Lower leg orthosis apparatus

An adjustable and re-usable lower leg orthosis apparatus (10) including a calf unit (11) and a foot unit (12) adjustably connected to one another by a connector brace unit (13) to accommodate patients having different leg and calf configurations.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates in general to leg brace device, and in particular to 
leg brace devices for the lower part of the leg. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention was the subject matter of Document Disclosure Program 
Registration Number 224035 which was filed in the U.S. Patent and 
Trademark Office on Apr. 10, 1989. 
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,606,884; 
4,289,122; 4,554,912; and 4,102,337 the prior art is replete with myriad 
and diverse lower leg orthosis. 
While the prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic 
purpose and function for which they were specifically designed, they do 
suffer from a number of shared deficiencies. 
For instance, most of the prior art constructions lack an adjustment 
feature to compensate for the re-use of the lower leg device by different 
sized individuals. The prior art constructions are also designed to be 
molded or built to accommodate a specific foot and only that foot. 
This particular deficiency makes the likelihood of re-use of the device 
extremely unlikely; thereby, creating a large one time expense for the 
user of the leg splint. 
In addition, another common deficiency in the prior art constructions 
involves the fact that there is no place to attach a wrapping or bandage 
to the lower leg orthosis apparatus which causes an irritation for the 
user by making it possible for the bandage to slide down the user's leg. 
This also causes the bandage and lower leg orthosis apparatus to act as 
separate units which is not a desirable feature. 
It should also be noted that some of the prior art constructions do not 
possess the characteristics of being durable and lightweight at the same 
time. 
Obviously, there has been a longstanding need for a lower leg orthosis 
apparatus which incorporates the features of flexibility, adjustability, 
and durability; and, the development of such a device is a stated 
objective of the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The lower leg orthosis apparatus that forms the basis of the present 
invention comprises in general: a calf unit; a foot unit; and a connection 
bar unit. 
The calf unit comprises in general: a calf support member wherein the calf 
support member has a plurality of aligned apertures for the selective 
accommodate of a first set of fasteners. By changing the choice of the 
particular apertures used to install the fasteners permits the calf unit 
to be vertically adjustable to accommodate different sized calves. 
The calf unit also has two elongated slits formed in its upper portion to 
allow a bandage or wrap to be used in conjunction with the apparatus. This 
arrangement will insure that the bandage will not be able to slide down 
the user's leg as is the case with many of the prior art constructions. 
The foot unit comprises in general: a foot support base member provided 
with a plurality of aligned apertures to accommodate a second set of 
fasteners. As was the case with the calf unit, the choosing of the 
particular apertures to insert the fastener enables the foot unit to 
accommodate different sized feet. 
In addition, the heel portion of the support base member is provided with a 
plurality of holes which can be used for leg traction purposes; and, the 
toe portion of the support base member is provided with a wedge shaped 
portion to accommodate the user's toes. 
The connection bar unit joins the calf and the foot units together and also 
serves as a durable and rigid support member. The connection bar unit also 
is provided with a plurality of apertures formed on each end for receiving 
the foot and calf fasteners. 
Briefly stated, the aforementioned apparatus allows different sized feet 
and calves to be protectively supported by a single versatile lower leg 
orthosis apparatus which can accommodate a variety of patients.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
As can best be seen by reference to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 
1, the lower leg orthosis apparatus of this invention is designated 
generally by the reference numeral (10). The apparatus (10) comprises in 
general: a calf unit (11); a foot unit (12); and a connector brace unit 
(13). These units will now be described in seriatim fashion. 
As can be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the calf unit (11) comprises 
a generally rounded contoured calf-shaped calf support member (14) wherein 
the lower portion (15) of the calf support member (14) is provided with a 
plurality of vertically aligned mounting apertures (16) designed to 
receive a first set of standard fastener (17). The upper portion (18) of 
the calf support member (14) is further provided with two relatively 
elongated generally U-shaped slits (18') for the purpose of captively 
receiving a conventional elastic bandage (not shown). This allows the user 
to securely fasten the bandage to the calf unit (11). Furthermore, the 
upper portion (18) of the calf support member (14) is also provided with a 
pair of generally square holes (19) which can be engaged by a conventional 
knee immobilization device (not shown). 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 thru 3, it can be seen that the foot unit (12) 
comprises a foot base support member (20) comprising a heel (21) and toe 
portion (22) wherein the heel portion (21) is provided with a plurality of 
horizontally aligned mounting apertures (23) designed to receive a second 
set of standard fasteners (24). The choice of the particular apertures 
(23) in which to install the fasteners (24) gives the foot unit (12) the 
ability to accommodate different sized feet. 
The heel portion (21) of the base support member (20) is further provided 
with raised side walls (25) having opposed traction hook holes (26) which 
can be attached to a conventional leg traction device (not shown). In 
addition, the toe portion (22) of the base support member (20) is provided 
with a raised lip (26) which is bent upwardly to more readily accommodate 
the user's toes in a more natural position. 
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the connector brace 
unit (13) comprises an elongated generally L-shaped connector member (30) 
wherein the leg (31) and the foot (32) portions of the connector member 
(30) are provided with a plurality of mounting apertures (33) which are 
dimensioned to receive the first (17) and second (24) sets of standard 
fasteners for operatively and selectively engaging the calf unit (11) and 
the foot unit (12) to the connection bar unit (13) in a well recognized 
fashion. 
In the alternate embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 4 it can be 
seen that both the upper portion (18) of the calf support member (14) and 
the intermediate portion of the connector member (30) are provided with 
opposed vertical slots (40); while the side walls (25) of the heel portion 
(21) of the base support member (20) are provided with opposed horizontal 
slots (41). In addition, the horizontal (41) and vertical (40) slots are 
dimensioned to receive fastening straps (43) for use in instances wherein 
conventional elastic bandaging is not desirable. 
At this juncture it should be appreciated that the apparatus (10) as herein 
described is adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical planes to 
accommodate different foot and calf configurations; wherein, this single 
apparatus can be re-used numerous times for different patients, thereby 
lowering the health care costs for all those individuals that suffer an 
injury which causes them to wear this type of apparatus. 
Having thereby described the subject matter of this invention it should be 
apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the 
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to 
be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to 
be limited by the breadth and scope of the appended claims.