Heel lock ankle support

Abstract

An ankle support has a tubular sock-like elastic sheath which, in use, is slipped over the foot and ankle of a wearer and extends upwardly over the lower leg, the sheath thereby having lateral and medial sides and a posterior end for receiving the heel of a wearer. Heel locks are provided by lateral and medial elastic locking straps secured to the sheath at a bottom portion of the posterior end of the sheath, and at a rear portion of the sheath (back of the heel) above the posterior end. The action of the two locking straps locks the heel of the wearer against lateral and medial movement. An elastic wrap on the sheath over the foot and ankle of the wearer overlies the lateral and medial portions of the locking straps to provide a lift to the heel.

1 . An ankle support comprising: 
 a tubular sock-like elastic sheath adapted to be slipped over a foot and ankle of a wearer and, when worn, to extend upwardly therefrom over the lower leg, said sheath having lateral and medial sides and having a posterior end for receiving the heel of a wearer,    a first elastic locking strap on said lateral side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end secured to said sheath at a bottom portion of said posterior end, and an opposite end secured to said sheath at a rear portion thereof above said end,    a second elastic locking strap on said medial side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end thereof secured to said sheath at said bottom portion, and an opposite end thereof secured to said sheath at said rear portion, whereby said locking straps lock the heel of a wearer against lateral and medial movement, and    an elastic wrap on said sheath over the foot and ankle of the wearer and overlying lateral and medial portions of said locking straps, whereby to provide heel locks and a lift to the heel of the wearer of the support.    
   
   
       2 . An ankle support comprising: 
 a tubular sock-like elastic sheath adapted to be slipped over a foot and ankle of a wearer and, when worn, to extend upwardly therefrom over the lower leg, said sheath having lateral and medial sides and a heel opening for receiving the heel of a wearer,    a first elastic locking strap on said lateral side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end secured to said sheath at a bottom portion thereof adjacent said heel opening, and an opposite end secured to said sheath at a rear portion thereof above said heel opening,    a second elastic locking strap on said medial side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end thereof secured to said sheath at said bottom portion, and an opposite end thereof secured to said sheath at said rear portion,    a pair of elongated elastic strap members each having a first and second ends, said first end of each strap member being secured to said sheath at said bottom portion, said strap members in use being wrapped around said sheath in opposite directions over the ankle of the wearer into operative positions, and    fasteners associated with the second ends of said strap members for securing the same in said operative positions, whereby to provide heel locks and a lift to the heel of the wearer of the support.    
   
   
       3 . In an ankle support: 
 a tubular sock-like elastic sheath adapted to be slipped over a foot and ankle of a wearer and, when worn, to extend upwardly therefrom over the lower leg, said sheath having lateral and medial sides and having a posterior end for receiving the heel of a wearer,    a first elastic locking strap on said lateral side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end secured to said sheath at a bottom portion of said posterior end, and an opposite end secured to said sheath at a rear portion thereof above said end, and    a second elastic locking strap on said medial side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end thereof secured to said sheath at said bottom portion, and an opposite end thereof secured to said sheath at said rear portion, whereby said locking straps lock the heel of a wearer against lateral and medial movement.    
   
   
       4 . In an ankle support: 
 a tubular sock-like elastic sheath adapted to be slipped over a foot and ankle of a wearer and, when worn, to extend upwardly therefrom over the lower leg, said sheath having lateral and medial sides and a heel opening for receiving the heel of a wearer,    a first elastic locking strap on said lateral side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end secured to said sheath at a bottom portion thereof adjacent said heel opening, and an opposite end secured to said sheath at a rear portion thereof above said heel opening, and    a second elastic locking strap on said medial side extended to a stretched condition when the ankle support is worn, and having one end thereof secured to said sheath at said bottom portion, and an opposite end thereof secured to said sheath at said rear portion, whereby said locking straps lock the heel of a wearer against lateral and medial movement.