Patent ID: 8083701

Claim:
A multi-centric hinge orthopedic joint for use in limb braces to provide control of an upper limb relative to a lower limb, comprising: (a) an outer guide plate in which the outer guide plate includes two slot sets, each of upper and a lower curved slots, each set comprising slots of substantially equal length, each slot titled relative to the other in which a closest region therebetween exists at a posterior part of said plate and a farthest distance therebetween exists at an anterior part of said plate; (b) an inner guide plate, substantially a mirror image of said outer guide plate, in which said inner guide plate further includes two sets of upper and a lower curved slots, each set comprising slots of substantially like geometry to said slots of said outer plate, each slot of each set titled relative to the other in which a closest region therebetween exists at a posterior part of said plate and a farthest distance therebetween exists at an anterior part of said plate; (c) means for complementally connecting said outer guide plate to said inner guide plate; (d) an upper arm, including a distal and a proximal end, said proximal end of said arm further including a locking surface, said surface positioned between said inner and outer guide plates, for pivotal movement therebetween; (e) a lower arm, including a distal and proximal end, said proximal end of said arm further including a locking surface, said locking surface positioned between said inner and outer guide plates for pivotal movement therebetween; and (f) means for providing selectable pressure against said locking surfaces of said upper and lower arms to define a desired position of one relative to the other.