IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,603,416
Granted Patent B1
US 9,603,416 · App. 14/543,870 · Granted Mar 28, 2017

Systems and methods for adjusting variable geometry, height, weight distribution dynamics in orthotic devices and equipment

Inventors: Robert Walsh (Matawan, NJ); Peter B. Tarlton (Reading, GB)
Assignee: Alliance Design and Development Group, Inc.
A43B13/386A43B3/0005A43B7/142A43B7/1465
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,603,416
App. No.
14/543,870
Granted
Mar 28, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.

Claims (36)

1. A orthotic comprising:

a platform comprising:

a heel section and a mid-arch section; and

a variable adjuster attached to a lower surface of said platform said variable adjuster comprising:

an elliptically shaped variable resistance beam having a major axis and a minor axis, said major axis being greater than said minor axis, said variable resistance beam extending, at an angle, through said heel section to said mid-arch section; and

a spline and socket selection mechanism engaging said variable resistance beam at a first end, said selection mechanism configured to rotate said variable resistance beam with respect to said lower surface.

2. The orthotic of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mechanical connector attached to said lower surface at said mid-arch section, said mechanical connector including a pocket into which a second end of said variable resistance beam is contained.

3. The orthotic of claim 1 , wherein said selection mechanism is incorporated into said heel section.

4. The orthotic of claim 3 , further comprising:

a heel plate configured to support said selection mechanism.

5. The orthotic of claim 1 , wherein said variable resistance beam is contained within a sleeve extending from said heel section to said mid-arch section.

6. The orthotic of claim 5 , wherein said variable resistance beam rotates within said sleeve.

7. The orthotic of claim 5 , wherein said sleeve is rotatable, said variable resistance beam being attached to said sleeve.

8. The orthotic of claim 1 , wherein said spline and socket selection mechanism comprises:

a socket extending through said heel section, said socket comprising a plurality of grooves; and

a spline comprising:

a substantially cylindrical element comprising one of: a fork and tongue engaging a corresponding one of: a tongue and a fork on said first end of said variable resistance beam; and

a plurality of splines engaging said grooves on said socket.

9. The orthotic of claim 1 , wherein said variable resistance beam is composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: plastics, thermoplastic polymers, copolymers, polyesters, vinyl chloride polymers, polycarbonate resin, metal, re-enforced plastics and nano-reinforced plastics.

10. The orthotic of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one sensor, said at least one sensor attached to at least one of: said lower surface and said variable resistance beam.

11. The orthotic of claim 10 , further comprising:

a printed circuit board configured to:

receive inputs from said at least one sensor; and

transmit said inputs.

12. The orthotic of claim 11 , further comprising:

a charging system configured to supply a voltage to said printed circuit board, said voltage being generated in response to movement of said variable resistance beam.

13. An orthotic comprising:

a lower surface comprising a heel section and a mid-arch section;

at least one pocket conformally incorporated into said lower surface at said mid-arch section;

at least one elliptically shaped variable resistance beam, extending from a corresponding one of said pockets to said heel section; and

a spline and socket selection mechanism associated with said at least one variable resistance beam, said selection mechanism configured to rotate a corresponding one of said at least one variable resistance beam from a position of minimum resistance to a position of maximum resistance to a force applied to said lower surface.

14. The orthotic of claim 13 , further comprising a sleeve extending from a corresponding one of said pockets, wherein a corresponding one of said one variable resistance beam is rotatable within said sleeve.

15. The orthotic of claim 13 further comprising:

at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being attached to at least one of: said lower surface and selected one of said at least one variable resistance beam.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2014
From: WALSH, ROBERT, MR.; TARLTON, PETER B., MR.
To: ALLIANCE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC
Reel/Frame 034192/0178 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 13622331 · Sep 18, 2012
Provisional Application 61905688 · Nov 18, 2013
Provisional Application 61585315 · Jan 11, 2012