Grip sensor
First Claim
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1. A grip sensor comprising:
- a unitary block of material being of size so that it can be gripped by a human hand, said block having an upper surface, a center portion and opposite outer ends, wherein said block includes a slot defining a base plate integrally connected to each of the outer ends and spaced apart from the center portion, and cross bores defining a separate pair of spaced, parallel flexure beams between the center portion and each of the outer ends, the parallel flexure beams coupled to the center portion and the respective outer ends through integral flexible hinge sections;
a stop member acting between the center portion and the base plate to limit movement of the base plate toward the center portion;
an upper hand grip cover member connected to the center portion of the upper surface of the block, the upper hand grip cover member spaced apart from the upper surface above the parallel flexure beams and the outer ends; and
means on at least one flexure beam for determining the forces generated by a person gripping the block.
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Abstract
A dynamic grip sensor is formed from a unitary block having upper and lower covers. The sensor, being of a size so that it can be gripped by a human hand, comprises two sets of parallel flexure beams connected between outer end blocks and a center block and are loaded by a base plate connected to the outer end block and extending between the end blocks. The flexure beams deflect to respond to hand grip strength. Strain sensors located on the flexure beams and connected in a wheatstone bridge provide indication of gripping strength. The grip sensor may operate apart from a supporting structure or be incorporated into a handle or similar structure.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A grip sensor comprising:
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a unitary block of material being of size so that it can be gripped by a human hand, said block having an upper surface, a center portion and opposite outer ends, wherein said block includes a slot defining a base plate integrally connected to each of the outer ends and spaced apart from the center portion, and cross bores defining a separate pair of spaced, parallel flexure beams between the center portion and each of the outer ends, the parallel flexure beams coupled to the center portion and the respective outer ends through integral flexible hinge sections; a stop member acting between the center portion and the base plate to limit movement of the base plate toward the center portion; an upper hand grip cover member connected to the center portion of the upper surface of the block, the upper hand grip cover member spaced apart from the upper surface above the parallel flexure beams and the outer ends; and means on at least one flexure beam for determining the forces generated by a person gripping the block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification