Hinge with adjustable rotation range for orthopedic knee support

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hinge with an adjustable rotation range for an orthopedic knee support, which comprises two hinge plates (1) which are vertically arranged at an interval, the hinge plate (1) positioned at the lower part is marked as a first hinge plate (1a), the hinge plate (1) positioned at the upper part is marked as 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 left and right, and the heads of the two supporting arms (3) can be rotationally mounted in the interlayer (10) and are meshed with each other; the angle adjusting piece (4) comprises a retainer (41) and a plurality of limiting pins (42) which are arranged on the retainer (41) and extend into the interlayer (10); the device is characterized in that the retainer (41) is connected above the second hinge plate (1b) in a buckling manner. Compared with the prior art, the hinge for the orthopedic knee support can be provided with an angle adjusting piece before or after riveting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical equipment, in particular to a hinge for an orthopedic knee support with an adjustable rotation range. Background Art

[0002] Knee braces are widely used to treat various knee weaknesses. Such braces can be configured to impart a force or torque on the limb surrounding the knee joint in order to relieve compressive forces within a portion of the knee joint or reduce the load on that portion of the knee. Additionally, knee braces can stabilize, protect, support, or rehabilitate the knee in cases of weak and weakened knee ligaments.

[0003] Typically, a knee brace comprises an upper frame member designed to be fastened to the upper portion of a user's leg and a lower frame member designed to be fastened to the lower portion of the user's leg. The upper and lower frame members are connected to each other by means of a single hinge or double hinges that enable the frame to follow the bending movement of the leg. For example, the U.S. patent application number US15777905 "ORTHOPEDIC POLYCENTRIC HINGE" discloses a multi-center hinge for an orthopedic knee brace, which includes two rigid support arms, the two rigid support arms having cooperating, 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 groups of parallel and spaced hinge plates, each group of hinge plates includes a metal plate for 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, and the two arms can pivot around their respective pivot pins along equal motion arcs between an adjustable extension position and an adjustable flexion position, and the above-mentioned extension position and flexion position are limited by the limit pins on the angle adjustment member.

[0004] However, in the above solution, the angle adjustment member is fixed to the hinge plate during the riveting process and cannot be replaced after the assembly is completed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace with an adjustable rotation range of an angle adjustment member which can be installed before or after riveting in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above technical problems is: a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace with an adjustable rotation range, comprising

[0007] Two hinged plates arranged vertically at intervals, the hinged plate located at the bottom is marked as a first hinged plate, and the hinged plate located at the top is marked as a second hinged plate, and a sandwich is formed between the first hinged plate and the second hinged plate;

[0008] Two support arms arranged on the left and right, the heads of the two support arms being rotatably mounted in the interlayer and meshing with each other; and

[0009] An angle adjustment member includes a retaining frame and a plurality of limiting pins provided on the retaining frame and extending into the interlayer;

[0010] The feature is that the retaining frame is snap-connected above the second hinge plate.

[0011] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the installation position of the limit pin, the first hinge plate is provided with two groups of first adjustment holes corresponding to the support arms, each group of first adjustment holes includes a plurality of first adjustment holes arranged at intervals along the rotation direction of the corresponding support arm;

[0012] The second hinge plate is provided with two groups of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment holes, and each group of second adjustment holes includes a plurality of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment holes;

[0013] There are two angle adjustment members, which are arranged on the left and right sides above the second hinge plate and correspond to the support arms. Each retaining frame corresponds to two limit pins. The head of each limit pin is provided on the retaining frame, and the tail of each limit pin passes through one of the second adjustment holes and the interlayer in the corresponding second adjustment hole group and is inserted into the corresponding first adjustment hole in the corresponding first adjustment hole group to limit the extreme rotation position of the corresponding support arm.

[0014] In order to facilitate the flexible movement of the limit pin, the retaining frame includes a base snap-connected to the second hinge plate and two flexible arms extending outward from the base. The limit pin corresponds to the flexible arm, and the head of each limit pin is connected to the free end of the corresponding flexible arm.

[0015] In order to realize the snap connection of the base on the second hinge plate, the bottom of the base has two third elastic clamping feet extending downward, and the second hinge plate is provided with clamping holes corresponding to the third elastic clamping feet, and each of the third elastic clamping feet is clamped in the corresponding clamping hole.

[0016] In order to simplify the assembly process of the angle adjustment member, the two angle adjustment members share the same base.

[0017] In order to facilitate the assembly of the angle adjustment member, the flexible arm is integrally formed on the base, and the head of each limit pin is formed in the interior of the free end of the corresponding flexible arm in an insert manner.

[0018] In order to improve the installation stability of the limit pin without affecting the activity of the limit pin, the flexible arm is an elastic member arranged in a serpentine shape.

[0019] In order to protect the angle adjustment member and prevent it from falling off, a top cover is also included which is arranged 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.

[0020] In order to ensure both low friction coefficient and high mechanical strength of the hinge plate, the hinge plate includes a plastic plate and a metal plate molded inside the plastic plate in an insert manner.

[0021] In order to facilitate the rotational connection of the support arm on the hinge plate, two rivets corresponding to the support arms are also included, and the first hinge plate is provided with mounting holes corresponding to the rivets in the vertical direction, and the head of each support arm is provided with an axis hole in the vertical direction;

[0022] The head of each rivet is formed in the plastic plate of the second hinge plate in an insert manner, and the tail of each rivet passes through the corresponding shaft hole and mounting hole and is anchored on the first hinge plate.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantage of the present invention is that by snap-connecting the retaining frame of the angle adjustment member to the top of the second hinge plate, the angle adjustment member can be installed on the second hinge plate before or after riveting, which makes the assembly flexible and convenient for replacing the angle adjustment member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a hinge for an orthopedic knee brace with an adjustable rotation range according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional decomposition of

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 1 CC cross-sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] In the specification and claims of the present invention, directional terms such as "front," "back," "up," "down," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom" are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and components of the present invention. However, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present invention can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 5 FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the hinge for an orthopedic knee brace with an adjustable rotation range according to the present invention. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace comprises a hinge plate 1 , a rivet 2 , a support arm 3 , an angle adjustment member 4 and a top cover 5 .

[0032] Among them, there are two hinge plates 1, which are arranged vertically at intervals. The hinge plate 1 located at the bottom is marked as the first hinge plate 1a, and the hinge plate 1 located at the top is marked as the second hinge plate 1b. An interlayer 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. The first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b are then connected together by fasteners.

[0033] In this embodiment, each hinge plate 1 includes a plastic plate 11 and a metal plate 12 that is insert-molded inside the plastic plate 11 , thereby ensuring both a low friction coefficient and high mechanical strength of the hinge plate 1 .

[0034] 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 foot 111a extending upward, the number of the first elastic foot 111a is two, respectively located on the left and right sides of the first hinge seat 110a, and the front side of its plastic plate 11 has a second elastic foot 112a extending upward; the top of the first hinge seat 110a has a first hole 1101a extending in the left and right directions and opening upward; the buckling parts of the heads of the first elastic foot 111a and the second elastic foot 112a are arranged oppositely, and the second elastic foot 112a has a There is a card slot 1121a with an opening facing forward; two mounting holes 113a arranged at intervals in the left-right direction are vertically penetrated on the first hinge plate 1a; two groups of first adjustment hole groups corresponding to the mounting holes 113a are also provided on the first hinge plate 1a, and each group of first adjustment hole groups includes a plurality of first adjustment holes 114a arranged at intervals along the circumference of the corresponding mounting hole 113a on the outer periphery of the mounting hole 113a; in addition, the plastic plate 11 is provided with a boss 115a for supporting the second hinge plate 1b at the position on the front side of the first hinge seat 110a and the rear side of the second elastic card foot 112a.

[0035] In the second hinge plate 1b, the rear side of the plastic plate 11 has a second hinge seat 110b extending first upward and then backward, and the rear part of the top of the second hinge seat 110b has a second hole 1101b extending in the left-right direction and opening downward; the rear side of the plastic plate 11 has a first convex edge 111b extending backward and corresponding to the above-mentioned first elastic clamping foot 111a, and the buckling part of the head of the above-mentioned first elastic clamping foot 111a is buckled on the corresponding first convex edge 111b; the metal plate 1 The front side of the second hinge plate 1b has a second protruding edge 121b extending forward and outward from the plastic plate 11, and the snap-fitting portion of the head of the second elastic foot 112a snaps onto the second protruding edge 121b; the second hinge plate 1b is provided with two groups of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment hole groups, each group of second adjustment holes including a plurality of second adjustment holes 112b corresponding one-to-one with the first adjustment holes 114a; the second hinge plate 1b is also provided with two snap-fitting holes 122b spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0036] Of course, the second hinge plate 1b can also be provided with a slot, a hole or other structure as a snap joint to replace the first convex edge 111b and the second convex edge 121b. The positions of the elastic feet and the snap joint on the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b can also be interchanged.

[0037] There are two rivets 2, which correspond one to one with the above-mentioned mounting holes 113a. The head of each rivet 3 is molded inside the plastic plate 11 of the above-mentioned second hinge plate 1b in an insert manner, and the tail of each rivet 3 extends outward from the bottom of the plastic plate 11 of the above-mentioned second hinge plate 1b.

[0038] There are two support arms 3, one corresponding to each of the rivets 2, and arranged on the left and right sides. The heads of the two support arms 3 are housed within the interlayer 10 and engage with each other. Specifically, an axial hole 31 is vertically defined through the head of each support arm 3. The tail of each rivet 3 passes through the corresponding axial hole 31 and mounting hole 113a and is anchored to the first hinge plate 1a, allowing each support arm 3 to rotate relative to the hinge plate 1 around the corresponding rivet 3.

[0039] There are two angle adjustment members 4, one corresponding to each support arm 3. Each angle adjustment member 4 is mounted above the second hinge plate 1b to limit the rotation angle of the corresponding support arm 3. In this embodiment, each angle adjustment member 4 includes a retaining frame 41 and a limiting pin 42.

[0040] Specifically, the retaining frame 41 includes a base 411 and two flexible arms 412 extending outward from the base 411. In this embodiment, the two angle adjustment members 4 share the same base 411. The bottom of the base 411 has two third elastic clamping feet 4111 extending downward and corresponding to the above-mentioned clamping holes 122b. Each third elastic clamping foot 4111 is clamped into the corresponding clamping hole 122b, thereby realizing a snap connection between the base 411 and the second hinge plate 1b. The positions of the elastic clamping feet and the clamping holes on the base 411 and the second hinge plate 1b can also be interchanged. The flexible arms 412 are integrally formed on the base 411.

[0041] There are two limit pins 42, which correspond one to one with the above-mentioned flexible arms 412. The head of each limit pin 42 is molded in the form of an insert inside 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 interlayer 10 and 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.

[0042] In this embodiment, the flexible arm 412 is an elastic member arranged in a serpentine shape, which facilitates the adjustment of the position of the limiting pin 42.

[0043] The top cover 5 is positioned above the angle adjustment member 4. Specifically, the rear side of the top cover 5 has a rotating shaft 51 extending in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 51 is rotatably inserted into the shaft hole formed by the first hole slot 1101a and the second hole slot 1101b, thereby achieving the hinge connection of the rear side of the top cover 5 to the second hinge plate 1b. The front side of the top cover 5 has a fourth elastic foot 52 extending downward. The fourth elastic foot 52 is engaged in the aforementioned slot 1121a, thereby achieving the snap connection of the front side of the top cover 5 to the first hinge plate 1a.

[0044] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During installation:

[0045] (1) First, place the top cover 5 on the second hinge plate 1b, and at the same time align the rotating shaft 51 of the top cover 5 with the second hole groove 1101b of the second hinge plate 1b to achieve pre-positioning of the top cover 5 on the second hinge plate 1b;

[0046] (2) Then, align the two rivets 2 on the second hinge plate 1b with the corresponding shaft holes 31 of the support arms 3 and the mounting holes 113a of the first hinge plate 1a and insert them downward in sequence until the snap-fitting portion of the head of the first elastic foot 111a snaps onto the corresponding first ridge 111b, and the snap-fitting portion of the head of the second elastic foot 112a snaps onto the second ridge 121b, thereby achieving pre-positioning between the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b;

[0047] At the same time, the rotating shaft 51 of the top cover 5 is rotatably limited in the shaft hole formed by the first hole groove 1101a and the second hole groove 1101b, and the fourth elastic foot 52 of the top cover 5 is clamped in the clamping groove 1121a of the first hinge plate 1a;

[0048] (3) Then, the rivet 2 is anchored on the first hinge plate 1a to achieve the fixation between the hinge plate 1, the support arm 3 and the top cover;

[0049] (4) Finally, flip up the top cover 5, align the third elastic foot 4111 of the angle adjustment member 4 with the hole 122b of the second hinge plate 1b, and insert it downward. At the same time, align the tail of the limit pin 42 with the corresponding second adjustment hole 112b and insert it into place, thus completing the installation of the hinge for the entire orthopedic knee brace;

[0050] The advantages of the above solution are:

[0051] First, by snap-fitting the second hinge plate 1b onto the first hinge plate 1a, the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b are pre-positioned, and the anchoring can be performed without applying an alignment limit operation to the two, which simplifies assembly;

[0052] Second, since the rivet 2 is pre-set on the second hinge plate 1b, the rivet 2 can be placed during the snap connection process between the first hinge plate 1a and the second hinge plate 1b, simplifying the assembly process;

[0053] Third, by insert-molding the head of each limiting pin 42 into the free end of the corresponding flexible arm 412, there is no need to assemble the retaining frame 41 and the limiting pin 42 during assembly, which simplifies assembly.

[0054] Fourth, since the two angle adjustment members 4 share the same base 411, the angle adjustment members 4 only need to be installed once, simplifying the assembly process;

[0055] Fifth, the angle adjusting member 4 can be installed on the second hinge plate 1 b before or after riveting, which makes assembly flexible and facilitates replacement of the angle adjusting member 4 .

Claims

1. A hinge for an orthopedic knee brace with an adjustable rotation range, comprising Two hinged plates (1) are arranged vertically at intervals, the hinged plate (1) located at the bottom is marked as a first hinged plate (1a), and the hinged plate (1) located at the top is marked as a second hinged plate (1b), and an interlayer (10) is formed between the first hinged plate (1a) and the second hinged plate (1b); Two support arms (3) arranged on the left and right, the heads of the two support arms (3) are rotatably mounted in the interlayer (10) and meshed with each other; and An angle adjustment member (4) includes a retaining frame (41) and a plurality of limiting pins (42) provided on the retaining frame (41) and extending into the interlayer (10); Its characteristics are: The retaining frame (41) is snap-connected above the second hinged plate (1b).

2. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 1, wherein: The first hinge plate (1a) is provided with two groups of first adjustment holes corresponding to the support arms (3), each group of first adjustment holes comprising a plurality of first adjustment holes (114a) spaced apart along the rotation direction of the corresponding support arm (3); The second hinge plate (1b) is provided with two groups of second adjustment holes corresponding to the first adjustment hole groups, and each group of second adjustment holes includes a plurality of second adjustment holes (112b) corresponding to the first adjustment holes (114a); There are two angle adjustment members (4), which are arranged on the left and right sides above the second hinge plate (1b) and correspond to the support arm (3). Each retaining frame (41) corresponds to two limit pins (42). The head of each limit pin (42) is arranged on the retaining frame (41), and 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 interlayer (10) and 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).

3. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 2, wherein: The retaining frame (41) includes a base (411) snap-connected to the second hinge plate (1b) and two flexible arms (412) extending outward from the base (411), the limiting pins (42) correspond to the flexible arms (412), and the head of each limiting pin (42) is connected to the free end of the corresponding flexible arm (412).

4. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 3, wherein: The bottom of the base (411) has two third elastic clamping feet (4111) extending downward, and the second hinge plate (1b) is provided with a clamping hole (122b) corresponding to the third elastic clamping feet (4111), and each of the third elastic clamping feet (4111) is clamped in the corresponding clamping hole (122b).

5. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 3, wherein: The two angle adjustment members (4) share the same base (411).

6. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 3, wherein: The flexible arm (412) is integrally formed on the base (411), and the head of each limiting pin (42) is formed in the interior of the free end of the corresponding flexible arm (412) in an insert manner.

7. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 3, wherein: The flexible arm (412) is an elastic member arranged in a serpentine shape.

8. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a top cover (5) arranged above 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).

9. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The hinge plate (1) comprises a plastic plate (11) and a metal plate (12) molded inside the plastic plate (11) in an insert manner.

10. The hinge for an orthopedic knee brace according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes two rivets (2) corresponding to the support arms (3), a mounting hole (113a) corresponding to the rivets (2) is provided on the first hinge plate (1a) in a vertical direction, and an axis hole (31) is provided on the head of each support arm (3) in a vertical direction. The head of each rivet (2) is molded in the plastic plate (11) of the second hinge plate (1b) in an insert manner, and the tail of each rivet (2) passes through the corresponding shaft hole (31) and the mounting hole (113a) and is anchored on the first hinge plate (1a).

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