Prosthetic foot

Abstract

A prosthetic foot comprises a ground engaging bottom resilient member, a resilient heel member, and a resilient toe member that collectively circumscribe an open volumetric space. The members resilient compress to absorb compressive force throughout the entire stride of an individual utilizing the foot. The prosthetic foot stores energy during a heel strike phase of a gait cycle, and releases energy during a toe-off phase of the gait cycle in order to assist forward movement of a user. During the gait cycle, a loading response during the heel strike phase compresses the heel member and the toe member, and causes a deflection of the rear portion of the bottom member. Furthermore, an upward deflection of at least one of the bottom member and the toe member stores energy during the transition from the heel strike phase to the toe-off phase of the gait cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthetic foot comprising:
 a bottom member comprising a first bottom end and a second bottom, wherein a radius of curvature of the bottom member from the first bottom end to the second bottom end is above the bottom member;   a top member comprising a first top end and a second top end, wherein the first top end is connected to the first bottom end of the bottom member, and wherein the top member is positioned over the bottom member; and   a bumper coupled to an upper surface of the second bottom end of the bottom member and in contact with an underside of the top member;   wherein the prosthetic foot is configured to store energy during a heel strike phase of a gait cycle, and release energy during a toe-off phase of the gait cycle in order to assist forward movement.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom member is convex from the first bottom end to the second bottom end with respect to the ground. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom member has no inflection point. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper is not coupled to the underside of the top member. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper may disengage from contact with the underside of the top member during the toe-off phase. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the bottom member from the first bottom end to the second bottom end is above the bottom member in an unloaded state. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 7 , wherein the bumper is configured to provide a damping resistance. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 7 , wherein the bumper is configured to cushion the deflection of the top member during use. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic foot device of  claim 1 , further comprising a heel member connected to the second bottom end of the bottom member, wherein the heel member extends upwardly from the second bottom end. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein 90% or more of the energy stored during a heel strike phase is transferred to the top member for assisting the toe-off phase. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bottom member and the top member is made of a glass fiber composite, wherein said glass fiber composite comprises a fiber weave layer of about 50% fiber and about 50% resin, and a glass reinforcement layer positioned between at least two fiber weave layers. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic foot device of  claim 1 , wherein at least 33% of the bottom member is in contact with a surface during heel strike and toe-off motions of a gait cycle. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic foot device of  claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of the bottom member is in contact with a surface during a mid-stance phase of a gait cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic foot device of  claim 10 , wherein the heel comprises a secondary bumper configured to provide a damping resistance while cushioning the deflection of the heel member during use. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 1 , wherein a loading response during the heel strike phase compresses the top member and causes a deflection of the second bottom end of the bottom member. 
     
     
         17 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 16 , wherein an upward deflection of the bottom member and said top member stores energy during a transition from the heel strike phase to a toe-off phase of the gait cycle, and wherein 90% or more of the energy stored during the heel strike phase is transferred to the top member for assisting the toe-off phase. 
     
     
         18 . A prosthetic foot comprising:
 a curved bottom member comprising a first bottom end and a second bottom end, and having no inflection point, wherein a radius of curvature of the curved bottom member from the first bottom end to the second bottom end is above the curved bottom member;   a top member comprising a first top end and a second top end, wherein the first top end is connected to the first bottom end of the curved bottom member, and wherein the top member is positioned over the curved bottom member; and   a bumper coupled to an upper surface of the back end of the curved bottom member and in contact but not coupled with an underside of the second top end of top member.   
     
     
         19 . The prosthetic foot of  claim 18 , wherein the curved bottom member is convex from the first bottom end to the second bottom end with respect to the ground.