Prosthetic elbow with a motor-driven release mechanism
First Claim
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1. A prosthetic arm having:
- a forearm;
an elbow joint having a locking means and an engageable means which is engaged by the locking means to prevent bending of the elbow;
an upper arm connected to the forearm via the elbow joint;
a motor connected mechanically to drive the forearm relative to the upper arm about the elbow joint;
an actuable withdrawing means connected to withdraw the locking means from engagement with the engageable means;
a drive circuit connected electrically to the motor for regulating operation thereof;
a switching means connected to the withdrawing means, and which is closed upon initial actuation of the withdrawing means;
a pulsing circuit connected electrically to be triggered upon closure of the switching means and to generate a pulsed output to the motor via the drive circuit when so triggered, such that the elbow is bent slightly;
wherein further actuation of the withdrawing means disengages the locking means from the engageable means.
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Abstract
The invention concerns a releasing means for a prosthetic elbow locking mechanism. When an elbow unlocking cable is tensed by the amputee, a switch is closed, triggering a one-shot circuit. The one-shot circuit emits a single pulse which drives the motor of the prosthetic elbow, turning the motor a few degrees and lifting the arm such that any frictional engagement between an elbow locking pawl and an elbow gear is relaxed. The locking pawl is readily withdrawn from engagement with the gear, once the motor is pulsed, upon continued application of further tension to the elbow unlocking cable.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A prosthetic arm having:
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a forearm; an elbow joint having a locking means and an engageable means which is engaged by the locking means to prevent bending of the elbow; an upper arm connected to the forearm via the elbow joint; a motor connected mechanically to drive the forearm relative to the upper arm about the elbow joint; an actuable withdrawing means connected to withdraw the locking means from engagement with the engageable means; a drive circuit connected electrically to the motor for regulating operation thereof; a switching means connected to the withdrawing means, and which is closed upon initial actuation of the withdrawing means; a pulsing circuit connected electrically to be triggered upon closure of the switching means and to generate a pulsed output to the motor via the drive circuit when so triggered, such that the elbow is bent slightly; wherein further actuation of the withdrawing means disengages the locking means from the engageable means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification