IPC분류정보
| 국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
| 국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
| 출원번호 |
UP-0421997
(2009-04-10)
|
| 등록번호 |
US-7846115
(2011-01-31)
|
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Seligman, Scott
- Strobel, Michael
|
| 출원인 / 주소 |
|
| 대리인 / 주소 |
|
| 인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
11 인용 특허 :
27 |
초록
▼
A motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the
A motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. The spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the actuator away from the spring member, and tending to bias the arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. A movable fulcrum enables adjustment of a force exerted by the spring member on the actuator. A variety of differently sized adapters are securable to the actuator. The size of the adapter determines the flexion angle at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A hinge for an orthopedic brace, comprising: a hinge plate; a first arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; a second arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; an actuator secured to the second arm; and a spring member; wherein as the arms pivot in a flexion direction such t
What is claimed is: 1. A hinge for an orthopedic brace, comprising: a hinge plate; a first arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; a second arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; an actuator secured to the second arm; and a spring member; wherein as the arms pivot in a flexion direction such that an angle between them increases, once the arms reach a desired flexion angle, the spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the second arm in an extension direction opposite the flexion direction. 2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the spring member comprises at least one flat bar. 3. The hinge of claim 2, wherein the spring member comprises three flat bars. 4. The hinge of claim 3, wherein the hinge plate supports a fixed end of the spring member, restraining the fixed end against translation along a first axis. 5. The hinge of claim 4, wherein as the arms pivot in the flexion direction, the actuator contacts a free end of the spring member, flexing the spring member. 6. The hinge of claim 5, further comprising a fulcrum located intermediate the fixed end and the free end of the spring member. 7. The hinge of claim 6, wherein the fulcrum, together with the hinge plate and the actuator, creates a three-point bending load on the spring member. 8. The hinge of claim 6, wherein the fulcrum is selectively positionable at a plurality of locations along the spring member. 9. The hinge of claim 8, wherein the hinge plate includes at least one aperture. 10. The hinge of claim 9, wherein the at least one aperture is adapted to receive the fulcrum. 11. The hinge of claim 9, wherein the at least one aperture includes internal threads. 12. The hinge of claim 11, wherein the fulcrum comprises a shaft including external threads, and the external threads engage the internal threads in the at least one aperture to secure the fulcrum within the aperture. 13. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising an adapter secured to the actuator. 14. The hinge of claim 13, wherein the adapter is positioned between the actuator and the spring member, such that the thickness of the adapter determines an angular position of the second arm at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator. 15. The hinge of claim 14, further comprising a bumper positioned between the actuator and the spring member. 16. The hinge of claim 15, wherein as the arms pivot in the flexion direction, the adapter contacts the bumper, which in turn contacts the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. 17. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate is a first hinge plate, and the hinge further comprises a second hinge plate spaced from the first hinge plate such that the arms are located between the first and second hinge plates. 18. An orthopedic brace including a hinge, the hinge comprising: a hinge plate; a first arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; a second arm pivotably secured to the hinge plate; an actuator secured to the second arm; and a spring member; wherein as the brace pivots toward full flexion, the spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the brace away from full flexion. 19. A method of adjusting a magnitude of a resistive force provided by a hinge, the method comprising the steps of: removing a fulcrum from a first aperture of a hinge plate of the hinge; translating the fulcrum along the hinge plate to a second aperture of the hinge plate; and securing the fulcrum within the second aperture; wherein the hinge moves freely through a preset flexion/extension range until the hinge reaches a preset flexion angle, θ, and in a range between θ and a maximum flexion angle of the hinge, the hinge resists further flexion with a resistive force that increases as the hinge moves from θ to the maximum flexion angle, and when the fulcrum is disposed in the first aperture the resistive force provided by the hinge lies within a first range, and when the fulcrum is disposed in the second aperture the resistive force provided by the hinge lies within a second range. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of translating the fulcrum changes a position of the fulcrum relative to at least one leaf spring associated with the hinge plate.
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