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:
Sep. 30, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 29, 2012
Bryan J Bergelin, Houston, TX (US);
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Donald R. Davis, Novi, MI (US);
Douglas Martin Linn, White Lake, MI (US);
Lyndon B. J. Bridgwater, Friendswood, TX (US);
Bryan J Bergelin, Houston, TX (US);
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Donald R. Davis, Novi, MI (US);
Douglas Martin Linn, White Lake, MI (US);
Lyndon B. J. Bridgwater, Friendswood, TX (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A grasp assist system includes a glove, actuator assembly, and controller. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. Phalange rings are positioned with respect to the digit. A flexible tendon is connected at one end to one of the rings and is routed through the remaining rings. An exoskeleton positioned with respect to the digit includes hinged interconnecting members each connected to a corresponding ring, and/or a single piece of slotted material. The actuator assembly is connected to another end of the tendon. The controller calculates a tensile force in response to the measured grasping force, and commands the tensile force from the actuator assembly to thereby pull on the tendon. The exoskeleton offloads some of the tensile force from the operator's finger to the glove.