DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a prosthetic device. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a wearable prosthetic device which is adapted to fully extend in a straight position to flex inward and involve multiple locking positions in between fully extended to fully flexed positions to give amputee/user more freedom to do various activity of the daily living by setting the elbow device locked in one of the positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The elbow prosthetic devices are the devices used by the Transhumeral amputees whose elbow joint is missing. The elbow device has a mechanism which provides the flexion and extension at the elbow joint. These flexions and extensions can be achieved by manual mechanism as well as motorized mechanism. There are so many Elbow devices with different mechanism available in the market as follows-

Elbow-Units-and-External-Joints-Catalog provides the technical information of the mechanical elbow device by the Steeper group. This shows an elbow device with manual locking mechanism which provides only 5 locking positions with the given weight of 500 grams. This five locking position is not enough for amputees to perform activities of daily living.

12K100 DynamicArm Instructions for Use provides the technical information of the motorized elbow device by Ottobock . This shows an elbow device with a motorized mechanism & machined component which provides locking at different positions, but the addition of the motor at the elbow joint makes it heavy and bulky.

So by looking and evaluating these two products ,our product is trying to accomplish following -

a) Our product has a novel linkage based toggle mechanism for locking , which provides more locking positions (13 locking positions) .
b) Our product has novel sheet metal based linkage mechanism and does not have any heavy machined components which makes it light weighted that available elbow prosthesis in the market.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
It is thus the basic object of the present invention is to develop a prosthetic device which can give amputee/user more freedom to do various activities of daily living using the prosthetic device and selectively setting the prosthetic device parameter.

Another object of the present invention is to develop a wearable prosthetic device such as a prosthetic elbow device which can perform flexion and extension at the elbow joint.

Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a wearable prosthetic device such as prosthetic elbow device which can perform flexion and extension at elbow joint and further can be locked in between at multiple locking positions to give amputee/user more freedom to do various activity of the daily living involving such locked positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The elbow device is designed to provide robust locking and unlocking mechanisms in order to enable flexion and extension movements of the elbow joint. The device includes a lower socket, two identical levers, and a dome that are connected by linkages and spacers. Male and female teeth can be meshed to lock the device in a particular position. A sliding switch can disengage the teeth, allowing the device to rotate freely until the switch is released and the teeth mesh again. The linkages are connected by revolute joints, and the device includes torsional springs to provide spring load. The toggle position between the linkages ensures robust locking of the mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wearable elbow prosthetic device of the present invention with multiple locking positions between flexed & extended positions allowing user smooth and easy movement between said locking positions and robust locking at any of the locking positions comprises

a wearable dome (5) for wearing by user on amputed part;

a lower socket (1) connected with said dome (5) by identical levers (36, 37) at symmetric positions of a bolt (14) forming a pivot (J);

said lower socket (1) includes

male teeth (25) which can be meshed with female teeth (8) connected with dome (5) and

a spring-loaded sliding switch (2) having operative linkage with said male teeth (25);

said operative linkage between the male teeth (25) and the switch (2) moves the male teeth (25) to disengage with the female teeth (8) when the switch (2) is pushed in forward direction which makes the lower socket (1) to freely rotate about the pivot J and when the switch (2) is released, the spring load on the linkage makes the linkage go back to the earlier position engaging the male teeth (25) with the female teeth (8).

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the linkage and levers (36, 37) are connected by spacers (11, 12, 38, 39) and a cover (11) covers internal linkage mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the operative linkage between the male teeth (25) and the switch (2) includes

a first linkage (32) connected with switch (2) at pivot A such as that the switch (2) and first linkage (32) act as rigid parts;

a second linkage (31) connected with the first linkage 32 at pivot B by revolute joint;

a third linkage (27) connected with the second linkage (31) at pivot C by revolute joint;

a fourth linkage (26) connected with the third linkage (27) at pivot G by revolute joint;

a fifth linkage which having the male teeth (25) connected with the fourth linkage (26) by revolute joint at pivot H; and

a sixth linkage (9) acts as fixed linkage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the fifth linkage with male teeth (25) and the third linkage (27) are connected with the sixth linkage (9) at pivot I and F respectively by the revolute joints and the linkages are connected with the socket (1) and levers (36, 37) at the pivot I & K respectively.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the third linkage (27) and the fourth linkage (26) cross toggle position about pivot G between engaging and disengaging of the male teeth (25) with the female teeth (8) to ensure that while in locking position any push force on the male teeth (25) only helps in locking the mechanism and thus achieving robust locking.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the levers (36, 37) are connected with the dome (5) at the pivot J ensuring the male teeth (25) and female teeth (8) are in the meshed position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the spring-loaded sliding switch (2) includes spring biasing bodies (28, 29) having torsional springs (49 & 50) used for spring load about the pivot E, whereby stationary spring biasing body (28) is fixed with the sixth linkage (9) and a moving spring biasing body (29) is constrained to move in anti-clockwise direction due to spring load.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the moving spring biasing body (29) includes a roller (30) at pivot D which rolls and pushes the third linkage (27) towards anticlockwise directions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, a cover (6) is connected with the socket (1) at pivots I & K.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the female teeth (8) is connected with the dome (5) with the help of bolts (13,20).

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the dome (5) is connected with a plastic part (23) at a wedge shaped cavity thereof by a plastic wedge part (24) and wedge connector bolt (7), said plastic wedge part (24) goes inside the part (23) and wedge connector bolt (7) meshes with internal thread on the wedge (24) such that when bolt is tightened then the plastic part (23) is pulled inside the dome (5) due to wedge action.

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, another plastic part (4) rests in cavity of the dome (5) and an attachment ring (3) is sandwiched between plastic parts (23,4);

wherein a thin annular plastic ring (18) is used to reduce friction between (3,4) and thus providing a rotational degree of freedom in the attachment ring (3) enabling the amputee to rotate the elbow prosthesis about axis of the dome (5).

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the spacers (11 & 12) are connected by a threaded shaft (34) and the spacers (38 & 39) are connected by another threaded shaft (35), whereby the spacers (11 & 12) and also (38 & 39) are separated by the linkages (9 & 10).

In a preferred embodiment of the present wearable elbow prosthetic device, the lever (37) is connected with spacers (11 & 38) and similarly another lever (36) is connected with the spacers (12 & 39), whereby the lever (37) is connected to the socket (1) with the help of the bolt (15 & 16) while the lever (36) is connected with the socket (1) with the help of bolt (53 & 54) and a threaded sleeve (22) that goes inside the dome (5) is connected with lever (36 & 37) with the help of bolt (14 & 52).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
FIG 1 Shows the top view of the prosthetic elbow device in the extended position

FIG 2 Shows the isometric view of the elbow device in the flexed position

FIG 3 Shows the side view of the elbow device in the extended position

FIG 4 Shows the side view of the elbow device in the flexed position

FIG 5 Shows the cross-sectional side view of the elbow device in the locked position

FIG 6 Shows the cross-sectional side view of the elbow device in the unlocked position

FIG 7 Shows the exploded view of the elbow device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING:
The present invention relates to an elbow device that is designed to provide robust locking in multiple positions between flexed & extended positions, while also allowing for smooth and easy movement between different positions. The device comprises a lower socket connected to a dome by two identical levers at symmetric positions. The lower socket has a linkage with male teeth that can be meshed with female teeth connected with the dome. The internal linkages and levers are connected by spacers. The device also includes a sliding switch that can slide over a dome resulting in the disengagement of the male and female teeth. The switch is connected with a switch linkage and acts as a rigid part. The switch linkage is connected to other linkages by revolute joints. The device further comprises bodies with torsional springs about its pivot. wherein one of the bodies is fixed with the linkage at the pivot, while the other body is constrained to move in the anti-clockwise direction due to spring force. The constrained body has a roller which rolls and pushes the linkage towards anticlockwise directions. The device is operated by sliding the switch in the forward direction, simultaneously rotating the lower socket in the anti-clockwise direction and then releasing the spring-loaded switch, which locks the device in that position. The linkages are designed to cross the toggle position between engaging and disengaging of male and female teeth. This toggle position ensures that any push force on the male teeth only helps in locking the mechanism, thereby providing robust locking. In summary, the present invention provides an improved elbow device that allows for easy and smooth movement between different positions while also providing robust locking in any position. The device also includes plastic parts and attachment rings that allow the amputee to rotate the elbow prosthesis about the dome axis. The device is simple and reliable to use

FIG 1 shows the elbow device in the fully extended position. It has lower socket 1, which is connected with dome 5 by the two identical levers 36 & 37 at symmetric positions. The lower socket 1 has a linkage with male teeth which can be meshed with female teeth part 8, connected with the dome 6. The internal linkages & levers 36 & 37 are connected by the spacers 11, 12 & 38, 39. A sliding switch 2 can slide over socket 1 resulting disengagement of male and female teeth 8. The cover 11 covers the internal linkage mechanism.

FIG 2 shows the isometric view of the elbow device in the flexed position. This position can be achieved by sliding the switch 2 in forward direction, simultaneously rotating the lower socket 1 in anti-clockwise direction and then releasing the spring-loaded switch 2 which makes the device locked in that position. FIG 3 & 4 Shows the elbow device in fully extended and fully flexed positions respectively.

FIG 5 & 6 shows the cross-sectional view of the elbow device in locking and unlocking positions. The switch 2 is connected with a first linkage 32 at the pivot A and switch 2 and first linkage 32 acts as rigid parts. A second linkage 31 and the first linkage 32 are connected at the pivot B by the revolute joint. The second linkage 31 and a third linkage 27 are connected at pivot C by the revolute joint. Similarly, the third linkage 27 and a fourth linkage 26 are connected at pivot G by the revolute joint. The fourth linkage 26 is connected to a fifth linkage which having the male teeth 25 by the revolute joint at pivot H. Sixth linkage 9 is the fixed linkage. The male teeth linkage 25 and the third linkage 27 are connected with the sixth linkage 9 at pivot I and F respectively by the revolute joints. The linkages are connected with the socket 1 & levers 36 & 37 at the pivot I & K respectively. The female teeth linkage 8 is connected to the dome 5. The levers 36 & 36 are connected with the dome 5 at the pivot J such that the male teeth 25 and female teeth 8 are in the meshed position. The spring biasing bodies 28 & 29 have torsional springs about the pivot E such that the stationary spring biasing body 28 is fixed with the sixth linkage 9 and moving spring biasing body 29 is constrained to move in the anti-clockwise direction due to spring force. The moving spring biasing body 29 has roller 30 at pivot D which rolls and pushes the third linkage 27 towards anticlockwise directions. Cover 6 is connected with the socket 1 at pivots I & K. The female teeth 8 is connected with the dome 5 with the help of bolts 13 & 20.

Thus, when the switch 2 is slid in the forward direction, all the linkages have such motion that the male teeth 25 disengage with the female teeth 8. This makes the lower socket 1 and its constituents to freely rotate about the pivot J. So, when the switch 2 is released at a desired position, the spring load of 29 on the third linkage 27 makes the linkages go back to the earlier position when male teeth 25 and female teeth 8 were in engaged position. The third and fourth linkages 26 and 27 cross the toggle position about the pivot G between engaging and disengaging of male teeth 25 and female teeth 8. This toggle position makes sure that while in locking position any push force on the male teeth 25 only helps in locking the mechanism. Thus robust locking is achieved.

The plastic part 23 having wedge shaped cavity is connected with the dome 5 with the help of plastic wedge part 24 & wedge connector bolt 7. The plastic wedge part 24 goes inside the part 23 and wedge connector bolt 7 meshes with the internal thread of the wedge 24 such that when bolt is tightened then the plastic part 23 is pulled inside the dome 5 due to wedge action. A plastic part 4 rests in the cavity of dome 5. An attachment ring 3 is sandwiched between plastic parts 23 & 4. A thin annular plastic ring 18 is used to reduce friction between 3 & 4. Thus, attachment ring 3 has a rotational degree of freedom. Hence the amputee can rotate the elbow prosthesis about the dome 5 axis.

FIG 7 shows the exploded view of the elbow device with all its constituents. Exploded view shows the torsional spring 49 & 50 used for spring load. The spacers 11 & 12 can be connected with threaded shaft 34. Similarly, spacers 38 & 39 can be connected with the threaded shaft 35. The spacers 11 & 12 and also 38 & 39 are separated by the linkages 9 & 10. The lever 37 is connected with spacers 11 & 38. Similarly lever 36 is connected with the spacers 12 & 39. The lever 37 is connected to the socket 1 with the help of the bolt 15 & 16 while the lever 36 is connected with the socket 1 with the help of bolt 53 & 54. A threaded sleeve 22 that goes inside the dome is connected with lever 36 & 37 with the help of bolt 14 & 52.

Fig No.1-7
Component indicating Reference Numerals Component Name Function
1 Socket Function as forearm and provides structural support to mechanism.
2 Switch Helps in locking & unlocking of the device
3 Attachment ring Attaches with customized socket of residual limb & proved rotational degree of freedom
4 Plastic part Acts as spacer
5 Dome Acts as the upper unit of elbow device and houses female teeth for locking & retaining rings.
6 Plastic cover Hides the internal linkage mechanism
7 Wedge connector bolt Connects the Plastic part 23 & Dome 5
8 Female teeth Provides cavity for locking
9 Linkage Acts as stationary member of mechanism & provide pivot points
10 Linkage Acts as stationary member of mechanism & provide pivot points
11 Spacer Acts as spacer
12 Spacer Acts as spacer
13 Bolt Connects female teeth 8 with dome 5
14 Bolt Connects Socket 1 , lever 37 & Dome 5
15 Bolt Connects Socket 1 & lever 37
16 Bolt Connects Socket 1 & lever 37
17 Pin Connects switch 2 with linkage 17
18 Plastic spacer Acts as friction reducing element
19 E clip Restricts the axial movement of wedge connector bolt 7
20 Bolt Connects female teeth 8 with dome 5
21 Nut Connects with Bolt 45
22 Threaded sleeve Connects dome 5 with levers 36 & 37
23 Plastic part Helps in attaching attachment ring 3 with dome 5
24 Plastic wedge Helps attaching plastic part 23 & dome 5
25 Male teeth Acts as Male counterpart for locking & acts as follower in the mechanism
26 Linkage Acts as coupler
27 Linkage Acts as crank
28 Stationary spring biasing body Holds the half of the torsional spring 50 & remains stationary
29 Moving spring biasing Body Holds other half of torsional spring49 & 50 on either side and can move
30 Ball bearing Acts as rolling element
31 Linkage Connects linkages 32 to 27
32 Linkage Connects linkage 31 to switch 2
33 Spacer Acts as spacer between linkage 10 & 11
34 Threaded shaft Connects spacers 11 & 12
35 Threaded shaft Connects spacers 38 & 39
36 Lever Connects socket 1 with dome 5
37 Lever Connects socket 1 with dome 5
38 Spacer Acts as spacer
39 Spacer Acts as spacer
40 Circlip shaft Connects linkages 9 & 10 with linkage 27
41 Circlip shaft Connects linkages 26 & 62 with linkage 27
42 Circlip shaft Connects male teeth 25 with linkages 26 & 62
43 Circlip shaft Connects linkage 27 with linkage 31 & 61
44 Circlip shaft Connects linkage 32 with linkage 31 & 61
45 Bolt Connects spring body 63, 29 & 28
46 Bolt Connects spring body 29 with ball bearing 30
47 Bolt Connects spring body 63 with linkage 10
48 Bolt Connects spring body 63 with linkage 10
49 Torsional spring Provides spring force to the mechanism
50 Torsional spring Provides spring force to the mechanism
51 E clip Attaches with circlip shaft 40
52 Bolt Connects lever 36 & dome 5
53 Bolt Connects lever 36 & socket 1
54 Bolt Connects lever 36 & socket 1
55 Bolt Connects spring body 28 with linkage 12
56 Bolt Connects spring body 28 with linkage 12
57 E clip Attaches with circlip shaft 41
58 E clip Attaches with circlip shaft 42
59 E clip Attaches with circlip shaft 43
60 E clip Attaches with circlip shaft 44
61 Linkage Connects linkages 27 with 32
62 Linkage Connects male teeth with linkage 10
63 Stationary spring body Houses half of torsional spring 49 and remain stationary.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A wearable elbow prosthetic device with multiple locking positions between flexed & extended positions allowing user smooth and easy movement between said locking positions and robust locking at any of the locking positions comprising

a wearable dome (5) for wearing by user on amputed part;

a lower socket (1) connected with said dome (5) by identical levers (36, 37) at symmetric positions of a bolt (14) forming a pivot (J);

said lower socket (1) includes

male teeth (25) which can be meshed with female teeth (8) connected with dome (5) and

a spring-loaded sliding switch (2) having operative linkage with said male teeth (25);

said operative linkage between the male teeth (25) and the switch (2) moves the male teeth (25) to disengage with the female teeth (8) when the switch (2) is pushed in forward direction which makes the lower socket (1) to freely rotate about the pivot J and when the switch (2) is released, the spring load on the linkage makes the linkage go back to the earlier position engaging the male teeth (25) with the female teeth (8).

2. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage and levers (36, 37) are connected by spacers (11, 12, 38, 39) and a cover (11) covers internal linkage mechanism.

3. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the operative linkage between the male teeth (25) and the switch (2) includes

a first linkage (32) connected with switch (2) at pivot A such as that the switch (2) and first linkage (32) act as rigid parts;

a second linkage (31) connected with the first linkage 32 at pivot B by revolute joint;

a third linkage (27) connected with the second linkage (31) at pivot C by revolute joint;

a fourth linkage (26) connected with the third linkage (27) at pivot G by revolute joint;

a fifth linkage which having the male teeth (25) connected with the fourth linkage (26) by revolute joint at pivot H; and

a sixth linkage (9) acts as fixed linkage.

4. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fifth linkage with male teeth (25) and the third linkage (27) are connected with the sixth linkage (9) at pivot I and F respectively by the revolute joints and the linkages are connected with the socket (1) and levers (36, 37) at the pivot I & K respectively.

5. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third linkage (27) and the fourth linkage (26) cross toggle position about pivot G between engaging and disengaging of the male teeth (25) with the female teeth (8) to ensure that while in locking position any push force on the male teeth (25) only helps in locking the mechanism and thus achieving robust locking.

6. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the levers (36, 37) are connected with the dome (5) at the pivot J ensuring the male teeth (25) and female teeth (8) are in the meshed position.

7. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spring-loaded sliding switch (2) includes spring biasing bodies (28, 29) having torsional springs (49 & 50) used for spring load about the pivot E, whereby stationary spring biasing body (28) is fixed with the sixth linkage (9) and a moving spring biasing body (29) is constrained to move in anti-clockwise direction due to spring load.

8. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the moving spring biasing body (29) includes a roller (30) at pivot D which rolls and pushes the third linkage (27) towards anticlockwise directions.

9. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein a cover (6) is connected with the socket (1) at pivots I & K.

10. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, wherein the female teeth (8) is connected with the dome (5) with the help of bolts (13,20).

11. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dome (5) is connected with a plastic part (23) at a wedge shaped cavity thereof by a plastic wedge part (24) and wedge connector bolt (7), said plastic wedge part (24) goes inside the part (23) and wedge connector bolt (7) meshes with internal thread on the wedge (24) such that when bolt is tightened then the plastic part (23) is pulled inside the dome (5) due to wedge action.

12. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11, wherein another plastic part (4) rests in cavity of the dome (5) and an attachment ring (3) is sandwiched between plastic parts (23,4);

wherein a thin annular plastic ring (18) is used to reduce friction between (3,4) and thus providing a rotational degree of freedom in the attachment ring (3) enabling the amputee to rotate the elbow prosthesis about axis of the dome (5).

13. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12, wherein the spacers (11 & 12) are connected by a threaded shaft (34) and the spacers (38 & 39) are connected by another threaded shaft (35), whereby the spacers (11 & 12) and also (38 & 39) are separated by the linkages (9 & 10).

14. The wearable elbow prosthetic device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lever (37) is connected with spacers (11 & 38) and similarly another lever (36) is connected with the spacers (12 & 39), whereby the lever (37) is connected to the socket (1) with the help of the bolt (15 & 16) while the lever (36) is connected with the socket (1) with the help of bolt (53 & 54) and a threaded sleeve (22) that goes inside the dome (5) is connected with lever (36 & 37) with the help of bolt (14 & 52).