Patent Publication Number: US-2006009725-A1

Title: Stabilizer II

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to the stabilization and prevention of the foot and ankle rolling or turning to an injurious position while walking, running, jumping or participating in any physical activity that involves the lower extremity. The apparatus accomplishes this by attaching the lower foot to the lower leg with an adjustable, flexible extension that allows unabated foot and ankle movements.  
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,698, Bremer discloses a splint with a foot plate and rigid leg support to accommodate knock knee and control proration and suppuration of the leg, knee and foot.  
      This design displays, however, the draw back of unabated flexibility that will allow the foot and ankle to function in its normal capacity.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,773 Sichau discloses a training assist brace comprising of a rigid foot and heel member attached to stirrups that extend from the foot to the thigh, designed to limit and or preclude pivotal foot and leg movements. In point, flexibility is contrary to the designs purpose and function and clearly displays its limitations of natural movement of the lower extremities.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,852 Miller discloses an apparatus which involves an attachment to the hip, with an elongated arm part that attaches to a foot member to prevent rotation of the foot and leg while walking. However effective, this invention by design does not incorporate individuals that are in need of flexible natural movement that is present when engaging in exercise or athletic activities.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The main function of the invention is to provide a flexible protective shoe or attachment apparatus that will allow natural unabated movement for the wearer. Further, the invention by virtue of its design and purpose, represent a common sense approach to the limiting of ankle injury through a orthopedic athletic shoe. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be clearly understood when reference is made to the detail description in conjunction to the attached drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a rear view of the preferred embodiments attached to the lower leg and shoe; with  
       FIG. 2  being a side view of the apparatus absent a shoe displaying the preferred embodiments; with  
       FIG. 3  being a rear view of the apparatus absent a shoe displaying the heel, ankle, and lower leg with said apparatus attached thereto; with  
       FIG. 4  being a rear view of the apparatus&#39;s preferred embodiments&#39; with,  
       FIG. 5  being a bottom view of the apparatus attached to a specialty shoe, a cleat and the leg strap anchor, and with  
       FIG. 6  being a side view of the leg strap anchor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      The apparatus includes a heel cup  5  within a shoe  8  with flex strap  4  attached to heel cup  5  with flex strap  4  ascending over ankle  7  and along the lower leg  2  being inserted under the leg strap anchor  3  which is attached to the adjustable leg attachment  1 ; once flex strap  4  is inserted under the leg strap anchor  3 , the flex strap  4  will descend along the lower leg  2  while over lapping itself and finally attaching to the shoe  8 . The virtue of the flex strap  4  being attached to the heel cup  5  and attached to the adjustable leg attachment  1  by way of being inserted under the leg strap anchor  3  and finally attaching to the shoe  8  will bring functionality, flexibility and most important, stability to the invention.