Pivot device between parts of an orthopedic aid

• US 5,888,236 A
• Filed: 01/22/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OTTO BOCK Orthopadische Industrie Besitz und Verwaltungs KG
• Original Assignee: OTTO BOCK Orthopadische Industrie Besitz und Verwaltungs KG
• Inventors: van de Veen, Paul Gerad
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/787,572
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 403/116, 403/117, 403/113, 403/112, 623/43-46, 623/39, 602/16, 602/26
• US Class Current: 623/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/644 of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32581 Pin and slot

Abstract

The invention relates to a device producing a stance flexion. This goal is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that in the initial position of the multi-element joint system one element (joint element) can execute two movements with respect to the other elements (joint elements) connected to it, with at least one movement, after its initiation, at least predominantly blocking the other possible movement.

Claims

1. A pivot device for use between parts of an orthopedic aid, comprising:

a multi-element kinematic joint chain having at least four joint elements, and

rotation means connecting respective ones of said joint elements, wherein the elements connected with one another have a common rotational axis, and said rotation means are positioned parallel to one another,

wherein said joint chain includes at least a first position representing full extension, said first position provides at least two different modes of joint flexion, in said first position, a first element of said joint elements performs a first type of movement and a second type of movement with respect to remaining joint elements of said joint elements connected to a first side of said first element, wherein said first type of movement, when initiated before said second type of movement, blocks said second type of movement and said second type of movement, when initiated before said first type of movement, blocks said first type of movement,

a front joint element of said joint elements pivotally coupled with an upper connecting joint element and a lower connecting joint element, a pivoting movement of the front joint element is substantially limited by at least one stop,

a rear joint element of said joint elements being positioned substantially behind the front joint element in a walking direction, the rear joint element is pivotally connected at one end with the upper connecting joint element and at the other end with the lower connecting joint element so that the rear joint element in a starting position can perform a parallel displacement and a pivoting movement with respect to the lower connecting joint element,

a coupling element connected with the lower connecting joint element,

a spring element, and

at least a second stop positioned proximate to the spring element, the spring element and the at least second stop counteract the parallel displacement movement,

wherein following an initiation of the parallel displacement movement, the pivoting movement of the rear joint element with respect to the lower connecting joint element is substantially prevented at least partly by the coupling element.

2. A pivot device for use between parts of an orthopedic aid, comprising:

a multi-element kinematic joint chain having at least four joint elements, and

rotation means connecting respective ones of said joint elements, wherein the elements connected with one another have a common rotational axis, and said rotation means are positioned parallel to one another,

wherein said joint chain includes at least a first position representing full extension, said first position provides at least two different modes of joint flexion, in said first position, a first element of said joint elements performs a first type of movement and a second type of movement with respect to remaining joint elements of said joint elements connected to a first side of said first element, wherein said first type of movement, when initiated before said second type of movement, blocks said second type of movement and said second type of movement, when initiated before said first type of movement, blocks said first type of movement,

a front joint element of said joint elements being pivotally coupled with an upper connecting joint element and a coupling element, a pivoting movement of the front joint element is substantially limited by at least one stop,

a rear joint element of said joint elements being located substantially behind the front joint element in a walking direction, one end of the rear joint element is pivotally connected with the upper connecting joint element and the other end of the rear joint element is pivotally connected with a lower connecting joint element so that the rear joint element can perform a parallel displacement and a pivoting movement with respect to the coupling element in an initial position,

a spring element, and

at least a second stop, the spring element and the at least second stop counteract the pivoting movement and parallel displacement movement of the rear joint element,

wherein following initiation of the parallel displacement movement, the pivoting movement of the rear joint element with respect to the lower connecting joint element is substantially prevented substantially partly by the pivoting connection of the rear joint element with the coupling element.