Brigham Young University

Todd G Nelson

Larry L Howell

Robert J Lang

Spencer P Magleby

Anton Edis Bowden

Trevor Stephens

A hinged mechanism includes: panels; and hinges connecting respective pairs of the panels to each other in a closed loop so that the hinged mechanism is non-planar, wherein at least one of the hinges is a rolling-contact hinge. All of the hinges can be rolling-contact hinges. The closed-loop hinged mechanism can comprise at least four hinges, each of the at least four hinges being a sole connection between a respective adjacent pair of the panels. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be circular. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be non-circular.

Non-planar closed-loop hinge mechanism with rolling-contact hinge

According to an aspect, a device may include a deployable rolling joint having a first deployable joint member, a second deployable joint member, and a plurality of flexures coupled to the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member. The deployable rolling joint may move from an undeployed state to a deployed state in which the first deployable joint member forms a convex surface portion and the second deployable joint member forms a convex surface portion. When the deployable rolling joint is in the deployed state, the convex surface portion of the first deployable joint member may roll with respect the convex surface portion of the second deployable joint member, and the plurality of flexures may hold the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member together as the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member roll across each other.

Deployable joint

A spinal implant includes a plurality of frame segments that define a first frame array, the first frame array being coupled to a first mounting connection. A plurality of contiguous segments define a second frame array, the plurality of contiguous segments being coupled to a second mounting connection and being coupled to the first frame array. The first frame array and the second frame array are positioned relative to one another such that application of a force in a first direction to the first and second mounting connections results in application of a force in an opposing direction to the plurality of contiguous segments.

Growing community of inventors

Provo, UT, United States of America

Todd G Nelson