| 主权项 |
1. A hinge for a brace, comprising,
a tensioning element having first and second ends, for applying a restorative force to the hinge, a tensioning portion comprising a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the tensioning element as the hinge is moved from a rest position to a loaded condition, the first end of the tensioning element being fixed to the tensioning mechanism and the tensioning mechanism being fixed to a tensioning block, an anchoring portion comprising an anchoring block, the second end of the tensioning element being fixed to the anchoring block, the tensioning block being pivotally connected to a gusset member at a first pivot point and the anchoring block being pivotally connected to the gusset member at a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, and a tensioning member having a peripheral surface about which the tensioning element is disposed, to restrain the tensioning element and apply a tensioning force to the tensioning element as the hinge is moved out of the rest position, the tensioning block and the anchoring block being operatively geared together along an arc of motion so as to provide a generally symmetrical motion of the tensioning and anchoring portions relative to the gusset, whereby an external force is applied to move the hinge from the rest position loads the tensioning member, and when the external force is removed the tensioning member applies a restorative force to move the hinge back to the rest position. |
