Ankle Support Cable Reel Mechanism for Adjustable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle supports lack improved fit and adjustability, making them less effective in providing stable support for ankle and foot movements while being lightweight and compact enough to wear inside a shoe.
Innovation Solution
The ankle support features a body portion on the lower leg with a reel system and tensionable members that secure straps around the foot, allowing for adjustable tension to limit movement, including a heel strap system and rigid uprights to prevent abnormal inversion and eversion, while maintaining toe-up and toe-down flexion motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional ankle supports are made lightweight and compact for shoe wearability, then ease of operation is improved, but fit and adjustability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a reel mechanism with tensionable members that allow dynamic adjustment of strap tension. The reel enables the user to tighten or loosen the straps around the ankle and foot, providing adaptability for different foot sizes and support needs while maintaining a lightweight, compact design that can be worn inside shoes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ankle support is designed to limit inversion and eversion movements, then stability is improved, but normal gait flexion motions may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rigid uprights positioned laterally to specifically target and limit inversion and eversion movements, while the tensionable straps are configured to provide localized support without restricting the natural flexion motion of the toes. The heel plate and liner provide localized stabilization to the heel area, allowing normal gait movements to occur while preventing abnormal lateral movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If strap system is made tensionable and adjustable, then fit is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reel mechanism directly into the body portion of the ankle support, merging the adjustment function with the support structure itself. The tensionable members are combined with the straps and heel plate assembly, allowing all adjustment functions to be accomplished through a single reel mechanism rather than requiring separate adjustment components for each strap, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle support for controlling motion of an ankle joint of a user, the support including a body portion configured to be positioned on a lower leg of the user adjacent the foot; a reel connected to the support; one or more tensionable members windable onto the reel and extending from the reel; strap portions wrapped about a portion of the foot when the support is installed on the user, the strap portions being connected to the tensionable members. The strap portions are tensioned and secured in the tensioned state to limit movement of the foot by winding the tensionable members onto the reel.