Movement monitoring and control apparatus for body members

• US 5,656,904 A
• Filed: 09/28/1995
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph Lander
• Original Assignee: Ralph Lander
• Inventors: Lander, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/535,621
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 318/560-696, 294/111, 623/24, 623/25, 623/57, 623/63, 623/64, 623/66, 74/479.01, 74/479.02, 74/417, 74/423, 74/469, 901/15, 901/21, 901/12, 901/23, 901/25, 901/17, 901/20, 901/26, 901/28, 901/19, 901/36, 901/38, 901/29, 901/39, 414/4, 414/5, 414/378, 414/680, 414/729, 414/730, 414/732, 414/735, 414/737, 414/744.5, 464/109
• US Class Current: 318/568.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/586 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/70 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30523 by means of meshing gear teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5069 Ball bearings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/701 operated by electrically controlled means, e.g. solenoids or torque motors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/00 Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/56; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devicesbandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/02 Hand grip control means handles or pedals for crane control B66C13/56; for measuring the force applied to control members G01L5/22; hand-held casings for switching devices, e.g. joy-sticks H01H9/0214
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 17/0241 One-dimensional joints
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 3/04 involving servo mechanisms servo-actuated heads B25J15/02

Abstract

Basic interchangeable building blocks such as to create a structure and/or an exoskeleton for an apparatus for monitoring and controlling the movements of body members comprising a single axis joint adaptable axis joint, an axial rotation joint, a wrist rotation joint and a linear motion transmission joint, all of which can be spring controlled and/or be controlled by a rotation transmitting cable each having means for producing electrical signals indicative of their movement and can be coupled together so as to permit electrical conduction and rotation transmitting cables to be passed through them.

Claims

1. A joint comprising:

a first hollow housing having a first axis;

a second hollow housing having a second axis;

means for pivotally connecting diametrically opposed points on an end of said first hollow housing with respective diametrically opposed points on an end of said second hollow housing so that said housings pivot about a pivot axis;

a wire mounted for axial rotation within one of said first and second hollow housing; and

means for changing the angle between the first and second axes of said first and second hollow housings in response to axial rotation of said wire.

2. The joint as set forth in claim 1, further comprising;

a male connector coupled to an outer end of one of said first and second cylinders;

said male connector being comprised of a third cylinder having an axis;

a wall within said third cylinder that is perpendicular to its axis and at a given distance from one end thereof;

means defining at least one passageway extending from said wall toward the other end of said third cylinder;

means defining an annular groove communicating with said passageway; and

a U shaped spring mounted on said wall with its arm on opposite sides of said passageway.

3. The joint as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a female connector coupled to the outer end of the other of said first and second cylinders;

said female connector being comprise of a forth cylinder having an axis;

a wall within said fourth cylinder that is perpendicular to its axis and at a given distance from one end thereof;

means defining a passageway extending from said wall to the other end of said fourth cylinder;

means defining an annular groove communicating with said last mentioned passageway;

a female plug having a cylinder portion and a flange at one end, the flange engaging said last mentioned annular groove;

means defining an opening in the cylindrical portion of said member having a rectangular cross section; and

a U shaped spring attached to said wall with its arms on either side of said last mentioned passageway.

4. A male connector comprising:

a housing having a first axis;

a longitudinal member having a prong with a cross section that is other than circular extending from one end and a tube extending from the other end and means defining a cavity in said tube having other than a circular cross section;

a wall in said housing that is transverse to said first axis;

means for mounting said longitudinal member for axial rotation within said housing and parallel to the first axis with its prong extending from one side of said wall and its tube exposed to the other side of said wall;

a U shape spring having parallel legs extending from a closed end; and

means for affixing the closed end of said spring on said other side of said wall with its legs on opposite sides of said cavity.

5. A male connector comprising:

a housing having a first axis;

a longitudinal member having a second axis and comprised of a prong with a cross section other than circular at one end and a tube having a cavity therein extending from the other end, said cavity having a cross section other than circular;

a wall in said housing that is traverse to said first axis;

means for mounting said longitudinal member for rotation about said second axis with that second axis being parallel to said first axis of the housing, the prong extending on one side of said wall and said means for mounting preventing longitudinal movement of said longitudinal member;

a U shaped spring having parallel legs extending from a closed end; and

means for affixing the closed end of said spring to said wall with its legs contacting opposite sides of said prong.

6. A female connector comprising:

a housing having a first axis;

a longitudinal member comprised of first and second tubular sections on either side of a section having an external rectangular cross section;

a wall transverse to said first axis of said housing;

means for mounting said member within said housing for rotation about said second axis with that second axis being parallel to the first axis of said housing and the rectangular section on one side of said wall;

means for preventing longitudinal movement for said longitudinal member;

a U shaped spring having parallel means for prevention longitudinal movement of said longitudinal member legs extending from a closed end; and

means for affixing the closed end of said spring to one side of said wall with its legs contacting opposite sides of said rectangular section.