Flexible Footplate for Robotic Walking Assistance

This patent describes a specialized composite footplate for footwear that includes a mechanical joint to help users with natural foot movements like pointing toes up or down, and rolling their ankles, especially when connected to an exoskeleton.

What it covers

The patent details a composite footplate built into the sole of a shoe, positioned between the inner and outer soles (Claim 1). This footplate is made from strong, layered materials like carbon fiber, allowing it to be flexible around the metatarsal joint region (the ball of the foot) and vary in thickness. A key feature is a mechanical joint on the footplate that moves in multiple ways, including plantar flexion (pointing toes down), dorsiflexion (pointing toes up), eversion (rolling the ankle outward), and inversion (rolling the ankle inward) relative to the user's lower leg (Claim 1). This mechanical joint often includes an "upstanding portion" with a lever arm that can connect to an external exoskeleton actuator, which is a motor that helps power the movement (Claim 3). For example, a person using an exoskeleton for walking assistance might have this footplate in their shoe, and the exoskeleton could use the lever arm to help push off the ground during a step.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover footplates made of a single, non-composite material or those without varied thickness.
• —Does not cover footplates that are rigid and lack flexibility at the metatarsal joint region.
• —Does not cover mechanical joints that only allow a single type of foot movement, like just dorsiflexion.
• —Does not cover footplates that extend upward from both sides of the footwear, as it specifies extending upward only from one lateral most side.
• —Does not cover exoskeletons that attach directly to the leg without an integrated footplate within the shoe.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in creating a composite footplate that is not only flexible and varied in thickness but also incorporates a multi-axis mechanical joint directly into the footwear. This joint is specifically designed to allow for complex, natural foot movements (plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, inversion) and to easily connect to an exoskeleton actuator, enabling powered assistance that feels more integrated with the user's natural gait.

Why it matters

This patent is important for the development of more advanced and comfortable exoskeletons, particularly for assisting human walking. By integrating a multi-axis mechanical joint directly into a shoe's footplate, it allows for more natural and adaptable movement compared to rigid systems. This technology can benefit fields like rehabilitation, helping people with mobility impairments, or even enhancing performance for athletes or workers in physically demanding jobs.

Real-world examples

• 1.Dephy Inc.'s own Exoboot or Exo-Knee products
• 2.Assistive walking devices for stroke patients
• 3.Rehabilitation exoskeletons for spinal cord injury
• 4.Exoskeletons for industrial workers or military personnel