Patents by Inventor John Merlette

John Merlette 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).

  • Patent number: 5593456
    Abstract: A foot prosthesis comprised of a single monolithic elongated composite member having a semi-flexible shank strut section, an ankle section, a forefoot section, and a toe section. One end of the shank strut section is connected to a socket which is adapted to receive an amputated leg stump. The other end smoothly curves downwardly, or downwardly and rearwardly, before curving forwardly of the shank strut section to the toe section. The invention is specially designed to accommodate lower limb amputee athletes participating in field and track events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: CRP, Inc.
    Inventor: John Merlette
  • Patent number: 5156631
    Abstract: A foot prosthesis and multi-step process for making same, has an upper main member and a sole member as dual segments of the prosthesis and arrangements for removably securing the prosthesis to a stump socket. The upper member has a U-shaped shank strut and flat ankle transition zone and an anterior toe section. The sole member has a plantar toe section and heel section. The invention is specially design to accommodate construction from fiberglass composite materials although the design will accommodate construction from other composite materials or even other materials that are not of the composite type.The process for making the foot prosthesis comprises the steps of forming the two segments. Then the formed segments are bonded together using a compatible resilient elastomer material, such as a high elongation, polyurethane elastomer, a silicone adhesive, or fiber reinforced versions of such elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: John Merlette
  • Patent number: 4959073
    Abstract: A foot prosthesis comprising an elongate composite main member having a leg section and a toe section with one end of the leg section adapted to be connected to an amputation socket and the other end smoothly curving forwardly through an ankle section into the toe section and extending to a toe end, and a heel member extending from the toe end rearwardly generally along the toe section and then diverging from the toe section and extending to a heel tip. The main member and heel member are preferably of one piece construction with continuous fibers of the composite material extending through the main member and around the toe tip and through the heel member. A resilient material, such as rubber, is bonded between the toe section and heel member where the two are generally adjacent and the properties of the resilient material may be made adjustable by the wearer where the toe section and heel member diverge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: John Merlette