of the ankle brace  10 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the ankle brace  10 B as worn on the right foot and ankle of a person. The ankle brace  10 B is comprised of a base, indicated generally at  17 B, and a closure assembly, indicated generally at  18 B, that is permanently secured to the base, preferably using stitches  66 B. The base  17 B has the same general construction as the base  17  of the first and second preferred embodiments, except that the mounting patches  65  found on the base  17  are replaced with reinforcing patches  65 B, and the elongate pockets  72 B are formed in a different way on base  17 B of the third embodiment.  
         [0049]    As best shown in FIG. 13, the ankel brace  10 B has reinforcing patches  65 B instead of the mounting patches  65  found on the ankle brace  10 . The reinforcing patches  65 B are approximately the same shape and size as the mounting patches  65 , and the reinforcing patches  65 B are secured to the first side  25 B and second side  26 B of the base  17 B, preferably using stitching  66 B. An elongate pocket  72 B is preferably formed between each reinforcing patch  65 B and the exterior surface  27 B of the side of the base on which the reinforcing patch is secured, preferably by stitching  73 B. The stitching  73 B may be, at least in part, the same stitching  66 B used to secure the reinforcing patches  65 B to the base, or it may be separate stitching. A resilient stay member  74  (of the same type as the resilient stay member  74  on the base  17  of the first and second preferred embodiments) is preferably located in the elongate pocket  72 B. The elongate pockets  72 B are approximately the same size and shape as the elongate pockets  72  on the base  17  of ankle braces  10  and  10 A, and are otherwise similar in that there may be more than one elongated side pocket  72 B containing a resilient stay member  74  on each side, and the elongated side pocket  72 B may be openable at one end to allow removal of the resilient stay member or replacement of the resilient stay member with a different resilient stay member having different resiliency to adjust the amount of support provided.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 13 shows the closure assembly  18 B with the fastening straps fastened, and FIG. 14 shows the closure assembly with the fastening straps unfastened. The closure assembly  18 B has the same general construction as the closure assembly  18 , except that the closure assembly  18 B does not have the attachment tab  82  (as the reinforcing patch  65 B replaces both the attachment tab  82  on the closure assembly  18  and the mounting patch  65  found on the base  17 ) and the closure assembly  18 B is not detachable.  
         [0051]    As best shown in FIG. 14, the closure assembly  18 B has a carrier strip  83 , fastening straps  84 B, and fastening loops  85 . The carrier strip  83  is secured to the exterior surface  71 B of the reinforcing patch  65 B, preferably using stitching  87 B. Closure assembly  18 B is otherwise the same as the closure assembly  18 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 15, the ankle brace  10 C is similar to the ankle brace  10 A shown in FIG. 9. In particular, the ankle brace  10 C uses a base  17 C that is similar to the base  17 , and a closure assembly  18 C that is similar to the closure assembly  18 A. The main difference between the ankle brace  10 C and the ankle brace  10 A is that the closure assembly  18 C is permanently secured to the base  17 C instead of being detachable. To avoid repetition of details which are the same for both embodiments, the following description of ankle brace  10 C will be concerned mainly with those details that differ from those of ankle brace  10 A.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the ankle brace  10 C, as worn on the right foot and ankle of a person. The ankle brace  10 C is comprised of a base, indicated generally at  17 C, and a closure assembly, indicated generally at  18 C, that is permanently secured to the base, preferably using stitches  66 C. The base  17 C has the same general construction as the base  17 , except that the mounting patches  65  found on the base  17  are replaced with reinforcing patches  65 C, and the elongate pockets  72 C are formed in a different way.  
         [0054]    As best shown in FIG. 15 and similar to the ankle brace  10 B, the ankle brace  10 C has reinforcing patches  65 C instead of the mounting patches  65 . The reinforcing patches  65 C are approximately the same shape and size as the mounting patches  65 , and the reinforcing patches  65 C are secured to the first side  25 C and second side  26 C of the base  17 C, preferably using stitching  66 C. An elongate pocket  72 C is preferably formed between each reinforcing patch  65 C and the exterior surface  27 C of the side of the base on which the reinforcing patch is secured, preferably by stitching  73 C. The stitching  73 C may be, at least in part, the same stitching  66 C used to secure the reinforcing patches  65 C to the base, or it may be separate stitching. A resilient stay member  74  (of the same type as the resilient stay member  74  on the base  17  of ankle braces  10  and  10 A) is preferably located in the elongate pocket  72 C. The elongate pockets  72 C are approximately the same size and shape as the elongate pockets  72  on ankle brace  10  and the elongate pockets  72 B on ankle brace  10 B, and are otherwise similar in that there may be more than one elongated side pocket  72 C containing a resilient stay member  74  on each side, and the elongated side pocket  72 C may be openable at one end to allow removal of the resilient stay member or replacement of the resilient stay member with a different resilient stay member having different resiliency to adjust the amount of support provided.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 15 shows the closure assembly  18 C with the fastening straps fastened, and FIG. 16 shows the closure assembly with the fastening straps unfastened. The closure assembly  18 C has the same general construction as the closure assembly  18 A of the ankle brace  10 B, except that the closure assembly  18 C does not have the attachment tab  82  (as the reinforcing patch  65 C replaces both the attachment tab  82  found on the closure assembly  18 A and the mounting patch  65  found on the base  17 ), and the closure assembly  18 C is not detachable.  
         [0056]    As best shown in FIG. 16, the closure assembly  18 C has a carrier strip  83 , fastening straps  84 C, and strap fastening patches  85 C. The carrier strip  83  is secured to the exterior surface  71 C of the reinforcing patch  65 C, preferably using stitching  87 C. Closure assembly  18 C of ankle brace  10 C is otherwise the same as the closure assembly  18 A of the second embodiment.  
         [0057]    It is understood that the invention is not confined to the embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but embraces all such forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.