US3580244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Therapeutic device oscillating device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-03-20
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A therapeutic device used to relieve and prevent heel cord contractures, including a foot-supporting plate member pivotally mounted about a laterally extending axis located substantially beneath the ankle joint of the supported foot, and including a reciprocating hydraulic motor connected to the plate member to cause oscillation thereof. They hydraulic circuit for operating the motor includes a shiftable reversing valve that is selectively operable to control the angular extent of the plate member oscillations, and includes selectively adjustable flow control valves for regulating the speed of oscillation of the plate member. Additionally, the hydraulic circuit may include a selectively adjustable pressure relief valve for controlling the force applied to the supported foot by the plate member.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary E Graves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0237; A61H1/0266; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0173; A61H2201/018; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1238; A61H2201/1246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A therapeutic device for use in relieving and preventing heel cord contractures or the like, said device including a mounting frame having a foot-supporting plate member mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a laterally extending axis located substantially directly beneath the ankle joint of the supported foot, means for automatically oscillating said foot plate member about said axis thereof, control means for selectively regulating the speed and the angular extent of the oscillation of said plate member and for selectively controlling the force applied to said supported foot by said oscillating plate member, and an extendable leg-supporting member carried by said mounting frame adjacent said plate member, said leg-supporting member including securing means to hold said supported leg immobilized during oscillation of its associated foot by said plate member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A therapeutic device for use in relieving and preventing heel cord contractures or the like, said device including a mounting frame having a foot-supporting plate member mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a laterally extending axis located substantially directly beneath the ankle joint of the supported foot, means for automatically oscillating said foot plate member about said axis thereof, control means for selectively regulating the speed and the angular extent of the oscillation of said plate member and for selectively controlling the force applied to said supported foot by said oscillating plate member, and an extendable leg-supporting member carried by said mounting frame adjacent said plate member, said leg-supporting member including securing means to hold said supported leg immobilized during oscillation of its associated foot by said plate member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A therapeutic device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said oscillating means includes a fluid motor having a double-acting reciprocating piston operatively connected to said plate member, a source of pressurized fluid and conduit means connecting said source to the opposite sides of said piston, and shiftable valve means in said conduit means for alternatively supplying fluid to the opposite sides of said piston, and in that said control means includes selectively adjustable flow varying means in said conduit means for varying the flow of fluid to said piston to regulate the speed of oscillation of said plate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A therapeutic device as defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said conduit means includes first and second conduits connecTed respectively to said fluid motor at each side of said piston, and in that said flow varying means includes a selectively adjustable flow control valve in each of said first and second conduits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A therapeutic device as claimed in claim 3 and further characterized in that said control means additionally includes a pair of oppositely acting solenoids connected to operate said shiftable valve means, an electrical switch connected in circuit with each of said solenoids for energizing said solenoids, respectively, when said switches are closed, and selectively adjustable switch-closing means movable with said plate member to close said switches alternately for determining thereby the limits of oscillation of said plate member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A therapeutic device as claimed in claim 4 and further characterized in that said plate member is connected to a pivot shaft carried by said mounting frame, in that said switch-closing means includes a bracket member fixed to said pivot shaft for movement therewith and having a pair of screw elements adjustably depending from said bracket member, and in that electrical switches are carried by said mounting frame for disposition in the path of screw elements, respectively, during oscillation of said plate member and said pivot shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |