Locking prosthetic knee

• US 4,023,215 A
• Filed: 02/17/1976
• Issued: 05/17/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert R. Moore
• Original Assignee: Robert R. Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/658,628
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 3/22-29, 3/2, 3/1
• US Class Current: 623/43
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/64 Knee joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6854 for locking or unlocking a joint

Abstract

A prosthetic knee construction includes a single axis mechanism secured in a knee of rigid foam, wood, or similar material, and a leg shank pivotally secured to the lateral shaft of the mechanism. The shank is of hollow foam, wood, or similar construction, and includes a spaced pair of metal supports extending from the axis downwardly through the foam to a spool disposed in the middle of the shank. An elastic extension assist may be secured between the spool and the knee mechanism to resiliently urge the assembly toward full extension. The mechanism may be provided with a friction assembly impinging on the knee axis, and may be provided with a manually operated lock, as required according to the abilities and desires of the wearer.

Claims

1. A knee prosthesis, comprising a knee member formed substantially of a rigid foam material, a knee mechanism secured in said knee member and including a lateral passage therethrough, a leg shank member formed substantially of rigid foam material, a pair of opposed reinforcing members anchored in the side walls of said shank member and extending from the top thereof to at least a medial portion thereof, the upper ends of said reinforcing members including aligned holes therethrough, a pivot member extending through said aligned holes and through said passage in said knee mechanism, a lock base plate extending laterally between the upper end portions of said reinforcing members, a detent member extending upwardly from said lock base plate, a latch assembly disposed in said knee mechanism;

said latch assembly including a slot, a latch member disposed in said slot and translatable toward and resiliently biased toward engagement with said detent member, said knee mechanism including a friction shoe assembly adjacent to and communicating with said passage, a spool disposed within a medial portion of said shank member and secured between said reinforcing members, an elastic member extending between said spool and said knee mechanism, said spool being angularly adjustable to vary the tension in said elastic member.

2. The knee prosthesis of claim 1, further including bowden cable means secured to said latch member for translating said latch member into and out of engagement with said detent member.