Anti-twist mechanism for a mechanical advantage tensioning device on an orthosis
Inventors
Cardinali, Mathew • Hollister, Matthew T.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9095418-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
An orthosis is provided having a mechanical advantage tensioning device with an anti-twist mechanism. The anti-twist mechanism includes first and second anti-twist members which have a reduced degree of pliability to resist twisting of the orthosis about the mechanical advantage tensioning device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an orthosis with a base support worn on a body of a user. The base support has a first mounting location and a second mounting location spaced apart by a mounting distance to define a gap, and a mechanical advantage tensioning device is cooperative with the base support to selectively provide a tensioned state and a relaxed state of the orthosis. In the tensioned state, the orthosis applies increased compression to the body of the user, and in the relaxed state it applies reduced compression.
The mechanical advantage tensioning device includes a first housing and a second housing, with a pliable tensioning line extending between the housings across the gap. Pulling the tensioning line in a tensioning direction achieves the tensioned state, and releasing the tensioning line achieves the relaxed state. The first and second housings maintain a substantially coplanar operational position when the orthosis is worn.
To maintain the operational plane and prevent twisting between the housings, the mechanical advantage tensioning device includes an anti-twist mechanism. The anti-twist mechanism has a first anti-twist member and a second anti-twist member with a relatively lower degree of pliability than the tensioning line, and the members occupy first and second coplanar anti-twist positions spaced apart in a same operational plane to provide relatively higher resistance to twisting away from the operational plane.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines an orthosis with a mechanical advantage tensioning device that selectively produces a tensioned state and a relaxed state, creating increased and reduced compression. It also specifies anti-twist resistance using two coplanar anti-twist members of lower pliability than the tensioning line, and it requires the housings to maintain a substantially coplanar operational position.
Orthosis with spaced mounting locations defining a gap
A base support worn on the body of a user has a first mounting location and a second mounting location spaced apart by a mounting distance to define a gap.
Mechanical advantage tensioning device producing tensioned and relaxed states
A mechanical advantage tensioning device cooperative with the base support selectively provides a tensioned state and a relaxed state, wherein increased compression is applied in the tensioned state and reduced compression is applied in the relaxed state.
First and second housings maintaining substantially coplanar operational position
A first housing and a second housing are mountable on the mounting locations and maintain a substantially coplanar operational position when the orthosis is worn.
Pliable tensioning line across the gap for pulling and releasing
A tensioning line having a relatively higher degree of pliability extends between the housings across the gap and achieves the tensioned state when pulled and the relaxed state when released.
Anti-twist mechanism with two coplanar low-pliability anti-twist members
An anti-twist mechanism includes a first anti-twist member and a second anti-twist member having a relatively lower degree of pliability than the tensioning line, occupying coplanar anti-twist positions in the same operational plane and providing relatively higher resistance to twisting away from the operational plane.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an orthosis that uses a mechanical advantage tensioning device to create increased and reduced compression via a pulled and released pliable tensioning line between two housings. The claim also requires anti-twist resistance through two coplanar anti-twist members of lower pliability that resist twisting of one housing relative to the other away from the operational plane.
Stated Advantages
Provides increased compression in a tensioned state and reduced compression in a relaxed state.
Provides relatively higher resistance to twisting of a first housing relative to a second housing away from the operational plane.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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