Energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement

Abstract

The invention pertains to the field of material science and relates to energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement. The aim of the invention is therefore to provide energy storage elements which significantly reduce or even prevent neuromuscular fatigue. This is achieved by energy storage elements that consist at least of two spring leaves or leaf springs, a spacing being provided therebetween, can be connected to one another in the forefoot region or not, and can have additional spring leaves or leaf springs in the rear foot region or one spring leaf or leaf spring can be guided through the other spring leaf or leaf spring in the rear foot region, an insole being provided above the upper spring leaf or leaf spring, and open and / or closed spacings being provided between and around the spring leaves or leaf springs, the spacings being filled with air or with a material for damping and / or storing energy.

Description

[0001] Energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement

[0002] The invention relates to the fields of materials science and footwear and / or medical technology and concerns energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as modular prosthetic foot replacements, such as those that can be used, for example, under shoes or in the soles of sports shoes, shoes in general, or also medical footwear or orthopedic footwear, or in orthotic or prosthetic shoes, or on modular prosthetic foot replacements as a separate functional component or as part of an orthopedic shoe provision in the case of partial amputation of the foot.

[0003] A shoe is footwear consisting of an upper part that is always connected to a firm base.

[0004] The sole is the part of the shoe that lies beneath the foot, separating it from the upper. It can consist of several layers, often called soles. A common structure of the sole, extending from the foot towards the ground, includes the top insole, insole, cushioning, midsole, and outsole, with the cushioning providing shock absorption and insulation (Wikipedia, entry: shoe sole). Shoes are also commonly used for medical purposes. Orthopedic shoes and prosthetic shoes are specialized medical devices designed to correct, alleviate, or compensate for foot-related ailments and deformities, or to replace the foot entirely.

[0005] Orthoses and orthotic shoes are generally known as medical devices used to stabilize, relieve pressure on, immobilize, guide, or correct limbs or the torso of human or animal bodies. The desired range of motion can be restricted in direction and / or extent, depending on medical and / or therapeutic requirements, and can also be modified as the therapy progresses.

[0006] A modular prosthetic foot is an artificial foot that serves as part of a leg prosthesis. It replaces the natural foot in individuals who have undergone a below-knee or above-knee amputation due to injury, illness, or congenital malformations. Modular prosthetic feet are designed to mimic the functionality and, as far as possible, the natural movement of a real foot. There are various types of modular prosthetic feet that differ in their construction, function, and intended use. Typical functionalities of a modular prosthetic foot include supporting the body while standing and walking, adapting to different surfaces and movements, energy transfer and thus restoring the natural spring action of the foot, and cosmetic compensation to visually resemble a natural foot.The adaptation and thus connection to the human body can be achieved in various ways, either force-fit or form-fit, via the so-called prosthetic socket.

[0007] A process for manufacturing a shoe sole is known from WO 2028 / 103811 A1, in which a plastic tube is extruded, the plastic tube is fed into a blow mold, the plastic tube is formed into a hollow sole body, the formed hollow sole body is demolded from the blow mold, and the hollow sole body is at least partially filled with plastic bodies through a first opening. The plastic bodies to be filled can be spheres, ellipsoids, or cylinders, which can also be made of a foamed material.

[0008] Also known from DE 298 13 203 U1 is a shoe, boot, shoe sole or shoe insole with an integrated spring, spiral, ring or shaft as a protective device for damping or preventing vibrations, in which the spring consists of a compression, tension, conical, cylindrical, leaf, magazine, flat wire, disc, round, edge, drive, roller, leg, torsion bar, round wire, twist and form, spiral, wave or wire rope spring.

[0009] Further known from DE 11 2022 000 728 T5 is a shoe consisting of an upper and a sole with a front section having a front center of gravity and a rear section having a rear center of gravity, wherein the sole consists of an insole, a midsole, and an outsole and two integrated spring elements, the integrated spring elements comprising an upper arm of the spring and a lower arm of the spring which are connected to each other at their respective ends. The integrated spring elements are arranged between a part of the midsole and the outsole, each spring element having a center of compression which is aligned with the front or rear center of gravity.

[0010] Furthermore, EP 0 884 034 A2 discloses a spring-elastic foot insert for an artificial foot with at least one leaf spring, in which the leaf spring consists of at least two parallel leaf spring elements, which are arranged next to each other and connected to each other in their two end regions and have a clear distance between these two end regions, wherein the connection in at least one of the two end regions is designed to be moment-rigid.

[0011] A disadvantage of existing solutions is that neuromuscular fatigue or muscular insufficiency still occur in shoe wearers due to the shoe's construction, and the impact forces from walking are not yet sufficiently reduced. Likewise, subsequent problems in the joints or possibly even the spine are not adequately prevented. This also applies to patients with complete or partial amputations.

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement which significantly reduce or even prevent neuromuscular fatigue, muscular insufficiency and consequential problems in joints or the spine, as well as enable a symmetrical gait and a stable stance.

[0013] The problem is solved by the invention specified in the claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, and the invention also includes combinations of the individual claims in the sense of a linkage, as long as they are not mutually exclusive.

[0014] In the energy storage elements according to the invention, in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement, the energy storage elements consist of at least two spring leaves or leaf springs,

[0015] wherein one of the at least two leaf springs is arranged as the upper leaf spring in the direction of the foot or leg and the at least other leaf spring is arranged as the lower leaf spring in the direction of the sole of the shoe or the ground,

[0016] and at least the upper leaf or leaf spring is adapted in shape and size to the general lateral foot shape or shoe shape and foot size or shoe size and in width at least partially to the width of a shoe and to a heel rise of the shoe,

[0017] a) and the lower leaf or leaf spring has a distance from the lower leaf or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area, and

[0018] + in the forefoot area the lower leaf spring or leaf spring has a bend towards the rearfoot area and the upper leaf spring or leaf spring by more than 90°, and in the area of ​​the bent part there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring,

[0019] or

[0020] + in the forefoot area the upper leaf spring or leaf spring has a bend towards the rearfoot area or the lower leaf spring or leaf spring by more than 90°, and in the area of ​​the bent part there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring, or

[0021] + in the forefoot area, without bends, there is at least a point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring,

[0022] and in the midfoot and / or rearfoot area, at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection exists between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring, wherein, in the case of at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring in the midfoot area, a gap may exist between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring in the rearfoot area.

[0023] or

[0024] b) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection exists between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the midfoot area and / or in the rearfoot area,

[0025] or

[0026] c) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and in the midfoot and / or hindfoot area there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and on the sides of the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the midfoot area another leaf spring or leaf spring is arranged below the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the direction of the hindfoot area and at a distance from the lower leaf spring or leaf spring,

[0027] or

[0028] d) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is guided through an opening in the upper leaf spring or leaf spring over the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area, or the upper leaf spring or leaf spring is guided through an opening in the lower leaf spring or leaf spring under the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area, and the two leaf springs or leaf leaves are connected to each other at least at points by force-fit, form-fit and / or positive locking, and at least in the forefoot area the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring.

[0029] and at least one insole or cover is arranged above the upper leaf or leaf spring,

[0030] and below the upper and / or lower and / or between the upper and lower or further leaf springs or leaf springs, there are open and / or closed spaces to the insole or cover and / or to the shoe sole or floor, which are filled with air or with a material for cushioning and / or energy storage.

[0031] Advantageously, depending on the heel height of the shoe, a heel element is provided, wherein the heel element advantageously consists of several parts which may be made of the same or different materials, wherein at least one of the parts may be made of an elastic material, and / or the heel element is also advantageously arranged at least below the rearfoot area to below the midfoot area or to below the forefoot area.

[0032] It is also advantageous that two spring leaves are present, which are the upper and lower spring leaves.

[0033] Furthermore, it is advantageous that each of the at least two leaf springs consists of materials with different spring constants.

[0034] Advantageously, the leaf springs and any heel element consist at least partially of metallic materials and / or plastics and / or thermoplastics and / or thermosets and / or elastomers and / or thermoplastic elastomers and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber, or they have a core-shell structure, wherein metallic materials and / or plastics and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber can be arranged as a core or shell with other materials, wherein glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, polyethylene fibers in short or long fiber or continuous fiber bundle form are also advantageously present, and / or the arrangement of the fibers in the plastic in the fiber-reinforced plastics is realized depending on the stress in different areas of the shoe.and / or wherein the leaflets or leaf springs and / or a shoulder element are advantageously made of fiber-reinforced plastic composites, with several such composites arranged in multiple layers on top of each other to form the leaflets or leaf springs.

[0035] It is also advantageous if the gaps between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring form an open or closed cavity which can be filled with air or with a material for damping and / or energy storage, wherein the material for damping and / or energy storage is advantageously a rubber material or an elastomer, wherein the shape and size of the gaps between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring are further advantageously realized by different shapes of the leaf or leaf springs and / or by different locations of the at least point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connections and / or by different materials and / or spring constants of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0036] It is also advantageous if the total height of the energy storage elements is a maximum of 30 mm.

[0037] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the shape and dimensions of the leaf springs or leaf springs are adapted to the interior of a shoe sole or to the outsole of a shoe or to the underside of a modular prosthetic foot replacement or prosthetic socket arranged towards the floor.

[0038] It is also advantageous if the lower or upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the forefoot area is bent by 170 to 185° towards the rearfoot area.

[0039] It is also advantageous if the at least two leaf springs or leaf springs in the forefoot area do not have any bending.

[0040] It is also advantageous if the force-, form- and / or material-locking connection is a detachable or conditionally detachable connection, whereby the connection is advantageously a screw connection, a hook and loop fastener, a tongue and groove connection, an adhesive connection, a rivet connection or a geometric locking mechanism.

[0041] It is also advantageous if the force-, form- and / or material-locking connection is a planar connection that can be present over the width of the lower leaf or leaf spring in the area of ​​the connection.

[0042] It is further advantageous if, in the case of a force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connection of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area, the upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area is a maximum of 10% longer than the lower bent leaf or leaf spring, or if the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area are the same length, with the length of the upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area being even more advantageously 3 to 8% longer than the lower leaf or leaf spring. It is also advantageous if, in the forefoot area, the lower leaf or leaf spring is bent and connected to the upper leaf or leaf spring to form a single leaf or leaf spring.

[0043] It is also advantageous if the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the forefoot area and / or in the rearfoot area is split or divided in the longitudinal or transverse direction and / or consists of several parts.

[0044] It is also advantageous if the upper leaf spring or leaf spring is present without an insole and has a connecting element with which the energy storage element is connected to a prosthetic socket in a force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit manner.

[0045] It is also advantageous if the energy storage elements are arranged in a shoe or have a shoe shape and serve as a modular prosthetic foot replacement and can be connected to a prosthetic socket via a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection.

[0046] The present invention makes it possible for the first time to specify energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement, which significantly reduce or even prevent neuromuscular fatigue, muscular insufficiency and subsequent problems in joints or the spine, as well as enabling a symmetrical gait and a stable stance.

[0047] This is achieved through energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement, in which the energy storage elements consist of at least two leaf springs or leaf springs.

[0048] The energy storage elements according to the invention can be arranged in the shoe sole, advantageously between the insole and the outsole, or on the outsole in the direction of the floor or under a modular prosthetic foot replacement, or can be a modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0049] It is also advantageous if the energy storage elements according to the invention are adapted to the shape and dimensions of the interior space in a shoe sole or to a running sole of a shoe in or on which they are to be arranged, or to the underside of a modular prosthetic foot replacement arranged towards the floor or to a prosthetic socket.

[0050] According to the invention, one of the at least two leaf springs is arranged as the upper leaf spring in the direction of the foot or leg, and the at least other leaf spring is arranged as the lower leaf spring in the direction of the shoe sole or floor.

[0051] According to the invention, at least one insole or cover is arranged above the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, wherein in the case of a modular prosthetic foot replacement no insole is present.

[0052] A spring used in engineering is a component that deforms under load in a controlled manner and returns to its original shape when unloaded, thus representing an energy storage device (Wikipedia, keyword spring (engineering)).

[0053] In the context of the present invention, a leaf spring is understood to be several stacks of spring leaves connected to form a flat leaf spring that can withstand bending stress.

[0054] Advantageously, there are two spring leaves, which are the upper and lower spring leaves.

[0055] According to the invention, the shape and size of at least the upper leaf spring is adapted to the general lateral foot shape or shoe shape and foot size or shoe size, and its width is at least partially adapted to the width of the shoe and to a heel rise of the shoe, and is determined in particular by the height and activity of the user.

[0056] In the context of the present invention, the general lateral shape of the foot or shoe shape is understood to mean the general lateral line of the sole of the foot as viewed from the side. Furthermore, the general lateral shape of the foot is also intended to encompass the shape of the foot beneath the foot, as it is formed in a footprint. The foot shape according to this invention is intended to include the technical terms foot type, foot geometry, arch of the foot, and phenotype of the foot.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the invention, the human foot is divided into forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions, wherein the forefoot region is located in and towards the toe area, the hindfoot region is located towards the hindfoot, and the midfoot region is located in between, without any specific separations between the regions. According to the invention, the lower leaf spring or leaf spring has a distance from the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, at least in the forefoot region.

[0058] The gap between the upper and lower leaf springs in the forefoot area is essential to the invention, as it provides a dynamic zone through which, during the rolling motion of the forefoot while running, the impact forces initially acting on the rearfoot, as well as those generated by the person's weight, the body's own kinematics, and the resulting kinetic forces, can be absorbed and / or stored and / or compensated and / or dampened and / or converted into a controlled movement. At the foremost end of the energy storage element according to the invention, the upper and lower leaf springs can have a force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connection at least at specific points.

[0059] The distance between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring is adjustable in its shape and size by choosing different locations of the at least point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring, and / or by using different materials and / or spring constants of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0060] Also essential to the invention is that there is at least a point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf of the spring or leaf spring, at least in the midfoot and / or rearfoot area.

[0061] Advantageously, this at least point-based force-, form- and / or material-locking connection is a surface connection if it is located in the midfoot and / or rearfoot area, where no gaps between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring are desired and / or required.

[0062] It is also advantageous if, particularly in the midfoot area, there is at least a point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring, since this allows a gap or a heel element to be realized in the rearfoot area between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring, through which impact forces in the rearfoot area can be absorbed and / or compensated and / or dampened.

[0063] According to a further embodiment of the invention, in the forefoot region, the lower leaf or leaf spring has a bend of more than 90° towards the rear foot region and the upper leaf or leaf spring, and in the region of the bent portion, there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring. However, it is also possible according to the invention that in the forefoot region, the upper leaf or leaf spring has a bend of more than 90° towards the rear foot region or the lower leaf or leaf spring, and in the region of the bent portion, there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.Or according to the invention, there are no bends of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area, but there is at least a point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0064] Advantageously, the lower leaf or leaf spring in the toe area is bent at an angle of 170 to 185° towards the rear of the foot.

[0065] It is also advantageous if, in the case of a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area, the upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area is a maximum of 10% longer, or even more advantageously 3 to 8% longer, than the lower bent leaf or leaf spring.

[0066] It is also advantageous if the upper and lower leaf springs in the forefoot are of the same length.

[0067] Bending is a group of manufacturing processes belonging to the main group of forming processes, in which a portion of a sheet is folded over relative to the remaining portion. A bend at the edge of a sheet metal part with a bending angle of 180° is called a fold, doubling, or hem (Wikipedia, entry: bending).

[0068] Another possibility according to the invention is that the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area, and that there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and that in the midfoot area and / or in the rearfoot area there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is also possible that the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area and that there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and that in the rearfoot area there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and that on the sides of the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, another leaf spring or leaf spring is arranged below the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the direction of the rearfoot area.

[0070] Finally, according to the invention, it is possible that the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area is guided through an opening in the upper leaf spring or leaf spring over the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, or that the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area is guided through an opening in the lower leaf spring or leaf spring under the lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and that in the rear foot area the two leaf springs or leaf springs are connected to each other at least at points by force, form and / or positive locking, and that at least in the forefoot area the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, and that there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the invention, open and / or closed spaces below the upper and / or lower and / or between the upper and lower or further leaf leaves or leaf springs are filled with air or with a material for cushioning and / or energy storage to the insole or cover and / or to the shoe sole or floor.

[0072] According to the present invention, it is also possible to prefabricate the energy storage element as a whole, with open or closed spaces that can be filled with air or material, and then to attach or insert it into or under a shoe sole. The energy storage element as a whole can, for example, be positioned in a pocket in or under the shoe, which previously served as a placeholder.

[0073] The distances between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring can be achieved by different shapes of the leaf or leaf springs and / or by different locations of the at least point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connections and / or by different materials and / or spring constants of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0074] Advantageously, each of the at least two leaf springs consists of materials with different spring constants.

[0075] It is also advantageous that the overall height of the energy storage elements according to the invention is a maximum of 30 mm. In particular, for the use of the energy storage elements as a modular prosthetic foot replacement, a greater overall height of up to 200 mm is possible and advantageous.

[0076] The total height of the energy storage elements according to the invention is determined by a possibly existing heel element, which also determines the heel height of a shoe or a modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0077] The height of a heel is known to be the measured value from the ground to the underside of the heel. The so-called effective heel height is the difference between the heel height and the height of the shoe sole to the underside of the ball of the foot in the forefoot area. According to the invention, this is the decisive height for the energy storage elements according to the invention.

[0078] For sports shoes, this crucial height is usually only a maximum of 15 mm.

[0079] In an orthopedic shoe, this crucial height can also exceed 30 mm, as the orthopedic shoe must be adapted to the individual measurements of the patient. In this case, the heel lift of the lower spring leaf or leaf spring must be adjusted in particular.

[0080] Advantageously, the energy storage elements according to the invention can have a heel element depending on the heel height of the shoe or the modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0081] In the context of the present invention, the heel element is understood to be an element whose outline follows the general shape of the heel of a foot and whose upper surface, viewed from the side, follows the general line of the sole of the foot. The underside of the heel element can be straight or shaped as desired, but must be adapted to the sole of the respective shoe, to the ground, or to the modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0082] In the context of the present invention, an elastic heel element shall be understood to be an element which consists at least partially of a material which changes its shape under the influence of force and returns to its original shape when the acting force is removed.

[0083] The advantageously present heel element can advantageously consist of several parts, which may be made of the same or different materials, wherein at least one of the parts is made of an elastic material. Such materials can be, for example, rubber or elastomers.

[0084] A component that itself has elastic properties, such as a spring, advantageously a gas or coil spring or a leaf spring, can also be used as a heel element.

[0085] Furthermore, the heel element can advantageously be arranged in or under a shoe or on a modular prosthetic foot replacement at least below the rearfoot area and extending to below the midfoot area or to below the forefoot area.

[0086] The shape and dimensions of the heel element are adapted to the general lateral shape of the foot or shoe, foot size, and shoe size, and its width is at least partially adapted to the width of the shoe and the heel-to-toe drop of the shoe. Advantageously, the heel element is positioned below the rearfoot area, extending to below the midfoot or to below the forefoot area.

[0087] Advantageously, the leaf springs and the possible shoulder element also consist at least partially of metallic materials and / or plastics and / or thermoplastics and / or thermosets and / or elastomers and / or thermoplastic elastomers and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber, or have a core-shell structure, wherein metallic materials and / or plastics and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber can be arranged as a core or shell with other materials.

[0088] Advantageously, the fibers can be glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, polyethylene fibers in short or long fiber or continuous fiber bundle form, and / or even more advantageously, the arrangement of the fibers in the plastic in the fiber-plastic composites is realized depending on the stress in different areas of the shoe.

[0089] Advantageously, several such composites can also be stacked in multiple layers to form the leaflets or leaf springs.

[0090] It is also advantageously possible that in the energy storage elements the gaps between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring form an open or closed cavity which may be filled with air or with a material for damping and / or energy storage, wherein the material for damping and / or energy storage is advantageously a rubber material or an elastomer.

[0091] Similarly, in the energy storage elements, the distances between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring can advantageously be realized by different shapes of the leaf or leaf springs and / or by different locations of the at least point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connections and / or by different materials and / or spring constants of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0092] According to the invention, the at least two leaf springs or leaf springs are connected at different locations along the general lateral shape of the foot or shoe by means of force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connections.

[0093] The force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection can be a detachable or conditionally detachable connection, and / or a planar connection that can be present over the width of the lower leaf or leaf spring in the area of ​​the connection.

[0094] A detachable connection is one that can be separated and reattached without damaging or destroying the components. A conditionally detachable connection is one in which only the auxiliary joining elements are destroyed, but not the components themselves (Wikipedia, keyword joining technology).

[0095] Advantageously, the force-, form- and / or material-locking connection is a screw connection, a hook and loop fastener, a tongue and groove connection, an adhesive connection, a rivet connection or a geometric locking mechanism.

[0096] Furthermore, it is advantageous that in the energy storage elements in the forefoot area the lower leaf or leaf spring is bent over and connected to the upper leaf or leaf spring to form a leaf or leaf spring.

[0097] It is also advantageously possible that in the energy storage elements in the forefoot area, the upper leaf or leaf spring is bent over and connected to the lower leaf or leaf spring to form a leaf or leaf spring.

[0098] According to the invention, a bend is understood to be a bending of a spring leaf by more than 90°, wherein the bent part of the spring leaf is not to be completely folded against the other spring leaf with the bend. It is also advantageous if the energy storage elements in the forefoot area are bent, forming the lower spring leaf or leaf spring, and connected to the upper spring leaf or leaf spring to form a single spring leaf or leaf spring.

[0099] In the solution according to the invention, it is also advantageous if the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the forefoot area is a maximum of 10% longer, or even more advantageously 3 to 8% longer, than the lower leaf spring or leaf spring. However, both leaf springs or leaf springs can also advantageously be the same length.

[0100] It is also advantageous that in the energy storage elements the lower leaf of the spring or the leaf spring in the forefoot area and / or in the rearfoot area is split, divided and / or consists of several parts in the longitudinal or transverse direction.

[0101] Advantageously, the upper leaf or leaf spring in the energy storage elements is also present without an insole and has a connecting element with which the energy storage element is connected to a prosthetic socket in a force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit manner.

[0102] Advantageously, the energy storage elements can also be arranged in a shoe or have a shoe shape and serve as a modular prosthetic foot replacement and be connectable to a prosthetic socket via a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection.

[0103] In corresponding gait analyses of models according to the invention by the applicants, it has been found that the energy storage elements according to the invention fulfill the stated task.

[0104] It has been further determined according to the invention that the rearfoot area need be less pronounced, or even non-existent, since this area has little to no influence on energy storage and rebound during walking. The heel's function is to cushion impact, initiates the necessary torque in the ankle joint via ground reaction forces, and, in the case of a heel spring, releases the impact energy during forward movement. This is supported by the solution according to the invention.

[0105] The upper leaf or leaf spring shows a distinct change in shape compared to the lower leaf or leaf spring in relation to the general lateral foot or shoe shape, where the maximum and minimum heights are in any case less than those of the lower leaf or leaf spring.

[0106] Furthermore, the spring constants of the at least two leaf leaves or leaf springs are different, with the upper leaf leaf or leaf spring advantageously having a higher spring constant than the lower leaf leaf or leaf spring.

[0107] In any case, there must be a gap between at least two leaf springs or leaf springs at a position in the forefoot to midfoot area, which must also remain during the use of the shoe or the modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0108] Therefore, the spring constants must be adapted to the respective loads, also with regard to the weight of the user of the shoe or the modular prosthetic foot replacement, whereby the spring leaves or leaf springs in the ball of the foot area must achieve the greatest energy storage.

[0109] This energy storage in the leaf springs allows the energy to be released back to the user as the gait progresses, thus supporting the user's gait.

[0110] Advantageously, the upper spring leaf or leaf spring, if located in the shoe sole, is fixed to the insole. This can be achieved via detachable or partially detachable connections.

[0111] Even if the upper leaf spring or leaf spring is not fixed to the insole, the upper leaf spring or leaf spring can come into direct contact with the insole under load.

[0112] Advantageously, in the energy storage elements according to the invention, the lower spring leaf or leaf spring rests on a possibly existing insole and forms a form-fit connection with the shoe base or sole as a functional unit. In this case, the upper spring leaf is connected to a prosthetic socket by means of a force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connection, thus forming a functional unit as a modular prosthetic foot replacement.

[0113] Gait analysis allows for the individual determination of pressure distribution under a person's or patient's foot, enabling the adjustment of spring constants, materials for the spring leaves or leaf springs, and the heel element, as well as their dimensions and shapes. Spring constants, dimensions, shapes, and materials can also be pre-selected and implemented for general applications such as sports shoes, orthotic shoes, or modular prosthetic foot replacements.

[0114] The modular design of the energy storage elements according to the invention, comprising at least two leaf springs and a possible shoulder element, enables numerous adaptations to deformations, occurring stresses and their stored energies, and the use of a wide variety of geometries and materials for leaf springs and shoulder elements.

[0115] Furthermore, the modular design of the energy storage elements according to the invention allows for adjustments to be made both to the user's body weight and to accommodate situations where a patient requires a medical shoe for one foot and a normal shoe for the other. This is particularly necessary to ensure a symmetrical gait.

[0116] Another possible construction method for the energy storage element according to the invention is that the spring leaves or leaf springs are made of fiber-plastic composites, whereby several such composites can be arranged in multiple layers on top of each other to form the spring leaves or leaf springs, whereby the spring constant of the spring leaves or leaf springs can also be influenced by the number, thickness and orientation of the layers.

[0117] Advantageously, two to five stacks of leaf leaves are used, arranged one above the other, as leaf springs.

[0118] For example, in the forefoot area, multi-layered leaf springs or, in particular, leaf springs with their greatest thickness can be arranged, especially as the single leaf spring or leaf spring which is arranged in the direction of the foot or foot replacement.

[0119] The energy storage elements according to the invention offer numerous advantages and are particularly suitable for use and adaptation by users and patients with foot problems.

[0120] Furthermore, with the energy storage elements according to the invention, it is possible that combinations of the solutions according to the invention can exist between the possibilities according to the invention for the arrangement of the upper and lower spring leaf in the forefoot and rearfoot area. For example, with at least a point-like force-fit and / or material-fit connection in the forefoot area, the midfoot and rearfoot area can also be designed according to the other possibilities of the present invention.

[0121] There are numerous patents in which parts can be screwed onto prosthetic modular components using an adapter.

[0122] In well-known modular prosthetic foot replacements, a so-called Chopart plate is often attached towards the floor, which, according to the state of the art, consists only of a carbon spring leaf that is bonded to the modular prosthetic foot replacement and thus replaces the missing forefoot in the case of a partial amputation.

[0123] For such a solution according to the prior art, the energy storage elements according to the invention offer an advantageous alternative which could be used for prosthetic body replacement and for the orthotic care of patients.

[0124] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

[0125] This shows

[0126] Fig. 1 and 1a and 1b and 2 and 2a and 2b

[0127] Variants of the energy storage element according to the invention with a bend or a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection in the forefoot area

[0128] Figs. 3 and 3a and 4 and 4a

[0129] Variants of the energy storage element according to the invention without a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection in the forefoot area

[0130] Fig. 5 Variant of the energy storage element according to the invention with a third leaf spring or leaf spring

[0131] Figs. 6 and 6a Variant of the energy storage element according to the invention with a passage of the lower leaf or leaf spring through the upper leaf or leaf spring. Example 1

[0132] An energy storage element with overall dimensions of 26.5 x 9.0 x 3.0 cm (L x W x H), corresponding to the dimensions of a size 42 shoe, consists of two spring leaves and a heel element. The shape of the upper spring leaf follows the general lateral shape of the foot and has a heel rise of 1.5 cm.

[0133] The upper leaf spring is 2.0 mm thick and made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic on a polyester resin base. The upper leaf spring has a spring constant of 40,000 MPa with respect to bending.

[0134] The lower leaf spring is 1.5 mm thick and made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic on a polyester resin base. The lower leaf spring has a spring constant of 18,000 MPa with respect to bending.

[0135] The lower leaf spring has a maximum distance of 2.5 cm to the upper leaf spring in the forefoot area.

[0136] In the forefoot area, the lower leaf spring has a bend of 175° towards the rearfoot area and the upper leaf spring.

[0137] Furthermore, the upper leaf spring in the forefoot area is 10.0 mm longer than the lower leaf spring with the bent part.

[0138] In the rear foot area and in the bent part of the lower leaf spring, the upper and lower leaf springs are connected to each other firmly and releasably by three screws each.

[0139] The cavity in the forefoot area, formed by the maximum distance between the upper and lower spring leaf, is filled with air.

[0140] Furthermore, a heel element made of thermoplastic polyurethane, manufactured using injection molding, is present. The outer shape of the heel element follows the shape of the shoe and extends from the rearfoot to the midfoot. The heel element consists of two parts: one located under the rearfoot and the other under the midfoot. These two parts differ in their degree of filling, i.e., the ratio of volumes filled with material to volumes filled with air, with the midfoot section containing more material than air. Above the upper spring plate is the insole, which is bonded to the upper spring plate in the rearfoot area using a methacrylate-based adhesive. The insole extends over the entire length and width of the upper spring plate.

[0141] The shoe sole is located beneath the lower spring leaf and the heel element.

[0142] This energy storage element in the shoe significantly reduces neuromuscular fatigue and subsequent problems in joints or the spine, and enables a symmetrical gait and a stable stance.

[0143] Example 2

[0144] An energy storage element for an orthotic shoe has overall dimensions of 30.0 x 10.0 x 5.0 cm (L x W x H) and consists of two leaf springs. The lower leaf spring comprises a stack of 5 leaflets, and the upper leaf spring comprises a stack of 3 leaflets. The shape of the upper leaflet follows the general lateral shape of the foot.

[0145] The upper leaf spring is 1.5 mm thick and the spring leaves are made of stainless steel. The upper leaf spring has a spring constant of 3 N / mm in the forefoot area and 10 N / mm in the rearfoot area.

[0146] The lower leaf spring is 2.5 mm thick and made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic on an epoxy resin base. The lower leaf spring has a spring constant of 10 N / mm in the forefoot area and 34 N / mm in the rearfoot area.

[0147] The lower leaf spring has a maximum distance of 3 cm to the upper leaf spring in the forefoot area. In the hindfoot area, there is a distance of 5 cm between the lower and upper leaf springs.

[0148] In the forefoot area, the lower leaf spring has no connection to the upper leaf spring. In the midfoot area, the lower leaf spring extends over an area of ​​10 cm. 2 form-fitting and permanently connected to the upper leaf spring with an adhesive.

[0149] The cavity in the forefoot area, formed by the maximum distance between the upper and lower spring leaves, is filled with foam. A sole is located above the upper leaf spring and is bonded to it across its entire surface using a polyurethane-based adhesive.

[0150] The lower leaf spring forms the sole of the orthotic shoe.

[0151] This energy storage element in the orthotic shoe significantly reduces neuromuscular fatigue and subsequent problems in the joints or spine, and enables a symmetrical gait and stable stance. (Reference list)

[0152] 1 insole

[0153] 2 Common upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring 3 Upper leaf spring or leaf spring

[0154] 4 Lower leaf spring or leaf spring

[0155] 5. Another leaf spring or leaf spring

Claims

Patent claims 1. Energy storage elements in or under shoes or on or as a modular prosthetic foot replacement, in which the energy storage elements consist of at least two leaf springs or leaf springs, wherein one of the at least two leaf springs is arranged as the upper leaf spring in the direction of the foot or leg and the at least other leaf spring is arranged as the lower leaf spring in the direction of the sole of the shoe or the ground, and at least the upper leaf or leaf spring is adapted in shape and size to the general lateral foot shape or shoe shape and foot size or shoe size and in width at least partially to the width of a shoe and to a heel rise of the shoe, a) and the lower leaf or leaf spring has a distance from the lower leaf or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area, and + in the forefoot area the lower leaf spring or leaf spring has a bend towards the rearfoot area and the upper leaf spring or leaf spring by more than 90°, and in the area of ​​the bent part there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, or + in the forefoot area the upper leaf spring or leaf spring has a bend towards the rearfoot area or the lower leaf spring or leaf spring by more than 90°, and in the area of ​​the bent part there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring, or + in the forefoot area, without bends, there is at least a point-like force-, form- and / or material-locking connection between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring, and in the midfoot and / or rearfoot area, at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection exists between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring, wherein, in the case of at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring in the midfoot area, a gap may exist between the lower and upper leaf or leaf spring in the rearfoot area. or b) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection exists between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the midfoot area and / or in the rearfoot area, or c) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring at least in the forefoot area and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and in the midfoot and / or hindfoot area there is at least one point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring, and on the sides of the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the midfoot area another leaf spring or leaf spring is arranged below the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the direction of the hindfoot area and at a distance from the lower leaf spring or leaf spring, or d) the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is guided through an opening in the upper leaf spring or leaf spring over the upper leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area, or the upper leaf spring or leaf spring is guided through an opening in the lower leaf spring or leaf spring under the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the rear foot area, and the two leaf springs or leaf leaves are connected to each other at least at points by force-fit, form-fit and / or positive locking, and at least in the forefoot area the lower leaf spring or leaf spring is not connected to the upper leaf spring or leaf spring, and there is a gap between the upper and lower leaf spring or leaf spring. and at least one insole or cover is arranged above the upper leaf or leaf spring, and below the upper and / or lower and / or between the upper and lower or further leaf springs or leaf springs, there are open and / or closed spaces to the insole or cover and / or to the shoe sole or floor, which are filled with air or with a material for cushioning and / or energy storage.

2. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein a heel element is provided depending on the heel rise of the shoe.

3. Energy storage elements according to claim 2, wherein the heel element consists of several parts which may be made of the same or different materials, wherein at least one of the parts may be made of an elastic material.

4. Energy storage elements according to claim 2, wherein the heel element is arranged at least below the rearfoot area to below the midfoot area or to below the forefoot area.

5. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein two spring leaves are provided, which are the upper and lower spring leaves.

6. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two spring leaves or leaf springs consists of materials with different spring constants.

7. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the leaf springs and a possible offset element consist at least partially of metallic materials and / or plastics and / or thermoplastics and / or thermosets and / or elastomers and / or thermoplastic elastomers and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber, or have a core-shell structure, wherein metallic materials and / or plastics and / or fiber-reinforced plastics and / or rubber may be arranged as a core or shell with other materials.

8. Energy storage elements according to claim 7, in which the fibers are glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, basalt fibers, polyethylene fibers in short or long fiber or continuous fiber bundle form, and / or, advantageously, the arrangement of the fibers in the plastic in the fiber-plastic composites is realized depending on the stress in different areas of the shoe.

9. Energy storage elements according to claim 7, wherein the spring leaves or leaf springs and / or a shoulder element consist of fiber-reinforced plastic composites, wherein several such composites in multiple layers on top of each other form the spring leaves or leaf springs.

10. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the gaps between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring form an open or closed cavity which may be filled with air or with a material for damping and / or energy storage, wherein the material for damping and / or energy storage is advantageously a rubber material or an elastomer.

11. Energy storage elements according to claim 10, wherein the shape and size of the gaps between the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring are realized by different shapes of the leaf or leaf springs and / or by different locations of the at least point-like force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connections and / or by different materials and / or spring constants of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring.

12. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the total height of the energy storage elements is a maximum of 30 mm.

13. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the shape and dimensions of the spring leaves or leaf springs are adapted to the interior space in a shoe sole or to the outsole of a shoe or to the underside of a modular prosthetic foot replacement or prosthetic socket arranged towards the floor.

14. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the lower or upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot area is bent by 170 to 185° towards the rearfoot area.

15. Energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein the at least two spring leaves or leaf springs in the forefoot area do not have any bending.

16. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the force-, form- and / or material-locking connection is a detachable or conditionally detachable connection, and / or a planar connection which may be present over the width of the lower leaf or leaf spring in the area of ​​the connection.

17. Energy storage elements according to claim 16, wherein the connection is a screw connection, a hook and loop fastener, a tongue and groove connection, an adhesive connection, a rivet connection or a geometric locking mechanism.

18. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein, in the case of a force-fit, form-fit and / or material-fit connection of the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot region, the upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot region is a maximum of 10% longer than the lower bent leaf or leaf spring, or the upper and lower leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot region are of the same length.

19. Energy storage elements according to claim 18, wherein the length of the upper leaf or leaf spring in the forefoot region is 3 to 8% longer than the lower leaf or leaf spring.

20. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein in the forefoot area the lower leaf or leaf spring is bent over and connected to the upper leaf or leaf spring to form a leaf or leaf spring.

21. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the lower leaf spring or leaf spring in the forefoot area and / or in the rearfoot area is split or divided in the longitudinal or transverse direction and / or consists of several parts.

22. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the upper leaf spring or leaf spring is provided without an insole and has a connecting element with which the energy storage element is connected to a prosthetic socket by means of force, form and / or material connection.

23. Energy storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage elements are arranged in a shoe or have a shoe shape and serve as a modular prosthetic foot replacement and can be connected to a prosthetic socket via a force-, form- and / or material-locking connection.

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