Strap tensioning of orthopedic appliances

A tightener for orthopedic use, includes a guide loop having opposite sections, a first orthopedic strap anchored to one section for passing about a user's arm, leg or like member, and then passage through the loop to extend in a first tightening direction, a second orthopedic strap anchored to another loop section to extend in a second and opposite tightening direction, whereby the two straps extending in the first and second directions can be manually pulled in those directions to tighten the first strap about the member, and two tensioned straps can then be connected by push together connection to tightened extents of the first strap to hold tension transmission via the loop sections and straps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to orthopedic appliances that are placed in tension about the arm, leg, or other body member; and more particularly to a greatly improved such appliance facilitating rapid tensioning of wrap-around strap structures and associated interconnection of tensioned strap section, all by sequential and multidimensional manipulating of strap end portions.

There is continuing need for orthopedic appliances that facilitate rapid and accurate wrap-around connection of strap structures to the arm, leg, or other body member. There is also need for such appliances which enable rapid disconnection of the strap structure from tensioned wrap-around condition. There is, in addition, need for the particular appliance as disclosed herein, operating as described and providing greatly improved results, as will appear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved, simple and efficient tensioning appliance, meeting the above needs. Basically, the device enables manual manipulation of strap end portions to adjustably tension the appliance in wrapped condition; to establish interconnection of strap extents by application of strap transmitted push together forces to said strap extents; and to facilitate disconnection of such strap extents by application of pull-apart force (for example pull-up force) to two oppositely extending strap end portions.

It is another object of the invention to provide for tensioning as via pulling of two oppositely extending strap extents and for guiding such pulling as by provision of a loop to which two straps are operatively attached, one of the straps passing through the loop.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for releasable interconnection of tensioning strap extents as by guided push-together operative attachment of tensioned strap extents, in a rapid and efficient manner as will appear. Such operation attachment is typically established proximate the loop to which two straps are operatively attached.

Yet another object is to provide a stiff, strap guide loop to withstand opposite direction tensioning of tightening straps, without substantial endwise deflection; while maintaining the straps oriented in general alignment proximate the loop to prevent tensioning misalignment, all without need for buckle or retention structures within the loop bounded area.

An added object is to provide for strap positioning characterized in that endwise tension on strap end portions is established and maintained, while forcible face to face operative connection of strap extents is simultaneously established at two endwise spaced locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, the preferred tightener10comprises

b) a first orthopedic flexible strap12anchored at12ato one of the loop sections, such as section11a, for passing of the strap as at12babout a user's arm, leg or like member13, and then passage, as at12cthrough the loop opening11cto extend at12din a first tightening direction14,

c) a second orthopedic flexible strap15anchored, as at15ato another of the loop sections, such as section11b, to extend at15bin a second and opposite tightening direction16;

d) whereby the two straps12and15extending in directions14and16can be manually pulled in those directions to tighten the first strap at12babout the member13,

e) and the two tensioned straps (or strap extents or portions12dand15b) can then be anchored (or removably connected by push together connection) to tightened extents12eand12fof the first strap facing12dand15b, respectively, thereby to hold tension transmission via the loop sections and straps.

Non-stiffness of sections11aand11bleads to their flexing when tensioned by the straps, and preventing of a selected tensioned location.

As will be understood, the push together connections are typically established at four spaced locations on the straps while the user's hands maintain strap tension, as by pull down of the tensioned end extents of the straps. Thus, two locations are mutually at facing extents of strap portions12dand12e, and at facing extents of strap portions15band12f. Strap portions12dand12eare associated with tensioning direction14; and strap portions15band12fare associated with direction16. Note that strap portions12eand12fare typically angled downwardly, when tightened, so that pull down of tensioned sections12dand15beffects the connections. SeeFIG. 2, and arrows14aand16a.

In this regard, and preferably, hook and pile material such as VELCRO is provided on strap extents for push together downward anchoring of the strap extents after left and right tightening, as described. An easily established pulling of the strap extents, and then pushing together the pulled extents, is thereby realized. See for example interconnectible hook and pile material at17aand17b, and interconnectible hook and pile material at18aand18b.

FIG. 3shows two loop stretches11dand11eextending generally in longitudinal directions, generally the same as directions14and16, for transmitting tension between pulled sections11aand11b.

A further feature is the provision of strap terminals12gand15gspaced sufficiently from the loop11, and loop pulled sections11aand11b, to enable manual grasping and pulling oppositely of the two end portions of the straps12and15, in directions14and16, for tightening, as described, and also for loosening of the appliance or device, as by upward pulling of the strap end sections in directions25and26seen inFIG. 2.

One method of use of the appliance or device includes the straps

f) wrapping of the straps about the user's arm, leg, or other member;

g) passing of one strap through the loop and orienting the strap end portions to extend oppositely as in directions14and16;

h) tensioning of the strap end portions that extend in direction14and16;

i) deflecting the strap and portions toward one another, while maintaining strap endwise tensioning as at the described two VELCRO locations, to establish their interconnections at the described two VELCRO locations, for holding the appliance to the arm, leg or other member;

j) and ultimate loosening of the appliance as by upward pulling of the strap end portions to disconnect the VELCO anchors.

In this regard, it will be further noted that the guide loop is sufficiently stiff to withstand opposite directional tensioning of the tightener straps, without substantial loop endwise deflection, while maintaining the straps oriented in general alignment proximate the loop to prevent tensioning misalignment. Also, the loop defines a bounded area free of any retention structure other than the strap passing therethrough.