Motion assisting apparatus
First Claim
1. Drive assembly comprising an articulated member having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the articulated member, the drive mechanism comprising:
- a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member; and
a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive assembly for use with a mechanical flying or walking device comprises an articulated member (7) having first and second portions (7a, 7b) arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism (9) for imparting motion to the articulated member. The drive mechanism (9) comprises: a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member, and a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. In the case of a mechanical flying device, two such drive assemblies may be provided, the articulated member of each assembly forming a wing.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. Drive assembly comprising an articulated member having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the articulated member, the drive mechanism comprising:
- a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member; and
a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member; and
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15. Drive assembly comprising:
- an articulated member having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion on the articulated member, the drive mechanism comprising;
(a) drive means for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member, each cycle comprising four phases, and (b) return means, wherein the articulated member, the drive means and the return means are arranged such that;
in the first phase of movement, the drive means imparts a cyclic motion on the articulated member, in a first sense, whilst the first and second portions of the articulated member are maintained substantially in a first orientation with respect to each other;
in the second phase of movement, the drive means engages and moves the return means, in the first sense, against a resisting force of the return means;
in the third phase of movement, the drive means disengages the return means which'"'"' due to the resisting force, returns to its previous state, thereby causing;
(a) the articulated member to be moved in a contrary sense, and (b) the first and second portions of the articulated member to be arranged substantially in a second orientation with respect to each other; and
in the fourth phase of movement, the cyclic motion returns the first and second portions of the articulated member back to the first orientation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- an articulated member having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion on the articulated member, the drive mechanism comprising;
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27. A flying device, comprising:
- first and second articulated wings each having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other; and
first and second drive mechanisms for imparting motion on each respective articulated wing, each drive mechanism comprising;
(a) a drive means for imparting a cyclic motion on the wing, each cycle comprising four phases, and (b) a return means, wherein the drive means and the return means are arranged such that;
in the first phase of movement, the drive means imparts a cyclic motion on the articulated wing, in a first sense, whilst the first and second portions of the articulated wing are maintained substantially in a first orientation with respect to each other;
in the second phase of movement, the drive means engages and moves the return means, in the first sense, against a resisting force of the return means;
in the third phase of movement, the drive means disengages the return means which, due to the resisting force, returns to its previous state, thereby causing (a) the articulated wing to be moved in a contrary sense, and (b) the first and second portions of the articulated wing to be arranged substantially in a second orientation with respect to each other; and
in the fourth phase of movement, the cyclic motion returns the first and second portions of the articulated wing back to the first orientation.
- first and second articulated wings each having first and second portions arranged such that the portions move relative to each other; and
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28. (Cancelled).
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29. (Cancelled).
Specification