US1183036A - Artificial limb. - Google Patents

Description

J. F. ROWLEY.

- ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED N0v.20. m2.

1 1 8 3 ,036. Patented May 16, 1916.

JAMES F. ROWLEY, .OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application filed November 20, 1912 Serial N 0. 732,458.,

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, JAMES F. ROWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as artificial limbs, and relates particularly to an improved artificial foot.

The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, exceedingly comfortable, noiseless, durable, efiicient and satisfactory.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a partial sectional view through the foot and ankle. Fig. 2 is a top elevationpf the foot part with the ankle part 2 removed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the hinge taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the elastic heel parts.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred form of my device is shown, 1 represents a foot piece and 2 an anklepiece, the parts being of suitable shapes and sizes and hinged together so as to form substantially an ankle joint. As most clearly shown in Fig. 1, the foot part 1 is preferably out down or formed as at 3 back of the instep, and the ankle piece positioned thereat. Any suitable hinge may be employed for securing the foot and ankle pieces together, that shown being very satisfactory for the purpose.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, the hinge consists of a bolt or rod 1 which extends through the ankle piece, and is provided with a barrel or tubular end 5. The barrel 5 is preferably provided with the ridges or beads 6, 6, and with an opening 7 through the side opposite the bolt. The foot and ankle piece are suitably grooved or formed to receive the hinge parts. Arranged within the barrel 5 is a member 8, having a bolt 9 secured thereto, the bolt extending through the opening 7. Nuts 10 and 11, or their equivalents, on the bolts 9 and 4 respectively, lock and secure the two parts together. I have not illustrated any form of nut lock, it being understood that anysultable means may be employed for locking the nuts and preventing their working loose. I also'provide a bearing 12 of leather, or other suitable material, between the barrel 5 and the foot piece, and also a pad 14 of leather, or equivalent material, upon which the lower forward side of the ankle piece may strike or rest in walking.

At the rear of the foot piece, or that is at the heel, is an opening 15, the lower part 17 of which is'made substantially cylindrical at the bottom, a shoulder 18 being formed between the sides of the. opening 15 and the opening 17. Upon the ankle piece is a tongue or extending part 16, which is suitably formed so as to enter into the opening l 5. Extendingfrom the bottom of the heel is an elastic core 19, preferably of rubher, which is carried and confined by a part 20, also of rubber or equivalent material, the part 20. is provided with an enlarged end 21, and formed with a shoulder 23 which seats against the bottom of the foot piece, and may be securedto the foot piece by providing the same with threads 22, or the equivalent; The elastic heel part forms substantially a shock absorber consisting of the elastic cup-shaped heel piece 20 having an elastic core 19 snugly fitting in the cup, the enlarged end 21 preventing the cup member from beingforced into the opening beyond the desired point.

Both the heel parts 19 and 20 are preferably constructed of rubber, as previously mentioned, but of rubber having diiferent co-eflicients of elasticity. The inner one 19 is preferably more elastic, or of a somewhat spongy rubber, and the other more stifl, or of harder rubber. The extension or tongue 16 normally rests upon and is carried by the heel part 19, except when the forward end of the ankle part isresting upon the pad 14:. Each time a step is taken the tongue 16 is supported by the part 19, thereby resiliently' supporting the person. With a heel of this character there is none of the noise or thumping, indicating an artificial limb, and the step is more elastic and more nearly natural. In case of sudden or heavy jars, the inner heel part 19 may be com pressed enough lengthwise so as to expand transversely and slightly readily compress the outer part 20. The part 19, however, being confined by the outer part 20, it is al ways maintained in the proper position, and cannot bend over or buckle. If either part wears out, it may be replaced without time or labor, since the same is always exposed for removal, and tacks or the like are not employed in securing the elastic heel in place. I have not shown the toe part 24 in detail, it being understood that any form of toe may be employed, preferably elastic or resilient.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an artificial limb, an ankle piece and a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with a rubber heel, comprising a plurality of parts having relatively different co-eflicients of elasticity.

2. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an opening therethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with a tongue extending into said heel opening, and an elastic heel part arranged in said opening and cooperating with said tongue.

3. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with a vertical opening therethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with a tongue extending into said heel opening, and an elastic heel part detachably positioned in said opening and cooperating with said tongue.

4. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an opening therethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with an extension projecting into said heel opening, an elastic heel part positioned in said opening and arranged to co operate with said extension, and means for yieldingly containing said elastic heel part.

5. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an opening therethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with an extension projecting into said heel opening, an elastic heel part positioned in said opening and arranged to cooperate with said extension, and an elastic cup-shaped container for said heel part.

6. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a foot piece suitably secured thereto provided with a vertically extending opening therethrough at the rear cured thereto provided with a vertically ex-- tending opening therethrough at the rear end, said ankle piece Provided with an extending part projecting into said opening at the upper side thereof, and an elastic heel comprising a plurality of elastic cooperating parts, one part extending into said foot opening from the under side thereof, and

substantially tightly fitting the walls of the opening, said part having a recess therein and a cooperating elastic part of a relatively different coefficient of elasticity arranged in said recess.

8. An artificial limb comprising the combination of an ankle piece, with a foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece being constructed. with a vertical opening therethrough at the heel, a resilient cup-shaped heel piece positioned in said opening, a core of a different co-etficient of elasticity than said cup piece and constructed to snugly fit in said cup, and an extension carried by the ankle piece extending into said openin and arranged to contact with one or both 0 said resilient parts.

9. In an artificial limb, the combination of an angle piece, a foot piece hinged thereto having an opening therethrough at the heel, a shock absorber comprising rubber members of different co-efficients of resiliency arranged at the underside of the foot piece in said opening, said ankle provided with an extension on its under side projecting into said opening and cooperating with said shock absorber.

10. A heel pad or shock absorber for artificial limbs, comprising two cooperating rubber members of different co-efficients of resiliency, one arranged within the other and substantially confined therein throughout its length.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, an ankle piece, a foot piece, means for pivotally securing said pieces together, comprising a bolt provided with a transversely extending tubular end having an opening at one side, a bolt extending through said opening and provided with a transversely extending part arranged within said tubular member, and means for securing said bolts to said ankle and foot pieces, said foot piece being constructed with a vertical opening therethrough at the heel, a rubber cup-shaped heel .piece posi- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto tioned in said opening, a core of rubber masigned my name in the presence of two subterial constructed to fit snugly in said cup, scribing witnesses.

said core being of greater elasticity than JAMES F. ROWLEY. said cup piece and a part carried by the Witnesses:

ankle piece extending into said opening and ROY W. HILL,

contacting with said core. CHARLES I. COBB.

copies of thin potent my be obtelned (or five cents each, by addreuing the "Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. c.

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