Patent ID: 7128725

Claim:
An ankle brace comprising: a rigid U-shaped member sized to fit under a foot, the rigid U-shaped member having medial and lateral elements for extending along medial and lateral sides of a leg to support the inner and outer surfaces of an ankle and leg of an individual; inner and outer layers surrounding the rigid member and forming a body having a foot portion with a forward edge defining a toe aperture, and a footbed, and a leg portion with an upper edge, and rear edges extending from the upper edge to the footbed, the body having side areas adjacent the medial and lateral elements of the U-shaped member and, a flexible front area; a flexible heel portion that extends rearward of the intersection of the rear edges of the leg portion and the footbed; and a fastening strap connectable about the body to retain the brace on the foot, ankle and leg of an individual.