Ankle brace

Abstract

An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An ankle brace for use with an athletic shoe having a sole with a lower cleated surface, a lateral side and a medial side, an upper part with an upper end, a lacing closure, with upper and lower ends, including a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of eyelets adapted to have a shoe lace threaded therein, comprising:
 a flexible lateral portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said lateral portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion rearwardly of said first loop;   a third loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion below said eyelets at said forward end of said lateral portion and below said first loop;   said lateral portion having a strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side thereof at said rearward end thereof;   said lateral portion being removably positioned adjacent the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe;   said lower end of said lateral portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   a flexible medial portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said medial portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion rearwardly of said first loop thereof;   a third loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion below said eyelets at said forward end of said medial portion and below said first loop thereof;   an elongated first strap having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces;   said first end of said first strap being secured to said medial portion at said rearward end thereof;   said inner surface of said first strap having loop fasteners thereon;   said first strap being selectively adjustably secured to said strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side of said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   said lower ends of said lateral and medial portions being joined together beneath the sole of the shoe;   said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions being spaced-apart;   a flexible and stretchable body member having upper and lower ends, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a heel portion;   said lower end of said lateral side portion of said body member being secured to said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial side portion of said body member being secured to said medial portion;   said heel portion of said body member being secured to said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions and extending therebetween;   a second flexible and stretchable strap having a first end, a second end, an upper end, a lower end, and inner and outer sides;   said lower end of said second strap being secured to said upper end of said body member so that said first and second ends of said second strap extend forwardly from said first body member;   said outer side of said second strap having loop fasteners thereon at said second end thereof;   a third strap having a first end, a second end, an outer side and an inner side;   said first end of said third strap being secured to said first end of said second strap;   said inner side of said third strap having hook fasteners thereon for adjustable attachment to said loop fasteners on said second strap at said second end of said second strap;   a fourth non-stretchable strap having first and second ends;   said fourth strap being secured to said outer side of said second strap;   said first end of said fourth strap having at least one eyelet formed therein;   said second end of said fourth strap having at least one eyelet formed therein;   a loop secured to said fourth strap at said first end thereof;   a loop secured to said fourth strap at said second end thereof;   a first lace member adjustably extending through said eyelets on said first and second ends of said fourth strap;   a flexible lateral tensioning cord having first and second ends;   said first end of said lateral tensioning cord being secured to said fourth strap at said first end thereof;   said lateral tensioning cord extending from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through said second loop on said lateral portion, thence forwardly through said first loop on said lateral portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through said third loop on said lateral portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through said second loop on said lateral portion, thence rearwardly through said loop at said first end of said fourth strap, thence downwardly therefrom;   said second end of said lateral tensioning cord being secured to said lateral portion;   a flexible medial tensioning cord having first and second ends;   said first end of said medial tensioning cord being secured to said fourth strap at said second end thereof;   said medial tensioning cord extending from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through said second loop on said medial portion, thence forwardly through said first loop on said medial portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through said third loop on said medial portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through said second loop on said medial portion, thence rearwardly through said loops at said second end of said fourth strap, thence through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said plurality of eyelets on said medial portion;   said second end of said medial tensioning cord being secured to said medial portion;   the shoe lace of the shoe also being threaded through some of said first eyelets formed in said lateral portion and through some of said first eyelets in said medial portion.   
     
     
         2 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  further including elongated fifth and sixth straps having first and second ends; said first end of said fifth strap being secured to said lateral tensioning cord; said second end of said fifth strap being selectively adjustably secured to the outer side of said medial portion; said first end of said sixth strap being secured to said medial tensioning cord; said second end of said sixth strap being selectively adjustably secured to said outer side of said lateral portion. 
     
     
         3 . The ankle brace of  claim 2  wherein said first end of said fifth strap is secured to said lateral tensioning cord between said first and third loops of said lateral portion and wherein said first end of said sixth strap is secured to said medial tensioning cord between said first and second loops of said medial portion. 
     
     
         4 . The ankle brace of  claim 3  wherein said first end of said fifth strap is slidably secured to said lateral tensioning cord and wherein said first end of said sixth strap is slidably secured to said medial tensioning cord. 
     
     
         5 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  wherein said lateral portion has an eyelet formed thereon rearwardly of said first eyelets thereof and wherein said medial portion has an eyelet formed therein rearwardly of said first eyelets thereof; said second end of said lateral tensioning cord extending through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said first eyelets of said lateral portion for connection to said lateral portion; said second end of said medial tensioning cord extending through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said first eyelets of said medial portion for connection to said medial portion. 
     
     
         6 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  wherein a reinforcing member is positioned at the inner side of said lateral portion and is secured thereto and wherein a reinforcing member is positioned at the inner side of said medial portion and is secured thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  wherein said lateral and medial tensioning cords are stretchable. 
     
     
         8 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  wherein a reinforcing member is positioned between said fourth strap and said third strap. 
     
     
         9 . The ankle brace of  claim 1  wherein said lower ends of said lateral and medial portions have openings formed therein which receive some of the cleats of the sole extending downwardly therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . An ankle brace for use with an athletic shoe having a sole with a lower surface, a lateral side and a medial side, an upper part with an upper end, a lacing closure, with upper and lower ends, including a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of eyelets adapted to have a shoe lace threaded therein, comprising:
 a flexible lateral portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said lateral portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion rearwardly of said first loop;   a third loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion below said eyelets at said forward end of said lateral portion and below said first loop;   said lateral portion having a strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side thereof at said rearward end thereof;   said lateral portion being removably positioned adjacent the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe;   said lower end of said lateral portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   a flexible medial portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said medial portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion rearwardly of said first loop thereof;   a third loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion below said eyelets at said forward end of said medial portion and below said first loop thereof;   an elongated first strap having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces;   said first end of said first strap being secured to said medial portion at said rearward end thereof;   said inner surface of said first strap having loop fasteners thereon;   said first strap being selectively adjustably secured to said strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side of said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   said lower ends of said lateral and medial portions being joined together beneath the sole of the shoe;   said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions being spaced-apart;   a flexible body member having upper and lower ends, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a heel portion;   said lower end of said lateral side portion of said body member being secured to said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial side portion of said body member being secured to said medial portion;   said heel portion of said body member being secured to said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions and extending therebetween;   a second flexible strap having a first end, a second end, an upper end, a lower end, and inner and outer sides;   said lower end of said second strap being secured to said upper end of said body member so that said first and second ends of said second strap extend forwardly from said first body member;   said outer side of said second strap having loop fasteners thereon at said second end thereof;   a third strap having a first end, a second end, an outer side and an inner side;   said first end of said third strap being secured to said first end of said second strap;   said inner side of said third strap having hook fasteners thereon for adjustable attachment to said loop fasteners on said second strap at said second end of said second strap;   a fourth non-stretchable strap having first and second ends;   said fourth strap being secured to said outer side of said second strap;   said first end of said fourth strap having at least one eyelet formed therein;   said second end of said fourth strap having at least one eyelet formed therein;   a loop secured to said fourth strap at said first end thereof;   a loop secured to said fourth strap at said second end thereof;   a first lace member adjustably extending through said eyelets on said first and second ends of said fourth strap;   a flexible lateral tensioning cord having first and second ends;   said first end of said lateral tensioning cord being secured to said fourth strap at said first end thereof;   said lateral tensioning cord extending from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through said second loop on said lateral portion, thence forwardly through said first loop on said lateral portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through said third loop on said lateral portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through said second loop on said lateral portion, thence rearwardly through said loop at said first end of said fourth strap, thence downwardly therefrom;   said second end of said lateral tensioning cord being secured to said lateral portion;   a flexible medial tensioning cord having first and second ends;   said first end of said medial tensioning cord being secured to said fourth strap at said second end thereof;   said medial tensioning cord extending from its fixed first end downwardly and forwardly through said second loop on said medial portion, thence forwardly through said first loop on said medial portion, thence downwardly and rearwardly through said third loop on said medial portion, thence upwardly and rearwardly through said second loop on said medial portion, thence rearwardly through said loops at said second end of said fourth strap, thence through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said plurality of eyelets on said medial portion;   said second end of said medial tensioning cord being secured to said medial portion;   the shoe lace of the shoe also being threaded through some of said first eyelets formed in said lateral portion and through some of said first eyelets in said medial portion.   
     
     
         11 . The ankle brace of  claim 10  further including elongated fifth and sixth straps having first and second ends; said first end of said fifth strap being secured to said lateral tensioning cord; said second end of said fifth strap being selectively adjustably secured to the outer side of said medial portion; said first end of said sixth strap being secured to said medial tensioning cord; said second end of said sixth strap being selectively adjustably secured to said outer side of said lateral portion. 
     
     
         12 . The ankle brace of  claim 11  wherein said first end of said fifth strap is secured to said lateral tensioning cord between said first and third loops of said lateral portion and wherein said first end of said sixth strap is secured to said medial tensioning cord between said first and second loops of said medial portion. 
     
     
         13 . The ankle brace of  claim 12  wherein said first end of said fifth strap is slidably secured to said lateral tensioning cord and wherein said first end of said sixth strap is slidably secured to said medial tensioning cord. 
     
     
         14 . The ankle brace of  claim 10  wherein said lateral portion has an eyelet formed thereon rearwardly of said first eyelets thereof and wherein said medial portion has an eyelet formed therein rearwardly of said first eyelets thereof; said second end of said lateral tensioning cord extending through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said first eyelets of said lateral portion for connection to said lateral portion; said second end of said medial tensioning cord extending through said eyelet which is positioned rearwardly of said first eyelets of said medial portion for connection to said medial portion. 
     
     
         15 . The ankle brace of  claim 10  wherein a reinforcing member is positioned at the inner side of said lateral portion and is secured thereto and wherein a reinforcing member is positioned at the inner side of said medial portion and is secured thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The ankle brace of  claim 10  wherein said lateral and medial tensioning cords are stretchable. 
     
     
         17 . The ankle brace of  claim 10  wherein a reinforcing member is positioned between said fourth strap and said third strap. 
     
     
         18 . An ankle brace for use with an athletic shoe having a sole with a lower surface, a lateral side and a medial side, an upper part with an upper end, a lacing closure, with upper and lower ends, including a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of eyelets adapted to have a shoe lace threaded therein, comprising:
 a flexible lateral portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said lateral portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said lateral portion rearwardly of said first loop;   said lateral portion having a strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side thereof;   said lateral portion being removably positioned adjacent the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe;   said lower end of said lateral portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   a flexible medial portion having an upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an outer side and an inner side;   said upper end of said medial portion having a plurality of spaced-apart first eyelets formed therein at said forward end thereof;   a first loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion adjacent said eyelets at said forward end thereof;   a second loop secured to said outer side of said medial portion rearwardly of said first loop thereof;   an elongated first strap having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces;   said first end of said first strap being secured to said medial portion;   said inner surface of said first strap having loop fasteners thereon;   said second end of said first strap being selectively adjustably secured to said strip of hook fasteners secured to the outer side of said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial portion extending beneath the sole of the shoe;   said lower ends of said lateral and medial portions being joined together beneath the sole of the shoe;   said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions being spaced-apart;   a flexible body member having upper and lower ends, a lateral side portion, a medial side portion, and a heel portion;   said lower end of said lateral side portion of said body member being secured to said lateral portion;   said lower end of said medial side portion of said body member being secured to said medial portion;   said heel portion of said body member being secured to said rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions and extending therebetween;   a second flexible strap having a first end, a second end, an upper end, a lower end, and inner and outer sides;   said lower end of said second strap being secured to said upper end of said body member so that said first and second ends of said second strap extend forwardly from said first body member;   means for securing said first and second ends of said second strap together;   a first loop secured to said second strap rearwardly of said first end thereof;   a second loop secured to said second strap rearwardly of said second end thereof;   a first lace member adjustably extending through said eyelets on said lateral and medial portions and the eyelets of the shoe;   a flexible lateral tensioning cord operatively interconnecting said first loop on said second strap and said first and second loops on said lateral portion;   a flexible medial tensioning cord operatively interconnecting said second loop on said second strap and said first and second loops on said medial portion;   an elongated third strap having first and second ends;   said first end of said third strap being secured to said lateral tensioning cord;   said second end of said third strap being selectively adjustably secured to said medial portion;   an elongated fourth strap having first and second ends;   said first end of said fourth strap being secured to said medial tensioning cord;   said second end of said fourth strap being selectively adjustably secured to said lateral portion;   the shoe lace of the shoe also being threaded through some of said first eyelets formed in said lateral portion and through some of said first eyelets in said medial portion;   and a third strap adjustably secured to the rearward ends of said lateral and medial portions which extends therebetween.