Patent ID: 7118543

Claim:
An orthosis apparatus, comprising: a first segment conforming to a first region of a patient's body; a second segment conforming to a second region of the patient's body; and a closure system comprising: a first connector member having a first plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels, each of the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels being formed by C-shaped walls spaced from a plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances, the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels being operatively connected to the first segment and respectively extending around the corresponding plurality of teardrop-shaped protuberances; a second connector member having a second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels, each of the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels being formed by C-shaped walls spaced from a plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances, the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels being operatively connected to the second segment and respectively extending around the corresponding plurality of teardrop-shaped protuberances; and an elongated flexible pull member operatively extending through, and guided by, the first and second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels to provide a mechanical force when tightened by the patient to adjust the position of the first segment relative to that of the second segment, wherein the C-shaped walls forming the first plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels extend to an edge of the first connector member wherein the elongated flexible pull member is received, and wherein the C-shaped walls forming the second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels extend to an edge of the second connector member wherein the elongated flexible pull member is received, so that the C-shaped walls and the plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances restrict movement of the flexible pull member within the first and second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels.