Mechanical prosthetic finger device

• US 8,337,568 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Rcm Enterprise, LLC
• Original Assignee: Charles Colin Macduff
• Inventors: Macduff, Charles Colin
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US13/183,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20120303136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 623 63- 64
• US Class Current: 623/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers

Abstract

A prosthetic finger that is able to provide independent natural movement to mimic a real finger. The present invention utilizes unique connections to provide users with natural movement and restore their ability to perform activities that require the full dexterity of their hands. Additionally, the present invention also allows users to interact with touch screens that normally would not work due to the insulating properties of other traditional prosthetic fingers.

Claims

1. A mechanical prosthetic finger device comprises,

a distal phalange;

a middle phalange;

a proximal phalange ring;

a distal pad platform;

a distal pad;

a middle pad platform;

a middle pad;

a plurality of rods;

the distal phalange comprises a distal platform fastener, a middle phalange joint channel, pair of proximal pulling hinges;

a middle phalange comprises a middle platform fastener, a pair of distal joint hinges, a pair of proximal joint hinges, and a pair of spring hinge ports;

the proximal phalange ring comprises a proximal phalange yoke and a proximal phalange frame;

the proximal phalange yoke comprises a pair of extending spring hinges, a pair of frame joint hinges, and a finger base brace;

the proximal phalange frame comprises an extended wishbone hinge, a pair of posterior yoke joint hinge, a pair of anterior phalange joint hinge;

the distal pad being adhered to the distal pad platform;

the middle pad being adhered to the middle pad platform;

the distal pad platform being secured to the distal platform fastener; and

the middle pad platform being secured to the middle platform fastener.

2. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the distal platform fastener being positioned on a lower distal surface of the distal phalange;

the middle phalange joint channel being a hole traversing through a rear end of the distal phalange; and

the pair of proximal pulling hinges being rearward and downwardly extending from the distal phalange and being positioned adjacent to the middle phalange joint channel.

3. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the middle platform fastener being positioned on a lower middle surface of the middle phalange;

the pair of distal joint hinges being extended from the middle phalange in parallel relationship to each other; and

the pair of proximal joint hinges being extended from the middles phalange opposite of the pair of distal joint hinges.

4. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the proximal phalange yoke being jointly connected to the proximal phalange frame;

and

the pair of frame joint hinges being aligned and engaged to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes.

5. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 4 comprises,

the finger base brace being a circular frame, wherein the finger base brace is shaped to fit the base of a finger;

the pair of extending spring hinges being extended from the pair of frame joint hinges; and

the pair of frame joint hinges being extended the finger base brace.

6. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 4 comprises,

the extended wishbone hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame;

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame adjacent to the extended wishbone hinge; and

the pair of posterior yoke joint holes being traversed through the proximal phalange frame.

7. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 1 comprises,

the distal phalange being connected to the middle phalange;

the proximal phalange ring 3 being connected to the middle phalange opposite of the distal phalange;

the plurality of rods being traversed through the pair of distal joint hinges, the middle phalange joint channel, the pair of proximal joint hinges, the pair of extending spring hinges, the extended wishbone hinge, and the pair of proximal pulling hinges;

wherein the plurality of rods consists of a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod;

the pair of distal joint hinges being aligned and secured to the middle phalange joint channel by the first rod;

the pair of spring hinge ports being aligned and secured to the pair of extending spring hinges by the second rod;

the extended wishbone hinge being aligned and secured to the pair of proximal pulling hinges by the third rod; and

the extended wishbone being traversed through the middle phalange.

8. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 7 comprises,

wherein each anterior phalange joint hinge comprises a middle stud;

the middle stud being outwardly protruding from each anterior phalange joint hinge; and

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinges being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of proximal joint hinges by the middle stud.

9. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 7 comprises,

wherein each frame joint hinge comprises a yoke stud;

the yoke stud being inwardly protruding from each frame joint hinge; and

the proximal phalange yoke being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes.

10. A mechanical prosthetic finger device comprises,

a distal phalange;

a middle phalange;

a proximal phalange ring;

a distal pad platform;

a distal pad;

a middle pad platform;

a middle pad;

a plurality of rods;

a touch screen mechanism;

an articulation cable;

the distal phalange comprises a distal platform fastener, a middle phalange joint channel, pair of proximal pulling hinges;

a middle phalange comprises a middle platform fastener, a pair of distal joint hinges, a pair of proximal joint hinges, and a pair of spring hinge ports;

the proximal phalange ring comprises a proximal phalange yoke and a proximal phalange frame;

the proximal phalange yoke comprises a pair of extending spring hinges, a pair of frame joint hinges, and a finger base brace;

the proximal phalange frame comprises an extended wishbone hinge, a pair of posterior yoke joint hinge, a pair of anterior phalange joint hinge;

the distal pad being adhered to the distal pad platform;

the middle pad being adhered to the middle pad platform;

the distal pad platform being secured to the distal platform fastener; and

the middle pad platform being secured to the middle platform fastener.

11. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

the distal platform fastener being positioned on a lower distal surface of the distal phalange;

the middle phalange joint channel being a hole traversing through a rear end of the distal phalange;

the pair of proximal pulling hinges being rearward and downwardly extending from the distal phalange and being positioned adjacent to the middle phalange joint channel;

the middle platform fastener being positioned on a lower middle surface of the middle phalange;

the pair of distal joint hinges being extended from the middle phalange in parallel relationship to each other; and

the pair of proximal joint hinges being extended from the middles phalange opposite of the pair of distal joint hinges.

12. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

the proximal phalange yoke being jointly connected to the proximal phalange frame;

and

the pair of frame joint hinges being aligned and engaged to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes by a rod.

13. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 12 comprises,

the finger base brace being a circular frame, wherein the finger base brace is shaped to fit the base of a finger;

the pair of extending spring hinges being extended from the pair of frame joint hinges;

the pair of frame joint hinges being extended the finger base brace;

the extended wishbone hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame;

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame adjacent to the extended wishbone hinge; and

the pair of posterior yoke joint holes being traversed through the proximal phalange frame.

14. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 10 comprises,

the distal phalange being connected to the middle phalange;

the proximal phalange ring being connected to the middle phalange opposite of the distal phalange;

the plurality of rods being traversed through the pair of distal joint hinges, the middle phalange joint channel, the pair of proximal joint hinges, the pair of extending spring hinges, the extended wishbone hinge, and the pair of proximal pulling hinges;

wherein the plurality of rods consists of a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod;

the pair of distal joint hinges being aligned and secured to the middle phalange joint channel by the first rod;

the pair of spring hinge ports being aligned and secured to the pair of extending spring hinges by the second rod;

the extended wishbone hinge being aligned and secured to the pair of proximal pulling hinges by the third rod; and

the extended wishbone being traversed through the middle phalange.

15. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 14 comprises,

wherein each anterior phalange joint hinge comprises a middle stud;

the middle stud being outwardly protruding from each anterior phalange joint hinge;

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinges being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of proximal joint hinges by the middle stud;

wherein each frame joint hinge comprises a yoke stud;

the yoke stud being inwardly protruding from each frame joint hinge; and

the proximal phalange yoke being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes.

16. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 11 comprises,

the articulation cable being connected to the proximal phalange frame and the lower distal surface and being traversed through the middle phalange;

the touch screen mechanism comprises a conductive thread, and a conductive loop;

the distal phalange having two channels and two holes;

the two holes being positioned on a first distal tip corner and a second distal tip corner leading into the two channels;

the conductive loop being traversed through the two channels, wherein the conductive loop is looped through the two channels multiple times; and

the conductive loop being connected to the finger base brace.

17. A mechanical prosthetic finger device comprises,

a distal phalange;

a middle phalange;

a proximal phalange ring;

a distal pad platform;

a distal pad;

a middle pad platform;

a middle pad;

a plurality of rods;

a touch screen mechanism;

an articulation cable;

the distal phalange comprises a distal platform fastener, a middle phalange joint channel, pair of proximal pulling hinges;

a middle phalange comprises a middle platform fastener, a pair of distal joint hinges, a pair of proximal joint hinges, and a pair of spring hinge ports;

the proximal phalange ring comprises a proximal phalange yoke and a proximal phalange frame;

the proximal phalange yoke comprises a pair of extending spring hinges, a pair of frame joint hinges, and a finger base brace;

the proximal phalange frame comprises an extended wishbone hinge, a pair of posterior yoke joint hinge, a pair of anterior phalange joint hinge;

the distal pad being adhered to the distal pad platform;

the middle pad being adhered to the middle pad platform;

the distal pad platform being secured to the distal platform fastener;

the middle pad platform being secured to the middle platform fastener;

the distal platform fastener being positioned on a lower distal surface of the distal phalange;

the middle phalange joint channel being a hole traversing through a rear end of the distal phalange;

the pair of proximal pulling hinges being rearward and downwardly extending from the distal phalange and being positioned adjacent to the middle phalange joint channel;

the middle platform fastener being positioned on a lower middle surface of the middle phalange;

the pair of distal joint hinges being extended from the middle phalange in parallel relationship to each other;

the pair of proximal joint hinges being extended from the middles phalange opposite of the pair of distal joint hinges;

the proximal phalange yoke being jointly connected to the proximal phalange frame; and

the pair of frame joint hinges being aligned and engaged to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes by a rod.

18. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 17 comprises,

the finger base brace being a circular frame, wherein the finger base brace is shaped to fit the base of a finger;

the pair of extending spring hinges being extended from the pair of frame joint hinges;

the pair of frame joint hinges being extended the finger base brace;

the extended wishbone hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame;

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinge being extended from the proximal phalange frame adjacent to the extended wishbone hinge; and

the pair of posterior yoke joint holes being traversed through the proximal phalange frame.

19. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 17 comprises,

the distal phalange being connected to the middle phalange;

the proximal phalange ring being connected to the middle phalange opposite of the distal phalange;

the plurality of rods being traversed through the pair of distal joint hinges, the middle phalange joint channel, the pair of proximal joint hinges, the pair of extending spring hinges, the extended wishbone hinge, and the pair of proximal pulling hinges;

wherein the plurality of rods consists of a first rod, a second rod, and a third rod;

the pair of distal joint hinges being aligned and secured to the middle phalange joint channel by the first rod;

the pair of spring hinge ports being aligned and secured to the pair of extending spring hinges by the second rod;

the extended wishbone hinge being aligned and secured to the pair of proximal pulling hinges by the third rod; and

the extended wishbone being traversed through the middle phalange.

20. The mechanical prosthetic finger device as claimed in claim 17 comprises,

wherein each anterior phalange joint hinge comprises a middle stud;

the middle stud being outwardly protruding from each anterior phalange joint hinge;

the pair of anterior phalange joint hinges being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of proximal joint hinges by the middle stud;

wherein each frame joint hinge comprises a yoke stud;

the yoke stud being inwardly protruding from each frame joint hinge; and

the proximal phalange yoke being aligned and jointly secured to the pair of posterior yoke joint holes.