The present invention relates to a connection part for prostheses having the features of the preamble of claim 1.
Such a connection part for a leg prosthesis is known from DE 197 18 580 A1 for example. Here, a prosthetic liner has a pin for insertion into a connection part connected to a shank adapter which in turn is connected to the prosthesis tube through a clamping element. The connection part has an unlockable, spring-loaded toothed latch for a toothed portion of said pin. The documents GB 2 338 899 A or DE 93 21 342 U1 have a very similar structure. In all the cases, there are provided unlocking rods that are actuatable from the outside and by means of which the locking element can be moved out of locking engagement with the pin. The document DE 100 26 399 A1 shows a connection part that may be optionally equipped as described herein above but that also offers the possibility of using a pull-in cord for the liner, a catch for the pull-in cord being located on the prosthesis shank. Switching between the alternatives requires quite a complex modification.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a connection part for prostheses, more specifically of the type last mentioned, which is configured to be variable and obviates the need for modifying the structure when switching between a solution using an insertion pin and one using a pull-in cord.
This object is solved with the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. Improvements and advantageous implementations of the invention are comprised herein after.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a connection part for prostheses, more specifically a locking member for a pin of a prosthetic liner, said locking member comprising a hole with a spring-loaded latch for a groove or ratchet shaped contour of said pin, as well as a release device for releasing the locking member, said release device being actuatable against the force of said spring, characterized in that the locking member moreover comprises a clamping mechanism integrated therein for a cord of a prosthetic liner that has no pin and is insertable into the prosthesis shank by means of said cord.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the release device consists of an unlocking rod that has at its outer end an unlocking head guided toward the outside and is guided so as to glide in a channel of the locking member, said locking rod engaging at its inner end with a fixation forming the latch, said fixation being displaceably disposed in a recess of the locking member and said fixation being biased by the force of at least one spring toward a locking position and toward the inner end of the unlocking rod, a displacement of the unlocking rod into an unlocking position toward the inside of the locking member causing the fixation to be carried along with said rod and the pin to come free. The unlocking rod is guided in the channel so as to be secured from being lost.
In accordance with the invention, the locking member has a hole, recess or the like for guiding the cord through the hole out of the locking member. According to the preferred implementation of the invention, the unlocking rod is connected in a central region with at least one cord clamping pawl for the cord, said cord clamping pawl being pivotally or displaceably disposed on the unlocking rod, said locking member having a recess for a work region of the cord clamping pawl, said cord being guided through the recess and a wall, a projection of the recess or a part inserted therein serving as a clamping limit stop for the cord clamping pawl and stopping the cord in a final position of the work region of the cord clamping pawl, the remaining work region of the cord clamping pawl allowing the cord to come free and said cord clamping pawl only clamping the cord in the pulling direction, which is counter to the direction of pulling in the liner. The recess for the work region of the cord clamping pawl is disposed between two cord guides or a channel or little tube or the like serves for guiding the cord. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cord clamping pawl is biased by the force of a spring in the direction of the clamping limit stop. A release limit stop for the cord clamping pawl is preferably disposed in the recess, a displacement of the unlocking rod into the unlocking position causing the cord clamping pawl to be pushed against the release limit stop and to rotate about its articulation at the locking position into the remaining work region and the cord to come free.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is provided a valve for evacuating air from the connection part and/or for allowing air to penetrate thereinto; said valve may be configured to be manually actuatable.
The connection part can be screwed or the like onto the prosthesis shank; it may also be cast in the distal end thereof.
The invention will be described in closer detail hereinafter by way of example with reference to drawings. In said drawings:
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With the double acting mechanism for both clamping and releasing a pin and a cord with in parts the same components, the present invention provides a connection part for prostheses that permits to switch between the two solutions at little expense.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2004 008 159.8 | May 2004 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DE05/00893 | 5/17/2005 | WO | 7/6/2007 |