Patent ID: 7479122

Claim:
A frame for an orthopedic brace comprising: a frame assembly including a first longitudinal support and a second longitudinal support rotatably connected by a rotational hinge, said first longitudinal support including a first frame member, a second frame member, and a first offset hinge connecting said first and second frame members, wherein said first offset hinge has a greater degree of flexibility than said first and second frame members; an opposing frame assembly including a first opposing longitudinal support having a rigid unitary structure and a second opposing longitudinal support rotatably connected by an opposing rotational hinge, wherein said first longitudinal support has a greater degree of flexibility than said first opposing longitudinal support; a frame assembly member connecting said first longitudinal support and said first opposing longitudinal support, wherein said frame assembly member is rigidly connected to said first opposing longitudinal support; and a second offset hinge included in said first longitudinal support connecting said second frame member and said frame assembly member, said second offset hinge having a greater degree of flexibility than said second frame member and said frame assembly member to flexibly connect said frame assembly member to said first longitudinal support.