Supports including dual pivot axes for hinge joint

Abstract

A support for an area of a body having a hinge joint includes: a flexible, elastically stretchable framework configured to extend across the hinge joint of the area of the body; and a hinge mechanism affixed to the framework. The hinge mechanism includes a strut component and a first arm component connected to the strut component such that the first arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a first pivot axis. A second arm component is connected to the strut component such that the second arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a second pivot axis. The strut component is configured to extend with the framework across the hinge joint such that the first pivot axis is located on a first side of the hinge joint and the second pivot axis is located on a second, opposite side of the hinge joint.

1 . A support for an area of a body that includes a hinge joint, comprising:
 (a) a flexible, elastically stretchable framework configured to extend across the hinge joint of the area of the body; and   (b) a hinge mechanism affixed to the framework, the hinge mechanism comprising a strut component and first and second arm components;   (c) wherein the first arm component is connected to the strut component such that the first arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a first pivot axis;   (d) wherein the second arm component is connected to the strut component such that the second arm component is rotatable relative to the strut component only about a second pivot axis; and   (e) wherein the strut component is configured to extend with the framework across the hinge joint such that the first pivot axis is located on a first side of the hinge joint and the second pivot axis is located on a second, opposite side of the hinge joint.   
   
   
       2 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible framework comprises an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       3 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible framework is configured to be stretched and tensioned into abutment with the area of the body such that the flexible framework conforms to the shape and contour of the area of the body when stretched and tensioned, the flexible framework having a relaxed state when not stretched and tensioned in which the flexible framework does not conform to the shape and contour of the area of the body. 
   
   
       4 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the framework is in a first configuration when the hinge mechanism is in a first position, and the framework is in a second configuration when the hinge mechanism is in a second position, the elastically stretchable framework storing potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon transitioning of the hinge mechanism from the second position to the first position. 
   
   
       5 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the framework defines a flexible, elastically stretchable web of elastomeric interconnecting members. 
   
   
       6 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the strut component is at least partially embedded in a material of the framework. 
   
   
       7 . The support of  claim 6 , wherein the framework encompasses and completely encircles at least a middle portion of the strut component. 
   
   
       8 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second arm components is at least partially embedded in a material of the framework. 
   
   
       9 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein a first hinging member connects the first arm component to the strut component, the first hinging member including a cylindrical portion in abutment with which the first arm component and strut component rotate, and wherein a second hinging member connects the second arm component to the strut component, the second hinging member including a cylindrical portion in abutment with which the second arm component and strut component rotate, the first axis extending through the cylindrical portion of the first hinging member and the second axis extending through the cylindrical portion of the second hinging member. 
   
   
       10 . The support of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second strap interface components, each strap interface component being affixed to the framework, the first strap interface component being connected to the first arm component and defining at least one opening therein configured to receive therethrough a strap for attachment of the framework to the body on the first side of the hinge joint, and the second strap interface component being connected to the second arm component and defining at least one opening therein configured to receive therethrough a strap for attachment of the framework to the body on the second side of the hinge joint. 
   
   
       11 . The support of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second strap interface components are at least partially embedded in a material of the framework. 
   
   
       12 . The support of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism is located along a first side edge of the framework, and wherein the support further comprises a second, identical hinge mechanism affixed to the framework and located along a second, opposite side edge of the framework, the strut component of the second hinge mechanism being configured to extend with the framework across the hinge joint such that the first pivot axis of the second hinge mechanism is located on the first side of the hinge joint and the second pivot axis of the second hinge mechanism is located on the second side of the hinge joint. 
   
   
       13 . A support for an area of a body that includes a hinge joint, comprising:
 (a) a flexible, elastically stretchable framework comprising a web of elastomeric interconnecting members, the web including an intermediate portion configured to extend across the hinge joint;   (b) a first hinge mechanism affixed to the web proximate a first side of the intermediate portion of the web, the first hinge mechanism comprising a strut component at least partially embedded in a material of the web and first and second arm components at least partially embedded in the material of the web, the first and second arm components being connected to respective opposite end portions of the strut component such that the first and second arm components are rotatable relative to the strut component about respective pivot axes located at opposite end portions of the strut component; and   (c) a second hinge mechanism affixed to the web proximate a second, opposite side of the intermediate portion of the web, the second hinge mechanism comprising a strut component at least partially embedded in the material of the web and first and second arm components at least partially embedded in the material of the web, the first and second arm components of the second hinge mechanism being connected to respective opposite end portions of the strut component of the second hinge mechanism such that the first and second arm components of the second hinge mechanism are rotatable relative to the strut component of the second hinge mechanism about respective pivot axes located at opposite end portions of the strut component of the second hinge mechanism;   (d) wherein each of the strut components and arm components of the first and second hinge mechanisms comprises components that are distinct from one another.   
   
   
       14 . The support of  claim 13 , wherein the web encompasses and completely encircles at least a middle portion of the strut component. 
   
   
       15 . The support of  claim 13 , further comprising strap interface components, each strap interface component being affixed to the web, the first strap interface component being connected to the first arm component and defining at least one opening therein configured to receive therethrough a strap for attachment of the web to the body on a first side of the hinge joint, and the second strap interface component being connected to the second arm component and defining at least one opening therein configured to receive therethrough a strap for attachment of the web to the body on the second side of the hinge joint. 
   
   
       16 . The support of  claim 13 , wherein each of the strap interface components is at least partially embedded in the material of the web. 
   
   
       17 . The support of  claim 13 , wherein each of the strut components and arm components of the first and second hinge mechanisms comprises a generally planar component. 
   
   
       18 . A method for supporting an area of a body that includes a hinge joint, comprising:
 (a) providing a support including,
 (i) a flexible framework configured to extend across the hinge joint of the area of the body, the flexible framework comprising an elastically stretchable material, 
 (ii) a first hinge mechanism affixed to the framework, the first hinge mechanism comprising first, second and third distinct components, the first and second components connected together such that the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other about a first pivot axis, and the second and third components connected together such that the second and third components are rotatable relative to each other about a second pivot axis, and 
 (iii) a second hinge mechanism affixed to the framework, the second hinge mechanism comprising first, second and third distinct components, the first and second components of the second hinge mechanism connected together such that the first and second components of the second hinge mechanism are rotatable relative to each other only about a first pivot axis of the second hinge mechanism, and the second and third components of the second hinge mechanism connected together such that the second and third components of the second hinge mechanism are rotatable relative to each other only about a second pivot axis of the second hinge mechanism; 
   (b) positioning the support against the body such that,
 (i) the support extends across the hinge joint and such that the second components of the first and second hinge mechanisms extend with the framework across the hinge joint of the body, with the first pivot axes of the first and second hinge mechanisms being located on a first side of the hhinge joint of the body and the second pivot axes of the first and second hinge mechanisms being located on a second, opposite side of the hinge joint of the body, and 
 (ii) the second components of the first and second hinge mechanisms extend on opposite sides of the hinge joint of the body. 
   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the area of the body comprises an area of the knee, the support extending across the knee such that the second components of the first and second hinge mechanisms extend across the knee, with the first pivot axes of the first and second hinge mechanisms being located above the knee and the second pivot axes of the first and second hinge mechanisms being located below the knee. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step (b) of positioning the support comprises tensioning the framework in abutment with the area of the body, including the hinge joint, and fastening the support to the body on opposite sides of the hinge joint of the body such that the framework is held in tension in its abutment with the area of the body, the elastically stretchable framework conforming to the surface contour of the area of the body as a result of said tensioning.