Living hinge for athletic brace or support

Abstract

The invention comprises an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace, support for a joint complex and is a network of interlinking elastomeric bands that extend radially from a hub member having a section of reduced rigidity to support a joint in tension but provide for controlled hinging about an axis defined through the hub member. In particular, the brace is provided for an ankle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ankle brace which supports the foot, ankle and leg of a user and comprising an interlinking network of band members forming a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a distal band which forms at least 200 degrees of an arc and the second portion having a proximal band and a medial malleolus support and a lateral malleolus support which together define a transverse axis extending between the medial malleolus support and the lateral malleolus supports, and a recess which accommodates the heel of the foot of the user, and the interlinking network of bands further comprising a medial mid-foot band which extends from the medial malleolus support to the distal band and a lateral mid-foot band which extends from the lateral malleolus support to the distal band and a medial lower leg band which extends from the medial malleolus support to the proximal band and a lateral lower leg band which extends from the lateral malleolus support to the proximal band wherein at least one support chosen from the medial malleolus support and the lateral malleolus support has a section of reduced rigidity which support encourages the interlinking network to form a hinge about the transverse axis to allow pivoting motion between the first portion and the second portion but the network inhibits lateral and medial translational or pivotal motion about an axis perpendicular to the transverse axis along the length of the foot between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         2 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein brace has a rear entry. 
     
     
         3 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the rear entry comprises an open area of the second portion having a lateral portion, and an open area of the second portion having a medial portion contiguous to a medial closure member that extends proximally and laps over the lateral portion of the second portion and including a closure member that fastens the medial closure member about the ankle on the brace and the lateral portion of the second portion including a lateral closure member including a closure member that fastens the lateral closure member about the ankle. 
     
     
         4 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the section of reduced rigidity comprises a section of reduced volume of material. 
     
     
         5 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the section of reduced volume of the support comprises an area of reduced thickness or reduced width. 
     
     
         6 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the section of reduced volume comprises a gap or notch. 
     
     
         7 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the section of reduced rigidity comprises a section of a material having increased elasticity. 
     
     
         8 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the section of material having increased elasticity comprises a section that has a lower cross-linking than the remainder of the support. 
     
     
         9 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1  wherein both the medial malleolus support and the lateral malleolus support have a section of decreased rigidity. 
     
     
         10 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein brace is formed by molding or casting. 
     
     
         11 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the brace comprises the interlinking network and an elastomeric web and the interlinking network comprises a material of a durometer that is 10 to 90 points higher on the Shore A scale than the material of the elastomeric web. 
     
     
         12 . A brace comprising an interlinking network of elastomeric band members having a thickness of from 1 mm to 10 mm, a width of from 3 mm to 20 mm, and a durometer of from 10 to 140 on the Shore A scale, and forming a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a distal band and the second portion having a proximal band and a medial support and a lateral support which together define a transverse axis extending between the medial support and the lateral support, and the interlinking network of bands further comprising a medial first portion band which extends from the medial support to the distal band and a lateral first portion band which extends from the lateral malleolus support to the distal band and a medial second portion band which extends from the medial support to the proximal band and a lateral lower band which extends from the lateral support to the proximal band wherein either the medial support or the lateral support or both have a section of decreased rigidity so that the support together with the interlinking network forms a hinge about the transverse axis to allow pivoting motion between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         13 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the network includes linking members that act as stiffening ribs in the anatomic orientation of the lateral collateral ligamentous complex of the joint. 
     
     
         14 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the distal band is a flat band of material having a durometer of from 40 to 100 on the Shore A scale which includes an interruption of a length along the long axis of the band and at a first end and a second end joined by a gusset and the gusset is formed by a member which joins the first end and the second end of the band by a length which is longer than the length of the interruption. 
     
     
         15 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the proximal band includes a closure mechanism that allows the size of the proximal opening to be adjusted. 
     
     
         16 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the brace comprises a biocompatible elastomeric material is tacky to the touch. 
     
     
         17 . A brace for a joint having a framework of support extending between a first proximal opening and a second distal opening, wherein the framework includes a first anchor at the first proximal opening comprising a band that forms a closed loop for a proximal side of the joint and a second anchor at the second distal opening comprising a closed loop for the second side of the joint and a plurality of struts extending radially from an elastomeric hinge comprising a loop having a section of reduced rigidity and operatively connected between the first anchor and the second anchor and the struts comprising strips having a thickness of from 1 to 4 mm and a width of from 3 to 10 mm and comprised of a material having a durometer of 60 to 80 on the Share A scale and the framework defines fenestrations which include webs of sheet material comprised of an elastomeric material having a durometer of 25 to 45 on the Shore A scale and a stickiness of 000.5 to 30 N/100 in accordance with ASTM peel strip test 3330D at 90°. 
     
     
         18 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the second anchor is a band that forms a flat ring in the distal area of the closed loop and the flat ring includes an interruption joined by a v-shaped member that opposes but also allows the expansion of the ring so as to form a snug fit with the user at the second opening. 
     
     
         19 . A brace for a joint having a framework of support extending between a first proximal opening and a second distal opening, wherein the framework includes a first anchor at the first proximal opening comprising a band that forms a closed loop for a proximal side of the joint and a second anchor at the second distal opening comprising a closed loop for the second side of the joint and elastomeric bands extending from a central loop having a section of reduced volume so as to allow the loop to flex in a directed manner and the elastomeric bands extending from the central loop and connecting the first anchor and the second anchor and comprising strips having a width of from ¼ to ⅕ of an inch, wherein the first anchor and the second anchor is comprised of a material having a durometer of 60 to 80 on the Share A scale and a thickness of 2 to 10 mm, and the framework defines fenestrations which include webs of sheet material comprised of an elastomeric material having a durometer of 25 to 45 on the Shore A scale and a stickiness of 000.5 to 30 N/100 in accordance with ASTM peel strip test 3330D at 90 
     
     
         20 . An ankle brace as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the loop is a band that forms a flat ring and the section of reduced volume is a section having a reduced thickness or reduced width or both.