Abstract: A valve device regulates the air pressure in the space between a residual limb, or liner-covered limb, and a hard socket of an external prosthesis. A manually-controlled air-outlet and -inlet valve may optionally include an automatic one-way valve (or “expulsion” valve). The manually-controlled valve is opened and closed by twisting a handle, to open a two-way air passageway by slightly separating the handle and base portions, or by aligning bores in the handle and base portions. At least one stop surface limits the amount of relative rotation of the handle and base portions of the valve, so that the user need only rotate the handle a small amount, for example, less than 90 degrees, to affect opening or closing the valve.

Abstract: A lever-actuated distal lock connects a limb liner to a prosthetic leg or arm hard socket. In some versions, air-sealing capability may limit/prevent air flow through the distal lock, even with vacuum inside the socket. To unlatch the lock, a lever is swung to pull a sliding shaft outward in the lock housing. Swung in the opposite direction, the lever releases the sliding shaft to be biased to a latched position wherein slanted surfaces of the shaft inner end and a liner pin cooperate to allow the pin to slide down into, but not up out of, the lock. In some versions, the shaft inner end slides relative to, but is biased away from, the shaft opposite end, so that the inner end moves out of the way of the downwardly-sliding pin, without moving the entire lock shaft and without disrupting the optional air seal.

Abstract: A ground groomer configured for roping simulators is disclosed. Example embodiments include: a generally horizontal main support member; an attachment pin coupled generally orthogonally to the main support member, the attachment pin being configured for attachment to a ski of a roping simulator; and a plurality of tines arranged to protrude through a lower surface of the main support member to scarify soil behind the skis of the roping simulator.

Abstract: A ground groomer configured for roping simulators is disclosed. Example embodiments include: a generally horizontal main support member; an attachment pin coupled generally orthogonally to the main support member, the attachment pin being configured for attachment to a ski of a roping simulator; and a plurality of tines arranged to protrude through a lower surface of the main support member to scarify soil behind the skis of the roping simulator.

Abstract: A lock connects the distal end of a liner to the distal end of the hard socket of a prosthetic leg, and limits or prevents air flow into the hard socket through the distal lock mechanism, even when vacuum is established inside the socket. The distal lock normally is latched, but can be conveniently unlatched by swinging a cammed latch handle. The liner pin may be inserted and locked into the distal lock, without the distal lock being unlatched and without losing the internal air seal preventing air flow through passages of the lock. A slidable, biased lock blade, and interaction between slanted surfaces of the blade and the liner pin, allow the pin to slide down, but not up, past the blade. The latch handle does protrude radially outward a significant distance, when the lock is unlatched, but, as soon as the lock is latched, the handle resides against and/or near the outer surface of the lock housing.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: A valve system for a prosthetic hard socket includes an elastomeric valve member that rests in a closed position that seals against a valve housing surface, and opens at a low “crack” or “pop” pressure, for example, when the pressure inside the distal region of the socket well is 1-3 psi above the air pressure outside the hard socket. The elastomeric valve member exhibits a very accurate and reproducible response at the low crack pressure, and, in addition, sound dampening and/or filtration pads further reduce sound and fouling of the preferred elastomeric valve member. The valve may be installed without leaks even on highly-curved thin-walled sockets, as the broad base of the valve is adhesively attached to the outside of the socket, and optionally a rearward protrusion extends into a hole in the socket without protruding into the socket well.

Abstract: A valve system regulates the air pressure in the space(s) between a residual limb, or liner-covered limb, and a hard socket of an external prosthesis, and may include a manually-controlled air outlet and inlet valve on a distal region of a hard socket, and/or an automatic one-way outlet valve. The manually-controlled valve is opened and closed by partial rotation/twisting of a handle portion, which creates slight separation of the handle and base portions through which may pass air. The handle and base are prevented from becoming entirely separated during normal use by a snap-fit of the base onto the handle that retains the ability of the handle and base to rotate relative to each other by means of a ramp system, and a stop(s) that limit(s) the amount of relative rotation of the handle and base portions of the valve.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: A valve system may attach to the distal area of the outer surface of a prosthetic hard socket without leaks in spite of the high amount of curvature of the distal area. The preferred valve stem is biased to slide inside the valve housing(s) to a closed position sealing with a sealing surface. The stem preferably has a non-cylindrical outer side surface, or other outer side surface that does not seal or mate closely with the surface in which the stem slides, creating one or more wide passageways for air to flow out of the valve. A polygonal stem is especially effective, as its generally flat sides allow air to flow past the stem and out of the valve with minimal noise and minimal occurrence of plugging of the valve. The valve system is adapted for a low “crack” or “pop” pressure, which gives repeated, consistent, and quiet performance, which helps prevent uncomfortable and/or high-noise-producing swings in the pressure inside the socket well.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably, this connection is accomplished using an extension member extending from the liner through a portion of the socket interior, through the socket wall, and attaching to a latch mechanism. The preferred attachment system requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket well because neither the extension member nor the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb/liner and the bottom of the well. The attachment system is preferably disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket.

Abstract: A latch mechanism secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The latch mechanism offers relatively-proximal anchoring of a residual limb in a hard socket, rather than the conventional distal attachment, resulting in ease of donning and doffing of the socket by an amputee. The proximal attachment feature requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket “well” as no part of the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb and the bottom inside of the well. The latch mechanism is disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket, and extends from the liner on the limb a short distance inside the socket before exiting to the outside of the socket for locking onto the socket side surface. Even though the latch mechanism extends through an aperture in the wall of the socket, a tight gel suction wrap or other seal around the aperture still allows for a reliable suction fit.

Abstract: A latch mechanism secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The latch mechanism offers relatively-proximal anchoring of a residual limb in a hard socket, rather than the conventional distal attachment, resulting in ease of donning and doffing of the socket by an amputee. The proximal attachment feature requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket “well” as no part of the invented latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb and the bottom inside of the well. The invented latch mechanism is disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket, and extends from the liner on the limb a short distance inside the socket before exiting to the outside of the socket for locking onto the socket side surface.