Control of multiple joints of an upper body support system
US11458061B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2203/045
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and system to partially support the weight of a human user engaged in task performance at ground level are presented herein. An upper body support system includes multiple degrees of freedom to adapt the physical geometry of the support system to meet the demands of the task at hand. Each degree of freedom of the upper body support system is passively controlled by the human user from a convenient user interface. In some embodiments, each end-effector of the support system is positioned and fixed in three degrees of freedom over a relatively large workspace by manually controlling the brake torque of two rotational joints and the state of a locking mechanism of a linear joint. In another aspect, an end-effector is removeably attached to the support system with a quick-change coupler. In some embodiments, a swivel joint mechanism compensates for misalignment with the work environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.