Heavy capacity arm support systems

A system for supporting an arm of a user while using a tool, comprising:

• a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user, the harness comprising a shoulder harness configured to be worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user including a first pivot point adjacent the shoulder of a user when the harness is worn by the user;
• an arm support comprising a first arm support segment pivotally coupled to the first pivot point, a second arm support segment pivotally coupled to the first arm support segment for extending along an upper arm of the user, and a third arm support segment pivotally coupled to the second arm support segment for supporting a lower arm of the user;
• a linkage coupled between the first arm support segment and the third arm support segment such that a vertical angle of the third arm support segment is not substantially affected by rotation of the second arm support segment;
• a tool mount coupled to the third arm support segment;
• and
• a first set of compensation elements coupled to the second arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the upper arm, and a second set of compensation elements coupled to the third arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the lower arm,
• wherein a second end of the first arm support segment is pivotally coupled to a first end of the second arm support segment at a first horizontal pivot point, and a second end of the second arm support segment is disposed adjacent a first end of the third arm support segment, wherein the linkage comprises a first link pivotally coupled to the second end of the second arm support segment and a second link pivotally coupled between the second end of the first arm support segment and the first link such that the second link extends substantially parallel to the second arm support segment and the first link remains substantially parallel to the first arm support segment when the second arm support segment is rotated, and wherein a first end of the third arm support segment is pivotally coupled to the first link.

A system for supporting an arm of a user while using a tool, comprising:

• a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user, the harness comprising a shoulder harness configured to be worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user including a shoulder bracket fixedly mounted to the harness adjacent the shoulder of a user when the harness is worn by the user;
• an arm support comprising a first arm support segment pivotally coupled to the shoulder bracket such that the first arm support segment is rotatable freely about a vertical pivot point, a second arm support segment pivotally coupled to the first arm support segment for extending along an upper arm of the user such that the second arm support segment is rotatable about a horizontal pivot point, and a third arm support segment pivotally coupled to the second arm support segment for supporting a lower arm of the user;
• a linkage coupled to the first arm support segment and the third arm support segment such that a vertical angle of the third arm support segment is not substantially affected by rotation of the second arm support segment;
• and
• a first set of compensation elements coupled to the second arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the upper arm, and a second set of compensation elements coupled to the third arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the lower arm.