JP2020010996A - Sole for prosthetic foot - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sole for a prosthetic foot having higher wear resistance.SOLUTION: A sole 5 for a prosthetic foot is a sole that is attached to an area where the prosthetic foot is in contact with a road surface, and has an area where the thickness of the sole is minimized at the center part in the longitudinal direction B of the sole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sole to be mounted on a prosthetic foot contact area.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a prosthetic leg for competition (hereinafter referred to as a prosthetic leg for competition or simply a prosthetic leg, having a leaf-shaped foot portion having a curved portion and extending to the toe side and having a contact area extending in an arc shape from the toe to the curved portion side. Is also known). A prosthetic leg for sports having such a leaf spring-shaped foot is generally provided with a sole that is in contact with a road surface on the bottom surface of the contact area.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 exemplifies a sole that is attached to the lower surface of a curved leaf spring-like artificial prosthesis and that is compatible with an athletic event. Specifically, Patent Literature 1 describes a sole provided with spikes and a sole provided with a number of outsole portions each having a hexagonal contact surface on the lower surface of the sole contacting the road surface. ing.

JP-A-2006-150189

  However, in the sole exemplified in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the wear resistance of the sole of the prosthesis. For example, when performing a competition by wearing a prosthesis, pressure is applied to the sole when kicking out with the prosthesis. Repeated pressure on the sole causes the sole to wear. A portion of the sole where pressure is particularly strong has a particularly high degree of wear. When the sole is worn, the force kicked out by the competitor may not be sufficiently transmitted to the road surface, and the wearer of the prosthesis may not be able to sufficiently exercise the running skill as the competitor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a prosthetic foot sole having high wear resistance.

The gist of the present invention is as follows.
(1) A sole for a prosthetic limb, which is attached to an area where the prosthetic limb contacts a road surface, the sole having a region where the thickness of the sole is minimum in a central portion in a front-rear direction of the sole.

(2) The prosthetic foot sole according to (1), wherein the sole has a region in front of the central portion of the sole where the thickness of the sole is larger than the central portion.

(3) The prosthetic sole according to (1) or (2), wherein the thickness of the sole gradually increases from the center toward the front of the sole.

(4) The prosthetic foot according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the thickness of the sole in the front-back direction is 0.5 to 9.0 mm. For sole.

(5) In a side view of the sole, a maximum value of an angle between an adhesion surface adhered to the prosthesis and a tangent of a bottom surface that contacts the road surface on the front side is 3 to 40 °. (1) The sole for a prosthesis according to any one of (1) to (4).

(6) The prosthetic sole according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the sole has a region where the thickness of the sole is minimized in a central portion in a width direction of the sole.

  According to the prosthetic sole of the present invention, a prosthetic sole having high wear resistance can be provided.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the artificial prosthesis with the sole attached thereto according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view for explaining step operation and a ground contact form step by step when a competition prosthesis is worn and the wearer goes straight ahead. It is a side view for explaining step operation and a ground contact form step by step when a competition prosthesis is worn and the wearer goes straight ahead. It is a side view for explaining step operation and a ground contact form step by step when a competition prosthesis is worn and the wearer goes straight ahead. It is a side view for explaining step operation and a ground contact form step by step when a competition prosthesis is worn and the wearer goes straight ahead. It is a figure for explaining each field of the bottom of a sole. It is a figure showing an example of the pattern of the bottom of a sole. It is a typical side view of a sole concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical side view of a modification of the sole concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a width direction of a sole according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a sole and a pasting allowance before being attached to a grounding part. It is a figure for explaining thickness near a boundary of a toe side pasting margin and a sole. It is an expanded sectional view showing the neighborhood including the boundary of the bending part side sticking allowance and the sole.

  Hereinafter, a sole (hereinafter, also referred to as a sole) of a prosthetic foot for sports of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, exemplifying an embodiment thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a prosthetic leg 1 for sports to which a sole 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached. The artificial prosthetic foot 1 has a leaf spring-shaped foot portion 2, and a sole 5 is attached to a contact area on a distal end side thereof. Although not shown, the base end of the foot 2 is connected to a socket via an adapter, and the wearer wears a prosthesis by accommodating a stump of the wearer's foot in the socket. be able to. As the adapter and the socket, those according to the stump position of the foot, such as a thigh prosthesis and a lower leg prosthesis, are used. FIG. 1 shows the foot 2 and the sole 5 in an upright state of a wearer wearing the artificial prosthetic foot 1 for competition.

  Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the side where the foot 2 is connected to the adapter is referred to as a connection side, and the side where the foot 2 is grounded is referred to as a ground side in the height direction of the competition prosthesis. The toe T of the athletic prosthesis 1 is attached to the athletic prosthesis 1 so that the foremost point where the foot 2 extends from the connection side and terminates and the same surface as the toe T of the athletic prosthesis 1 are formed. Points to the earliest point of the sole 5. Further, a direction extending in parallel with the road surface S from the toe T is referred to as a foot longitudinal direction Y. Further, the direction in the width direction of the sole 2 and the sole 5 attached to the foot 2 of the artificial artificial leg is referred to as a width direction W.

  In the present embodiment, the foot 2 of the athletic prosthesis 1 has a shape extending in a plate shape from the connection side to the toe T side via at least one bending portion, in the illustrated example, one bending portion 3. . In FIG. 1, the foot 2 has a straight portion 2a, a curved portion 2b convex to the toe T side, a curved portion 3 convex to the rear side in the fore-and-aft direction Y, and a concave portion to the ground side in order from the connection side to the ground side. And a grounding portion 4 extending to the toe T side in an arc shape convex to the grounding side.

  The material of the foot portion 2 is not limited, but it is preferable to use carbon fiber reinforced plastic or the like from the viewpoint of strength and weight reduction.

  The contact part 4 has a contact area 4 s extending in an arc from the toe T toward the curved part 3 on the contact side, and the sole 5 is attached to the contact area 4 s. The contact area 4s refers to the entire area that comes into contact with the road surface S when the wearer wearing the artificial prosthetic foot 1 performs a running operation, and in a state where the sole 5 is mounted, the contact area 4s Abuts on the road surface S via

  The sole 5 has a shape that follows the extended shape of the contact area 4s. The ground side of the sole 5 is the bottom surface 5s. As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface 5s has a shape in which arcs X1 and X2 are continuous from the toe T side to the curved portion 3 side.

  In addition, the bottom surface 5s has a line extending in the width direction W passing through a point C which is a contact point with the road surface S in a side view when the artificial prosthesis 1 with the sole 5 is worn and the wearer is in an upright state. The one side and the other side, which are boundaries, have different performance. Point C is the point that first comes into contact with the road surface S when it reaches the upright position. That is, the upright state means that the wearer does not wear a prosthesis when only one is a prosthesis, and the body is supported by one prosthesis when both are prosthesis. To the state where it first comes in contact with the road surface S. In addition, the point C is determined by the shape of the prosthesis, the wearing mode, and the like. In other words, the inventors assume that the boundary for separating the function of the bottom surface 5s based on the knowledge of the grounding form obtained by the experiment described later is based on the point C which is the contact point with the road surface S in the upright state of the wearer. Newly arrived.

  Here, experimental results of the above-described grounding configuration of the bottom surface 5s will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D show stepwise movement of the foot 2 and grounding of the bottom surface 5s when the wearer wearing the artificial prosthetic foot 1 having the above-described configuration travels straight. FIG. The upper part of each drawing is a side view of the foot 2 and the sole 5, and the lower part of each drawing is a transition of the grounding form of the bottom surface 5 s when a wearer wearing the artificial prosthesis 1 performs a straight running operation. Is shown.

  FIG. 2A shows a state in which the artificial prosthetic limb 1 lifted by the wearer is put down on the road surface S, and the overall weight is loaded on the artificial limb 1 for the competition. As shown in the lower part of the drawing, a region of the bottom surface 5s closer to the curved portion 3 than the point C is grounded.

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the wearer steps on the ground from the state of FIG. 2A while the overall weight is being applied to the artificial prosthesis 1 for competition. In the case of running of a healthy person, it is common that the heel side of the shoe sole is installed first, and then the grounding is sequentially performed toward the toe side. Also, the ground contact area moves to the bending portion 3 side.

  FIG. 2C shows a state in which the wearer swings forward the foot opposite to the side on which the artificial prosthetic foot 1 is worn, and starts the kick-out operation of the artificial prosthetic foot 1. When the kick-out operation starts, the area of the competitive prosthesis 1 on the toe T side from the point C on the bottom surface 5s is grounded.

  FIG. 2D shows a state immediately before leaving the road surface S in a final stage in which the wearer kicks out the artificial leg 1 for competition. In order to kick out from the toe T on the bottom surface 5s, the ground is further grounded on the toe T side than in FIG. 2C. At this time, the reaction force of the leaf spring acts according to the contact pressure applied to the road surface S from the contact region of the prosthesis, and the reaction force generates a propulsive force.

  Based on the experimental results shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 5s was divided into a heel-side region Q1 and a toe-side region Q2 with the point C as a boundary. .

  The heel side region Q1 is a region on the curved portion 3 side bounded by a line BL1 extending in the width direction W of the foot portion 2 through the point C as viewed from the bottom surface 5s shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the heel side region Q1 is a region where the wearer first lands and performs a stepping-down operation in a state where the overall weight is loaded on the artificial prosthetic leg 1. Therefore, it is important that the heel-side region Q1 sufficiently grip the road surface S so that the balance of the entire body is maintained even if the wearer applies the overall weight to the artificial prosthesis 1 for competition. Therefore, in order to prevent the heel side region Q1 from slipping due to a water film interposed between the bottom surface 5s and the road surface S, the drainage performance needs to be higher than the heel side region Q1, that is, the toe side region Q2.

  That is, since the heel-side region Q1 has a higher drainage performance than that of the region other than the heel-side region Q1, the sole 5 of the artificial prosthesis 1 prevents slippage due to a water film and can achieve high anti-slip performance. .

  On the other hand, the toe side region Q2 is a region on the toe T side with a line BL1 extending in the width direction W of the foot portion 2 passing through the point C as a boundary when viewed from the bottom surface 5s in FIG. The toe side area Q2 is an area where the wearer swings out the foot opposite to the side on which the artificial prosthetic foot 1 is worn, and performs a kicking operation of the artificial prosthetic foot 1. The toe side region Q2 is a region where the wear is particularly likely to progress because the toe is grounded in order toward the toe T and the wearer touches the road surface S with the bottom surface 5s and slides the road surface S. Therefore, the toe side region Q2 needs to have higher wear resistance than the heel side region Q1.

  That is, by providing the toe side region Q2 with a higher wear resistance than the heel side region Q1, premature wear of the toe side region Q2 is avoided. As a result, the life of the sole 5 can be prolonged.

  Further, each of the heel-side region Q1 and the toe-side region Q2 is further divided as shown in FIG. 3 based on the contact form shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, and each part has a characteristic corresponding to the contact form. Preferably, it is provided.

  In the toe side area Q2 shown in FIG. 3, the portion Q2-1 corresponds to the arc X1 in FIG. When the wearer wearing the competition prosthesis 1 performs the kicking operation, the portion Q2-1 lastly comes into contact with the ground and tends to cause more intense wear. Therefore, the part Q2-1 needs to have particularly high wear resistance performance. That is, in the toe side region Q2, the portion Q2-1 has higher wear resistance than the remaining portion Q2-2, thereby protecting the sole 5 from severe wear and extending the service life of the sole 5. Can be.

  In the heel side region Q1, the portion Q1-1 on the toe T side relative to the center M1 of the maximum length L1 along the foot longitudinal direction Y is a region that first lands, and the wearer balances the body. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to prevent slippage. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the drainage performance higher than that of the other portion Q1-2 of the heel side region Q1, thereby more surely preventing the slip and realizing more stable traveling.

  The portion Q1-2 is a portion closer to the curved portion 3 than the center M1 of the maximum length L1. In the heel side region Q1, as shown in FIG. 2B, the ground contact portion transitions to the curved portion 3 side, that is, the portion Q1-2 on the opposite side to the direction in which the wearer advances, than the portion Q1-1 that first touches the ground. are doing. At the time of touching the portion Q1-2, the movement of the upper body that the wearer tries to move forward and the movement of the touching portion are temporarily reversed. Propulsion is required. Therefore, first, it is important to provide the portion Q1-2 with higher rigidity than the portion Q1-1. By providing the portion Q1-2 with higher rigidity than the portion Q1-1, it is possible to smoothly connect the stepping-in operation to the kicking-out operation and realize a high propulsive force.

  In particular, when the bottom surface 5s has a pattern including a plurality of irregularities, it is preferable that the portion Q1-2 has a larger edge component in the width direction W of the foot portion 2 than the portion Q1-1. Regarding the negative ratio, it is preferable that the portion Q1-2 is smaller than the portion Q1-1. Here, the negative ratio refers to the ratio of the area in plan view of a portion that is concave with respect to the road surface S in the total area of the bottom surface 5s in plan view. With the above configuration, a high propulsion force can be exhibited during traveling.

  Further, in order to effectively exert the propulsive force, it is preferable that the portion Q1-2 has a smaller edge component in the width direction W of the foot 2 than the toe side region Q2. Further, it is preferable that the portion Q1-2 has a larger negative ratio than the toe side region Q2. According to the above configuration, the portion Q1-2 can exert a high propulsive force when the wearer performs the kicking operation.

  Specific means for realizing the above-described characteristics provided to each portion of the above-described bottom surface 5s include, for example, devising a pattern having irregularities such as grooves formed on the bottom surface 5s, and the surface of the bottom surface 5s. There are, for example, devising properties, devising the cross-sectional shape of the sole 5, and devising the material of the sole 5.

  Here, a case will be described in which each function is imparted by devising a pattern made of the unevenness of the bottom surface 5s. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern of the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5 in the athletic prosthesis 1.

  In the pattern shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of land portions 10 and land portions 11 defined by a plurality of grooves extending in the width direction W are arranged in the heel side region Q1. The land portion 10 is disposed closer to the toe T than the land portion 11. The land portion 10 includes a width-direction extending portion 10a extending substantially in a zigzag shape in the width direction W, a toe-side protruding portion 10b extending from the bent portion bent toward the toe T side to the toe T side, and a curved portion. The shape includes a bent portion-side protruding portion 10c that extends toward the bent portion 3 from a bent portion that is bent in a direction that becomes convex toward the third side. The land portion 11 has a shape including a widthwise extending portion 11a, a toe-side protruding portion 11b, and a curved-portion-side protruding portion 11c. By forming the widthwise extending portions 10a and 11a in a zigzag shape, a sufficient edge component can be secured. Further, by forming the toe-side protrusions 10b and 11b and the curved-side protrusions 10c and 11b, the edge component is further increased, and the bottom surface 5s and the road surface S are effectively connected on both sides in the contact area extending direction. It is possible to cut off a water film existing between the two, and realize high drainage performance.

  In FIG. 4, a plurality of land portions 12 defined by a plurality of grooves extending in the width direction W are arranged in the toe side region Q2. The land portion 12 is convex in a direction in which the width direction extending portion 12a extends from a width direction extending portion 12a extending substantially zigzag in the width direction W and a bent portion bent in a direction convex toward the toe T side. A toe-side protruding portion 12b extending so as to form a curved portion side protruding from a bent portion which bends in a convex direction on the bending portion 3 side so as to protrude in a direction in which the widthwise extending portion 12a extends. And a portion 12c. Further, in the toe side region Q2, a plurality of linear grooves 13 extending intermittently are formed along a zigzag shape extending in the width direction W. The land portion 12 is disposed closer to the curved portion 3 than the straight groove 13, and the straight groove 13 is formed closer to the toe T than the land portion 12. As shown in the figure, a land portion 14 having the same shape as the land portion 11 may be formed in the toe side region Q2.

  In FIG. 4, the land width w3 of the width direction extending portion 11a of the land portion 11 is larger than the land width w2 of the width direction extending portion 10a of the land portion 10. The land width w4 of the widthwise extending portion 12a of the land 12 is larger than the land widths w2 and w3.

  In the above configuration, the heel-side region Q1 is such that the ratio of the area in plan view of the groove portion concave to the road surface S in the total area of the bottom surface 5s in plan view, that is, the negative ratio is the toe-side region Q2. Greater than. Therefore, in the heel side region Q1, more water can be taken into the groove and discharged. Therefore, the heel side area Q1 has higher drainage performance than the toe side area Q2.

  On the other hand, the toe side region Q2 has higher wear resistance than the heel side region Q1. This is because the toe side region Q2 has a smaller negative ratio than the heel side region Q1 and maintains high rigidity.

  In the toe side region Q2, a straight groove 13 is formed in the portion Q2-1. According to this configuration, the ground portion Q2-1 has higher rigidity than the remaining portion Q2-2 of the toe side region Q2, and has higher wear resistance.

  Further, in FIG. 4, in the heel side region Q1, the negative ratio of the portion Q1-1 is larger than that of the portion Q1-2, so that more moisture can be taken into the groove and discharged. That is, the portion Q1-1 has a higher drainage performance than the portion Q1-2.

  Further, in the heel side region Q1, the land portion 11 is disposed in the portion Q1-2, and the land portion width w3 of the land portion 11 is larger than the land portion width w2 of the land portion 10 as described above. Therefore, the portion Q1-2 has a greater land rigidity than the portion Q1-1. Further, the portion Q1-2 has a larger edge component in the width direction W than Q1-1. Further, as described above, the negative ratio of the portion Q1-2 is smaller than that of the portion Q1-1.

  Further, the portion Q1-2 has a smaller edge component in the width direction W and a larger negative ratio than the toe side region Q2.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the sole 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a state before the sole 5 is attached to a region where the prosthetic leg 1 for sports is in contact with the road surface S. The upper side of the sole 5 shown in FIG. 5 is an adhesive surface F to which the sole 5 is adhered to the artificial prosthetic foot 1, and the lower side is a bottom surface 5s installed on the road surface S. In the sole 5 shown in FIG. 5, the right side is the toe T side, and the left side is the side opposite to the toe T side. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the side opposite to the toe T side is also referred to as the heel H side. The heel H side is arranged at a position closest to the curved portion 3 in a state where the sole 5 is attached to the artificial prosthesis for competition. In FIG. 5, illustration of a pattern or the like formed on the bottom surface 5s as described with reference to FIG. 4, for example, is omitted.

  In the present specification, the thickness of the sole 5 refers to a distance between an adhesive surface F of the sole 5 and a point where the perpendicular intersects the bottom surface 5s when a perpendicular is drawn from the adhesive surface F of the sole 5. That is, the thickness of the sole 5 is the length in the vertical direction in the state shown in FIG. The vertical direction in FIG. 5 is hereinafter referred to as a vertical direction A in this specification. In addition, a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction A in FIG. 5, that is, a direction extending from the toe T side to the heel H side in FIG. 5 is hereinafter referred to as a front-back direction B in this specification.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sole 5 has a region where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum in the center in the front-rear direction B. Here, the thickness of the sole 5 in the front-back direction B refers to the thickness of the sole 5 in a side view of the sole 5 as shown in FIG. The thickness of the sole 5 in a side view refers to the maximum value of the thickness of a cross section orthogonal to the front-back direction B. Therefore, for example, when a pattern composed of grooves and the like is formed on the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5, the thickness of the sole 5 in a side view is the most in the pattern of the cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction B of the sole 5. It refers to the thickness of the convex part. Specifically, for example, when a pattern is formed on the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5, it refers to the thickness at the land. Further, for example, when the thickness of the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5 changes in the width direction W, it refers to the thickness of the thickest portion among the changed thicknesses. It should be understood that FIG. 5 shows the thickness of the most convex portion of the sole 5 in a side view.

  The central portion of the sole 5 in the front-rear direction B refers to a region formed by a part or the entirety of the sole 5 excluding the toe T and the heel H. The center of the sole 5 in the front-back direction B may include a region near the line BL2 in the front-back direction B of the sole. For example, the center part of the sole 5 in the front-back direction B may include, for example, all or a part of the part Q1-1 and the part Q2-2.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the sole 5 has the minimum thickness at the boundary between the portions Q1-1 and Q2-2, that is, at the line BL2. The sole 5 has a region in which the thickness is larger than the central portion at least at either the front or the rear. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the sole 5 has regions at both the front and rear sides where the thickness is larger than the central portion. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the thickness of the portion Q1-2 and the portion Q2-1 is larger than that of the central portion. The sole 5 only needs to have a region whose thickness is larger than the central portion, for example, in either the front or the rear.

  When the sole 5 has a region where the thickness is larger than the central portion in at least one of the front and the rear, the thickness of the sole 5 gradually increases from the central portion toward the region where the thickness is larger than the central portion. You may. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, in the front-back direction of the sole 5, the thickness of the sole 5 gradually increases from the position of the center line BL <b> 2 toward the toe T-side end and the heel H-side end. ing. That is, in the heel side region Q1, the thickness of the sole 5 monotonically increases from the position of the line BL2 toward the heel H side, and the thickness is the largest at the end on the heel H side. Further, in the toe side region Q2, the thickness of the sole 5 monotonously increases from the position of the line BL2 toward the toe T side, and the thickness is the largest at the end of the toe T side. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the thickness at the end on the heel H side and that on the toe T side are equal. However, the thickness of the end on the heel H side may be larger than the thickness of the end on the toe T side, and the thickness of the end on the toe T side may be larger than the thickness of the end on the heel H side. May also be larger.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, in a side view of the sole 5, the bottom surface 5 s is formed so as to be curved and concave toward the lower side of the sole 5. However, the shape of the bottom surface 5s is not limited to this. For example, as shown as an example in FIG. 6, the sole 5 may have a straight portion on the bottom surface 5s in a side view. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the sole 5 gradually increases from the central portion toward the heel H side in the portion Q1-2, and in the portion Q2-1, from the central portion side toward the toe T side. Thus, the thickness of the sole 5 is gradually increased. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the gradually increasing portion is a straight line in a side view. In addition, the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5 may be configured by combining a portion that draws an arc and a portion that is linear in a side view.

  As described above, the sole 5 has a region where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum in the center in the front-back direction B of the sole 5. That is, the sole 5 has a region in which the thickness is larger than the central portion in at least one of the front and the rear.

  Here, in front of the sole 5, for example, the portion Q2-1 is a place where the wearer wearing the artificial prosthesis 1 touches the ground last when performing the kicking-out operation, and more intense wear is likely to occur. However, when a region having a thickness larger than the central portion is provided at the front, the wear resistance on the front side can be improved. Further, the front of the sole 5, for example, the portion Q2-1 is an area where the wearer kicks out the artificial prosthetic leg 1 and touches the ground immediately before leaving the road surface S. Therefore, the portion Q2-1 is applied to the road surface S. The reaction force of the leaf spring acts in accordance with the contact pressure, and the propulsion force is generated by the reaction force. However, when a region having a thickness greater than the central portion is provided in the front, the front rigidity of the sole 5 is improved, Higher propulsion is created.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the thickness of the sole 5 gradually increases from the center toward the front, the thickness is the largest at the end on the toe T side on the front side of the sole 5. Therefore, the wear resistance and rigidity of the toe T side end can be further improved.

  In addition, as described above, a high propulsion force is required for the rearward kick-out operation of the ground contact form in the rear part of the sole 5, for example, the part Q1-2. , The rigidity behind the sole 5 is improved, and higher propulsion is generated.

  Further, according to the sole 5, the sole 5 can be reduced in weight by having a region having a minimum thickness at the center in the front-rear direction B.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the thickness of the sole 5 may be appropriately determined as long as the wear resistance and the rigidity can be improved. For example, the maximum value LH1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 3 mm to 10 mm. Preferably, the maximum thickness LH1 of the sole 5 may be comprised between 4 mm and 6 mm. More preferably, the maximum value LH1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be 5 mm. In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the maximum thickness of the sole 5 is the thickness of the end of the sole 5 on the toe T side and the end of the sole 5 on the heel H side.

  For example, the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 1 mm to 5 mm. Preferably, the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be comprised between 2 mm and 3 mm. More preferably, the minimum thickness LL1 of the sole 5 may be 2.4 mm. In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the minimum value of the thickness of the sole 5 is the boundary between the portion Q1-1 and the portion Q2-2, that is, the thickness at the line BL2.

  The difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 0.5 mm to 9.0 mm. Preferably, the difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 2 mm to 4 mm. More preferably, the difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 may be 2.6 mm. By setting the difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 within the above-described range, it is easy to make the ground pressure of the thickest part and the thinnest part of the sole 5 uniform. When the difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 is 0.5 mm or more, the rigidity at the thickest point in the sole 5 can be improved. When the difference between the maximum value LH1 and the minimum value LL1 of the thickness of the sole 5 is 9.0 mm or less, the wearer of the artificial prosthetic leg 1 does not easily feel discomfort due to the difference in thickness of the sole 5.

  Here, in the side view of the sole 5, the maximum angle among the angles formed by the bonding surface F and the tangent on the front side from the center of the bottom surface 5s is defined as α.

  For example, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 5, the angle formed by the tangent of the bottom surface 5 s in the side view of the sole 5 with respect to the bonding surface F is larger on the front side as the position is closer to the toe T. Therefore, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 5, the maximum angle α of the tangent of the bottom surface 5 s in the side view of the sole 5 with respect to the bonding surface F on the front side is the bonding surface F and the bottom surface 5 s. At the end of the toe T side with the tangent line TL1.

  Further, for example, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the sole 5 linearly and gradually increases from the center toward the toe T in the side view of the sole 5 on the front side in the portion Q2-1. I do. That is, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 6, the angle formed by the tangent of the bottom surface 5s to the bonding surface F in the side view of the sole 5 is constant in the portion Q2-1 on the front side. Therefore, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 6, the maximum angle α of the tangent of the bottom surface 5 s in the side view of the sole 5 with respect to the bonding surface F on the front side is the bonding surface F and the bottom surface 5 s. Is the angle formed by the tangent line TL2 formed by the straight line of the portion Q2-1.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the angle α may be appropriately determined as long as the wear resistance and the rigidity can be improved. For example, the angle α may be included in a range from 3 ° to 40 °. Suitably, the angle α may be comprised between 5 ° and 15 °. More preferably, the angle α may be 10 °. When the angle α is 3 ° or more, the rigidity of the sole 5 at a thick portion can be improved. When the angle α is equal to or less than 40 °, the wearer of the artificial prosthetic leg 1 does not easily feel discomfort due to the difference in the thickness of the sole 5.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the width direction W of the sole 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The manner of use of the sole 5 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the sole 5 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the contents common to the first embodiment, and the description will be appropriately omitted.

  FIG. 7 shows a state before the sole 5 is attached to an area where the artificial prosthetic foot 1 for sports is in contact with the road surface S. The upper side of the sole 5 shown in FIG. 7 is an adhesive surface F to which the sole 5 is adhered to the artificial prosthetic foot 1, and the lower side is a bottom surface 5s installed on the road surface S. The horizontal direction in FIG. 7 is the width direction W of the sole 5. In FIG. 7, the vertical direction is the vertical direction A.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sole 5 at a boundary between the portion Q1-1 and the portion Q2-2, for example. However, the cross section shown in FIG. 7 is not necessarily only at the boundary between the portion Q1-1 and the portion Q2-2. For example, the sole 5 may have a shape as shown in FIG. 7 in an arbitrary cross section orthogonal to the front-back direction B. The sole 5 may have, for example, a cross section as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the sole 5 has an area where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum in the center in the width direction W. Here, the central portion in the width direction W of the sole 5 refers to, for example, a region including the central portion EM of the left and right ends E1 and E2 in a cross-sectional view. The central portion EM may be understood to extend in the up-down direction, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the sole 5 has a minimum thickness at the central portion EM. The sole 5 may have a region where the thickness is larger than the central portion on at least one of the left and right end portions E1 and E2 than the central portion. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the sole 5 has regions on both sides of the left and right end portions E1 and E2, each having a thickness larger than that of the central portion.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the sole 5 may gradually increase from the central portion EM toward each of the left and right ends E1 and E2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the sole 5 is configured to be symmetric in a cross section. Accordingly, in the example of the cross section shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the left and right ends E1 and E2 is equal, and the thickness is the maximum at the left and right ends E1 and E2.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the bottom surface 5 s is formed so as to be concave toward the lower side of the sole 5 in a cross-sectional view of the sole 5. However, the shape of the bottom surface 5s is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 referred to in the first embodiment, for example, the sole 5 may be formed to have a straight portion on the bottom surface 5s.

  As described above, the sole 5 has an area where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum at the center in the width direction W of the sole 5. That is, the sole 5 has a region where the thickness is larger than the central portion on at least one of the left and right ends E1 and E2.

  When the sole 5 is used by being attached to the contact area of the artificial prosthetic foot 1, when the artificial prosthetic foot 1 comes into contact with the road surface S due to the property of the leaf spring constituting the artificial prosthetic foot 1, the end in the width direction W In this case, the leaf spring is deformed, so that the ground pressure is reduced. That is, when the athletic prosthesis 1 comes into contact with the road surface S, a stronger pressure is applied to the central portion in the width direction of the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5 than to the end portion. Thereby, the contact pressure becomes uneven in the width direction of the bottom surface 5s of the sole 5.

  On the other hand, the sole 5 according to the present embodiment has a region where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum at the center. That is, the thickness of the sole 5 according to the present embodiment is greater than the central portion on at least one of the ends E1 and E2 in the width direction W. As a result, at least a region having a minimum thickness is present in the central portion, so that the ground pressure applied to the central portion can be easily dispersed when the artificial prosthetic foot 1 is grounded, and as a result, the ground pressure can be more uniform. Become.

  When the thickness of the sole 5 on both sides of the ends E1 and E2 in the width direction W is larger than that of the center, the contact pressure applied to the center is closer to the left and right ends E1 and E2. And the ground pressure is more likely to be uniform. In particular, in the case where the sole 5 is configured to be symmetrical in the cross section, the uniformization of the ground pressure is more easily realized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the thickness of the sole 5 gradually increases from the center in the width direction W toward the left and right ends E1 and E2, the contact pressure is dispersed according to the distance from the center. You. Therefore, the ground pressure tends to be more uniform.

  Further, according to the sole 5, the sole 5 can be reduced in weight by having a region having a minimum thickness in the center in the width direction W.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the sole 5 may be appropriately determined as long as the ground pressure can be dispersed. For example, the maximum value LH2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 2 mm to 7 mm. Preferably, the maximum thickness LH2 of the sole 5 may be comprised between 3 mm and 3.7 mm. More preferably, the maximum thickness LH2 of the sole 5 may be 3.4 mm. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the maximum value of the thickness of the sole 5 is the thickness at the left and right ends E1 and E2 of the sole 5.

  For example, the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 1 mm to 5 mm. Preferably, the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be comprised between 2 mm and 3 mm. More preferably, the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be 2.4 mm. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the minimum value of the thickness of the sole 5 is the thickness at the central portion EM in the width direction W.

  The difference between the maximum value LH2 and the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Preferably, the difference between the maximum value LH2 and the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 may be included in a range from 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm. More preferably, the difference between the maximum value LH2 and the minimum value LL2 may be 1 mm. By setting the difference between the maximum value LH2 and the minimum value LL2 of the thickness of the sole 5 within the above-described range, it is easy to make the ground pressure at the thickest part and the thinnest part of the sole 5 uniform.

  Here, in the sectional view of the sole 5 as shown in FIG. 7, the maximum angle among the angles formed by the adhesive surface F and the tangent to the bottom surface 5s is β.

  For example, in the sole 5 illustrated in FIG. 7, the angle formed by the tangent of the bottom surface 5 s in the sectional view of the sole 5 with respect to the bonding surface F increases as the distance to the left and right ends E1 and E2 increases. Therefore, in the sole 5 shown in FIG. 7, the maximum angle β among the angles formed by the tangent of the bottom surface 5 s in the sectional view of the sole 5 with respect to the bonding surface F is the bonding surface F and the end E1 of the bottom surface 5 s. And the angle formed by the tangent line TL3 at the end of E2.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the angle β may be appropriately determined within a range in which the ground pressure can be dispersed. For example, the angle β may be comprised between 2 ° and 20 °. Preferably, the angle β may be comprised between 5 ° and 10 °. More preferably, the angle α may be 7 °.

  Next, a case in which each function is imparted by devising a part or all of the material of the sole 5 will be described. For example, by using felt, sponge, non-woven fabric, etc. for part or all of the sole 5, drainage performance can be enhanced by the water absorbing action of each material. Further, the same effect can be obtained by using a foamed rubber for part or all of the sole 5 and absorbing water by the foamed rubber.

  The sole 5 of the artificial prosthesis 1 of the present invention described above is manufactured by, for example, a method of processing a rubber sheet by laser light, a method using a mold, a method using a 3D printer, or the like. be able to.

  In the artificial prosthesis 1 of the present invention, the sole 5 is attached to the contact area 4s via an adhesive, but the attaching means is not limited to the adhesive, and is attached using a fastener such as a belt. Is also good. Further, in the present embodiment, the sole 5 is directly abutted on the contact area 4s and is mounted. However, a cushion material (not shown) or an adhesive may be interposed between the sole 5 and the contact area 4s. .

  Here, an example of the mounting means of the sole 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the sole 5 and the sticking allowance before being attached to the grounding part 4. In FIG. 8A, the pattern of the bottom surface 5s is omitted. As shown in the figure, the toe-side sticking margin 6 and the bending part-side sticking margin 7 are integrally connected to the sole 5. The toe side attaching margin 6 is joined along the edge of the sole 5 on the toe T side, has a fan-like shape, and is divided by two cuts 8a and 8b. Further, the bending portion side sticking allowance 7 is coupled to an edge of the sole 5 on the bending portion 3 side. FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the thickness of the vicinity including the boundary between the toe side attachment margin 6 and the sole 5. FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a thickness in the vicinity including a boundary between the bending portion side sticking allowance 7 and the sole 5. As shown in FIG. 8B, the toe-side sticking margin 6 extends at a constant thickness th2 smaller than the thickness th1 of the sole 5, and the thickness gradually increases toward the boundary B1 with the sole 5. ing. Further, the bending portion side sticking margin 7 extends with a thickness th3 smaller than the thickness th1 of the sole 5, and gradually increases in thickness toward a boundary B2 with the sole 5. According to the above configuration, when the sole 5 is mounted on the grounding portion 4, the sole 5 can be mounted closely without forming a bend or a gap between the sole 5 and the grounding portion 4. For example, when the thickness th1 of the sole 5 is 2.25 to 3.0 mm, the thickness th2 of the toe side attachment allowance 6 and the thickness th3 of the curved portion attachment allowance 7 are 1.5 to 2.0 mm. be able to. It should be understood that the sticking allowance described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C does not constitute a part of the sole 5, but is used for mounting the sole 5.

  The sole 5 may be configured by combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In this case, the sole 5 has a region where the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum at the center in the front-rear direction B, and the thickness of the sole 5 is minimum at the center in the width direction W. With regions.

  In any of the above-described embodiments, in the pattern of the sole bottom surface 5s, it is preferable that fluorine is applied to the groove walls and the groove bottoms that define the width direction land portions and that define the width direction grooves. Since fluorine is applied to the groove wall and the groove bottom of the width direction groove, drainage performance on the sole bottom surface 5s can be enhanced.

  1: Prosthetic leg for competition, 2: Foot, 2a: Straight part, 2b, 2c: Curved part, 3: Curved part, 4: Ground contact part, 4s: Contact area, 5: Sole, 5s: Bottom, 6: Toe side Sticking allowance part, 7: Curved part side sticking allowance part, 10, 11, 12, 14: Land part, 10a, 11a, 12a: Width direction extending part, 10b, 11b, 12b: Toe side protruding part, 10c, 11c , 12c: curved portion side protruding portion, 13: straight groove, A: vertical direction, B: front and rear direction, B1, B2: boundary, BL1, BL2: line, point: C, E1, E2: end, EM: center Part, F: adhesive surface, H: heel, L1: maximum length, M1: center, Q1: heel side area, S: road surface, T: toe, TL1, TL2, TL3: tangent, W: width direction, X1, X2: arc, Y: foot longitudinal direction, th1, th2, th3: thickness, 2, w3, w4: land portion width

Claims (6)

It is a sole that is attached to the area where the prosthesis is in contact with the road surface,
In the front-rear direction of the sole, a central portion has a region where the thickness of the sole is minimum,
Prosthetic sole.   The sole for a prosthetic foot according to claim 1, wherein the sole has a region in front of the central portion of the sole where the thickness of the sole is larger than the central portion.   The sole for a prosthesis according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the sole gradually increases from the central portion toward the front of the sole.   4. The sole for a prosthetic foot according to claim 1, wherein a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the thickness of the sole in the front-rear direction is 0.5 to 9.0 mm. 5.   5. The side surface of the sole, wherein a maximum value of an angle between an adhesive surface bonded to the prosthesis and a tangent of a bottom surface that contacts the road surface on the front side is 3 to 40 °. The sole for a prosthesis according to any one of the preceding claims.   The sole for a prosthetic foot according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sole has a region where the thickness of the sole is minimized in a central part in a width direction of the sole.

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