Patent US4566447A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4566447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop foot corrective device
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1981-06-30
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2001-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A light-weight, economical device to alleviate a plurality of difficulties encountered in walking by a victim suffering from a drop foot condition. A legband girdles the leg below the knee and above the calf providing an anchor point for the upper end of a ligament having its lower end attached to a toe of a shoe or a toe on the foot. The ligament is of such length that the foot is supported thereby and retained in a normal position during walking.
Inventors
- 👤 Bert C. Deis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0104; A61F5/0111; A61F5/0113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for assisting a person having a footdrop type disability, comprising; a leg attachment member; an elastomeric support strap secured to said leg attachment member; and a shoe with a cooperating means for attaching said support strap to said shoe, said means for attaching further comprising a loop, said loop being secured to said shoe of the wearer at a point generally on the forward portion of said shoe and on the lateral side of said shoe, while the other end of said loop is secured to said elastomeric support strap which, in turn, is secured to said leg attachment means at a point on the lateral side of the wearer's leg so that when said apparatus is worn said strap contracts to raise the wearer's foot during the time said wearer is not forcibly extending said strap by the downward extension of said foot and simultaneously effects eversion when said strap operates to raise said foot.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for assisting a person having a footdrop type disability, comprising; a leg attachment member; an elastomeric support strap secured to said leg attachment member; and a shoe with a cooperating means for attaching said support strap to said shoe, said means for attaching further comprising a loop, said loop being secured to said shoe of the wearer at a point generally on the forward portion of said shoe and on the lateral side of said shoe, while the other end of said loop is secured to said elastomeric support strap which, in turn, is secured to said leg attachment means at a point on the lateral side of the wearer's leg so that when said apparatus is worn said strap contracts to raise the wearer's foot during the time said wearer is not forcibly extending said strap by the downward extension of said foot and simultaneously effects eversion when said strap operates to raise said foot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said leg attachment member comprises an adjustable band securable to the leg at a point on the lower leg on or immediately above the calf.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said adjustable band comprises a width of fabric; and an adjustable closure device affixed to said width of fabric and cooperating therewith so that either side of said band is selectively adjustable to conform to the wearer's leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said adjustable closure device comprise lengths of adhesive cloth attached to said adjustable band and said strips so that said lengths adhere cooperatively to hold said band on the wearer's leg.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
US2536454A
Cited
US3804085A
Cited
CH593057A5
Cited
US4102337A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |