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Title: Apparel worn for the aid and protection of the body and for the support and assistance of impaired joint function
Claims: I claim: 1. A protective orthopedic prosthetic device comprises: a means for attaching the device to the limb or body of the wearer, a base member being generally flat having an attaching end which attaches or is inserted into the means for attaching the device to the body of the wearer, and the base member having a convex semi-circular end whose edge has a T-shaped groove, a plurality identical of crescent shaped discs having a convex edge whose cross-section is a T-shaped groove identical to the T-shaped groove of the base member, and each crescent shaped disc having a concave edge whose cross section is a T-shaped tongue which is sized to slideably fit the T-shaped groove of the base member and other crescent shaped discs; the concave edge and the convex edge of the crescent shaped discs being circular arcs whose radii are both approximately equal to the radius of the semi-circular end of the base member; and an end piece being generally flat having an attaching end which attaches or is inserted into the means for attaching the device to the limb or body of the wearer, and having a concave semi-circular end whose cross section is a T-shaped tongue which is sized to slideably mate and fit the T-shaped groove in the crescent shaped disc and the T-shaped groove in the base member, the radius of the concave semi-circular end of the end piece being approximately equal to the radius of the semi-circular end of the base member, and a plurality of stop blocks, being two for each T-shaped groove, each step-block having a threaded tap at its approximate center said threaded tap passing clear through the stop-block, the stop-block being sized to loosely slideably fit the T-shaped groove in the base member and crescent shaped discs, and a plurality of threaded set screws to screw into and through the threaded taps, and an optional means for aiding joint dysfunction. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the device to the limb of wearer comprises: a hollow in the base member or end piece or both a slot in the hollow a cup, having an attaching bar a cup slot and a threaded flat heat nut and a matching threaded flat head screw sized to slideably fit through the cup slot and slot in the hollow, assembled so as to provide a ball joint type mechanism and a friction locking means. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for aiding joint dysfunction comprises: a recess in the base member having a spring attachment a coil spring attached on one end to the spring attachment, a wire attached to the other end of the coil spring a plurality of openings in the base member, of the plurality of crescent shaped discs, and the end piece, a plurality of pins in each opening to guide the wire, and a wire attachment in the end piece, to which the wire, after being threaded through the openings, is attached. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for aiding joint dysfunction comprises: two channels formed on the edges of the invention by forming the edges of the base member, end piece and each liner, four spring fasteners, one on each edge of the base member, and one on each edge of the end piece; a spring which is attached at one end to the fastener on one edge of the base member, and at the other end to the fastner on the corresponding edge of the end piece; said springs being in tension when so attached; and laying in the aforesaid channels. Other info: Inventors: Chappell, Cluff E. (2121 Valencia, NE, US) Application Number: 803865 Filing Date: 1977-06-06 Publication_date: 1979-03-20 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 602/16 602/21, 602/26, 602/27 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Yasko, John D. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: Keller; Walter R. |
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