Patent ID: 8353968
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: A43B,A61F,A61H

Abstract:
1. A device for assisting locomotion using appendages, wherein the device comprises a proximal portion at a heel end of the device and a distal portion at a toe end of the device, comprising: (a) a cradle having a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, and a lower surface, (b) a first planar spring plate positioned below the cradle and mechanically connected to the cradle, the spring plate having a proximal end, a distal end, a lateral side between the proximal end and the distal end, a medial side between the proximal end and the distal end, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein the proximal end of the cradle and the proximal end of the spring plate are separated by a vertical extent; (c) a rigid ventral pivot positioned below the spring plate and mechanically connected to the spring plate, wherein the proximal end of the spring plate bends vertically downward around an axis defined by the length of the ventral pivot in response to a downward force applied to the proximal end of the cradle; and (d) a rigid dorsal pivot positioned between and mechanically connected to the cradle and to the spring plate, wherein the dorsal pivot is positioned proximally of the ventral pivot, wherein the ventral pivot is positioned between the lateral side and the medial side of the first planar spring plate distally of a point on the first planar spring plate which receives a ground reaction force during a first portion of a gait cycle.