Abstract:
An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person and which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an ankle brace and more particularly to an ankle brace including a tensioning system which functionally stabilizes the ankle as it reaches extreme ranges of motion. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional braces for protecting joints of the body do so by restricting or limiting motion to the joint to which it is applied to prevent a new injury or protect a pre-existing injury. In some cases, this may be effective but in other cases such as in athletics it is not very functional providing that their joints can function within normal ranges of motion. An ankle joint, just like all the joints in the human body, has a natural range of motion that it can move through without causing damage to itself. As it reaches the end of these ranges, the body has structure such as ligaments and tendons to create tension to end range of motion and protect the joint. Many of the prior art ankle braces do prevent the ankle exceeding its extreme ranges of motion but do not provide the necessary flexibility to permit the athlete to function normally. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An ankle brace is disclosed which includes an elongated, generally flat sole or sole plate having a forward end, a medial side, a lateral side and a rearward end. The brace also includes an upstanding flexible medial connector member having an upper end, a lower end, a rearward end, a forward end, an inner surface and an outer surface with the lower end of the medial connector being hingedly connected to the medial side of the sole plate. An upstanding medial support member having an upper end, a lower end, a rearward end, a forward end, an inner surface and an outer surface is also provided with the inner surface of the medial support member being positioned adjacent the outer surface of the medial connector member. The medial support member is secured to the medial connector member with the lower end of the medial support member being positioned above the lower end of the medial connector member at the medial side of the sole plate to create a flexible hinge. 
     An elongated first elastic cord has one end thereof secured to the medial connector member. The brace also includes a first elongated flexible strap having one end thereof secured to the medial support member at the rearward end thereof. A second elongated flexible strap is provided with the one end of the second strap being secured to the medial support member at the forward end thereof. 
     An upstanding flexible lateral connector member is provided having an upper end, a lower end, a rearward end, a forward end, an inner surface and an outer surface with the flexible lateral connector member having a plurality of spaced-apart loops at the upper end thereof. The lower end of the lateral connector member is hingedly connected to the lateral side of the sole plate. An upstanding lateral support member having an upper end, a lower end, a rearward end, a forward end, an inner surface and an outer surface is positioned outwardly of the lateral connector member so that the inner surface of the lateral support member is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the lateral connector member. An elongated second elastic cord has one end thereof secured to the lateral connector member. 
     The ankle brace of this invention also includes a third elongated flexible strap which is adapted to be secured together to form an adjustable loop for positioning around a person&#39;s leg above the ankle brace with the loop having medial and lateral sides. A third connector is mounted on the medial side of the loop and has a plurality of spaced-apart loops at the lower end thereof. A fourth connector member is mounted on the lateral side of the loop and has a plurality of spaced-apart loops at the lower end thereof. A cord fastening device is mounted on the outer side of the medial support member and a cord fastening device is mounted on the outer side of the lateral support member. The first cord interconnects the loops of the third connector member and the medial connector member with the second cord being threaded through the loops of the fourth connector member and the medial connector member to form a tensioning system that functionally stabilizes the ankle as it reaches its extreme range of motion but which permits the ankle to function between its extreme ranges of motion. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved ankle brace. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace including a tensioning system which limits the end range of ankle motions and protects the ankle joint. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace which does not interfere with the functional motions of the ankle between its end range of motion. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace which includes hinged portions at the medial and lateral sides of a sole plate to ensure that the sole of the brace stays in contact with the sole of the foot. 
     Yet another object of the invention to provide an adjustable tensioning system for the ankle brace of this invention. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace which may also be incorporated into a shoe. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the ankle brace of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the brace of  FIG. 1  secured to the left foot and ankle of a person; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view illustrating the person&#39;s foot and ankle brace inserted into a shoe; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side view of the ankle brace illustrating one method of threading or lacing the tension cords of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of the ankle brace illustrating another method of threading or lacing the tensioning cords of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side view of the ankle brace illustrating yet another method of threading or lacing the tensioning cords of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the ankle brace illustrating the  FIG. 4  method of threading or lacing the tensioning cords of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial front view illustrating the manner in which the width of the ankle brace may be changed due to the hinges at either side of the sole plate of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the ankle brace wherein the ankle brace is incorporated into a shoe. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The ankle brace of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10 . Brace  10  is comprised of three key components, namely a strap assembly  12 , foot portion  14  and a tensioning system  16 . 
     Strap assembly  12  includes a 1½ inch to 2 inch flexible strap  18  having ends  20  and  22 . Ring  24  is secured to end  20  of strap  18  as seen in  FIG. 1 . A strip of loop fasteners  26  is secured to the outer surface of strap  18  at end  22 . A strip of hook fasteners  28  is also secured to the outer surface of strap  18 . Together, the loop and hook fasteners form a VELCRO® connection system. Connector members  30  and  32  are secured to strap  18  by stitching or the like. Connector member  30  has spaced-apart loops or eyes  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  at its lower end ( FIG. 1 ). Connector member  32  has spaced-apart loops or eyes  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  at its lower end ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Foot portion  14  includes a sole  50  having an arcuate rearward end  52  and a forward end  54 . Sole  50  has a low profile and preferably extends approximately two-thirds of the way from the heel towards the toes of the person wearing the ankle brace  10 . Sole  50  is constructed of semi-rigid material and will act as a lever arm to create tension in the tension system. For purposes of description, sole  50  will be described as having a medial side  56  and a lateral side  58 . 
     A flexible connector member  60  has its lower end secured to sole  50  at the lateral side  58  thereof by any convenient means such as by stitching. The upper end of connector member  60  has spaced-apart loops or eyes  62 ,  64  and  66 . The numeral  68  refers to a support member constructed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or the like. Support member  68  will be described as having a forward end  70 , rearward end  72 , lower end  74  and upper end  76 . Support member  68  has a notch  78  formed therein which extends downwardly thereinto from the upper end thereof. Support member  68  also has an opening  80  formed therein. Support member  68  has a strip of loop fasteners  82  secured thereto at the rearward end thereof. A tubular locking device  84  of conventional design is secured to support member  68  as seen in  FIG. 1 . One end of an elastic cord  86  is secured to support member  68  at  88 . Support member  68  is secured to the outer side of connector member  60  by stitching or the like so that its lower end  74  is spaced above sole  50  to create a flexible hinge channel  90  which runs parallel to the sole  50  on the lateral side  58  thereof to create a natural hinge and adjustability for width. The hinge channel  90  creates a break to ensure that the sole  50  of the brace  10  stays in contact with the sole of the foot. 
     A flexible connector member  92  has its lower end secured to sole  50  at the medial side  56  thereof by any convenient means such as by stitching. The upper end of connector member  92  has spaced-apart loops or eyes  94 ,  96  and  98 . The numeral  100  refers to a support member constructed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or the like. Support member  100  will be described as having a forward end  102 , rearward end  104 , lower end  106  and upper end  108 . Support member  100  has a notch  110  formed therein which extends downwardly thereinto from the upper end thereof. Support member  100  also has an opening  112  formed therein. Support member  100  has a strap  114  secured thereto at the rearward end thereof by stitching or the like. The free end of strap  114  has a plurality of hook fasteners  116 . A tubular locking device  118  of conventional design is secured to support member  100  as seen in  FIG. 1 . One end of an elastic cord  120  is secured to support member  100  at  122 . Support member  100  is secured to the outer side of connector member  92  by stitching or the like so that its lower end  106  is spaced above sole  50  and to the lower end of connector member  100  to create a flexible hinge channel  124  which runs parallel to the sole  50  on the medial side  56  thereof to create a natural hinge and adjustability for width. The hinge channel  124  creates a break to ensure that the sole  50  of the brace  10  stays in contact with the sole of the foot. A flexible strap  126  has one end thereof secured to the upper forward end of connector member  60  and its other end secured to the upper forward end of connector member  92 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one method of threading or lacing the tension cord  120  to and between the connector members  32  and  92 . Cord  120  is extended upwardly and rearwardly from  122 , thence rearwardly through loop  44 , thence downwardly, thence rearwardly through loop  96 , thence upwardly and rearwardly, thence rearwardly through loop  48 , thence downwardly, thence forwardly through loop  98 , thence upwardly, thence forwardly through loop  46 , thence downwardly and forwardly, thence forwardly through loop  94 ; thence upwardly, thence forwardly through loop  42 , and thence downwardly and forwardly, and thence through the tubular locking device  118 . The tension in the cord  120  is easily adjusted through the use of the locking device  118 . The cord  86  on the lateral side of the ankle brace  10  may be similarly laced or threaded to connect the connector members  30  and  60 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another method of threading or lacing the connector members  32  and  92  together by the cord  120 . Cord  120  is extended upwardly and rearwardly from  122 , thence rearwardly through loop  44 , thence downwardly, thence rearwardly through loop  96 , thence upwardly and rearwardly, thence rearwardly through loop  48 , thence downwardly, thence forwardly through loop  98 , thence upwardly, thence forwardly through loop  46 , thence downwardly and forwardly, thence forwardly through loop  94 , thence upwardly, and thence forwardly through loop  42 . The free end of cord  120  may then be inserted through locking device  118  or through the locking device  84  on support member  68  at the lateral side of the brace  10  as seen in  FIG. 7 . The cord  86  is similarly laced or threaded between connector members  30  and  60  with cord  86  being received by locking device  118  on support member  100 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate further methods of lacing or threading connector members  32  and  92  together. The connector members  30  and  60  at the lateral side of the brace would be connected in the same manner as that shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a modified form of the ankle brace of this invention. In  FIG. 9 , the ankle brace  10 ′ is incorporated into a shoe  128 . The sole of the ankle brace  10 ′ may be the sole of the shoe or may be a sole glued or otherwise secured to the shoe  128 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the locking device  118 ′ is secured to the shoe  128  rather than the support member  100 ′. The designation “′” is used on the ankle brake  10 ′ in  FIG. 9  to refer to similar components of the ankle brace  10 . 
     In use, the elastic cord  86  which interconnects the connector member  30  and  60  and the elastic cord  120  which interconnects the connector members  32  and  92  permit the person wearing the ankle brace  10  to have normal fore to aft and lateral to medial movement. The cords  86  and  120  permit a certain amount of movement of the ankle but when the ankle reaches its outer ranges of movement, the elastic cords  86  and  120  resist further movement of the ankle. In other words, the ankle brace of this invention permits the ankle to move within the natural range of motion but when the ankle reaches the end of those ranges, the cords  86  and  120  create tension to end the range of motion to protect the ankle joint. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.