US1397654A - Artificial limb - Google Patents

Description

A. PRINGLE AND T. S. KIRK.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6, I920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. PRINGLE AND .T. s. KIRK.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6, 1920.

1 ,397,654, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

I'- I .II"

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV.22, 1921.

Application filed August 6, 1920. Serial No. 401,606.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALEXANDER PRINGLE, of 12 Springdale Gardens, Belfast, Ireland, and THOMAS SINCLAIR KIRK, of 21 University Square, Belfast, Ireland, both subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to joints for artificial limbs, its object being to provide improvements therein.

According to the invention the joint, which is particularly adapted for use as an elbow but may be used for other purposes, consists of a combination of oppositely dis posed toggles which are, or are adapted to be, connected with the limb. Locking means may be provided in connection with the toggles whereby the joint may be locked or secured in different positions.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings whereon it is shown applied to an artificial arm.

Figures 1 and 1 are side elevations of an elbow joint, in accordance with the invention, in different positions and drawn to different scales.

Fig. 2 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow at Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of an artificial arm having the elbow joint illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 applied thereto.

Fig. 4 shows an arm with a similar construction of elbow joint but having an upper arm so made and connected with the elbow joint and with the shoulder that the locking of the elbow joint also effects a locking of the shoulder joint.

Figs. 5 and 6 are side and end elevations, respectively, of a modification of the elbow joint shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings The elbow joint shown at Figs. 1 and 2 comprises three cross frames at, b, and. 0 which, in the example shown, are of cruciform shape (see particularly Figs. 2 and 6). The cross frames a and b are connected by pairs of crossed links (Z and 7 while the frames 7) andc are connected by pairs of crossed links 9 and it, said links constituting pairs of opposed toggles. The connection of the links (Z, f, g, andh, with the frames a, b, and c is made by means of pivot pins so that each link has freedom of movement about two of the links, namely (l and h, are pro-- vided with segmental projections (Z and h having series of teeth or indents therein and a locking bolt Z is mounted in slots in the cross frame Z) in such manner that it can be caused to engage the teeth of the segments- (Z and ii The bolt Z is under the constant pressure of a spring Z (Fig. 2) and has a projection Z thereon so arranged that when it is placed above a projection or pin m on the frame Z) (as shown at Fig. 2 of the draw ings) the bolt will engage the teeth in the segments and when the projection Z is placed below the pin on the bolt will be held out of engagement with said teeth. Temporary disengagement may be effected by pressing the bolt Z, against the action of the spring Z until the notch or recess Z therein registers with the toothed segments.

Instead of the locking arrangement hereinbefore described, we may use another looking arrangement in which the locking is effected by frictional action. Such an ar-. rangement is shown at Figs. 5 and 6 and comprises a pin 2' which extends between the links at each side of the joint and has a fiber distance piece 71 thereon between said links. The pinz' extends beyond the links at each side and engages slotsb therein. and also engages slots 72" in the. center cross frame 6, so that said frame Z) is maintained in a-central position. Between the links and the cross frame 6 are two fiber stoppers or washers and i loose on the'pin i. A metal washer i on the outer side of the cross frame I) has a cam face i and is loose on the pin 'but so engages with the cross frame that it is prevented from turning with the pin 2' and is adapted to be acted upon by a cam face i secured to or forming part of the pin 2'. The pin 2' is provided with a lever grip i and an adjustable nut to compensate for wear between the parts. The arrangement is such that when the pin 71 is turned in one direction, the cam face i thereon will co-act with the cam face 2' of the washer i and produce a wedging or jamming action on the fiber washers i and i in opposite directions and cause same to lock the links, at both sides of the joint, against the fiber distance piece '5 When the pin i is turned in the other direction the links will be freed from this locking action and will thus allow free movement of the joint.

The frame a is connected with. a metal end 1?.- of the socket of the upper arm 0, (see Fig. 3) and, as shown at Fig. 1 the frame a and with it the whole of the elbow and lower arm etc., can be turned relatively to the upper arm 0. For this purpose slots n are provided in the end fitting n of the upper arm with which pins a on the frame a engage. One of the pins 0& is fitted with a screw clamp a whereby the frame a can be clamped to the end fitting at when it is desired to prevent any turning movement between the elbow and the upper arm.

A curved plate or member 79 isshown secured to the frame I). This curved plate 1) holds out the sleeve of any garment worn by the wearer of the artificial arm, when the arm is bent. I

A modified construction of upper armvis shown at Fig. 4. In this case the links (Z and f from the frame I) are carried up to the shoulder as shown. This construction does not give quite such an extensive turning movement of the elbow but it gives simultaneous locking of the elbow and shoulder joints.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an artificial limb, a joint comprising a plurality of cross frames and oppositely disposed toggles pivotally connected thereto.

2. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames, oppositely disposed toggles pivotally connected therewith and means for locking said frames against relative movement. 7

3. In an artificial limb, a oint comprising a frame, oppositely disposed toggles connected with said frame and limb and frictional means for locking the frame and said slotted links and one ofthe frames to lock the frames against relative movement.

a I 5. An artificial limb-joint comprising a plurality of frames, one of which is slotted, links, certain of which are slotted, connecting said frames and means adapted to co-act with said slotted links and frame to lockthe joint. 7

6. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames, one of which is slotted, links, certain of which are slotted, connecting said frames and a bolt mounted in the slots in said links and frames and adapted to lockthe joint.

7. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames of cruciform shape and links ivotally connected therewith.

8. n artificial limb joint comprising three cross frames, crossed links pivotally connected therewith and means for locking said frames against relative movement. 9. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames, links connecting said frames, a bolt in connection with a: frame and certain of said links and cam means for effecting an axial movement of said bolt and the locking of the joint. p

10. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames, links'connecting said frames, a bolt in connection with a frame and certain of said links, cam means for effecting an axial movement of said bolt and the locking of the joint and means for adjusting said bolt to compensate for weary 11. An artificial limb joint comprising a plurality of frames, crossed links pivotally connected with said frames, and a curved member to prevent sagging of the clothes of the wearer when the joint is bent.

12. In an artificial limb, a joint comprising a plurality of frames and oppositely disposed diagonal links connecting same,.a second joint and means for simultaneously locking both joints. V i

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER PRINGLE. THOMAS SINCLAIR KIRK.

Vitnessies 7 ANDREW HAMILTON, HARRY WALTER ALLsoP.

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