The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 2005
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2002
Guy M. Houser, Bainbridge Island, WA (US);
Guy M. Houser, Bainbridge Island, WA (US);
Thuasne, Levallois, FR;
Abstract
Bicentric hinges for use in braces and methods for operating knee braces and other types of braces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hinge includes a plate and first and second members rotatably coupled to the plate. The first member is rotatable about a first axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. The second member is rotatable about a second axis of rotation between a third position and a fourth position independent of the rotation of the first member about the first axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation. The first and second members are configured to be attachable to a frame. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a knee brace hinge includes pivoting a first member about a first axis of rotation from a first position to a second position, and rotating a second member about a second axis of rotation from a third position to a fourth position after the first member has substantially reached the second position. The second axis of rotation is spaced away from the first axis of rotation. The method further includes returning the first member to the first position and the second member to the third position.