Abstract: An orthopaedic body jacket including a semi-rigid thermoplastic shell adapted to be fitted and fastened around the abdomen of a patient. The shell has a constricted waist portion and outwardly flared upper and lower portions. An integrally moulded lateral portion extends upwardly from the flared lower portion and has an upper end protruding outwardly a substantial distance from the constricted waist portion. The lateral portion has a vertically-extending externally-facing channel that opens laterally outwardly from the shell and provides a straight, outwardly-facing planar surface for mounting an orthotic component in any of a plurality of positions of vertical adjustment.

Abstract: An orthopaedic hinge mechanism has a body with at least one pivot and at least one hinge arm mounted thereon and having two cam abutment stops which arise from the said hinge arm either side of and close to the pivot.Screw adjustment means are housed in threaded holes in the hinge body in the plane of the hinge arms and may be driven down to impinge on the cam abutment stops. The plane of the operating surfaces of the cam abutment stops is at right angles to the axis of the motion limiting screws. The mechanism provides limiting and locking possibilities over a clinically useful range.

Abstract: An orthopaedic and orthotic bi-pivotal hinge assembly having a hinge body and a pair of coplanar and independently-pivotal hinge arms. The proximal end portions of the hinge arms are disposed within the hinge body and have planar abutment surfaces that face in the same direction and are disposed immediately adjacent each other when the arms are in full extension. Continuously variable extension control is achieved by an adjuster screw carried by the hinge body that is engageable with both of said planar abutment surfaces of said arms.

Abstract: A modular bracing system has a relatively small number of elements adapted so that some or all of them may be easily connected to make a variety of braces for the lower limb in the first instance. Lateral and medial calf and thigh shells have central recesses along their entire inner surface with holes at regular pitches. Shells have embossed cut lines across their width to aid accurate fitting. Hip, knee and ankle hinges have arms with corresponding widths, thicknesses and holes so that they may be received intimately into the shell recesses in a variety of positions. By this means, the length of braces and orthoses so formed may be adapted for patients of widely varying height. Wraps made of thin foam covered with pile fabric are embossed with cutting patterns for easy customizing of the braces. Wraps lie under the appropriate shells to render the brace comfortable to wear without inducing relative movement between wearer and brace and the entire unit is secured in place with straps.

Abstract: An improved vehicle rear-view mirror assembly of the type in which the mirror support arm is carried by means of at least one movable joint from the mounting part of the mirror assembly which is adapted to be secured to the bodywork of the vehicle includes a shroud of a resilient and flexible material mounted on the back of the mirror, and an extension having at least one movable joint with the end region of the extension in sealing relation with the mounting part, the extension enshrouded by a bellows-like tubular gaiter of flexible material. The shroud and the extension reduce the risk of injury to a person who may be accidentally hit by, or hit, the mirror assembly and the bellows-like gaiter also protects the movable joint or joints from dirt and moisture while readily flexing to allow the joint or joints to move or to be adjusted.