Suspension and body attachment system and differential pressure suit for body weight support devices
US9554964B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2535/00
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides a differential pressure body suit with external support against body suit migration. In its preferred embodiment, such body suit may comprise a close-fitting, multi-layered suit sealed against a mammal's skin to contain the differential pressure, or a looser-fitting suit that bends at the mammal's joints with minimal force. External support means include either fixed or movable mechanical supports attached to the body suit, extraordinary air pressure levels for making the body suit rigid, or exoskeletons attached to the body suit, or a counter-force suspension cable adjustment system. A cyclic control system can turn the differential pressure condition within the body suit on and off on a selective basis to accommodate the movement of the legs of the mammal. This differential pressure body suit provides a portable and convenient system for, e.g., rehabilitating a skeletal joint injury or training the mammal for injury prevention or athletic performance or fat burning. The pressurization reduces the weight of the body to greater or lesser extents, and offloads the weight to the ground through the external support means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.