Patents by Inventor Jeffrey H. Townsend

Jeffrey H. Townsend 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).

  • Patent number: 6981957
    Abstract: An orthopedic knee brace which will allow lateral-medial compensation to be obtained while still enabling the use of known joint mechanism which will constrain the leg to execute the correct natural movement of the knee by separating lateral-medial compensation and anterior posterior movement functions. More specifically, the present invention utilizes a pair of hinges, one of which provides for movement in a posterior-anterior plane and the other which provides for movement in a medial-lateral plane. In this way, any conventional knee joint mechanism may be employed and movement of the leg can be properly constrained to execute a prescribed motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Townsend Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Knecht, Jeffrey H. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5330418
    Abstract: A knee brace has a pair of femoral and tibial links and a four bar joint mechanism by which a lateral side one of the femoral links is pivotally connected to a lateral side one of the tibial links and a four bar joint mechanism by which a medial side one of the femoral links is pivotally connected to a medial side one of the tibial links. Each of the joint mechanisms comprises an inner, padded, pivot plate and an outer pivot plate, each of end of which is pivotally connected at a single point to a respective one of the femoral and tibial links. Furthermore, the pad on the inner pivot plate of the medial side joint mechanism carries a spherically cupped femoral condyle pad by which the brace, generally, and the joint mechanism, specifically, can be properly positioned relative to the knee of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Townsend Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Townsend, Robert J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5259832
    Abstract: A knee brace has a pair of femoral and tibial links and a four bar joint mechanism by which a lateral side one of the femoral links is pivotally connected to a lateral side one of the tibial links and a four bar joint mechanism by which a medial side one of the femoral links is pivotally connected to a medial side one of the tibial links. Each of the joint mechanisms comprises an inner, padded, pivot plate and an outer pivot plate, each of end of which is pivotally connected at a single point to a respective one of the femoral and tibial links. Furthermore, the pad on the inner pivot plate of the medial side joint mechanism carries a spherically cupped femoral condyle pad by which the brace, generally, and the joint mechanism, specifically, can be properly positioned relative to the knee of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Jeffrey H. Townsend
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Townsend, Robert J. Williams
  • Patent number: 4890607
    Abstract: An improved multiaxis controlled motion knee orthosis in the form of a knee brace appliance wherein a joint mechanism is provided that utilizes two camming slots and cam pin followers to achieve an arthrokinematic movement comprised of an anterior motion of a femoral link relative to a tibial link during an initial phase of flexion followed by a unicentric phase of movement. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, during the initial range of motion, pivoting occurs through a short transverse arc segment about an upper one of the cam pin followers that is disposed within a longitudinally extending arcuate slot forming one of the two camming slots, while the unicentric movement is produced, after a lower one of the cam pin followers reaches the anterior end of a transverse slot forming the other of the two camming slots, the lower cam pin follower serves as the axis of rotation or pivot point for movement of the upper cam pin follower along the longitudinally extending arcuate slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Townsend
  • Patent number: 4773404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an appliance for controlling an unstable knee joint in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes, comprising femoral and tibial cuffs joined by links which are interconnected to provide a novel mechanical joint wherein camming slots are formed in one of the links with cams disposed on the other link, the slots comprising straight segments and arcuate segments so as to provide approximately 8 millimeters of sliding movement between the femur and tibia, followed by relative rotation about the center of radius of the femoral condyle as the leg is flexed. The tibial cuff is conformed about the boney prominence or shin of the tibia to inhibit rotation of the leg beneath the knee within the brace itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Townsend
  • Patent number: 4723539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an appliance for controlling an unstable knee joint in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes, comprising femoral and tibial cuffs joined by links which are interconnected to provide a novel mechanical joint wherein camming slots are formed in one of the links with cams disposed on the other link, the slots comprising straight segments and arcuate segments so as to provide approximately 8 millimeters of sliding movement between the femur and tibia, followed by relative rotation about the center of radius of the femoral condyle as the leg is flexed. The tibial cuff is conformed about the boney prominence or shin of the tibia to inhibit rotation of the leg beneath the knee within the brace itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Townsend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Townsend