Prosthetic foot with a processor to manage energy return of adjustable heel and keel springs
First Claim
1. A prosthetic foot comprising:
- a rigid center support having a top with a connector, a bottom, a keel washer and a heel washer, wherein said top is removably connected to said bottom;
a keel stationarily connected to said rigid center support at a single keel position between said bottom and said keel washer, said keel having an adjustable flexibility and having a keel top and comprises a keel channel open to said keel top and oriented laterally across said keel, wherein the flexibility of said keel is increased at said keel channel;
a heel stationarily connected to said rigid center support at a single heel position between said bottom and said heel washer, said heel having an adjustable flexibility and having a heel top and comprises a heel channel open to said heel top and oriented laterally across said heel, wherein the flexibility of said heel is increased at said heel channel; and
a processor that is electronically operable, wherein said processor selects the flexibility of said keel and said heel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keel is provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a split section that is divided into two sections. Each section can have a top open channel formed therein. Each channel is compressible during compression of the keel. A variably adjustable compression member can be provided. The connecting portion is rigidly connected to a rigid center support. The top of the center support can have a threaded connector, which allows for vertically adjustable connection of an adjacent prosthetic component. A heel is also provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a top open channel formed therein. The channel is compressible during compression of the heel. A variably adjustable compression member can be placed within the channel. A processor can be provided for controlling the amount of compression of each compression member.
31 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A prosthetic foot comprising:
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a rigid center support having a top with a connector, a bottom, a keel washer and a heel washer, wherein said top is removably connected to said bottom; a keel stationarily connected to said rigid center support at a single keel position between said bottom and said keel washer, said keel having an adjustable flexibility and having a keel top and comprises a keel channel open to said keel top and oriented laterally across said keel, wherein the flexibility of said keel is increased at said keel channel; a heel stationarily connected to said rigid center support at a single heel position between said bottom and said heel washer, said heel having an adjustable flexibility and having a heel top and comprises a heel channel open to said heel top and oriented laterally across said heel, wherein the flexibility of said heel is increased at said heel channel; and a processor that is electronically operable, wherein said processor selects the flexibility of said keel and said heel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification