Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An energy-storing artificial foot (10) comprising a keel (12) having an upper load receiving portion (12A), an elongate resiliently deflectable lower portion (12B) extending lengthwise in the foot from a heel portion (10A) of the foot to an anterior portion (10B) of the foot, the load receiving portion (12A) being connected to the lower keel portion (12B) in the heel portion (10A) of the foot, and characterised by a dorsi-flexion restricting device (27) for location between an anterior end part (12E) of the load receiving portion (12A) and the lower keel portion (12B).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An artificial foot according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower keel portion (12B) is separately formed from the load-receiving portion (12A), the lower keel portion being formed as a leaf spring which is secured at its posterior endto the load receiving portion, the latter being a substantially rigid component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An artificial foot according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the load receiving portion (12A) includes means (14) for securing the foot (10) to an upper limb component, and wherein the restricting device (27) is located at a position to the anterior of the securing means (14).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An artificial foot according to claim 3, characterised in that the restricting device comprises a buffer element (27).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An artificial foot according to claim 4, characterised in that the buffer element (27) is displaceable from its position between the load receiving portion (12A) and lower keel portion (12B).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An artificial foot according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the buffer element (27) is a block of elastomeric material, and is insertable and removable into and from its location between the said anterior end part (12E) and the lower keel portion (12B) transversely of the foot (10).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An artificial foot according to claim 6, characterised by a cosmetic covering (13A) having a displaceable flap (13B) located on one side of the foot in registry with the buffer element (27).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An artificial foot according to any preceding claim, further characterised by an adjustable support member (28) coupling the upper load receiving portion (12A) and the lower keel portion (12B), the longitudinal position of the support member (28) being variable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A lower limb prosthesis including a foot (10) according to any preceding claim and characterised by an ankle joint assembly (13) having a first part (44) for connection to an upper component of the prosthesis, a second part (46) connected to the load receiving portion (12A) of the keel (12), and means (44A, 48, 54, 56) connecting the second part (46) to the first part (44) and arranged to allow plantar flexion of the ankle joint assembly (13) relative to a neutral state, but substantially to prevent dorsi-flexion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An energy-storing artificial foot comprising a keel (12) having an upper load receiving portion (12U) extending lengthwise in the foot (10) in the anterior direction from the heel region (10H) of the foot to form a mounting part for mounting an upper limb component, and, secured to the upper load receiving portion (12U) in the heel region (10H), an elongate resiliently deflectable lower portion(12L) extending lengthwise in the foot from the said heel region (10H) to an anterior portion (10B) of the foot, the lower portion (12L) being spaced from the mounting part and being formed separately from the upper load receiving portion (12U).