# US 12,004,973 B2 · Prosthesis connection system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,973 B2 - Document ID: US12004973B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/878,119 - Filed: 2022-08-01 - Published: 2023-02-02 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-02 - Applicants: Jay Erna Amandala Boender; Jona Aelrid Brendan Boender; Jennifer Anne Boender; Jacob Quintus Laurens Anthony Boender - Inventors: Jay Erna Amandala Boender; Jona Aelrid Brendan Boender; Jennifer Anne Boender; Jacob Quintus Laurens Anthony Boender - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004973B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/78: Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or stockings for the limb stump - A61F 2/54: Artificial arms or hands or parts thereof - A61F 2/60: Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof - A61F 2/50: Prostheses not implantable in the body {(closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004)} - A61F 2/76: Means for assembling, fitting or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing - A61F 2002/30329: {Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements} - A61F 2002/5083: {modular} - A61F 2002/7887: {for connecting limb exoprostheses to the stump bone} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A prosthesis includes first and second prosthetic limb components and a fastening system for fastening the first and second prosthetic limb components. The first prosthetic limb component is provided with a first coupling member and the second prosthetic limb component is provided with a second coupling member. The first coupling member includes a cylindric member having an axis, with a wall generally parallel with said axis. The second coupling member includes a circular skirt element having an axis and having corresponding external dimensions to the cylindric member whereby to permit a sliding fit therewith in an unfastened state. The fastening system includes a resilient member having an axis and is operable to expand laterally, orthogonally with respect to the axis such that, in a coupling mode of operation, the lateral expansion operates to cause the skirt to be in a state of frictional engagement with the other coupling member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prosthesis including a first prosthetic limb component, a second prosthetic limb component, and a fastening system for fastening the first prosthetic limb component to the second prosthetic limb component, wherein the first prosthetic limb component is provided with a first coupling member and the second prosthetic limb component is provided with a second coupling member; wherein the first coupling member comprising a cylindric member having an axis, with a wall generally parallel with said axis; wherein the second coupling member comprises a circular skirt element having an axis and having corresponding external dimensions to the cylindric member whereby to permit a sliding fit therewith in an unfastened state; wherein the fastening system, associated with one of the first or second coupling members comprises a resilient member having an axis and wherein the resilient member is operable to expand laterally, orthogonally with respect to the axis, said axis being coaxial with the axis of the coupling member with which it is attached; wherein the fastening system is arranged such that, in a coupling mode of operation, the lateral expansion operates to cause the skirt to be in a state of frictional engagement with the other coupling member; and whereby the first and second coupling members couple together with associated first and second prosthetic limb components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first prosthetic limb component is a prosthetic limb and comprises one of a shin member, lower arm, foot or a hand, and the second prosthetic limb component is operable to receive a stump of a patient. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first prosthetic limb component is a prosthetic limb and comprises one of a shin member, lower arm, foot or a hand, and the second prosthetic limb component comprises a coupling member having an additional coupling component and is operable to couple with a known coupling element associated with a prosthetic limb component that is operable to receive a stump of a patient. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first prosthetic limb component is operable to receive a stump of a patient, and the second prosthetic limb component is a prosthetic limb and comprises one of a shin member, lower arm, foot or a hand. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first prosthetic limb component comprises a coupling member having an additional coupling component operable to couple with a known coupling element associated with a prosthetic limb component that is operable to receive a stump of a patient and the second prosthetic limb component comprises a prosthetic limb being one of a shin member, lower arm, foot or a hand. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the cylindric member is a recess, and upon placement of the skirt within the recess and about the laterally expanding resilient member, the lateral expansion of the resilient member causes the exterior of the skirt to frictionally engage with inside walls of the recess. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the laterally expanding resilient member is selected from one of the following: a star nut; and an elastomeric material which can be compressed in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the cylindric member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the inside wall surfaces of the skirt are tapered. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member is controlled by a cam-operated member or a screw-threaded member to expand laterally in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the cylindric member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the cylindric and skirt members has a castellation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the cylindric and skirt members have cooperating lips and grooves. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the cylindric and skirt members are generally circular in plan. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the cylindric and skirt members comprise corresponding polygons in plan.