# US 12,414,872 B2 · Device for supporting a lower limb > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,414,872 B2 - Document ID: US12414872B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/912,210 - Filed: 2021-03-29 - Published: 2023-05-04 - Granted: 2025-09-16 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-03 - Assignees: Artra Design Pty Ltd - Applicants: Artra Design Pty Ltd - Inventors: Robert Lyndon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12414872B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/0195: {Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations} - A61F 5/0585: {for the legs (toe correcting devices A61F5/019)} - A61H 1/0237: {for the lower limbs} - A61H 1/024: {Knee (A61H1/0255 takes precedence)} - A61H 1/0244: {Hip (A61H1/0255 takes precedence)} - A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions - A61H 2201/12: Driving means - A61H 2201/1253: driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven - A61H 2201/1642: Holding means therefor - A61H 2201/1652: Harness - A61H 2203/0431: in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair - A61H 2203/0437: with stretched legs, like in a bed - A61H 2205/106: for the lower legs - 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) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A device for supporting a lower limb of a subject. The device has a housing for a lower limb and a limb support. The housing has a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lower limb. A driving mechanism connected between the housing and the limb support, causes movement of the limb support between a retracted position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and an extended position in which the limb support extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the housing to support the lower limb. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for supporting a lower limb of a subject, comprising: a housing for a lower limb, the housing having a longitudinal axis configured to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lower limb, in use; a limb support comprising an elongated bracing member; a driving mechanism connected between the housing and the limb support, the driving mechanism comprising a first part attached to the housing and a second part connected to the limb support; and an actuator configured to be located at or near a knee of the subject wearing the device and connected to the driving mechanism for enabling the subject to operate the driving mechanism, wherein, in use, actuation of the driving mechanism drives a movement of the limb support between a retracted position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and an extended position in which the limb support extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the housing to support the lower limb, and wherein in the extended position, the limb support is adapted to extend between the housing and the ground to support the lower limb above the ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a foot portion configured to house a foot of the subject. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the housing includes at least two rigid arms, each rigid arm attached to a first and second side of the foot portion to support the lower limb, in use. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a supporting cover attached to each of the two rigid arms that covers a substantial part of a back of the lower leg of the subject, in use. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the supporting cover is adjustable to accommodate for different sizes of lower limb of the subject. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the foot portion has a convex bottom surface comprising a gripping material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the foot portion includes a stabilizing portion extending from the bottom surface, the stabilizing portion being configured to keep the device upright when the subject is not wearing the device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the limb support comprises a base pivotally connected to the elongated bracing member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the limb support further comprises a base lock to lock the base in a position substantially perpendicular to the elongated bracing member when the limb support is in the extended position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the base has a convex lower surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism comprises the first part comprising a first elongate member, the first elongate member including a first end and a second end, wherein the driving mechanism further comprises the second part comprising a second elongate member, the second elongate member including a first end and a second end, the second end of the first elongate member pivotably connected to the first end of the second elongate member, and wherein the actuator is a handle fixed to the driving mechanism for the subject to grip to move the first part of the driving mechanism in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to drive the limb support between the retracted position and the extended position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the handle is detachable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the actuator drives the first elongate member which interacts with a slide to allow the first elongate member to be driven substantially along the housing, and wherein the second end of the second elongate member slides in a captured manner in a linear recess in the elongated bracing member of the limb support to enable the limb support to stably move between the retracted position and the extended position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated bracing member comprises a guide extending along at least part of a length of the elongated bracing member, the guide being configured to engage with the second part of the driving mechanism. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the guide comprises a cavity, and wherein the device further includes a roller attached to a second end of a second elongate member, the roller being located within and moveable along the cavity of the elongated bracing member, and moveable along the guide of the elongated bracing member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a leg portion configured to house a leg of the subject. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes adjustable straps configured to secure a lower leg of the subject within the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a fastener connected between the limb support and the housing to fasten the limb support to the housing when the limb support is in the retracted position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a driving mechanism lock to prevent movement of the first part of the driving mechanism relative to the housing when the limb support is in the extended position or in the retracted position.