Abstract: An artificial limb component having one portion with an open channel cross-section and method for making the component in which woven sheets of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material in prepreg form are laid up on an inflatable expandable moulded mandrel, which is then placed in a lower mould half, a corresponding upper mould half being placed on the lower half to complete the mould. Air pressure is applied via pipe to the interior of the mandrel which is expanded within the mould halves to compress the prepreg sheets to the required shape.
Abstract: An artificial leg for an above-knee amputation. The leg includes a device for restraining knee flexion and means in which motion is produced in response to the application of torque about the hip axis. Mechanical means is provided to transfer and apply such motion to the restraining device so as either to cause the restraining device to restrain knee flexion or to release, or assist in releasing, restraint of knee flexion.
Abstract: An artificial leg employs a knee mechanism having a multi-bar linkage (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12). The leg is intended for patients having a disarticulated knee amputation or an above-knee amputation with a long thigh stump, the mechanism being situated in the upper part of the calf. The geometry of the linkage is such that the mechanism has a fixed or virtually fixed axis of rotation (16) which is projected outside the confines of the mechanism into the space occupied by the end portion of the stump. Since the mechanism is uniaxial and internal, a relatively good external appearance can be obtained.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 1978
Date of Patent:
August 5, 1980
Assignee:
Chas. A. Blatchford & Sons Limited
Inventors:
Brian G. Blatchford, Victor J. Woolnough
Abstract: An artificial leg has a stabilized knee mechanism, that is, a mechanism which resists flexion of the leg when the latter is under load. The leg has upper and lower leg components, for example thigh and shin, and the knee mechanism includes a hollow brake drum with a brake shoe inside it. The drum is connected to the thigh and the shoe to the shin. The shoe frictionally engages the inner surface of the drum to resist flexion of the leg when it is under load.