Walking boot device

Abstract

A walking boot device is provided. The device can include a base, an upright extending from the base, and a brace placed in an opening on the upright. The device can also include a rod placed on one or both braces. The rod can be configured to bend towards or away from the leg, such that the rod biases the first brace towards or away from the leg. The device can also include a sleeve placed between the first upright and the second upright, and the sleeve can include an inflatable bladder.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 426,643, filed January 30, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to orthopedic equipment, specifically to a walking boot device. Background Technology

[0004] Heel and ankle injuries are typically treated by immobilizing the leg in a walking boot to hold the ankle in a desired position (e.g., a neutral position). This typically involves encasing the leg in a rigid plastic shell until full recovery. Traditional walking boots may include an upright support component to prevent the leg from pivoting inward or outward relative to the ankle, and may also use a sleeve that wraps around the leg and attaches to the support structure to secure it. However, traditional walking boots are often rigid and fail to position the leg in the ideal position, potentially deviating slightly from a precise neutral position. Furthermore, due to the limited fixation force of the sleeve, traditional walking boots often allow the leg to move more than intended, leading to delayed recovery.

[0005] Providing walking boots that allow for necessary adjustments to the leg relative to the ankle, and reinforced fixation of the leg to the walking boot once the desired position is achieved, would be beneficial.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved devices for walking boots. Utility Model Content

[0007] This summary is provided to briefly introduce the choice of creative concept that will be described further below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection for the claimed subject matter.

[0008] This disclosure provides a walking boot device. The device may include a base configured to support the foot of a leg and secure the ankle of the leg. The device may also include a first upright portion extending from the base. The first upright portion may include a first opening. The device may also include a second upright portion extending from the base. The second upright portion may include a second opening. The device may further include a first support plate disposed in the first opening and a second support plate disposed in the second opening. The device may also include a first rod disposed on the first support plate. The first rod is configured to bend toward or away from the leg, thereby biasing the first support plate toward or away from the leg. The device may also include a second rod disposed on the second support plate. The second rod is configured to bend toward or away from the leg, thereby biasing the second support plate toward or away from the ankle. The device may further include a sleeve disposed between the first upright portion and the second upright portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sleeve includes a bladder. The device may also include a valve disposed on the bladder. The valve is configured to inflate the bladder with air. The device may also include a button disposed on the valve. The valve may be biased to a closed position, and the button may be biased to a non-pressed position. When the button is pressed, the valve may open and air may be inflated into the valve. When the button returns to the non-pressed position, the valve may close.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first support includes a first biasing member configured to fix the first support relative to the first upright portion when the first support is inserted into the first opening, and the second support includes a second biasing member configured to fix the second support relative to the second upright portion when the second support is inserted into the second opening.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first opening includes a first ridge, and the first support further includes a first groove corresponding to the first ridge, such that when the first support is inserted into the first opening, the first ridge guides the first support relative to the first upright portion through the first groove. The second opening includes a second ridge, and the second support further includes a second groove corresponding to the second ridge, such that when the second support is inserted into the second opening, the second ridge guides the second support relative to the second upright portion through the second groove.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first rod includes a first plurality of positioning holes, the first support piece includes a first plurality of alignment openings, and the first plurality of positioning holes are aligned with the first plurality of alignment openings. The second rod may include a second plurality of positioning holes, the second support piece may further include a second plurality of alignment openings, and the second plurality of positioning holes may be aligned with the second plurality of alignment openings.

[0013] By reading the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to clearly understand several other objects, advantages and features of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1A This is a right-side view of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0015] Figure 1B This is a left perspective view of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0016] Figure 1C This is a right-side view of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0017] Figure 1D This is a perspective view of the left side of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 2A This is a perspective view of the open sleeve of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 2B This is a perspective view of the open sleeve of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 3A This is an external side view of the left support piece of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 3B This is an external side view of the right support piece of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 3C This is an internal side view of the left support piece of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 3D This is an internal side view of the right support piece of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 3E This is an external side view of the left support piece of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 3FThis is an external side view of the right support piece of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 3G This is an internal side view of the left support piece of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 3H This is an internal side view of the right support piece of a low-rise walking boot according to some embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a left perspective view of a high-top walking boot according to some embodiments of this application, showing the adjusted support piece;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a tread view of a walking boot according to some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0030] While this document discusses in detail various embodiments of the manufacture and use of the present disclosure, it should be recognized that the disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts embodied in various specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of particular ways of manufacture and use of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize many equivalents of the particular devices, systems, and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and are covered by the claims.

[0031] Furthermore, the features, structures, or characteristics of this disclosure can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. The description contained herein provides numerous specific details, such as examples of programming, software, user selection, hardware, hardware circuitry, hardware chips, etc., to provide an understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure can be practiced without one or more specific details, or implemented using other methods, components, materials, apparatuses, devices, systems, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of this disclosure.

[0032] The features and advantages of the embodiments of this application will become more apparent from the specification and appended claims, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments described herein. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, aspects of this disclosure can be embodied in apparatuses, systems, methods, computer program products, etc. Therefore, aspects of this disclosure can take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects, which are generally referred to herein as “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media, wherein program code is embodied on the computer-readable media.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings, not all reference numerals are included in every figure for clarity. Furthermore, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” and “bottom” refer to the device in the orientation shown in the figure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the device may be positioned differently in use.

[0034] The terms “connection,” “attachment,” “joining,” “installation,” and “fastening” should be understood as any method of connecting two objects, including but not limited to the use of any fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pins and U-clamps, to achieve a static, translational, or pivotal connection; any kind of welding, such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, induction welding, etc.; the use of any resin, glue, epoxy resin, etc.; as a single component forming a whole; any mechanical fit, such as friction fit, interference fit, sliding fit, rotational fit, pivoting fit, etc.; any combination thereof; etc.

[0035] Now for reference Figure 1A-1D The illustration shows a walking boot device (device) 10 according to various embodiments of this application. In some embodiments, device 10 is configured as a high-top walking boot that provides enhanced ankle support. In other embodiments, device 10 is configured as a low-top walking boot that provides enhanced mobility to the user while also providing adequate support. Figure 1A Accordingly, the right side of the high-top walking boot device 10 according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 1B The left side of the high-top walking boot device 10 is shown; Figure 1C The left side of the low-rise walking boot device 10 is shown; Figure 1D The right side of the low-rise walking boot device 10 is shown.

[0036] The device 10 may include a base 12, which may be configured to support the foot of the leg and secure the ankle. The device 10 may also include a pair of upright portions disposed on and extending upward from the base 12. These upright portions may be configured to surround and secure the user's ankle. For example, the device 10 may include a first (e.g., left-side) upright portion 14 extending from the base 12 and a second (e.g., right-side) upright portion 16 extending from the base 12. In some embodiments, the device 10 may also include a sleeve 11 disposed between the first upright portion 14 and the second upright portion 16. For example, the sleeve 11 may wrap around the leg to secure it to the device 10. As discussed in detail below, the sleeve 11 may be configured to provide pressure to the leg.

[0037] Device 10 may also include a support structure for securing the leg to the ankle. Such a support device may be a double-sided support that, when assembled with base 12, forms a double-sided orthopedic walking boot. For example, device 10 may include a first (e.g., left) support 26 and a second (e.g., right) support 28.

[0038] The upper buckle 13 can at least partially wrap around the leg to secure the first and second tabs 26, 28 to the user's leg, and the first and second tabs 26, 28 can have relative rigidity in response to user movement (e.g., walking when the user is wearing the foot device 10). For example, walking boots are typically designed to wrap around the leg so that the foot and ankle are relatively fixed in a neutral position (e.g., at a 90-degree angle). Additionally, the base 12 can be secured to the user's foot using the lower buckle 15. The first and second tabs 26, 28 can have sufficient rigidity to maintain the ankle position in an ideal neutral position. However, as described below... Figure 4 As will be discussed in detail, the first and second supports 26, 28 are adjustable. For example, slightly different ankle rotation positions may be beneficial depending on the specific injury to the ankle. The first and second supports 26, 28 may be configured to be flexible (e.g., deformable) so that the device 10 secures the foot and ankle in the desired position and maintains that desired position during use.

[0039] Now refer to Figure 1A-2B According to some embodiments of this disclosure, sleeve 11 may include bladder 19. Figure 2A The sleeve 11 of the high-waisted device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2B The sleeve 11 of the low-waisted device 10 is shown.

[0040] The bladder 19 can be filled with air to secure the leg within the sleeve 11. In some embodiments, the device 10 further includes a valve 31 disposed on the bladder 19 or the sleeve. For example, the valve 31 may be configured to inflate the bladder 31 with air through a valve tube 25. In some embodiments, the valve 31 is operated by an air pump. For example, the device 10 may also include a button 29 disposed on the valve 31. The button 29 may be configured to open and close the valve 31 so that air can be delivered to the bladder 19 through the valve tube 25.

[0041] In some embodiments, valve 31 is biased to the closed position, and button 29 is biased to the unpressed position (as shown). When button 29 is pressed, valve 31 opens, allowing air to be introduced (e.g., drawn through) into valve 31. Conversely, when button 29 is not pressed, valve 31 closes. In this sense, pressing button 29 can cause the air molecules therein to be compressed and pressurized; when the air pressure is high enough, valve 31 (operating as a one-way valve) allows pressurized air to flow into bladder 19 through valve tube 25.

[0042] In some embodiments, the bladder 19 is provided with two compartments. For example, the bladder 19 may include a first (e.g., left) compartment 21 located on a first side (e.g., left side) 37 of the sleeve 11, and a second (e.g., right) compartment 23 located on a second side (e.g., right side) 39 of the sleeve 11. As air is filled into the bladder 19 through the valve 25, air can enter the first compartment 21 through the second compartment 23 via a compartment tube 27 extending between the first and second compartments 37, 39 of the sleeve 11. In some embodiments, the bladder 19 is arranged to extend between the upper portion 33 and the lower portion 33 of the sleeve 11. For example, the bladder 19 may extend downward from the upper portion 33 of the sleeve 11, travel along the curvature of the sleeve 11 about the user's heel, and extend towards the user's foot from the lower portion 33 of the sleeve 11. Thus, the bladder 19 may be configured to provide pressure to the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right sides of the ankle. It should be understood that the sac 19 can have any number of configurations, including some or all of those presented herein, to provide the required compression to the ankle.

[0043] Refer to Figure 1A-1D As described above, the base 12 may include first and second upright portions 14 and 16. The first upright portion 14 may include a first opening 18, and the second upright portion 16 may include a second opening 22. A first support piece 26 may be placed in the first opening 18, and a second support piece 28 may be placed in the second opening 22.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first upright portion 14 includes a first ridge 20. Additionally, the first opening 18 may include a first key 57. Reference will be made below. Figure 3AAs discussed further in detail, the first support piece 26 may include a first groove 34 corresponding to the first ridge 20, such that when the first support piece 26 is inserted into the first opening 18, the first ridge 20 is guided by the first groove 34 to align the first support piece 26 relative to the first upright portion 14. Further, the first support piece 26 may include a first guide portion 38 corresponding to the first key 57, such that the first key 57 is similarly guided by the first guide portion 38. Therefore, the first ridge 20 may extend parallel to the first key 57 and may be offset laterally from the first ridge 20. Of course, the second opening 22 may include a second ridge 24 and a second key 67, and may correspond in a similar manner to the second groove 44 and the second guide portion 48 on the second support piece 28. Therefore, the first and second ridges 20, 24, and the first and second keys 57, 67 can be configured to provide alignment of the first and second supports 26, 28 with respect to the first and second uprights 14, 16 when the first and second supports 26, 28 are placed within the first and second openings 18, 22.

[0045] Now for reference Figures 3A-3H and additional references Figure 4 The first and second tabs 26 and 28 are shown in various embodiments of this disclosure. According to some embodiments, Figure 3A The first (e.g., outer) side 50 of the first support piece 26 of the high waist device 10 is shown; Figure 3B The first side 51 of the second support piece 28 of the high-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3C The second (e.g., inner) side 52 of the first support piece 26 of the high-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3D The second side 53 of the second support piece 28 of the high-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3E The first side 50 of the first support piece 26 of the low-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3F The first side 51 of the second support piece 28 of the low-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3G The second side 52 of the first support piece 26 of the low-waisted device 10 is shown; Figure 3H The second side 53 of the second support piece 28 of the low-waisted device 10 is shown.

[0046] The first support piece 26 may include a first elongated body 30. In some embodiments, the device 10 further includes a first rod 32 (e.g., an elongated piece, a gasket, a bar, etc.) disposed on the first support piece 26. Similarly, the second support piece 28 may include a second elongated body 40 and a second rod 42 disposed therein. The first and second elongated bodies 30, 40 may be semi-rigid and may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic or rubber. The first and second rods 32, 42 may be semi-rigid and may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to aluminum, plastic, or composite materials. The first and second rods 32, 42 may be fixed to (e.g., embedded in, molded inside, fastened to, etc.) the first and second support pieces 26, 28 such that when the first and second rods 32, 42 are bent, the first and second support pieces 26, 28 are bent, and vice versa. However, the first and second rods 32, 42 may have material properties different from those of the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40. For example, once bent or deformed (e.g., towards or away from the leg 100), such as Figure 4 As shown, the first and / or second rods 32, 42 can maintain their bent shape and resist bias that prevents the first and second tabs 26, 28 from returning to their initial (e.g., bent-up) shape. Therefore, the first and second rods 32, 42 can be made of a shape memory alloy with malleability less than that of the material of the first and second tabs 26, 28. Thus, the first and second rods 32, 42 can be configured to bend toward or away from the ankle, thereby biasing the first and second tabs 26, 28 toward or away from the ankle. It should be understood that while this discussion generally includes each of the first rod 32 and the second rod 42, in further embodiments, the device 10 may include only the first rod 32 or the second rod 42.

[0047] During assembly, to indicate the proper positions of the first and second rods 32, 42 relative to the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40, the first and second rods 32, 42 may include one or more features corresponding to one or more features of the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40. For example, the first and second rods 32, 42 may each include a plurality of positioning holes 71, 81. Accordingly, the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40 may each include a plurality of alignment openings 70, 80. As shown, when the first and second rods 32, 42 are properly positioned relative to the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40, the positioning holes 71, 81 may be aligned with the first and second alignment openings 70, 80 (e.g., visually positioned within the first and second alignment openings 70, 80).

[0048] As described above, the first and second elongated bodies 30 and 40 may each include first and second slots 34 and 44. The first slot 34 may be substantially aligned with the first central longitudinal axis 90 of the first support piece 26. Similarly, the second slot 44 may be substantially aligned with the second central longitudinal axis 92. Additionally, the first and second elongated bodies 30 and 40 may include first and second guides 38 and 48. The first and second guides 38 and 48 may be offset from the first and second central longitudinal axes 90 and 92, respectively.

[0049] As described above, the first and second openings 18, 22 can be configured to receive, align, and secure the first and second supports 26, 28 within the first and second upright portions 14, 16. For example, the first and second slots 34, 44 can correspond to the first and second ridges 20, 24 of the first and second openings 18, 22, such that when the first and second supports 26, 28 are inserted into the first and second openings 18, 22, the first and second ridges 20, 24 are guided through the first and second slots 34, 44 to align the first and second supports 26, 38 with the first and second upright portions. Thus, the first and second ridges 20, 24 can be configured to be substantially aligned with the first and second central longitudinal axes 90, 92 of the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40, thereby corresponding to the first and second slots 34, 44.

[0050] To ensure proper orientation of the first and second tabs 26, 28 when inserted into the first and second openings 18, 22, the first and second keys 55, 57 may be configured to offset positions corresponding to the first and second guides 38, 48. Further, the first and second tabs 26, 28 may each include first and second inserts 60, 62 on the back sides 52, 53 of the first and second tabs 26, 28. Based on the corresponding offset positions of the first and second keys 55, 57 along the specific positions of the first and second inserts 60, 62 on the first and second tabs 26, 28, the first tab 26 can only be positioned in the first opening 18 in the indicated appropriate orientation (e.g., the first side 50 facing outwards), and the second tab 28 can only be positioned in the second opening 22 in the indicated appropriate orientation, thereby ensuring that no accidental assembly errors caused by the manufacturer or user occur.

[0051] In some embodiments, at or about the proximal ends of the first and second elongated bodies 30, 40 (e.g., at such...) Figure 1A-1DAs shown (at the end closest to base 12 when the device is fully assembled), the first and second elongated bodies 30 and 40 may each include first and second biasing members 36 and 46, which are configured to fix the first and second supports 26 and 28 relative to the first and second uprights 14 and 16 when the first and second supports 26 and 28 are inserted into the first and second openings 18 and 22. For example, each of the first and second biasing members 36 and 46 may be formed with a ramp that deforms as it passes the corresponding structure in the first and second supports 26 and 28 when they are inserted into the first and second uprights 14 and 16. Once the first and second biasing members 36 and 46 have passed the corresponding structure in the first and second uprights 14 and 16, they can return to their initial shape, thereby preventing the first and second supports 26 and 28 from being removed from the first and second uprights 14 and 16.

[0052] Now for reference Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a tread surface 17 of the device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The tread surface 17 may be fixedly formed on the bottom of the base 12. For example, the tread surface 17 may be provided by molding a corresponding cavity overlying the bottom of the base 12. The tread surface 17 may be a non-planar bottom surface to provide enhanced mobility for the user when walking using the device 10.

[0053] As described above, although the novel and useful knee-walking boot device of this application has been described by way of specific embodiments, it is not intended to be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A walking boot device, characterized in that, include: Base; A first upright portion extending from the base; A second upright portion extending from the base; The first piece is placed on the first upright part; The second support piece is placed on the second upright part; A first rod is placed on the first support plate, the first rod being configured to bend toward or away from the leg; A second rod is placed on the second support plate, the second rod being configured to bend toward or away from the leg.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, The first upright portion includes a first opening; The second upright portion includes a second opening; The first support piece is placed inside the first opening; The second support piece is placed inside the second opening.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, The first rod biases the first support plate toward or away from the leg; and The second rod biases the second support plate toward or away from the leg.

4. The device according to claim 1 further includes a sleeve disposed between the first upright portion and the second upright portion, the sleeve including a pouch.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first support plate includes a first biasing member, the first biasing member being configured to fix the first support plate relative to the first upright portion when the first support plate is inserted into the first opening, and The second support piece includes a second biasing member, which is configured to fix the second support piece relative to the second upright portion when the second support piece is inserted into the second opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first opening includes a first ridge, and the first support further includes a first groove corresponding to the first ridge, such that when the first support is inserted into the first opening, the first ridge guides the first support relative to the first upright portion through the first groove, and The second opening includes a second ridge, and the second support piece also includes a second groove corresponding to the second ridge, so that when the second support piece is inserted into the second opening, the second ridge guides the second support piece relative to the second upright portion through the second groove.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first rod includes a first plurality of positioning holes. The first support piece further includes a plurality of alignment openings. The first plurality of positioning holes are aligned with the first plurality of alignment openings. The second rod includes a second plurality of positioning holes. The second support piece also includes a second plurality of alignment openings. The second plurality of positioning holes are aligned with the second plurality of alignment openings.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a valve disposed in the bladder, the valve being configured to inflate the bladder with air.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a button disposed on the valve. The valve is biased to the closed position. The button is biased to a non-pressed position. When the button is pressed, the valve opens and air is introduced into the valve, and When the button returns to the non-pressed position, the valve closes.

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