US 11,931,281 B1
Adjustable brace and processes for making and using same
Clark Harrison Bulleit, Tampa, FL (US); Kevin Andrew Gehsmann, Greensboro, NC (US); Timothy John Skapek, Dallas, TX (US); Brian Rock, Raleigh, NC (US); and Jaeah Yoo, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to PROTECT3D, INC., Durham, NC (US)
Filed by Protect3d, Inc., Durham, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/148,773.
Int. Cl. A61F 5/01 (2006.01); A61F 2/50 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01)
CPC A61F 5/0102 (2013.01) [A61F 2/5046 (2013.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); A61F 2005/0167 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An adjustable brace for stabilizing a body part of a patient, the adjustable brace comprising:
a first 3D printed stabilizer comprising a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, and a first thickness;
a second 3D printed stabilizer comprising a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, and a second thickness;
one or more attachment points;
one or more selective engagement structures, the one or more selective engagement structures selected from the group consisting of one or more tabs and one or more recesses;
at least one flexible lacing member extending along a first stabilizer guide and a second stabilizer guide; and
at least one closure mechanism coupled to the one or more attachment points, wherein:
the first 3D printed stabilizer selectively engages with the second 3D printed stabilizer at common peripheries of the first 3D printed stabilizer and second 3D printed stabilizer via the one or more selective engagement structures, respectively;
the flexible lacing member adjustably secures the first 3D printed stabilizer to the second 3D printed stabilizer;
a position of the first 3D printed stabilizer is adjustable in relation to the second 3D printed stabilizer at a particular distance based at least in part on a length of the one or more tabs;
the at least one closure mechanism comprises a spool and a control for selectively winding a length of the flexible lacing member around the spool to loosen or tighten the first 3D printed stabilizer and the second 3D printed stabilizer around the body part, thereby adjusting the position of the first 3D printed stabilizer in relation to the second 3D printed stabilizer the particular distance; and
the spool comprises a periphery and a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed around the periphery, the ratchet teeth configured to selectively engage a pawl that inhibits rotation of the spool in one direction.