IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0453061
(2012-04-23)
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등록번호 |
US-8672864
(2014-03-18)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Nordt, III, William E.
- Kovacevich, Ian D.
- Dahlquist, Kevin J.
- Philpott, Thomas J.
- Huneycutt, Jason
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Nordt Development Co., LLC
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
204 |
초록
▼
A body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprises an elastically stretchable framework. The framework includes an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments. A first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework, and
A body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprises an elastically stretchable framework. The framework includes an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments. A first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework, and a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework. One of the plurality of permanent openings comprises an alignment opening. None of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset.
대표청구항
▼
1. A body support for spanning a hinge joint of a body comprising an elastically stretchable framework, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments, (a) wherein a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of th
1. A body support for spanning a hinge joint of a body comprising an elastically stretchable framework, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments, (a) wherein a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework;(b) wherein a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework, one of the plurality of permanent openings comprising an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, the alignment opening serving to maintain the body support in a proper orientation relative to the hinge joint when the body support is worn;(c) wherein none of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset;(d) wherein the framework comprises a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side, a maximum width measurement of the framework, measured from the left side to the right side when not stretched, being less than a maximum height measurement of the framework, measured from the top side to the bottom side when not stretched;(e) wherein the framework is sized and dimensioned to abut the area of the body and span the hinge joint without overlapping itself; and(f) wherein the framework is capable of lying generally flat. 2. The body support of claim 1, further comprising an alignment member contoured to receive a joint protuberance of the hinge joint for which the alignment opening is dimensioned to receive, the alignment member being entirely separable from the framework. 3. The body support of claim 2, wherein the alignment member is configured to be removably secured to the framework via interlocking engagement of a channel defined by the alignment member with segments of the second subset that bound and define the alignment opening. 4. The body support of claim 2, wherein the alignment member comprises a ring, such that pressure is applied to the area of the body by the alignment ring along a perimeter of the alignment member. 5. The body support of claim 1, further comprising two strut members attached to the framework such that each strut member spans the hinge joint of the body when the framework is disposed in abutment with the area of the body, the strut members providing a measure of rigidity to the framework in the direction of their respective lengths. 6. The body support of claim 5, wherein each respective strut member includes an intermediate portion thereof spanning the hinge joint that is expandable and recoverable between a first initial state and extended states wherein, when expanded to one of the extended states during flexing of the hinge joint, the respective strut member stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to the initial state. 7. A body support for spanning a hinge joint of a body comprising an elastically stretchable framework, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments, (a) wherein a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework;(b) wherein a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework, one of the permanent openings comprising an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, the alignment opening serving to maintain the support in a proper orientation relative to the hinge joint when the support is worn;(c) wherein none of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset;(d) wherein the body support further comprises one or more attachment openings on opposite sides of the body support, an attachment opening on each side being configured for securement of a fastening component thereto;(e) wherein the body support further comprises one or more fastening components secured via the attachment openings for removably securing the framework in abutment with an area of the body including the body such that the framework is tensioned and generally conforms to the area of the body including the body; and(f) wherein the framework is capable of lying generally flat. 8. The body support of claim 7, wherein the framework is configured for abutment with the area of the body without overlapping itself. 9. The body support of claim 7, further comprising an alignment member contoured to receive a joint protuberance of the hinge joint for which the alignment opening is dimensioned to receive, the alignment member being entirely separable from the framework. 10. The body support of claim 9, wherein the alignment member is configured to be removably secured to the framework via interlocking engagement of a channel defined by the alignment member with segments of the second subset of the framework that bound and define the alignment opening. 11. The body support of claim 7, wherein two strut members are attached to the framework such that each strut member spans the hinge joint of the body when the framework is disposed in abutment with the area of the body spanning the hinge joint of the body, the strut members providing a measure of rigidity to the framework in the direction of their respective lengths. 12. The body support of claim 11, wherein each respective strut member includes an intermediate portion thereof spanning the hinge joint that is expandable and recoverable between a first initial state and extended states wherein, when expanded to one of the extended states during flexing of the hinge joint, the respective strut member stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to the initial state. 13. A body support for spanning a hinge joint of a body, comprising an elastically stretchable framework, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments, (a) wherein a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework;(b) wherein a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework, one of the permanent openings comprising an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, the alignment opening serving to maintain the support in a proper orientation relative to the hinge joint when the support is worn;(c) wherein none of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset;(d) wherein a hinging area of the framework is configured to span the hinge joint of the body when the framework is disposed in abutment with the area of the body;(e) wherein the body support further comprises fastening components configured to separately apply tension at locations above and below the hinging area on opposite sides of the framework;(f) wherein the framework is expandable in directions of tension applied at the tensioning locations; and(g) wherein the framework is capable of lying generally flat. 14. The body support of claim 13, wherein: (a) the body support further comprises a pair of strut members attached to the framework such that each strut member spans the hinge joint of the body when the framework is disposed in abutment with the area of the body spanning the hinge joint of the body, the strut members providing a measure of rigidity to the framework in the direction of their respective lengths;(b) each strut member comprises a double-hinge mechanism, each double-hinge mechanism being at least partially embedded in a material of the framework proximate a respective one of left and right sides of the framework, and each double-hinge mechanism including a middle component and end components connected to the middle component on opposite sides of the middle component such that each end component is rotatable between different angles relative to the middle component; and(c) the middle component of each double-hinge mechanism is configured to extend with the framework across the hinge joint, such that the double-hinge mechanism is operable adjacent, and on opposite sides of, the hinge joint of the body. 15. The body support of claim 14, further comprising an alignment member contoured to receive a joint protuberance of the hinge joint for which the alignment opening is dimensioned to receive, the alignment member being entirely separable from the framework. 16. The body support of claim 15, wherein the alignment member is configured to be removably secured to the framework via interlocking engagement of a channel defined by the alignment member with segments of the second subset that bound and define the alignment opening. 17. The body support of claim 15, wherein the alignment member comprises a ring, such that pressure is applied to the area of the body by the alignment ring along a perimeter of the alignment member. 18. The body support of claim 14, wherein each respective strut member includes an intermediate portion thereof spanning the hinge joint that is expandable and recoverable between a first initial state and extended states wherein, when expanded to one of the extended states during flexing of the hinge joint, the respective strut member stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to the initial state.
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