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US 12,746,133 B2Granted
Artificial hand
OwnerPhillip Johnsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An artificial hand, a kit of components for making the artificial hand and a method of making and installing the artificial hand on the arm stump of a person in need thereof. This artificial hand is made of relatively low-cost components and is fairly easy to assemble from a kit of such components. Additionally, the artificial hand can be relatively quickly and easily fit to the arm stump of a person in need thereof so that the person can wear and use the artificial hand immediately without excessive training or instructions.
Claims20
An artificial hand for a person in need thereof comprising:
- first and second palm members, each containing at least one finger component, with the palm members connected together for rotation between a first, closed position wherein the finger components of the palm components are interspersed together and a second, open position wherein the finger components of the palm components are spaced apart to allow grasping of an object;
- an alignment mechanism associated with the first and second palm members to guide rotation between the first and second positions, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a tab member located on the first palm member and spaced sidewalls on the second palm member defining a slot therebetween, wherein the slot is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the tab member therein to facilitate rotation between the first and second positions, wherein the tab member of the first palm member includes a wall that is configured and dimensioned to contact a rear wall of the slot of the second palm member such that contact of these walls acts as a stop member for the first, closed position;
- a fastener for connecting the first and second palm members together, wherein the fastener passes through the side walls and slot of the second palm member and through a lower portion of the tab member of the first palm member;
- and
- a biasing member operatively associated with the first and second palm members configured and arranged for urging the palm members towards the first, closed position, with the biasing member further configured and dimensioned to be stretched or elongated to allow the palm members and their respective finger components to move to the second, open position to receive an object and to secure the object between the finger components as the biasing member attempts to contract from being stretched or elongated.
2 more elements
An artificial hand for a person in need thereof comprising:
- first and second palm members, each containing at least one finger component, with the palm members connected together for rotation between a first, closed position wherein the finger components of the palm components are interspersed together and a second, open position wherein the finger components of the palm components are spaced apart to allow grasping of an object;
- an alignment mechanism associated with the first and second palm members to guide rotation between the first and second positions, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a tab member located on the first palm member and spaced sidewalls on the second palm member defining a slot therebetween, wherein the slot is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the tab member therein to facilitate rotation between the first and second positions;
- a fastener for connecting the first and second palm members together, wherein the fastener passes through the side walls and slot of the second palm member and through a lower portion of the tab member of the first palm member;
- a biasing member operatively associated with the first and second palm members configured and arranged for urging the palm members towards the first, closed position, with the biasing member further configured and dimensioned to be stretched or elongated to allow the palm members and their respective finger components to move to the second, open position to receive an object and to secure the object between the finger components as the biasing member attempts to contract from being stretched or elongated;
- and
- a base member that includes a first cavity at one end and a second cavity at the opposite end, wherein the first palm member includes a mounting extension extending below the tab member for placement into and securement to the first cavity of the base member.
3 more elements
A kit for preparing an artificial hand for a person having a missing hand and a remaining arm stump, the kit having a plurality of components, comprising:
- first and second palm members, each containing at least one finger component, with the palm members connected together for rotation between a first, closed position wherein the finger components of the palm components are interspersed together and a second, open position wherein the finger components of the palm components are spaced apart to allow grasping of an object;
- an alignment mechanism associated with the first and second palm members to guide rotation between the first and second positions, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a tab member located on the first palm member and spaced sidewalls on the second palm member defining a slot therebetween, wherein the slot is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the tab member therein to facilitate rotation between the first and second positions;
- a fastener for connecting the first and second palm members together, wherein the fastener passes through the side walls and slot of the second palm member and through a lower portion of the tab member of the first palm member;
- a biasing member operatively associated with the first and second palm members configured and arranged for urging the palm members towards the first, closed position, with the biasing member further configured and dimensioned to be stretched or elongated to allow the palm members and their respective finger components to move to the second, open position to receive an object and to secure the object between the finger components as the biasing member attempts to contract from being stretched or elongated;
- a base member that includes a first cavity at one end and a second cavity at the opposite end, wherein the first palm member includes a mounting extension extending below the tab member for placement into and securement to the first cavity of the base member;
- a pylon having a first end which is received in and secured to the second cavity of the base member;
- wherein the pylon comprises a wooden dowel within a plastic tube;
- and
- a coupling member having a cylindrical body, a cavity for receiving and securing thereto a second end of the pylon, and a closed base.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.