Patents by Inventor Alexander Folz

Alexander Folz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Passive ankle prosthesis with energy return
    Patent number: 10898349
    Abstract: An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Marquette University
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schimmels, Alexander Folz, ShuGuang Huang
  • PASSIVE ANKLE PROSTHESIS WITH ENERGY RETURN
    Publication number: 20190175364
    Abstract: An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Marquette University
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schimmels, Alexander Folz, ShuGuang Huang