Ankle brace having multiple inflatable aircells

Abstract

A pneumatic brace comprising at least one outer shell member and at least first and second pressurizable chambers juxtaposed therewith in an overlapping manner for providing a supporting cushion between said outer shell member and a body part or limb. One of said chambers is coextensive with substantially the entire inner surface of said one outer shell member for engagement with a corresponding portion of said body part or limb, while the other of said chambers is coextensive with a portion of said first chamber. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second chambers comprise separate inflatable airbags of different size disposed on said outer shell member with the smaller airbag positioned coextensively with the bottom portion of the larger airbag and between said larger airbag and said inner surface of said outer shell member. In alternatively preferred embodiments, the first and second chambers are integrally formed from a single inflatable liner having two compartments divided by a common wall, at least one of said compartments being selectively inflatable through integral valve means formed at least in part by said common wall.