Patent Abstract:
The present invention is a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly. Further, the present invention is a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly having a preload. The spring assembly has a spring and two rotatably coupled components disposed within the spring, wherein the two components cannot rotate a full 360 degrees in relation to each other, thereby allowing the assembly to be placed in a preload state.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/243,092, filed Oct. 4, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly. Further, the present invention relates to a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly having a preload.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Torsion springs, which are used in many devices, including knee braces, hinges, etc., are designed to be activated rotationally and provide an angular return force. A typical torsion spring has no preload. That is, the typical torsion spring does not have an angular return force being applied when the spring is at rest or not being used. Those torsion springs that do have a preload require an adjustment mechanism in order to create the preload. There is a need in the art for a torsion spring having a preload.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention, in one embodiment, is a spring assembly having a first substantially cylindrical component, a second substantially cylindrical component coupled with the first substantially cylindrical component, a coupling component configured to prevent full 360 degree rotation of the first and second substantially cylindrical components in relation to each other, and a spring encircling at least a portion of the first and second components. The spring has a preload created by the first and second component and is operably coupled to a limb protection apparatus.  
         [0005]     The present invention, in another embodiment, is a limb protection apparatus having a spring assembly and a limb guard component. The spring assembly has a first substantially cylindrical component, a second substantially cylindrical component coupled with the first component, and a coupling component configured to prevent full 360 degree rotation of the first and second substantially cylindrical components in relation to each other. Further spring assembly has a spring encircling at least a portion of the first and second components, a first connection component associated with a second end of the first substantially cylindrical component, and a second connection component associated with a second end of the second substantially cylindrical component. The spring has a pre-load tension created by the first and second components. The limb guard is operably coupled with the first and second connection components.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, the present invention is a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly having a preload, a first member, a second member, and a limb guard component operably coupled to the first and second members. The spring assembly has a first substantially cylindrical component, a second substantially cylindrical component, and a spring disposed substantially around the first and second substantially cylindrical components. The first substantially cylindrical component has a first connection component and a first coupling component and the second substantially cylindrical component has a second connection component and a second coupling component. The second coupling component is rotatably coupled with the first coupling component, whereby the first substantially cylindrical component rotates less than 360 degrees. The spring is connected at a first end to the first substantially cylindrical component and at a second end to the second substantially cylindrical component. The first member is operably coupled to the first connection component and the second member is operably coupled to the second connection component.  
         [0007]     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spring assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a spring and two cylindrical components, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of two coupled cylindrical components, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a spring assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a spring assembly, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of a spring assembly coupled with a limb protection apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     The present invention relates to a limb protection apparatus having a torsion spring assembly, including a torsion spring assembly with a preload. The assembly of the present invention can be used with known limb protection devices such as leg guards, shin guards, and the like. According to one embodiment, the present invention provides both limb protection and benefits provided by limb brace devices.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a torsion spring assembly  10 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  10  has a coiled spring  12  encircling two cylindrical components  14 ,  16 . Each cylindrical component  14 ,  16  has a connection component  18 ,  20  configured to engage with any device or component that is to be placed under rotational tension with respect to another different component or device attached at the opposite connection component.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a disassembled torsion spring assembly  30 , according to a further aspect of the present invention. The assembly  30  has a spring  32  and two cylindrical components  34 ,  36 . The cylindrical component  34  is also referred to herein as a “female component” and the cylindrical component  36  is also referred to herein as a “male component.” The female component  34 , in accordance with one embodiment, has a connection component  38 , a spring receiving channel  40 , a protrusion  42  or “tang”, and an opening  44  in fluid communication with a hollow portion (not shown) in the component  38 .  
         [0017]     The male component  36 , according to one embodiment, has a connection component  46 , a first or “small” portion  48 , a second or “large” portion  50 , and a spring receiving channel  52 . The first portion  48  has a diameter that is smaller than the second portion  50  such that the male component  36  has a shoulder  54 . The shoulder  54  has a protrusion  56  or extending toward the small portion  48 .  
         [0018]     When assembled, the two cylindrical components  34 ,  36  according to one embodiment are coupled together such that the small portion  48  of the male component  36  is inserted into the opening  44  of the female component  34  and the tang  42  of the female component  34  contacts the shoulder  56  of the male component  36 . The spring  32  is positioned such that the spring  32  encircles at least a portion of the two cylindrical components  34 ,  36  and one end of the spring  32  is inserted into the spring receiving channel  40  and the other end of the spring  32  is inserted into the spring receiving channel  52 , as best shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]     The connection components  38 ,  46  depicted in  FIG. 2  are “D-shaped” protrusions  38 ,  46 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. That is, each protrusion  38 ,  46  has a substantially circular profile that includes a flat portion such that the profile of the protrusion  38 ,  46  looks somewhat like a “D”. The protrusions  38 ,  46  are configured to connect or “mate” snugly with corresponding holes in the components (not shown) intended to be connected to the spring assembly  30 . Alternatively, the connection components  38 ,  46  are any known components for connection to devices or components (not shown) of a device intended to be connected to the spring assembly  30 .  
         [0020]     Each spring receiving channel  40 ,  52  is configured to receive one end of the spring  32 . According to one embodiment as depicted, each channel  40 ,  52  is a channel-shaped opening that is positioned longitudinally on the side of each component  34 ,  36  and is almost as long as each component  34 ,  36 . This configuration allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the apparatus. Alternatively, each channel  40 ,  52  can be any opening of any shape that allows for receiving and retaining an end of the spring  32 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts the operable coupling of female  70  and male  72  components of an assembly  68  in which no spring is shown. The components  70 ,  72  are coupled such that the protrusion  74  on the male component  72  is in contact with the end  76  of the female component  70  and the tang  78  of the female component  76  is in contact with the shoulder  80  of the male component  72 . In this configuration, the components  70 ,  72  can be rotated in relation to each other, but only until the tang  78  and the protrusion  74 , which are positioned along substantially the same axis, come into contact with each other. That is, the tang  78  and the protrusion  74  prevent the components  70 ,  72  from rotating a full 360° in relation to each other. As either component  70 ,  72  is rotated in relation to the other, the tang  78  and the protrusion  74  eventually come into contact, preventing further rotation.  
         [0022]     The configuration of the spring assembly  68  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3  creates a preload, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. “Preload” is spring-created tension that exists while the spring is not in use or prior to use. In one aspect of the invention, the coupling of the two components  70 ,  72  as discussed above provides the preload. That is, to provide a preload, the assembly  68  is configured such that when a spring is added to the assembly  68  as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , one end of the spring is inserted into the spring receiving channel  82  and the other is inserted into the spring receiving channel  84  such that a tension is created upon insertion of both ends. The tension causes the components  70 ,  72  to rotate in relation to one another until the tang  78  and the protrusion  74  come into contact, thereby preventing further rotation and preventing the spring from releasing the tension. Thus, the tension is maintained as preload. In an alternative embodiment, any known coupling that prevents full 360 degree rotation of the male and female components in relation to one another and thereby creates a preload when operably coupled to a spring can be implemented into the spring assembly of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  depicts a spring assembly  100  according to one embodiment that is operably coupled to components  110 ,  112  to be placed under torsion tension. In this non-limiting example, the components  110 ,  112  are components of a knee brace. The spring assembly  100  has a spring  102  and two cylindrical components  104 ,  106 . The cylindrical component  104  has a connection component  108  to which component  112  is coupled. The cylindrical component  106  is coupled to component  110  via a connection component (not shown). As depicted in  FIG. 4  solely for exemplary purposes, the preload created by the spring assembly  100  creates sufficient force to cause component  110  to be suspended above the flat surface on which the assembly  100  rests.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  depicts a schematic representation of a spring assembly  120  that is operably coupled to a knee brace, according to one aspect of the present invention. The spring assembly  120  has a female component  122 , a male component  124 , and a spring  126 . The male component  124  has a first portion (shown schematically with broken lines at  128 ) that is positioned within the female component  122 , a second portion  130 , and a connection component  138 . The male component  124  also has a spring receiving channel shown schematically with broken lines at  134 . The female component  122  has an opening (not shown) in which the first portion  128  has been positioned, a spring receiving channel  140 , and connection component  136 . The spring  126  encircles portions of the male  124  and female  122  components and has a first end  142  engageably positioned in the spring receiving channel  140  in the female component  122  and a second end depicted schematically with broken lines at  144  engageably positioned in the spring receiving channel  134  in the male component  124 . Components  146 ,  148 ,  150 ,  152  of the knee brace are operably coupled at the connection components  136 ,  138  to the spring assembly  120 . According to one embodiment, two opposing components (that is, positioned on opposing connection components and also on opposite sides of the spring assembly  120 ) have “D-shaped” apertures that engageably mate with the “D-shaped” connection components  136 ,  138  while the other two components have circular apertures that allow for insertion of the connection components  136 ,  138  but do not engageably mate with the components  136 ,  138  (and thus are not placed under torsion force by the spring assembly  120 ). For example, according to one embodiment, component  148  and component  150  have engaging “D-shaped” apertures such that each of the components  148 ,  150  are placed under torsion force by the spring assembly  120  while components  146 ,  152  have circular apertures such that neither of the components  146 ,  152  is placed under torsion force by the spring assembly  120 . Alternatively, components  146 ,  152  can have the “D-shaped” apertures and components  148 ,  150  can have the circular apertures.  
         [0025]     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  depicts a schematic representation of a spring assembly that is operably coupled to an exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus, according to one embodiment, is any known exercise device that utilizes or might be able to utilize a spring assembly with a preload. In a further alternative, spring assemblies of the present invention can also be used with any other device or component known to require or be able to utilize a torsional spring.  
         [0026]     In a further embodiment,  FIG. 6  depicts a schematic representation of a spring assembly  160  of the present invention that is operably coupled to a limb protection apparatus  162 . The limb protection apparatus  162 , according to one embodiment, is a leg guard or shin guard such as, for example, a leg guard warn by a baseball catcher or a shin guard worn by a soccer player. Alternatively, the apparatus  162  is any known limb protection apparatus that utilizes or might be able to utilize a spring assembly with a preload.  
         [0027]     According to one embodiment, the combination of the spring assembly  160  with a limb protection apparatus  162  in  FIG. 6  provides not only limb protection but also some benefits of a leg brace as well. That is, the combination results in both protection and support or bracing benefits for the limb.  
         [0028]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0