Sleeve or liner for an article
A sleeve or liner for a brace component in an orthopedic device, such that the brace component defines a peripheral contour and forms at least one unique feature. The sleeve or liner includes a main body having a peripheral contour arranged at least approximately to the peripheral contour and in size of the brace component. A predetermined pattern of frictional elements is formed by deposits, or a film of frictional material configured in at least one predetermined shape.
1 . An orthopedic device comprising a brace component and a sleeve or liner for the brace component, wherein the brace component is formed as a shell having rigid or semi-rigid properties, the shell defining a peripheral contour and a flexure gradient including a plurality of shell regions having different flexural stiffnesses;
wherein the sleeve or liner has a main body defining a peripheral contour arranged at least approximately to the peripheral contour of the shell and sized to correspond thereto, the main body of the sleeve or liner defining first and second opposing faces that are secured together along at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the main body of the sleeve or liner; and
frictional material disposed on one of the first and second opposing faces of the main body of the sleeve or liner to define a predetermined pattern of frictional elements including at least a first set of frictional elements and a second set of frictional elements, the frictional elements of the first and second sets having different, respective sizes or shapes and being positioned on the main body of the sleeve or liner at locations corresponding to different shell regions of the flexure gradient;
wherein the frictional elements of the first set are disposed at locations corresponding to shell regions of lower flexural stiffness, and wherein the frictional elements of the second set are disposed at locations corresponding to shell regions of higher flexural stiffness, and wherein the predetermined pattern of frictional elements varies in size or shape in correspondence with the flexure gradient of the shell.
2 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the main body of the sleeve or liner corresponds in shape to an extension extending from a main body of the shell by a junction such that the sleeve or liner covers an entirety of the shell about the peripheral contour thereof.
3 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein frictional elements of the first and second sets protrude from the main body by a same thickness.
4 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein frictional elements of the first and second sets protrude from the main body by different, respective thicknesses.
5 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein frictional elements of the first and second sets define a same shape.
6 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein frictional elements of the first and second sets define an oval shape and differ from one another at least in size.
7 . The orthopedic device of claim 6 , wherein the oval shape is elongated along a length of the sleeve or liner.
8 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern of frictional elements defines at least first and second rows of frictional elements, the first row being staggered in a height direction of the sleeve or liner relative to the second row with a spacing such that frictional elements of the first row align between frictional elements of the second row.
9 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising an edging surrounding the predetermined pattern of frictional elements and devoid of the frictional material.
10 . The orthopedic device of claim 9 , wherein the edging varies in width as measured from the peripheral contour of the main body to the predetermined pattern about the peripheral contour.
11 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the other of the first and second opposing faces opposite the one carrying the frictional material is configured without frictional elements.
12 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve or liner is formed from a textile material.
13 . The orthopedic device of claim 12 , wherein the textile material is arranged to permit air and moisture transfer through the main body between the first and second opposing faces.
14 . The orthopedic device of claim 12 , wherein the sleeve or liner is formed from a textile material that is breathable and elastic.
15 . The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve or liner comprises a laminated structure including a core material and an outer surface layer, the outer surface layer comprising unbroken loop material configured to engage a complementary fastening material on an inner surface of the shell.