Fastener member for affixation to a structure in an orthopedic device and method for securing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9474334-B2
Application number	US-201314077436-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 12, 2013
Priority date	Nov 13, 2012
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

A fastener member for mechanical affixation to a structure includes a base having first and second sides, a plurality of fastening elements integrally formed and extending from a first side of the base, and at least one affixation element extending from the second side of the base and arranged to mechanically affix to an attachment opening of a structure. A system includes a structure and a fastener member for mechanical affixation to the structure. A method includes affixing the fastener member to a structure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic device comprising a frame element, a brace component, and a fastener member for mechanical affixation of the brace component to the frame element, the fastener member including:
a base having first and second sides;
a plurality of hook fastening elements extending from a first side of the base;
an affixation element extending from the second side of the base and arranged to mechanically affix to at least one of a plurality of attachment openings of the frame element;
wherein the affixation element has a head defining a length dimension extending longer than a width of at least one of a plurality of attachment openings;
wherein each of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings is formed as an elongate slot such the fastener member slides relative to walls surrounding the elongate slot along a length of the elongate slot;
wherein the fastener member is secured to the frame element into a secured configuration by rotating the fastener member so that a head of the fastener member is pressed against a first surface of the frame element beyond peripheral walls of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings, an entirety of a backside of the base of the fastener member is arranged directly adjacent to a second surface of the frame element due to a stem carrying the head of the affixation element, which passes through the attachment opening, having a height corresponding to and the same as a thickness of the peripheral walls to assure that the backside of the fastener member is snugly secured without movement directly against the second surface of the frame element, wherein the head extends in length greater than a width or diameter of the stem and wherein the width of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings matches the diameter or width of the stem of the fastener member, the fastener member being readjustable relative to the frame element from the secured configuration by rotating the fastener member so the length dimension of the head is parallel to the length of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings;
wherein the brace component is arranged to connect to the frame element and includes loop material for interengaging the plurality of hook fastening elements of the fastener member at a plurality of locations on the frame element corresponding to the plurality of attachment openings, and the brace component is selected from the group consisting of a strap and padding.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the frame element includes at least one recess about a peripheral wall defining the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings, the affixation element arranged to be secured against the peripheral wall.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the recess corresponds in shape to the fastener member to retain the fastener member in place.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the recess is arranged in size to eliminate clearance of the head from the second surface of the frame element.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the fastener member is formed in a substantially flexible condition.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the length of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings is substantially longer than the length dimension of the head.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the head of the affixation element is arranged for being inserted through the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings such that the length dimension of the head is generally oriented parallel with the length of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings, and rotated such that the length of the head is generally perpendicular to the length of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings.

8. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the frame element includes a recessed portion into which the base extends and which the fastening elements protrude outwardly from the frame element.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the base is flexible and arranged to accommodate a shape of the structure upon which the fastener member is affixed.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the frame element is rigid or semi-rigid.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the fastener member defines a base periphery substantially smaller than a base periphery defined by the frame element.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 11 , wherein the base periphery of the fastener member fits within a base periphery defined by the frame element.

13. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the base, affixation element and hook fastening elements are formed as a unitary structure from polymeric materials.

14. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the base is trimmable so a base periphery is modifiable in shape and size.

15. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the stem is cylindrical in shape along an entirety of its height.

16. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the head includes a flange protruding from the stem and arranged parallel to the first surface of the frame element when the fastener member is snugly secured to the frame element.

17. In an orthopedic device, a method for securing a fastener member to a frame element having a plurality of openings by mechanical affixation to connect a brace component to the frame element, the fastener member including a base having first and second sides, a plurality of hook fastening elements extending from a first side of the base, an affixation element extending from the second side of the base and arranged to mechanically affix to an attachment opening of the frame element, the affixation element having a head defining a length dimension extending longer than a width of the plurality of attachment openings, the method comprising the steps of:
selecting one of the plurality of attachment openings defined by the frame element for affixation of the fastener member;
inserting the head into one of the plurality of attachment openings such that a length dimension of the head is aligned with a length of the one of the attachment openings;
sliding the fastener member relative to the one of the plurality of attachment openings and selecting a location along the one of the plurality of attachment openings for affixing the fastener member;
rotating the fastener member so the length dimension of the head is generally perpendicular to a length of the one of the plurality of attachment openings so the head snugly engages directly against a first surface of the frame element and an entirety of a first side of the base snugly is against a second surface of the frame element without movement at the location;
wherein the fastener member includes a stem carrying the head of the affixation element, which passes through the attachment opening, having a height corresponding to and the same as a thickness of peripheral walls of the frame element about the one of the plurality of attachment openings, wherein the head extends in length greater than a width or diameter of the stem and wherein the width of the at least one of a plurality of attachment openings matches the diameter or width of the stem of the fastener member;
applying the brace component to the fastener member such that loop material of the brace component engages the hook fastening elements, wherein the brace component is selected from the group consisting of a strap and padding.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of removing the fastener member after being secured to the frame

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Jonsson Helgi
• Ingimundarson Arni Thor
• Omarsson Bjorn

Classifications

• A61F2005/0172

  with cushions · CPC title

• A44B18/0011

  Female or loop elements (A44B18/0007 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F5/32

  Adjustable pressure pads · CPC title

• A44B13/00

  Hook or eye fasteners · CPC title

• Y10T29/49947

  by applying separate fastener · CPC title