Wearable device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9265644-B2
Application number	US-201113273752-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2011
Priority date	Sep 13, 2007
Publication date	Feb 23, 2016
Grant date	Feb 23, 2016

Abstract

A wearable device includes a unitary first frame assembly which is integrally formed from first and second polymeric materials. The first frame assembly has a first frame portion formed by the first polymeric material and extends around part of a second frame portion formed by the second polymeric material. The first frame member includes a flexible first shell and a first connecting portion which depends from the first shell. The second frame portion forms part of the first shell and continuously extends to the first connecting portion without interruption. The second polymeric material has greater rigidity than the first polymeric material. The device also includes a second frame assembly having a second connecting portion which links to the first connecting portion.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for forming a strap having first and second regions continuously joined to each other without interruption, comprising the steps of:
forming the first region by injecting a first polymeric material into a first mold, the first region defining a longitudinal core of the strap;
forming the second region by injecting a second polymeric material in a second mold about peripheral edge portion to the first region;
wherein the first polymeric material is a first thermoplastic elastomer, and the second polymeric material is a second thermoplastic elastomer;
wherein the first and second polymeric materials are integrally molded together and chemically bonded at least at an interface between the first and second regions due to a similarity in composition of the first and second polymeric materials, the first thermoplastic elastomer having greater rigidity than the second thermoplastic elastomer.

2. The method according to claim 1 , including the step of bonding the second polymeric material to the first polymeric material as the second polymeric material is formed into the second region.

Assignees

• Einarsson Palmi
• Ingimundarson Arni Thor
• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Einarsson Palmi
• Ingimundarson Arni Thor

Classifications

• B29C45/0081

  of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line · CPC title

• A61F5/0123 Primary

  for the knees (A61F5/0106 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B29C45/1676

  using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part · CPC title

• A61F2005/0148

  Floating pivotal axis · CPC title

• B29L2031/753

  Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008) · CPC title