Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis

Details Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis

1999-11-29

2001-10-16

Snow, Bruce (Department: 3738)

Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai

Leg

C623S052000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302918

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention refers to a device in a leg prosthesis provided with a shock- and torque absorber intended to absorb shocks as well as rotational movements which occur when the foot hits the ground during walking, running, jumping etc. and comprising two parts which are telescopically displaceable and rotatable with respect to each other and provided with damping means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A shock absorber in a leg prosthesis should be able to absorb linear as well as rotational forces which occur at heel strike when the foot hits the ground during activities such as walking, running, jumping etc. During walking and at heel strike the shock damping function of the artificial foot and sometimes also of the artificial knee is often unsufficient. However at such movements when the whole foot at the same time strikes the ground, e g when jumping and at quick movements such as running, there is needed a further shock absorption in order to avoid unpleasant shocks transferred to the part of the body to which the prosthesis is applied. Such shock absorbers which normally are placed in the lower leg part of the prosthesis often consist of hydraulic or pneumatic devices, which are relatively complicated and expensive.
In the leg prosthesis there is further needed a torque absorber which absorbs rotational movements in the artificial foot with respect to the leg prosthesis. One example of such a torque absorber is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,705.
OBJECT AND MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a device of the kind mentioned above, which can absorb shocks as well as torques and which has a simple and reliable construction. This has according to the invention been provided by means of a first resilient member arranged between the two telescopic parts and said resilient member is arranged to be compressed at a telescopic movement of said parts in a retracting direction, that a second resilient member is attached to the outer telescopic part and limitedly displaceable in the inner telescopic part limiting the telescopic movement as well as the rotational movement thereof in the outer telescopic part.
The shock absorber should further be simple to adjust in order to exert different counter pressures depending on the weight of the prosthesis wearer and the type of activity that is carried out, e g the counter pressure should be higher at running than at walking. This has been provided by the fact that the prestressing of the first resilient member is adjustable by means of adjustment means. Alternatively the first resilient member can be exchangeable and be of different hardness degrees. The same thing applies to the second resilient member.
Further features and advantages of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3842443 (1974-10-01), Weber
patent: 3906552 (1975-09-01), Weber
patent: 4038705 (1977-08-01), Owens et al.
patent: 4134159 (1979-01-01), Wilson
patent: 4186449 (1980-02-01), Horvath
patent: 4883493 (1989-11-01), Martel et al.
patent: 5383939 (1995-01-01), James
patent: 5571205 (1996-11-01), James
patent: 5800562 (1998-09-01), Wilkinson
patent: 0413 450 A1 (1991-02-01), None
patent: 2305363B (1997-04-01), None
patent: WO 95/30391 (1995-11-01), None
patent: WO 98/29059 (1998-07-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shock-and torque absorber in a leg prothesis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2616396