Bi-Directional Dampening and Assisting Unit
First Claim
1. A hinged splint device for applying force across a body joint comprising:
- a platform including;
a first strut and a second strut; and
a joint assembly having a threaded spline at a pivot point thereof, the threaded spline workably fixed to one of the first strut or the second strut, the other of the first strut or the second strut having a catch located radially of the pivot point, the first strut and the second strut pivoting relative to one another about the pivot point; and
a power unit including;
a torsion spring; and
a housing having an internally threaded reception slot centrally located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the reception slot workably attached to a first end of the torsion spring, the housing further having a catch receiver similarly located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the catch receiver workably attached to a second end of the torsion spring;
wherein, with a first housing side exposed away from and opposite the platform, the power unit attaches to the platform to apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in a first of two opposite directions, and aiding pivotal movement in a second of the opposite directions; and
wherein, with a second housing side exposed away from and opposite the platform, the power unit attaches to the platform to apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in the second of the opposite directions, and aiding pivotal movement in the first of the opposite directions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dynamic platform with extending struts has fastened thereto a bi-directional torsional power unit to selectively deliver force opposing either extension or flexion, and to provide assistance in a respective opposite direction. The power unit is threadably mounted on a hinge pin (spline) centrally located on the platform, and is latched to a catch assembly radially located thereto, the hinge pin of the platform communicating with one end of a torsion spring of the power unit and the catch assembly communicating with another end of the torsion spring, to selectively deliver the extension/flexion force. The power unit can be detached, with simple manual operation of the catch assembly, without tools, flipped over and reattached to the same platform attachment points to switch (reverse) extension torque to flexion torque and vice versa.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hinged splint device for applying force across a body joint comprising:
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a platform including; a first strut and a second strut; and a joint assembly having a threaded spline at a pivot point thereof, the threaded spline workably fixed to one of the first strut or the second strut, the other of the first strut or the second strut having a catch located radially of the pivot point, the first strut and the second strut pivoting relative to one another about the pivot point; and a power unit including; a torsion spring; and a housing having an internally threaded reception slot centrally located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the reception slot workably attached to a first end of the torsion spring, the housing further having a catch receiver similarly located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the catch receiver workably attached to a second end of the torsion spring; wherein, with a first housing side exposed away from and opposite the platform, the power unit attaches to the platform to apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in a first of two opposite directions, and aiding pivotal movement in a second of the opposite directions; and wherein, with a second housing side exposed away from and opposite the platform, the power unit attaches to the platform to apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in the second of the opposite directions, and aiding pivotal movement in the first of the opposite directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of reversing an angular direction of force applied by a hinge assembly for an orthotic, prosthetic or rehabilitative device, where the hinge assembly comprises:
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a platform including; a first strut and a second strut; and a joint assembly having a threaded spline at a pivot point thereof, the threaded spline workably fixed to one of the first strut or the second strut, the other of the first strut or the second strut having a spring biased catch located radially of the pivot point, the first strut and the second strut pivoting relative to one another about the pivot point; and a power unit attached to the platform, the power unit including; a torsion spring; and a housing having an internally threaded reception slot centrally located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the reception slot workably attached to a first end of the torsion spring, the housing further having a catch receiver similarly located on each of opposing housing sides of the power unit, the catch receiver workably attached to a second end of the torsion spring; the method comprising the steps of; linearly translating the catch along a longitudinal axis of the other of the first strut or the second strut, away from the pivot point and against the spring bias of the catch; pulling the power unit in a direction perpendicular of the first and the second struts, lifting the power unit off of the spline, detaching the power unit from the platform; turning the power unit over; threadably engaging the reception slot of the housing with the spline while aligning the catch receiver of the housing with the catch, without the use of tools, and without requiring use of any other point of attachment on or between either the platform or the power unit; and pressing the power unit against the platform until the spring biased catch causes snap connection of the catch to the catch receiver, thereby attaching the power unit to the platform to apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in a direction opposite that of the force applied prior to turning the power unit over, and aiding pivotal movement in a direction opposite of that provided prior to turning the power unit over.
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18. A hinge assembly for an orthotic, prosthetic or rehabilitative device, comprising:
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a first strut and a second strut pivotally attached to one another at a pivot point; a spline extending in a first direction perpendicularly through the first strut and the second strut and serving as the pivot point, the spline being rotatably fixed relative to one of the first strut and the second strut; and a torsion spring having a first end and a second end; wherein the other of the first strut and the second strut has a single catch extending in the first direction, located radially of the pivot point; wherein the first end of the torsion spring is removably attached to the extending spline and the second end of the torsion spring is removably attached to the single extending catch, the torsion spring applying a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in a first of two opposite directions, and aiding pivotal movement in a second of the opposite directions; and wherein the torsion spring is detached from the extending spline and the single extending catch, the torsion spring turned over, and the first end of the torsion spring is again removably attached to the extending spline and the second end of the torsion spring is again removably attached to the single extending catch to then apply a bias force opposing relative pivotal movement between the first and the second struts in the second of the opposite directions, and to aid pivotal movement in the first of the opposite directions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification