Strapping system for securing an orthopedic brace to the body
Inventors
Hollister, Matthew T. • Fout, James M. • Oaks, Serena N.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10624775-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A strapping system for retaining a rigid support member of an orthopedic brace in a desired utilitarian position on a body of a wearer is provided which includes a strap having a first strap end, a second strap end and an intermediate strap point between the strap ends. The strap is operatively configured to follow a strap path having a first connection point, a second connection point and a third connection point sequentially positioned on the support member. The first strap end is attached to the first connection point and the strap extends from the first connection point around the body of the wearer to the second connection point where the intermediate strap point is attached thereto. The strap is redirected at the second connection point in an opposing direction and extends back around the body of the wearer to the third connection point where the second strap end is attached thereto.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an orthopedic brace strapping system, including a strap and a rigid support member having first strap connector, second strap connector, and third strap connector. The rigid support member uses a connector geometry in which the first and third strap connectors are linearly aligned to define a first-third strap connector line segment, and the strap has a fitted first strap end, a fitted second strap end, and a fitted intermediate strap connection point.
In the operative configuration, the first strap segment, the second strap segment, and the first-third strap connector line segment in combination define a triangular shape, and the first and second strap segment lengths have a sum defining a strap length. The strapping system selectively transitions between an operative configuration adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer and a non-operative configuration adapted to be off any body of any wearer, with the strap connection member slidably engaging the fitted intermediate strap connection point and releasably attached to the second strap connector.
When in the operative configuration, the strap is adapted to wrap around the body and retain the rigid support member in engagement with the body. When the strap connection member is detached from the second strap connector, the strap unwraps and the rigid support member disengages from the body, and the system transitions back and forth by re-engaging the rigid support member and re-wrapping the strap while releasably re-attaching the strap connection member to the second strap connector. The fitted first strap end remains substantially attached to the first strap connector and the fitted second strap end remains substantially attached to the third strap connector during transition.
In a thigh strapping application for an orthopedic hip brace, a thigh strap retains the rigid support member in a desired utilitarian position on a thigh of a wearer using the same connector alignment and triangular strap-segment relationship. The thigh strapping system transitions between an operative configuration worn on the thigh and a non-operative configuration off the thigh, and the intermediate connection point is releasably attached to the second strap connector in the operative configuration while the strap connection member detaches in the non-operative configuration.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims provided are four: clm-00001, clm-00016, clm-00020, and clm-00021. They center on a strap/rigid-support-member connection architecture with linearly aligned first and third strap connectors and an operative-to-non-operative transition via a releasably attached, slidably engaging strap connection member; clm-00016 additionally covers fit adjustment and multiple operative fitted configurations, and clm-00020/21 tailor the configuration to a limb/hip-joint context.
Operative to non-operative transition by detaching a slidably engaging strap connection member
The strapping system selectively transitions between an operative configuration adapted to be worn on a body of a wearer and a non-operative configuration adapted to be off any body of any wearer, wherein in the operative configuration the strap connection member slidably engages the fitted intermediate strap connection point and is releasably attached to the second strap connector, and in the non-operative configuration the strap connection member is detached from the second strap connector to effect detachment of the strap, unwrapping of the strap, and disengagement of the rigid support member from the body.
Triangular strap geometry defined by linearly aligned first and third strap connectors
The rigid support member has first strap connector, second strap connector, and third strap connector, wherein the first and third strap connectors are linearly aligned to define a first-third strap connector line segment, and in the operative configuration the first strap segment, second strap segment, and the first-third strap connector line segment in combination define a triangular shape, with the first strap segment length and the second strap segment length having a sum defining a strap length.
Maintained attachment of first strap end and third-connector second strap end during transition
During transition from the operative configuration to the non-operative configuration, the fitted first strap end remains substantially attached to the first strap connector and the strap connection member slidably engages the strap while the fitted second strap end remains substantially attached to the third strap connector.
Multi-configuration transition including fit adjustment by uncoupling a free second strap end and re-positioning strap connection member
The strapping system is adapted to selectively transition between a first fitted operative configuration, a second fitted operative configuration, a non-operative configuration, and a fit adjustment configuration, wherein in the first fitted operative configuration a free second strap end is threaded through the third strap connector, doubled back, and releasably coupled via the strap coupler, and in the fit adjustment configuration the free second strap end is uncoupled and the third strap connector and the strap connection member slidably engage the strap to adjust a fit by repositioning the strap connection member and thereby fixing a selected strap length.
Brace on opposite sides of a rotatable joint using a rotatable hinge
In the operative configuration, a first rigid support member is positioned on a first side of a rotatable joint of the body in engagement with the limb and is rotationally displaceable about the rotatable joint, a second rigid support member is positioned on a second side opposite the first side in engagement with the body, and a rotatable hinge is positioned adjacent the rotatable joint and rotates in correspondence with rotation of the rotatable joint, with the first rigid support member rotationally displaceable about the rotatable hinge relative to the second rigid support member.
Thigh strapping system for retaining a rigid support member in a desired utilitarian position
A thigh strapping system for retaining a rigid support member of an orthopedic hip brace in a desired utilitarian position on a thigh of a wearer comprising a thigh strap with fitted first strap end, fitted second strap end, and fitted intermediate strap connection point, a strap connection member slidably engaging the thigh strap and releasably attached to the second strap connector in the operative configuration, and a rigid support member with first strap connector, second strap connector, and third strap connector configured to define the triangular strap geometry; wherein the system transitions between an operative configuration worn on the thigh and a non-operative configuration off the thigh by detaching the strap connection member from the second strap connector to unwrap the thigh strap and disengage the rigid support member.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a strap with fitted ends and an intermediate strap connection point, a strap connection member that slidably engages the strap and releasably attaches to a second strap connector to keep a rigid support member engaged in an operative configuration, and detachment of that connection member to transition to a non-operative configuration while maintaining attachment of the first strap end to the first strap connector and the second strap end to the third strap connector. Additional coverage in clm-00016 includes fit adjustment configuration and multiple fitted operative configurations for different bodies, and clm-00020/21 specify placement relative to a rotatable joint and a thigh hip-brace application.
Stated Advantages
Improved hinge position control.
Avoidance of crotch irritation.
Load transfer/distribution from the hinge to the waist belt and thigh.
Ease of tension adjustment.
Ease of brace donning/doffing with attachment/detachment at a single point.
Documented Applications
Orthopedic brace strapping system shown for a hip brace with a thigh strapping system retaining a rigid support member in a desired utilitarian position on a thigh of a wearer.
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