Energy storing foot plate
View Patent ↗Compositions are provided for a prosthetic ankle comprising: a joint housing having a bottom surface, a clevis coupled to the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing, a prosthetic coupling structure that couples the clevis to an amputee, and an articulating joint contained in the joint housing. Additionally, a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing can be curved allowing a substrate a preset amount of flexion when coupled thereto and flexed in a concave position.
1. A prosthetic ankle, comprising:
a substrate;
a joint housing having a bottom surface;
a clevis coupled to the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing;
a prosthetic coupling structure for coupling the clevis to an amputee;
an articulating joint contained in the joint housing;
wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing is curved allowing the substrate a preset amount of flexion when coupled thereto and flexed in a concave position;
a toe-off spring coupled to at least a portion of the substrate;
a toe-lift spring coupled to at least a portion of the clevis, wherein at least a portion of the toe-lift spring is between the joint housing and the toe-off spring; and
wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing is curved allowing the toe-off spring and the toe-lift spring a preset amount of flexion when flexed in a concave position.
2. The prosthetic ankle of claim 1 , wherein the articulating joint is selected from the group consisting of rotary hub, ball and socket, hinge and pin, roller bearing, and ball bearing.
3. The prosthetic ankle of claim 2 , wherein the articulating joint is a rotary hub and the joint housing forms a first chamber having a first opening and wherein the prosthetic ankle further comprises a vane extending outwardly from the rotary hub, wherein the vane is configured to actuate fluid flow through the first opening.
4. The prosthetic ankle of claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism that locks the articulating joint with respect to the joint housing.
5. The prosthetic ankle of claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism is a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
6. The prosthetic ankle of claim 1 , wherein the clevis is coupled to the substrate through the joint housing.
7. The prosthetic foot of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is concave on the surface furthest from the joint housing.
8. A prosthetic foot, comprising:
a sole plate;
a joint housing having a bottom surface;
a clevis coupled to the sole plate and the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing;
a prosthetic coupling structure for coupling the clevis to an amputee;
wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing is curved allowing the sole plate a preset amount of flexion when flexed in a concave position;
a toe-off spring coupled to at least a portion of the sole plate, and wherein the joint housing is semi-rigidly coupled to the toe-off spring;
a toe-lift spring coupled to at least a portion of the toe-off spring and the joint housing;
a toe-lift spring retainer coupled to the toe-off spring to restrict movement of an end of the toe-lift spring in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the toe-off spring; and
wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing is curved allowing the toe-off spring and the toe-lift spring a preset amount of flexion when flexed in a concave position.
9. The prosthetic foot of claim 8 , wherein the clevis is coupled to the joint housing in at least two locations.
10. The prosthetic foot of claim 8 , wherein the joint housing is semi-rigidly coupled to the toe-off spring.
11. The prosthetic foot of claim 8 , wherein the joint housing is semi-rigidly coupled to the sole plate.
12. The prosthetic foot of claim 8 , further comprising an articulating joint contained in the joint housing.
13. The prosthetic foot of claim 12 , wherein the articulating joint is selected from the group consisting of a rotary hub, a ball and socket, a hinge and pin, a roller bearing, and a ball bearing.
14. The prosthetic foot of claim 13 , wherein the articulating joint is a rotary hub and the joint housing forms a first chamber having a first opening and wherein the prosthetic ankle further comprises a vane extending outwardly from the rotary hub, wherein the vane is configured to actuate fluid flow through the first opening.
15. The prosthetic foot of claim 12 , further comprising a locking mechanism that locks the articulating joint with respect to the joint housing.
16. The prosthetic foot of claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism is a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
17. The prosthetic foot of claim 8 , wherein the sole plate is concave on the surface furthest from the joint housing.
18. A prosthetic foot, comprising:
a sole plate;
a joint housing having a bottom surface;
a clevis coupled to the sole plate and the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing;
a toe-off spring coupled to at least a portion of the sole plate;
a toe-lift spring coupled to at least a portion of the clevis, wherein at least a portion of the toe-lift spring is between the joint housing and the toe-off spring; and
a rotary hub disposed within the joint housing and configured to act as an articulating joint;
wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing is curved allowing the toe-off spring and the toe-lift spring a preset amount of flexion when flexed in a concave position.
19. The prosthetic foot of claim 18 , wherein the toe-lift spring is semi-rigidly coupled to the toe-off spring.