Abstract: The apparatus of the invention comprises a mechanical joint that is adapted for use on a user's anatomical joint which has a proximal area, a distal area, a lateral side and a medial side. The preferred mechanical joint comprises a proximal body that is disposed adjacent to the proximal area of the user's anatomical joint and a distal race that is disposed adjacent to the distal area of the user's anatomical joint. The preferred mechanical joint also comprises a release plate, an iris, a roller bearing pin, a resilient tube and a drive pin that are substantially disposed in the proximal body. The preferred mechanical joint further comprises a pivot screw that is adapted to pivotally connect the proximal body and the distal race and a cable pull assembly that is adapted to permit the distal race and the proximal body to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A compact close contour mechanical joint that uses a snap ring, a transfer gear partially press-fit into a brake wheel, a distal bar having integral gear teeth that engage the exposed portion of the transfer gear, a second bar with a T-shaped proximal end, a handle disengaging an unlocking pin to separates gear teeth that allows incremental distal bar movement, and a two-axis arrangement for distal bar rotation. Instead of using a spring biasing member, the mechanical joint uses a gear ratio reduction that provides a smaller stop increment, less travel, enhanced joint strength, less stress on gear teeth, and less force required to unlock it than prior close contour joints. Although it is contemplated for use of the mechanical joint to be primarily in orthotic, any application for which the mechanical joint's compact configuration would provide some assistance or technical advantage is considered to be within its scope.

Abstract: A compact close contour mechanical joint that uses a snap ring, a transfer gear partially press-fit into a brake wheel, a distal bar having integral gear teeth that engage the exposed portion of the transfer gear, a second bar with a T-shaped proximal end, a handle disengaging an unlocking pin to separates gear teeth that allows incremental distal bar movement, and a two-axis arrangement for distal bar rotation. Instead of using a spring biasing member, the mechanical joint uses a gear ratio reduction that provides a smaller stop increment, less travel, enhanced joint strength, less stress on gear teeth, and less force required to unlock it than prior close contour joints. Although it is contemplated for use of the mechanical joint to be primarily in orthotic, any application for which the mechanical joint's compact configuration would provide some assistance or technical advantage is considered to be within its scope.

Abstract: A hinge system for an orthopedic brace includes a distal section including a substantially circular pivot area including a ratchet having several angular saw-tooth teeth, each defined by alternating major and minor arms, intersections of the arms defining alternating outer and inner vertices, each of the inner vertices tilted in a counter-clockwise direction, the inner vertices each defining total included angles of between about 75 and about 95 degrees, in which a ratio of the length of each major to minor arm is in a range of about 2:1 to about 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic brace having a U-shaped upper frame proportioned to abut and support the posterior, proximal area of the leg including means for selectably changing its transverse width. Also provided is an upper pad position adjustment element press-fittable attached to the transverse width-changing means in more than one position relative to the major axis of the upper frame. Secured to the upper pad position adjustment element is a proximal posterior support utilizing means such as velcro for detachable attachment. There is also provided a proximal anterior pad having a smaller dimension than the proximal posterior pad and strap means for mechanically joining said anterior pad and the posterior pad support. The strap means further comprising means for adjusting the pressure of the anterior and posterior pads upon the upper leg of the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hinge means for an orthopedic brace having proximal and distal sections. The hinge means includes a rotatable, substantially circular, double-tooth pawl which is slidably encased within a cylindrical housing. This housing integrally depends from the proximal section of the orthopedic brace. There is also provided a ratchet which depends integrally from the pivot area of the distal section of the brace in which the ratchet exhibits a plurality of teeth which extend into a circular opening within said cylindrical housing. There is also included release means for pivotally disengaging the two teeth of the pawl from the ratchet, thereupon permitting free, non-engaged movement of the distal section relative to the proximal section of the brace.