US1383364A - Artificial limb - Google Patents

Description

Patented July 5,' 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

.Z'N vE/v Tof? A T TOR/VE YS,

0. E. WORMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLlcATloN man MAR. a. |920.

0. E. WURMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 8. 1920..

Patented July 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS.

0. E. WORMAN.

. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.8,1920.

Patented July 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR: OSCAR E. VVoRMA/v. EY M/ W A T To Hwa Ys,

UNITED .STATES PATE-NT foi-rica ARTIFICIAL YLIMIB.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

VPatented July 5, 1921.

Application filed March 8, 1920. -Serial No. 364,082.

To ZZ whom it may concern Be it known that' I, Oscnii E. VVORMAN, a citizen of the United States, residingfat Minneapolis, in the` county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification. n

My invention relates to artificial limbs and more particularly to` articial limb members for use in cases of amputation abovevthe knee. An object of my invention is tov provide an artificial limb whichr will not only resemble the corresponding human limb in shape, but will function in a manner similar thereto, so that persons who .have been crippled by the loss of lower limbs may have their usefulness restored while, at the saine time, the handicap in appearance which would otherwise exist is overcome. Another object is to provide an artificial limb which may be readily and economically manufactured and which will insure Va maximum de gree of comfortto the wearer.

The full objectsand kadvantages of my in vention will appear in connection with the following` detailed description thereof and the novel features embodied in my inventive idea will be particularly pointed out in the claims. l

Referring to .the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention embodied'in an artificial limb intended for use more particularly in cases of amputation above the knee,- y Figure .1 is a view substantially in vertical section of upper and lower leg members. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of construction. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of an adjusting device. Fig. 4L is a view taken at right angles to Fig, 3. Fig. 5 is a view similarv to Fig. 2, showing a slight modification and having the upper and lower members shown in their straight position. Fig. 5A is a front view of suspender connections. Fig. 6 is a view in cross-section on theline 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. V7 is a view on an enlarged scale in crosssection on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5. F i'g. 8 is a view'in vertical section of a modified construction. Fig. 9 is a view insvertical section at right :angles to Fig. 8. F 10 is a sectional detail of the knee-bolt joint.

Fig. 11 .isa view-in perspective 'of ya portion ofa f iber bushing. Fig. .12 Vis -a'view in-perspective of a portion of fa :securing band. Fig. 13 is a plan viewof the hollow knee member. Figs. .14 and 15iare (detail views. Fig. 16 isa sectional detailed view of fthe knee-joint construction. Referring' tof the particular construction Vshown in the drawingswhich .illustiatethe principle yof my invention, and which may be varied in regard to mechanical details without 'departing from the. spirit of the invention, the -character 14 designatesa shank member having a foot member 16 pivotally connected to the lower end thereof by means of an ankle bolt or cylinder 17. The `shank member is pivotally connected by a knee-joint with a thigh member 18 which constitutes a socket limb portion .preferably of fiber -to receive the stump of the wearer in cases of amputation above the knee. The thigh member is provided at lits lower end with a knee-joint member through which a cylinder or bolt 2O extends to make a pivotal `connection with the shank member. The :knee joint memberrgives shapeand form to the knee portion of the artificial limb and'may be constructed of any suitable material. As shown in Fig. 1, the knee-joint member consists of a solid block 22 which :is secured in the lower end of the thigh member in any suitable manner :as 4by screws or other fasteners or by means of adhesive materialsucli as glue. The rear side of the block 22 is providedwith a slot 24 for receiving a bar 26 attached vtoand extending vupwardly from the shank member Aand having its upper end extending around the bolt 20 to reinforce Vandsuppor't the same. The bar 26 by its engagement with the knee-block yat'the bottom of the slot '24, serves as a check or stop for stopping the shank member when'the latter swings into va verticalposition or the desired position in ali-nement with the thigh member. I l

The shank member may be automatically thrown backward'by an Velastic member so attached to -the knee block and passing over -a pulley on the front of the shank and `attached tothe rear of the shank member that when the knee is straightened, the -elastic member will be stretched 'and the shank member when free to move, will be ycaused to swing backward into its bent position without effort on the part of the wearer. The elastic member may be attached to the rear lower'portion of the shank member so as to obtain a graduated and increased tension as the knee is straightened eithery for a walking or a standing position of the wearer which makes it possible for the shank member to swing readily and easily into its bent position with the tensionV gradually decreasing until the shank member comes to a stop in bent position. A convenient form of the devicejust described is illustrated in Fig. 1 which shows an elastic member 28 secured at its upper end to a hookv 30 fastened to one end of a cord 82 running over a roller 34 attached within the upper portion of the shank at the front thereof. The other end of the cord 32 passes into a slot in the lower end of the knee-block and is secured to a pin or rod 36. The lower end of Athe elastic member is preferably adjustably secured to the shank member in the following manner A bracket has an intermediate portion 38 from which extend upwardly a forwardly inclined arm 40V and a rearwardly inclined arm 42, the latter arm being secured to the shank in suitable manner. A screwthreaded bolt 44 extends upwardly through the intermediate portion 38 and the notched head46-of this bolt may be reached by a tool inserted through an opening 48 in the shank member for the purpose of turning the bolt. .The arm is provided with a slot 50 as shown in Fig. -8 through which extends a screw 52 which is threaded into a slidable member 54, the lower end of which is bent at right angles to form the portion 56 which is provided with a hole through which the bolt 44 extends. The upper end of the member 54 is provided with a hook 58 to receive one end of a link 60 Y which, at its other end, is secured to the lower end of the elastic member 28. A strip 62 has its lower end bent at substantiallyl right' angles to form' the portion 64 to rest upon the portion 56 while an intermediate portion 66 o the strip is bent so as to engage the end of the hook 58. The portion 64 is provided with a hole through which the bolt 44 extends and a nut 68 placed on top of the portion 64 is screw-threaded to receive the rod 44. The hole in the rnut 68 is vplaced eccentrically sov that the nut engages the shank member is freeto move, it will be automatically returned into bent position; in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the upper portion of the cord 32 runs over a roller or rounded surface 70 on the lower end ofthe knee member and the upper end of the cord is attached to an arm 72 which may be an extension of the bar 26; As thus arranged, the elastic member r28 tends vto hold the shank member in bent position and,

when the shank is brought into straight position in walking, as shown in Fig.5 and the foot is then lifted, the elastic member automatically returns the shank member to its bent position and enables the wearer to more readily swing the leg forwardly for another step, since tendency to drag on the ground is thus avoided. In the arrangements shown in Figs. 2 and 5, as well as in thatshown in Fig. l, the tension of this elastic member is adjusted by turning the bolt-44.

A desirable form of ankle-joint construction is shown in Fig. 1. A block 74 of wood orV other suitable material is inserted in a sleeve member 76 vof aluminum or other suitable material. This sleeve is adapted to be secured in the lower end of the shank member and in order to provide for inserting the sleeve and block for a variable distance,ac cording to the desired length of limb, a ring 78 may be employed to engage the lower end of the shank member and also a shoulder on the enlarged lower end of the sleeve. By varying the width of this ring, the block'may be inserted for variable distances, into the shank member and securelycheld in place by suitable securing means permitting lengthening or turning of the sleeve for adjusting purposes. throughthe block 74 and are provided with nuts 82 at their upper ends.V The bolts 80 at their lower Yends are providedl with the ankle bearing 17 with which a bearing member 84 coperates, the latter'consisting of a U-bolt extending through the foot-member 16 andzbeing secured by nuts 86 engaging'a .plate Ywasher 88. A buffer 90 is placed between the foot-member and the front beveled portion of the block 74. A spring V92 is placed between theV foot-member and the rear portion of the block 74. j A bolt 94 provided with a lock nut 96 on its lower end ex- .tends part way up inside'the lower portion of the spring 92 and a boltY 98 provided with a nut 100extends part waydown inside the upper portion of said spring'. cushion member 102 is placed around the upper portion of the bolt 98 betweentheblock 74 and the nut 100, the latterV serving to adjust the foot. The same result may be accomplished by turning the bolt 94which is threaded through the plate `88. Sudden strain on the A pair of bolts 8O extend up iis spring 102 is relieved by the buffer 90, when the front of the foot member swings upwardly. Theadjacent ends of the bolts 94 turning same in the-threaded portion. of plate by means of its notched. or angular head. The spring 102 acts as a -ibufer when the heel portion of the foot member moves into its lowered position upon stepping on the toe portion. Y Figs. :2, V5, and 6 illustrate a hollow kneemember of sheet or cast material, preferably aluminum, and `this member is adjustable up and down in the thigh `member to make the limb longer or shorter 'as required and may also be turned in the thigh member to adjust .for relative position. This kneemember is also adjustable according to the sizeof the limb and for' this purpose, the upperend thereof-is provided with a plurality of'spaced corrugations 106 so that the diameter can be readily increased or diminished. The knee member is provided with a shoulder 108 while a ring 110 of variable width may be placed between this shoulder and the lower end of the thigh member 18. The width of this ring is varied according to the extent which it is desired to have the knee member extend into the thigh member in order to lengthen or shorten the thigh member. The hollow knee-member is preferably reinforced by ribs or partitions extending across the same, and I have shown a` partition 112 extending from side to side, undernea-th the kneebolt which not only strength'-Y ens the knee member, but acts as a bumper for the bar 26, shown in Fig. 2 when the shank member comes into its' straight 'position. F orthis latterv purpose,'the partition 112 is given the same inclination as that which the bar26 has when the shank member is in straight position, yand the portion engagedby this bar may be provided with cushioning material 114, of felt or other suitable material. VA reinforcing rib 113 for the lower front portion of the knee member is also provided. The knee member is provided with a slot 116 withinwhich the bar 26 may work. The upper portion ofthe thigh 18 constitutes a socket limb portion preferably of fiber to-receive the stump of the wearer, in cases of amputation above the knee. This socket portion may have a covering of leather or other suitable material 118 asshown in Fig. 5. As clearly shown in Fig. 7, the .front of the socket portion is provided with a tongue 120 which covers a slot or vertical opening which may be drawn together Vby a lacing 122 running through eyelets 124, placed along the edges of the opening. As shown in Fig. 7, the front of the socket'member may be reinforced with vto deadenV sound.

strips 125 at eachside of the vertical slit, these strips having a breaking characteristic whichjis. different from .that of the fiber socket. VThe thigh member may be held up to the body of the wearer in any suitable manner and the shank member may be controlled and brought forward by any suitable form of suspender having connections 126 for attachment to the front portion of the shank member. 1n Fig. 5, the cord 32 is shown attached to the partition 112 which may be provided with a hole for this purpose through which the cord passes and the end of the cord being provided with an enlargement or knot. 1n Fig. 5 instead of a bar-check 26, a cord-check 128 of strong material is shown. The upper 'end of this card is attached to means of attachment preferably a rod 130 secured within the rear portion of the knee-member and the lower end ofthe cord is attached to means of attachment preferably a rod 132 which is secured lgvithin the rear portion of the shank mem V1n the form of invention shown in Figs. 8 to 12, a hollow knee-member preferably of aluminum is provided with bosses or thickened portions 134 on both sides for reinforcing and strengthening the portion adjacent the knee-joint bolt. The knee member is also reinforced by ribs or partitions 112 and 113, similar to those already described and which merge into the bosses 134. rllhe knee-member is preferably provided with a circumferential shoulder 136 upon which may rest a band 137, preferablyr of aluminum, and having a shoulder 138 upon which the lower end of the thigh member 18 may rest. The lower part of the band 137 may be secured to the knee-member preferably by Vrivets or screws and the upper part of the band may have portions cut away to form'spaced fingers 140 which may be bent so as `to it snugly within the lower end of the thigh and may be secured thereto preferably by means of screws or rivets. A iiexible knee check, such as shown in Fig. 5 may be used, but 1 prefer to use a rigid knee-check 26 such as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which coperates vpreferably with the -bottom of the knee and with the partition 112, which'may have the padding 114 rlhe knee member is constructed to swing on a knee-bolt 142 which is surrounded by a bushing 144 preferably of liber passing'through the bosses 134 on each side and so fitted to the knee bolt as to eliminate friction and wear between the knee bolty and the knee member. The bushing is preferably formed with'slits or recesses in the ends thereof to receive preferably cylindrical bearings 146 which engage the bosses or thickened portions 134 and the knee bolt for the purpose of eliminating friction and wear on the bosses or thick- Y ened portions, the bushing and theknee bolt.

, front thereof at each side.

The knee bolt after passing throughV the bushing is engaged with side straps 148y attached either within the shank as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 or attached to the outside of the shank as shown in Fig. 10. The side straps may have enlarged portions 150. of sufficient length to rest upon the top of the shank 14 in order to prevent strain on the attaching means for the straps. The enlargements also engage the voutside of the bosses or thickened portions so as to cover the bushing and bearings and prevent them from coming out of the knee member as well as to prevent the entrance of dust and foreign substances. The knee bolt is preferably `cylindrical and at one end has a head and may have a threaded portion 152 to engage with a threaded portion of one side strap 148 and at the other end may be provided with a screw-threaded member 154 having a head which may be turned up tight upon the lother side strap as shown at the right in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 10, the knee-bolt at this end is preferably constructedfwith a tapering portion 156 to engage a Similarly tapered portion of the side strap so that this side strap may be wedged and securely held to prevent end shake when the screw threaded member is turned ti ht.` The knee-check at its upper end preferagoly surrounds the bushing 144 so as to constitute an additional support for the kneebolt as well as to serve as a knee-check, but may also surround the knee-bolt with a bushing on each side coming up to the knee-check. When the knee-check'surrounds the bushing, the latter may rotate in the surrounding portion. of the knee-check so that an additional bearing is furnished. The base of the band 137 may be varied in thickness and also in'height according to the desired size and lengthof the thigh member.

1n addition to the features already described,'1 may provide an adjustable kneecontrol to assist in bringing the shank forward in walking. Two forms of knee-con- Y trol are shown in Figs. 1 and 5, respectively.

In Fig. 1, an elastic member 158 is Secured at its upper end in any suitable manner to the front lower portion of the thigh'member. The lower end of this elastic member is provided with an adjustable connection, such shank member, somewhat back from the This knee-con- Y -trol attachment is intended for temporary In the straight line position lof the shank shown in' Fig. 1, the elastic member 28 is under tension and the elastic member 158is relaxed. Upon lifting they foot'from'the ground, the member 28 pulls the shank backward and the momentum acquired will cause the shank to swing back sufficiently to place the member 158 under tension. In this bent position ofthe shank the member 28 is'relaxed and the member 158 is? under tension so that the shank is -pulled forwardly andthe momentum acquired will cause the shank to swing forwardly so that Q it comes into a straight line position `just as the wearer places his foot upon the ground. The mem ber 28 is under tension at this time so that the operation lis repeated when the` wearer lifts this foot again after having swung Vthe other foot forward in the usual manner of walking. l c Y j `In the form of knee-control shown in Fig. 5, a flexible member`166 has its upper end attached to the lower portion of the knee-2 member, as for instance, tothe partition 112 when this form of knee is used. rIhe flexible member 166 extends backwardly through the members 28 and 128 and the outer end of Y the member 166`extends upwardly and is attached to the lower end ofl an elastic.V Vmember 174,V the upper end of which is preferably adjustably `attached by aV buckle and strap connection 176 Vvto. the lower end of a flexible member 178 depending from the Suspenders Y 179 `used for holding the limb to the body of the V wearer. Fig. 5A shows the lowerportion ofthe suspenders looking at themV vfrom in front.

These Suspenders are preferably'attachedby a loop to a cord 180, lthe middle portion'of which passes through a loop or pulley 182 secured to the outer side of the thigh member in the manner disclosed and claimed in my prior application` Serial Number 258,964, filed Oct. 21, 19,18. The elastic; members 28 and 174 correspond tothe iiexor and extensor muscles, respectively, and operate in a manner similar to that just described in connection with Fig. 1. The member 1661is. provided preferablywith an adjustable stop 184 which engages the bracket 171 when the elastic member 174 has pulled the shank partly forward so that the stop 184 in connection with the Suspenders and the connecting members 174 and 178 acts as a lift to complete the forward movement 0f' the shank and thereby avoid undue `strain upon the place of attachment to the knee and upon the pulleys 168 and 170. l/Vhen uthe wearer sits down, the Suspenders relaX so that the tension on the elastic member 174 ceases and the elastic member 28 pulls the shank into bent position as is desirable for a sitting position. When the knee-control shownl in Fig. 5 is used, the cord connection 126 may be removed as it is not then needed as a means of attachment to the Suspenders, and in this way the use of separate Suspenders for can rying the limb isvavoided.

The upper edge of the thigh member may be'constructedas shown in Fig. 5 in order to obtain greater durability'of the limb and to insure greater comfort to the wearer. To the upper edge of the thigh memberis secured in any suitable mannerB a' reinforcing strip 188 of material such as metal orother material having a breaking characteristic whichis different from that of thebody portion of the thigh member, the latter being preferably of fiber. Flexible material 190 such as leather is secured over the reinforcing'strip and'upp'er edge, and paddingfmaterial 192 such as soft felt extends overthe flexiblematerial 190.k A covering of flexible material such as'the leather covering' 118 previouslyr referred to serves ,toy giveV a smoothl finish and to protect the padding material. The reinforcing strip 188 prevents the 'upper edge of the thigh member from chipping or breaking'andin connec-V tionwiththe padding192'insures a comf ortable contact edge where the humanlimb engages thetop of the artificial limb.

In. order that the. upperV portion of the hollow knee member previously describedv be readily inserted within the lower end of the thigh member or within the Vhand 137 when'the latter is employed,f and after such insertion may be secureiy fixed in place, said knee `member mav be provided with" one or more indentationsadapted to be forced outwardly after theparts have' been fitted together. A'convenient manner of providing such an'indentation is shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 'and 13V inwhich the numeral'194 designatesacutor slit made in the wall ofthe knee member preferablyinthe same plane as shoulder 186'and 'immediately' abovethe upper edgeof the bossor'thickened portion 134 or a ledge having 'its upperedge similarly positioned.V 1f desired "a cut of this charac ter may be made at cach'side of theknee member adjacent the'edgeV just referred to anda short distance above the'knee bolt 142. On account of the siitor'cutit is: an easy matter to indent'the material above Vthe same, as indicated in dotted lines at-196'inlf`igt 13, which is a plan view of the knee member looking at the same from the top. The

, material above the slit may beindented without distorting or changing the knee :neinber at the position of the knee bolt and por sitions below the same. After the upper end of the knee member has been inserted inthe lower end of the thigh member theser two members may be readily secured together by forcing the indented portion outwardly against the inner wall of the thigh member. I'n this manner a standard knee membeiimay be used for thigh members of different size at their` lower ends. Provision is also made in this way for readily tting the parts together when the thigh member shrinks and is of less size than originally constructed'. By making the cut or'slit preferably in the same plane as shoulder 136 and adjacentthe upper edge of the boss or thickened portion or ledge 134it will be apparent from Figs. 8, 10 and 13 that even when the lower end of the thigh member is of such size that the indentation is not restored completely to its original position there will be no downward opening into the interior of the-'knee member since the boss or thickened portion or ledge'fornts a closure at the bottom of the indentation.V

Figs. 2 and 14`iil'ustrate an adjustable stopv by means'of'w'hich the forwardposition of the shank member may beA adjustedrela-V tively to the thigh member. A screw-bolt V198 extends through a screw-threadedlhole in the'bar 26 previously described, and Va plate 200 is swiveled upon theinner end of this Yscrew-bolt. rllhe plate 200`is provided with flanges 202 and 204 which engage the sides'of the bar 26 so that the'plate mayy move back and forthu without rotating. A lock nut 206 serves to hold the plate in1desired adjusted position. lVhen the' shank member swings forward into: its straight position itisdesirablethat it shall pass slightly beyond dead center in order not to yield too readily vfor a ystanding positionof the wearer. By a'slight adjustment of the position of the plate 200 the eXtentto which the shank is permitted topa-ss beyond dead center may be'readily Varied according to the preference ofthe wearer.

Y Fig. 15 is a perspective view ofa-` desirable form of constructionfor the cushion member 90 showny in Fig. 1. This member is made fromV resilient vmaterial such as rubber and the forward end 208 thereofiis` roundedY and the top surface is beveled to form sides of a pyramid having its apex at 210. The rear portion 212 of the cushion member is wedge-shaped, the upper surfacev of the wedge extending toward the apeX of the' pyramid.` On account of this'construction, when thewweight of the wearer comes upon the toe portion the cushion is Ycompressed in such manner that a gradtmllyincreasing're-v sistance to further compression occurs, since the compression starts at the apex of the pyramid and is gradually transmitted to the thicker base portion. The wedge shape of the rear portion of the cushion member accommodates the pivotal movement of the foot member relatively to the shank member.

I claim: f

l. An articial limb comprising a shank member and a thigh member pivoted together to form a kneejoint, a non-elastic member attached at its rupper end to the thigh member, a roller secured within the shank member, said non-elastic member extendingY over said roller, an elastic member secured at one end toV said non-elastic member and secured at its other end to'the rear portion oi' the shank member, and means operable from outside the shank member for adjusting the tension of said elastic member.

2. An artificial limb comprising a` shank member and a' thighmember pivoted together-to form la knee joint, a non-elastic member attached at its upper end to the kneeportion of the thigh member, a roller secured lwithin the iront* portion `of the shank member', said non-elastic member extending over said roller, an elastic member secured at one end to said non-elastic member', a bracket secured within the rear portionof the shank member, a slidable member mounted on said bracket, the other end of said elastic member being attached to said slidable member, and means operable from outside the shank member for adjusting the tension of'said elastic member.

` 3.- An artificial limb comprising a shank member, said non-elastic member extendingk v.overvsaid roller, an elastic member secured at one end to said non-elastic member, a bracket secured ywithin the rear portion-of the shank member, a slidable member mounted on said bracket, the other end of said elastic member being attached to a hook on saidslidable member, said slidable member having an arm, a strip having an arm in con tact with said first-mentioned arm, an eccentric `nut in contact with said second mentioned arm,'and a screw-threaded bolt extending loosely through said bracket and both of said arms and having screw-threaded engagement with said nut, said strip having abody portion which engages said nutl and the end of said hook and which is interposed between said elastic member and said screw bolt.

4. An artiiicial limb eomprisinga shank member and a foot member pivotcd'together to form an ankle joint, a block in the lower end of said shankmember, a coiled spring between the rear portions of said blockand said ootmember, a rod extending through said foot member, said coil springand said block, said bolt having an intermediate,

' flexible portion, a buffer interposed between said block and an enlargement on the upper end 'of said rod,'and a buffer interposedbetween the front of said block and said foot member. Y

5. An artificial limb comprising a shank member and a foot-member pivoted together to form an ankle joint, an aluminum sleeve litted tothe lower portion of the shank member, a ring on the outside of said sleeve interposed between the lower endv of the shank member and a shoulder on said sleeve whereby the length of the shank member may be varied according to the width of the interposed ring, and a block within said sleeve for carrying the pivotal attachment for the foot member.

6. vAn artilicial'limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow aluminum knee-member secured to the lower portion of the thigh member, reinforcing partitions Vwithin said knee member andvsecured thereto and. a pivotal connection Abejgween said knee member and the shank mem- 7. An artiiicial limb comprising `a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow aluminum knee member secured Yto the lower Y nection between said knee member and the shank member', a check member` extending between said pivotal connection and the shank member, and a reinforcing partition j in said knee member adapted to coperateV with said check member when the shankV member is instraight line'position.

8. An artiicial limb comprising a shankV member, a lthigh member, a hollow aluminum knee member, thickened portions on the sidesof said knee member, and a pivotal connection for the shank member Vex tending through said thickened portions.

9.. An `artificial limbcomprising a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow aluminum knee member secured in the lower portion of the thighv member, thickened por;V tions on the sides of said Vknee member, reinforcing partitions within said knee member which join the vlatter with said` thickened portions, and a vpivotal Vconnection for the shank member, extending through said thickened portions.

*10. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow, alumi- Y tion of the thigh member, .and a pivotal connection between said knee member` and the shank member. I

11; Ani artificiali-mib comprising agi-.shank member, av thigh member, L a .f hollow aluminum. kneeniember secured in the lower portion of thefthigh member, a-kneebolt'extendingr through said knee memb'er,; a fiber bush ing surrounding said kneefboltpa .plural-ity ofi. cylindrical beanings' mounted lin recesses inl said bushing.` wherev the;y latter passes through the. wallsof Saidfkneemember; and

meansl for. connectingfthevv ends ofsaid kneeb'oltlwith` the shank` member. Y

12:. Aniartificiala limbfcomprising af, shank member, a thigh member, afhollow aluminum: knee member secured"y to.k the:I lower portion of the thigh member', a.l knee:l bolt extending. throughY said, knee` member, Aone end of said. kneerbolt havingauhead: and adjacent external screw threads,aside1. strap having a screw threadedhole to lcoperate with said screwV threads, a second side` strap adapted to fit upon the `other end of said knee bolt, a screw threaded member having a head`v adapted to'hold said'` second side strap in place, said screwthreadedlmember engaginginternalthreads in said knee bolt, and means for securing Yboth of said side straps to the shank member.

13. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member,` a hollow aluminum knee member secured vto thelower portion of the thighv member, aknee-bolt extendingthrough said;knee member, one end of said yknee bolt having a head and adjacent external screw threads, a side strap having a screw'threaded'hole to coperate with said screw threads, a second side strap having a tapered hole adapted to fit upon a corresponding tapered surface at the other endV of saidV knee-bolt, a screw threaded member having a head for engaging said Vsecond side strap, said screw threaded memV` ber engaging internal threads in said knee bolt whereby said second side strap is wedged. in placeand means for securing both' of said side straps to the shank member.`

14. An articial limb-comprising member, a thigh member, achollow aluminum'knee member secured to the lower portion of thethigh member, a knee bolt ex'- tendingV through said knee member, a fiber bushing surrounding said knee bolt,rcylin drical-bearings mounted iii recesses in said bushing whereV the latter passes through the walls of said knee member, side straps connecting the endsv of said knee bolt with the shank member, and enlargements on said sidestraps extending around said-knee-bolt, said enlargements resting :upon thevtop of thev shank -member andv also engaging the outer ywalls of said knee member to retain said bushingxand` said cylindrical bearings' in place andV to prevent entrance: of foreign substances. Y Y Y Y lgfAniarticial linibcomprisiiigva shank a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow knee member: securedA to the lower portion of: the thigh member, av knee boltl extending through said knee member, a liber bushing surroundingasaid'kneelbolt, means for Vconnecting' the: ends' of; said knee bolt to= the shank member, aiid-a :check membersecured at. one end to thezupperirear portion of the shank member and having its other end extending. around; said fiberbushing to constitute: a bearingtherefor. i

16'.- An artificial limb comprising1 a shank member,` athighmember, a hollow knee member fitted to theV lower portion of the thigh member and adapted to be turned toward. either the' right or left for lateral adjusting purposes,va shoulder on one of said 'members withwhichvthe other of said members4 isl adapted to'engage and limit relative longitudinal movement of the two members toward. each.y other, f meansl for securing said. members together in adjusted position, v and.` a. pivotal f connection between Said knee: memberl and said shank member. 17; An artificial limb comprising a shank member and-a'v foot member pivoted together to form anank-le joint, a block inthe lower endofsaid shank member,ia coiled spring Abetween the rear portionsof said block and said foot member, a rod extending through said footrmember., throughy said coiled spring andthrough said block, vand a plate on the bottomof said foot membensaid rod having screw threaded engagement with said plate wherebyV the position of said foot member maybe adjusted about its pivot by turning said rod. 4 Y A 18. Ali articial limb comprising a shank member and azfoot member pivoted together toform anankle'joint, ablockinthe lower endV of saidshank member, a coiled spring between the reari portions of said block and said foot member, a rod extending through said foot member, through said coiled spring and through saidblock, a plate'on the bottom of said foot-member, said rod `having screwl threaded engagement withy said lplate whereby Ythe Vposition of said foot vmember maybe adjusted about itsfpivot by turning saidrod,.anut upon the upper end of said rod, and a resilient member interposed between saidiblock'and-said nutfwhereby upon tiiriiingpsaid` nutthe position ofrsaid foot member maybe adjustedabout its pivot independent of said first mentioned adjustment. Y

19. Anartificial .limb comprising a shank member Yand afoot member pivoted together to forman ankle joint, av sleeve'fitted to the lower portion of the shank .member and adapted to be turned towardl either the right orrthe 'left for lateral adjusting purposes and v their secured vto .said f shank member, a 'shoulder 'on' said? sleeve with'whic'li said shank member isfadaptedzto engagefandlimit'relative longitudinal movement of the two members toward each other, and means carried by said sleeve for. pivotally attaching lsaid foot member. v 5 j 20. An artificial limb comprising a shank member and a foot member` pivoted together to form an ankle joint, a sleeve fitted to the lower portion of the shank member and adapted to be turned toward either the right or the left for lateral adjusting purposes and then secured to said shank member, a shoulder on said sleeve with which said shank member is adapted to engage and limit relative longitudinal movement-of the two members toward each other, and means carried by said sleeve forpivotally attaching said foot member, the lower endy of said sleeve below said shoulder being cupped outwardly to form a stop for coperation with a shoulder on said foot member.

21. An artificial limb comprising a shank member and a foot member pivoted together to form an ankle joint, a sleeve fitted to theV lower portion of the 4shank member and adapted to be turned toward either the right or the left for lateral adjusting purposes and then secured to said shank member, a shoulder on said sleeve'with which -said shanky `member is adapted to engage `and limit rela'- tive longitudinal movement of the two members towardV each other, and means carried by said sleeve for pivotally attachin 'said foot member, the lower end `of sai sleeve below said shoulder being cupped outwardly to Vform front and rear 'stops for cooperation with shoulders on said foot members in frontof and at the rear of thepivotal connection'. rr i .n v

22. An artificial limb comprising a shank lmember and a thigh member pivoted together to form a knee joint, the upper portion of said thigh member being hollow and of hard fiber whereby a socket for the stump of the wearer is formed, saidrshard ber socket havinga vertically extending opening, reinforcing strips for the edges of said opening having a breaking characteristic which is different from that of the body portion of said socket, and means for drawing said edges together to causethe sockettoflt the stump. Y l' 23. An artificial limb comprising a shank member `and a thigh member pivoted together to form a knee oint, a iexor member attached to said shank' member for flexing said shank member into bent position at .the beginning of astep,and an'exte'nsor member attached to said shank member for bringing said shank member into straight position at the end of a step. j 24. An artificial limb comprising a shank member and a thigh member pivoted together to form a knee joint, aexor member for flexing said shank member into bent position, said Vflexor member extending between the rear portion of said shank member and the lower portion of said thigh member, and guiding means within the front portion of said shank member over which the intermediate portion of said flexor member passes.

25. An artificial limb comprising a shank member anda thighmember pivoted together to form a knee jointaf1exor member for flexing said shank member into its vbent A Y portion. of said thigh member. Y

` 26. An artificial limb comprising a .shank member and .a thigh member pivoted togetherV to form a knee joint, a flexor member for flexing said'shank. member into bent po-v sition,=an extensor memberfor bringing'said shank-memberinto straight position, andan attachment for connecting the upper end of said extensor member to the Suspenders which hold said thigh member to the body of the wearer, whereby when the Suspenders are relaxed in a sitting position of the wearer, the flexor member is permitted to operate" to bring the shank member into bent' position. f f r 27. An articial limb'comprising. a shank member and a thigh `member pivoted, together-'to form a knee joint, an extensor member for bringing said shank'member into straight position, said extensor member being attached at one end tothe lower portion of said thigh member, guiding means within and attached to the rear'portion of said shank member over which said extensor member passes, guiding means within and attached to the front portion of said shank member over which said extensor member passes to thel outside of said shank member and extends upwardly, a stop attached to saidshank member adjacent said last mentioned guiding means, avstop secured'to said extensor member adaptedto cooperate with said first named stop when said shank membei' is -coming into straight position,` and means for attaching the upperendof said extensor member to the, Suspenders which hold .said thigh member -to the bodyV of the wearer. Y Y Y I 28. An artificial limb comprising a shank member and' aV thigh membenpivoted together to forma knee-joint, fand a flexor member for flexing said lshank member into bent position, said flexor member being attachedto said shank member andextending to the lower portion oflsaid thighl` member.

` 29. An artificial limb comprising'a shank member and a thigh member pivoted together to form a kneejoint, a iexor member for flexing said shank member into bent position, said flexor member being attached to said shank member and extending to the lower portion of said thigh member, and an extensor member attached to said shank member for bringing said shank member into straight position.

30. An artificial limb comprising a hollow thigh member ofhard fiber constituting a socket for the stump of the wearer, a reinforcing strip for the upper edge of said thigh member having a breaking characteristie whichV is different from that of said hard liber thigh member, and padding material extending over said upper Vedge and reinforcing strip. Y

31. An artificial limb comprising'a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow Vknee member provided with an indentation adapted to be expanded into engagementl with the inner wall of said thigh member at its lower end, and a pivotal connection bey tween said knee member and said shank member. Y Y

32. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow knee member, a ledge on the inner wall of saidV knee member, said knee member being provided with'a cut adjacent the upper edge of said ledge whereby the material above the latter may be indented to permit'insertion into the lower'end of said thigh member, said indented material being adapted tobe expanded into engagement with said thigh member, and a pivotal connection between said thigh member and said shank member.

33. An artiicial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a hollow knee member, ledges on the inner and outer wallsing provided with a cut adjacent the upper edges of said ledges whereby the material above the latter may be indented to permit insertion into the lower end of Said thigh member, said indented material being ada ted to be expanded into engagement with saidthigh member, and a pivotal connection between said knee member and said shank member.

34. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a knee member secured to the lower portion of said thigh member, a pivotal connection between said knee member and shank member, a bar extending from the rear of said shank member to said pivotal connection, and an adjustable stop mounted on said bar, said stop being adapted to engage said knee member when said shank member swings forwardly. 35. An artificial limb comprising a shank member, a thigh member, a knee member secured to the lower portion of said thigh member, a pivotal connection between said knee member and yshank member, a bar secured to the rear of said shank member and having its upper end encircling said pivotal connection, a bolt screw-threaded through said bar, a plate swiveled upon the inner end of said bolt, and flanges extending from said plate into slidable engagement with the sides of said bar, said plate being adapted to engage said knee member when said shank member swings forwardly.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alix my signature.

OSCAR E. WORMAN.

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