Springactive, Inc.

Other

Arizona State University

Jeffrey A Ward

Matthew Aaron Holgate

Thomas G Sugar

Kevin L Hollander

Chase Wheeler

Jason A Kerestes

Joseph Karl Hitt

Garrett Repp

Thierry Flaven

Robert Holgate

Pahul Singh

Alex Boehler

Dustin Vehon

A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness and a preloaded leg strap arrangement affixed to the upper torso harness. The preloaded leg strap arrangement has an X-bracket connected to the upper torso harness. The preloaded leg strap arrangement further uses a plurality of blocks and a preloaded strap routed through the blocks and connected to the X-bracket. The preloaded leg strap arrangement further uses a knee pad with a split seam. The preloaded strap is under tension, even when the human motion assistance device is in a relaxed state. The preloading provides an immediate force which increases under a loaded state. The potential energy stored during the loaded state is released when transitioning from a standing position to a crouched, squatting, or seated position. The configuration allows for maximizing the energy storage without putting excess shoulder pressure on the user when standing.

Preloaded personal augmentation suit and method for assisted human motion

A human motion assistance device has upper back straps and is configured to attach to a user. A leg strap arrangement with lower back straps is configured to attach to the user. A differential assembly is connected between the upper back straps and lower back straps to reduce resistance of the upper torso harness and leg strap arrangement during gait. When crouching or lifting, the differential assembly transfers force to stretch and retract the upper torso harness and leg strap arrangement, which provides human motion assistance. The differential assembly can be implements as an x-bar, lever arm, pulley, gears, or tube. The leg strap arrangement has a knee pad adapted to cover a knee of the user. The knee pad opens along a segment. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap and buckle. The leg strap arrangement is an elastic material.

Personal augmentation suit and method for assisted human motion with back differential assembly

A human motion assistance device has an upper torso harness for attaching to a user. The upper torso harness has a shoulder strap or backpack assembly. A belt is connected to the upper torso harness and extends around a waist and back area of the user. Leg straps are affixed to the upper torso harness proximate to a gluteal area of the user and configured to extend down a hamstring area to cross in front of a knee area and further extend down a calf area to a foot anchor. The leg straps are made of an elastic material with a pocket around the knee area of the user. The foot anchor may extend under the heel to an arch strap, or cross over the talus and under the arch of the foot. The upper torso harness and leg straps are passive without active members.

Personal augmentation suit and method for assisted human motion

A phase oscillating device for affecting movement of a limb or a primary body includes a sensor coupled to the primary body. A physical state of the primary body is measured using the sensor. A phase angle of the primary body is determined based on the physical state measurement. The physical state measurement includes position, velocity, or acceleration. The phase angle of the primary body is filtered using a sine function. An actuator is coupled to the primary body. The actuator is triggered based on the phase angle of the primary body to provide a force or torque to assist or resist movement of the primary body. A secondary body is coupled to the primary body. The secondary body is oscillated using the actuator, which is triggered in phase with a gait step. Alternatively, a fan is coupled to the primary body and actuator to provide the oscillating force.

Systems and methods for adding or subtracting energy to body motion

A prosthetic joint device includes a foot portion and a main body pivotally coupled to the foot portion at a first joint. A first compliant member is coupled to the main body and foot portion. A first clutch is coupled to the first compliant member. An actuator is coupled to the first clutch to lock and unlock the first clutch and engage and disengage the first compliant member. A control system is coupled to the actuator to control the actuator based on a gait activity. The first clutch is locked to engage the first compliant member. A second compliant member is coupled to the main body and foot portion. A sensor is coupled to the prosthetic joint device to measure a physical state of the prosthetic joint device. The engagement and disengagement of the first compliant member is timed based on the physical state of the prosthetic joint device.

Quasi-active prosthetic joint system

A method for harvesting energy from ankle motion includes coupling a generator module across an ankle joint, the generator module including a generator and an elastic member. The generator is affixed to the leg shank and at least one of the generator and the elastic member is continuously coupled to the foot across the ankle joint. Energy may be harvested in the elastic member while generating electricity with the generator from motion of the ankle joint. Alternatively, or in addition, electricity may be generated with the generator from energy harvested in the elastic member after the energy is harvested.

Growing community of inventors

Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Jeffrey A Ward