Patents by Inventor Eric W. Rubie

Eric W. Rubie 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).

  • Publication number: 20210186715
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot cover device is described. The prosthetic foot cover may include a lattice framework formed to resemble a human foot. The lattice framework has a plurality of lattice cells to form the lattice framework. The prosthetic foot cover may have an inner cavity formed in the lattice framework which is sized and shaped to contain a prosthetic foot, and the inner cavity has an opening to receive the prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot may have a foot pad that is an outer membrane layer and is joined with a portion of the lattice framework to support a portion of the lattice foot framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Jonathan A. Winegar, Phillip M. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210177628
    Abstract: A prosthetic foot cover device with a pressure chamber is described. The prosthetic foot cover may include a lattice framework formed to replace a human foot. An open cavity may be formed in the lattice framework, which is sized and shaped to contain a prosthetic foot. A pressure chamber may be disposed in the lattice framework. A first one-way check valve is provided for the pressure chamber to allow air to be expelled from the pressure chamber and to generate a negative pressure within the pressure chamber as an amputee uses the prosthetic foot and the lattice framework. A remnant limb socket may be connected to the pressure chamber. A negative pressure may be developed in the remnant limb socket as air is pulled from the remnant limb socket into the pressure chamber. A method for additive manufacture of a prosthetic foot cover device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Jonathan A. Winegar
  • Patent number: 9011554
    Abstract: Prosthetic feet are described comprising a curvilinear spring element, including a rounded portion transitioning between upper and lower extensions, the upper extension including a mounting section/region between the curved portion and a distal end of the upper extension. At least one leaf spring element spans a gap between the upper and lower extension sections, and a resilient footbed is attached to the lower extension. Such feet are typically set within a cosmetic cover for and fit within a shoe for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fillauer Composites LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Daniel Buck
  • Patent number: 8771372
    Abstract: A prosthetic device including an upper member having an upper end and a lower end, a wave member having a toe end and a heel end, and a third member having a proximal end and a distal end. In the preferred prosthetic device, the toe end of the wave member is fixedly attached to the upper member and the heel end of wave member is adapted to be deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Stealth Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, John S. Stites
  • Patent number: 8092550
    Abstract: A foot prosthesis having improved rollover and stability. The prosthesis includes a first plate and a mounting block having a mounting portion configured to be coupled to a user of the prosthesis, an attachment portion and a gap portion, with the mounting block attached to the first plate at the attachment portion with a gap between the mounting block gap portion and the first plate. Also included is a resilient element positioned at least partially within the gap, the resilient element configured generally to dissipate stress in the first plate and control deflection between the first plate and the mounting block. The mounting block may be substantially rigid with the area of the first plate attached to the mounting block becoming substantially rigid while the remainder of the first plate is at least partially flexible. The resilient element may be interchangeable to adjust performance of the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare LP
    Inventors: Sarah McCarvill, David J. Wall, Eric W. Rubie, Bret J. Geilman, Nathan A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100023135
    Abstract: Prosthetic feet are described comprising a curvilinear spring element, including a rounded portion transitioning between upper and lower extensions, the upper extension including a mounting section/region between the curved portion and a distal end of the upper extension. At least one leaf spring element spans a gap between the upper and lower extension sections, and a resilient footbed is attached to the lower extension. Such feet are typically set within a cosmetic cover for and fit within a shoe for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20040215346
    Abstract: An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed for providing an improved performance, including improved stability and improved multi-axial compliance. The prosthesis includes upper and lower foot plates and an elastomeric layer disposed between and attaching them together. The elastomeric layer extends substantially across an upper surface of the lower foot plate. The elastomeric layer preferably being narrower in width than the upper and lower foot plates in a middle portion of the layer. The prosthesis alternatively includes upper and lower foot plates and an attachment device coupled to the upper foot plate and adapted for connection to an external prosthetic component. The attachment device includes a lower surface that conforms to a sloping portion of the upper foot plate and preferably includes a generally horizontal mounting portion having a mounting protrusion, such as a pyramid adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Larry J. Hansen, Nathan A. Williams, David J. Wall, John B. Merlette
  • Patent number: 6712860
    Abstract: An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed for providing an improved performance, including improved stability and improved multi-axial compliance. The prosthesis includes a two-part lower foot plate, incorporating a forefoot plate and a heel plate, and an upper foot plate that is attached to the forefoot and heel plates by a two-part intermediate elastomeric layer. Forming the lower foot plate and the elastomeric layer each in two parts ensures that the forefoot plate and heel plate function substantially independently of each other, which leads to substantially improved cushioning at heel strike and to improved stability throughout the gait cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare LP
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Larry J. Hansen, Nathan A. Williams, David J. Wall
  • Publication number: 20020128727
    Abstract: An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed that, during use, provides an improved dynamic feel at heel strike and that provides improved inversion/eversion compliance. The prosthesis includes an elongated pylon having an upper, generally vertical section and a lower, forwardly oriented foot section, and it further includes a generally horizontally oriented foot plate disposed beneath the pylon and including a heel section projecting a substantial distance rearwardly of a vertical pylon axis. An elastomeric layer is interposed between the pylon and the foot plate, extending along substantially the entire length of the heel section of the foot plate, for attaching the pylon and foot plate together. During use of the prosthesis, at heel strike, upward deflection of the foot plate's heel section is limited in substantial part both by the stiffness of the heel section, itself, and by compression of the portion of the elastomeric layer disposed rearwardly of the vertical pylon axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: John B. Merlette, Eric W. Rubie, David J. Wall, James R. Brueggemann
  • Publication number: 20020116072
    Abstract: An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed for providing an improved performance, including improved stability and improved multi-axial compliance. The prosthesis includes a two-part lower foot plate, incorporating a forefoot plate and a heel plate, and an upper foot plate that is attached to the forefoot and heel plates by a two-part intermediate elastomeric layer. Forming the lower foot plate and the elastomeric layer each in two parts ensures that the forefoot plate and heel plate function substantially independently of each other, which leads to substantially improved cushioning at heel strike and to improved stability throughout the gait cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Larry J. Hansen, Nathan A. Williams, David J. Wall
  • Patent number: 6398818
    Abstract: An improved lower leg prosthesis is disclosed that, during use, provides an improved dynamic feel at heel strike and that provides improved inversion/eversion compliance. The prosthesis includes an elongated pylon having an upper, generally vertical section and a lower, forwardly oriented foot section, and it further includes a generally horizontally oriented foot plate disposed beneath the pylon and including a heel section projecting a substantial distance rearwardly of a vertical pylon axis. An elastomeric layer is interposed between the pylon and the foot plate, extending along substantially the entire length of the heel section of the foot plate, for attaching the pylon and foot plate together. During use of the prosthesis, at heel strike, upward deflection of the foot plate's heel section is limited in substantial part both by the stiffness of the heel section, itself, and by compression of the portion of the elastomeric layer disposed rearwardly of the vertical pylon axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: CRP, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Merlette, Eric W. Rubie, David J. Wall, James R. Brueggemann
  • Patent number: D579115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eric W. Rubie, Justin R. Smith