Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A mechanical prosthesis of a knee with a brake system for locking the knee and comprising a thigh member; a leg member; brake means joining said thigh and leg members and having a drum member in said thigh member; an inverted U-shaped support integral with said drum member, the base of said U-shaped support being fixed to a rigid plate member on said thigh member; a band member surrounding said drum and being open at a single point; two parallel and perforated flat radial lugs on said band and located respectively above and below said opening; a tie-rod passing through said lugs, said tie-rod being bevelled on its upper portion; a nut engaging a threaded portion of said tie-rod on said upper portion of said tie-rod; pin means passing through said nut and said tie-rod to lock said nut to said tie-rod; lever means with unequal arms connected to the lower portion of said tie-rod, said lower portion of said tie-rod being U-shaped, said band having a projection on which said lever means is pivoted, the shorter arm of said lever means being connected with said tie-rod and the longer arm of said lever means being curved at its rear portion to form a substantially vertical portion, said vertical portion of said longer arm being threaded, and a nut engaging the threaded portion of said longer arm and abutting a portion on said leg member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A mechanical prosthesis of a knee with a brake system for locking the knee and comprising a thigh member; a leg member; brake means joining said thigh and leg members and having a drum member in said thigh member; an inverted U-shaped support integral with said drum member, the base of said U-shaped support being fixed to a rigid plate member on said thigh member; a band member surrounding said drum and being open at a single point; two parallel and perforated flat radial lugs on said band and located respectively above and below said opening; a tie-rod passing through said lugs, said tie-rod being bevelled on its upper portion; a nut engaging a threaded portion of said tie-rod on said upper portion of said tie-rod; pin means passing through said nut and said tie-rod to lock said nut to said tie-rod; lever means with unequal arms connected to the lower portion of said tie-rod, said lower portion of said tie-rod being U-shaped, said band having a projection on which said lever means is pivoted, the shorter arm of said lever means being connected with said tie-rod and the longer arm of said lever means being curved at its rear portion to form a substantially vertical portion, said vertical portion of said longer arm being threaded, and a nut engaging the threaded portion of said longer arm and abutting a portion on said leg member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A mechanical prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein said brake system comprises a first immobile part including said thigh member and formed by said drum member and said support, said first part forming an anchorage point, a second part of said brake system being formed by said band, said lever means, said projection on said band, said tie-rod, said second part being dependent on the dynamic activity of said leg member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A mechanical prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein when said leg member rests on the ground either in erect position or forming an angle with said thigh member, the load received by the pivot of said lever means being transmitted to said tie-rod for closing said band against said drum to block said drum and lock said knee.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mechanical prosthesis as defined in claim 3 wherein the braking intensity of said band on said drum member is controlled by said tie-rod nut in direct relation to the weight to be carried.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mechanical prosthesis as defined in claim 4 wherein the distance of the pivot of said lever means with respect to said plate member is substantially short, said leg member bearing substantially all the functional activity of the knee.