| US 7,517,330 B2 | ||
| Ambulating knee joint | ||
| Mark Deharde, Pottstown, Pa. (US); Kenneth A. Patchel, Chadds Ford, Pa. (US); and Thomas Watters, Malvern, Pa. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Ultraflex Systems, Inc., Pottstown, Pa. (US) | ||
| Filed on Apr. 25, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/423,435. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/377119, filed on Apr. 25, 2002. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/417268, filed on Oct. 09, 2002. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/427777, filed on Nov. 20, 2002. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/455809, filed on Mar. 19, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2004/0049291 A1, Mar. 11, 2004 | ||
| Int. Cl. A61F 5/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 602—16 [602/23; 602/26] | 12 Claims |
| 1. A hinge assembly for an orthotic, prosthetic, or rehabilitative device, comprising:
a proximal member movably connected to a distal member to allow angular displacement of the proximal member relative to the
distal member;
a spring housing communicating with the proximal and the distal members, wherein movement of the spring housing tracks, and
is tracked by, movement of one of the proximal or the distal members; and
at least one elastomeric spring in bearing engagement with the spring housing, wherein angular displacement of the proximal
member relative to the distal member in a first direction compresses the at least one elastomeric spring to dampen the angular
displacement in the first direction, wherein decompression of the at least one elastomeric spring urges angular displacement
of the proximal member relative to the distal member in a second direction.
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