Ronald T Nelson

US Patent:

7014621, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Dec 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/313273

Inventors:

Ronald E. Nelson - Cambridge MN, US

Assignee:

Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc. - Prairie du Sac WI

International Classification:

A61F 5/00
A61F 13/00

US Classification:

602 27

Abstract:

An ankle brace comprising a base of flexible material shaped to wrap around the sides of a foot and ankle and underneath a portion of the foot, with a support strap for protecting the anterior talofibular ligament. The two ends of the support strap are fixed to the base at or near the forward edges of the base. The strap is not otherwise fixed to the base underneath the sole of the foot, allowing the strap to move freely under the foot to conform to the particular size and shape of the foot of a particular wearer. The ankle brace features a symmetric construction which allows the ankle brace to be worn on either the left or the right foot, simplifying manufacturing and inventory management.

US Patent:

7993295, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Jan 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/327040

Inventors:

Ronald E. Nelson - Cambridge MN, US

Assignee:

Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc. - Prairie du Sac WI

International Classification:

A61F 5/00
A61F 5/37

US Classification:

602 27, 128882

Abstract:

An ankle brace comprising a base of flexible material shaped to wrap around the sides of a foot and ankle and underneath a portion of the foot, with a support strap for protecting the anterior talofibular ligament. The two ends of the support strap are fixed to the base at or near the forward edges of the base. The strap is not otherwise fixed to the base underneath the sole of the foot, allowing the strap to move freely under the foot to conform to the particular size and shape of the foot of a particular wearer. The ankle brace features a symmetric construction which allows the ankle brace to be worn on either the left or the right foot, simplifying manufacturing and inventory management.

US Patent:

20030083603, May 1, 2003

Filed:

Dec 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/315709

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US

Assignee:

Core Products International, Inc.

International Classification:

A61F005/00

US Classification:

602/027000

Abstract:

An ankle brace designed to limit inversion, eversion and twisting movements while allowing near-normal flexion and extension. The ankle brace includes a medial member and a lateral member, each of which has a forward edge, a bottom edge and a rearward edge. The forward edges are associated with one another to define a front support portion of the ankle brace. Similarly, the bottom edges are connected and define a base support portion of the ankle brace. Finally, the rearward edges are associated with one another to define a rear support portion which further includes a one direction stretch material strip. The material strip is disposed at the rear support portion such that during use, the material strip stretches with flexion of the user's ankle. However, the material strip and remaining components remain relatively rigid in other directions to limit inversion, eversion and twisting movements.

US Patent:

20030171706, Sep 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/095366

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US

International Classification:

A61F013/00
A61F013/06

US Classification:

602/065000

Abstract:

An ankle brace that can be configured to fit feet and ankles of differing sizes. The brace includes a base that wraps around the sides and rear of the foot and ankle, with forward edges that come toward another but do not meet. Two movable flaps are releasably fixed to the base, one on each side of the base, using hook and loop type fastening material. Straps and loops are mounted in alternating fashion on the forward edges of the two flaps, with one end of each strap remaining free. The free end of each strap can be trained through a loop mounted on the opposite movable flap and then looped back for attachment to the mounted end of the strap using hook and loop type fastening material, to fasten the brace securely to the foot and ankle. By repositioning the movable straps the effective size of the brace is varied.

US Patent:

20030204156, Oct 30, 2003

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/133033

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US
Curt Mueller - Prairie du Sac WI, US

International Classification:

A61F005/00
A61F005/37

US Classification:

602/026000

Abstract:

A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of a tubular sleeve of elastic material is configured to closely fit around the knee joint and adjacent upper and lower leg portions. One or more generally upright lateral pockets containing semi-rigid stays are provided on the sides of the base for lateral support. Direct patella support is provided by a reinforced circular hole in the base and two straps that cross the front of the leg above the knee. Indirect patella support is provided by a resilient member in a pocket. Different resilient members and a lower support strap located across the resilient member just below the patella may be used to adjust the amount of indirect patella support provided by the resilient member.

US Patent:

20040019309, Jan 29, 2004

Filed:

Jul 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/207486

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US
Curran Rode - Schulenberg TX, US

Assignee:

Mueller Sports Medicine, Inc.

International Classification:

A61F005/00

US Classification:

602/065000, 602/027000

Abstract:

An ankle brace that is configured to integrate with footwear. The ankle brace includes loops located near the forward edges of the base. After the brace is secured to the foot and ankle, footwear is applied over the ankle brace, and the laces of the footwear are passed through the loops in order to secure the footwear to the ankle brace and form an integrated structure. Relief openings in the ankle brace are also provided to enhance the conformance of the ankle brace to the foot and ankle as the shape of the foot and ankle changes across the range of motion of the foot and ankle.

US Patent:

20040122344, Jun 24, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/327504

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US
Curt Mueller - Prairie du Sac WI, US

International Classification:

A61F013/00

US Classification:

602/061000, 602/060000

Abstract:

An adjustable fit athletic supporter in which the length of the waistband, the length of the leg straps, or both, may be adjusted to closely fit a person. According to another aspect of the invention, the waistband, or leg straps, or both, may bear sizing indicia or numbers to indicate the dimensions of an athletic supporter that closely fits a person. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the dimensions of an athletic supporter that closely fits a person may be used to custom tailor an athletic supporter for that person. An adjustable fit athletic supporter and method therefor according to the invention may more closely fit a person, and may reduce inventory requirements.

US Patent:

20040176715, Sep 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/379208

Inventors:

Ronald Nelson - Cambridge MN, US

International Classification:

A61F005/00

US Classification:

602/026000, 602/023000

Abstract:

A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of elastic material is configured to closely fit around portions of the knee and adjacent leg portions. Direct patella support is provided by upper crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg above the knee, or by lower crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg below the knee, or by both upper and lower crossed straps. Additional direct patella support may be provided by a patella opening. One or more generally upright lateral pockets containing semi-rigid stays may also be provided on the sides of the base for lateral support. A popliteal opening may be provided to reduce the possibility of chafing at the rear of the knee.