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 Divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/871,094 filed Apr. 26, 2013 entitled ANKLE BRACE which is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent 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 and 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 has a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at the forward end thereof. A first loop is secured to the outer side of the lateral portion adjacent the eyelets at the forward end thereof. A second loop is secured to the outer side of the lateral portion rearwardly of the first loop. A third loop is secured to the outer side of the lateral portion below the eyelets at the forward end of the lateral portion and below the first loop thereof. The lateral portion also has an eyelet formed therein rearwardly of the first eyelets. A patch or strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer surface of the lateral portion at the rearward end thereof. The lateral portion is removably positioned adjacent the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe with the lower end of the lateral portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe. 
         [0009]    The ankle brace also includes a flexible medial 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 medial portion has a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at the forward end thereof. A first loop is secured to the outer side of the medial portion adjacent the eyelets at the forward end thereof. A second loop is secured to the outer side of the medial portion rearwardly of the first loop. A third loop is secured to the outer side of the medial portion below the eyelets at the forward end of the medial portion and below the first loop thereof. The medial portion has an eyelet formed therein rearwardly of the first eyelets thereof. 
         [0010]    The lower end of the medial portion extends beneath the sole of the shoe with the lower ends of the lateral and medial portions being joined together beneath the sole of the shoe. The rearward ends of the lateral and medial portions are spaced apart. 
         [0011]    An elongated first strap having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces is also provided. The first end of the first strap is secured to the medial portion at the rearward end thereof. The inner surface of the first strap has loop fasteners thereon. The rearward ends of the lateral and medial portions are spaced apart. The first strap is selectively adjustably secured to the patch of hook fasteners at the outer rearward side of the medial portion. 
         [0012]    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 spaced-apart rearward ends of the lateral and medial portions and extends therebetween. A second flexible and stretchable strap is provided having a first end, a second end, an upper end, a lower end, and inner and outer sides. The lower end of the second strap is secured to the upper end of the body member so that the first and second ends of the second strap extend forwardly from the body member. The outer side of the second strap has loop fasteners thereon at the first end thereof. The brace also includes a third flexible strap having a first end, a second end, an outer side and an inner side. The first end of the third strap is secured to the second end of the second strap. The inner side of the third strap has hook fasteners thereon for adjustable attachment to the loop fasteners on the second strap at the first end of the second strap. A fourth flexible non-stretchable strap is provided having first and second ends with the fourth strap being secured to the outer side of the second strap. The first end of the fourth strap has a pair of eyelets formed therein. The second end of the fourth strap has a pair of eyelets formed therein. A loop is secured to the fourth strap at the first end thereof and a loop is secured to the fourth strap at the second end thereof. A lace member adjustably extends through the eyelets on the first and second ends of the fourth strap. 
         [0013]    The ankle brace of this invention includes a flexible and stretchable lateral tensioning cord having first and second ends. The first end of the lateral tensioning cord is secured to the fourth strap at the first end thereof. The lateral tensioning cord extends from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through the second loop on the lateral portion, thence forwardly through the first loop on the lateral portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through the third loop on the lateral portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through the second loop on the lateral portion, thence rearwardly through the loop at the first end of the fourth strap, thence downwardly therefrom. The second end of the lateral tensioning cord is secured to the lateral portion. 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 secured to the fourth strap at the second end thereof. The medial tensioning cord extends from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through the second loop on the medial portion, thence forwardly through the first loop on the medial portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through the third loop on the medial portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through the second loop on the medial portion, thence rearwardly through the loop at the second end of the fourth strap, thence downwardly therefrom. The second end of the medial tensioning cord is secured to the medial portion. 
         [0014]    The ankle brace also includes fifth and sixth straps having first and second ends. The first end of the fifth strap is secured to the lateral portion with the second end of the fifth strap being adjustably secured to the medial portion  92 . The sixth strap has its first end secured to the medial portion  92  and has its second end selectively adjustably secured to the lateral portion  36 . The ankle brace of this invention permits the wearers ankle to move through its normal range of motion and yieldably prevents the ankle from moving beyond its normal range motion thereby protecting the ankle. 
         [0015]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved ankle brace. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    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. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ankle brace of this invention mounted on an athletic shoe; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the ankle brace of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the ankle brace as seen from the medial side thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the ankle brace as seen from the lateral side thereof; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the ankle brace of this invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the athletic shoe having the ankle brace of this invention mounted thereon. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    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  19  extend downwardly from the underside  16  of sole  14 . Upper part  18  has a lacing closure structure  20  having a lower end  22  and an upper end  24 . Lacing closure has a plurality of eyelets, grommets or lace openings  26  designed to receive a shoelace  28  in conventional fashion. Shoe  14  will be described as having a lateral side  30 , a medial side  32  and a heel counter  34 . 
         [0028]    Ankle brace  10  includes a lateral portion  36  having a forward end  38 , a rearward end  40 , an upper end  42  and a lower end  44 . Lower end  44  of lateral portion  36  extends partially below sole  14  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Lateral portion  36  is comprised of a flexible, non-stretchable material such as polyester. The inner side of lateral portion  36  has a flexible, non-stretchable reinforcing or stiffening member  46  secured to the upper portion thereof by stitching or the like. Member  46  is preferably comprised of a plastic material. The upper forward end of lateral portion  36  has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets or eyelets  48  formed therein. Preferably, four eyelets  48  are formed in lateral portion  36 . A grommet  50  is formed in lateral portion  36  rearwardly of the rearward-most grommet  48 . A loop  52  is secured to the outer surface of lateral portion  36  between a pair of grommets  48 . A loop  54  is secured to the outer surface of lateral portion  30  adjacent the rearward-most grommet  48 . A loop  56  is secured to the outer surface of lateral portion  36  below loop  52 . The lower rearward end  44  of lateral portion  36  has a notch  58  formed therein. A notch  60  is also formed in the lower end  44  of lateral portion  36  forwardly of notch  58 . 
         [0029]    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 . Medial portion  62  is comprised of a flexible, non-stretchable material such as polyester. Lower end  70  of medial portion  62  extends partially below sole  14  and is secured to lower end  44  of lateral portion  36 . The inner side of medial portion  62  has a flexible, non-stretchable reinforcing or stiffening member  72  secured to the upper portion thereof by stitching or the like. Member  72  is preferably comprised of a plastic material. The upper forward end of medial portion  62  has a plurality of spaced-apart grommets or eyelets  74  formed therein, the number of which is equal to the number of grommets or eyelets  48  formed in lateral portion  36 . A grommet  76  is formed in medial portion  62  rearwardly of the rearward-most grommet  74 . A loop  78  is secured to the outer surface of medial portion  62  between a pair of the grommets  74 . A loop  80  is secured to the outer surface of medial portion  62  adjacent the rearward-most grommet  74 . A loop  82  is secured to the outer surface of medial portion  62  below loop  78 . 
         [0030]    The lower end  70  of medial portion  62  has a notch  84  formed therein which registers with notch  58  in lateral portion  36 . The lower end  70  of medial portion  62  also has a notch  86  formed therein which registers with notch  60  of lateral portion  36 . The lower ends  44  and  70  of medial portion  62  and lateral portion  36  respectively are secured together by stitching  87  or the like. 
         [0031]    As seen in the drawings, the rearward ends of lateral portion  36  and medial portion  62  are spaced-apart. The rearward end of medial portion  62  has a first strap  88  secured thereto which extends therefrom. The inner surface of strap  88  has loop fasteners thereon. The rearward end of lateral portion  36  has a patch  90  of hook fasteners to enable the strap  88  to be adjustably secured thereto. 
         [0032]    The numeral  92  refers to a flexible and stretchable body member preferably comprised of neoprene or the like which is secured to lateral portion  36  and medial portion  62  as will now be described. Body member  92  includes a lateral side portion  94 , a medial side portion  96  and a heel portion  98 . The lower end of lateral side portion  94  of body member  92  is secured to the upper end of lateral portion  36  by stitching or the like. The lower end of medial side portion  96  is secured to the upper end of medial portion  62  by stitching or the like. Heel portion  98  is positioned between the rearward ends of lateral portion  36  and medial portion  62  and is secured thereto by stitching or the like. 
         [0033]    The numeral  100  refers to an elongated second strap having ends  102  and  104 , an upper end  106  and a lower end  108 . The lower end  108  of strap  100  is secured to the upper end of flexible and stretchable body member  92  so that the ends  102  and  104  extend forwardly from the forward ends of flexible and stretchable body member  92 . The outer surface of strap  100  has loop fastener material thereon. 
         [0034]    A short third strap  110  has one end secured to end  102  of strap  100  and extends therefrom. The inner side of strap  110  has hook fasteners thereon for adjustable connection to the loop fasteners on the outer side of end  104  of strap  100 . 
         [0035]    A flexible and non-stretchable fourth strap  112 , having ends  114  and  116 , is secured to strap  100  at the outer side thereof by stitching or the like. A plastic reinforcing member  118  is secured to the inner side of strap  112  at end  114 . An elongated, flexible reinforcing or stiffening member  119  is positioned at the inner side of strap  112 . Grommets  120  and  122  are formed in the end  114  of strap  112  and reinforcing member  118 . At least one loop  124  is secured to and extends downwardly from end  114  of strap  112  and reinforcing member  118 . 
         [0036]    End  126  of lateral tensioning cord  128  is secured to strap  112  and reinforcing member  118  adjacent end  114  of strap  112 . Tensioning cord  128  extends downwardly and forwardly from strap  112  and reinforcing member  118 , through loop  54 , thence through loop  52 , thence downwardly therefrom, thence rearwardly through loop  56 , thence upwardly and rearwardly through loop  54 , thence upwardly and rearwardly through loop  124 , and thence downwardly and rearwardly through grommet  50  for attachment to reinforcing member  46  at  129 . 
         [0037]    One end of an elongated fifth strap  130  is slidably mounted on cord  128  between loops  54  and  56 . The inner surface of strap  130  is provided with loop fasteners thereon for adjustable attachment to a patch or strap of hook fasteners  131  secured to the outer side of medial portion  62 . A plastic reinforcing member  132  is secured to the inner side of strap  112  at end  116 . Grommets  134  and  136  are formed in end  116  of strap  112  and reinforcing member  132 . At least one loop  138  is secured to and extends downwardly from end  116  and reinforcing member  132 . 
         [0038]    End  140  of tensioning cord  142  is secured to strap  112  and reinforcing member  132  adjacent end  116  of strap  112 . Tensioning cord  142  extends downwardly and forwardly from strap  112  and reinforcing member  132 , through loop  80 , thence through loop  78 , thence downwardly therefrom, thence rearwardly through loop  82 , thence upwardly and rearwardly through loop  80 , thence upwardly and rearwardly through loop  138 , and thence downwardly and rearwardly through grommet  76  for attachment to reinforcing member  72 . 
         [0039]    One end of an elongated sixth strap  144  is slidably mounted on cord  142  between loops  78  and  80 . The inner surface of strap  144  is provided with loop fasteners thereon for adjustable attachment to a patch or strap of hook fasteners  146  secured to the outer side of lateral portion  36 . 
         [0040]    In use, the brace  10  is positioned on the shoe  12  as generally seen in  FIGS. 1-3  but the lace member  148  is not tied, the strap  88  is not secured to patch or strip  90  and the straps  130  and  144  are not secured to strips or patches  131  and  146  respectively. The shoe lace  28  is threaded through some of the lower lace openings or eyelets  26  and through at least some of the eyelets  48  of lateral portion  36  and through some of the eyelets  74  of medial portion  62 . The shoe lace  28  will then be threaded through the remaining eyelets  26  and tied at the upper end of the shoe  12 . 
         [0041]    The lace member  148  is threaded through the eyelets  120 ,  122  on end  114  of strap  112  and through eyelets  134  and  136  at end  116  of strap  112 . The lace member  148  is then tightened and tied. The strap  88  is then secured to patch  90 . Straps  130  and  144  are then adjustably tightened and secured as described hereinabove. As seen in  FIG. 6 , some of the cleats  19  extend downwardly through the registering notches  58  and  84  and some of the cleats  19  extend downwardly through the registering notches  60  and  86 . 
         [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 towards the end of its normal range of motion, the tensioning cords  128  and  142  resist further motion to protect the ankle. Ankle support is also provided by the lateral and medial portions  36  and  62  and the reinforcing members associated therewith. Ankle support is also provided by the flexible and stretchable member  92  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.