IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,582,542
Granted Patent B2
US 12,582,542 · App. 17/042,036 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Stabilizing rod for an orthopedic aid

Inventor: Hans B. Bauerfeind (Zeulenroda-Triebes, DE)
Assignee: Bauerfeind AG
A61F5/0109
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,582,542
App. No.
17/042,036
Granted
Mar 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a stabilizing rod ( 10 ) for an orthopedic aid, the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) having in the longitudinal direction a first section ( 110 ) and a second section ( 120 ), the first section ( 110 ) and the second section ( 120 ) being connected to each other via a third, flexible section ( 130 ). According to the invention, the third, flexible section ( 130 ) has at least one material cut-out ( 131 ).

Claims (20)

1 . A stabilizing rod ( 101 ) for an orthopedic aid ( 200 ), wherein the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) comprises, in a longitudinal direction, a first section ( 110 ) and a second section ( 120 ), the first section ( 110 ) and the second section ( 120 ) being connected to each other via a third, flexible section ( 130 ), characterized in that at least the third, flexible section ( 130 ) is tapered relative to the first section ( 110 ) and the second section ( 120 ), comprises a plurality of material cut-outs ( 131 ), wherein the tapering is in a width direction, a degree of tapering being nonconstant at locations corresponding to different material cut-outs ( 131 ), wherein the deeper the material cut-outs ( 131 ) are, the greater a distance of the material cut-outs ( 131 ) are from a central region of the third flexible section ( 130 ) and wherein the material cut-outs ( 131 ) consist of tooth-shaped material elevations lying between the material cut-outs, wherein the tooth-shaped material elevations are expanding on one side of the material cut-outs and smooth on an other side of the material cut-outs.

2 . An orthopedic aid, comprising the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 .

3 . The orthopedic aid according to claim 2 , wherein the orthopedic aid is a knee joint bandage ( 200 ).

4 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the knee joint bandage ( 200 ) comprises the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) and an additional stabilizing rod ( 102 ), wherein the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) and the additional stabilizing rod ( 102 ) extends over a length of the knee joint bandage ( 200 ).

5 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the third flexible section ( 130 ) of the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) and the additional stabilizing rod ( 102 ) is at least at a level of the knee ( 307 ) when the knee joint bandage ( 200 ) is in an applied state.

6 . The orthopedic aid according to claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) is in one piece and consists of a material, the material comprising a plastic, wherein the first section ( 110 ) and the second section ( 120 ) are less flexible than the third section ( 130 ), and wherein the orthopedic aid is a knee joint bandage ( 200 ).

7 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the orthopedic aid is a bandage.

8 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 7 , wherein the bandage comprises a knee joint bandage ( 200 ).

9 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) is in one piece and consists of a material, the material comprising a plastic.

10 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first section ( 110 ) and the second section ( 120 ) are less flexible than the third section ( 130 ).

11 . The stabilizing rod according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) has a length, a width and a height, the width of the third flexible section ( 130 ) being less than the width of the first section and the second section.

12 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of material cut-outs are arranged on a single side of the stabilizing rod ( 101 ), the single side being an inner, concave side upon the stabilizing rod being bent.

13 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tooth-shaped material elevations abut one another upon a bending force applied at least partially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

14 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the material cut-outs correspond to a region of higher thickness.

15 . The orthopedic aid ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the third, flexible section ( 130 ) comprises grooves or notches configured to bend the stabilizing rod in a bending direction of a knee joint.

16 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing rod is at least partially roughened.

17 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the third, flexible section ( 130 ) comprises thickened regions corresponding to locations of the material cut-outs and thinner regions corresponding to locations at which the material cut-outs are adjoined.

18 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the stabilizing rod ( 101 ) is greater in the third, flexible section ( 130 ) compared to a thickness in the first section ( 110 ) and in the second section ( 120 ).

19 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first section ( 110 ) comprises a gripping piece, and the gripping piece comprises an eyelet.

20 . The stabilizing rod ( 101 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing rod is restricted from bending to a greater extent along a broad side of the stabilizing rod.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2020
From: BAUERFEIND, HANS B
To: BAUERFEIND AG
Reel/Frame 054596/0607 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2018 204 640.9 · Mar 27, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210030576A1 · Feb 4, 2021
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