Patents by Inventor Jeffrey B. Stearns

Jeffrey B. Stearns has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for creating a mold for a knee brace and a knee brace
    Patent number: 8123993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a three-dimensional composite structure and a method for producing the mold for the three-dimensional composite structure. The mold is formed of at least one rigid die member and a second thermoplastic die member. The second thermoplastic die member is formed by coupling a rubber flexible pattern to a surface of the first die member. Vacuum or pressure is applied to a heated thermoplastic sheet to cause the heated thermoplastic sheet to deform about the flexible pattern, thereby forming the second die. Strips of reinforced polymer thermoset pre-preg material are then positioned within the cavities formed by the flexible pattern and are allowed to cure. Optionally, heat, pressure, and vacuum may be applied to the mold construction to facilitate the curing of the thermoset materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Stearns, Juan B. Paez
  • Orthopaedic brace assembly
    Patent number: 7534219
    Abstract: A hook assembly for securing a component of an orthopaedic brace to a patient with a strap. The hook assembly includes a base for attachment to the component; and a hook member coupled to the base and including a portion normally spring-biased away from the base for accepting the strap, such that when the strap is tightened on the patient, the hook member is drawn against the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: EBI, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey B Stearns
  • Method for creating a mold for a knee brace and a knee brace
    Patent number: 7311866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a three-dimensional composite structure and a method for producing the mold for the three-dimensional composite structure. The mold is formed of at least one rigid die member and a second thermoplastic die member. The second thermoplastic die member is formed by coupling a rubber flexible pattern to a surface of the first die member. Vacuum or pressure is applied to a heated thermoplastic sheet to cause the heated thermoplastic sheet to deform about the flexible pattern, thereby forming the second die. Strips of reinforced polymer thermoset pre-preg material are then positioned within the cavities formed by the flexible pattern and are allowed to cure. Optionally, heat, pressure, and vacuum may be applied to the mold construction to facilitate the curing of the thermoset materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: EBI, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Stearns, Juan B. Paez