An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes, according to one embodiment, a first shell body defining first and second surfaces, and a resilient perimeter edge portion surrounding the perimeter of the first shell body. The edge portion has greater flexibility than the first shell body. The perimeter edge portion defines a lip extending over a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces, and the lip is spaced a distance above the first shell body so as to define a clearance between the first shell body and the lip.
1. A strap retainer for use in an orthopedic device, comprising:
a resilient shell body defining first and second surfaces, and first and second end portions, the shell body forming at least one elongate slot located at the second end portion; and
a peripheral edge portion surrounding and directly secured to a periphery of the shell body, the peripheral edge portion being substantially flexible and having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the shell body
wherein the shell body is formed from a different material having a different hardness than the peripheral edge portion;
wherein the shell body has a predetermined curvature defined at least along the second end portion;
wherein the shell body defines an aperture generally located at the first end portion, the strap retainer further comprising a guard encircling the aperture and having a lip spaced above the shell body and extending over a portion of the shell body towards the aperture.
2. The strap retainer according to claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement element protruding outwardly from one of the first and second surfaces, and formed about at least a portion of the at least one elongate slot.
3. The strap retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the shell body defines at least one aperture located generally between the first and second end portions, and the strap retainer further comprises a border edge portion integrally connected to the shell body and surrounding the aperture, the border edge portion having greater hardness than the shell body.
4. The strap retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is generally flat.
5. The strap retainer according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge portion defines an end portion having a reduced, transitional thickness extending beyond the periphery of the shell body.
6. A strap retainer, comprising:
a resilient shell body defining first and second surfaces, and first and second end portions opposed from one another, the shell body forming at least one elongate strap slot located at the second end portion through the first and second surfaces; and
a peripheral edge portion surrounding and directly secured to a periphery of the shell body, the peripheral edge portion being substantially flexible and having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the shell body, the shell body different hardness than the peripheral edge portion;
a reinforcement element protruding outwardly from the first surface, and formed adjacent to and around opposed end regions of the at least one strap elongate slot;
wherein the first end portion defines a head and the second end portion defines a tail, the periphery of the tail portion flaring outwardly in width relative to the periphery of the head portion, the at least one strap slot generally oriented parallel to the width of the tail.
7. The strap retainer according to claim 6 , wherein the shell body defines at least one central aperture located between the first and second end portions, and the strap retainer further comprises at least one additional reinforcement element extending outwardly from the shell body first surface and located adjacent the central aperture.
8. The strap retainer according to claim 6 , wherein the peripheral edge portion defines an end portion having a reduced, transitional thickness extending beyond the periphery of the shell body.
9. The strap retainer according to claim 6 , wherein the shell body defines a fastener aperture generally located at the first end portion, the strap retainer further comprising a guard encircling the fastener aperture and having a lip spaced above the shell body and extending over a portion of the shell body towards the fastener aperture.
10. The strap retainer according to claim 6 , wherein the shell body has a predetermined curvature defined at least along the second end portion.
11. The strap retainer according to claim 6 , wherein the first end portion defines a head and the second end portion defines a tail, the tail portion flaring outwardly in width relative to the head portion.
12. A strap retainer, comprising:
a resilient shell body defining first and second surfaces, and head and tail portions located at opposed ends of the shell body, the head portion defining an aperture and a periphery of the tail portion flaring outwardly in width relative to a periphery of the head portion, the shell body defining at least one strap slot generally oriented parallel to the width of the tail through the first and second surfaces; and
a peripheral edge portion directly bonded to and extending only from a periphery of the shell body, the peripheral edge portion being substantially flexible and having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the shell body, the shell body formed from a different material having a different hardness than the peripheral edge portion.
13. The strap retainer according to claim 12 , wherein the strap retainer further comprises a reinforcement element protruding outwardly from one of the first and second surfaces, the reinforcement element formed about and located adjacent to the strap slot.
14. The strap retainer according to claim 12 , wherein the shell body defines at least one central aperture located between the head and tail portions, and the strap retainer further comprises at least one additional reinforcement element extending outwardly from the shell body first surface and located adjacent the central aperture.
15. The strap retainer according to claim 12 , wherein the peripheral edge portion defines an end portion having a reduced, transitional thickness extending beyond the periphery of the shell body.
16. A strap retainer, comprising:
a resilient shell body defining first and second surfaces, and first and second end portions opposed from one another, the shell body forming at least one elongate strap slot located at the second end portion and extends through the first and second surfaces; and
wherein the first end portion defines a single head and the second end portion defines a single tail, the tail portion flaring outwardly in width relative to the head portion, the at least one strap slot generally oriented parallel to the width of the tail, the head portion defining a circular section with an aperture located centrally therethrough, at least of a portion of the head portion having an arcuate periphery.