Prosthetic limb cover

Abstract

Prosthetic limb covers and systems comprising a front shell and a back shell having self-aligning and self-closing features are provided. A prosthetic capture bracket is configured to capture the structural component of a prosthetic device to internally secure the shells to a prosthetic limb.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a front shell, said front shell including two internal support brackets, each of said brackets being connected to a portion of said front shell and having a substantially cylindrical rod protruding therefrom, said front shell including two internal bosses, each of said bosses having a magnet connected thereto; (b) a back shell, said back shell including two internal cradles, each of said cradles having a substantially cylindrical recess for engaging said rods, two magnetic latches, each latch having an aperture for engaging said bosses, said back shell including an internal vertical rib having at least one aperture, wherein each of said substantially cylindrical rods engages each of said cradles creating a rotational connection between said front shell and said back shell, and allowing engagement of said magnetic latches with said bosses thereby forming a self-aligning removable prosthetic limb cover; and (c) a prosthetic capture bracket including a rear portion, a front portion, and a hinge, said rear portion having a fastener for attaching said rear portion to said rib aperture, and an aperture for engaging said front portion, said front portion having a locking pin for securing said front portion to said rear portion using said aperture, and said hinge for rotatably attaching said front and rear portions, wherein said rear portion can be attached to said rib using said fastener and said capture bracket can engage a prosthetic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking pin is a quick release locking pin.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said prosthetic capture bracket is substantially cylindrical.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front shell and said back shell are configured to be limb shaped.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said limb is a lower leg.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a prosthetic limb, said prosthetic limb being removably attached by said capture bracket.

7. An apparatus comprising: (a) a prosthetic limb, said limb having a substantially cylindrical portion; (b) a front shell, said front shell including two internal support brackets, each of said brackets being connected to a portion of said front shell and having a substantially cylindrical rod protruding therefrom, said front shell including two internal bosses, each of said bosses having a magnet connected thereto; (c) a back shell, said back shell including two internal cradles, each having a substantially cylindrical recess for engaging said rods, two magnetic latches, each having an aperture for engaging said bosses and said magnets, and an internal vertical rib having at least one aperture therein, wherein each of said substantially cylindrical rods engages each of said cradles creating a rotational connection between said front shell and said back shell, and allowing engagement of said magnetic latches with said bosses thereby forming a self-aligning removable prosthetic limb cover; (d) a prosthetic capture bracket including a rear portion, a front portion, and a hinge, said rear portion having a fastener for attaching said rear portion to said rib aperture, and an aperture for engaging said front portion, said front portion having a locking pin for securing said front portion to said rear portion using said aperture, and said hinge for rotatably attaching said front and rear portions, wherein said rear portion can be attached to said rib using said fastener and said capture bracket can engage said substantially cylindrical portion of said prosthetic device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said locking pin is a quick release locking pin.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said prosthetic capture bracket is substantially cylindrical.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said front shell and said back shell are configured to be limb shaped.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said limb is a lower leg.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a prosthetic limb cover partially installed on a prosthetic leg according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an isometric view depicting of some of the elements included in the device of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an isometric view of some of the elements included in the device of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a plan view of some of the elements included in the device of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a plan view of some of the elements included in the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Some of the components of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention as described below may include the following elements: back shell 1, front shell 3, boss 5, magnet 7, support bracket 9, rod 11, cradle 13, cylindrical support 15, latch 17, aperture 19, rib 21, aperture 22, capture bracket 23, rear bracket 25, front bracket 27, hinge 29, locking pin 31, aperture 33, fastener 35, and prosthesis 40.

(7) In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1-5, device 100 includes back shell 1. Back shell 1 includes rib 21. Rib 21 acts as a structural member for attachment of prosthetic capture bracket 23 to a prosthetic limb 40. Rib 21 includes apertures 22, for mounting bracket 23 at a plurality of lengths along the rib. This feature allows for ease and flexibility of adjustment to a wide range of prosthetic devices.

(8) Bracket 23 includes a rear portion 25, a front portion 27 and a hinge 29 connecting the front and rear portions. In this embodiment, the bracket is cylindrically shaped in order to clamp on to and retain a cylindrically shaped prosthesis. Other geometries are contemplated.

(9) Rear portion 27 includes aperture 33 which acts as a locking feature. Front portion 27 includes a pin assembly 31 that can be engaged with aperture 33 to lock the bracket in a closed position. The pin 31 can be a locking type pin, such as for example, a cotterless hitch pin. Locking pin assemblies known to persons of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts are contemplated. Further, any known means of easily securing the bracket to grasp the prosthesis such as screws, pins, quick release devices, latches, locks, and the like are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. The bracket can be opened and closed easily by a user while allow the user to securely fasten the bracket to a prosthetic device 40 which fits within snugly between the front and rear portions of the bracket.

(10) In this embodiment, back shell 1 includes cradles 13 having cylindrically shaped recesses 15. Front shell 3 includes support brackets 9 having cylindrically shaped rods 11 attached thereto. The rods are configured to engage and rest within recesses 15. Back shell 1 also includes latches 17 having apertures 19. Latches 17 can include a magnetic material.

(11) In use, after the back shell 1 is mounted to a prosthetic device via bracket 23. The rear portion 25 of the bracket 23 includes aperture 29 for mounting the bracket to rib 21 using one of apertures 22 (for height adjustment) and a faster 35, such as a thumb screw, threaded fastener, quick release pin assembly or the like. The front shell can now be mounted such that the rods engage the cradles for proper alignment and easy rotation into position for closing the assembly as discussed below.

(12) Front shell 3 includes bosses 5, having magnets 7 mounted thereto. Once the cradle and rods are engaged, the shells can easily be aligned such that the bosses 5 and latches 17 align in close proximity. The magnets 7 are attracted to latches 17 thereby forming a secure closure adhering the front shell to the back shell. The magnetic force is strong enough to form a secure closure. The shells can be separated using sufficient force thereby forming a prosthetic cover 100 that can be adjusted via the position of the bracket 23 on rib, and easily closed via by engaging the rods and cradles (bottom) and the magnets and latches (10).

(13) It is important to recognize that the cradles and rods produce a self-aligning cover assembly. This feature coupled with the magnetic closure, which produces a self-closing assembly, will increase the users ease of use and decrease the time necessary to attach or detach the cover from a prosthetic limb.

(14) By reversing the process, the device can easily and conveniently be removed from a user's prosthetic limb. For example, the front shell can be disengaged by application of force to separate the magnetic latches. Next, the shell can be rotated such that the rods disengaged from the cradles.

(15) Next, the pin can be disengaged from the aperture such that the front portion of the capture bracket can be rotated on the hinge. This allows the user to remove the back shell from the user's prosthetic by removing the thumb screw. The front and rear shells may now be stored before the next use is desired.

(16) It is contemplated that any size of capture bracket can be used to capture virtually any size of prosthetic limb. For example, typical sizes for a lower limb are 1 inch and 1.5 inch diameters. The bracket and assembly contemplated could be adapted to as smaller assembly, such as an arm, foot, finger or toe proportionally.

(17) Numerous manufacturing methods are contemplated. In particular, 3-D printing technology can be easily adapted to rapidly and efficiently produce components having integral features, such as bosses or rods.

(18) Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the disclosure herein.