Improvements in or relating to leg prostheses

1,146,906. Artificial legs. ZAVOD PROTEZNYCH POLUFABRIKATOV. 26 April, 1966, No. 18170/66. Heading ASR. An artificial leg having an elastic cover 11 includes a pelvic socket 1 for securing to the body and a bracket 2 on the socket on which a four-part linkage 4, 5, 6, (7) extending through the thigh portion is pivotal, one part (7) of the linkage being rigidly attached to the shin portion and forming a knee joint where it is pivotally attached to other parts 5, 6. The link 4 has parallel arms (14, Fig. 4) which are pivoted on the bracket 2 and a cross bar (15) pivotally connected to a pair of parallel links 5 which extend the length of the thigh. Another link 6 is inclined to the links 5 and is pivotally connected to the free ends of the arms (14). At their lower ends the links 5, 6 are pivoted to a connecting piece (7) fixed to the shin 8. Forward movement of the thigh relative to the bracket 2 may be prevented by a releasable locking device 3 and rearward pivotal movement of the thigh relative to the body is limited by abutment between the cross bar (15) and the stump, the cross bar carrying a shock absorber 16. A spring 17 provides for automatic extension of the shin.