GB2156221A - Leg support with knee flexion control - Google Patents

Abstract

A leg-supporting device suitable for medical use or for practice of downhill skiing consists of two suitably curved and profiled plates, one of which (13) wraps up the thigh while the other (14) wraps up the shin and calf and cooperates with a part of the show; the upper plate (13) is continued downward by two opposite and parallel arms (2) profiled and articulated each on a shaft (4), on either sides of the knee, the lower plate (14) being continued upward by two opposite and parallel arms (3) profiled and articulated around shaft (4) in combination with upper plate (13), the lower plate being controlled by elastic components (12) tensioned when flexing the knee and means, designed to suppress this control beyond a certain flexion angle. e.g. by a manual releasing component (11) to fully suppress the elastic control. Alternative forms for medical use have a locking mechanism, which can be manually released, whereby the leg can be maintained straighter when desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for facilitating the practice of downhill skiing The subject matter of this invention is connected to the technical area of sports, more especially to equipmentforskiing and to the technical and medical area of devices intended for lower limbs.

It is well known that downhill skiing presents traumaticrisksforthelowerlimbsespeciallyand generates high musucularstressesinthethighs resulting from the most frequently flexed position of the skier's knees. This state offact led to the construction of a device designed to reduce traumatic risks ofthis sporting activity while increasing the safety and providing a technical help and assistance to the musculation.

As far as safety is concerned, the device is designed to prevent accidents by increasing the mechanical strength ofthe lower limb and also allows the practice of skiing for individuals who became fragile due to a previous accident, to their age, to the lack of physical training, etc.

As technical assistance, the device prevents axial rotation ofthe leg on the knee and provides a better control of ski parallelism, thus avoiding lateral shimmy, which is the cause of manyfalls.

On the other hand, it is known that lower limb flexion constitutes the basic principle of modern skiing techniques. It results in the weight of body being constantly supported by the thigh muscles, which requires high muscular straining in orderto face two stresses: on the one hand static stresses, for balaniing the body weight, and on the other hand, dynamic stresses for absorbing all the jolts due to the uneven surface of the ground.

In one aspect the invention provides a device for facilitating especially downhill skiing practice, which includesforeach lowerlimb,a kneebandagecomprising mainly two suitably curved and profiled plates and one of which wraps upthethigh while the other one wraps up the leg being likely to cooperate with a part of the shoe; the upper plate is continued downward by two opposite and parallel arms, profiled and articulated each on a shaft on either sides of the knee, the lower plate extending upward by two opposite and parallel arms, profiled and articulated on shaft in combination with upper plate, the lower plate being controlled by elastic components likelyto be tensioned, when flexing the knee in combination with appropriate means, designed to suppress this control beyond a certain flexion angle, said means being connected to a manual releasing component to fully suppressthe elastic control.

In another aspect the invention provides a device for facilitating especially downhill skiing practice, which includesforeach lower limb, a knee bandage com prising mainly two suitably curved and profiled plates and one of which wraps upthethigh while the otherone wraps up the leg being likely to cooperate with a part of the shoe; both plates being maintained and connected together by two fittings mounted on either sides of the lower limb, pach fitting being composed of two profiled arms and articulated on a shaft, on either sides ofthe knee; the lower arm being controlled by elastic components likely to be tensioned, when flexing the knee in combination with appropriate means designed to suppress this control beyond a certain flexion angle, said means being controlled by a manual releasing component to fully suppress the elastic control.

The device allows to transfer some ofthese forces onto an elastic suspension system, thus reducing the fatigue, and therefore the aciidents due to this fatigue.

This elastic suspension, because of reasons connected to the skiing technique, is designed so as to be efficientfrom lotto 90 kneeflexion.

For that purpose, the device as it is characterized in the claims consists, for each lower limb, in a knee bandage including mainly two suitably curved and profiled plates made from flexible material, one of which wraps upthe leg while the other wraps upthe thigh. Both plates are maintained and connected together by two fittings, one inside, the other outside, articulated at the level ofthe knee. Or, in another embodiment, these two plates are maintained and connected together by being directly articulated at the level of the knee.

The curved lower plate or one part of the relevant fitting is fastened to elastic components likely to be tensioned when flexing the knee. Forthat purpose, on either sides ofthe knee, a disk formed at the basis of the upperfitting or of an arm projecting downward the curved upper plate is profiled like a cam, so asto co-operate with a lever, pivoting around a disk eccentrically mounted on a shaft integral with a part of the fitting or of the curved lower plate thus applying tension to the elastic components. It consists of the eccentric disk operated by a handle allowing to depress the lever, thus cancelling the action of the elastic components.

To determine the object of this invention, without limiting it, in the appended drawings: ~Figures 1 and 2 are external section views of the device fitted to a skier's leg and according to a first embodiment of said device.

~Figure3 is, at a greater scale, a partial section view showing the detail of the components of the device mechanism.

~Figure4 is a side view of the device fitted to a skier's leg, according to a preferred embodiment of said device.

~Figure is an enlarged view of the device shown in figure 4, showing the components of the mechanism.

~Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along main lines ofthe device, shown in figure 5.

~Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respectively horizontal sectional views taken along 7.7, 8.8, and 9.9 lines of figure 5.

- Figure 10 shows an optional embodimentofthe device to be used for skiing, shown in figure 4.

- Figure 11 shows the pattern of figure 10 fitted to a ski shoe specially designed for that purpose, made integral with the device especially thanks to a selfgripping device.

~Figure 12 shows a transverse vertical section of deviceoffigure 11.

~Figures 13 and 14 show two horizontal sections at the level ofthe connection between the device and the shoe, according to the embodiment of figure 11.

~Figure 15 shows a side view of the device intended for medical use.

~Figure 16 shows a view of a simplified device intended for medical use.

~Figures 17 and 18 show horizontal sections taken along lines 17.17, and 18.18 offigure 16.

The device according to this invention includes for each lower limb a knee bandage consisting mainly of two suitably curved and profiled plates 13 and 14 made from flexible material. Plate 13 wraps partially upthethigh, while plate 14wraps partially upthe leg.

In the example ofthe illustrated embodiment, figures 1,2 and 3, both plates 13 and 14 are maintained and connected together by two fittings 1, one inside, the other outside, articulated at the level of the knee.

Forthat purpose, each fitting 1 consists of two profiled arms 2 and 3 articulated on a common shaft 4.

These two arms2 and 3 are fastened to a resilient system acting when flexing the limb, in such a way that, underthe action of the weight of the body, the angle between the upper (2) and lower (3) arms being reduced, the resilient system is tensioned to take charge eithertotally or partially of the body weight as stated in the following description.

The upper arm 2 has at its lower end 2b a special shape profile used as cam 2c. This part ofthe upper arm is freely articulated on shaft4 by being maintained between two parallel flanges 6 constituting directly or in an inserted mannerthe upper part of lowerarm 3. Shaft4 is fixed on flanges 6.

Between flanges 6 below arm 2 is articulated a lever 7 arranged to transfer the suspension stresses by pivoting around shaft 8 on which is angularly indexed an eccentric disk 8a. Lever7 is designed to accomodate at its end a roller 10 bearing on cam profile 2c of upper arm 2. The eccentric device 8a is fastened to a control handle 11 to depress manually lever7 in order to suppress the action of roller 10 opposite the cam profile 2c.

The lower arm 3 is controlled by a resilient system 12 consisting in the example of figures 1,2 and 3 in a series of rings 12a made from elastomer, simultaneously enclosing said arm 3 and lower part of articulated lever 7.

The fittings 1 are fixed outside the profiled plates 13 and 14 by means of rivets 15 for instance.

In a preferred embodiment shown in figures 4to 14 especially, the fittings of the devices are suppressed, their maintaining and connecting action devolving on curved and profiled plates 13 and 14themselves which are made from resistant enough plastics material, each plate 13 and 14 being extended by two profiled arms 13a and 14a, to be articulated on the main shaft 4 on either sides of the knee.

The upperanns 13a are terminated bya disk 13bthe lower rim of which has an outline of suitable shape used as cam and likelytoco-operatewith a part of lever7. On either sides of the leg, the profiled and curved plate 14 is extended downward by two profiled lugs 1 4c to be inserted between the skier's leg and the ski shoe to help to maintain the device.

The eccentric disk 8a on which is pivotally mounted the lever7 is angularly indexed ona flat bearing surface8bofshaft8integralwith handle 1 1,This shaft 3 is rotatably mounted inthe thickness of curved plate ~4,the whole assembly being maintained by a nut 23 (figure 8). Superposed to lever 7, shaft8 receives a profiled and bent assembly part 24 dismountably fixed to a partofcurved plate 14 and on uppercurved plate 13 through shaft 4.This part 24 has at its anterior part and directed downward, an arm 24a, dismount ablyfixedon plate 14 while being designed so as to ensure the positioning and holding of elastic components 12.

An elasticsuspension device consists mainlyofthe combination of lever7 able to pivot around eccentric disk 8a underthe action of the cam resulting from the profiled lower rim 13b and of the elastic components 12 which may be made of elastic straps or rubber sleeve, and which are enclosing the basis of lever 7 and arm 24a.

As stated, the position of the disk8a is controlled by the shaft by a square-section and eccentric position cutting and in which is inserted a pa rt of shaft 8 of complementary square section. By acting on handle 11, integral with shaft 8, lever7 is consequently raised or lowered.

The upper 13 and lower 14curved plates are fitted with non-elastic straps 17 fitted with adjustable self-gripping systems 18, for maintaining the device onthelowerlimbwiththehelpoflugsl4c.

The device is still more suitably maintained and comfortable to use thanks to two concave plates 16 with circular outline, made from flexible plastics material, located on either sides ofthe knee and able to swivel upon shaft 4.

Another embodimentofthe device is shown on figure 10. It consists in no longer locating the concave holding plates 16 concentrically with shaft 4 around which plates 1 Sand 14 are swivelling, but in an independent position below and before shaft4.

Thistechnicalaiterationislikelyto reducethe dimensions ofthedevice at the level of the leg where the space is limited bythe ski boot and to allow a better fitto the body outlines.

The device described, of whatever type of embodi- ment, mayftttoanyski boots. But, it is moreadvisable to use a slijl Goot especially designed forthis device, as illustratedhyfigurns 11,12,13 and 14.

The ski boot 25 consists of an upper comprising two curved:and profiled plates, laterally arranged, 25a and 25b liketyto move apart sidewise. These plates include on their innerface, one partof a self-gripping system, the other part bei ng a rranged on the outer face of lugs 14c. These plates are arranged outside the inner shoe 26 which has a speciafshape assuming the shape of lug 14caws shown on figures 11 and 14. The use of special boots offers two advantages, i.e. a better cohesion of the device and the boot, and a more comfortable use.

Now the operation of the device is to be described.

Under the flexing action ofthe knee, the curved plate 13 drives the cam 13b which tips up lever 7 around disk 8a thus tensioning the elastic component 12. Its purpose is to oppose to knee flexion and by depressing on cam 13b to contribute, by spring effect, to the return to 180r oftheplate 1 3 on plate 14i.e. from the thigh to the leg. Beyond a knee flexion angle ofthe order of 90--, as the cam radius 13b becomes constant, the return action ofthe elastic component is suppressed which is a favourable element.

Under some circumstances, especially when walking, it is useful to be able to release the elastic device.

Forthatpurpose, it is just necessary to lift handle 11 which, through shaft 8, lowers the eccentric disk 8a and consequently lever 7, which then stops pressing on cam 13b.

Without being excluded from the scope of this invention, the device may, with some minor alterations, be highly profitable in an area different from ski: this is the medical field. In this case, the main purpose ofthe device is to help to support a deficient lower limb. It may be useful, in some cases, to lock in extension i.e. at 180% the knee joint, but it should be possible to release this locking. This latter possibility is obtained by a device showing little difference with the one of the apparatus intended for skiing and illustratedbyfiguresl5and 16.

In this case, the lever7 has no longerthefunction of transmitting the elastic suspension forces, but of ensuring the locking at 1800 of the device. For that purpose, lever7 has a projecting spigot7a able to engage in extended position and underthe action of the elastic component 12 in a matching notch 13e arranged in profile 13which, in this case, has a circular shape. To angularly uncouple both plates 13 and 14, it isjustnecessaryto lower lever 7 through the eccentric operated by handle 11.

In some diseases, it is not necessary to lock in extension. In this case, a simplified device has been developed as illustrated by figure 16, in which are only kept the plastics plates 13 and 14, articulated on shaft 4 provided with holding disks 16, both plates being maintained by the straps fitted with self-gripping systemsandthe lugs 14cto be inserted betweenthe leg and the special shoe. This latter is a high upper shoe, more or less rigid depending upon the use for which is intended the device. For a bettercohesion between the device and the shoe, a self-gripping system 27 is used, the shoe itself being maintained on to the foot by several lugs with self-gripping device 28.

These devices for medical use are recommended in many deseases to compensate a functional deficien- cy, to relieve a joint, to consolidate a brittle limb.

Without going into the details, the following may be quoted: ~the sequelae of traumatism, such as the consequences of knee sprain. In this case, the purpose of the device is to support the limb and to avoid abnormal movements and the aggravation ofthe lesions.

~the knee arthrosis. The purpose of the device isto relieve the joint and thus avoid the arthrosis pain and aggravation.

~some neurological diseases such asthesequelae of poliomyelitis, the motor physical disabilities of cerebral origin, the incomplete paralysis of lower limbs.

These devices used for medical purposes show, with r#sp"ctt# the prsent device#, important advan- tages: ~possibility of mass production since they are, for the most part, made from plastics material, thence a lower cost, ~lightness and comfort, - large possibilities forfitting them to the various morphologies.

Some individualsshowan abnormal lateral anlular position ofthe leg on the thigh, which may be opened inward, or on the contrary outward. For those cases, it is possible to adjust the device so as to fit itto this deformation, this possibility may be used both for devices intended for skiing, and forthose intended for the medical field. It is illustrated by figures 16,17 and 18 regarding the simplified device for medical purpose, but its principle may be easily transposed to the other devices.

The curved plate 14 consists of two halves 14d and 14e the more or less overlapping anterior parts of which are provided with self-gripping devices. They allow a perfect fit to different individuals by acting either on the importance of the overlapping areas, or on the angular shift with which these areas may be adjusted.

Also, the various components ofthe device may be made from any materials. For instance, for a maximum lightening, all the parts may be made from plastics material.

The shapes of the various parts or components of the device described and/or illustrated are not at all limiting and do not exclude any other one which would be likelyto perform the same functions in order to reach the target aimed at.

For instance, the system may be built in a complete assembly including the skier's shoe and thus providing a ski boot, whether the shoe part may or not be separated from the knee holding part, which is the subject matterofthis patent.

Claims (14)

1. A lower limb supporting devicewhichcompris es a knee bandage comprising two suitably curved and profiled plates, the upper one of which wraps the thigh while the lower one wraps the leg and is adapted to cooperate with a part of a shoe, the upper plate being continued downward by two opposite and parallel profiled arms on respective sides ofthe knee, the lower plate being extended upward by two opposite and parallel profiled arms articulated to the respective arms of the upper plates, at least one of the lower plates being controlled by an elastic system adapted to be stressed when flexing the knee, in combination with means for suppressing this control beyond a given flexion angle, the said means being connected to a manual releasing componentforfully suppressing the elastic control.

2. A low limb supporting device which comprises a knee bandage comprising two suitably curved and profiled plates, one of which wrapsthethigh while the other wraps the leg and is adapted to cooperate with a partofa shoe, both plates being maintained and connected together by two fittings mounted on respective sides ofthe lower limb, each fitting being composed of two profiled arms, articulated on respective sides ofthe knee, at least one of the lower arms being controlled by an elastic system adapted to be stressed when flexing the knee, in combination with means for suppressing this control beyond a given flexion angle, the said means being controlled by a manual releasing componentforfully suppressing the elastic control.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the lower part of both upper arms, at the level of their articulation, has a profile used as cam and adapted to cooperate with a partofa leverpivotally mounted around an eccentric disk angularly indexed on a flat bearing surface of a shaft integral with the manual releasing component in the form of a handle to depress the lever, the said shaft being rotatably mounted in the thickness of the curved plate

4.A device as claimed in claim 3, in which, in superposition of lever, the shaft receives a profiled and curved assemblypartfastened to one part of the curved plate and to the upper curved plate through an articulation shaft, the said part having at its front an arm directed downward, designed and arranged to ensurethepositioning and holding oftheelastic system.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the elastic system encloses both the last-mentioned arm and the lower part of lever.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the base ofthe upper arms has a cam-shaped profile pivotally mounted around an eccentric disk angularly indexed on one part of a shaft integral with the manual releasing component in the form of a handle to lower a lever.

7. Adeviceasclaimed in claim 6, in which the elastic system comprises a series of elastomer rings enclosing simultaneously and jointly the lower arm and the lower part ofthe articulated lever.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper and lower curved plates are fitted with adjustable straps each fitted with components of a aself-gripping system to hold the whole device on the lower limb of the user, the lower part of the lower plate being continued downward by two lugs to be inserted in the shoe.

9. A simplified device applicable in the medical field, comprising an upper profiled and curved plate for holding the device at the level ofthethigh, and continued downward bytwo opposite and parallel arms each profiled and articulated around a shaft in combination with upper plate, the plates being fitted with adjustable straps each fitted with components of a self-gripping system to hold the device on the user's leg.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the lower part of both arms has a circular profile in cooperation with a lever pivotally mounted around an eccentric disk angularly indexed on a flat part of shaft integral with a releasing component, intheform of a handle to lower a lever which has a projecting spigot adapted to cooperate with a matching notch formed at the end ofthe said profile to ensure on demand the angular locking at 1800 of both plates.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which circular and concave flanges are mounted at the articulation to rest on the inner and outer faces ofthe knee.

12. Adevice as claimed in claim 11, in which the circular and concave flanges are articulated on the lower plate.

13. Adeviceasclaimedinclaiml Of 2,coupled with ask boot, including an upper made oftwo side parts, each one being connected to the device by means of a self-gripping device, and a suitably profiled and arranged inner shoe to fit to the device.

14. A lower limb supporting device substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to3, Figures 4to 9, FigureslOto 14, Figure 15, or Figures 1 ro 18 of the accompanying drawings.