Patent US4792340A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4792340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Prosthetic ankle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-07-27
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A prosthetic ankle having an elongated tubular shank, which provides bending. The shank is part of a monolithic ankle with the lower portion being a flexure joint. The flexure joint has a flexing post defined by an entrapment kerf. The entrapment kerf allows relatively free movement of flexure within defined limits in axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, inversion and eversion. The kerf surfaces provide resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan L. Aulie
- 👤 Ernest M. Burgess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/68; A61F2/70; A61F2/72; A61F2/60; A61F2/66; A61F2/6607; A61F2002/5072; A61F2002/5079; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/54; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic ankle providing movement under loading as a prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion having an axial centerline and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post positioned rearwardly of the axial centerline of the shank portion and formed in the shape of an axially short column intended to take high reversing axial loads and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axis of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic ankle providing movement under loading as a prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion having an axial centerline and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post positioned rearwardly of the axial centerline of the shank portion and formed in the shape of an axially short column intended to take high reversing axial loads and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axis of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, said kerf being defined by a generally vertical rearward portion, a generally horizontal, intermediate portion, a double convolute stop and resistance portion, and a generally horizontal forward portion, each portion extending transversely across the width of the flexure joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, said kerf being defined by a generally vertical rearward portion, a generally horizontal, intermediate portion, a double convolute stop and resistance portion, and a generally horizontal forward portion, each portion extending transversely across the width of the flexure joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The ankle of claim 2, said stop and resistance portion having opposed lateral edges at each convolute that provide positive stops to limit axial rotation in either direction, the stop and resistance portion having opposed surfaces between the convolutes for limiting plantarflexion, said kerf forward portion having opposed surfaces for limiting dorsiflexion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ankle of claim 3, said kerf forward portion with its opposed surfaces for limiting dorsiflexion during dorsiflexion loading providing friction surfaces when touching during dorsiflexion to resist axial rotational movement caused by the dorsiflexion loading.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, wherein the shank is flexible.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, wherein the shank is flexible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A prosthetic ankle providing movement under loading as a prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank having an axial centerline and a lower flexure joint, the flexure joint being defined by a rearward flexing post positioned rearwardly of the axial centerline of the shank, formed in the shape of an axially short column intended to take high reversing axial loads and formed by a forward kerf extending across the joint and forward, exiting from the front of the flexure joint, the shank and flexing post providing movement under loading to produce axial rotation, inversion and eversion, and dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the forward kerf providing freedom of movement but within defined -limit stops.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A prosthetic ankle providing movement under loading as a prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank having an axial centerline and a lower flexure joint, the flexure joint being defined by a rearward flexing post positioned rearwardly of the axial centerline of the shank, formed in the shape of an axially short column intended to take high reversing axial loads and formed by a forward kerf extending across the joint and forward, exiting from the front of the flexure joint, the shank and flexing post providing movement under loading to produce axial rotation, inversion and eversion, and dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the forward kerf providing freedom of movement but within defined -limit stops.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ankle of claim 6, wherein said kerf provides frictional resistance against heel lateral separation and axial rotation during dorsiflexion.
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) | 1991-12-20 | 1992-06-20 | 1992-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-06-20 | 1996-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-20 | 2000-06-20 | 2000-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |