IP Library Granted Patent US 9,844,447
Granted Patent B2
US 9,844,447 · App. 13/083,245 · Granted Dec 19, 2017

System and apparatus for robotic device and methods of using thereof

Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe (Canterbury, NH); Christopher C. Langenfeld (Nashua, NH); Stewart M. Coulter (Bedford, NH); Christopher M. Werner (San Jose, CA); Michael J. Slate (Merrimack, NH); Ethan D. Stern (Meredith, NH)
Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
A61F2/54A61F2/581A61F2/585A61F2/586A61F2/588A61F2/68B25J3/04B25J9/0006A61F2/78A61F2002/5001A61F2002/5083A61F2002/587A61F2002/6881A61F2002/701A61F2002/704A61F2002/747A61F2002/7625A61F2002/7665A61F2250/008A61F2250/0074
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,844,447
App. No.
13/083,245
Granted
Dec 19, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.

Claims (28)

1. A robotic assembly control system comprising:

an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user comprising:

a hand portion comprising:

a thumb force sensor;

an index finger sensor; and

a middle finger sensor; and

at least one tactor motor;

at least one robotic assembly, separate from the exoskeleton, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, the robotic assembly comprising:

a hand assembly comprising:

a thumb structure;

an index finger structure; and

a middle finger structure; and

a shoulder joint;

at least one mobile platform comprising at least one wheel, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and separate from the exoskeleton and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform,

wherein the at least one tactor motor provides feedback related to torque of the shoulder joint on the at least one robotic assembly.

2. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , the exoskeleton further comprising:

an attachment system comprising a plurality of straps, the attachment system for attaching to a user; and

a frame comprising a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion telescopingly connects to the lower portion wherein the frame is adjustable.

3. The robotic assembly control system of claim 2 , the frame further comprising a ball detent mechanism for adjusting the frame.

4. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one potentiometer.

5. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , further comprising at least two ball joints.

6. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , further comprising a compliance section wherein the compliance section senses sternoclavicular motion by a user.

7. The robotic assembly control system of claim 6 , wherein the compliance section is a torsion spring.

8. The robotic assembly control system of claim 7 , wherein the torsion spring is preloaded with a hard stop, wherein the hard stop is adjustable.

9. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , further comprising a tactor strap for each tactor motor wherein the tactor strap attaches to a user.

10. The robotic assembly control system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one tactor motor is a vibration motor.

11. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , the thumb force sensor further comprising at least one potentiometer.

12. The robotic assembly control system of claim 1 , the hand portion comprising at least one tactor motor wherein the tactor motor provides feedback of the robotic assembly thumb grip to the user.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2011
From: WERNER, CHRISTOPHER M.
To: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 026982/0768 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2011
From: VAN DER MERWE, DIRK A.; LANGENFELD, CHRISTOPHER C.; COULTER, STEWART M.; SLATE, MICHAEL J.; STERN, ETHAN D.
To: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 026982/0827 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61322469 · Apr 9, 2010
Related Publication 20120010749A1 · Jan 12, 2012