Ankle support providing high bracing strength

Claim 2

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a heel boot having upstanding, opposed side wall portions joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portions; said wall and sole portion; said wall and sole portions forming said heel boot with a unitary cuplike shape configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion; said heel boot being preformed of synthetic resin material molded to form said wall and sole portions as a single and relatively stiff and inelastic selfsupporting body having means providing bracing strength for the wearer''s ankle joint; B. an elastic member secured to said heel boot and extending between said side wall portions across said spacing, so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing; and C. relatively inelastic fastening means secured to said heel boot and arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone.

Claim 3

An ankle support as defined in claim 1 in which said heel boot has a laminated construction comprising said molded resin material and an inner layer thereon of padding material on said wall and sole portions.

Claim 4

means for fastening said free strap end in said wrapped position, and B. comprising further fastening means for interconnecting said support and said strap element intermediate said ends thereof to restrain said wrapped strap element from unwinding.

Claim 5

means for fastening said free strap end in said wrapped position, and B. comprising further fastening means for interconnecting said support and said strap element intermediate said ends thereof to restrain said wrapped strap element from unwinding.

Claim 6

having the other end joined to said free end of said elastic strap element, and

Claim 7

having the other end joined to said free end of said elastic strap element, and

Claim 8

attached at the other end thereof to said heel boot, and

Claim 9

attached at the other end thereof to said heel boot, and

Claim 10

including at least one elastic strap element attached at one end thereof to said support and extending from said first side wall portion successively across said spacing and between said second panel and said second wall portion to said strap aperture, and through said strap aperture to a free end thereof, and means for adjustably securing said free end of said strap element to said support, and G. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross.

Claim 11

including at least one elastic strap element attached at one end thereof to said support and extending from said first side wall portion successively across said spacing and between said second panel and said second wall portion to said strap aperture, and through said strap aperture to a free end thereof, and means for adjustably securing said free end of said strap element to said support, and G. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross.

Claim 12

carrying grommet means defining a strap-guiding aperture therethrough; and D. at least one elastic strap member

Claim 13

carrying grommet means defining a strap-guiding aperture therethrough; and D. at least one elastic strap member

Claim 14

attached at the other end thereof to said heel boot,

Claim 15

attached at the other end thereof to said heel boot,

Claim 16

secured to said heel boot with each side panel extending substantially along the height of a different one of said wall portions and secured thereto, and

Claim 17

secured to said heel boot with each side panel extending substantially along the height of a different one of said wall portions and secured thereto, and

Claim 18

having said bottom panel pass under said sole portion.

Claim 19

having said bottom panel pass under said sole portion.

Claim 20

extending from said attachment between said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and between said second side wall portion and said side panel to said grommet means, and further extending through said aperture to said free end thereof, and

Claim 21

extending from said attachment between said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and between said second side wall portion and said side panel to said grommet means, and further extending through said aperture to said free end thereof, and

Claim 22

extending successively from the other side wall portion across said spacing and through said loop means on said one wall portion and then back in the direction across said opening to said free end thereof, and D. relatively inelastic fastening means arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone, said fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element

Claim 23

extending successively from the other side wall portion across said spacing and through said loop means on said one wall portion and then back in the direction across said opening to said free end thereof, and D. relatively inelastic fastening means arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone, said fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element

Claim 24

configured to extend, in line with said free end of said elastic strap element and at least partly above the ankle bone of the wearer, for at least one wrap around said heel boot and across said spacing.

Claim 25

configured to extend, in line with said free end of said elastic strap element and at least partly above the ankle bone of the wearer, for at least one wrap around said heel boot and across said spacing.

Claim 26

An ankle support as defined in claim 1 in which A. said elastic member includes at least one elastic strap element extending across said spacing between said lower sections of said side wall portions to a free end thereon, and B. said inelastic fastening means includes an inelastic strap element connected at one end to said free end of said elastic strap element and arranged to wrap about said upper sections of said side wall portions and across said spacing.

Claim 27

An ankle support as defined in claim 1 further comprising a cant secured to said heel boot at the lower edge of a side wall portion and having a bottom platForm surface forming an extension of the bottom surface of said sole portion.

Claim 28

further having fastening means for securing said free end with said member under tension and elasticaLly urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing.

Claim 29

further having fastening means for securing said free end with said member under tension and elasticaLly urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing.

Claim 30

An ankle support as defined in claim 1 in which said elastic member includes at least one elastic strap element fixedly secured to one side wall portion and adjustably attached to the other side wall portion to provide an adjustable elastic pull between said side wall portions across said spacing.

Claim 31

An ankle support as defined in claim 5 in which said elastic member includes at least two such elastic strap elements, each of which is fixedly secured to one side wall portion, extends across said spacing along a path different from that of said other strap element, and is adjustably attached to other side wall portion.

Claim 32

An ankle support as defined in claim 1 A. in which said inelastic fastening means includes an inelastic strap element having a free end and having a fixed end thereof joined with said heel boot, and arranged to wrap around said heel boot at the upper sections of said wall portions for at least one wrap therearound and across said spacing.

Claim 33

An ankle support as defined in claim 7 further comprising A. first fastening means attached to said heel boot for engagement with said inelastic strap element wrapped about said wall portions thereof, and B. second fastening means carried on said inelastic strap element intermediate said ends thereof and arranged to engage with said first fastening means when said inelastic strap element is wrapped about said heel boot upper side wall sections and to resist the unwinding of said wrapped strap element due to tension therein intermediate said second fastening means and said fixed end thereof and directed toward said fixed end thereof.

Claim 34

An ankle support as defined in claim 8 in which each said fastening means is a section of hook and loop fastener.

Claim 35

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said back and side wall portions being permanently formed to have a normally U-shaped cross section with said back wall portion forming the base of the U-shape and said side wall portions forming the sides of the U-shape, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions and corresponding to the opening at the top of the U-shape, said formed wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, said wall portions being molded of a vinyl elastomeric compound integrally with each other into said ankle-receiving configuration and having means for resisting deformation from said configuration, D. first elastic fastening means carried on said wall portions and extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, and E. second inelastic fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross.

Claim 36

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said back and side wall portions being permanently formed to have a normally U-shaped cross section with said back wall portion forming the base of the U-shape and said side wall portions forming the sides of the U-shape, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions and corresponding to the opening at the top of the U-shape, said formed wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, said wall portions being molded of a vinyl elastomeric compound integrally with each other into said ankle-receiving configuration and having means for resisting deformation from said configuration, D. first elastic fastening means carried on said wall portions and extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, and E. second inelastic fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross.

Claim 37

An ankle support as defined in claim 10 A. in which said second fastening means includes

Claim 38

An ankle support comprising A. a heel boot having relatively inelastic and stiffly compliant back and side walls configured to extend about the sides and back of a wearer''s ankle with upper sections extending above the wearer''s ankle bone and with lower sections extending below the ankle bone, and with said side walls having front edges forming between them a foot opening, said heel boot being molded of synthetic resin material of sufficient stiffness to resist deformation, B. elastic strap means extending between said side walls across said foot opening, to span across a wearer''s instep, for elastically pulling said side walls towards each other to diminish said opening, C. relatively inelastic strap means having a free end and having the other end thereof connected with said heel boot and being disposed to wrap around said heel boot walls and said opening about said upper wall sections, D. means for fastening said free strap end in said wrapped condition to said inelastic strap means at a location intermediate said free end and the connection thereof with said heel boot, E. a first fastening element secured to said heel boot positioned to engage said inelastic strap means in said wrapped condition, and F. second fastening means carried on said inelastic strap means intermediate said ends thereof and arranged to engage said first fastening element when said inelastic strap means is in said wrapped condition for restraining said wrapped strap means from unwinding about said heel boot.

Claim 39

An ankle support comprising A. a heel boot having relatively inelastic and stiffly compliant back and side walls configured to extend about the sides and back of a wearer''s ankle with upper sections extending above the wearer''s ankle bone and with lower sections extending below the ankle bone, and with said side walls having front edges forming between them a foot opening, said heel boot being molded of synthetic resin material of sufficient stiffness to resist deformation, B. elastic strap means extending between said side walls across said foot opening, to span across a wearer''s instep, for elastically pulling said side walls towards each other to diminish said opening, C. relatively inelastic strap means having a free end and having the other end thereof connected with said heel boot and being disposed to wrap around said heel boot walls and said opening about said upper wall sections, D. means for fastening said free strap end in said wrapped condition to said inelastic strap means at a location intermediate said free end and the connection thereof with said heel boot, E. a first fastening element secured to said heel boot positioned to engage said inelastic strap means in said wrapped condition, and F. second fastening means carried on said inelastic strap means intermediate said ends thereof and arranged to engage said first fastening element when said inelastic strap means is in said wrapped condition for restraining said wrapped strap means from unwinding about said heel boot.

Claim 40

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion, said wall and sole portions of said heel boot being configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion, B. strap-receiving loop means attached to one of said side wall portions, C. an elastic member secured to said heel boot and extending between said side wall portions across said spacing, so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing, said elastic member including at least one elastic strap element

Claim 41

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion, said wall and sole portions of said heel boot being configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion, B. strap-receiving loop means attached to one of said side wall portions, C. an elastic member secured to said heel boot and extending between said side wall portions across said spacing, so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing, said elastic member including at least one elastic strap element

Claim 42

An ankle support as defined in claim 13 further comprising means secured to said heel boot for engaging said inelastic strap element in said wrapped conditioN and restraining it from unwinding relative to said heel boot.

Claim 43

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions, D. strap-receiving loop means attached to said second side wall portion, E. first fastening means for extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep and elastically urge said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, said first fastening means including at least one elastic strap element attached at one end thereof to said support and extending from said first wall portion successively across said spacing and through said loop means on said second wall portion to a free end thereof, and F. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross, said second fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element having a free end and having the other end thereof joined to said free end of said elastic strap element, said inelastic strap element being arranged to extend in line with said free end of said elastic strap element back across said spacing from said loop means for at least one wrap around said heel boot and across said spacing about the upper sections of said wall portions.

Claim 44

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions, D. strap-receiving loop means attached to said second side wall portion, E. first fastening means for extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep and elastically urge said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, said first fastening means including at least one elastic strap element attached at one end thereof to said support and extending from said first wall portion successively across said spacing and through said loop means on said second wall portion to a free end thereof, and F. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross, said second fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element having a free end and having the other end thereof joined to said free end of said elastic strap element, said inelastic strap element being arranged to extend in line with said free end of said elastic strap element back across said spacing from said loop means for at least one wrap around said heel boot and across said spacing about the upper sections of said wall portions.

Claim 45

An ankle support as defined in claim 15 in which said loop means and said elastic strap element are arranged to maintain substantially different tensions in said elastic strap element in the portions thereof on either side of said loop means.

Claim 46

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions, D. first and second strap-receiving loop means attached to said second side wall portion at different positions thereof, E. first fastening means for extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep and elastically urge said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, said first fastening means including at least first and second elastic strap elements, each of which has a free end and has the other end thereof secured to said support and extends from said secure end across said spacing along a path different from that of the other elastic strap element and through said same-numbered loop means on said second wall portion toward said free end thereof, F. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross, said second fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element having a free end and having the other end thereof joined to said free ends of said elastic strap elements and arranged to extend, substantially in line with said free ends of said strap elements back across said spacing for at least one wrap around said support over said upper wall-portion sections and across said spacing, and G. means for securing said free end of said inelastic strap in said wrapped condition.

Claim 47

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions, D. first and second strap-receiving loop means attached to said second side wall portion at different positions thereof, E. first fastening means for extending between said lower sections of said side wall portions across said spacing so as to span across a wearer''s instep and elastically urge said side wall portions together across the wearer''s instep, said first fastening means including at least first and second elastic strap elements, each of which has a free end and has the other end thereof secured to said support and extends from said secure end across said spacing along a path different from that of the other elastic strap element and through said same-numbered loop means on said second wall portion toward said free end thereof, F. second fastening means for interconnecting said upper sections of said side wall portions across the front of said support to span said spacing above a wearer''s ankle bone and instep, and for holding said upper sections of said side wall portions substantially inelastically pulled together thereacross, said second fastening means including a substantially inelastic strap element having a free end and having the other end thereof joined to said free ends of said elastic strap elements and arranged to extend, substantially in line with said free ends of said strap elements back across said spacing for at least one wrap around said support over said upper wall-portion sections and across said spacing, and G. means for securing said free end of said inelastic strap in said wrapped condition.

Claim 48

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a fixedly preformed heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions fixedly joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further fixedly joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion; said side wall and back wall and sole portions forming said heel boot with a unitary cup-like shape configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion; said frontal spacing being free of portions as stiff and inelastic as said side wall portions; B. an elastic member secured to said heel boot and extending between said side wall portions across said spacing, so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing; C. relatively inelastic fastening means secured to said heel boot and arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone; and D. a side wall bracing member

Claim 49

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a fixedly preformed heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions fixedly joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further fixedly joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion; said side wall and back wall and sole portions forming said heel boot with a unitary cup-like shape configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion; said frontal spacing being free of portions as stiff and inelastic as said side wall portions; B. an elastic member secured to said heel boot and extending between said side wall portions across said spacing, so as to span across a wearer''s instep, and elastically urging said side wall portions together to diminish the width of said spacing; C. relatively inelastic fastening means secured to said heel boot and arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone; and D. a side wall bracing member

Claim 50

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a fixedly preformed heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions fixedly joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further fixedly joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion; said side wall and back wall and sole portions forming said heel boot with a unitary cup-like shape configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion; said frontal spacing being free of portions as stiff and inelastic as said side wall portions; B. relatively inelastic fastening means secured to said heel boot and arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone; C. a sprain-bracing side panel

Claim 51

As an article of manufacture, an ankle support comprising A. a fixedly preformed heel boot having relatively stiff and inelastic, upstanding, opposed side wall portions fixedly joined together at back edges thereof with a back wall portion and further fixedly joined together at lower edges thereof with a bottom, sole portion; said side wall and back wall and sole portions forming said heel boot with a unitary cup-like shape configured to receive therein a wearer''s heel and ankle joint with said side wall portions having upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the wearer''s ankle bone, and with frontal edges of said side wall portions being spaced apart by a frontal spacing substantially opposite said back wall portion; said frontal spacing being free of portions as stiff and inelastic as said side wall portions; B. relatively inelastic fastening means secured to said heel boot and arranged to hold said side wall portions disposed firmly against a wearer''s leg above the wearer''s ankle bone; C. a sprain-bracing side panel

Claim 52

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said back and side wall portions being permanently formed to have a normally U-shaped cross section with said back wall portion forming the base of the U-shape and said side wall portions forming the sides of the U-shape, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions and corresponding to the opening at the top of the U-shape, said formed wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, D. first and second bracing panels, each of which extends along both said sections of the same-numbered side wall portion and is secured thereto, E. means forming a strap-receiving aperture through said second bracing panel, F. first fastening means

Claim 53

An ankle support comprising A. first and second stiffly compliant and inelastic upstanding and opposed side wall portions, each of which has an upper section and a lower section, B. a back wall portion joining said side wall portions together along back edges thereof, C. said back and side wall portions being permanently formed to have a normally U-shaped cross section with said back wall portion forming the base of the U-shape and said side wall portions forming the sides of the U-shape, and with a frontal spacing between frontal edges of said side wall portions and corresponding to the opening at the top of the U-shape, said formed wall portions being configured to receive therein, and enclose the back and sides of, a wearer''s ankle joint with said side wall upper sections being above the wearer''s ankle bone and the lower sections being below the ankle bone, D. first and second bracing panels, each of which extends along both said sections of the same-numbered side wall portion and is secured thereto, E. means forming a strap-receiving aperture through said second bracing panel, F. first fastening means