WO2010005861A2

WO2010005861A2 - Ankle support

Info

Publication number: WO2010005861A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/049496
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tanya L. Beckwith
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2008-07-08
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: TW201008561A; WO2010005861A3

Abstract

An ankle support comprises (a) a bootie configured to be worn on a user's foot and ankle, (b) a compression wrap comprising a first end and a second end, and (c) a fastener located at the second end of the compression wrap adapted to engage with at least a portion of the bootie or the compression wrap. The first end of the compression wrap is attached to the bootie and the length of the compression wrap is at least four times the width of the compression wrap.

Description

ANKLE SUPPORT

FIELD

This invention relates to an ankle support.

BACKGROUND

Ankle braces or supports can be used to alleviate ankle pain by providing compression and support to an affected ankle and the surrounding area. Many commercially available supports, however, are bulky, uncomfortable, and/or difficult to put on and adjust.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, we recognize that there is a need in the art for a simple adjustable ankle support that is thin, comfortable, and easy to apply and adjust. The present invention provides an ankle support comprising a bootie and a built-in compression wrap. In one embodiment, the ankle support comprises (a) a bootie configured to be worn on a user's foot and ankle, (b) a compression wrap comprising a first end and a second end, and (c) a fastener located at the second end of the compression wrap adapted to engage with at least a portion of the bootie or the compression wrap. The first end of the compression wrap is attached to the bootie and the length of the compression wrap is at least four times the width of the compression wrap (preferably, from about four times to about fifteen times the width of the compression wrap; more preferably, from about eight times to about twelve times the width of the compression wrap). The present invention also provides a method of applying compression to an ankle.

The method comprises placing the bootie of an ankle support of the invention on a user's foot and ankle, wrapping the compression wrap in a figure-8 configuration around the foot and ankle, and securing the fastener to at least a portion of the bootie or the compression wrap. The ankle support of the present invention meets the needs in the art. It has a simple design that is easy to apply and adjust. The bootie provides light compression and support. It also facilitates application of the built-in compression wrap. The built-in compression wrap can be configured in a variety of positions around the ankle including, for example, the classic figure-8 wrap to provide additional compression and support around the foot and ankle. The ankle support can be worn on either the left or the right ankle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of an embodiment of an ankle support of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of an ankle support of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another side view of an embodiment of an ankle support of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an inside view of an embodiment of an ankle support of the invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a front view of an ankle support of the invention as it is being applied to an ankle.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a side view of an ankle support of the invention fully applied on an ankle.

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation another side view of an embodiment of an ankle support of the invention fully applied on an ankle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the ankle support of the present invention. Ankle support 100 includes bootie 11 and built-in compression wrap 13. Bootie 11 can be constructed from one or more thin, stretchy, and conformable materials such as a layer of foam (for example, an open-cell foam). The inside of bootie 11 (that is, the part of the bootie that is in contact with the skin when the ankle support is worn) preferably comprises a material that is comfortable against the skin such as, for example, nylon or Lycra™. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of bootie 11 comprises a three layer construction comprising foam sandwiched between two layers of Lycra™.

Preferably, bootie 11 is breathable (for example, has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) greater than about 3000 grams per square meter per 24 hours). Typically, bootie 11 is less than about 2 mm (preferably, less than about 1.65 mm) thick so that it can easily fit into a shoe.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, bootie 11 will typically have a heel cut-out such as cut-out 17 to provide improved fit and comfort. Bootie 11 may also include a slit such as slit 19 to facilitate application of the bootie. Fastening means such as hook tab area 12 and unbroken loop area 14 can be used to snuggly secure bootie 11 after it has been put in place.

Optionally, the bootie can have stays built in (for example, positioned on each side of the ankle when the support is worn). Typically, however, the ankle supports of the invention do not include any stays.

Compression wrap 13 is long and narrow so that it can be wrapped around the foot and ankle (for example, in a figure-8 fashion) to provide additional compression and support. Compression wrap 13 can be, for example, from about 2 inches to about 4 inches (about 5 cm to about 10 cm) wide (preferably about 2 ¹A inches (about 6.4 cm)) wide, and from about 20 to about 30 inches (about 51 cm to about 76 cm) long. Compression wrap

13 is made of a stretchy conformable material. In some embodiments (not shown in Fig. 1), the compression wrap can be wider at the end that is attached to the bootie and then gradually taper down such that it is narrower at the end opposite the bootie.

Typically compression wrap 13 is made of a material that is less stretchy and a little bit thicker than bootie 11. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of compression wrap 13 comprises a three layer construction comprising foam sandwiched between unbroken loop and Lycra™. Preferably, compression wrap 13 is breathable. Typically, compression wrap 13 is less than about 2 mm thick.

Fastener 15 is located at the end of compression wrap 13. Fastener 15 can comprise, for example, hook tabs that are capable of reversibly attaching to unbroken loop material (for example, located on the back side of compression wrap 13 itself). Bootie 11 can also optionally comprise an area of unbroken loops such as unbroken loop area 16 to which fastener 15 can be secured.

Fig. 2 shows a flat view of one side of an embodiment of an ankle support of the present invention, ankle support 200. The main portion of bootie 21 is a thin construction of foam sandwiched between two layers of Lycra™. The area of bootie 21 that will surround an ankle when the bootie is worn has a slit (not visible in Fig. 2) to facilitate application of the bootie. There is a hook tab area on one side of the slit (not visible in Fig. 2) and an unbroken loop area 24 on the other side of the foot to secure the bootie around the ankle. Bootie 21 has a cut-out area 27 for the user's heel. Bootie 21 also comprises a fastener area 26 constructed of foam sandwiched between unbroken loop and nylon. Built-in compression wrap 23 is attached to the upper portion of bootie 21.

Compression wrap 23 is made of foam sandwiched between unbroken loop and Lycra™. In this embodiment, compression wrap 23 is approximately 24 inches (approximately 70 cm) long and approximately 2 Vi inches (approximately 6.4 cm) wide. There is a Velcro™ fastener 25 at the end of compression wrap 23 that can be used to secure the compression wrap. Velcro™ fastener 25 can be reversibly attached, for example to the unbroken loop side of compression wrap 23 or to fastener area 25 located on the bootie.

Fig. 3 shows a flat view of the other side of ankle support 200. The ankle support can be worn on either the left or the right ankle and foot.

Fig. 4 shows an inside view of ankle support 200. This view shows where a foot is inserted to apply the ankle support.

Fig. 5 shows the front of ankle support 200 with a foot inserted into bootie 21 and slit 29 being closed and secured around the ankle. Compression wrap 23 is unwrapped in Fig. 5. It can, however, be wrapped around the ankle and under the food or in a variety of other configurations depending upon the user's preferences and location of pain. Figs. 6 and 7 show side views of ankle support 200 fully applied on a user. Ankle support 200 has a tight yet comfortable fit around the ankle and foot. Compression wrap 23 is wrapped in a classic figure-8 configuration to provide compression and support. Ankle support 200 has a low profile and can easily be worn within a shoe.

Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that this invention is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments set forth herein and that such embodiments are presented by way of example only.

Claims

We claim:

1. An ankle support comprising:

(a) a bootie configured to be worn on a user's foot and ankle; (b) a compression wrap comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the bootie and the length of the compression wrap being at least four times the width of the compression wrap;

(c) a fastener located at the second end of the compression wrap adapted to engage with at least a portion of the bootie or the compression wrap.

2. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie has a heel cut-out.

3. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie has a slit to facilitate application of the bootie onto the user's foot and ankle.

4. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie further comprises fastening means to secure the bootie on the user's foot and ankle.

5. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the length of the compression wrap is from about 51 cm to about 76 cm.

6. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the width of the compression wrap is from about 5 cm to about 10 cm.

7. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the length of the compression wrap is from about four times the width of the compression wrap to about fifteen times the width of the compression wrap.

8. The ankle support of claim 7 wherein the length of the compression wrap is from about eight times the width of the compression wrap to about twelve times the width of the compression wrap.

9. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the compression wrap comprises a material that is less stretchy than the bootie.

10. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the compression wrap comprises a three layer construction comprising foam sandwiched between unbroken loop and

Lycra™.

11. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the compression wrap is less than about 2 mm thick.

12. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie comprises a three layer construction comprising foam sandwiched between two layers of Lycra™.

13. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie is less than about 2 mm thick.

14. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the bootie further comprises an area of unbroken loops to which the fastener can be secured.

15. The ankle support of claim 1 wherein the fastener is Velcro™.

16. A method of applying compression to an ankle comprising placing the bootie of the ankle support of claim 1 on a user's foot and ankle, wrapping the compression wrap in a fϊgure-8 configuration around the foot and ankle, and securing the fastener to at least a portion of the bootie or the compression wrap.