The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 2024
Filed:
Mar. 29, 2021
Flexdex, Inc., Brighton, MI (US);
James Michael Licht, Howell, MI (US);
Shorya Awtar, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Deepak Sharma, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Zachary Zimmerman, Waterford, MI (US);
Bruce Johnson, Elkins, NH (US);
Christopher K. Holmes, Harvard, MA (US);
Peter F. Costa, Winthrop, MA (US);
Brian Douglas Larose, Cornish, NH (US);
Randall Sullivan, Howell, MI (US);
Ryan Brook Rank, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
FlexDex, Inc., Brighton, MI (US);
Abstract
An articulating joint comprising a multi-cluster joint where every consecutive pair of links is interfaced by a gimbal, which offers rotation about two orthogonal axes within the same plane. Thus, the articulating joint comprises an alternating sequence of links and gimbals. Furthermore, there may be multiple cables attached to one or more of the links. As these cables are selectively pulled and released, one can achieve any desired articulation of the articulating joint. There may be a transmission member extending through the links and gimbals, parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the joint in its nominal non-articulated condition. This transmission member may be either a tension member that is pulled on (e.g. a cable or flexible pull rod) and that loads the articulating joint in compression, or the transmission member may be a flexible push rod that loads the articulating joint in tension.