Gravitational Load Support System
First Claim
1. A method of supporting a load carried by a user, comprising:
- coupling a first link to the load;
coupling a second link to a first foot of the user, the second link pivotally coupled to the first link at a first joint;
disposing a first damping element between the first and second link;
disposing a first sensor on a first limb of the user;
measuring with the first sensor a physical characteristic of the first limb; and
selecting a damping constant of the first damping element based on the physical characteristic of the first limb to support the load.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load support device has a first link assembly coupled to a load and a first foot of a user. A first damping element is coupled to the first link assembly. The first damping element includes a double acting piston configured to provide uni-directional damping. A first sensor is disposed on a first limb of the user. A physical characteristic of the first limb is measured with the first sensor. A damping constant of the first damping element is selected based on the physical characteristic of the first limb. A second link assembly is coupled to the load and to a second foot of the user. A second damping element is coupled to the second link assembly between the load and the second foot. The load is alternately supported by the first link assembly and damping element and the second link assembly and damping element throughout a gait cycle.
16 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of supporting a load carried by a user, comprising:
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coupling a first link to the load; coupling a second link to a first foot of the user, the second link pivotally coupled to the first link at a first joint; disposing a first damping element between the first and second link; disposing a first sensor on a first limb of the user; measuring with the first sensor a physical characteristic of the first limb; and selecting a damping constant of the first damping element based on the physical characteristic of the first limb to support the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a load support device, comprising:
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coupling a link assembly to a load and to a first foot of a user; disposing a first damping element spanning a joint of the link assembly; disposing a first sensor on a first limb of the user; measuring with the first sensor a physical characteristic of the first limb; and selecting a damping constant of the first damping element based on the physical characteristic of the first limb to support the load. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling a load support device, comprising:
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coupling a first link assembly to a load and to a first foot of a user; coupling a first damping element to the first link assembly; disposing a first sensor on a first limb of the user; measuring with the first sensor a physical characteristic of the first limb; and modulating the first damping element based on the physical characteristic of the first limb. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A load support device, comprising:
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a first link assembly configured to couple to a load and to a first foot of a user; a first damping element coupled to the first link assembly between the load and the first foot; a sensor coupled to a limb of the user and configured to determine a gait characteristic of the user; and an actuator coupled to the first damping element, the actuator configured to open or close the first damping element based on the gait characteristic of the user. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification