Orthopedic brace having a support member and an adapted pad
Inventors
Hollister, Matthew T. • Hansen, Christian L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9724226-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An orthopedic brace is provided having a pliable pad and a rigid support member. The pad is fabricated from a laminate and has an integrally formed raised region and mesh section. The mesh section has a plurality of void spaces extending through the laminate which freely permit air flow therethrough. The support member has an open ventilation window extending through it which freely permits air flow therethrough. The support member overlays the pad with the ventilation window aligned with the underlying mesh section to freely permit air flow through the support member and pad via the aligned ventilation window and mesh section.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an orthopedic brace that includes a pliable pad fabricated from a laminate and a rigid support member that overlays the pliable pad. Both the pliable pad and the rigid support member are areally segmented into a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion lacking any through-voids or open ventilation windows extending entirely through the respective thickness, and therefore preventing free air flow through the brace.
In contrast, the second portion of the pliable pad consists essentially of one or more mesh sections integrally formed in the laminate, where each mesh section includes a plurality of void spaces extending entirely through the second portion from the first face to the second face of the pliable pad. The second portion therefore freely permits air flow through the pliable pad, and the second portion of the rigid support member consists essentially of one or more open ventilation windows extending entirely through the second portion from one face to the other, freely permitting air flow through the rigid support member.
The rigid support member overlays the pliable pad such that the second portion of the rigid support member is aligned with essentially the entirety of the second portion of the pliable pad to permit air flow through the second portion of the rigid support member and the second portion of the pliable pad in series. Similarly, the first portion of the rigid support member is aligned with essentially the entirety of the first portion of the pliable pad to prevent free air flow through the first portion of the rigid support member and the first portion of the pliable pad in series.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims presented include three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00012, clm-00017). Each independent claim covers the same overall inventive concept of a segmented laminate pliable pad and a segmented rigid support member whose first portions prevent free air flow and whose second portions provide aligned, through-voids or open ventilation windows to freely permit air flow in series.
Segmented laminate air control with through-void mesh
A pliable pad fabricated from a laminate, areally segmented into a first portion lacking any void spaces extending entirely through from a first face to a second face, and a second portion consisting essentially of one or more mesh sections integrally formed in the laminate, each mesh section having a plurality of void spaces extending entirely through the second portion from the first face to the second face to freely permit air flow through the second portion.
Segmented rigid support ventilation windows aligned with pad portions
A rigid support member having a first portion lacking any ventilation windows extending entirely through the first portion from a first face to a second face, and a second portion consisting essentially of one or more open ventilation windows extending entirely through the second portion from the first face to the second face to freely permit air flow through the second portion, wherein the rigid support member overlays the pliable pad and aligns the second portion with essentially the entirety of the second portion of the pliable pad to permit air flow in series.
First raised-region flexion and laminate external/internal/posterior layer construction
A pliable pad having a posterior face and an anterior face fabricated from a laminate having an anterior external layer formed from a first flexible material, an internal layer formed from an elastically compressible material, and a posterior external layer formed from a second flexible material; the pad is areally segmented into a first portion with a first raised region, a second raised region separated by a flexion channel substantially thinner than the raised regions, and a second portion consisting essentially of one or more mesh sections integrally formed in the laminate and substantially thinner than the raised regions, where the first portion lacks void spaces extending entirely through and the second portion includes void spaces extending entirely through to freely permit air flow.
Thickness relationship for air-permitting mesh portion
A pliable pad fabricated from a laminate including a layer of an elastically compressible foam, wherein the first portion includes a raised region having a first pad thickness and lacks any void spaces extending entirely through the first portion to prevent free air flow, and wherein the second portion consists essentially of one or more mesh sections integrally formed in the laminate having a second pad thickness substantially less than the first pad thickness, each mesh section having a plurality of void spaces extending entirely through the second portion to freely permit air flow.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a laminate-based pliable pad and a rigid support member that are areally segmented so that aligned second portions provide through openings for freely permitting air flow while first portions prevent free air flow.
Stated Advantages
Allows free air flow through the second portion of the pliable pad and through the second portion of the rigid support member when aligned.
Prevents free air flow through the first portion of the pliable pad and through the first portion of the rigid support member when aligned.
Documented Applications
Orthopedic knee brace applications including both upper and lower pads as supported embodiments described in the partial content.
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