Rear-Entry Ankle Brace with Detachable Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ankle braces often complicate the rehabilitation process due to difficulty in rapid and easy application and removal, which can lead to delayed rehabilitation and increased risk of re-injury, especially for athletes and individuals with limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible ankle brace design with medial-, lateral-, or rear-entry access, featuring a soft fabric holder with optional elastic retention straps and a lacing system that allows for quick donning and doffing without needing to untie or re-tie the laces, along with a detachable rear panel for easy access and a low-profile design for comfort and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional ankle braces with rigid frames and front-entry designs are used, then structural support and stability are improved, but ease of application and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle brace is divided into a foot portion and a separate rear panel that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows the rear panel to be removed for easy foot insertion and removal, while the foot portion maintains structural support through its integrated design with the holder and straps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional front-entry design by providing rear-entry access. The open back configuration allows the wearer to insert and remove their foot from the rear, eliminating the need to manipulate front laces or buckles, thereby significantly improving ease of application and removal.
2Reliability
If traditional ankle braces requiring lacing system manipulation are used, then secure fit is improved, but speed of application and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing system is segmented into the foot portion and the detachable rear panel. The rear panel can be independently removed without untying the laces on the foot portion, allowing rapid application and removal while maintaining secure fit through the intact lacing system on the foot.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing system is pre-configured on the foot portion to provide secure fit, while the rear panel is pre-designed to be independently detachable. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to manipulate the lacing system during application and removal, saving time while maintaining reliability.
3Strength
If ankle braces with complex structures are used, then support and stabilization are improved, but ease of repeated application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex structure is segmented into the foot portion with integrated holder and lacing system, and a separate rear panel. This segmentation allows the wearer to quickly remove and reattach the rear panel for repeated applications, while the foot portion maintains the necessary stabilization structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear panel is designed with dynamic attach/detach capability, allowing it to be easily removed and reattached. This dynamic feature enables repeated application and removal without compromising the static stabilization structure of the foot portion, making the brace suitable for rehabilitation protocols requiring frequent application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and comfortable application and removal of the ankle brace, reducing the risk of re-injury and improving rehabilitation outcomes by minimizing the time spent on brace application and removal, while maintaining support and stability during activities.
Implementation Method 1
At least one retention strap, preferably including an elastic material, is connected to the holder, and extends around the holder to at least partially overlie and to removably connect to the support strap.
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle brace includes a foot and ankle holder made from a flexible fabric having a foot portion transitioning to an upper ankle portion with opposite first and second sides. The upper ankle portion has an open front and back. A rear portion is attached to partially enclose the open back. The rear portion has opposite first and second panels that removably attach to the first and second sides of the upper ankle portion, respectively. An optional tongue is located at the open front and laces overlie the tongue. A rigid heel support is disposed inside the foot portion, and the heel support may include pivoting joints. Elongated support straps extend under the foot portion and wrap around the ankle holder. Retention straps extend around the ankle holder.