Wearable assistance devices and methods of operation
Inventors
ZELIK, Karl • Lamers, Erik • YANDELL, Matthew • HOWSER, Dustin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12527678-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Wearable assistance devices and methods of operating and using the same are provided. A wearable assistance device includes a first body interface and a second body interface. The assistance device also includes one or more elastic members operatively coupling the first body interface to the second body interface and extending along a body segment (e.g., back, elbow, knee, etc.) of the user so as to provide an assistive force to or assistive torque about the body segment or another body segment. The assistance device further includes a clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members, the clutch mechanism configured to selectively adjust the assistive force or assistive torque provided by the one or more elastic members to/about the body segment or the another body segment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a wearable assistance device, including a fall protection harness, that couples a first body interface to a second body interface using one or more elastic members extending along a back of a user. The elastic members provide an assistive force to or assistive torque about the back while the user bends forward, and are configured to curve about a portion of a user's buttocks when the user bends forward.
A clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members selectively adjusts the assistive force or assistive torque provided about the back. The selective adjustment is performed by changing a load path between the first body interface and the second body interface through the one or more elastic members when the clutch mechanism changes from disengaged to engaged.
The wearable assistance device includes a control mechanism for adjusting operation of the clutch mechanism, where the control mechanism is located on a front of the first body interface. The clutch mechanism mechanically engages and disengages the elastic members so that assisted behavior is provided in an engaged condition and assistance is reduced when disengaged, while maintaining the fall protection harness configuration with the first and second body interfaces.
Claims Coverage
The provided portion includes three independent claims. Across them, the coverage centers on a wearable fall protection harness assistance device with elastic members extending along a back to provide assistive force or assistive torque, a clutch mechanism that selectively changes a load path between harness interfaces to adjust assistance, and a control mechanism located on a front of the first body interface, including a method of using such a device.
Wearable assistance device with fall protection harness and elastic coupling along a back
A wearable assistance device configured to be worn by a user, comprising a fall protection harness with a first body interface including straps covering at least a portion of a shoulder of the user and a fall arrest attachment, and a second body interface configured to connect to one or more legs; one or more elastic members operatively coupling the first body interface to the second body interface and extending along a back of the user to provide an assistive torque about the back, wherein the one or more elastic members curve about a portion of a user's buttocks when the user bends forward.
Clutch mechanism selectively adjusts assistive torque by changing load path
A clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members, configured to selectively adjust the assistive force or assistive torque provided by the one or more elastic members about the back by changing a load path between the first body interface and the second body interface through the one or more elastic members when the clutch mechanism changes from disengaged to engaged.
Front-located control mechanism for clutch operation
A control mechanism for adjusting an operation of the clutch mechanism, the control mechanism being located on a front of the first body interface.
Method of using a wearable assistance device by selectively adjusting assistive torque via a clutch
A method of using a wearable assistance device comprising a fall protection harness with a first body interface, a second body interface, and a fall arrest attachment, one or more elastic members operatively coupling the first body interface to the second body interface and extending along a back of a user to provide assistive force to or assistive torque about the back, a clutch mechanism operatively connected to at least one of the one or more elastic members, and a control mechanism for adjusting operation of the clutch mechanism located on the front of the first body interface, the method comprising selectively adjusting, via the clutch mechanism, the assistive torque provided by the one or more elastic members about the back.
Across the independent claims, the document’s core claim coverage is a wearable fall protection harness assistance device using elastic members extending along a back to provide assistive force or assistive torque, where a clutch mechanism selectively adjusts assistance by changing a load path when transitioning between disengaged and engaged states, with a control mechanism located on the front of the first body interface. A corresponding method claim covers selectively adjusting the assistive torque via that clutch mechanism.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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