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:
Apr. 06, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 31, 2007
William E. Nordt, Iii, Charles City, VA (US);
Ian D. Kovacevich, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kevin J. Dahlquist, Charlotte, NC (US);
Tom J. Philpott, Charlotte, NC (US);
William E. Nordt, III, Charles City, VA (US);
Ian D. Kovacevich, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kevin J. Dahlquist, Charlotte, NC (US);
Tom J. Philpott, Charlotte, NC (US);
Nordt Development Co., LLC, Charles City, WA (US);
Abstract
A potentiating support for an area of a body includes: a framework having a surface for abutment with an area of a body including a hinge joint, the framework defining a plurality of permanent openings in the surface; and two strut members each attached to the framework such that each the strut member spans the hinge joint when the framework is disposed in abutment with the area of the body, the strut members providing a measure of rigidity to the framework in the direction of their respective lengths, each respective the strut member including an intermediate portion thereof spanning the hinge joint that is expandable and recoverable between a first initial state and extended states wherein, when expanded to a the extended state during flexing of the hinge joint, the respective strut member stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to the initial state.