WO2007149489A2

WO2007149489A2 - Ankle brace

Info

Publication number: WO2007149489A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/014387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Urban Geiwald; Daniel Cram
Original assignee: Winds Enterprises, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-06-19
Filing date: 2007-06-19
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: WO2007149489A3

Abstract

An ankle brace includes a rigid inner section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an inner side of the ankle, a rigid outer section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an outer side of the ankle, and a bottom section extending between the inner section and the outer section. The ankle brace further includes a flexible portion configured to substantially correspond to a contour of the outer side of the ankle, the flexible portion being coupled to the bottom section and the outer section.

Description

ANKLE BRACE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S )

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/815,112, filed on June 19, 2006 and entitled "ANKLE BRACE" the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to foot support devices, and more particularly, to an ankle brace.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Persons engaging in athletic activities are regularly exposed to situations in which the possibility of bodily injury is high. Feet are particularly prone to injury because most athletic activities involve running or jumping. During a jump, a person's feet assume a relaxed state and pivot inward. Such pivoting is known as inversion. Upon landing, the person's feet may contact the ground while inverted. Accordingly, the person may twist his ankle during landing. Another factor that contributes to ankle injury is the relaxed state of the foot during inversion. The muscles of the foot may relax during a jump and contribute to the twisting of the ankle due to a lack of control over the movement of the ankle upon landing. The relaxed state of the foot may also cause injury to the knees and other parts of the legs. Accordingly, ankle injury can be caused by inversion of the foot and a lack of proprioception, which is the reception of stimuli by the ankle to keep the muscles of the ankle alert as to the inversion status of the foot. [0004] Various ankle braces are available to reduce foot and ankle injury. Such ankle braces generally fall into two categories, ankle braces that operate by tension and ankle braces that operate by flexion. The tension-type ankle braces are typically constructed from fabric. The fabric brace can be placed around the ankle and secured with elastic or non- elastic fabric tape. The flexion-type ankle braces are typically constructed from a rigid material that is shaped to hold the ankle and is tightened over the ankle by straps.

[0005] Tension-type ankle braces wrap around the foot and contact the skin of the wearer with some pressure. As result, tension-type ankle braces provide proprioception during inversion as such contact with the skin is increased. However, tension-type ankle braces are not rigid enough to substantially prevent inversion. On the other hand, flexion-type ankle braces substantially prevent inversion without providing enough proprioception.

[0006] In view of the above, there is a need for an ankle brace that can remedy one or more of the above described problems associated with current ankle braces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an ankle brace includes a rigid portion having a bottom section, an inner section extending upward from an inner end of the bottom section, and an outer section extending upward from an outer end of the bottom section. The ankle brace also includes a flexible portion coupled to the rigid portion and extending upward relative to the outer end of bottom section.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an ankle brace includes a rigid inner section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an inner side of the ankle, a rigid outer section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an outer side of the ankle, and a bottom section extending between the inner section and the outer section. The ankle brace further includes a flexible portion configured to substantially correspond to a contour of the inner side of the ankle, the flexible portion being coupled to the bottom section and the outer section. [0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an ankle brace includes a rigid portion having a bottom section, an inner section coupled to an inner end of the bottom section with a curved inner side portion and extending upward from the curved inner side portion, the inner section configured to correspond to a contour of an inner side of the ankle, and an outer section coupled to an outer end of the bottom section with a curved outer side portion and extending upward from the curved outer side portion, the outer section configured to correspond to a contour of an outer side of the ankle. The ankle brace also includes a flexible portion configured to substantially correspond to a contour of the inner side of the ankle, the flexible portion being coupled to the bottom section and the outer section. The ankle brace further includes at least one upper fastener attached to an upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple to the upper portions of the inner section and the outer section, and at least one lower fastener configured to couple the inner section to the outer section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outer side of a foot with an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner side of a foot with an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a foot with an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. [0015] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a foot schematically showing one aspect of the operation of an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear perspective view an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an ankle brace constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an ankle brace 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is shown. The ankle brace 10 includes a rigid portion 12 having a bottom section 14, an inner section 16 that extends upward from an inner end 17 of the bottom section 14, and an outer section 18 that extends upward from the outer end 19 of the bottom section 14. The ankle brace 10 also includes a flexible portion 20 that is coupled to the bottom section 14 and extends upward from the outer end 19 of the bottom section 14. The flexible portion 20 is also coupled to an upper portion 21 of the outer section 18. In one embodiment, the rigid portion 12 is insert-comolded to the flexible portion 20. As will be described in detail in the following, when the ankle brace 10 is worn on a foot 22, the rigid portion 12 can substantially prevent inversion, which is the pivoting of the ankle 23 inward during a jump, and supports the ankle 23 upon landing thereon from the jump. The flexible portion 20 can provide proprioception, which is stimulating the muscles of the ankle 23 during inversion.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the rigid portion 12 may be constructed as a one-piece rigid portion 12 having the bottom section 14, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 forming a continuous and generally U-shaped part. To accommodate the shape of the foot 22 at the transition area between the bottom of the foot 22 and the inner side of the foot 22, the rigid portion 12 includes a generally arcuate inner side portion 30 that provides a smooth transition from the bottom section 14 to the inner section 16. Similarly, to accommodate the shape of the foot 22 at the transition area between the bottom of the foot 22 and the outer side of the foot 22, the rigid portion 12 includes a generally arcuate outer side portion 32 that provides smooth transition from the bottom section 14 to the outer section 18. Because of the general U-shape of the rigid portion 12, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 can flex relative to the bottom section 12 at the inner side portion 30 and the outer side portion 32, respectively. The flexing of the rigid portion 12 prior to the rigid portion 12 being fastened to a foot 22 allows the rigid portion 12 to accommodate various foot and ankle sizes.

[0020] The outer section 18 extends upward from the outer side portion 32 in a forwardly curved configuration to prevent interference with the malleolus 33, which is the bony protuberance on either side of the ankle, at the lower end of the fibula or of the tibula. Similarly, the inner section 16 extends upward from the inner side portion 30 in a rearwardly curved configuration to prevent interference with the malleolus 33. From the forwardly curved portion 36, the outer section 18 extends upward along a front portion of the ankle 23. From the rearwardly curved portion 38, the inner section 16 extends upward along a rear portion of the ankle 23. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the rigid portion 12 has a twisted

U-shape so as to provide pivoting support for both the front and rear part of the ankle 23 by the outer section 18 and the inner section 16, respectively.

[0021] The bottom section 14, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 can be constructed in various widths and cross sections. In the disclosed example, however, the cross sectional curvatures of the bottom section 14, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 can vary so as to correspond to the contours of portions of the foot 22 where these sections contact when the ankle brace 10 is used. Additionally, depending on the portions of the foot 22 where these sections contact and the functions of these portions, the width thereof may vary. For example, the width of the upper parts of the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 can increase as they extend upward along the ankle 23 so as to provide a wider contact area for the rigid portion 12 to be secured to the ankle 23. In another example, portions of the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 that curve around the malleolus 33 may be narrower than other portions thereof to prevent interference with the malleolus 33. [0022] The rigid portion 12 can be constructed from a rigid material that is thin and light weight and can be manufactured in a shape described herein or in a shape in order to provide the functionality described herein. In the disclosed example, the rigid portion is constructed from Nylon or Polypropylene. Accordingly, the rigid portion 12 can be constructed as a one- piece molded part. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the rigid portion 12 relatively rigid to provide the function thereof as described herein. Accordingly, the rigid portion 12 remains substantially rigid when encountering the forces associated with its use as part of the disclosed ankle brace.

[0023] The flexible portion 20 is attached to the bottom section 14 and extends outward from the bottom section 14 and the upward relative to the bottom section 14. In an unflexed state, the flexible portion 20 has a rearwardly curved configuration so as to not interfere with the malleolus 33. From the rearwardly curved portion 35, the flexible portion 20 extends upward toward the upper portion 21 of the outer section 18 and is attached to the upper portion 21 of the outer section 18. Thus, the flexible portion 20 extends forward from the rearwardly curved portion thereof to meet and attach to the upper portion 21 of the outer section 18. [0024] The flexible portion 20 can be constructed in various widths and cross sections.

In the disclosed example, however, the cross sectional curvatures of the flexible portion 20 at various locations thereof can correspond to the contours of portions of the foot 22 where these locations contact. Additionally, depending on the portions of the foot 22 where these locations contact the width thereof may vary. For example, the width of the upper parts of the flexible portion 20 as the flexible portion 20 extends upward to meet and attach to the outer section 18 may be greater than other parts of the flexible portion 20. In another example, a portion of the flexible portion 20 that curves around the malleolus 33 while in the unflexed state may be narrower than another portion thereof to prevent interference with the malleolus 33. The flexible portion 20 is constructed from a material that is more flexible and/or elastic than the rigid portion 12. In the disclosed example, the flexible portion 20 can be constructed from thermoplastic rubber, or an elastomeric material, that has low stretch and permits flexing or bending. [0025] As shown in Figure 5, when the ankle brace 10 is worn on the foot 22, it wraps around the heel 37 and extends upward along the ankle 23. To secure the ankle brace 10 to the foot 22, the ankle brace 10 includes a pair of upper straps 40 that hold the upper part of the ankle brace 10 against the user's ankle 23. The ankle brace 10 also includes a lower strap 42 that is connected to the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 and extends over the foot 22 to secure the ankle brace 10 to the lower part of the ankle 23. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 include a plurality of upper apertures 44 that are sized to receive the upper straps 40. Additionally, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 include a pair of lower apertures 46 that are sized to receive the lower strap 42. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper straps 40 are attached to an upper backside 39 of the flexible portion 20. The attachment may be with adhesive or stitching, the latter of which is shown in FIG. 7 at F. The upper straps 40 then extend around the back part of the ankle 23 and traverse through the upper apertures 44 of the inner section 16. Thus, the upper straps 40 are not attached to the inner section 16, but when tightened can move the inner section 16 toward the upper part of the ankle 23 and secure the inner section 16 to the upper part of the ankle 23. The upper straps 40 then extend around the front portion of the ankle through the upper apertures 44 of the outer section 18. At this point, the upper straps 40 are secured to the outer section 18. As shown in FIG. 8, this may be accomplished by the ends 48 of the upper straps 40 being looped around the upper apertures 44 of the outer section 18 and secured to the upper straps 40 by any kind of fastening system such as Velcro®, hook and loop, button, or the like.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower strap 42 is pivotally coupled to the lower apertures 46 of the inner section 16. This pivotal coupling may be accommodated by the end 50 of the lower strap 42 being looped around the lower aperture 46 of the inner section 16 and fixedly attached to the lower strap 42 itself. The other end 52 of the lower strap 42 can extend over the front of the foot 22 and traverse through the lower aperture 46 of the outer section 18. Similar to the detachable attachment mechanism of the upper straps 40, the end of 52 of the lower strap 42 loops around the lower aperture 46 of the outer section 18 and is removably attached to the lower strap 42 with any type of fastening mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As described above, such fastening may include Velcro®, hook and loop fasteners, button, or the like.

[0027] A user can wear the ankle brace 10 by simply placing his or her foot 22 in the ankle brace 10 as shown in FIG. 5. Prior to doing so, however, the user may wear a sock or covering 8 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. To secure the upper part of the ankle brace 10 to the foot 22, a user can pull on the upper straps 40 and fasten the upper straps 40 as described above. Because the upper straps 40 are attached to the flexible portion 20 and are pivotally coupled to the strap apertures 44 of both the inner section 16 and the outer section 18, by simply pulling the ends 48 of the upper straps 40, the flexible portion 20, the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 press against the ankle 23 of the user until the user feels comfortable with the amount of pressure exerted on the upper part of the ankle 23. The user can then fasten the ends 48 of the upper straps 40, as described above, to secure the upper part of the ankle brace 10. [0028] Similarly, the user can pull on the end 52 of the lower strap 42 to secure the lower part of the ankle brace 10 to the foot 22. The pulling of the lower strap 42 presses the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 on the sides of the foot 22. The end 52 of the lower strap 42 can then be fastened as described above to complete the securing of the ankle brace 10 the foot 22. The user can tighten the upper straps 40 and the lower straps 42 in any order desirable to tighten the ankle brace 10 to the foot 22. Because the upper straps 40 are attached to the flexible portion 20, the upper part of the ankle brace 10 provides some degree of flexibility against the ankle 23 even when the upper straps are tightly fastened. As will be described in the following, such flexibility that is provided by the attachment of the upper straps 40 to the flexible portion 20 provides proprioception. [0029] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the ankle brace 10 is worn by a user, any inversion of the foot 22 during jumping will force the sides of the user's foot against the inner side portion 30 and the outer side portion 32. In particular with reference to FIG. 3, during inversion, the medial side of the brace will be pushed upward by the foot, and will find resistance from the strapping system. This will force the upper medial section of plastic to press against the lower leg at point A of the plastic. During inversion, the inner arch of the foot will rotate upward and inward, and find resistance at point B of the plastic. During inversion, the blade of the foot will rotate downward, and find resistance at point C of the plastic. The rigidity of the inner section 16 and the outer section 18 substantially prevent the inversion of foot 22. However, the outer section 18 and the flexible portion 20 are pulled down and the inner section 16 is pushed up relative to the ankle 23 by the inversion of the foot 22. Because the upper straps 40 are attached to the flexible portion 20, the flexible portion 20 flexes as a result of the noted pulling at the upper part of the ankle 23 where the ankle brace 10 is fastened by the upper straps 42. The flexing of the flexible portion 20 causes, the curvature of the flexible portion 20 around the malleolus 33 to become shallower and the flexible portion 20 contacts the backside of the malleolus 33. The contact of the flexible portion 20 with the backside of the malleolus 33 stimulates the muscles of the ankle 23 to provide proprioception. Additionally, the pulling and pushing of the upper part of the ankle brace 10, in combination with the flexing of the flexible portion 20 allows slight movement in the upper part of the ankle brace 10. Such movement caused by the pulling and pushing provides rubbing contact with the skin of user to provide additional proprioception. Further, as inversion increases, pressure on the malleolus will progressively turn to discomfort. [0030] As described in the foregoing, the rigid portion 12 provides support against inversion while the flexible portion 20, and in combination with the attachment thereof to the upper straps 40 and the outer section 18 provides proprioception. Accordingly, injury to the ankle of a user may be prevented during a landing from a jump by both substantially preventing inversion and providing proprioception. [0031] With reference to FIG. 4, the weight of the body, multiplied by the effects of jumping, will rest on areas D and E at the bottom edges of the brace. The plastic used preferably has a lower hardness, yet good toughness to prevent stress cracking.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An ankle brace comprising: a rigid portion including a bottom section, an inner section extending upward from an inner end of the bottom section, and an outer section extending upward from an outer end of the bottom section; and a flexible portion coupled to the rigid portion and extending upward relative to the outer end of bottom section.

2. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion is attached to the bottom section at one end of the flexible portion and attached to an upper portion of the outer section at another end of the flexible portion.

3. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the outer section comprises a lower portion having a forwardly curved configuration, and wherein the inner section comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

4. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

5. The ankle brace of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one upper fastener attached to an upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple to the upper portions of the inner section and the outer section; and at least one lower fastener configured to couple the inner section to the outer section.

6. The ankle brace of claim 5, wherein the at least one upper fastener comprises a strap being attached to the upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple with upper apertures in the inner section and the outer section, and wherein the at least one lower fastener comprises a strap configured to couple with lower apertures in the inner section and the outer section.

7. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion is constructed from an elastomeric material.

8. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the rigid support portion is constructed from a rigid plastic material.

9. An ankle brace comprising: a rigid inner section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an inner side of the ankle; a rigid outer section configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an outer side of the ankle; a bottom section extending between the inner section and the outer section; and a flexible portion configured to substantially correspond to a contour of the outer side of the ankle, the flexible portion being coupled to the bottom section and the outer section.

10. The ankle brace of claim 9, wherein the flexible portion is attached to the bottom section at one end of the flexible portion and attached to an upper portion of the outer section at another end of the flexible portion.

11. The ankle brace of claim 9, wherein the outer section comprises a lower portion having a forwardly curved configuration, and wherein the inner section comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

12. The ankle brace of claim 9, wherein the flexible portion comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

13. The ankle brace of claim 9, further comprising: at least one upper fastener attached to an upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple to the upper portions of the inner section and the outer section; and at least one lower fastener configured to couple the inner section to the outer section. i

14. The ankle brace of claim 13, wherein the at least one upper fastener comprises a strap being attached to the upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple with upper apertures in the inner section and the outer section, and wherein the at least one lower fastener comprises a strap configured to couple with lower apertures in the inner section and the outer section.

15. The ankle brace of claim 9, wherein the flexible portion is constructed from an elastomeric material.

16. The ankle brace of claim 9, wherein the inner section, the outer section and the bottom section are constructed from a rigid plastic material.

17. An ankle brace comprising: a rigid portion comprising: a bottom section; an inner section coupled to an inner end of the bottom section with a curved inner side portion and extending upward from the curved inner side portion, the inner section configured to correspond to a contour of an inner side of the ankle; and an outer section coupled to an outer end of the bottom section with a curved outer side portion and extending upward from the curved outer side portion, the outer section configured to correspond to a contour of an outer side of the ankle; a flexible portion configured to substantially correspond to a contour of the outer side of the ankle, the flexible portion being coupled to the bottom section and the outer section; at least one upper fastener attached to an upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple to the upper portions of the inner section and the outer section; and at least one lower fastener configured to couple the inner section to the outer section.

18. The ankle brace of claim 17, wherein the at least one upper fastener comprises a strap being attached to the upper portion of the flexible portion and configured to couple with upper apertures in the inner section and the outer section, and wherein the at least one lower fastener comprises a strap configured to couple with lower apertures in the inner section and the outer section.

19. The ankle brace of claim 17, wherein the outer section comprises a lower portion having a forwardly curved configuration, and wherein the inner section comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

20. The ankle brace of claim 17, wherein the flexible portion comprises a lower portion having a rearwardly curved configuration.

21. An ankle brace comprising: a substantially rigid bottom section; an substantially rigid inner section extending upward from an inner end of the bottom section behind a malleolus; and a substantially rigid outer section extending upward from an outer end of the bottom section forward of malleolus.

22. The ankle brace of claim 21, further comprising a flexible portion coupled to the bottom section and extending upward relative to the outer end of bottom section behind the malleolus.