US2874690A

US2874690A - Orthopedic foot drop brace

Info

Publication number: US2874690A
Application number: US677517A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward F Cowgill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-08-12
Filing date: 1957-08-12
Publication date: 1959-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1976-02-24

Description

Feb. 24, 1959 E. COWGILL ORTHOPEDIC FOOT DROP BRAGE u Filed Aug. 12, 1957' v INVENTOR. 475M451? IJdl/G/ZL United States Patent ORTHOPEDIC FOOT DROP BRACE Edward F. 'Cowgill, Richwood, Ohio Application August 12, 1957, Serial No. 677,517

1 Claim. (Cl. 128--80) This invention relates to orthopedic appliances and more particularly to a foot brace for partially paralyzed individuals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a brace for preventing foot drop that is commonly found in those individuals that have experienced paralytic disease.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a brace of the above type that is of light weight, readily applied to various types of shoes, and which can be.worn equally as well by both sexes and by small children.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an orthopedic appliance bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot brace made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1, in operative use; and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, an orthopedic appliance made in accordance with the present invention is shown in operative association with a shoe 11 that has an outer sole 12, a heel 13, and a shoe upper 14.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 3, the heel 13 has a transverse bore within which a transversely extending tube 16 is secured, the tube extending slightly outwardly of each side of the heel. A shorter longitudinal tube 19 is also secured within the heel 13. along the longitudinal central plane thereof. The appliance 10 includes a trunk 23 of yieldable rod construction that has a lower end 27 angularly related to the main ,body portion 23 thereof that is slidably received within the longitudinal bore 20 of the sleeve 19.. An inverted bail member 29 is secured at its mid section adjacent to the lower end of the' trunk 23, the free ends of which are 2,871,690 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 ice turned inwardly so as to be slidablly received within the opposite ends of the bore 17 of the transverse sleeve 16 The upper extremity of the trunk 23 is provided with a plurality of transversely extending arcuate cradle bars 25 that are adapted to engage behind the calf of the leg of the wearer.

In use, the appliance 10 may be secured to any shoe having the aforementioned transverse and longitudinal sleeves in proper position within the heel 13. Thus, a single appliance may be used with a complete wardrobe of shoes that have been prepared for this purpose. With the appliance in properly assembled relationship with the shoe, the cradle bars 25 engage behind the calf of the leg so that upon raising the foot, the toe thereof is prevented from dropping downwardly about the ankle because of the action of the cradle bars 25 against the calf. raised during the swinging movement of the foot so that walking becomes quite natural, the foot just swings ahead in a very natural and effortless manner. Because of the light weight of this device, it does not impede the movement of the limb so that a natural effect is possible. If desired, padding can be added to the points of contact of the brace with the leg, such as upon the cradle bars 25. However, since there is usually little feeling in this part of the limb, such is usually not required.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

An orthopedic appliance for preventing foot drop in partially paralyzed individuals comprising, in combination, a shoe having an upper, an outer sole, and a heel, a main trunk member, means integral with the lower end of said trunk for securing said appliance to the heel of said shoe, and means at the upper end of said trunk for engaging the calf of the leg, said main trunk member comprising a substantially yieldable rigid rod, said integral means at the lower end of said rod comprising an angularly related terminal portion, a sleeve secured longitudinally and centrally within said heel for receiving said terminal portion, a bail member secured at the mid portion thereof to said rod adjacent to said terminal portion said bail member extending forwardly from said rod toward said sole portion of said shoe, each end of said bail having an angularly related terminal portion, said heel having a transversely extending sleeve, and said ends of said bail being slidably received within said transversely extending sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,332,047' Lasher Feb. 24, 1920 2,444,839 Markkula July 6, 1948 2,456,046 Burrows Dec. 14, 1948 2,663,294 Harrison Dec. 22, 1953 The action of this device is such that the toe is