Abstract:
A stabilization brace presents a compressive, sock-like body for a compressive fit about the ankle joint and forefoot. A first pair of force straps extend from the metatarsal heads and along the opposed lateral and medial regions of the foot and ankle to offer countervailing forces therealong. First and second closure systems secure the body to the foot and offer circumferential support thereto. Alternatively, the force straps present bifurcated ends so as to extend from the metatarsal heads and heel area and along the opposed lateral and medial regions of the foot and ankle to also offer countervailing forces along the sole of the foot. The brace resists excessive supination and pronation of the foot, ankle joint and underlying structures.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/079,942, filed Mar. 15, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to stabilization braces and more particularly to a support which stabilizes the ankle and forefoot of the user at a desired neutral position.  
         [0003]     The supination of a foot combines inward rotation at the ankle, adduction of the hind foot inversion of the forefoot and medial arch elevation. Basically, supination produces a medial (inward) movement at the talocalcaneal (subtalus) joint known as inversion as well as similar movement between the hind foot (talus) and mid foot (navicular) bones. A foot that supinates appears to naturally favor the lateral region or outside edge of the foot. A certain amount of supination is normal during the toe off stage of running, i.e., when the heel first lifts off the ground until the end of the step. During excessive supination, the lateral structures of the foot tighten which may rupture or avulse portions of the lateral collateral ligaments resulting in a “rolling over” of the ankle or ankle sprain.  
         [0004]     The pronation of a foot produces opposite foot behavior of the subtalar joint including adduction of the forefoot, eversion of the hind foot and dorsiflexicon. Basically, pronation produces a lateral (outward) movement of the foot at the subtalar joint known as eversion as well as similar hind foot and mid foot movements. A foot that pronates appears to naturally favor the inside or medial edge of the foot. The foot naturally pronates to absorb the shock resulting from the heel hitting the ground. Excessive pronation increases the stress on the inside/medial portion of the foot which may lead to various injuries such as arch strain, heel pain, inner ankle pain and shin splints.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, it is desirable to preclude excessive pronation and/or supination of the ankle joint and foot. Thus, various devices have been proposed to prevent ankle and foot injuries by attempting to maintain the foot in a “neutral position”. Although assumably effective in their operation, such devices have failed to simultaneously provide the effective stabilization of the ankle and forefoot and in a neutral position. This desired stabilization, which resists excessive pronation and/or supination, positions the foot for a proper impact during walking, running and jumping rather than on the edge of the foot while in an excessive pronated or supinated position.  
         [0006]     In response thereto, stabilization braces are presented for simultaneously maintaining the ankle and the forefoot at a neutral position while permitting natural movement through a full range of motion. A first brace presents an elastic, sock-like body positioned in a compressive fit about the ankle and foot of the wearer. A pair of torque straps is anchored to the body adjacent the distal (head) ends of the first and fifth metatarsals. Each strap is then wound about the forefoot, heel and ankle and anchored above the ankle joint so as to present countervailing forces along the foot and ankle joint complex. These forces resist excessive movement of the foot and ankle from their normal, neutral position without precluding normal ambulatory movement thereof. The brace design anatomically fits either foot about the heel, ankle and forefoot aspects thereof. A first closure system which allows the sock-like body to be easily slipped onto the foot. A second closure system maintains the circumferential integrity of the brace about the ankle joint region and presents anchor zones for the free ends of the bilateral torque straps. This structure allows the user to variably adjust the tension on these torque straps and thus the countervailing forces presented thereby.  
         [0007]     A second brace similar in construction presents bifurcated ends at the end of each torque strap. These ends are respectively anchored adjacent the distal ends of the metatarsals, Achilles tendon and the heel. Each strap is then wound about the foot as above with the dual anchor zones enhancing the distribution of forces along the foot.  
         [0008]     It is therefor a general object of the invention to provide a brace which simultaneously secures the ankle and the forefoot at a neutral position so as to resist excessive supination and pronation thereof.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, which presents a pair of torque straps which present countervailing forces along the ankle and foot regions extending between the metatarsal heads and the superior region of the ankle joint complex to resist excessive pronation or supination.  
         [0010]     A particular of this invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, which presents a pair of torque straps either anchored at its ends to a zone adjacent the metatarsals or to spaced-apart zones adjacent the metatarsals and heel of the wearer.  
         [0011]     A further object of this invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, having a sock-like body which slips over the foot and provides a compression fit thereto between the metatarsal heads and the superior region of the ankle joint complex.  
         [0012]     Another object of this invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, wherein a first closure system allows the brace to be used with variously sized feet while maintaining a compressive fit.  
         [0013]     A still further object of this invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, having a second closure mechanism for providing circumferential forces about the ankle joint complex while presenting anchor points for the torque straps.  
         [0014]     Another particular object of this invention is to provide a brace, as aforesaid, which presents a pattern to fit the ankle, heel and forefoot aspects of the foot of the wearer.  
         [0015]     A more particular object of the invention is to provide a brace as aforesaid, which uses either heat seals along the seams of the brace pattern in lieu of stitching so as to enhance the fit of the brace and/or stitching.  
         [0016]     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, a now preferred embodiment of this invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top/dorsal view of the right foot of the wearer and showing in phantom lines the metatarsals and phalanges of the foot of the wearer;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the right foot of the wearer showing the sock-like body thereon, the unwrapped countervailing force straps (fragmentarily shown), the first closure system prior to full engagement and the second closure system disengaged from the ankle joint complex;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a view, as in  FIG. 2 , showing the  FIG. 2  closure system in an engaged/locked position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a view as in  FIG. 3  showing the initial wrapping of the medial torque strap about the dorsal aspect of the foot, underneath the heel and along the medial side of the ankle joint complex prior to engagement of the free end of the medial strap to a superior position above the ankle joint complex;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an opposed perspective view of the foot in  FIG. 4  showing the initial wrapping of the lateral torque strap across the dorsal aspect of the foot;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view of the  FIG. 5  foot showing the continuing engagement of the lateral strap across the dorsal aspect of the foot, underneath the heel extension of the lateral strap along the lateral side of the ankle joint complex prior to engagement of the free end of the lateral strap to a superior position above the ankle joint complex;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the foot showing the metatarsal anchor zone of the straps adjacent the free edge of the body and the extension of the straps wound under the heel;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a lateral view of the foot with brace secured thereon;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a view of the pattern of the brace showing the tongue element;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a view of the pattern of the brace showing the portion for encompassing the ankle joint;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a view of the pattern of the brace showing the portion for encompassing the heel and forefoot;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a view of one of the counter force straps;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view showing pronation and supination of the right foot from the rear thereof;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the foot showing an alternative embodiment of the countervailing force straps presenting bifurcated ends anchored adjacent the metatarsals and heel of the wearer;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the wearer showing the sock-like body thereon and the initial wrapping of the medial strap about the dorsal aspect and underneath the foot of the wearer; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is a lateral view of the foot with the alternative embodiment of the brace secured thereon.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     Turning more particularly to the drawings, the first brace  100  comprises a sock like body  110  made of an elastic material. The body  110  presents first  112  and second  114  integral sleeves made from joined blanks  112 ′,  114 ′. The body  110  provides a compression fit about the ankle joint complex and forefoot of the wearer. The forefoot is described as that region of the foot extending from the heel to approximate the distal/head ends of the first  2100  and fifth metatarsals  2500 . The body  110  presents a first free edge  120  which circumscribes the foot at a superior position above the ankle joint complex. A second free edge  122  circumscribes the foot adjacent the distal ends/heads of the first  2100  and fifth  2500  metatarsals. It is preferred that this edge  122  not extend beyond such distal ends as it may present discomfort to the foot during flexion. As such, upon slipping the body  110  over the foot, the body  110  presents a compression fit between these edges  120 ,  122 .  
         [0034]     The initial extension of the foot through the opening presented by the free edge  120  is enhanced by a closure system  200 . This closure system is presented by a U-shaped notch  210  which extends from the free edge  120 . As such, first and second flaps  130 ,  140  are presented which allow the user to increase the initial opening presented by the upper free edge  120 . As such, a foot of various sizes may be initially extended through this free edge  120  for ultimate extension of the phalanges  2300  through the downstream free edge  122 . Aperture  190  allows for extension of the heel therethrough.  
         [0035]     The closure system  200  presents a plurality of tabs  230  which are secured at one end along the longitudinal extent of the notch  210  on flap  130 . These tabs have Velcro™ fastener material  232  on the inside thereof. Complementary Velcro™ material  234  is located along the extent of the notch  210  on the opposed flap  140 . The engagement of each tab  230  fastener  232  to the complementary fastener  234  enables the user to adjust the compression of the sleeve  112  about the ankle joint region as the degree of overlap of these fasteners  232 ,  234  can be selectably adjusted. A tongue  260  is attached to the interior of the body portion  112  for extension along notch  210  so as to preclude the sleeve  112  and tabs  230  from directly contacting the user.  
         [0036]     Further attached to the rear of body portion  112  adjacent edge  120  is a second closure system  300  which presents first  310  and second  312  straps made of an elastic and/or non-stretchable material. The straps  310 ,  312  present complementary Velcro™ fasteners  314 ,  316  at the free ends thereof. Accordingly, these flaps are wrapped circumferentially around the ankle joint complex and attached one to the other as shown in  FIG. 3 . The degree of overlap of the complimentary fasteners  314 ,  316  adjusts the compressive fit of straps  310 ,  312  about the ankle joint and thus maintains the circumferential integrity of the brace about the ankle joint complex. These straps  310 ,  312  further present Velcro™ fasteners  316 ,  316 ′ along the lateral and medial sides of the ankle joint which mate with complementary Velcro™ fasteners at the ends of the bilateral torque straps as to be further described.  
         [0037]     The brace  100  further includes medial  500  and lateral  600  countervailing force straps which are anchored at a location  550  underneath the sleeve  114  and adjacent the free edge  122  ( FIG. 7 ). These straps,  500 ,  600  are preferably made of a non-elastic material. It is understood that the straps  500 ,  600  may be a single elongated strap anchored at  550  so as to present the medial  500  and lateral  600  straps or separate straps extending therefrom.  
         [0038]     Accordingly, the right foot being shown, the medial strap  500  is first wrapped so as to provide a force along the forefoot, heel and ankle regions of the wearer. As such, a first extension  510  of strap  500  extends from zone  550  and to the medial side of the foot, across the dorsal aspect of the forefoot and rearwardly towards the lateral side of the heel. A second extension of the strap  520  is wound underneath the heel as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Subsequently, the remaining portion of the strap  530  is then brought upwardly along the medial side of the ankle joint region as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The end of the strap  500  presents Velcro™ material  532  designed to mate with the Velcro™  316 ′ presented on flap  312  of the closure system  300 . As such, the wearer by pulling on strap  500  at extension  530  can variably adjust the mating of the strap  550  end to this Velcro™ mating material  316 ′ and thus adjust the tension along the medial strap  500 . In turn this tension is transmitted as a force along the medial and dorsal aspects at the foot, the lateral side of the heel, underneath the heel and along the medial side of the heel and ankle joint complex.  
         [0039]     Subsequently, a first extension  610  of the lateral strap  600  is wound about the dorsal aspect of the foot from the lateral side thereof, across the dorsal aspect of the forefoot and rearwardly towards the medial side of the heel ( FIGS. 5, 6 ). A second strap extension  620  is then wound underneath the heel ( FIG. 7 ) with a third extension  630  brought upwardly along the lateral side of the heel and ankle joint ( FIG. 8 ). The end of the strap extension  630  likewise presents a Velcro™ fastener  632  which engages complementary material  316  presented on strap  310  of the closure system  300 . Again, the variable anchoring of the strap extension  630  to this Velcro™ material  316  enables the user to adjust the tension along this strap  600 . In turn this tension is transmitted as a force, opposite that force presented by strap  500 , along the lateral and dorsal aspects at the foot, the medial side of the heel, underneath the heel and along the lateral side of the ankle joint complex.  
         [0040]     Accordingly, the body  110  along with the closure systems  200 ,  300  provides compressive forces about the ankle and foot of the user. The medial  500  and lateral  600  straps present countervailing forces beginning at the metatarsal heads, along the forefoot and upward along the ankle joint complex. As previously discussed, pronation and supination of the foot respectively present opposed movements at the subtalar joint, hind foot and mid foot such that the foot favors the lateral region foot (supination) or the medial region (pronation) of the foot. Straps  500 ,  600  thus present countervailing forces in these regions so as to resist movement of the ankle and foot, inclusive of its underlying structures, from excessive pronation or supination. Thus, as the foot is held in a neutral position, the probability of the user landing on an excessively supinated or pronated foot during walking, jumping and/or running is reduced which reduces the probability of injury. The use of these counter force straps  500 ,  600  with or without the compressive fit offered by the body  110  and the compression mechanisms  200 ,  300  enhances the prophylactic advantages of the brace  100 .  
         [0041]     Alternatively, a second embodiment of brace  100   a  is shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . Brace  100   a  presents alternative medial  500   a  and lateral  600   a  force straps. The end of the straps  500   a,    600   a  present bifurcated ends  502   a,    502   b,    602   a,    602   b.  The strap ends  502   a,    602   a  are anchored underneath the sleeve  114  adjacent the free edge  122  and adjacent the metatarsals. The ends  502   b,    602   b  are anchored underneath the sleeve  114 , adjacent the edge presented by heel aperture  190  and thus underneath the heel. These bifurcated ends are included in a first extension  510   a,    610   a  of each strap and function as the first extensions  510 ,  610  explained hereinabove. Subsequent extensions  520   a,    620   a,    530   a,    630   a  with Velcro™ material thereon function as above described in embodiment  100 .  
         [0042]     Embodiment  100   a  is utilized in a manner as above described in embodiment  100 . As such, the foot is initially extended through the opening  120  presented by the free edge of the body member  110  for ultimate extension of the metatarsal flanges  2300  through this free edge and the downstream free edge  122  with extension of the heel through aperture  190 . First and second closure systems  200  and  300  function as above described.  
         [0043]     The medial strap  500   a  is first wrapped so as to provide a force along the forefoot, heel and ankle regions of the wearer. As such, the free end of the strap  500   a  is first extended through the opening  602   c  presented by the bifurcated strap ends  602   a,    602   b  of lateral strap  600   a.  The first extension  510   a  of strap  500   a,  comprising, in the main, ends  502   a,    502   b,  extend from the two spaced anchor points on sleeve  114  to the medial side of the foot across the dorsal aspect of the forefoot and rearwardly towards the lateral side of the foot.  
         [0044]     A second extension  520   a  of the strap comprising, in the main, the reduced lateral portion of strap  520   a  is wound underneath the foot and shown in phantom in  FIG. 15 . The remaining portion of the strap  530   a  is brought along the medial side of the ankle joint strap such that the end of the strap can mate the Velcro™ material  532  thereon with the Velcro™ material  316 ′ presented on the flap  312  of the closure system. As above, the wearer by pulling on the strap  500   a  at extension  530   a  can adjust the mating of the strap  530   a  to the Velcro™  316 ′ and thus the tension along the medial strap  500   a.  This tension is transmitted along the medial dorsal aspects of the foot, the lateral side of the heel, the medial side of the heel and ankle joint and along the underneath of the heel as presented by the dual anchor points of the bifurcated strap ends  502   a,    502   b.    
         [0045]     Strap  600   a  works on foot in an opposed manner to present countervailing forces on the foot. Thus, the first extension  610   a  of the lateral strap  600   a  including, in the main, the bifurcated straps  602   a,    602   b,  is wound about the dorsal aspect of the foot from the lateral side thereof, across the dorsal aspect of the foot and rearwardly toward the medial side of the heel. A second strap extension  620   a,  i.e., primarily the reduced lateral portion, is then wound underneath the heel with a third extension  630   a  brought upwardly along the lateral side of a heel and ankle joint complex ( FIG. 16 ). The end of the strap  630   a  likewise presents a Velcro™ fastener which engages complementary material  316  presented on strap  310  of closure system  300 . The variable Velcro™ anchoring of this strap extension  630   a  allows users to adjust the tension of the strap  600   a  which is transmitted as a force opposite that presented by strap  500   a  in a manner as described in embodiment  100 . Due to the bifurcated strap ends  602   a,    602   b  and dual anchor zones, forces are presented along the underneath of the foot. Accordingly, I have found that such a brace  100   a  presents an enhanced leverage along all aspects of the foot.  
         [0046]     It is also noted that the bifurcated ends of one of the straps, e.g.,  602   a,    602   b,  present a guide  602   c  for the initial extension of the free end of the opposite strap, e.g.,  500   a,  so as to direct the initial winding of the first strap, e.g.,  500   a,  in a proper direction. Thus, the proper application of the countervailing force straps  500   a,    600   a  about the foot of the wearer is assured.  
         [0047]     It is noted that embodiment  100   a  is similar in construction to embodiment  100 . Thus, identical numbers refer to identical elements as utilized between the two braces  100 ,  100   a.    
         [0048]     Although now preferred embodiments of this invention have been described herein, it is understood that such a description is not limited except as set forth in the claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.