| abstract |
An artificial knee comprises first and second pivotally interconnected knee components and first and second interengaging brake components for locking the knee components together. The first and second brake components are associated respectively with the first and second knee components, respectively. The second brake component is made of a resiliently deformable material. The arrangement is such that, when the artificial knee is subjected to a first load condition, the brake components are substantially free to slide against one another, and when the artificial knee is under a second, higher load condition, the second brake component is resiliently deformed against the first brake component to lock the two brake components together, thereby locking the two knee components together. The first and second brake components are provided with interengaging surfaces which are inclined to the axis about which the two knee components are pivoted, and the first and second brake components constitute the pivotal interconnection between the two knee components. |