Socket coupler for a prosthetic limb
US6440173B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0041
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The stump of an amputee's limb receives a sleeve which is inserted into a formed plastic socket, and a locking stud with axially spaced peripheral grooves projects from the sleeve. A coupler is mounted within the bottom of the socket and has a top conical surface with inclined guide grooves which extend to a tubular center bushing slidable within a tubular fitting. A set of circumferentially spaced locking balls are confined within holes in the bushing and move between locking positions projecting into one of the grooves of the locking stud and retracted release positions in response to axial movement of the bushing within the fitting. An actuator stem projects laterally from the coupler and has cam surfaces effective to rotate a pair of actuating pins to shift the bushing and release the locking balls in response to axial or rotary movement of the actuator stem. The actuator stem may also be rotated to a position where the actuator stem is locked against axial movement. The actuator stem also has a gripping knob with a slot and provides an indication of the stem's rotational position. A flexible guide stem projects from the locking stud, and the coupler is secured to the socket by…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.