Wrist device for a prosthetic limb
First Claim
1. A wrist device, the device comprising:
- a base member connectable to the wearer of the device;
a support member connectable to the limb, the support member being pivotably connected to the base member such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis relative to the base member;
and a damping mechanism located between the base member and the support member, the damping mechanism comprising;
a pinion connected to the support member and rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the base member;
a rack extending along an axis and engaged with the pinion such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack along the axis;
and at least one biasing member extending between the base member and the rack, the biasing member biasing the rack and support member into a neutral position;
a locking mechanism for selectively preventing movement of the support member relative to the base member, the locking mechanism comprising an actuator which is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, the actuator including a first locking element which prevents movement of the pinion when the actuator is in the locked position;
wherein the actuator comprises an actuator shaft extending through the pinion along the pivot axis, and first and second actuator buttons at opposite ends of the shaft, wherein the actuator can move axially along the pivot axis relative to the base member and pinion when the first or second button is pressed, one of the first and second buttons incorporating the first locking element;
wherein the button which incorporates the first locking element has a bottom surface which engages an upper surface of the base member when the actuator is in the locked position, thereby preventing relative rotation between the actuator and the base member.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A wrist device, the device comprising:
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a base member connectable to the wearer of the device; a support member connectable to the limb, the support member being pivotably connected to the base member such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis relative to the base member; and a damping mechanism located between the base member and the support member, the damping mechanism comprising; a pinion connected to the support member and rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the base member; a rack extending along an axis and engaged with the pinion such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack along the axis; and at least one biasing member extending between the base member and the rack, the biasing member biasing the rack and support member into a neutral position; a locking mechanism for selectively preventing movement of the support member relative to the base member, the locking mechanism comprising an actuator which is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, the actuator including a first locking element which prevents movement of the pinion when the actuator is in the locked position; wherein the actuator comprises an actuator shaft extending through the pinion along the pivot axis, and first and second actuator buttons at opposite ends of the shaft, wherein the actuator can move axially along the pivot axis relative to the base member and pinion when the first or second button is pressed, one of the first and second buttons incorporating the first locking element; wherein the button which incorporates the first locking element has a bottom surface which engages an upper surface of the base member when the actuator is in the locked position, thereby preventing relative rotation between the actuator and the base member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wrist device for a prosthetic limb, the device comprising:
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a base member connectable to the wearer of the device; a support member connectable to the limb, the support member being pivotably connected to the base member such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis relative to the base member; a damping mechanism located between the base member and the support member, the damping mechanism comprising; a pinion connected to the support member and rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the base member; a rack engaged with the pinion such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack; and at least one biasing member extending between the base member and the rack, the biasing member biasing the rack and support member into a neutral position; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing movement of the support member relative to the base member, the locking mechanism comprising an actuator which is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, the actuator including a first locking element which prevents movement of the pinion when the actuator is in the locked position, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator shaft extending through the pinion along the pivot axis, and first and second actuator buttons at opposite ends of the shaft, wherein the actuator can move axially along the pivot axis relative to the base member and pinion when the first or second button is pressed, one of the first and second buttons incorporating the first locking element, and wherein the button which incorporates the first locking element has a bottom surface which engages an upper surface of the base member when the actuator is in the locked position, thereby preventing relative rotation between the actuator and the base member.
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Specification