Hinge beneficial to assembly for orthopedic knee support

Abstract

The utility model discloses an easy-to-assemble hinge for an orthopedic knee support, which comprises two hinge plates (1) which are vertically arranged at an interval and are respectively marked as a first hinge plate (1a) and a second hinge plate (1b), and an interlayer (10) is formed between the first hinge plate (1a) and the second hinge plate (1b); the two supporting arms (3) are arranged on the left side and the right side, and the heads of the two supporting arms (3) can be rotationally installed in the interlayer (10) and meshed with each other; the hinge is characterized in that the second hinge plate (1b) is connected to the first hinge plate (1a) in a buckled mode, and the first hinge plate (1a) and the second hinge plate (1b) are connected together through a fastener. Compared with the prior art, the hinge for the orthopedic knee support has the advantages that all the components are preassembled together before the riveting process, and no extra tool or clamp is needed for preassembling all the components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace that is conducive to assembly. Background Art

[0002] Knee braces are widely used to treat various knee weaknesses. Such braces can be configured to apply force or torsional moment on the limb around the knee joint, so as to reduce the compressive force within a part of the knee joint, or reduce the load on this part of the knee. Additionally, in the case of knee ligament weakness and debilitation, knee braces can stabilize, protect, support, or rehabilitate the knee.

[0003] Generally, a knee brace includes an upper frame member designed to be fastened to the upper part of the user's leg and a lower frame member designed to be fastened to the lower part of the user's leg. The upper frame member and the lower frame member are connected to each other by means of a single hinge or a double hinge, and the hinge enables the frame to follow the bending movement of the leg. For example, the US Patent "ORTHOPEDIC POLYCENTRIC HINGE" with the patent application number US15777905 discloses a multi - center hinge for an orthopedic knee brace, which includes two rigid support arms. The two rigid support arms have cooperative, interlocking, and continuously adjacent proximal ends, and the proximal ends are rotatably connected to each other through a multi - center hinge assembly. The multi - center hinge assembly includes a pair of pivot pins and two sets of parallel - spaced hinge plates. Each set of hinge plates includes a metal plate providing rigidity and a gasket for reducing friction. Each rigid support arm is rotatably connected to the hinge plate at its proximal end through a corresponding one of the pivot pins. The two arms can pivot between an adjustable extension position and an adjustable flexion position along equal arcs of motion around their respective pivot pins, and the above - mentioned extension position and flexion position are defined by limit pins on an angle adjuster.

[0004] However, in the above - mentioned solution, during installation, it is necessary to sequentially insert the anchor pin through the metal plate and gasket of the upper - located hinge plate, the support arm, and the gasket and metal plate of the lower - located hinge plate for connection. Before the insertion of the anchor pin, the components are not pre - assembled together, which are relatively scattered. Workers need to carefully place the components strung together by the anchor pin on the special tooling fixture of the riveting machine for riveting assembly. Each worker can only perform assembly and riveting one by one, the assembly is relatively complex, and the assembly efficiency is extremely low. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide, in view of the current situation of the prior art, a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace that pre - assembles all components together before the riveting process and is conducive to assembly.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above - mentioned technical problem is as follows: A hinge for an orthopedic knee brace that is conducive to assembly includes

[0007] Two vertically spaced articulated plates, respectively denoted as the first articulated plate and the second articulated plate, and a sandwich layer is formed between the first articulated plate and the second articulated plate; and

[0008] Two support arms arranged left and right, and the heads of the two support arms are rotatably installed in the sandwich layer and engage with each other;

[0009] It is characterized in that: the second articulated plate is snap-connected to the first articulated plate, and the first articulated plate and the second articulated plate are further connected together by fasteners.

[0010] In order to achieve snap connection between the two articulated plates, the rear side and the front side of the first articulated plate respectively have a first elastic latch foot and a second elastic latch foot extending towards the second articulated plate;

[0011] The rear side and the front side of the second articulated plate respectively have a first snap joint for the first elastic latch foot to snap into and a second snap joint for the second elastic latch foot to snap into.

[0012] In order to facilitate the processing of the snap joints, the rear side of the second articulated plate has a first convex edge extending rearward, and this first convex edge constitutes the first snap joint, and the front side of the second articulated plate has a second convex edge extending forward, and this second convex edge constitutes the second snap joint;

[0013] The engaging portions at the heads of the first elastic latch foot and the second elastic latch foot are arranged opposite to each other and respectively engage with the first convex edge and the second convex edge.

[0014] In order to ensure both a low friction coefficient and high mechanical strength of the articulated plate at the same time, the articulated plate includes a plastic plate and a metal plate formed inside the plastic plate in an insert molding manner.

[0015] In order to achieve the connection between the two articulated plates and facilitate the rotational connection of the support arms on the articulated plates, the fasteners include two rivets corresponding to the support arms, and each rivet sequentially passes through the second articulated plate, the corresponding support arm and the first articulated plate and is anchored on the first articulated plate.

[0016] In order to achieve the pre-setting of the rivets and simplify the assembly process, the first articulated plate is vertically penetrated with mounting holes corresponding to the rivets, and the heads of each support arm are vertically penetrated with shaft holes;

[0017] The heads of each rivet are formed inside the plastic plate of the second articulated plate in an insert molding manner, and the tails of each rivet pass through the corresponding shaft holes and mounting holes and are anchored on the first articulated plate.

[0018] To facilitate the formation of the sandwich layer, a boss for supporting the second hinge plate is convexly provided on the first hinge plate.

[0019] To adjust the rotation range of the support arm, the second hinge plate is located above the first hinge plate;

[0020] Two groups of first adjustment hole groups corresponding to the support arm are provided on the first hinge plate, and each group of first adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of first adjustment holes arranged at intervals along the rotation direction of the corresponding support arm;

[0021] Two groups of second adjustment hole groups corresponding to the first adjustment hole groups are provided on the second hinge plate, and each group of second adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment holes;

[0022] The orthopedic knee brace hinge further includes two angle adjustment members corresponding to the support arm. Each of the angle adjustment members is installed above the second hinge plate and includes

[0023] A cage, including a base and two flexible arms extending outward from the base; and

[0024] Two limit pins, corresponding to the flexible arms. The head of each limit pin is connected to the free end of the corresponding flexible arm, and the tail of each limit pin passes through one of the second adjustment holes in the corresponding second adjustment hole group and the sandwich layer and then inserts into the corresponding first adjustment hole in the corresponding first adjustment hole group to limit the extreme rotation position of the corresponding support arm.

[0025] To facilitate the installation of the angle adjustment member, the two angle adjustment members share the same base, and the base is snap-connected to the second hinge plate.

[0026] To achieve the snap connection of the base on the second hinge plate, the bottom of the base has two downwardly extending third elastic locking feet, and the second hinge plate is provided with locking holes corresponding to the third elastic locking feet, and each of the third elastic locking feet is snap-connected in the corresponding locking hole.

[0027] To protect the angle adjustment member from falling off, a top cover is further included and is disposed above the angle adjustment member. The rear side of the top cover is hinged to the second hinge plate, and the front side of the top cover is snap-connected to the first hinge plate.

[0028] To achieve the snap connection of the front side of the top cover on the first hinge plate, the front side of the top cover has a downwardly extending fourth elastic locking foot, and the front side of the first hinge plate has a slot for snap-connecting the fourth elastic locking foot.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present utility model are as follows: By snap-connecting the second hinge plate to the first hinge plate, pre-positioning between the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate is achieved, and then the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate are connected together by fasteners. In this way, when assembling, it is not necessary to pre-position each component by setting additional tools or jigs, and multiple workers can perform pre-assembly, and one worker can perform riveting operation, which greatly improves the assembly efficiency and reduces the labor cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace that is beneficial to assembly according to the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 2 is Figure 1 three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of;

[0032] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A-A cross-sectional view of;

[0033] Figure 4 is Figure 1 B-B cross-sectional view of;

[0034] Figure 5 is Figure 1 C-C cross-sectional view of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present utility model will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments of the drawings.

[0036] In the description and claims of the present utility model, terms indicating directions such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc. are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present utility model. However, these terms are used here only for the convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed by the present utility model can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only for illustration and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to the directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0037] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, it is a preferred embodiment of a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace that is beneficial to assembly according to the present utility model. The hinge for the orthopedic knee brace includes a hinge plate 1, a rivet 2, a support arm 3, an angle adjusting member 4, and a top cover 5.

[0038] Among them, the number of the hinge plates 1 is two, which are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The hinge plate 1 located below is denoted as the first hinge plate 1a, and the hinge plate 1 located above is denoted as the second hinge plate 1b. A sandwich layer 10 is formed between the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b, and the second hinge plate 1b is snap-connected to the first hinge plate 1a, and the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b are connected together by fasteners.

[0039] In this embodiment, each hinge plate 1 includes a plastic plate 11 and a metal plate 12 formed inside the plastic plate 11 in an insert molding manner, so as to ensure both the low friction coefficient and high mechanical strength of the hinge plate 1.

[0040] Specifically, in the first hinge plate 1a, the rear side of its plastic plate 11 has a first hinge seat 110a and a first elastic leg 111a extending upward. The number of the first elastic legs 111a is two, which are respectively located on the left and right sides of the first hinge seat 110a. The front side of its plastic plate 11 has a second elastic leg 112a extending upward; the top of the first hinge seat 110a has a first hole groove 1101a extending in the left-right direction and opening upward; the engaging portions at the heads of the first elastic legs 111a and the second elastic legs 112a are arranged opposite to each other, and the second elastic leg 112a has a card slot 1121a opening forward; two mounting holes 113a are vertically and penetratingly formed in the first hinge plate 1a and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction; two groups of first adjustment hole groups corresponding to the mounting holes 113a are further formed in the first hinge plate 1a. Each group of first adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of first adjustment holes 114a arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the corresponding mounting hole 113a outside the mounting hole 113a; in addition, the plastic plate 11 is convexly provided with a boss 115a for supporting the second hinge plate 1b at the positions in front of the first hinge seat 110a and behind the second elastic leg 112a.

[0041] In the second hinge plate 1b, on the rear side of its plastic plate 11, there is a second hinge seat 110b that first extends upward and then backward. At the rear part of the top of the second hinge seat 110b, there is a second hole groove 1101b that extends in the left-right direction and has an opening facing downward; on the rear side of its plastic plate 11, there is a first convex edge 111b that extends backward and corresponds to the above-mentioned first elastic locking feet 111a one by one. The locking part at the head of the above-mentioned first elastic locking feet 111a is locked on the corresponding first convex edge 111b; on the front side of its metal plate 12, there is a second convex edge 121b that extends forward and protrudes outside the plastic plate 11. The locking part at the head of the above-mentioned second elastic locking feet 112a is locked on the second convex edge 121b; on the second hinge plate 1b, there are two groups of second adjustment hole groups corresponding to the first adjustment hole groups. Each group of second adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of second adjustment holes 112b that correspond to the above-mentioned first adjustment holes 114a one by one; on the second hinge plate 1b, there are also two card holes 122b arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0042] Of course, structures such as card slots and card holes can also be provided on the second hinge plate 1b as snap-engagement parts to replace the above-mentioned first convex edge 111b and second convex edge 121b. It is also possible to swap the positions of the elastic locking feet and the snap-engagement parts on the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b.

[0043] The number of rivets 2 is two, corresponding to the above-mentioned mounting holes 113a one by one. The heads of the respective rivets 2 are formed inside the plastic plate 11 of the second hinge plate 1b in an insert molding manner, and the tails of the respective rivets 2 protrude outside the bottom of the plastic plate 11 of the second hinge plate 1b.

[0044] The number of support arms 3 is two, corresponding to the above-mentioned rivets 2 one by one, and they are arranged one on the left and one on the right. The heads of the two support arms 3 are accommodated in the above-mentioned sandwich layer 10 and mesh with each other. Specifically, a shaft hole 31 is vertically penetrated through the head of each support arm 3. The tail of each rivet 2 passes through the corresponding shaft hole 31 and mounting hole 113a and is anchored on the first hinge plate 1a, so that each support arm 3 can rotate relative to the hinge plate 1 around the corresponding rivet 2.

[0045] The number of angle adjustment members 4 is two, corresponding to the above-mentioned support arms 3 one by one. Each angle adjustment member 4 is installed above the second hinge plate 1b and is used to limit the rotation angle of the corresponding support arm 3. In this embodiment, each angle adjustment member 4 includes a cage 41 and a limit pin 42.

[0046] Specifically, the cage 41 includes a base 411 and two flexible arms 412 extending outward from the base 411; in this embodiment, the two angle adjusting members 4 share the same base 411, and the bottom of the base 411 has two third elastic locking feet 4111 extending downward and corresponding to the above-mentioned locking holes 122b one by one. Each third elastic locking foot 4111 is snapped into the corresponding locking hole 122b, so as to realize the snap connection of the base 411 on the second hinge plate 1b; the flexible arms 412 are integrally formed on the base 411;

[0047] The number of the limit pins 42 is two, corresponding to the above-mentioned flexible arms 412 one by one. The head of each limit pin 42 is connected to the free end of the corresponding flexible arm 412, and the tail of each limit pin 42 passes downward through one of the second adjustment holes 112b in the corresponding second adjustment hole group and the sandwich layer 10 and then is inserted into the corresponding first adjustment hole 114a in the corresponding first adjustment hole group, so as to limit the extreme rotation position of the corresponding support arm 3.

[0048] The top cover 5 is covered above the angle adjusting member 4. Specifically, the rear side of the top cover 5 has a rotating shaft 51 extending in the left-right direction, and the rotating shaft 51 is rotatably inserted into the shaft hole formed by the above-mentioned first slot 1101a and the second slot 1101b, so as to realize the hinge of the rear side of the top cover 5 on the second hinge plate 1b; the front side of the top cover 5 has a fourth elastic locking foot 52 extending downward, and the fourth elastic locking foot 52 is snapped into the above-mentioned locking slot 1121a, so as to realize the snap connection of the front side of the top cover 5 on the first hinge plate 1a.

[0049] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During installation:

[0050] (1) First, place the top cover 5 above the second hinge plate 1b, and at the same time, align the rotating shaft 51 of the top cover 5 with the second slot 1101b of the second hinge plate 1b and insert it to realize the pre-positioning of the top cover 5 on the second hinge plate 1b;

[0051] (2) Then, insert the two rivets 2 on the second hinge plate 1b downward into the shaft holes 31 of the corresponding support arms 3 and the mounting holes 113a of the first hinge plate 1a in sequence until the engaging portion of the head of the first elastic locking foot 111a is engaged with the corresponding first convex edge 111b, and at the same time, the engaging portion of the head of the second elastic locking foot 112a is engaged with the second convex edge 121b, so as to realize the pre-positioning between the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b;

[0052] At the same time, the rotating shaft 51 of the top cover 5 is rotatably limited in the shaft hole formed by the above-mentioned first slot 1101a and the second slot 1101b, and the fourth elastic locking foot 52 of the top cover 5 is snapped into the locking slot 1121a of the first hinge plate 1a;

[0053] (3) Then anchor the rivet 2 on the first hinge plate 1a, and the fixation among the hinge plate 1, the support arm 3 and the top cover can be realized.

[0054] (4) Finally, turn up the top cover 5, align the third elastic latch 4111 of the angle adjuster 4 with the latch hole 122b of the second hinge plate 1b and snap it in downward. At the same time, align the tail of the limit pin 42 with the corresponding second adjustment hole 112b and insert it in place to complete the installation of the hinge for the entire orthopedic knee brace.

[0055] The advantages of the above solution are as follows:

[0056] First, by snap-connecting the second hinge plate 1b to the first hinge plate 1a, the pre-positioning between the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b is realized. During anchoring, there is no need to perform the alignment and limiting operation on the two, and the assembly is simple.

[0057] Second, since the rivet 2 is pre-placed on the second hinge plate 1b, the placement of the rivet 2 can be completed during the snap-connection process of the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b, simplifying the assembly process.

Claims

1. An orthopedic knee brace hinge facilitating assembly, comprising two vertically spaced hinge plates (1), respectively denoted as the first hinge plate (1a) and the second hinge plate (1b), with a sandwich layer (10) formed between the first hinge plate (1a) and the second hinge plate (1b); and two horizontally arranged support arms (3), the heads of the two support arms (3) being rotatably mounted in the sandwich layer (10) and meshing with each other; It is characterized in that: the second hinge plate (1b) is snap-connected to the first hinge plate (1a), and the first hinge plate (1a) and the second hinge plate (1b) are further connected together by fasteners.

2. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear side and the front side of the first hinge plate (1a) respectively have a first elastic latch foot (111a) and a second elastic latch foot (112a) extending towards the second hinge plate (1b); The rear side and the front side of the second hinge plate (1b) respectively have a first snap joint for the first elastic latch foot (111a) to snap into and a second snap joint for the second elastic latch foot (112a) to snap into.

3. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rear side of the second hinge plate (1b) has a first flange (111b) extending rearward, and this first flange (111b) constitutes the first snap joint, and the front side of the second hinge plate (1b) has a second flange (121b) extending forward, and this second flange (121b) constitutes the second snap joint; The engaging portions at the heads of the first elastic latch foot (111a) and the second elastic latch foot (112a) are arranged oppositely and respectively snap onto the first flange (111b) and the second flange (121b).

4. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 1, wherein: The hinge plate (1) includes a plastic plate (11) and a metal plate (12) formed inside the plastic plate (11) in an insert molding manner.

5. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fasteners include two rivets (2) corresponding to the support arms (3), and each rivet (2) sequentially passes through the second hinge plate (1b), the corresponding support arm (3), and the first hinge plate (1a) and is anchored on the first hinge plate (1a).

6. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first hinge plate (1a) is vertically penetrated with mounting holes (113a) corresponding to the rivets (2), and the heads of the support arms (3) are vertically penetrated with shaft holes (31); The heads of the rivets (2) are formed inside the plastic plate (11) of the second hinge plate (1b) in an insert molding manner, and the tails of the rivets (2) pass through the corresponding shaft holes (31) and mounting holes (113a) and are anchored on the first hinge plate (1a).

7. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hinge plate (1a) is convexly provided with a boss (115a) for supporting the second hinge plate (1b).

8. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The second hinge plate (1b) is located above the first hinge plate (1a); The first hinge plate (1a) is provided with two groups of first adjustment hole groups corresponding to the support arms (3), and each group of first adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of first adjustment holes (114a) arranged at intervals along the rotation direction of the corresponding support arm (3); Two groups of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment hole group are formed in the second hinge plate (1b). Each group of second adjustment holes includes a plurality of second adjustment holes (112b) corresponding to the first adjustment holes (114a). The orthopedic knee brace hinge further includes two angle adjustment members (4) corresponding to the support arms (3). Each of the angle adjustment members (4) is installed above the second hinge plate (1b) and includes a cage (41) including a base (411) and two flexible arms (412) extending outward from the base (411); and two limit pins (42) corresponding to the flexible arms (412). The head of each limit pin (42) is connected to the free end of the corresponding flexible arm (412). The tail of each limit pin (42) passes through one of the second adjustment holes (112b) in the corresponding second adjustment hole group and the sandwich layer (10), and then is inserted into the corresponding first adjustment hole (114a) in the corresponding first adjustment hole group to limit the extreme rotation position of the corresponding support arm (3).

9. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 8, characterized in that: The two angle adjustment members (4) share the same base (411), and the base (411) is snap-connected to the second hinge plate (1b).

10. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 8, characterized in that: It further includes a top cover (5) covering the angle adjustment member (4). The rear side of the top cover (5) is hinged to the second hinge plate (1b), and the front side of the top cover (5) is snap-connected to the first hinge plate (1a).

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