Artificial polycentric knee joint
First Claim
1. An artificial polycentric knee-joint mechanism interconnecting an upper stump-receiving socket member and a lower swingable shank member defining a prosthetic leg member, wherein the knee joint comprises:
- a substantially stationary mounting block secured to the upper socket member, forming a transverse link member;
a support carriage secured to the lower shank member, defining a second link member;
pivot means interconnecting said mounting block to said support carriage comprising;
a first substantially vertical linkage bar positioned forward on said block and said carriage;
a second substantially vertical linkage bar juxtapositioned aft of said first linkage bar, allowing geniculation between the stump receiving socket and the swingable shank member;
biasing means connected between said second linkage bar and said support carriage;
braking means supported in said carriage for engagement with said mounting block, whereby the swing action of the shank member is controlled thereby; and
shock absorbing means arranged to engage said first linkage bar when said shank member swingably returns to a fully extended position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An artificial polycentric knee-joint mechanism comprising a four-bar linkage arranged to provide a motion similar to a normal knee having positive stability during ambulation. The four bars include a knee-mounting block mounted to the stump-receiving socket member and a lower linkage support-carriage member affixed to the lower limb component, the mounting block and linkage support being operably interconnected by side bar links, one of which is tension controlled. Also, included is a braking control to insure normal swing phase movement of the artificial leg and a shock absorbing device to prevent excess terminal impact when the lower limb returns to the extended position of the leg prosthesis.
72 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An artificial polycentric knee-joint mechanism interconnecting an upper stump-receiving socket member and a lower swingable shank member defining a prosthetic leg member, wherein the knee joint comprises:
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a substantially stationary mounting block secured to the upper socket member, forming a transverse link member; a support carriage secured to the lower shank member, defining a second link member; pivot means interconnecting said mounting block to said support carriage comprising; a first substantially vertical linkage bar positioned forward on said block and said carriage; a second substantially vertical linkage bar juxtapositioned aft of said first linkage bar, allowing geniculation between the stump receiving socket and the swingable shank member; biasing means connected between said second linkage bar and said support carriage; braking means supported in said carriage for engagement with said mounting block, whereby the swing action of the shank member is controlled thereby; and shock absorbing means arranged to engage said first linkage bar when said shank member swingably returns to a fully extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification