Patent · US Expired

Human bipedal locomotion device

US5016869A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
23References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 3, 1990
Grant dateMay 21, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 3, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB25J9/0006
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A self-actuated spring-action human bipedal device includes a back-mounted frame attached to the upper torso of a user, and separate articulated right and left leg frames pivotally attached by U-joints to lower portions of the back frame. The user's feet are secured to the leg frames so the bottoms of the leg frames contact the ground, behind and below the point where each foot is attached to its leg frame. Endless cord-like main springs are engaged with a spring actuator, which are carried on the back frame. Left and right tension lines running from respective leg frames to the spring actuator are arranged so that compression of the leg frames, caused by the force of downward movement of the user's feet and torso, pulls on the tension lines to apply a pulling force to the spring actuator for stretching the main springs. The tension lines are also each attached to a part of the leg frame which engages on the user's foot so that extension of the user's leg pulls on the tension lines, also stretching the main springs. The energy stored in the stretched main springs is then transferred back to the torso of the user and to the user's feet to cause the user to jump into the air. Separat…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.