US3762070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal column simulator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-10-30
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions includes a number of metallic vertebra simulating disks arranged in a stacked relationship and having central annular flanges defining apertures that are aligned with each other. A number of generally annular viscoelastic elements are located between the adjacent disks and include upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges of the associated disks to position the viscoelastic elements relative to the disks. The viscoelastic elements also include upper and lower outwardly extending annular ribs respectively engaging the outer portions of the adjacent disks. A metallic cable extends through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator and has a ball secured to one of its ends and seated against the adjacent terminal disk to secure the cable to the disk. A threaded fitting on the other end of the cable is received by a threaded portion of the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator to allow a slight tensioning of the cable that causes the viscoelastic elements to maintain the simulator in an upstanding configuration. The viscoelastic elements are designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this upstanding configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column. Split washer type bushings of a plastic material are mounted on the flanges of the disks so as to eliminate metalto-metal contact between the cable and the disks and thereby prevent friction that would cause spurious movement of the simulator.
Inventors
- 👤 C Culver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:13
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/28; G09B23/30; G09B23/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of vertebra simulating disks having generally annular configurations with central apertures extending therethrough, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements respectively located between the adjacent disks and having central apertures aligned with the apertures of the disks, an elongated flexible member extending through the apertures in the disks and the viscoelastic elements between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at one end of the simulator, and adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the flexible member that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuation and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal co umn when subjected to impact loading.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of vertebra simulating disks having generally annular configurations with central apertures extending therethrough, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements respectively located between the adjacent disks and having central apertures aligned with the apertures of the disks, an elongated flexible member extending through the apertures in the disks and the viscoelastic elements between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at one end of the simulator, and adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the flexible member that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuation and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal co umn when subjected to impact loading.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
225 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of vertebra simulating disks having generally annular configurations with central annular flanges defining central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic element relative to the disks, an elongated flexible member extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at one end of the simulator, and adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the flexible member that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuration and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column when subjected to impact loading.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
225 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of vertebra simulating disks having generally annular configurations with central annular flanges defining central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic element relative to the disks, an elongated flexible member extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at one end of the simulator, and adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the flexible member to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the flexible member that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuration and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column when subjected to impact loading.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
279 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of metallic vertebra simulating disks having integral flanges of a generally annular configuration so as to define central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic elements relative to the disks, each viscoelastic element also having upper and lower outwardly extending annular ribs respectively engaging the outer portions of the adjacent disks, a metallic cable extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the cable to the terminal disk at one end of tHe simulator, adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the cable to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the cable that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuration and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column, and plastic bushings mounted on the annular flanges of the disks to eliminate metal-to-metal contact between the cable and the disks during movement of the simulator and to thus prevent friction that would cause spurious movement of the simulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
279 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of metallic vertebra simulating disks having integral flanges of a generally annular configuration so as to define central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic elements relative to the disks, each viscoelastic element also having upper and lower outwardly extending annular ribs respectively engaging the outer portions of the adjacent disks, a metallic cable extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, first means for securing one end of the cable to the terminal disk at one end of tHe simulator, adjustable second means for detachably securing the other end of the cable to the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to allow a slight tensioning of the cable that normally maintains the simulator in an upstanding configuration, the viscoelastic elements normally preventing movement of the simulator from its upstanding configuration and being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column, and plastic bushings mounted on the annular flanges of the disks to eliminate metal-to-metal contact between the cable and the disks during movement of the simulator and to thus prevent friction that would cause spurious movement of the simulator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
291 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of metallic vertebra simulating disks having integral flanges of a generally annular configuration so as to define central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic elements relative to the disks, each viscoelastic element also having upper and lower outwardly extending annular ribs respectively engaging the outer portions of the adjacent disks, a metallic cable extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, a ball secured to one end of the cable and seated against the terminal disk at one end of the simulator so as to secure this cable end, a threaded member secured to the other end of the cable and threaded into the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to secure this cable end and permit the cable to be tensioned to a slight degree, the tensioning of the cable normally maintaining the simulator in an upstanding configuration and the viscoelastic elements being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column, and plastic bushings mounted on the annular flanges of the disks to eliminate metal-to-metal contact between the cable and the disks during movement of the simulator and to thus prevent friction that would cause spurious movement of the simulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
291 words
A spinal column simulator for simulating human spinal column movement under impact conditions, the simulator comprising, a plurality of metallic vertebra simulating disks having integral flanges of a generally annular configuration so as to define central apertures in the disks, the disks being arranged in a stacked relationship with their apertures aligned, a plurality of generally annular viscoelastic elements located between the adjacent disks, each viscoelastic element having upper and lower inwardly extending annular ribs which respectively engage the annular flanges on the associated disks to position the viscoelastic elements relative to the disks, each viscoelastic element also having upper and lower outwardly extending annular ribs respectively engaging the outer portions of the adjacent disks, a metallic cable extending through the apertures in the disks between the opposite ends of the simulator, a ball secured to one end of the cable and seated against the terminal disk at one end of the simulator so as to secure this cable end, a threaded member secured to the other end of the cable and threaded into the terminal disk at the other end of the simulator so as to secure this cable end and permit the cable to be tensioned to a slight degree, the tensioning of the cable normally maintaining the simulator in an upstanding configuration and the viscoelastic elements being designed to absorb and expend energy as the simulator moves from this configuration under impact loadings so that the movement of the simulator is similar to movement of the human spinal column, and plastic bushings mounted on the annular flanges of the disks to eliminate metal-to-metal contact between the cable and the disks during movement of the simulator and to thus prevent friction that would cause spurious movement of the simulator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |