Controlled tension device fastening devices, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11504259-B2
Application number	US-201716464833-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 5, 2017
Priority date	Dec 5, 2016
Publication date	Nov 22, 2022
Grant date	Nov 22, 2022

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for maintain a preselected tension between a first portion and a second portion of an orthotic brace include a controlled tension unit that includes a housing coupled to a first portion of the orthotic brace, the housing having a cavity formed therein, one or more constant-force spring mounted at or near a first end of the cavity, and a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending out of the housing through a second end of the cavity. The second end of the connector cable is configured to connect with a coupling element coupled to a second portion of the orthotic brace. In this arrangement, the controlled tension unit is configured to maintain a preselected tension between the first portion and the second portion of the orthotic brace.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An orthotic brace comprising:
a controlled tension unit coupled to a first portion of the orthotic brace, the controlled tension unit comprising:
one or more constant-force spring; and
a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending therefrom; and
a coupling element coupled to a second portion of the orthotic brace, the coupling element being configured to couple with the second end of the connector cable, the second portion being separated from the first portion by a gap;
wherein the controlled tension unit is configured to maintain a preselected tension between the first portion and the second portion of the orthotic brace;
wherein one or both of the first portion or the second portion of the orthotic brace comprises one or more movable portions;
wherein the controlled tension unit is configured to apply an input load across the movable portion to control a displacement of the movable portion.

2. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring is mounted to a housing that is integrally connected with the first portion of the orthotic brace.

3. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein the controlled tension unit comprises a fastener on a surface of the housing, the fastener being configured to couple to a complementary fastener on the first portion of the orthotic brace.

4. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein the housing has a length selected to accommodate the one or more constant-force spring with a desired total working range and has a defined length selected to establish a full rated load of the one or more constant-force spring.

5. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein the length of the housing is sufficient to accommodate a working range of between about 100% and 500% of an inner diameter of the constant-force spring.

6. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more constant-force spring is mounted to the housing about a bearing.

7. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring comprises two or more constant-force spring elements that are separately mounted to the housing.

8. The orthotic brace of claim 2 , wherein the connector cable extends through a cable slot in communication between an interior and an exterior of the housing.

9. The orthotic brace of claim 8 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring is mounted at or near a first end of the housing; and
wherein the cable slot is positioned in a wall of the housing at a second end of the housing substantially opposing the first end.

10. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more constant-force spring is mounted within a cavity.

11. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring comprises two or more constant-force spring elements that are laminated or otherwise stacked together.

12. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein the coupling element comprises a chafe-and-loop arrangement; and
wherein the controlled tension unit comprises a chafe connected to the second end of the connector cable, the chafe being configured to connect with the chafe-and-loop arrangement.

13. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , comprising a pulley configured to change a direction at which the connector cable extends away from the one or more constant-force spring.

14. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein the connector cable is configured to span the gap multiple times through the use of a pulley or system of pulleys.

15. The orthotic brace of claim 1 , wherein the controlled tension unit comprises a cable-riser configuration and the input load is in a direction normal to an axis of motion of the cable.

16. A controlled tension unit for an orthotic brace, the controlled tension unit comprising:
a housing;
one or more constant-force spring mounted to the housing; and
a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending out of the housing;
wherein the connector cable extends through a cable slot in communication between an interior and an exterior of the housing;
wherein the one or more constant-force spring is mounted at or near a first end of the housing; and
wherein the cable slot is positioned in a wall of the housing at a second end of the housing substantially opposing the first end.

17. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein the housing has a length selected to accommodate the one or more constant-force spring with a desired total working range and has a defined length selected to establish a full rated load of the one or more constant-force spring.

18. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein the length of the housing is sufficient to accommodate a working range of between about 100% and 500% of an inner diameter of the constant-force spring.

19. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more constant-force spring is mounted to the housing about a bearing.

20. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more constant-force spring is mounted within a cavity.

21. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring comprises two or more constant-force spring elements that are laminated or otherwise stacked together.

22. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , wherein the one or more constant-force spring comprises two or more constant-force spring elements that are separately mounted to the housing.

23. The controlled tension unit of claim 16 , comprising a chafe connected to the second end of the connector cable, the chafe being configured to connect with a chafe-and-loop arrangement on the orthotic brace.

24. A controlled tension unit for an orthotic brace, the controlled tension unit comprising:
a housing;
one or more constant-force spring mounted to the housing;
a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending out of the housing; and
a pulley mounted to the housing and configured to change a direction at which the connector cable extends away from the one or more constant-force spring;
wherein the connector cable extends through a cable slot in communication between an interior and an exterior of the housing.

25. A method for maintaining a preselected tension between a first portion and a second portion of an orthotic brace, the method comprising:
connecting a controlled tension unit to the first portion of the orthotic brace, the controlled tension unit comprising:
one or more constant-force spring; and
a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending therefrom; and

connecting a coupling element to the second portion of the orthotic brace; and
coupling the coupling element with the second end of the connector cable;
wherein one or both of the first portion or the second portion of the orthotic brace comprises one or more movable portions;
wherein connecting the coupling element with the second end of the connector cable comprises applying an input load across the movable portion to control a displacement of the movable portion.

Assignees

• Univ Tennessee Res Found

Inventors

• Diangelo Denis J
• Bateman Cody
• Chung Chloe

Classifications

• A61F5/01 Primary

  Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces · CPC title

• A61F5/02

  Orthopaedic corsets · CPC title

• A61F5/024

  having pressure pads connected in a frame for reduction or correction of the curvature of the spine · CPC title

• A61F5/022 Primary

  consisting of one or more shells · CPC title

• A61F2005/0197

  with spring means · CPC title