Spring orthotic device

Abstract

A spring orthotic device comprising a cradle for contacting the foot of a user, a spring plate underneath the cradle, a ventral pivot beneath the spring plate, and a dorsal pivot above the spring plate and below the cradle located proximally of the ventral pivot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for assisting locomotion using appendages which perform a gait cycle on a solid surface, comprising:
 (a) a horizontally extending support having a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, and a lower surface,   (b) a first planar spring plate positioned below the horizontally extending support and mechanically connected to the horizontally extending support, 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 horizontally extending support and the proximal end of the spring plate are separated by a vertical extent; and   (c) a ventral pivot positioned below the spring plate and mechanically connected to the spring plate,   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 the gait cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a dorsal pivot positioned between and mechanically connected both to the horizontally extending support and to the spring plate, wherein the dorsal pivot is positioned proximally of the ventral pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dorsal pivot and ventral pivot comprise an outer surface having a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of elliptical, hemispherical, tubular pivots, square, and contoured. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dorsal pivot and/or the ventral pivot are hollow. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontally extending support comprises a cradle configured to receive a human foot. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the cradle extends to a point above the first planar spring plate which is proximal to a point on the first planar spring plate which receives a ground reaction force during a second portion of the gait cycle, preferably adjacent to a point below the ball of a subject's foot. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more toe pivots attached to the lower surface of the first planar spring plate at a point located distally of the ventral pivot. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontally extending support is made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, metal, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, carbon fiber, or fiberglass 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first planar spring plate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, polycarbonate plastic, and steel, preferably carbon fiber including KEVLAR fiber and/or fiberglass. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spring plate comprises a plurality of materials, wherein each of the plurality of materials has a different property selected from the group consisting of spring coefficient, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first planar spring plate comprises a downwardly extending convex form, wherein the convex form is preferably hemispherical. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertically extending support having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mechanically connected to the upper surface of the horizontally extending support. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a handle attached to the proximal end of the vertically extending support, thereby forming a crutch. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a brace attached to the proximal end of the vertically extending support, wherein the brace extends horizontally and is designed to receive a portion of a subject's leg below the knee. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a handle or connector attached at the proximal end of the vertically extending support, thereby forming an ankle-foot orthosis 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the vertically extending support is attached at the distal end to a receptacle for an amputated limb, thereby forming a prosthetic. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the distal end of the vertically extending support is mechanically to a mechanical device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second planar spring plate positioned below the first planar spring plate, and   a second ventral pivot positioned below the second spring plate and mechanically connected to the second planar spring plate proximally of the ventral pivot positioned below the first planar spring plate.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a planar forefoot spring extending distally from the distal end of the first planar spring plate. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is retained within a piece of footwear.