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, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, during each cycle of the articulated member, the control member operates on the articulated member in two phases, the control member moving in a first direction during the first phase, and in a second, generally opposite direction, during the second phase, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, during the first phase of operation of the control member, the drive member is engaged with the control member such that the drive member moves in generally the same direction as the control member, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, at the beginning of the second phase of operation of the control member, the control member becomes disengaged from the drive member and thereby returns in the second, generally opposite, direction.
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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.
59 Citations
22 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, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, during each cycle of the articulated member, the control member operates on the articulated member in two phases, the control member moving in a first direction during the first phase, and in a second, generally opposite direction, during the second phase, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, during the first phase of operation of the control member, the drive member is engaged with the control member such that the drive member moves in generally the same direction as the control member, wherein the drive mechanism is arranged such that, at the beginning of the second phase of operation of the control member, the control member becomes disengaged from the drive member and thereby returns in the second, generally opposite, direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member; and
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12. 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; wherein the drive means comprises a longitudinal arm defining an arm axis, the articulated member being attached to the arm by means of a sleeved portion such that the articulated member may rotate about the arm axis during each cycle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- 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;
Specification