Patent ID: 7235059

Claim:
A hinge for an orthopedic brace comprising: a first rotation plate having a first peripheral edge, an inner face and an outer face; a second rotation plate having a second peripheral edge; a pivotal connector connecting said first and second rotation plates; a rotation limiting mechanism including, a series of rotation limiting teeth formed in said inner face at said first peripheral edge, a rotation limiting face formed in said second peripheral edge, and a rotation limiting assembly having an engagement face selectively positionable between two adjacent teeth of said series of said teeth to place said rotation limiting assembly in a fixed position and having a stop face engageable with said rotation limiting face upon rotation of said second rotation plate relative to said first rotation plate in a first rotation direction to substantially limit further rotation of said second rotation plate relative to said first rotation plate in said first rotation direction; and a rotation locking mechanism including, a series of lock notches formed in said second peripheral edge, a lock pin slot formed in said inner face, and a rotation lock pin slidably positioned in said lock pin slot and selectively positionable within one of said series of lock notches to substantially lock said first and second rotation plates against rotation of said second rotation plate relative to said first rotation plate in said first rotation direction or in a second rotation direction opposite said first rotation direction.