Abstract:
An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person 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:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation-In-Part Application of application Ser. No. 13/871,094 filed Apr. 26, 2013, entitled ANKLE BRACE which is a Continuation-In-Part Application of application Ser. No. 13,134,087, filed May 27, 2011 entitled ANKLE BRACE. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional braces for protecting joints of the body do so by restricting or limiting motion of the joint to which it is applied to prevent a new injury or to protect a pre-existing injury. 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 from exceeding its extreme ranges of motion but do not provide the necessary flexibility to permit the athlete to function normally. 
         [0006]    Applicant&#39;s ankle brace described and shown in the co-pending application represents an improvement in the ankle brace art. The instant invention represents a further improvement in the ankle brace art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    An ankle brace is disclosed for use with a cleated athletic shoe having a sole with a lower surface, with cleats extending downwardly therefrom, a lateral side, a medial side, an upper part with an upper end, a lacing closure with upper and lower ends, including a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of eyelets adapted to have a shoe lace threaded therein. The brace of this invention includes a flexible lateral portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side. The upper end of the lateral portion preferably has first, second and third spaced-apart eyelets formed therein at the forward end thereof. The lateral portion also has fourth and fifth eyelets formed therein rearwardly of the third eyelet thereof. An upwardly extending first loop is secured to the upper end of the lateral portion adjacent the eyelets at the forward end thereof. An upwardly extending second loop is secured to the upper end of the lateral portion rearwardly of the first loop. An upwardly extending third loop is secured to the outer side of the lateral portion rearwardly of the second loop. A lateral portion is removably positioned adjacent the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe. 
         [0009]    The ankle brace also includes a flexible medial portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, and a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side. The upper end of the medial portion preferably has first, second and third spaced-apart eyelets formed therein at the forward end thereof. The medial portion also has fourth and fifth eyelets formed therein rearwardly of the third eyelet thereof. An upwardly extending first loop is secured to the upper end of the medial portion rearwardly of the fourth and fifth eyelets thereof. An upwardly extending second loop is secured to the upper end of the medial portion rearwardly of the first loop. An upwardly extending third loop is secured to the upper end of the medial portion rearwardly of the second loop. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the lateral and medial portions are of one-piece construction with the lower ends of the lateral and medial portions being connected by a bottom portion which extends below the lower ends of the lateral and medial portions beneath the sole of the shoe. 
         [0011]    The ankle brace of this invention also includes a flexible and stretchable body member having upper and lower ends, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a heel portion. The lower end of the lateral side portion of the body member is secured to the lateral portion. The lower end of the medial side portion of the body member is secured to the medial portion. The heel portion of the body member is secured to the rearward ends of the lateral and medial portions. 
         [0012]    A flexible and stretchable first strap is provided which has a first end, a second end, an upper end, a lower end and inner and outer sides. The lower end of the first strap is secured to the upper end of the body member so that the first and second ends of the first strap extend forwardly from the body member. Means is provided for selectively connecting the first and second ends of the first strap member together so that the first strap member extends around the ankle of the wearer. An elongated second strap, having first and second ends, is secured to the outer side of the first strap. 
         [0013]    A downwardly extending first loop is secured to the second strap at the first end thereof. A downwardly extending second loop is secured to the second strap rearwardly of the first loop thereof. A downwardly extending third loop is secured to the second strap at the second end thereof. A downwardly extending fourth loop is secured to the second strap at the second end thereof rearwardly of the third loop. A downwardly extending fifth loop is secured to the second strap rearwardly of the fourth loop. 
         [0014]    The ankle brace of this invention includes a flexible and stretchable lateral tensioning cord having first and second ends. A first end of the lateral tensioning cord is fixed to the inner side of the lateral portion and extends outwardly therefrom through the fourth eyelet of the lateral portion. The lateral tensioning cord extends from its first end and interconnects the first, second and third loops of the lateral portion with the loops extending downwardly from the lateral side of the body member. The second end of the lateral tensioning cord extends through the fifth eyelet of the lateral portion and is secured to the inner side of the lateral portion. 
         [0015]    A flexible and stretchable medial tensioning cord is also provided having first and second ends with the first end of the medial tensioning cord being fixed to the inner side of the medial portion. The medial tensioning cord extends outwardly through the fourth eyelet of the medial portion. The medial tensioning cord then interconnects the first, second and third loops which extend upwardly from the medial portion and the first and second loops which extend downwardly from the first strap. The second end of the medial tensioning cord extends inwardly through the fifth eyelet of the medial portion and is secured to the inner side of the medial portion. 
         [0016]    The ankle brace of this invention also includes a first loop member having an eyelet formed therein. The lateral tensioning cord extends through the first loop member. A medial loop member is also provided which has an eyelet formed therein. The medial loop member has the medial tensioning cord extending therethrough. 
         [0017]    The shoe lace of the shoe extends through the first, second and third eyelets of the lateral portion and extends through the first, second and third eyelets of the medial portion. One end of the shoe lace also extends through the eyelet of the first loop member. The other end of the shoe lace extends through the eyelet of the second loop member. The shoe lace may be drawn tightly and secured. The tightening of the shoe lace affects the tension within the lateral and medial tensioning cords. 
         [0018]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved ankle brace. 
         [0019]    A further object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace for use with a cleated athletic shoe which permits the wearer&#39;s ankle to move through its normal range of motion but which yieldably prevents the ankle from moving beyond its normal range of motion thereby protecting the ankle. 
         [0020]    A further object of the invention is to provide an ankle brace of the type described which does not interfere with the normal movement of the person&#39;s ankle. 
         [0021]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    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. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ankle brace of this invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a lateral side view of the ankle brace of this invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the ankle brace of this invention mounted on an athletic shoe; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a lateral side view illustrating the ankle brace of this invention mounted on an athletic shoe; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a medial side view illustrating the ankle brace of this invention mounted on an athletic shoe; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view which illustrates a lateral tensioning O-ring rather than a lateral tensioning cord; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view which illustrates a medial tensioning O-ring rather than a medial tensioning cord. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    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. 
         [0031]    The ankle brace of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10 . Ankle brace  10  is designed to be attached to an athletic shoe  12  having a sole  14  with an underside  16  and an upper part  18 . A plurality of cleats  20  extend downwardly from the underside  16  of sole  14 . Upper part  18  has a lacing closure structure  22  having a lower end  24  and an upper end  26 . Lacing closure structure  22  has a plurality of eyelets, grommets or lace openings  28  designed to receive a shoelace  30  in conventional fashion. Shoe  12  will be described as having a lateral side  32 , a medial side  34  and a heel counter  36 . 
         [0032]    Ankle brace  10  includes a lateral portion  38  having a forward end  40 , a rearward end  42 , an upper end  44  and a lower end  46 . The numeral  48  refers to a bottom member of ankle brace  10  which has one side secured to lateral portion  48  by stitching or the like and which extends below sole  14  as will be described in detail hereinafter. Bottom member  48  has a cut-out portion  49  formed therein at its rearward end. Lateral portion  48  is comprised of a flexible, non-stretchable material such as polyester. The upper forward end of lateral portion  38  has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets or eyelets  50  formed therein. Preferably, four eyelets  50  are formed in lateral portion  38 . A grommet or eyelet  52  is formed in lateral portion  38  below the rearward most grommet or eyelet  50 . 
         [0033]    Loops  54 ,  56  and  58  are secured to the upper end  44  of lateral portion  38  rearwardly of the rearward most eyelet  50 . A strip  60  of hook fasteners is secured to lateral portion  38  at the rearward end  42  thereof. 
         [0034]    Ankle brace  10  also includes a medial portion  62  having a forward end  64 , a rearward end  66 , an upper end  68  and a lower end  70 . One end of bottom member  48  is joined to the lower end  70  of medial portion  62 . It should be noted that bottom member  48  could be integrally formed with either lateral portion  38  or medial portion  62 . Medial portion  62  is also comprised of a flexible, non-stretchable material such as polyester. The upper forward end of medial portion  62  has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets or eyelets  72  formed therein. Preferably, four eyelets  72  are formed in medial portion  62 . A grommet or eyelet  74  is formed in medial portion  62  below the rearward most eyelet  72 . 
         [0035]    Loops  76 ,  78  and  80  are secured to the upper end  68  of medial portion  62  as seen in  FIG. 5 . An elongated strap  82  has its end  84  fixedly secured to the rearward end of medial portion  62  by stitching as seen in  FIG. 5 . The other end of strap  82  has loop fasteners  86  secured to the inner side thereof which are adapted to be adjustably received by the hook fasteners on strip  60 . In some cases, the strap  82  may be omitted. The rearward end of lateral portion  38  may be secured to the rearward end of medial portion  62  by stitching or the like. Further, the rearward ends of lateral portion  38  and medial portion  62  may be spaced-apart as illustrated in the co-pending application. 
         [0036]    The numeral  90  refers to a flexible and stretchable body member preferably comprised of neoprene or the like which is secured to lateral portion  38  and medial portion  62  as will now be described. Body member  90  includes a lateral side portion  92 , a medial side portion  94  and a heel portion if the rearward ends of lateral portion  38  and medial portion  62  are spaced-apart. The lower end of lateral side portion  92  of body member  90  is secured to the upper end  44  of lateral portion  38  by stitching or the like. The lower end of medial side portion  94  is secured to the upper end of medial portion  62  by stitching or the like. If the rearward ends of lateral portion  38  and medial portion  62  are separated, the heel portion of body member  90  is positioned between the rearward ends of lateral portion  38  and medial portion  62  and secured thereto. 
         [0037]    The numeral  98  refers to an elongated flexible strap having ends  100  and  102 . The lower end of strap  98  is secured to the upper end of body member  90  by stitching or the like. The outer side of strap  98  has loop fasteners  104  provided thereon. A strap  106  has its inner end secured to end  102  of strap  98 . The inner side of strap  106  has hook fasteners  108  provided thereon. An elongated strap  110  is secured to the outer side of strap  98  and includes ends  112  and  114 . A ring  116  is secured to end  114  of strap  110 . The outer side of end  112  of strap  110  has hook fasteners thereon. 
         [0038]    Loops  118  and  120  are secured to the lower end of the lateral side of strap  98 . The numeral  122  refers to an elastic lateral tensioning cord which yieldably interconnects the upper end of lateral portion  36  to the strap  110  or the strap  98 . One end of tensioning cord  122  passes through the rearward most eyelet  50  and the other end of tensioning cord  122  passes through eyelet  52 . The ends of tensioning cord  122  are secured to the inner side of lateral portion  38 . As seen, the tensioning cord  122  passes through loops  54 ,  56 ,  58  and loops  118  and  120 . A loop  124  is slidably mounted on tensioning cord  122  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Loop  124  includes an eyelet  126 . 
         [0039]    Loops  128  and  130  are secured to the lower end of the medial side of strap  98 . The numeral  132  refers to an elastic medial tensioning cord which yieldably interconnects the upper end of medial portion  62  to the strap  110  or the strap  98 . One end of tensioning cord  132  passes through the rearmost eyelet  72  and the other end of cord  132  passes through eyelet  74 . The ends of tensioning cord  132  are secured to the inner side of medial portion  62 . As seen, the tensioning cord  132  passes through loops  76 ,  78 ,  80  and loops  128  and  130 . A loop  134  is slidably mounted on tensioning cord  132  as seen in  FIG. 5 . The loop  134  includes an eyelet  136 . 
         [0040]    Although the drawings illustrate that the ends of tensioning cord  122  are secured to the inner side of lateral portion  38 , the tensioning cord  122  could be replaced with an elastic tensioning O-ring  122  as seen in  FIG. 6  which yieldably interconnects the loops  118  and  120  with the loops  54 ,  56  and  58  and which has the loop  124  slidably mounted thereon. Similarly, although the drawings illustrate that the ends of tensioning cord  132  are secured to the inner side of medial portion  62 , the tensioning cord  132  could be replaced with an elastic tensioning O-ring  132 A as seen in  FIG. 7  which yieldably interconnects the loops  128  and  130  with the loops  76 ,  78  and  80  and which has the loop  134  slidably mounted thereon. 
         [0041]    In use, the brace  10  is positioned on the shoe  12  as seen in the drawings. The shoe lace  30  is threaded through some of the lower lace openings or eyelets  28  and through at least some of the eyelets  50  of lateral portion  38  and some of the eyelets  72  of medial portion  62 . The shoe lace  30  is then threaded through the remaining eyelets  28 . One end of the shoe lace  30  is threaded through eyelet  126  of loop  124 . The other end of shoe lace  30  is threaded through eyelet  136  of loop  134 . The shoe lace  30  is then drawn tightly which causes the tensioning cords  122  and  132  to be placed in the desired tension by way of the loops  124  and  134 . The shoe lace  30  is then tied. Strap  106  is then secured to strap  98  at end  100  thereof. End  112  of strap  110  is then inserted through buckle  116  and folded upon itself and secured. 
         [0042]    The ankle brace  10  permits the ankle of the person to move through its natural range of motion either laterally, medially, fore and aft. When the ankle moves toward the end of its normal range of motion, the tensioning cords  122  and  132  resist further motion to protect the ankle. Ankle support is also provided by the flexible and stretchable body member  90  which enables the person&#39;s ankle to move through its normal range of motion. 
         [0043]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0044]    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.