Patent ID: 7984531

Claim:
A ratchet hinge for an orthosis comprising: a first strut pivotably connected between a pair of plates, each plate having a plurality of ratchets on an outer periphery; and a locking slot adjacent the ratchets on the outer periphery of each plate; a second strut connected to the plates; a locking assembly disposed within the first strut; and the locking assembly having a spring loaded locking pin that engages both plates to selectively position the hinge; wherein the hinge has three positions, a locked position where the locking pin is received in the locking slot of each plate such that motion is restricted in both directions, a ratcheting position where the locking pin engages the ratchets of each plate such that motion is restricted to one direction, and a free position where the locking pin is free from engagement with the ratchets and the locking slot of each plate such that motion is unrestricted in both directions.