ADJUSTABLE WALKING APPARATUS

• US 20170135838A1
• Filed: 10/27/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortho Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ortho Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: EASTWOOD, Steve, NELSON, SR., Mark Scott, BENNETT, Dwight Paul, GRIM, Tracy E., WATABE, Kenji, HECKER, Steven L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles

Abstract

A walking apparatus is provided that includes a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising a heel portion, a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion, wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

Claims

1. A walking apparatus, comprising:

a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising;

a heel portion;

a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion;

wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

60. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one dorsal forefoot section having an adjustable width; and

at least one side portion configured to enable an adjustment in the width of the at least one dorsal forefoot section when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one side portion is formed with a tapered shape and is configured to remain stationary when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the tapered shape of the at least one side portion is configured to enable an expansion or a compression of the at least one dorsal forefoot section, when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one dorsal forefoot section includes a left dorsal forefoot section and a right dorsal forefoot section.

64. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forefoot portion comprises an adjustable width and includes at least one ventral forefoot section.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the forefoot portion further includes an actuator configured to enable an adjustment in the width of the at least one ventral forefoot section.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein:

the at least one ventral forefoot section includes a left ventral section and a right ventral section; and

the actuator includes a cam that when rotated is configured to cause a displacement of the left ventral section of the forefoot portion and the right ventral section such that the displacement enables a widening or narrowing of the forefoot portion.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the cam includes an aperture configured to receive a tool that enables rotation.

68. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuator mechanism operatively coupled to at least one of the forefoot portion and the heel portion, the actuator mechanism configured to enable the adjustment of the forefoot portion from the first position to the at least one other position.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises:

a cantilever configured for actuation;

a plurality of arms operatively coupled to the cantilever; and

a plurality of ridges including a plurality of gaps therebetween;

wherein the plurality of arms are configured for retention in the plurality of gaps between the plurality of ridges.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein when the cantilever is actuated, the plurality of arms are configured to clear a height of the plurality of ridges enabling the adjustment of the forefoot portion from the first position to the at least one other position.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the cantilever is spring loaded such that when the cantilever is no longer actuated, the plurality of arms are configured to return to the plurality of gaps between the plurality of ridges.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the forefoot portion comprises a surface having an aperture configured to enable actuation of the cantilever.

73. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the actuator mechanism further comprises:

a tracking plate operatively coupled to the cantilever and a plurality of dorsal forefoot sections; and

a plurality of tracks configured to enable translational movement of the tracking plate when the cantilever is actuated;

wherein the tracking plate is configured to enable the plurality of dorsal forefoot sections to move in unison when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the plurality of tracks are angled with respect to one another to enable either a widening or a narrowing of the plurality of dorsal forefoot portions when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

75. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises:

an actuator;

a spring operatively coupled to the actuator;

an arm operatively coupled to the actuator, the arm including a plurality of ridges with a plurality of gaps therebetween; and

a boss configured for retention in the plurality of gaps between the plurality of ridges.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein when a force is applied to the actuator, the spring is configured to enable the boss to clear a height of the plurality of ridges enabling the adjustment of the forefoot portion from the first position to the at least one other position.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein when the force is applied to the actuator the forefoot portion automatically adjusts from the first position to the at least one other position.

78. The apparatus of claim 75, further comprising a plurality of actuator mechanisms, wherein at least one actuator mechanism is positioned on opposing sides of the at least one of the forefoot portion and the heel portion.

2. -59. (canceled)

79. A walking apparatus, comprising:

a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising;

a treaded surface;

a heel portion; and

a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion;

wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position, and

wherein when the length of the sole adjusts from the first length to the second length, a length of the treaded surface adjusts to traverse the second length of the sole.

80. A walking apparatus, comprising:

a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising;

a heel portion; and

a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion,

wherein the heel portion and the forefoot portion form a radius of curvature of the sole,

wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position, and

wherein the radius of curvature of the sole is maintained when the length of the sole adjusts from the first length to the second length.