Locking mechanism for orthopedic braces

Abstract

A locking mechanism for orthopedic braces includes upper and lower brace members pivotably jointed together, notched or recessed plates being fixedly secured to the lower brace member while a U-shaped locking bar is pivotably secured to the upper brace member for lockingly cooperating with the notched or recessed plates, a spring-biased actuating lever being operatively associated with the U-shaped locking bar. The upper and lower brace members are also provided with drilled holes or bores which are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower brace members, the bores being aligned with each other when the longitudinal axes of the brace members are likewise aligned. A freely movable pin is slidably disposed within the bores, the outer ends of the bores being suitably capped so as to retain the pin therewithin, and when the brace is vertically disposed so as to simulate standing or walking conditions, both brace members also being longitudinally aligned, the U-shaped locking bar automatically lockingly engages the recessed or notched plates while the slidable pin is interposed between both brace members and within both bores thereof, thereby preventing the occurrence of relative pivoting between the brace members. When the brace is altneratively disposed in a suitably inclined position, corresponding to simulated sitting conditions, the pin moves solely into the bore of the upper brace member thereby permitting relative pivoting to occur between the brace members when the U-shaped locking bar is disengaged from the notched plates by means of the actuating lever.