Lower-leg exoskeleton system and method
AssigneeRoam Robotics Inc.
InventorsBrenton Piercy, Tim Swift, Giancarlo Nucci, Callum Lamb, Pete Lynn, Saul Griffith, Leanne Luce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lower-leg exoskeleton that includes an inflatable actuator configured to be worn over a front portion of a leg of a user and configured to be disposed directly adjacent to and surrounding a joint of the leg of the user. The inflatable actuator is configured, when worn by the user, to receive and transmit an actuator load generated by the inflatable actuator around the joint of the user to a load contact point. Inflation of the inflatable actuator generates a moment about the joint of the user to cause flexion of the leg of the user.
Claims19
A lower-leg exoskeleton comprising:
- an inflatable actuator that is configured to be worn over a front portion of a foot of a user and configured to be disposed directly adjacent to and surrounding an ankle of the foot of the user;
- and
- a rigid foot structure coupled to a first actuator end of the inflatable actuator, configured to surround a portion of the foot of the user, wherein the rigid foot structure comprises:
- a pair of sidewalls configured to extend around the foot of the user and including first and second sidewall attachment points to a base portion, and
- a base portion configured to reside at a base of the foot of the user that includes first and second base attachment points coupling with the first and second sidewall attachment points;
- and
- wherein, the inflatable actuator and rigid foot structure are configured to, when worn by the user, receive and transmit an actuator load generated by the inflatable actuator around the foot of the user to a load contact point at a bottom of the foot of the user defined by the rigid foot structure and forward of a heel of the user;
- and
- wherein inflation of the inflatable actuator generates a moment about the ankle of the user to cause flexion of the foot of the user.
A lower-leg exoskeleton comprising:
- an inflatable actuator that is configured to be worn over a front portion of a foot of a user and configured to be disposed directly adjacent to and surrounding an ankle of the foot of the user;
- and
- a rigid foot structure coupled to a first actuator end of the inflatable actuator, configured to surround a portion of the foot of the user,
- wherein, the inflatable actuator and rigid foot structure are configured to, when worn by the user, receive and transmit an actuator load generated by the inflatable actuator around the foot of the user to a load contact point at a bottom of the foot of the user defined by the rigid foot structure and forward of a heel of the user;
- and
- wherein inflation of the inflatable actuator generates a moment about the ankle of the user to cause flexion of the foot of the user.
A lower-leg exoskeleton comprising:
- an inflatable actuator configured to be worn over a front portion of a leg of a user and configured to be disposed directly adjacent to and surrounding a joint of the leg of the user,
- wherein the inflatable actuator is configured to, when worn by the user, receive and transmit an actuator load generated by the inflatable actuator around the joint of the user to a load contact point;
- and
- wherein inflation of the inflatable actuator generates a moment about the joint of the user to cause flexion of the leg of the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.