CPC A61F 5/0111 (2013.01) | 11 Claims |
1. An ankle brace configured to support and protect an ankle of a wearer against injury by inhibiting motion between a foot and lower leg of the wearer, said ankle brace comprising:
a wrap, said wrap being formed of a flexible material and comprising: a first portion and second portion, said first portion configured to transition into said second portion; said first portion configured to envelop at least a portion of the foot of the wearer, and said second portion configured to envelop at least a portion of the lower leg of the wearer and to extend distally along the lower leg over the ankle;
a lateral stay formed to have a selectively-shaped periphery configured to extend along a portion of the lower leg, around the ankle, and along a lateral portion of the foot of the wearer;
a medial stay formed to have a selectively-shaped periphery configured to extend along a portion of the lower leg, around the ankle, and along a medial portion of the foot of the wearer;
wherein said selectively shaped periphery of each of said lateral and medial stays comprises:
a first substantially straight portion configured to overlie the tibia and fibula bones of the wearer;
a first curved portion configured to curve back towards the rear of the wearer's foot when said ankle brace is worn;
a second curved portion configured to curve around the rear and lower sides of the wearer's ankle; and
a second substantially straight portion configured to extend from said second curved portion at the lower side of the wearer's ankle along a portion of the wearer's foot directly toward the toes;
wherein said lateral and medial stays are configured for respective attachment to lateral and medial sides of said wrap; and wherein said lateral and medial stays are each rigid about a first respective axis, to inhibit relative motion between the foot and lower leg of the wearer to inhibit foot dorsiflexion;
wherein each of said lateral and medial stays comprise a constant cross-sectional shape; and
a first strap portion and a second strap portion secured to said wrap; said first strap portion configured to be wound about and releasably secure to said wrap in a first direction; and said second strap portion configured to be wound about and releasably secure to said wrap in a second direction.
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