Strap tightener assembly for an orthopedic device

Abstract

A strap tightener assembly has a base, a tightening device mounted on the base and movable relative thereto, and a strap assembly coupled to the tightening device. The tightening device provides incremental movement of the strap assembly relative to the base at a plurality of predefined settings. A cover extends over the strap assembly and connects to the base so that the base and the cover form a channel permitting movement of the strap assembly therethrough. The cover defines an elongate slot extending along a portion of a length of the cover, and the strap assembly has an indicator identifying the relative location of the strap assembly to the cover. A strap is securable to the strap assembly.

1 . A strap tightener assembly comprising:
 a base having first and second ends;   a tightening device mounted on the base near the first end and movable relative thereto;   a cable rotatably secured and windable about the tightening device, the tightening device arranged for incrementally winding a cable extending therefrom at a plurality of predefined settings, the cable having a first end coupled to the tightening device and arranged to move linearly relative to the base from the second end to the first end by adjustment of the tightening device;   a cover having first and second ends with the first end facing the tightening device, the cover connected to the base, the base and the cover and forming an elongate channel permitting movement of the cable;   a cable retainer having a first end defining a U-shaped channel through which the cable slidably extends, the cable retainer being provided and slidable within the elongate channel.   
     
     
         2 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap assembly including a strap and having a first end connected to a second end of the cable retainer opposite the first end of the cable retainer. 
     
     
         3 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the strap is formed from a textile. 
     
     
         4 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base forms a locking element extending substantially at an edge of the first end of the base and beyond the first end of the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cable retainer includes a flat and flexible strap extension at the second end, the strap extension having more rigidity than the strap. 
     
     
         6 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the strap extension has a same width as the strap. 
     
     
         7 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cover defines an elongate slot extending along a portion of a length of the cover, the strap assembly having an indicator identifying a relative location of the strap assembly to the cover and visually apparent through the elongate slot. 
     
     
         8 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the indicator slidably fits within the elongate slot of the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of indicia representing a scale along a path which the indicator slides relative to the cover. 
     
     
         10 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is formed from a flexible, polymeric material. 
     
     
         11 . A strap tightener assembly for attachment to an article, the article including a frame element forming an opening, the assembly comprising:
 a base having first and second ends, the base forming a locking element extending substantially at an edge from the first end of the base, the locking element arranged for removably securing the base to the frame element by the opening;   a tightening device mounted on the base near the first end and movable relative thereto;   a cable rotatably secured and windable about the tightening device, the tightening device arranged for incrementally winding a cable extending therefrom at a plurality of predefined settings, the cable having a first end coupled to the tightening device and arranged to move linearly relative to the base from the second end to the first end by adjustment of the tightening device;   a strap having a first end connected to portion of the cable extending opposite the tightening device;   a cover having first and second ends with the first end facing the tightening device and the second end of the cover receiving the strap, the cover extending over the strap and connected to the base, the base and the cover forming an elongate channel permitting movement of the cable and the first end of the strap therethrough, the cable extending substantially only within the elongate channel, the locking element extending beyond the first end of the cover.   
     
     
         12 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the strap is formed from a textile. 
     
     
         13 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the cover defines an elongate slot extending along a portion of a length of the cover, the strap having an indicator identifying a relative location of the strap to the cover and visually apparent through the elongate slot. 
     
     
         14 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the indicator slidably fits within the elongate slot of the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of indicia representing a scale along a path which the indicator slides relative to the cover. 
     
     
         16 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is formed from a flexible, polymeric material. 
     
     
         17 . A strap tightener assembly for attachment to an article, the article including a frame element forming an opening, the assembly comprising:
 a base formed from a polymeric material, the base having first and second ends, and forming a locking element extending substantially at an edge from the first end of the base, the locking element arranged for removably securing the base to the frame element by the opening;   a tightening device rotatably mounted on the base near the first end and movable relative thereto, the tightening device having incremental control at a plurality of predefined settings;   a cable rotatably secured and windable about the tightening device;   a cover formed from a polymeric material, the cover having first and second ends with the first end facing the tightening device, the base and the cover connecting by interlocking features and forming an elongate channel permitting movement of the cable therebetween, the locking element extending beyond the first end of the cover;   a cable retainer being provided and slidable within the elongate channel, the cable retainer having a first end defining first and second holes and a U-shaped channel through which the cable extends.   
     
     
         18 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the cover and the base are flexible and adapted to resiliently return to shape. 
     
     
         19 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the cable retainer includes a flat and flexible strap extension at the second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         20 . The strap tightener assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a strap having a first end connected to a second end of the cable retainer opposite the first end of the cable retainer.