SWIVEL JOINT Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: medical engineering; traumatology; orthopedics. SUBSTANCE: swivel joint has frame in the form of upper and lower levers with attachment elements coupled by hinge joint, consisting of overrunning clutch with unidirectional rotation, and mechanism locking the overrunning clutch yoke. Outer surface of yoke is provided with teeth, and mechanism locking the overrunning clutch yoke has lever hinge-joined with lower lever with platform at one end and catch at the other, spring, gear with teeth of evolvent profile of rotation and tract with recesses of the same profile positioned along lever, with gear capable of longitudinal movement along the above-indicated tract. Clutch locking mechanism also includes lever hinge-joined with gear axle with one end, the other end carrying supporting platform. Gear axle is coupled to lower lever by spring. Device ensures forced unlocking of hinge-joint during backward movement of extremity, and length of lower lever varies dynamically at variation of muscular effort of extremity bend. EFFECT: extended functional capabilities. 2 dwg