Ankle brace providing upper and lower ankle adjustment

Abstract

A closure assembly permitting gross and fine adjustment of a brace structure about a body part is provided. The assembly generally includes a binding member, and an anchor structure supported by the binding member and variably positionable therealong. Portions of the binding member extend from a first portion of the bracing structure, a free end of the binding member being adapted to secure the free end to the first portion of the bracing structure, the anchor structure adapted to be selectively securable to a portion of the bracing structure opposite the first portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A closure assembly for a bracing structure comprising a binding member and an anchor structure, said anchor structure being supported by said binding member and variably positionable therealong, said binding member extending from a first portion of the bracing structure to a free end and including means for securing said free end to the first portion of the bracing structure, said anchor structure adapted to be selectively securable to a portion of the bracing structure in opposing relation to the first portion.  
     
     
         2 . The closure assembly of  claim 1  wherein said binding member includes a split end portion opposite a free end thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The closure assembly of  claim 2  wherein said split end portion of said binding member defines binding segments.  
     
     
         4 . The closure assembly of  claim 3  wherein said binding segments are fixed to the first portion of the brace structure.  
     
     
         5 . The closure assembly of  claim 4  wherein said binding segments are anchored to a periphery of the first portion of the brace structure.  
     
     
         6 . The closure assembly of  claim 4  wherein select ones of said binding segments are anchored to a periphery of the first portion of the brace structure.  
     
     
         7 . The closure assembly of  claim 4  wherein select ones of said binding segments are anchored interior of a periphery of the first portion of the brace structure.  
     
     
         8 . The closure assembly of  claim 1  wherein said anchor structure comprises a keeper through which said binding member passes.  
     
     
         9 . The closure assembly of  claim 8  wherein said anchor structure further includes a tab, said keeper extending therefrom.  
     
     
         10 . The closure assembly of  claim 9  wherein said tab is adapted to be reversibly integrated with the portion of the brace structure opposite the first portion.  
     
     
         11 . The closure assembly of  claim 10  wherein said keeper comprises a loop.  
     
     
         12 . The closure assembly of  claim 10  wherein said keeper comprises a ring.  
     
     
         13 . The closure assembly of  claim 10  wherein said binding member comprises plural binding elements.  
     
     
         14 . The closure assembly of  claim 13  wherein said plural binding elements converge to define said free end of said binding member.  
     
     
         15 . The closure assembly of  claim 14  wherein said free end of said binding member further includes a tab.  
     
     
         16 . The closure assembly of  claim 15  wherein said tab of said free end of said binding member is adapted to be selectively securable to the portion of the bracing structure opposite the first portion.  
     
     
         17 . The closure assembly of  claim 16  wherein each of the binding elements of said plural binding elements extends from the first portion of the bracing structure.  
     
     
         18 . The closure assembly of  claim 16  wherein said plural binding elements extend in a spaced apart condition from the first portion of the bracing structure.  
     
     
         19 . The closure assembly of  claim 18  wherein said keeper maintains said plural binding elements in a spaced apart condition.  
     
     
         20 . The closure assembly of  claim 19  wherein said keeper comprises an eyelet strip.  
     
     
         21 . The closure assembly of  claim 20  wherein each of the binding elements of said plural binding elements is received in eyelets of said eyelet strip.  
     
     
         22 . A closure assembly for enhanced binding of a brace structure about a body part, said assembly comprising band means extending from a first portion of the brace structure to a free end, and an anchor element variably positionable along said band means for reversibly securing a portion of said band means to a portion of the brace structure opposite the first portion, the free end of said band being reversibly securable to the first panel.  
     
     
         23 . A closure assembly permitting gross and fine adjustment of a brace structure about a body part, said assembly comprising plural binding elements extending from a first portion of the brace structure, and an anchor element, through which said binding elements are passable, for reversible securement to a second portion of the brace structure, said binding elements converging into a single free end adapted for reversible securement to the first portion of the brace structure.  
     
     
         24 . A closure assembly for uniting opposing portions of a brace structure in furtherance of securement thereof about a body part, said closure assembly comprising a strap extending from a first portion of the brace structure, and an anchor element, said strap having a free end adapted for variable anchoring upon the first portion of the brace structure, said anchor element being adapted to permit variable anchoring of a portion of said strap to a portion of the brace structure opposite the first portion.