Prosthetic foot with energy returning heel and keel

• US 8,366,790 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2010
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Prosthetic Components Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Prosthetic Components Incorporated
• Inventors: Curtis, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US12/849,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20100298954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 623 47- 56
• US Class Current: 623/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/66 Feet; Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/74 fluid , i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/741 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers for implantable joints A61F2002/30563
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5009 having two or more elastomeric blocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/503 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6642 Heels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6671 C-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7635 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws

Abstract

A keel is provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a channel that 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. 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. Alternatively, heel and keel springs located at least partially external of the heel and keel can be provided. The heel spring can act against either the keel or the center support, and the keel spring can act against either the heel or the center support.

Claims

1. A prosthetic foot comprising:

a center support having a top with a connector, and a bottom;

a keel stationarily connected to said center support at a single keel position, said keel having a keel spring portion and a keel connecting portion, said keel connecting portion being connected to said center support;

a heel independent of said keel and stationarily connected to said center support at a single heel position; and

a heel spring, said heel spring acting between said heel and said keel, said heel spring being connected to said heel and to said keel connecting portion of said keel,

wherein said keel is a split keel separated by a slot having a slot width with a first keel section and a second keel section and said heel has a unitary design passing through said slot, and said heel spring has a width that is wider than said slot width.

2. The prosthetic foot of claim 1 further comprising a keel spring, said keel spring acting between said keel and said heel.

3. The prosthetic foot of claim 2 wherein:

said heel has a heel spring portion and heel connecting portion, said heel connecting portion being connected to said center support, and

said keel spring is connected to said heel at said heel connecting portion.

4. The prosthetic foot of claim 2 wherein:

said heel has a heel spring portion and heel connecting portion, said heel connecting portion being connected to said center support, and

said keel spring is connected to said heel adjacent said heel connecting portion.

5. A prosthetic foot comprising:

a center support having a top with a connector, and a bottom;

a keel stationarily connected to said center support at a single keel position, said keel having a keel spring portion and a keel connecting portion, said keel connecting portion being connected to said center support;

a heel independent of said keel and stationarily connected to said center support at a single heel position;

a heel spring, said heel spring acting between said heel and said keel, said heel spring being connected to said heel and to said keel connecting portion of said keel; and

a keel spring, said keel spring acting between said keel and said heel,

wherein;

said heel has a heel spring portion and heel connecting portion, said heel connecting portion being connected to said center support, and

said keel spring is connected to said heel at said heel connecting portion.