Lockheed Martin Corporation

Evan M Herndon

Gavin A Barnes

Shuoran Qu

Disclosed herein is a mechanical joint for an exoskeleton ankle. The mechanical joint includes a first connector (e.g., to attach to a foot), a second connector (e.g., to attach to a leg), a stack of at least partially nested cones between the first connector and the second connector (e.g., at an outstep of the foot), and a strand extending through the second connector and the cone stack. The second connector is configured to freely translate away from the first connector and freely tilt relative to the first connector. Similarly, the second cone is configured to freely translate away from the first cone along the strand and freely tilt relative to the first cone. Accordingly, the mechanical joint provides vertical support (e.g., of an exoskeleton structure) while minimizing angular resistance (e.g., about an ankle joint).

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Groveland, FL, United States of America

Evan M Herndon