Patents by Inventor Peter Kapelke

Peter Kapelke 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).

  • Prosthetic knee with gravity-activated lock
    Patent number: 8192501
    Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthetic knee appliance having upper and lower leg elements with a single-axis, articulating joint therebetween controllable with an electric knee-lock mechanism. A tilt-switch located within the prosthetic knee can facilitate activation of the electric knee-lock to lock or unlock the joint when the lower leg element is in a pre-determined position. A remote control can provide external locking control of the articulating joint. A pressure switch can ensure that the free-knee is locked only when the lower leg element is sufficiently extended relative to the upper leg element. The mobility of a free-knee system combined with the stability of a straight-leg prosthesis can be advantageous for pre-ambulatory pediatric patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Shriners Hospital for Children
    Inventor: Peter Kapelke
  • PROSTHETIC KNEE WITH GRAVITY-ACTIVATED LOCK
    Publication number: 20100082115
    Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthetic knee appliance having upper and lower leg elements with a single-axis, articulating joint therebetween controllable with an electric knee-lock mechanism. A tilt-switch located within the prosthetic knee can facilitate activation of the electric knee-lock to lock or unlock the joint when the lower leg element is in a pre-determined position. A remote control can provide external locking control of the articulating joint. A pressure switch can ensure that the free-knee is locked only when the lower leg element is sufficiently extended relative to the upper leg element. The mobility of a free-knee system combined with the stability of a straight-leg prosthesis can be advantageous for pre-ambulatory pediatric patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Kapelke