Device for maintaining a person's foot in a flexed position

Abstract

Title: Device for Maintaining a Person's Foot in Flexion The invention relates to a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, comprising tensioning means for raising the front end of the foot towards a gaiter (1) placed around the corresponding leg, said tensioning means being constituted by two arms (2) coupled to a fastening device (3) for attaching the arms (2) to the front of a shoe (C) or a foot strap, the arms (2) being designed to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter (1) relative to the axis of the foot and to be held under tension on the gaiter, characterized in that the gaiter (1) has two bases (10) arranged laterally on the gaiter corresponding to the opposite sides of the gaiter relative to the axis of the foot, the arms (2) each having a cap (20), the bases (10) and the caps (20) together forming means of removable attachment of branches (2) on gaiter (1).Figure for the summary: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the design and implementation of a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, of the type comprising tensioning means for raising the front of a shoe worn by the foot towards the leg. This device makes it possible to maintain the foot in a flexed position relative to the leg, that is to say, substantially perpendicular to the axis of the latter.

[0002] Throughout this description, the term footwear includes any footwear such as a shoe proper, a slipper, a muff, a foot wrap or a footband made of synthetic material, etc.

[0003] The device according to the invention is more particularly intended for individuals suffering from a partial or total failure of the foot flexors and / or fibularis, which leads to the so-called "foot drop" or "equinus foot" syndrome, meaning that the individual no longer controls the flexion and / or eversion movement of their foot.

[0004] Thus, when the foot is not on the ground, it remains dangling at the end of the leg. People suffering from this syndrome must, in order to walk, raise their leg very high and swing it exaggeratedly forward. For these people to be able to walk more naturally, it is necessary that their foot be permanently maintained in an artificially flexed position. State of the art

[0005] There are currently various devices for maintaining a person's foot in a flexed position as described in particular in patent document FR-2 878 432.

[0006] According to the technique described in this document, the foot flexion support device comprises tensioning means for raising the front end of the foot towards a gaiter positioned around the corresponding leg. The tensioning means consist of a strap, advantageously made of elastic material with an elongation capacity of 70 to 90%. Furthermore, the device includes a loop equipped with a hook for attaching the strap to a shoelace, and the gaiter has two retaining loops attached to it at two lateral points positioned on opposite lateral areas of the leg, on either side of the foot's axis. The strap is arranged in two branches extending symmetrically from an attachment point at the front of the shoe to two lateral points on the gaiter positioned on the lateral areas. opposite sides of the leg, on either side of the foot axis, each passing through one of the retaining loops in which it slides freely.

[0007] To maintain the leg in a flexed position, the strap, from its two attachment points on the gaiter, loops back on itself on the front of the leg. This closure is achieved in particular by means of an adjustable fastening system, preferably using hook-and-loop fasteners, which allow for repeated opening and closing cycles and which hook onto each other over a variable length. Thus, the strap can be closed in different positions, depending on whether the front of the foot is to be raised more or less towards the leg, and according to the user's morphology, and in particular the size of their leg and foot. The strap is sufficiently taut between its attachment point on the front of the shoe and the gaiter to raise the front of the foot until it forms an angle that is preferably such that the foot is positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis of the leg..

[0008] More recently, an improvement to the device described in patent document FR-2 878 432 has been proposed. According to this improvement, two loops are sewn onto the gaiter, one on each side of the ankle. These loops have a hinged flap that allows the strap to be locked in place after each arm has been tensioned, and to maintain this tension. Once the assembly is adjusted, the patient puts on the gaiter like a sock for subsequent daily applications. After putting on the gaiter, the patient tightens the two arms of the strap to hook the buckle onto the shoe or footband.

[0009] Such a device has many advantages. However, it also has some disadvantages, including: • Some patients have lost flexibility and are unable to bend over far enough to put on the gaiter like a sock, • Some patients lack the strength to simultaneously tighten both ends of the strap in order to attach the hook, • Furthermore, to remove the device during the day, patients are obliged either to take off their shoe or to unblock one arm of the strap from the cap, but in this case, the adjustment on the released side is not preserved. • The current system does not provide a good grip for hooking the hook into its anchor point, especially for patients with grip problems. • In certain configurations, the hook can come out of its anchor point.

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of existing foot-lifting devices by providing a device to hold a person's foot in flexion, which is comfortable to use, and easier to put in place, than previous art solutions, particularly for certain patients.

[0011] The invention also aims to maintain the strap adjustment and to put on the device like a sock. In particular, one objective in this regard is to allow patients to remove the device during the day without taking off their shoe while retaining the adjustments.

[0012] More specifically, the invention aims to provide such a device to keep a person's foot in flexion, which limits, for the patient, the need to bend over too long to put and keep the strap branches under tension.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to enable certain patients to limit large amplitude movements to put on the device like a sock.

[0014] The invention also aims to provide such a device to keep a person's foot in flexion, which eliminates, or at least considerably reduces, the risks of unintentional detachment from the shoe or footband.

[0015] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a hook system which allows for a better grip and facilitates lock picking. Summary of the invention

[0016] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, comprising tensioning means for raising the front end of the foot towards a gaiter placed around the corresponding leg, said tensioning means being made up of two arms coupled to a hooking device for hooking the arms to the front of a shoe or a footband, the arms being intended to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter with respect to the axis of the foot and to be held in tension on the gaiter, characterized in that the gaiter has two bases arranged laterally on the gaiter in correspondence with the opposite sides of the gaiter with respect to the axis of the foot, the arms each having a cap, the bases and the caps together forming means for removable fixing of the arms to the gaiter.

[0017] With such a device, the advantages of the previous technique are retained with regard to the traction force exerted by the strap on the gaiter, allowing the forefoot to be raised towards the tibia, which is advantageously distributed towards two opposite lateral zones of the gaiter. The traction is not concentrated on a single precise point of the leg, and the formation of a painful area is thus advantageously avoided.

[0018] Thus, with a foot flexion support device according to the invention, some patients do not have to pull simultaneously on both arms to tighten and fasten them together, which, for some patients, requires an effort they cannot make. Furthermore, as will be explained later, the patient does not have to bend over for too long to simultaneously pull the strap arms from the hook in order to tension and then fasten them together. They can either put on the gaiter like a sock, or with one arm free, preferably on the side of their stronger or more able hand, the other being secured, by wrapping the gaiter around their leg and fastening it with hook-and-loop strips, and then attaching the free arm of the strap, the arms having been previously adjusted in length.

[0019] In any event, the effort required from the patient is significantly reduced, both with regard to the traction to be exerted on the strap arms and with regard to the bent position which he must adopt to put in place the device.

[0020] According to a preferred solution, the removable fastening means are clipping means.

[0021] In this way we obtain a removable fixation technique which is widely used in its general principle and therefore well known to patients, who can therefore set up the device in a relatively intuitive way.

[0022] Of course, other removable fastening means are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention, for example by a snap-fit ​​and / or hooking technique.

[0023] In this case, the base and the clevis advantageously have one a lug and the other a pair of elastically deformable arms intended to receive the lug between them, each arm having a free end provided with an outgrowth delimiting a passage of width less than that of the lug, such that an introduction of the lug between the outgrowths causes a separation of the latter, the outgrowths resuming a position delimiting the passage of width less than that of the lug once the lug is between the arms.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, each base has a lug and each clevis has a pair of elastically deformable arms intended to accommodate between the lug.

[0025] Of course, according to another conceivable embodiment, the lugs can be carried by the clevises while the pairs of elastically deformable arms can be carried by the bases.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the lugs have an upper end provided with a head intended to overhang the arms.

[0027] In this way, the head prevents an unexpected disengagement of a clevis from the corresponding base, by forming a stop on the base of the clevis.

[0028] In this case, each of the cleats has a recess forming a passage for the head of a lug, and at least one elastically deformable tab obstructs at least partially the recess.

[0029] This reinforces the retention of the clevis on the base. Indeed, even once out of the space between the arms, the head of the lug cannot disengage from the clevis without a deliberate effort, since the tab retains the head above the passage formed by the recess.

[0030] Advantageously, the bases have side walls and the cleats have side edges designed so that the cleats are positioned and guided on the bases.

[0031] Thus, the kinematics of placing a cap on the corresponding base is facilitated for the patient.

[0032] Advantageously, the cleats have means for adjusting the length of the strap arms.

[0033] In this case, for each of the screeds, the height adjustment means preferably include a pivoting flap between a position for releasing a branch and a position for wedging the branch against a support area of ​​the screed.

[0034] The presence of length adjustment means allows the patient, during a first use for example, to tension the branches appropriately corresponding to the deficits of each individual, and then to retain these settings for subsequent placements of the device.

[0035] That being said, it is also possible for the patient to adjust the length of each arm one after the other. In any case, once the length of an arm is adjusted, the patient attaches the hook and then tensions that arm of the strap to hook the cuff onto the base. The effort required for the patient is thus limited.

[0036] According to a particular embodiment, the hanging device consists of a rigid wire having: • a hook of which a first strand is suitable for hooking the front of a shoe or footband and a second strand forming a V shape with the first strand; • a cross-section in the extension of the second strand from which the branches are intended to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter, one of the branches extending above the cross-section and the other branch extending below the cross-section; • a terminal portion in the extension of the cross-section below which and against which the branch above the cross-section is intended to come.

[0037] Such a fastening device addresses the following problem: during dorsiflexion of the foot, particularly if the strap arms are not very taut, they tend to pull the fastening device away from its anchor point on the shoe or footband, and the device consequently no longer functions. Of course, the hook can be put back in place, but this requires movement and effort from the patient.

[0038] With a fastening device having the characteristics described above, this problem is avoided. Indeed, the strap arm under and against the terminal portion of the fastening device tends to exert, during dorsiflexion of the foot, a forward thrust on the terminal portion of the fastening device, which therefore causes it to pivot forward and which generates a displacement of the first strand of the hook, thus increasing its anchoring on the shoe or on the footband.

[0039] According to another feature of the invention, the branches are an integral part of a single strap, the branches forming a fold within which is fixed a tube in which the cross-section of the rigid wire is pivotally mounted.

[0040] This promotes the rotation of the cross-section of the rigid wire between the strap arms, thanks to this tube fixed to the fold between the arms as will be described later. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: • [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a view of a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, mounted around a person's leg, with the two strap arms attached; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view of a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, mounted around a person's leg, with a single arm attached; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a base of a device according to the invention; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a cap of a device according to the invention; • [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of a screed mounted on a base of the device of the invention; • [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a perspective view of a screed with its flap articulated which clamps the strap, mounted on a base of a device according to the invention; • [Fig. 7] [Fig. 7] is a cross-sectional view of a screed with its supporting flap by a strap branch, mounted on a base of a device according to the invention; • [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a top view of a clevis mounted on a base of a device according to the invention; • [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a view of a device for attaching a device according to the invention on a shoe or a footband; • [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] illustrates a mounting part of a strap attachment device of a device according to the invention; • [Fig. 11 and 12] Figures 11 and 12 schematically illustrate, respectively viewed from the rear and front, a fastening device mounted on a strap of a device according to the invention. Detailed description

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion comprises, in a manner conventional in itself: • a gaiter 1, intended to be worn around the lower part of the leg, either by putting it on like a sock, or by rolling it up and fastening it with, for example, a hook and loop fastener; • two strap branches; • a fastening device 3, coupled to the arms 2 for attaching them to the front of a shoe C or a foot strap.

[0043] The branches are intended to extend each, from the attachment device 3, towards opposite sides of the gaiter relative to the axis of the foot, and to be held in tension on the gaiter, as illustrated by [Fig.1].

[0044] According to the present embodiment, the two arms 2 are part of a single strap folded back on itself to form a V, the fastening device being coupled at the point of the V formed by the strap.

[0045] In addition, the strap, or each of the strap arms, is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, chosen to preferably have an elongation capacity of 50% to 70%.

[0046] According to the principle of the invention, the gaiter 1 has two bases 10 arranged laterally on the gaiter in correspondence with opposite sides of the gaiter, in in particular the opposite sides with respect to the axis of the foot. According to the present embodiment, the bases 10 are positioned on the gaiter so that, once the device is in place on the leg, one is presented between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon and the other between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon.

[0047] The webbing arms 2 each have a cleat 20 designed to cooperate with the gaiter bases 10. More precisely, the bases 10 and the cleats 20 together form removable fastening means for the webbing arms 2 on the gaiter 1, as illustrated by [Fig. 2], which shows one of the webbing arms detached from the gaiter base.

[0048] According to the present embodiment, the removable fastening means are clipping means. More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 8, the removable fastening means consist of: • a lug 100 carried by each base 10; • a pair of elastically deformable arms 200, which are presented by the cleats 20, each arm having a free end provided with an outgrowth 201 delimiting a passage of width less than that of the lug 100 (at least in its lower part intended to be engaged between the arms 200).

[0049] For example, the bases 10 are fixed to the gaiter 1 by means of a strap sewn onto the gaiter, the strap in question passing through two slots 103 provided in each base.

[0050] Clipping a clevis onto a base is achieved as follows: the clevis is engaged (fitted) onto the base so as to bring the foot 101 of a lug 100 to be positioned in front of the protrusions 201 of the elastically deformable arms 200, then the engagement movement is carried out by a push so as to spread them apart and force the passage until the foot is behind the protrusions, and between the arms 200. The protrusions, and therefore generally the arms 200, then return to their initial position once the lug 100 is between the arms 200.

[0051] With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 8, the yokes 2 have a flat base in which a recess 202 is provided. Furthermore, the lug 100 has an upper end provided with a head 102 intended to overhang the arms 200 once the lug is in place between the arms (as shown in [Fig. 5]), and to bear against and thus hook onto the yoke on either side of the arms 200. The recess 202 of the yokes is dimensioned to allow the passage of the head 102 of a lug through the corresponding recess 202. In addition, a stop 211 is provided between the arms 200. This stop is intended to limit the depth of the free zone between the arms 200 and is dimensioned so that the foot 101 of a lug 100 is wedged between the arms, between the protrusions 201 of these and the stop 211.

[0052] Furthermore, an elastically deformable tab 203 at least partially obstructs the recess 202 such that the engagement of the head 102 of the lug 100 through the recess 202 is achieved by forcing the deformation of the tab 203, both for placing the clevis on the base and, conversely, for removing the clevis from the base. When the lug 100 engages in the recess 202, the head 102 of the lug 100 lifts the two arms of the tab 203, which return to their position when the system is clipped. Then, when unclipping the system, the head 102 of the lug 100 will not be able to come out of the recess 202 without voluntary action. In this case, it will be necessary to make a dislodging movement to lower the two strands of the tab 203 which will then return to their place.To prevent this tongue 203 from creating an extra thickness on the base of the screed, a recess 2030 is provided in the base to accommodate the thickness of the tongue 203.

[0053] As illustrated by [Fig.3], each base 10 has side walls 104. With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 8, the cleats 20 have side edges 204 designed so that the cleats are positioned and guided on the bases, the side edges 204 of the cleats fitting together and taking place between the side walls 104 of the bases so that the cleats are fitted onto the bases.

[0054] According to another feature illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the yokes 20 have means for adjusting the length of the arms. To this end, each yoke comprises a pivoting flap 206, integral with an axle 207 pivotally mounted in holes provided for this purpose in the lateral edges 204 of the yokes. In its folded position as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the flap 206 is positioned such that its locking member 208 clamps the strap arm 2 against a bearing area of ​​the yoke.

[0055] It is noted, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, that the cleat has a series of transverse triangular ribs 205 which contribute to keeping the strap arm in the jammed position and which prevents the flap from unintentionally moving into the unlocked position (position not shown in the figures, in which the flap 206 is pivoted upwards as illustrated by the arrow Fl on [Fig.7]).

[0056] The screeds 20 have the following additional characteristics: • in the rear part of the side edges 204, there are two tabs 208, in the shape of an arc of a circle, designed to facilitate the gripping of the clevis in order to pull it towards the rear and thus clip or unclip the base of the lug 101; • a tab 209 inclined downwards relative to the flat base of the cleat 20, which helps to hold the cleat when adjusting each strap arm 2. - on the opposite side of this cleat 20, another tab 210, smaller and flat, aims to facilitate the threading of the strap arm 2, for its placement, on the base of the cleat.

[0057] According to yet another feature of the invention, and as illustrated by Figures 9 to 12, the hanging device 3 consists of a rigid wire having: • a hook 30, of which a first strand 301 is suitable for hooking the front of a shoe or a footband, and a second strand 302 forming a V shape with the first strand 301; • a cross section 303, in the extension of the second strand 302, from which the branches 2 are intended to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter, one of the branches extending above the cross section and the other branch extending below the cross section as illustrated by [Fig. 11]; • a terminal portion 304, in this case rectangular in shape, in the extension of the cross-section, and preferably below and against which is intended to come the branch 2 (in upper position) positioned above the cross-section 303.

[0058] As illustrated by [Fig. 11], in the tip of the V formed by the strap arms 2, a member 4 is fixed between the arms 2, this member 4 having a tube 40 in which the cross-section 303 of the hooking device is intended to extend, being pivotally mounted inside the tube 40. Thus, the hooking device can pivot around its cross-section 303 inside the tube 40 of the member 4. The member 4 facilitates sewing during manufacturing and the tube 40 allows the hook to be changed, if necessary by threading and also allows assembly by threading at the factory.

[0059] In this way, when the foot is dorsiflexed, the upper arm 2, extending above the cross-section 303 and below and against the terminal portion 304, tends to move forward as illustrated by arrow F2 in [Fig. 12]. This arm 2 (in a superior position relative to the other arm) therefore pushes the terminal portion 304 of the fastening device forward, the fastening device pivoting accordingly around its cross-section 303, which causes the hook strand 301 to move backward as illustrated by arrow F3 in [Fig. 12], thus tending to keep the fastening device firmly anchored in the shoe or footband.

[0060] The terminal portion 304 allows for better handling than current systems, which facilitates the attachment of the device to its anchor point thanks to better gripping.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion, comprising tensioning means for raising the front end of the foot towards a gaiter (1) positioned around the corresponding leg, said tensioning means being constituted by two arms (2) coupled to a hooking device (3) for hooking the arms (2) to the front of a shoe (C) or a footband, the arms (2) being intended to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter (1) relative to the axis of the foot and to be held in tension on the gaiter, characterized in that the gaiter (1) has two bases (10) arranged laterally on the gaiter corresponding to the opposite sides of the gaiter relative to the axis of the foot, the arms (2) each having a cap (20), the bases (10) and the caps (20) together forming removable fixing means for the arms (2) on the gaiter (1).

2. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable fixing means are clipping means.

3. A device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 2, characterized in that for each arm (2), the base (10) and the clevis (20) have, respectively, a lug (100) and a pair of elastically deformable arms (200) intended to receive the lug (100) between them, each arm (200) having a free end provided with a protrusion (201) delimiting a passage of width less than that of the lug (100) such that an introduction of the lug (100) between the protrusions (201) causes a separation of the latter, the protrusions (201) resuming a position delimiting the passage of width less than that of the lug (100) once the lug (100) is between the arms (200).

4. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 3, characterized in that each base (10) carries a lug (100) and each cleat (20) has a pair of elastically deformable arms (200) intended to receive the lug (100) between them.

5. A device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lugs (100) have an upper end fitted with a head (102) intended to overhang the arms (200).

6. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that each of the caps (20) has a recess (202) forming a passage for the head (102) of a lug (100), and in that at least one elastically deformable tab (203) obstructs at least partially the recess (202).

7. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bases (10) have lateral walls (104) and the brackets (20) have lateral edges (204) designed so that the brackets (20) are positioned and guided on the bases (10).

8. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brackets (20) have means for adjusting the length of the arms (2).

9. Device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 8, characterized in that, for each of the brackets (20), the height adjustment means include a pivoting flap (206) between a release position of a branch (2) and a position of the branch (2) being wedged against a support area of ​​the bracket (20).

10. A device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to claim 1, characterized in that the hooking device (3) is made up of a rigid wire having: - a hook (30) of which a first strand (301) is able to hook the front of a shoe (C) or a footband and a second strand (302) forming a V shape with the first strand (301); - a cross section (303) in the extension of the second strand (302) from which the branches (2) are intended to extend each towards opposite sides of the gaiter (1), one of the branches (2) extending above the cross section (303) and the other branch extending below the cross section (303);

11. - a terminal portion (304) in the extension of the cross section (303) below and against which is intended to come the branch (2) above the cross section (303). A device for maintaining a person's foot in flexion according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arms (2) are an integral part of a single strap, the arms (2) forming a fold within which is fixed a tube (40) in which the cross-section (303) of the rigid wire is pivotally mounted.

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