Device and method for strengthening the arms of huaman exoskeletons

Abstract

An exoskeleton (251) includes an arm brace (230) coupled to an arm (200) of a wearer (250) and a tensile member (257, 258) connected to the arm brace (230). An actuator (285) exerts a pulling force onthe tensile member (257, 258). The pulling force reduces a length of the tensile member (257, 258) between the arm brace (230) and the actuator (285) and causes the arm (200) of the wearer (250) to bend at an elbow (202).

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 310352, filed March 18, 2016, and entitled "Devices for Strengthening the Arms of Human Exoskeletons." The entire content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Government License Rights

[0004] This invention was made with Government support under Contract H92222-15-C-0040 awarded by United States Special Operations Command. The government has certain rights in this invention. technical field

[0005] The present invention relates to devices and methods that increase the load-bearing capacity and strength of the wearer, enhance performance, and help prevent injury during the performance of certain weight-bearing or strength-demanding tasks. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices suitable for use by persons engaged in heavy tool use or weight-bearing tasks, the devices each comprising a set of...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0065] Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention.

[0066] For illustrative purposes, Figure 1A -G shows the general movement of the human arm at the elbow. about Figure 1A , an arm 100 is shown, wherein the arm 100 has a shoulder 101 , an elbow 102 and a wrist 103 . Shoulder 101 is connected at a fixed distance to elbow 102 by humerus 104 and elbow 102 is connected at fixed distance to wrist 103 by ulna 105 and radius 106 . The arm 100 can be pivoted to an...

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 310352, filed March 18, 2016, and entitled "Devices for Strengthening the Arms of Human Exoskeletons." The entire content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Government License Rights

[0004] This invention was made with Government support under Contract H92222-15-C-0040 awarded by United States Special Operations Command. The government has certain rights in this invention. technical field

[0005] The present invention relates to devices and methods that increase the load-bearing capacity and strength of the wearer, enhance performance, and help prevent injury during the performance of certain weight-bearing or strength-demanding tasks. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices suitable for use by persons engaged in heavy tool use or weight-bearing tasks, the devices each comprising a set of...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0065] Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention.

[0066] For illustrative purposes, Figure 1A -G shows the general movement of the human arm at the elbow. about Figure 1A , an arm 100 is shown, wherein the arm 100 has a shoulder 101 , an elbow 102 and a wrist 103 . Shoulder 101 is connected at a fixed distance to elbow 102 by humerus 104 and elbow 102 is connected at fixed distance to wrist 103 by ulna 105 and radius 106 . The arm 100 can be pivoted to an...

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