US 11,877,670 B2 · Lower body support system to facilitate floor level task execution by humans

Abstract

Wearable systems to partially support the weight of a human user engaged in task performance in a crouched position at or near ground level are presented herein. In one aspect, the wearable systems employ passive mechanisms and the configuration of the support mechanisms is changed by movements of the body of the human user while transitioning from a standing position to a crouched position, and vice-versa. In a further aspect, each passive lower body support assembly includes an auxiliary body support structure to enhance the support of the human user in a crouched position. In another further aspect, each auxiliary body support structure is deployed in coordination with the movement of the seat support structure that supports the human user. In some embodiments, one or more body support structures are constructed from an elastic material that conforms to the ground surface when loaded by the weight of the human user.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A lower body support system, comprising:

a harness assembly configured to be removably attached to a torso of a human user;
a seat support structure;
and
a first passive lower body support assembly and a second passive lower body support assembly each including
a primary body support structure rigidly coupled to the harness assembly, the primary body support structure extending downward from the harness assembly toward a ground surface of a working environment;
and
a seat support frame rigidly coupled to the seat support structure and coupled to the harness assembly or the primary body support structure at a rotational joint, the seat support frame rotatable with respect to the harness assembly about the rotational joint, wherein the first passive lower body support assembly is configured to be coupled to the harness assembly and the seat support structure on a first side of the torso of a human user and the second passive lower body support assembly is configured to be coupled to the harness assembly and the seat support structure on a second side of the torso of the human user opposite the first side.

4 more elements

A wearable lower body support system, comprising:

a harness assembly configured to be removably attached to a torso of a human user;
a first passive lower body support assembly and a second passive lower body support assembly each including
a primary body support structure rigidly coupled to the harness assembly, the primary body support structure extending downward from the harness assembly toward a around surface of a working environment;
and
a seat support frame coupled to the harness assembly or the primary body support structure at a rotational joint, the seat support frame rotatable with respect to the harness assembly about the rotational joint;
and
a seat support structure rigidly coupled to the seat support frame of the first passive lower body support assembly and the seat support frame of the second passive lower body support assembly, wherein the seat support structure is configured to be movable from a location behind a seat of the human user to a location below the seat of the human user as the seat support frame rotates about the rotational joint of the first passive lower body support assembly and the seat support frame rotates about the rotational joint of the second passive lower body support assembly.

4 more elements

A wearable lower body support system, comprising:

a harness assembly configured to be removably attached to a torso of a human user;
a seat support structure;
a first passive lower body support assembly including
a first primary body support structure rigidly coupled to the harness assembly, the first primary body support structure extending downward from the harness assembly toward a ground surface of a working environment;
and
a first seat support frame rigidly coupled to the seat support structure and coupled to the harness assembly or the first primary body support structure at a first rotational joint, the first seat support frame rotatable with respect to the harness assembly about the first rotational joint;
and
a second passive lower body support assembly including
a second primary body support structure rigidly coupled to the harness assembly, the second primary body support structure extending downward from the harness assembly toward a around surface of a working environment;
and
a second seat support frame rigidly coupled to the seat support structure and coupled to the harness assembly or the second primary body support structure at a second rotational joint, the second seat support frame rotatable with respect to the harness assembly about the second rotational joint, wherein the seat support structure is configured to be movable from a location behind a seat of the human user to a location below the seat of the human user as the first seat support frame rotates about the first rotational joint and the second seat support frame rotates about the second rotational joint.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lower body support system to facilitate floor level task execution by humans

Life of this patent

Lower body support system to facilitate floor level task execution by humans

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20