Abstract:
An adjustable immobilizing joint brace has a pair of opposed, spaced apart first supports for supporting and immobilizing a joint. Each first support has a pair of first joint holes proximate a first end. One of the first joint holes is spaced further from the first end of the first support than the other first joint hole. A pair of opposed, spaced apart second supports has two opposed sides. Each second support has a pair of second joint holes proximate a joint end. The second joint holes are aligned with and attached to the first joint holes on either side of the first support such that the first supports are attached to the second supports and form a variable angle which depends on the orientation of the first supports relative to the orientation of the second supports.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a national phase entry of PCT application No. PCT/US08/56028, filed Mar. 6, 2008, entitled “Adjustable Immobilizing Joint Brace,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/972,598 filed on Sep. 14, 2007. These applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an adjustable immobilizing joint brace, specifically an immobilizing joint brace that includes a plurality of immobilizing positions. 
         [0003]    Following injury and or surgery to a joint such as the elbow or knee, it is often necessary to immobilize the joint while the joint heals. Braces or splints for immobilizing the joint are well known. Many types of braces are available for the knee and elbow that help to keep the joint in a fixed or recovery position. Because the fixed position may vary depending on the injury or individual and it is desirable to vary the angle during recovery, it is often desirable that the immobilizing joint brace be adjustable such that the individual or medical professional can set the joint angle or change the joint angle as healing progresses. However, adjustable braces require additional components such as locking mechanisms which may become loose, lost or corroded. Additionally, adjustable braces often weigh more, cost significantly more and have a larger profile than nonadjustable braces. 
         [0004]    What is needed therefore, but not provided in the prior art, is an immobilizing joint brace that can be set to a plurality of various rigid angles while keeping the light weight, low profile and nearly as few components of a non-adjustable brace. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to an adjustable immobilizing joint brace that has a pair of opposed, spaced apart first supports. Each first support has a pair of first joint holes proximate a first end. One of the first joint holes is spaced further from the first end of the first support than the other first joint hole. A pair of opposed, spaced apart second supports has two opposed sides. Each second support has a pair of second joint holes proximate a joint end. The second joint holes are aligned with and attached to the first joint holes on either side of the first support such that the first supports are attached to the second supports and form a variable angle which depends on the orientation of the first supports relative to the orientation of the second supports. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the invention is directed to an adjustable immobilizing joint brace that has a generally rigid first support with a first side and a second side and an end that is removably attached to a generally rigid second support that has a first side for attaching to and immobilizing a joint. The first side of the end of the first support is removably mountable to the first side of the end of the second support to form a first angle between the first support and the second support in a first immobilized position. The second side of the end of the first support is removably mountable to the first side of the end of the second support to form a second angle between the first support and the second support in a second immobilized position. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention is directed to an adjustable immobilizing joint brace that includes a first support that has a pair of first joint holes proximate a first end. One of the first joint holes is spaced further from the first end of the first support than the other first joint hole. A second support has two opposed sides and a pair of second joint holes proximate a joint end. The second joint holes are aligned with and attached to the first joint holes on either side of the first support such that the first support is attached to the second support and forms a variable angle which depends on the orientation of the first support relative to the orientation of the second support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0009]    In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the adjustable immobilizing joint brace in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of assembled first and second supports of the immobilizing joint brace shown in  FIG. 1  arranged in a first position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the assembled first and second supports shown in  FIG. 2A  arranged in a second position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a top plan view of the assembled first and second supports shown in  FIG. 2A  arranged in a third position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2D  is a top plan view of the assembled first and second supports shown in  FIG. 2A  arranged in a forth position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled supports shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the joint between the assembled supports within area  4  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the assembled supports shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of an adjustable immobilizing joint brace in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
         [0019]    Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an embodiment of an adjustable immobilizing joint brace (“brace”), generally designated  10 , in accordance with the present invention. Though the brace  10  may be used to immobilize an elbow joint (not shown), the brace  10  may also be used to immobilize other joints such as a knee. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the brace  10  includes a pair of parallel and spaced apart first supports  12  and a pair of parallel and spaced apart second supports  14 . The first and second supports  12 ,  14  each may include a thin, rectangular bar formed of a rigid and lightweight material such as aluminum. In one example, the first and second supports  12 ,  14  may be or contain any suitable rigid and/or light weight material such as metal, alloy, steel, a polymeric material, or a composite material and may have any shape so long as the supports  12 ,  14  can support the brace  10  and immobilize the joint. Similarly, other members of the brace may also be or contain any suitable rigid and/or light weight material such as metal, alloy, steel, a polymeric material, or a composite material. 
         [0021]    A first end  12   a  of each first support  12  is secured to a joint end  14   a  of a corresponding second support  14  by a pair of first fasteners  16 . The first fasteners  16  may be a set of screws such as Allen or Phillip screws. In some examples, the first fasteners  16  may be other known fastener such as a rivet or snap. The use of two first fasteners  16  is may be over one in some applications in order to prevent the first support  12  from moving relative to the second support  14 . The first fasteners  16  may be removable such that the first and second supports  12 ,  14  can be reoriented as further described below. Alternatively, the first supports  12  may be slidably received over or onto the joint end  14   a  of the second supports  14  and held together by any suitable mechanism, device or means, such as screws, which may hold first supports  12  in position. 
         [0022]    Each first and second support  12 ,  14  is removeably mounted to a first or second pad  18 ,  20  respectively. The first and second supports  12 ,  14  may be secured to the first and second pads  18 ,  20  respectively by second fasteners  22  extending through holes  22   a  in the first and second supports  12 ,  14  ( FIGS. 2A-5 ). Though the first and second supports  12 ,  14  may be moveably mounted to the first and second pads  18 ,  20 , they may also be non-moveably attached to the first and second pads  18 ,  20 . Additionally, though fasteners similar to the first fasteners  16  may be used, the first and second supports  12 ,  14  may be attached to the first and second pads  18 ,  20  in any suitable manner such as through the use of an adhesive or by being slid within a receiving slot and/or held by a fastener or a snap fit. 
         [0023]    The first and/or second pads  18 ,  20  may include a lightweight and/or soft cushioning material such as a padded foam material so that the first and/or second pads  18 ,  20  are comfortable against the skin of a user. The first and second pads  18 ,  20  may be convex to partially surround and securely fit to the shape of a user&#39;s limb. However, the first and second pads  18 ,  20  may extend further or less far around the outer surface of a user&#39;s limb (not shown). The first pad  18  may have a slightly higher radius of convexity than the second pad  20  such that the first pad  18  better conforms to a lower limb such as the forearm or lower leg because of the relative smaller size of the respective forearm and lower leg as compared to the respective upper arm and upper leg. Though the first pad  18  may have a higher radius of convexity and smaller overall size than the second pad  20 , the first and convex pads  18 ,  20  may have a similar shape and size. 
         [0024]    A plurality of adjustable straps  24  extends between each pair of the first and second pads  18 ,  20  respectively. Each of the adjustable straps  24  may be looped around support members  26  provided on the first and second pads  18 ,  20 . Each adjustable strap  24  may loop around the respective support member  26  and overlap back onto itself and is held in place by a hook and loop or Velcro attachment  24   a.  Though hook and loop or Velcro  24   a  may be used for securing the adjustable straps  24 , other strapping attachments, such as belts, buttons, snaps or elastic material may be utilized. 
         [0025]    The first and second pads  18 ,  20  may have an “I” shaped configuration such that the first and second pads  18 ,  20  extend at least partially below the adjustable straps  24 . The design may prevent the adjustable straps  24  from uncomfortably touching a user&#39;s skin. Though the first and second pads  18 ,  20  may have an “I” shaped configuration to make the brace  10  lighter and more open, they may extend further around the circumference of the limb to further secure the limb, such as a forearm or arm, in position or further stabilize limb support. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-5 , the first supports  12  are oriented with respect to the second supports  14  in such a way as to vary the angle of the brace  10 . The first supports  12  may include one of the markings A, B, C, or D on each side of the first support  12  toward the first end  12   a  or a second end  12   b.  Markings A and D may be on opposite sides of the first end  12   a  of the first support  12  and markings B and C may be on opposite sides of the second end  12   b  of the first support  12 . The first support  12  include a first pair of joint holes  28  extending through the first end  12   a  and a second pair of second joint holes  30  extending through the second end  12   b.  The first and second joint holes  28 ,  30  may be spaced at various positions with respect to the corresponding first or second end  12   a,    14   a.  For example, referring to  FIG. 2A , one of the second joint holes  30   a  may be spaced from an edge  12   c  of the second end  12   b  by a distance S 1  and the other second joint hole  30   b  is spaced from the edge  12   c  of the second end  12   b  by a distance S 2  where S 1  is greater than S 2 . Though the first and second holes  28 ,  30  may be spaced at various distances from the edge  12   c  of the first or second end  12   a,    12   b,  respectively, the first and second holes  28 ,  30  may also be spaced at equal distances, or distances other than shown, from the corresponding end  12   a,    12   b  or that holes (not visible) on the second support  14  are unequally spaced. Though unequally spaced holes  28 ,  30  may be used, any other suitable attachment may be used and may be used such that the brace  10  is adjustable as described below. 
         [0027]    The first and second joint holes  28 ,  30  are oriented such that positioning the first support  12  onto a joint end  14   a  of the second support  14  varies the angle α between the first support  12  and the second support  14 . The marking A-D closest to the joint end  14   a  corresponds to a different angle α between the first support  12  and the second support  14 . For example, when the first end  12   a  of the first support  12  is secured to the second support  14  such that the marking A is facing away from the joint end  14   a,  the first support  12  may be angled from the second support  14  at an angle α′ corresponding to approximately 30 degrees. When the second end  12   b  of first support  12  is secured to the second support  14  such that the marking B is facing away from the joint end  14   a,  the first support  12  is angled from the second support  14  at a second angle α″ which corresponds to an angle of approximately 23 degrees. When the second end  12   b  of the first support  12  is secured to the second support  14  such that the marking C is facing away from the joint end  14   a,  the first support  12  is angled from the second support  14  at a third angle α′″ generally equal to approximately 17 degrees. When the first end  12   a  of the support  12  is secured to the second support  14  such that the marking D is facing away from the joint end  14   a,  the first support  12  is angled from the second support  14  at a fourth angle α″″ generally relating to an angle of approximately 10 degrees. Though the above angles α′, α″, α′″ and α″″ may correspond generally to the given values, the angles α′, α″, α′″ and α″″ may also correspond to any desired angle. The markings A-D not only help to indicate the appropriate angle α, but also help to ensure that both first supports  12  are attached to the respective second supports  14  in the same position. Though markings A-D may be used to identify the position of the first support  12 , any other marking such as numbers, colors or the shape of the end be used. 
         [0028]    The joint end  14   a  of the second support  14  may be stepped outwardly away from the brace  10  such that the first support  12  and second support  14  are generally positioned on the same plane when assembled. Additionally, the joint end  14   a  of the second support  14  may be angled toward the angle α. In one example, the joint end  14   a  may be generally flat and straight. And a pair of first and second joint holes  28 ,  30  may be used in the first support  12  to vary the angle α between the first support  12  and a second support  14 . In some example, additional joint holes (not shown) may be included on either the first or second supports  12 ,  14  to enable additional combinations between the orientation of the first and second supports  12 ,  14 . Additionally, though the first support  12  may have four configurations as shown and described, it may have more or fewer possible orientations. 
         [0029]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.