Patent DE637974C successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3769636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
End point control of upper extremity orthotic brace using head orientation
Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-02
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-05-02
Abstract
Abstract An end-point control of an upper-extremity orthotic brace employing head orientation is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for quadriplegics who are able to spend some portion of their day in a wheel chair. A first gimbal is detachably secured to the patient''s head by means of a head strap or the like and is interconnected by a shaft to a second gimbal which is secured to the wheel chair. The first and second gimbals have responsive means thereon such as single turn potentiometers which are responsive to azimuth, elevational and range movements of the patient''s head. A control system is connected to the potentiometers for driving a powered device such as an arm brace so that the patient can control the operation of the arm brace through coordinated head movements.
Inventors
- 👤 J Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F4/00; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/12; A61G5/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In combination, a chair means for supporting a patient therein; a first gimbal means for detachable connection to the patient''s head, a second gimbal means secured to said chair means, interconnection means interconnecting said first and second gimbal means for sensing movement of said first gimbal means in response to head movement, said first and second gimbal means having responsive means thereon which is responsive to azimuth, elevational and range movements of the patient''s head, a powered device, and a control system connecting said responsive means and said powered device to permit the patient to control the operation of the device by head movements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination, a chair means for supporting a patient therein; a first gimbal means for detachable connection to the patient''s head, a second gimbal means secured to said chair means, interconnection means interconnecting said first and second gimbal means for sensing movement of said first gimbal means in response to head movement, said first and second gimbal means having responsive means thereon which is responsive to azimuth, elevational and range movements of the patient''s head, a powered device, and a control system connecting said responsive means and said powered device to permit the patient to control the operation of the device by head movements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said powered device is an orthotic brace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said brace is an upper extremity brace.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said chair means is a powered wheel chair, said control system being mounted on said wheel chair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said interconnection means comprises a shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said responsive means comprises potentiometers which are operatively secured to said first and second gimbal means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said first gimbal means comprises first and second supports which are pivotally movable with respect to each other, said responsive means on said first gimbal means comprising first and second potentiometer means connected to said first and second supports and being responsive to relative movement of said supports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said second gimbal means comprises a third support secured to said chair means, a fourth support pivotally secured about a horizontal axes to said third support and a fifth support pivotally secured about a vertical axes to said fourth support, said fifth support being secured to said shaft and being movable therewith during the elevational and azimuth movements of the patient''s head, said responsive means comprising third and fourth potentiometer means operatively secured to said third and fourth supports, said third potentiometer means being responsive to relative movements of said fourth support with respect to said third support, said fourth potentiometer means being responsive to relative movement of said fifth support with respect to said fourth support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein a fifth potentiometer means is oPeratively secured to said shaft which is responsive to longitudinal movements thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination, a chair means for supporting a patient therein; a first support means for detachable connection to the patient''s head, a second support means secured to said chair means, interconnection means interconnecting said first and second support means for sensing movement of said first support means in response to head movement, said first and second support means having responsive means thereon which is responsive to azimuth, elevational and range movements of the patient''s head, a powered device, and a control system connecting said responsive means and said powered device to permit the patient to control the operation of the device by head movements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination, a chair means for supporting a patient therein; a first support means for detachable connection to the patient''s head, a second support means secured to said chair means, interconnection means interconnecting said first and second support means for sensing movement of said first support means in response to head movement, said first and second support means having responsive means thereon which is responsive to azimuth, elevational and range movements of the patient''s head, a powered device, and a control system connecting said responsive means and said powered device to permit the patient to control the operation of the device by head movements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2902696A
Cited
US3653775A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |