Patent ID: 7571839
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: A45F,A61H

Abstract:
1. A passive exoskeleton for aiding a user in bearing a load, the passive exoskeleton comprising: a body member for attaching proximate a portion of a user's body; a sliding rod attached with the body member; a rocker pivotally attached with the body member and also attached with the sliding rod, the rocker formed to transfer weight from the body member to the sliding rod during a user's stance phase; and a ground surface engage-able foot analog attached with the sliding rod, whereby a user may place a load on the body member and thereby transfer weight of the load from the body member, through the rocker and sliding rod, and into the foot analog, causing the passive exoskeleton to support at least a portion of the load; wherein the sliding rod further comprises: an alignment rod, where the alignment rod has a top portion, a bottom portion, and a length with an axis therethrough, and where the top portion of the alignment rod is pivotally attached with the body member; and a load rod in a fixed parallel alignment with the axis of the alignment rod, where the load rod has a top part and a bottom part, and where the load rod is connected with the alignment rod such that a length of the sliding rod is adjustable by sliding the top part of the load rod between the bottom portion and top portion of the alignment rod.