Coupling and orthotic brace incorporating the coupling

Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C602S023000, C602S020000, C403S087000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06488644

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupling and more particularly although not exclusively to a coupling for use in an orthotic brace, for example, a hip, is shoulder, wrist or ankle brace.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known couplings of which the applicants are aware have not been as strong and rigid or as durable as may be considered desirable. For example, known ball and socket couplings that rely on set screws engaging the surface of the ball to locate the portions of the coupling are prone to slippage under bending stress, while the set screws deform and pit the surface of the ball and ultimately render it unserviceable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a coupling comprising first and second portions each comprising a planar bearing surface, a cam member having a first planar bearing face bearing rotationally on the planar bearing surface of the first portion and journalled thereto through a first journal bearing resisting lateral slippage, a second planar bearing face disposed in a plane inclined to the plane of the first bearing face and bearing rotationally toward the planar bearing surfaces of the second portion and journalled thereto through a second journal bearing resisting lateral slippage, and a clamping device urging said bearing surface toward said bearing faces of the cam member and generating a frictional reaction retaining each bearing surface in a selected rotational position with respect to the cam member.
Since the compressive forces are transmitted through opposing planar faces, great compressive stress can be applied and hence high frictional forces generated without permanently deforming the coupling elements. This provides a coupling of greatly improved strength characteristics. Further, the wedge-like cam member together with the slippage resistant journal bearings provide in effect a monolithic body in the clamped condition of the coupling, so as to provide a coupling with excellent rigidity and resistance to bending.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3414908 (1968-12-01), Waggott et al.
patent: 3671978 (1972-06-01), May
patent: 3699954 (1972-10-01), Craig
patent: 3815589 (1974-06-01), Bosley
patent: 4108168 (1978-08-01), Craig
patent: 4203433 (1980-05-01), Prahl
patent: 4497315 (1985-02-01), Fettweis et al.
patent: 4574790 (1986-03-01), Wellershaus
patent: 4576151 (1986-03-01), Carmichael et al.
patent: 4881532 (1989-11-01), Borig et al.
patent: 4901710 (1990-02-01), Meyer
patent: 4913136 (1990-04-01), Chong et al.
patent: 5086760 (1992-02-01), Neumann et al.
patent: 5147286 (1992-09-01), Meals
patent: 5344391 (1994-09-01), Modglin
patent: 5421810 (1995-06-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5470310 (1995-11-01), Sutcliffe
patent: 5507818 (1996-04-01), McLauglin
patent: 5620412 (1997-04-01), Modglin
patent: 5681267 (1997-10-01), Molino et al.
patent: 5681270 (1997-10-01), Klearman et al.
patent: 6027466 (2000-02-01), Diefenbacher et al.
patent: 6090057 (2000-07-01), Collins et al.
patent: 6254559 (2001-07-01), Tyrrell
Sage, “Cerebral Palsy” Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. C.V. Mosby Company: Torono, vol. 4, 7th Ed., 1987, pp 2843-2855, pp 2891-2907, pp 2914-2923.
Meehan, et al., “The Scottish Rite Abduction Orthosis for the Treatment of Legg-Perthes Disease,” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, vol. 74-A, No. 1, Jan. 1992, pp 2-11.
Tachdjian, “Plate 114, Adductor Myotomy of the Hip. Gracilis Myotomy and Section of the Psoas Tendon at its Insertion,” pp. 564-569; “Plate 115, Recession (Musculotendinous Lengthening) of the Psoas Tendon at the Pelvic Brim (Carroll Technique),” pp. 570-573, Atlas of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, vol. 1, W.B. Sanders Company: Toronto 1994.
Wenger, “Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip,” pp. 256-258 and 278-280; Rang, “Neuromuscular Disease,” pp 534-536, pp 544, 549-562, The Art and Practice of Children's Orthopaedics. Raven Press: New York 1993.
Staff, NYU Post-Grad. Medical School, “Lower-Limb Orthotics,” Prosthetics and Othotics Department, New York University Post-Graduate Medical School: New York, 1981 Rev., Aug. 1981, pp 135-137, pp 148-152.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Coupling and orthotic brace incorporating the coupling does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Coupling and orthotic brace incorporating the coupling, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coupling and orthotic brace incorporating the coupling will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2922238

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.