US2656834A

US2656834A - Orthopedic device for the ankle

Info

Publication number: US2656834A
Application number: US235450A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan R Hatkoff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-07-06
Filing date: 1951-07-06
Publication date: 1953-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-27

Description

Oct. 27, 1953 N. R. HATKOFF 2, 6,834

ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE FOR THE ANKLE Filed July 6, 1951 Fig. 3

, NGf/IUII R. Haikoff IN VEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in orthopedic devices designed to correct an inward rolling tendency of the ankle alignment and thus prevent changes in the weight bearing surfaces of the heel.

An important object of the invention is to provide an orthopedic appliance constructed for exerting pressure on the outside of the heel to correct its alignment and also to exert an upward and inward pressure on the inner side of the ankle.

Another object is to provide an orthopedic appliance which may be interchangeably used on either the right or left foot.

A further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is comfortable to the wearer, efficient and dependable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line 33 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification showing a cup to receive the heel.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a vertical channelled metal strap to the central portion and at the back or smooth side of which a metal cross strap 6 is secured by a bolt and nut 7. V-shaped wings 8 are hinged to the ends of cross strap 6 and are adapted to swing outwardly and in each wing openings 9 are formed to swingably receive the upper ends of a substantially U-shaped rigid wire frame [0.

The frame is swingable in the wings 8 and is curved downwardly and with its lower end rockable in a rolled bearing l l at the upper edge of a swivel connector Ila which is pivoted to the upper edge of a heel plate l2. The lower edge of plate I2 is formed with a metal loop I3 to which one end of a flexible foot strap or tape 14 is secured and which extends therefrom upwardly in the channel of vertical strap and is adjustably secured at its upper end to bolt and nut 1.

An adjustable leg strap I5 is secured in the flanges of the vertical strap 5 adjacent the upper end of the latter.

A felt, rubber or other suitable padding strip I6 is cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the back of vertical strap 5 and a similar pad I! is likewise secured to the inner side of plate l2.

In applying the device a leg it is placed between the outwardly flared wings 8 and the rigid vertical strap 5 is placed at the inner side of the leg with its lower end bearing against the inner side of ankle :e and strap I l is placed under the foot and attached to bolt and nut 1, as shown in Figure 2. Leg strap I5 is secured to the leg and the tightening of strap 14 will pull heel plate l2 inwardly against the outer side of heel 20 and resulting in an inward and upward pulling force on the heel.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated a cup-like member 21 to receive the heel, one edge of the cup being rolled and directly attached to the lower end of frame It to provide a hinge movement for member 2| and a relatively short strap 22 is attached to the opposite edge of cup member 2| for anchoring to bolt and nut 1.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. An orthopedic device vertical member adapted for placing at one side of a leg, adjustable means adapted for embracing the leg and engaging the upper portion of the vertical member and adapted to pull the upper end of the latter tightly against the leg, rigid means pivoted to a medial portion of said vertical member and adapted for extending therefrom downwardly to an opposite side of the leg, a pad at the lower end of said lastnamed means adapted for bearing against the side of the heel, and flexible means attached to the pad and adapted for extending under the foot and attached to said vertical member and adapted to exert an upward and lateral force comprising a rigid on the heel upon a tightening of said flexible means.

2. An orthopedic device comprising a rigid vertical member adapted for placing at one side of a leg, an upper leg strap engaging the upper portion of said member to exert an inward pulling force thereon, means connected to a medial portion of said vertical member and adapted for extending downwardly therefrom to an opposite lower side of the leg, and: adaptedto bear against the side of the heel, and adjustable flexible means connecting the lower portion of said first named means to the lower portion of the vertical member and extending transversely under the.

foot in the region of the heel to exert an upward and lateral force on the heel.

3. The combination of claim. 2. wherein. said first named means includes a rigid wire frame pivoted at its upper end to the vertical member, and wherein said flexible. means includes a rigid heel plate at the lower end of the frame adapted for bearing against theankle, and a strap adapt: ed for extending from the heel plate under the foot and upwardly along the. lower portion. of the vertical member.

4. The. combination of claim 2 wherein. said first named means includes a.- rigid wire frame pivoted at its upper end to the vertical member, and wherein saidflexible means; includes a selfadjusting heel plate at the lower end oi the frame, adapted for bearing against, the, ankle, and a strap adapted for extending from the heel plate under the foot and upwardly along the lower portion of the vertical member.

5. The combination of. claim 2 wherein. said no first named means includes a. rigid wire frame pivoted at its; upper end to the. vertical mem her, and wherein said flexible means includes a padded plate swivelly connected. to the lower endof the frame and adapted for hearing; against the heel, and a strap attached to the plate and extending from the plate under the foot. and upwardly along the lower portion of the.- vertical member.

6. An orthopedic device comprising a,- rigid vertical bar adapted for placing at; the inner side of a leg, an. upper adjustable, leg strap-engaging. the" upper portion of said. has toexert an inward pulling force thereon, a crossbar attached to a: medial portion, of. said: vertical bar, a rigid, substantially u-shaped wire frame pivoted at its ends to thev ends of. said cross bar,. said. frame being; curved downwardly and adaptedv for crossing the leg from theinsideto the outerside of. the leg, a rigid; plateswivelly .Cil

connected to the lower end of the frame and adapted to bear against the side of the heel at the outerside of the leg, and an adjustable strap connected to said plate and adapted for extending under the foot and engaging the lower portion of said vertical bar and adapted to exert an upward and lateral force on the heel upon a tightening of said last named strap.

'7. An orthopedic device comprising a rigid vertical bar adapted for placing at. the inner side of a has, an. upper adjustable leg strap engaging the upper portion of said bar to exert an inward pulling force thereon, a cross bar atachedto a medial portion of said vertical bar, a rigid, substantially U-shaped wire frame pivoted. at; its, ends to the ends of said cross bar, said. frame being curved downwardly and adapted for crossing the leg from the inside to the outer side of the leg, a cup-like member adapted to receive the heel of the foot, means hingedly. connecting the outer edge of the cuplike member to. the. lower end. of said frame, and a, flexible. member connecting the inner edge of. said cup-like member to said vertical bar and. adapted to exert, an upward and" lateral force on the heelupon a. tightening of said flexible member.

8. An orthopedic. device comprising a rigid vertical member adapted for placing at the inner side of a 1eg,.a,n. upper adjustable leg strap adapted for securing said member to the leg, a cross. bar attached to a medial portionof said vertical member, flaredwings hinged to the ends of said cross bar, a rigid. substantially U-shaped wire frame. pivoted. at its ends to said wings, saidframev being curved downwardly and adapted. for crossing the legjfrom the inside to the outerside of the leg, m ans at the l wer end of the. frame adapted for bearing against the outerside of the heel, and adjustable means adapted for extending, under the foot; and connecting said first named means to the vertical member and. adapted to exert an. inward. and upward. force on the heel.

NATHAN R". HATKOFF References Cited. in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,267,848 Taylor. Dec. 30; 19.441 FOREIGN PATENTS Number, Country Date,

41.7-38.6; France Nov.. 2.8, 1910