Springactive, Inc.

Darren Kinney

Kevin L Hollander

Nathan Cahill

Robert Holgate

Preston Clouse

Raymond Churchwell

Kevin Hollander

A belt system that includes an elongated strap extending between a first and second end, with a first fastener coupled to the first end and a second fastener coupled to the second end. The belt system also includes at least one adjustable length cable coupled near the first end and the second end. The cable passes through the strap at multiple pass-through points, allowing the strap to be cinched and the belt to be shortened by adjusting the cable length. The cable length can be adjusted by a dial located on the first fastener or by a cincher fixed near the first fastener, which includes a housing supporting a dowel to which the cable end is secured. The dowel can rotate in two directions, and the cincher includes a gear, a cam, and a release that allows a user to selectively disengage the cam from the gear to release the wire.

Belt tightening system

A joint torque augmentation system includes linkage assembly configured to couple to a user. Linkage assembly includes a unidirectional link and a device joint. The linkage assembly is worn by a user or is configured to couple to footwear. An actuator is coupled to the linkage assembly to provide a torque at a joint of the user. A sensor is coupled to the user to measure a position of the user. A control system is coupled to the sensor and actuator. A phase of gait for the user is determined by the control system based on the position measured by the sensor. The actuator produces a tension force on the linkage assembly during a first phase of gait. A compliant element is coupled between the actuator and linkage assembly. The compliant element is tuned based on a load carried by the user.

Joint torque augmentation system and method for gait assistance

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Darren Kinney