Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02692534 2010-02-09
ORTHOTIC FOOT BRACE
Technical Field of the Invention
The technical field relates to orthotics and, more particularly, to an
orthosis
for remediation of foot drop symptoms.
Background
Foot drop, drop foot, and foot dangle are terms which have been employed
to describe ankle and toe dorsiflexor paresis resulting in the inability to
raise the
foot at the ankle, such that the foot inclines towards and scrapes the ground
when walking. Dorsiflexion is the motion the ankle joint makes when the foot
points upward. This motion needs to occur when the foot comes off the ground
so that the toes do not drag.
Foot drop makes walking difficult as the toes tend to drag on the ground
which leads to tripping and instability. Patients adapt to this by using their
hip
muscles to exaggerate lifting the foot above the ground (known as a "steppage
gait") or by swinging their leg outward so that the foot can clear the ground
(known as "circumduction").
A common remediation technique for foot drop involved the employment of
an ankle foot orthosis, or brace. The goal of bracing is to provide patients
with a
more normal and comfortable gait. These devices often require professional
fitting, which may imply taking of impressions of the affected foot, and
customized shoes. Significant delays can occur between the fitting and receipt
of the customized orthosis.
Several braces have been developed for foot drop. Short leg fixed braces,
for instance US patent No. 5,429,588, fit into the footwear, do not flex at
ankle
joint, and do not allow plantar flexion nor dorsiflexion, i.e. they do not
provide
quite as natural of a gait. Dorsiflexion assist short leg braces are similar
to short
leg fixed braces but with a spring-like hinge that acts to raise the foot,
i.e.
dorsiflex the ankle when the foot comes off of the ground. It offers the
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advantage of a more normal gait pattern. Solid ankle braces, with or without
posterior stop, also fit inside the footwear and have a hinge that allows
normal
dorsiflexion. They can or cannot allow plantarflexion, i.e. it can or cannot
let the
foot point downward. Energy return braces also fit inside the footwear and use
a
natural flex built into the material of the brace to provide assist in
dorsiflexion.
These braces are often made of polymers or carbon graphite materials.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the above
mentioned issues.
According to a general aspect, there is provided an orthotic foot brace for a
person wearing a footwear. The orthotic foot brace comprises: a lower leg
holder securable around a lower leg of the person; a lower leg strut secured
to
the lower leg holder and extending downwardly towards the footwear; a foot
strut having a rear section secured to the vertical strut, at least one of a
median
section and a lateral section located on a respective side of the footwear and
extending outwardly thereof, and a front section securable to an instep
section
of the footwear; and at least one brace retaining member secured to the foot
strut juxtaposed to the footwear, and having at least a section extending on
the
median side of the footwear and having at least a section extending on the
lateral side of the footwear, outwardly thereof, and restraining a rearwardly
oriented pivotal movement of the brace.
According to another general aspect, there is provided an orthotic foot brace
for a person wearing a footwear comprising: a frame including a lower leg
holder securable to a lower leg of the person; a vertical section secured to
the
lower leg holder and extending downwardly towards the footwear; a foot section
secured to the vertical section, extending outwardly of the footwear and
forwardly towards an instep section of the footwear and securable to the
instep
section of the footwear; and a brace retaining member secured to the foot
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section, extending from a median side of the footwear to a lateral side of the
footwear, and restraining a rearwardly oriented pivotal movement of the brace.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an orthotic foot brace in accordance
with
a first embodiment, wherein the brace is secured to a person's lower leg and
footwear;
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view, exploded, of the orthotic foot brace and
footwear shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 1,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's lower leg and footwear;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 1,
wherein the brace is secured to the footwear;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 1,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's lower leg and footwear;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 1,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear and showing
dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements;
Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of an orthotic foot brace in accordance
with
a second embodiment, wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and
footwear;
Fig. 8 is a front perspective view, exploded, of the orthotic foot brace and
footwear shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 7,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear;
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Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 7,
wherein the brace is secured to a footwear;
Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 7,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear;
Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 7,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear showing
dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements;
Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of an orthotic foot brace in accordance
with a third embodiment, wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and
footwear;
Fig. 14 is a front perspective view, exploded, of the orthotic foot brace and
footwear shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig.
13,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear;
Fig. 16 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 13,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear;
Fig. 17 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 13,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear and showing
dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements;
Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of an orthotic foot brace in accordance
with a fourth embodiment, wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and
footwear;
Fig. 19 is a front perspective view, exploded, of the orthotic foot brace and
footwear shown in Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig.
18,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear; and
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Fig. 21 is a side elevation view of the orthotic foot brace shown in Fig. 18,
wherein the brace is secured to the person's leg and footwear.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are
identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown an orthotic foot brace 20, also
referred to ankle-foot orthoses, in accordance with a first embodiment. The
foot
brace 20 is securable to a person's lower leg L and footwear (or shoe) 21 and
encompasses an ankle joint A. It is intended to control position and motion of
the person's ankle to compensate for weakness. For conciseness, only the left
foot brace which is securable to the person's left lower leg is shown and
described below. For this embodiment, the right foot brace is similar or can
include only minor modifications.
The brace 20 has a structural frame 22 including a lower leg holder 24
securable to the person's lower leg L, below the knee K, a lower leg vertical
section 26 or strut extending from the lower leg holder 24 towards the
footwear
21, and a foot section 30 or strut extending from the vertical section 26
towards
a toe section 32 of the footwear 21 and securable to the footwear 21,
outwardly
thereof.
In the embodiment shown, the lower leg holder 24 is a calf cuff juxtaposed to
the person's calf C, rearwardly of the person's calf C. More particularly, the
calf
cuff 24 is designed to abut the upper part of the calf C, below the knee K. A
leg
attachment strap 31 is secured to one vertical part of the calf cuff 24 and is
designed to connect the opposed vertical part of the calf cuff 24 by extending
toward the front of the tibia and thereby encircling the person's lower leg L
and
securing the upper part of the brace 20 thereto. It is appreciated that, in
alternative embodiments, the lower leg holder 24 can be positioned at
different
locations, anywhere above the ankle, below the knee K, and around the lower
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leg L. For instance and without being limitative, it can be juxtaposed to the
person's tibia.. It secures the brace 20 to the person's lower leg L.
Moreover, it
can have a different shape than the one shown in Figs. 1 to 3.
In the embodiment shown, the brace 20 includes a single and continuous
frame member 34 extending between the lower leg holder 24, the vertical
section 26, and the foot section 30. The frame member 34 includes two frame
member sections 34a, 34b juxtaposed in the vertical section 26 and spaced-
apart in the lower leg holder 24 and foot section 30. In the embodiment shown,
the frame member 34 is a rod with a circular cross-section. However, it is
appreciated that it can be a substantially flat member or have any other
appropriate shape.
The vertical section 26 extends rearwardly of the person's lower leg L, from
the lower leg holder 24 to the foot section 30. It is appreciated that, in
alternative embodiments (not shown), it can extend downwardly anywhere
around the person's lower leg L. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the
vertical section 26 has a substantially straight shape. However, in
alternative
embodiments, it can have a curved or any other appropriate shape.
Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the frame member
sections 34a, 34b can be spaced-apart from one another either entirely along
their length or only along a section thereof. For instance and without being
limitative, the frame member sections 34a, 34b can extend downwardly on
opposed sides of the lower leg, spaced-apart from one another.
The foot section 30 can be divided into a lateral section 36 which is
juxtaposed to a lateral side 38 of the footwear 21, i.e. the outside part of
the
footwear 21, a median section 40 which is juxtaposed to a median side 42 of
the footwear 21, i.e. the inside part of the footwear 21, and a front section
44
which extends above an instep section 46 of the footwear 21, i.e. the part
located on the top of the foot, and forwardly of an inner space opening. The
frame member 34 extends continuously between each section 36, 40, 44 and is
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located outwardly of the footwear 21, i.e. it is juxtaposed to the outer
surface of
the footwear 21.
The brace 20 is secured to the footwear 21 in the front section 44. It is
secured to the footwear laces 48 through attachment means 50 including a
spreader plate 52 and two attachment members 54. The attachment members
54 attach the spreader plate 52 and the frame member 34 to the laces 48. More
particularly, the attachment members 54 are inserted in apertures defined in
the
spreader plate 52 and surround the footwear laces 48 and the frame member
34. It is appreciated that the brace 20 can be secured to the footwear 21 by
any
other appropriate technique. For instance and without being limitative, the
footwear laces 48 can surround the frame member 34 and fasten the latter. In
alternative embodiments (not shown), it can be secured to other footwear
components and the attachment means can be adapted in accordance with the
footwear design.
In the lateral and median sections 36, 40, the frame member 34 has a
substantially curved shaped section 56 to follow the footwear shape in a
region
corresponding to the person's ankle followed by a substantially straight
section
58. The frame member 34 in the lateral and median sections 36, 40 extends
longitudinally along the footwear 21, outwardly thereof, above the outsole 60.
A foot band 62 is mounted to the straight sections 58 of the lateral and
median sections 36, 40. The foot band 62 encircles the frame member 34 in the
lateral and median sections 36, 40 and creates an inwardly directed force. The
foot band 62 extends over the instep section 46 of the footwear 21, behind the
front section 44 of the frame member 34 and forwardly of the inner space
opening. In the embodiment shown, the foot band 62 includes a pair of hook-
and-loop type gripping elements, such as "VELCRO ", for securing sections of
the foot band 62 together when engaged over the frame member 34 in the
lateral and median sections 36, 40. Thus, the tension between the lateral and
median sections 36, 40 is adjustable.
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Fig. 3 shows that the frame member sections 34a, 34b are spaced apart
above the binding 64 of the footwear 21, i.e. the higher edge of the footwear
21,
to allow plantarflexion P, i.e. there is a space defined between the footwear
binding 64 and a distal end 66 of the vertical section 26 which corresponds to
the meeting point of both frame member sections 34a, 34b.
Fig. 4 shows the brace 20 secured to the footwear 21 but without being
engaged with a person's lower leg L. The vertical section 26 of the brace 20
and
the lower leg holder 24 extend forwardly towards the toe section 32 of the
footwear 21. To attach the brace 20 to the lower leg L, the vertical section
26 is
pulled rearwardly and, when attached, the lower leg holder 24 and the vertical
section 26 apply a forwardly oriented pressure to the lower leg L. In a non-
operative configuration, i.e. when detached from the lower leg L, the brace 20
defines an angle a with a vertical axis. The angle ranges between 10 and 30
degrees and, in an alternative embodiment, between 15 and 20 degrees. The
compression stress applied to the person's lower leg L restricts the
plantarflexion P of the foot and creates a bias for the dorsiflexion D of the
foot.
Referring to Figs. 5 to 6, there is shown that during gaiting, the foot
including
the footwear 21 performs plantarflexions P and pivots about a pivoting axis
which substantially corresponds to the ankle joint A. As a result, a tension
force
is applied on the foot band 62 when the foot performs plantarflexions P and
the
foot band 62 restricts the plantarflexion P of the foot, i.e. it creates a
resistance
to the plantarflexion moment P. A rearwardly extending tension is also applied
on the lower leg holder 24. As mentioned above, the lower leg holder 24
applies
a compression force on the lower leg L. Therefore, the combination of the
tension applied to the foot band 62, the rearwardly extending tension, and the
compression force applied on the lower leg L creates the resulting
dorsiflexion
moment D. The brace 20 conveys the foot including the footwear 21 to return to
its normal, resting position.
The foot band 62 acts as a retaining member by restraining a rearwardly and
downwardly oriented pivotal movement of the brace 20 and, more particularly,
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by restraining a downward movement of the lower leg holder 24, of the vertical
section 26, and/or of the curved sections 56 during gaiting.
The same brace 20 can be used for either the left or the right foot.
Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9, there is shown another embodiment wherein
the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 100 series which
correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiment. As it will be
described in more details below, the orthotic foot brace 120 has a frame 122
similar to the brace 20 shown in Figs. 1 to 6. However, the foot band 62 of
the
brace 20 is replaced by a heel support 170 extending between the lateral and
median sections 136, 140 of the frame 122 and behind the footwear heel 171.
As for the above described embodiment, only the left foot brace which is
securable to the person's left lower leg is shown and described below.
The lower leg holder 124 including the leg attachment strap 131 will not be
described in details since they are similar to the ones described above in
reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Furthermore, the vertical and the foot sections
126,
130 of the frame 122 and the attachment means of the frame 122 to the
footwear 121 will not be described in detail since they are also similar to
the
ones described above in reference to Figs. 1 to 6. As for the above-described
brace 20, the brace 120 is located entirely outside of the footwear 121.
The heel support 170 is part of the brace frame 122. It has two opposite
ends 172 attached to the straight section 158 of the frame member 134 in the
lateral and median sections 136, 140, close to the end of the curved shaped
section 156. It extends rearwardly of the footwear 121, behind the heel
section
171. It is located in the lower portion of the footwear heel 171 above the
outsole
60 and in the lower section of the footwear counter 174, i.e. the
reinforcement
used to maintain the heel of the foot, if any. The heel support 170 applies a
compression force on the footwear quarters 176. The compression force
maintains the heel support 170 in contact with the footwear 121 and
substantially prevents or reduces its displacement relatively to the footwear
121.
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Thus, the lateral and median portions of the heel support 170 are slightly
pulled
away to insert to footwear quarters 176 therebetween. When disengaged from
the footwear 121, the spacing between the lateral and median portions of the
heel support 170 is slightly narrower than the thickness of the footwear
quarters
176 where the heel support 170 is engaged.
Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12, there is shown that the heel support 170 can
be attached to different sections of the brace frame 122. In Figs. 10 and 11,
sections of the heel support 170, close to the ends 172, are attached and
juxtaposed to the straight section 158 of the frame member 134 in the lateral
and median sections 136, 140. In Fig. 12, sections of the heel support 170,
close to the ends 172, are attached and juxtaposed to the end of the curved
shaped sections 156 in the lateral and median sections 136, 140. It is
appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the heel support 170
can be attached to different sections of the brace frame 122. For instance and
without being limitative, the heel support 170 can be mounted anywhere along
the lateral and median sections 136, 140.
Fig. 10 shows the brace 120 secured to the footwear 121 but without being
engaged with a person's lower leg L. As for the above-described brace 20, the
vertical strut 126 extends forwardly towards the toe section 132 of the
footwear
121. To attach the brace 120 to the lower leg L, the vertical section 126 is
pulled
rearwardly and, when attached, the lower leg holder 124 and the vertical
section
126 apply a forwardly oriented pressure, or a compression force on the lower
leg L. In a non-operative configuration, i.e. when detached from the lower leg
L,
the brace 120 defines an angle ranging between 10 and 30 degrees and, in an
alternative embodiment, between 15 and 20 degrees. As mentioned above, the
compression stress applied to the person's lower leg L restricts the
plantarflexion P of the foot and creates a bias for the dorsiflexion D of the
foot.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 and as mentioned above, there is shown that
during gaiting, the foot including the footwear 121 performs plantarflexions P
and pivots about a pivoting axis which substantially corresponds to the ankle
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joint A. As a result, an upwardly oriented force is applied on the heel
support
170 when the foot performs plantarflexions P. Since the heel support 170
applies a compression force on the footwear quarters 176 which reduces
displacement of the heel support 170 relatively to the footwear 121, the heel
support 170 restricts the plantarflexion P of the foot, i.e. it creates a
resistance
to the plantarflexion moment P. A rearwardly extending tension is also applied
on the lower leg holder 124. As mentioned above, the lower leg holder 124
applies a compression force on the lower leg L. Therefore, the combination of
the upwardly oriented force on the heel support 170, the rearwardly extending
tension and the natural compression force applied on the lower leg L creates
the resulting dorsiflexion moment D. The brace 120 conveys the foot including
the footwear 121 to return to its normal, resting position.
The heel support 170 acts as a retaining member by restraining a rearwardly
and downwardly oriented pivotal movement of the brace 120 and, more
particularly, by restraining a downward movement of the lower leg holder 124,
of the vertical section 126, and/or of the curved sections 156 during gaiting.
As for the same brace 20, the brace 120 can be used for either the left or the
right foot.
In alternative embodiments (not shown), the heel support can be divided in
two spaced-apart sections extending rearwardly towards the footwear heel from
the lateral and median sections 136, 140, without being connected to one
another. Thus, each heel support sections have a rearwardly extending free
end.
Referring now to Figs. 13 to 17, there is shown another embodiment wherein
the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 200 series which
correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. As it will
be
described in more details below, the frame 222 of the orthotic foot brace 220
differs from the frames 22, 122 of braces 20 and 120 shown in Figs. 1 to 12.
The brace 220 does not include a foot band 62 but a heel support 270
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extending between the lateral and median sections 236, 240 and behind the
footwear heel 271. Furthermore, only one end of the heel support 270 is
secured to the foot section 230 of the brace 220. For conciseness, only the
left
foot brace which is securable to the person's left lower leg is shown and
described below. For this embodiment, the right foot brace is a mirror image
thereof.
The lower leg holder 224 including the leg attachment strap 31 will not be
described in detail since they are similar to the ones described above in
reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Furthermore, the attachment means of the frame 222
to the footwear 221 will not be described in detail since they are also
similar to
the ones described above in reference to Figs. 1 to 6. As for the above-
described braces 20, 120, the brace 220 is entirely located outside of the
footwear 221, i.e. it is juxtaposed to an outer surface of the footwear 221.
In the vertical section 226, a single rod, or frame member 234, extends
downwardly from the lower leg holder 224 towards the foot section 230. On the
opposite of the above-described braces 20, 120, the foot section 230 includes
a
frame member 234 extending continuously from the vertical section 226 to the
front section 244 juxtaposed to the lateral side of the footwear 221. No frame
member 234 extends continuously from the vertical section 226 to the front
section 244 on the median side of the footwear 221. The junction between the
distal end 266 of the vertical section 226 and the curved section 256 of the
frame member 234 in the foot section 230 is located above the binding 264 of
the footwear 221 to allow plantarflexion P, as shown in Fig. 15. The shape of
the frame member 234 in the lateral section 236 and the front section 244 as
well as the attachment means 250 to the footwear 221 in the front section 244
are similar to the ones of the above-described embodiments. Therefore, they
will not be described in further detail.
The heel support 270 of the brace 220 has two opposite ends 272, the
lateral end 272a is attached to the straight section 258 of the frame member
234 in the lateral section 236, close to the end of the curved shaped section
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256. As for the embodiment described in reference to Figs. 6 to 8, the heel
support 270 can be attached to a different section of the brace frame 222. On
the opposite of brace 120, the median end 272b of the heel support 270 is not
attached to the median section 240, i.e. it is unattached. The median end 272b
is juxtaposed to the median side 242 of the footwear 221 above the outsole
260, close to an inner arch of the footwear 221. The heel support 270 extends
rearwardly of the footwear 221, behind the heel section 271. From the heel
section 271 to the median section 240 of the footwear 221, the heel support
270
follows a junction of an upper end of the outsole 260 and a lower end of the
footwear quarters 276..
It is appreciated that in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the heel
support 270 can be attached to the median section 240 of the brace frame 222
and have an unattached (or free) lateral end 272a. Furthermore, as mentioned
for the heel support 270, the heel support 270 can be attached to different
sections of the brace frame 222.
As for the above-described heel support 270, the heel support 270 applies a
compression force on the footwear quarters 276 which maintains the heel
support 270 in contact with the footwear 221 and substantially prevents or
reduces its displacement relatively to the footwear 221. The heel support 270
acts as a retaining member by restraining a rearwardly and downwardly
oriented pivotal movement of the brace 220 and, more particularly, at
restraining a downward movement of the lower leg holder 224, of the vertical
section 226, and/or of the curved section 256 during gaiting.
As for the above-described embodiment, when disengaged from the lower
leg L, the vertical strut 226 extends forwardly towards the toe section 232 of
the
footwear 221. Thus, a compression stress is applied to the person's lower leg
L
when engaged with the brace 220. The compression stress restricts the
plantarflexion P of the foot and creates a bias for the dorsiflexion D of the
foot.
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Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, there is shown that during gaiting, the brace
220 performs the same function as the brace 120 described above in reference
to Figs. 7 to 12. The heel support 270 applies a compression force on the
footwear quarters 276 and restricts the plantarflexion P of the foot. The
combination of the upwardly oriented force, of the rearwardly extending
tension
and the natural compression force applied on the lower leg L conveys the foot
including the footwear 221 to return to its normal, resting position during
gaiting.
Referring now to Figs. 18 to 21, there is shown another embodiment wherein
the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 300 series which
correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. As it will
be
described in more details below, the frame 322 of the orthotic foot brace 320
differs from the frames 22, 122, 222 of braces 20, 120, 220 shown in Figs. 1
to
17. As braces 120, 220, the brace 320 includes a heel support 370 having two
spaced-apart heel support sections 378 and, more particularly, a median heel
support section extending on the median side 342 of the footwear 321 and a
lateral heel support section extending on the lateral side 338 of the footwear
321. Each heel support section 378 extends from the curved shaped section
356 of the frame 322 towards the toe section 332. A first end 372b of each one
of the heel support sections 378 is secured to the foot section 330 of the
brace
320 and the second end 372a of each one of the heel support section 378,
opposed to the first end 372b, is free and is juxtaposed to either the lateral
or
median sides 338, 342 of the footwear 372. The free ends 372a are located
close to the inner arches of the footwear 321, above the outsole 360. A
section
of each one of the heel support sections 378, extending from the free end 372a
towards the opposed end 372b, follows a junction of an upper end of the
outsole 360 and a lower end of the footwear quarters 376.
As for the above-described heel supports 170, 270, the heel support
sections 378 apply a compression force on the footwear quarters 376 which
maintains the heel support 370 in contact with the footwear 321 and
substantially prevents or reduces its displacement relatively to the footwear
321.
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The heel support 370 acts as a retaining member by restraining a rearwardly
and downwardly oriented pivotal movement of the brace 320 and, more
particularly, at restraining a downward movement of the lower leg holder 324,
of
the vertical section 326, and/or of the curved shaped section 356 during
gaiting.
Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, there is shown that during gaiting, the brace
320 performs the same function as braces 120, 220 described above in
reference to Figs. 7 to 17. Furthermore, when disengaged from the lower leg L,
the vertical strut 326 extends forwardly towards the toe section 332 of the
footwear 321. Thus, a compression stress is applied to the person's lower leg
L
when engaged with the brace 320 to restrict the plantarflexion P of the foot
and
create a bias for the dorsiflexion D of the foot.
As for the above-described braces 20, 120, 220, the brace 320 is entirely
located outside of the footwear 321, i.e. it is juxtaposed to an outer surface
of
the footwear 321. For conciseness, only the left foot brace which is securable
to
the person's left lower leg is shown and described below. For this embodiment,
the right foot brace is a mirror image thereof.
In the embodiments shown, the heel support is attached to the lateral and
median sections of the frame member. However, in alternative embodiments,
the heel support and the lateral and median sections of the frame member can
be single piece.
The braces 20, 120, 220, 320 are located outwardly of the footwear 21, 121,
221, 321 and are juxtaposed to the footwear outer surface. Thus, both shoes
can be of the same size and no friction during gaiting is applied directly to
the
person's foot. It is adapted to fit on most conventional shoes. It is
appreciated
that the attachment means can be adapted to fit on any appropriate shoe.
Furthermore, the braces 20, 120, 220, 320 are adapted for sports such as
running.
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The brace frame can be made of several materials. For instance and without
being limitative, it can be made of rigid, strong, relatively light-weight
polymer
materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, plastic, fiber
reinforced plastic, molded chopped fibers, laminates or any other suitable
material. Other suitable materials can include metals and alloys. Exemplary
materials include, but are not limited to, nylons, glass filled nylon,
polypropylenes, vinyls, polyvinyl chlorides, high density polyethylene,
epoxies,
urethanes, and polyesters. Carbon/graphite fiber materials can also be used
because of their relatively high strength and their relatively low weight.
As mentioned above, the shape of the frame member can differ from the one
shown in the above described embodiments. The cross-sectional shape of the
frame member can be substantially flat or any other appropriate shape instead
of being circular. It can be also be thicker, narrower, larger, etc. It can be
discontinuous, i.e. it can include several juxtaposed and attached components.
The frame member can be one single piece in the vertical section instead of
two
juxtaposed frame member sections.
The braces can be easily detached from the person's lower leg and footwear
and remove. Further, since the brace is juxtaposed to the outer surface of the
footwear and is not inserted in the inner space of the footwear, foot wounds
are
prevented.
In an alternative embodiment, the brace length, either in the vertical section
or in the foot section, can be adjustable. For instance and without being
limitative, the frame can include sliding components such as two frame member
slidingly attached to one another.
The frame components such as the heel support can include anti-slip
coating or features to further restrain the rearwardly and downwardly oriented
pivotal movement of the brace. The brace and the footwear can included
complementary Velcro members as anti-slip features. The brace can include
adhesive coatings. It can also include nails or screws for securing at least
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sections thereof to the footwear. Furthermore, sections of the frame can
include
compressible material such as foam or neoprene to facilitate fitting to a
person's
lower leg and footwear.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would
appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible
combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in
the
art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in
any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood
that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and
embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative
and
not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given
herein.
Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing
from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is therefore
intended
to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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