WO2013156351A1

WO2013156351A1 - Quick-release clamping device for fixing orthoses with straps or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2013156351A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/057414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moreno Ferrigolo; Alberto Turrini
Original assignee: F.G.P. Srl
Priority date: 2012-04-20
Filing date: 2013-04-09
Publication date: 2013-10-24
Also published as: ITVR20120075A1

Abstract

A quick-release clamping device (10), principally but not exclusively used in the orthopaedics sector for the fixing of braces, orthoses or similar, substantially comprises a rigid body, made from plastic, metal or similar material, and has a shape designed so as to form an element (15) allowing a belt or strap, such as a Velcro or similar strap, to be associated to said device (10). Said device (10) is provided of means for rapidly attaching and detaching it to and from the body of the orthosis or similar to which it is applied, and where these means comprise at least an appendage (16) with an anchor-shaped profile which enables it to be snap-fitted into a corresponding notched recess (17) made in a fixed part (18) of the orthosis. The anchor-shaped profile of the appendage (16) of the device (10) has, when seen in a plan view, a substantially oval shape defined by two rounded opposite ends (19, 20), while the lower part of the appendage (16) has a hemisphere (21).

Description

"QUICK-RELEASE CLAMPING DEVICE FOR FIXING ORTHOSES WITH STRAPS OR THE LIKE"

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TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a quick-release clamping device joined to element allowing the passage of belts, buckles, Velcro strips or similar items for fixing of orthoses or orthopaedic braces and also for fixing rehabilitation equipment used in the orthopaedics sector and in particular equipment used as part of corrective and rehabilitation devices.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device which has the advantage over known solutions in that it ensures quick release of the straps without the need to undo the entire strap to open the brace which would normally be the case with other fixing devices as known in the art.

The quick-release clamping device according to the invention can be adapted to various situations and conditions of use. It has a simple design and can be manufactured inexpensively. It has the major advantage that it makes it easy for a user to put on and take off and orthopaedic device.

The system has been designed to avoid the need for the specific series of movements usually required when putting on and taking off orthoses.

This invention can be applied in the sector for the production of accessories for orthopaedic products and braces mainly used in conservative, post-trauma, rehabilitation and post-operative therapy.

The invention can be applied in all those sectors requiring the use of belts, straps or similar or the supports or loops for these items. BACKGROUND ART

It is well known that straps and belts, including those made from Velcro, are used in a wide variety of sectors for attaching components, parts or similar to persons and things. It is known that these solutions can be used, for example, in the orthopaedics sector, in conservative, post-trauma and rehabilitation therapy or in post-operative orthopaedic medical treatments. In these cases the straps and belts are used primarily for attaching and fixing in place orthoses, braces, corsets, splints, knee braces, thigh supports and protections of other types.

The braces currently on the market comprise structures which are classified as rigid or soft depending on whether or not they have a framework made from a stiff, metallic or composite material and which have a strapping system designed to fix the brace to the joint on which it is designed to act.

In order to ensure that the brace remains in position and to facilitate the movements involved in putting on and taking off the orthoses, existing strapping systems are designed to mechanically connect with parts jointed or anchored directly to the body of the brace or which are inserted in slots provided for this purpose; these systems are therefore removable.

It is the removability of known loops which obliges to the user to pass the straps or belts through the slots or loops to tension and thereby fix the orthosis in place. These systems also oblige the user to completely release and remove the strapping when removing the brace.

In general, putting on and taking off these orthoses is difficult given the geometry of these devices. For users with special problems these movements can be practically impossible to perform alone and will therefore require the intervention of another person. This situation can lead to inconveniences.

Document WO-A1-03/073966 discloses a chafe consisting of a member having a slot, a stud on the member, and a connection means connecting the stud and the member having the slot, said chafe being useable on an orthopaedic walker.

Document US 2009/0287127 Al discloses an orthopedic device in the form a circumferential walker including a first member (posterior shell) and a second member (dorsal shell) corresponding to the first member. An outsole or plantar shell portion is attache to the posterior shell. An expansion joint is positioned in the posterior shell or dorsal shell to expand to accomodate larger sized lower legs. Quick connecting buckle assemblies can be provided to allow a user to quickly don an doff the orthopedic device.

Document US 2005/0038365 Al discloses an ankle-foot orthotic device including an elongated member adapted to extend along an anterior portion of the dorsal surface of the foot. The elongated member is adapted to secure to an upper outer region of the person's footwear. Securing the device to the lower leg and footwear of a person mantains the foot in a dorsiflexion position.

Document US-B1-6926685 discloses a strap system for use with a brace of the type having a first shell conforming to a first body part and a second shell conforming to a second body part of the user. The strap system includes a first strap and a first buckle located on the first strap, a second strap and a second buckle located on the second strap, a plurality of slides securable to the second shell for receiving the straps, a first latch member securable to a first portion of the first shell, and a second latch member securable to a second portion of the first shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device which can be removed from its support and thereby facilitates the rapid execution of the movements necessary for putting on and fixing and for releasing and removing a medical device. This is not possible with all the orthoses currently on the market. The present invention overcomes or at least reduces the shortcomings described above.

The invention also provides a clamping device whose main feature is that it is of the removable, quick- release type. It is easy to manufacture and will not therefore effect the cost of the finished product. It is very efficient in terms of firmly securing and stabilising the straps or belts which pass through it.

This is achieved by means of a quick-release clamping device having the features described in claim 1.

The dependent claims describe advantageous forms of embodiment of the invention.

The aims proposed are achieved according to the present invention by a system of single or double loops, or rings for straps, or stitched tabs, or tabs provided with Velcro inserts, whose main feature is that it is provided of a mechanical quick-release clamping mechanism.

In other words, the quick-release clamping devices according to this invention have a special shape where the part forming the loop or the ring or the tab has a corresponding appendage with an anchor-shaped profile which enables it to be inserted into a corresponding notched recess made in the fixed structure thereby forming a snap-fit joint.

This system enables the devices with this appendage to be snap-fitted into the corresponding recesses so as to permit at the same time a swivelling movement which enables the belt to adapt to the user's anatomy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear on reading the description given below of one embodiment, provided as a non-binding example, with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of an orthosis comprising a plurality of loops paired with quick-release clamping devices according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view;

Figures 3 and 4 show perspective detail views of quick-release clamping devices according to the present invention applied to their corresponding recesses ;

Figures 5 and 6 are show a detail view and cross- section of the attachment system between the clamping device and the recess;

- Figure 7 is a detail views showing two quick-release clamping devices which are respectively provided of corresponding loops, where the first loop is attached to its recess and the second loop is released from its recess;

- Figure 8 shows a schematical view illustrating some quick-release clamping devices according to the invention as paired to tabs having Velcro inserts; Figure 9 shows a schematical view illustrating some quick-release clamping devices according to the invention as paired to double loops;

Figure 10 shows a schematical view illustrating some quick-release clamping devices according to the invention as paired to stitchable tabs;

Figure 11 shows a schematical view illustrating some quick-release clamping devices according to the invention as paired to respective rings; and

- Figure 12 shows a schematical view illustrating two double quick-release clamping devices according to the invention, each device being paired to a single loop . DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A quick-release clamping device according to the present invention, paired to a loop, principally but not exclusively used in the orthopaedics sector for the fixing of straps to braces, orthoses or similar, is indicated in its entirety by reference sign 10 and substantially comprises a rigid body, made from plastic, metal or similar material, having an elongated ring shape with two slightly arched lengthways sections 11 and 12 facing each other and joined by two curved sections 13 and 14.

The shape of the loop comprising the lengthways sections and their joins form a central opening, indicated by the numeral 15, through which a belt or strap, such as a Velcro or similar strap, can be passed.

According to the invention the loop has means for rapidly attaching and detaching it to and from the body of the orthosis or similar to which it is applied.

To achieve this purpose, device 10 has an appendage 16 with an anchor-shaped profile which enables it to be inserted into a corresponding notched recess 17 made in a fixed part 18 of the orthosis.

This system enables the devices 10 with the appendage 16 to be snap-fitted into the recesses 17 provided for this purpose, and at the same time allow a swivelling movement which enables the strap to adapt to the user' s anatomy so that the orthosis can be correctly positioned .

In particular, the anchor-shaped profile of the appendage 16 of device 10 has, when seen in a plan view, a substantially oval shape defined by two rounded opposite ends 19 and 20, as shown in Figure 7, while the lower part of the appendage 16 has a hemisphere 21 (Figures 5 and 6) . The upper part of the appendage 16 is characterised in that it has reinforcement ribbing 22.

The seat 17, designed to receive the appendage 16 of the device, comprises a recess which has a support surface for the appendage when the device is subject to traction, and a small hole 23 which allows the insertion of the hemisphere 21 located on the lower part of the device appendage and a part which covers the appendage 16 to prevent it leaving the recess accidentally.

The combination of parts, that is, the device 10 with the oval-profile appendage 16, the small hemisphere 21 made in the lower part of the appendage, the recess 17 with the support surface and the hole 23 made for insertion of the hemisphere, enables the continuous support of the device in the recess seat when the device is subject to traction, and at the same time enables the possibility of movements through an angle of approximately 20° on the horizontal plane and also through an angle of approximately 5° on the vertical plane .

The solution described here may be subject variations which come within the scope of the present invention. For example, the combination between the appendage 16 and the recess 17, which is a plug and socket type combination, can be of any other shape such as a wedge, a sphere or similar designed for the same purpose .

In further embodiments the plug and socket 16 and 17 arrangement can be inverted so that the device has the recessed seat which is coupled to the corresponding projections on the fixed part.

The invention as described above refers to a preferred embodiment. It is nevertheless clear that the invention is susceptible to numerous variations which lie within the scope of its disclosure, in the framework of technical equivalents.

By way of example, Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 shows some forms of embodiment in which the quick-release clamping device 10 according to the present invention is made integral to, respectively, a tab provided with a Velcro insert 20 (Fig. 8), a double loop 21 (Fig. 9), a stitchable tab 22 (Fig. 10), a ring 23 (Fig. 11).

Moreover, Fig. 12 shoes a further form of embodiment according to which two quick-release clamping devices 10,

10' are respectively joined to a single, elongated loop

24. These and other variants are part of the present invention, in the framework of the appended claims.

Claims

A quick-release clamping device (10), principally but not exclusively used in the orthopaedics sector for the fixing of braces, orthoses or similar, substantially comprising a rigid body, made from plastic, metal or similar material, and having a shape designed so as to form an element (15) allowing a belt or strap, such as a Velcro or similar strap, to be associated to said device (10), said device

(10) being provided of means for rapidly attaching and detaching it to and from the body of the orthosis or similar to which it is applied, and where these means comprise at least an appendage (16) with an anchor-shaped profile which enables it to be snap- fitted into a corresponding notched recess (17) made in a fixed part (18) of the orthosis, characterised in that the anchor-shaped profile of the appendage

(16) of the device (10) has, when seen in a plan view, a substantially oval shape defined by two rounded opposite ends (19, 20), while the lower part of the appendage (16) has a hemisphere (21) .

Device (10) according to the claim 1, characterised in that the appendage (16) is shaped so that it can be inserted into recesses (17) provided for this purpose, enabling at the same time a swivelling movement which enables the belt to adapt to the user' s anatomy so that the orthosis can be correctly positioned .

Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is integral with a loop having a substantially elongated ring shape with two slightly arched lengthways sections (11, 12) facing each other and joined by two curved sections (13, 14) thereby forming a central opening (15) through which a belt or strap, such as a Velcro or similar strap, can be passed.

Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper part of the appendage (16) has a reinforcement ribbing (22) .

Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (17), designed to receive the appendage (16), comprises a recess which has a support surface for the appendage when the loop is subject to traction, and a small hole (23) which allows the insertion of the hemisphere (21) located on the lower part of the appendage and a part which covers the appendage (16) to prevent it leaving the recess accidentally.

Device (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the combination of parts, that is, the device (10) with the oval-profile appendage (16), the hemisphere (21) made in the lower part of the appendage, the recess (17) with the support surface and the hole (23) made for insertion of the hemisphere, enable the continuous support of the appendage (16) in the recess seat when the device is subject to traction, and at the same time enables the possibility of movements through an angle of approximately 20° on the horizontal plane and also through an angle of approximately 5° on the vertical plane . Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the combination between the appendage (16) and the recess (17), which is a plug and socket type combination, has either the shape of a wedge, or of a sphere or of a similar member designed for the same purpose.

Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it respectively made integral either with a tab having a Velcro insert (20), or with a double loop (21), or with a stitchable tab (22), or with a ring (23).

A quick-release clamping device (10), principally but not exclusively used in the orthopaedics sector for the fixing of braces, orthoses or similar, substantially comprising a rigid body, made from plastic, metal or similar material, and having a shape designed so as to form an element (15) allowing a belt or strap, such as a Velcro or similar strap, to be associated to said device (10), said device (10) being provided of means for rapidly attaching and detaching it to and from the body of the orthosis or similar to which it is applied, and where these means comprise at least a notched recess which enables an appendage with an anchor-shaped profile made in a fixed part of the orthosis to be snap- fitted into said notched recess, characterised in that the anchor-shaped profile of the appendage (16) of the device (10) has, when seen in a plan view, a substantially oval shape defined by two rounded opposite ends (19, 20), while the lower part of the appendage (16) has a hemisphere (21) .