{
  "patent_number": "US 11304827",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Flexible Footplate for Robotic Walking Assistance",
  "original_title": "Unidirectional actuated exoskeleton device",
  "summary": "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_does": "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_does_not_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."
  ],
  "filed": "2019-03-07",
  "granted": "2022-04-19",
  "expires": "2039-03-07",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Dephy",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/dephy",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Luke Mooney",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/luke-mooney"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jean-Francois Duval",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jean-francois-duval"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "robotics",
    "medical_devices",
    "wearable_technology",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present invention is directed to an autonomous exoskeleton device that includes one or more actuators, one or more controllers, one or more sensors with one or more unidirectional transmissions. The present invention provides a mechanical joint in parallel with a biological joint. The exoskeleton device preferably includes and electric motor and winch, chain, belt, cam transmission or other mechanism for providing unidirectional force to assist rotation about the biologic joint. Moreover, a controller, a motor angle sensor, joint angle sensor and/or force sensor may be used for additional control and monitoring of the device. The motor may be any type of motor, but is preferably brushless in configuration where its diameter is larger than its length to provide a compact and lightweight exoskeleton device.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11304827/unidirectional-actuated-exoskeleton-device",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11304827/unidirectional-actuated-exoskeleton-device/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US11304827",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "11673253",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How an Exoskeleton Joint Moves with a Motor, Screw, and Linkage",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11673253/actuator-devices-for-human-exoskeleton-joints"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "10702441",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Exoskeletons Use Screws and Cables to Move Joints",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10702441/ball-screw-and-tensile-member-exoskeleton-joint-actuation-device"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "10800031",
      "countryCode": "US",
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      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10800031/spherical-parallel-manipulator-architecture-for-shoulder-robotic-exoskeleton"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "10814473",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "Exoskeleton Shoulder Joint That Adapts to Your Arm's Movement",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10814473/mechanism-for-alleviating-the-effects-of-joint-misalignment-between-users-and-we"
    },
    {
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      "countryCode": "US",
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    }
  ]
}