U.S. patent application number 14/739521 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for aid device including a tool and an attaching of the tool.
The applicant listed for this patent is Invencon Aps. Invention is credited to Jesper Allan Hansen, Hans Jorgen Pedersen.
Application Number | 20150342758 14/739521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44305757 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150342758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pedersen; Hans Jorgen ; et
al. |
December 3, 2015 |
AID DEVICE INCLUDING A TOOL AND AN ATTACHING OF THE TOOL
Abstract
This invention relates to aid devices for assisting people
inhibited in their movement of especially the hands and/or wrists,
such as people who are physically impaired due to arthritis,
injury, or other physiological problems giving reduced strength.
This is solved by introducing an aid tool comprising at least two
grippers and means to attach each gripper to a finger of a person,
where the grippers are adapted to follow the individual finger in a
movement in the direction of closing and loosen of a grip, and
where an activation of the aid tool includes locking the grippers
unidirectionally in the present position. The invention further
introduces mounting means for attaching the aid tool to a body
part, and where the mounting means comprises coupling means for
detaching and attaching this and other tools according to the
need.
Inventors: |
Pedersen; Hans Jorgen;
(Harrislee, DE) ; Hansen; Jesper Allan; (Broager,
DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Invencon Aps |
Nordborg |
|
DK |
|
|
Family ID: |
44305757 |
Appl. No.: |
14/739521 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13520608 |
Sep 26, 2012 |
9084690 |
|
|
PCT/DK2011/000044 |
May 6, 2011 |
|
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14739521 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/013 20130101;
A61F 2/68 20130101; A61F 2/586 20130101; B65G 7/12 20130101; A61F
2/70 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/58 20060101
A61F002/58 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2010 |
DK |
PA 2010 00398 |
Claims
1. An aid tool comprising: at least two grippers that are adapted
to move at least in directions to grab and release an object, each
gripper including a contact surface for gripping the object and a
control surface opposite the contact surface for contacting a
user's fingers so that the grippers may be positioned in relation
to the user so that each gripper is placed between the user's
fingers and the object to be held with the user's fingers, wherein
an activation of the aid tool locks the grippers unidirectionally
such that the grippers are locked from movement in the direction to
release the object but not locked from movement in the direction to
grab the object.
2. The aid tool according to claim 1, additionally comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
3. The aid tool according to claim 1, further comprising means to
establish a hold on the object through the grippers forming an
additional holding force on the object above the one formed at the
time of activation of the aid tool.
4. The aid tool according to claim 3, where the hold is established
by the grippers moving in the grabbing direction after activation
of the aid tool to form a slightly tighter grab than at the time of
activation.
5. The aid tool according to claim 4, further comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
6. The aid tool according to claim 3, where the means to establish
the hold comprises at least one inflatable contact section forming
the contact surface on at least one of the grippers, the at least
one inflatable contact section being inflated when the aid tool is
activated.
7. The aid tool according to claim 6, further comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
8. The aid tool according to claim 6, further comprising means to
fill a fluid media into the at least one inflatable contact section
to inflate the at least one inflatable section when the aid tool is
activated.
9. The aid tool according to claim 8, further comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
10. The aid tool according to claim 3, where the means to establish
the hold comprises an expandable contact section forming the
contact surface on at least one of the grippers, the expandable
contact section being expanded when the aid tool is activated.
11. The aid tool according to claim 10, further comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
12. The aid tool according to claim 3, further comprising an
activation switch, wherein the aid tool is activated by pressing
the activation switch with a predetermined force.
13. The aid tool according to claim 1, additionally comprising a
means for storing energy.
14. The aid tool according to claim 3, additionally comprising a
means for storing energy.
15. A method for establishing a hold on an object with an aid tool
comprising at least two grippers that are adapted to move at least
in directions to grab and release an object, the at least two
grippers being coupled to a mount by flexible joints, each gripper
including a contact surface for gripping the object and a control
surface opposite the contact surface for contacting a user's
fingers so that the grippers may be positioned in relation to the
user so that each gripper is placed between the user's fingers and
the object to be held with the user's fingers, the method
comprising: positioning the aid tool to form a loose grab on the
object; and activating an activation switch after the aid tool is
positioned to form the loose grab on the object; wherein the
activation activates a locking of the flexible joints and a
unidirectional locking of the grippers such that the grippers are
locked from movement in the direction to release the object but not
locked from movement in the direction to grab the object; and
wherein the activation establishes the hold on the object after the
grippers are unidirectionally locked.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the hold on the
object is established through the grippers forming an additional
holding force on the object above the one formed at the time of
activation of the aid tool.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the hold on the
object is established by the grippers moving in the grabbing
direction after activation of the aid tool to form a slightly
tighter grab than at the time of activation.
18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aid tool
comprises at least one inflatable contact section forming the
contact surface on at least one of the grippers; and wherein the
hold is established by the at least one inflatable contact section
being inflated when the activation switch is activated.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: filling a
fluid media into the at least one inflatable contact section to
inflate the at least one inflatable section when the activation
switch is activated.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aid tool
comprises an expandable contact section forming the contact surface
on at least one of the grippers; and wherein the hold is
established by the expandable contact section being expanded when
the activation switch is activated.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/520,608 filed on Sep. 26, 2012, which is
the National Stage of International Patent Application No.
PCT/DK2011/000044 filed on May 6, 2011, which claims priority to
Danish Patent Application No. PA 2010 00398 filed May 6, 2010, the
contents of which are incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to aid devices for assisting people
inhibited in their movement of especially the hands and/or wrists,
such as people who are physically impaired due to arthritis,
injury, or other physiological problems giving reduced strength.
This is solved by introducing an aid tool with at least two
grippers and means to attach each gripper to a finger of a person,
where the grippers are adapted to follow the finger(s) in at least
the directions to grab and release an object. When the aid tool has
been moved to grab an object by a person, an activation of the aid
tool ensures a unidirectional locking of the grippers, meaning they
are locked in their movement in the releasing direction. The
invention further introduces mounting means for attaching the aid
tool to a body part, where the mounting means comprises coupling
means for detaching and attaching this and other tools according to
the need.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to aid devices for assisting people
inhibited in their movement of especially the hands and/or wrists,
such as people who are physically impaired due to arthritis,
injury, or other physiological problems giving reduced
strength.
[0004] A substantial number of people suffer from deformations,
chronic pain, and other impairments of the hands and wrists, due to
injuries or various diseases such as rheumatoid or other forms of
arthritis. Such impairments often render it difficult or impossible
for the affected people to hold and effectively to use and handle
tools, for example such as a pen, pencil, or other writing
instrument, scissors, toothbrushes, kitchen utensils (such as
knives, forks, stirrers, spatulas, etc.), and the like.
[0005] Many such people are able move their arm, and even fingers,
but need strength to grip devices and hold them firmly.
[0006] The aim of the present invention therefore is to introduce a
device, either single- or multi-purpose aid device, which can
assist or enable people with physically impaired hands and/or
wrists to hold and use various hand-held tools and devices (such as
toothbrushes, keys, scissors, tongs, and kitchen utensils) with
greater ease, where the invention especially introduces a tool to
assist gripping objects firmly, this being especially suited for
users able to move their arms, hands and fingers, only having no
strength to take a firm grip on objects. Especially it is an aim of
the present invention to introduce a device with grippers to be
placed between the user's fingers and an object to be held, so that
the holding force exerted by the aid tool does not affect the
fingers but only increases the pressure between the grippers of the
aid tool and the object.
SUMMARY
[0007] This is solved by introducing an aid tool comprising at
least two grippers and means to attach each gripper to a finger of
a person, where the grippers are adapted to follow the individual
finger in at least the directions to grab and release an object.
When the aid tool has been moved to grab an object by a person, an
activation of the aid tool ensures a unidirectional locking of the
grippers, meaning they are locked in their movement in the
releasing direction
[0008] In this manner the users may themselves move the hand and
thereby the aid tool to the object and grab it. The grippers follow
the fingers in at least the directions to grab and release an
object and a hold force, in the following a hold, on the object is
subsequently established to ensure a firm grip even though the user
has no significant strength. This hold is formed by the aid tool
being adapted to tighten the grip on the object a little more than
the strength of the grip at the time of activation.
[0009] In one embodiment this hold is achieved by letting at least
some of the grippers comprise an inflatable section, or at least
expandable contact section, being inflated or expanded when the aid
tool is activated. These sections then form the contact to the
object. Inflatable or expandable in the present context means they
when activated will form protrusions above the surface of the
grippers. The inflatable or expandable contact sections preferably
have contact surfaces to the object with high friction.
[0010] In an alternative embodiment this hold is achieved by
letting the grippers move in the grapping direction to form a
slightly more tight grab than when the aid tool was activated, and
where the grippers comprises elastically deformable contact
sections to be in contact with the object. The elastically
deformable contact sections are such that they will conform a
little to the surface of the object, such both giving a more `soft`
contact to the object, thus helping to prevent it from being
damaged, and in addition giving an even further tightened grab of
the object. Again the surface of these contact surfaces may be such
that they have a high friction.
[0011] The aid tool in one embodiment is activated by activating at
least one activation switch at a predetermined force. In one
embodiment the switch is positioned on a gripper between the
gripper and a finger, and is adapted to be activated when the
finger press on the activation switch at the predetermined force.
The user therefore needs no significant strength in the fingers to
use the device, only slightly to push a switch.
[0012] In an alternative embodiment the activation switch is
positioned such that it is to be activated by the other hand of the
person.
[0013] To inflate the inflatable sections the aid tool further
comprises means to fill a fluid media into the inner of the
inflatable sections when the aid tool is activated. The aid tool in
this configuration therefore comprises the needed means to fill a
fluid media into the inflatable sections, such as for example a
compressor, fluid communications, valves, vents and/or flow
restrictors.
[0014] To secure the aid tool in a quick and easy exchangeable
manner to a body part, the present invention further introduces
[0015] mounting means adapted to be attached to a body part
[0016] first coupling means comprising a biased catch having a
first position and a second position
[0017] holding mechanism adapted to hold the catch in the second
position,
[0018] releasing means adapted to release the catch from the
holding mechanism,
wherein the aid tool comprises second coupling means and where
either the first coupling means or the second coupling means
comprises a driving mechanism adapted to move the biased catch from
a first to a second position.
[0019] The driving mechanism preferable is a pneumatic, hydraulic,
piezo, electroactive, electrostrictive, electrical and/or magnetic
actuator.
[0020] In more general, to ensure a quick attaching and detaching
of the tool to and from the aid device, in one preferred embodiment
the coupling of the first and second coupling means are based on a
biased clutch, where different types of biased clutches as known in
the art may be introduced such as spring clutch, a diaphragm
spring, by pneumatics, strings, hydraulics, piezo motors,
electrical and/or a magnetic spring clutch.
[0021] The aid tool may comprise energy storing means especially to
be used in connection with the biased clutch or other energy
consuming parts of the aid device.
[0022] The energy storing means may in one embodiment be recharged
during handling of the tool, or during the attachment of the first
and second coupling means.
[0023] In a further embodiment, the aid device may comprise
electrical parts, such as a magnetic spring clutch, and may
therefore comprise energy storing means for storing electrical
energy, such as batteries.
[0024] In one embodiment the aid device is to be attached and
detached to and from the body part in a base station, where the
base station may be positioned at the home of the person, or at a
place where it is operated by specialists.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a simple illustration of the aid tool of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the aid tool as it is in position to grip an
object.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a positioning of a switch to
activate the aid tool of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an illustration of inflated or expanded sections
being in contact with an object.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the aid tool including mounting
means.
[0030] FIGS. 6A and 6B is a first embodiment of a first and second
coupler adapted to attach and detach a tool to the mounting means
of the present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B is a second embodiment of a first and second
coupler adapted to attach and detach a tool to the mounting means
of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of a first and second coupler
adapted to attach and detach a tool to the mounting means of the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a fourth embodiment of a first and second coupler
adapted to attach and detach a tool to the mounting means of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows the mounting means of the present invention
being coupled to a different tool.
[0035] FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment to the mounting tool
according to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment to the coupling of a
tool to the mounting means according to the present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are an illustration of a thumb
mounted gripper and its relative degree of movability relative to
the other grippers.
[0038] FIG. 14 is an illustration of one embodiment of the aid tool
with mounting means and flexible joints.
[0039] FIG. 15 is an illustration of one embodiment of the locking
mechanism of the flexible joints.
[0040] FIG. 16 is an illustration of grippers with rotation contact
sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIG. 1 shows schematically the concept of an aid tool (1)
according to the present invention, where the aid tool (1)
comprises at least two grippers (2), in the illustration three,
connected to some or all of the fingers such as by straps (3). In
the preferred embodiment one of the grippers (2) is secured to the
thumb.
[0042] The grippers (2) are able to move with the fingers at in at
least the directions to grab and release an object (4) where the
grippers are placed between the object and the fingers, thus
avoiding pain to the fingers, when the aid tool (1) exercises its
additional force, the hold.
[0043] The user of the aid tool (1) is preferably able to move the
hand in connection with the object (4) and to move the fingers and
thus the grippers (2).
[0044] When the aid tool (1) is placed in connection with an object
(4), FIG. 2, the user grabs on the object with the grippers (2),
not the fingers, touching the object.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the grippers
(2) has an activation switch (5), see FIG. 3, positioned such that
when the finger press the activation switch (5) with a pre-defined
force, a gripper interlocking mechanism is activated (not
illustrated) to lock preferably all the grippers (2) in their
present position in an unidirectional manner meaning they are
locked in their movement in the releasing direction but may be free
to move in the grapping direction.
[0046] The aid tool (1) is further adapted to form a hold on an
object (4), this hold being formed by tightening the grip on the
object (4) a little more than the strength of the grip at the time
of activation.
[0047] In one embodiment this hold is established in that at least
some of the grippers (2) comprise a contact section (6) to the
object (4) being an inflatable or expandable contact section
adapted to form protrusions above the surface of the gripper when
the aid tool (1) is activated, these protrusions forming at least
part of the contact surface to the object (4).
[0048] When the aid tool (1) is activated by pressing the
activation switches (5), the inflatable or expandable contact
sections (6) inflate, much as a balloon, or expands (see FIG. 4),
to a predetermined pressure or expansion level and reach out of the
grippers (2) until they get into the desired degree of contact with
the object (4). A combination of the unidirectional locked grippers
(2), the inflatable or expandable contact sections (6) squeezing
onto the object (4) and their high friction surfaces ensures a firm
grip onto the object.
[0049] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the hold is
established in a manner where the grippers (2) after activation
move in the grapping direction to form a slightly tighter grab than
at the time of activation. The grippers (2) may then comprise
contact sections (6) being elastically deformable contact sections
(6), such that they will conform a little to the surface of the
object (4) giving a more `soft` contact to the object, thus helping
to prevent it from being damaged, and in addition giving an even
further tightened grab of the object. Again the surface of these
contact surfaces may be such that they have a high friction.
[0050] In one embodiment at least a significant part of the contact
surface of the grippers (2) to the object (4) is made of or at
least comprises a high friction material of any kind as known in
the art.
[0051] The grippers (2) may automatically sense when they touch the
object (4), for example due to the increased resistance to the
drivers of the grippers (2). The system then optionally is
deactivated and the grip released when the user deactivates the
activation switches (5).
[0052] Alternatively the grippers (2) stop e.g. when the fingers
release the activation switches (5), and then hold this position
until the activation switch (5) is activated a next time.
[0053] The inflatable or expandable contact sections (6) optionally
inflate or expand either as the grippers (2) are activated by
pressing the activation switch (5), when they are set to hold the
position or when they are activated a second time.
[0054] When the user wants to let the object free, the push of the
fingers on the switch(es) is removed, thus removing the lock of the
grippers (2) and deflating the inflatable or expandable contact
sections (6). Alternatively one of the switch(es) (5) are dedicated
to turn off the activation energy in order to bring the inflatable
or expandable contact sections back into their original
positions
[0055] This only leaves the user to be able to move the arm and
open and close the fingers, the activation switches (5) may only
need a slight touch to be activated, where this may be an
adjustable parameter of the aid tool (1), the activation force of
the switch(es) (5) especially being adjusted according to the need
of the individual user.
[0056] The same activation/deactivation of would also apply to the
alternative or additional embodiment where the grab is tightened by
a slightly further movement of the grippers (2) in the gripping
direction.
[0057] The media inflating the inflatable sections (6) may be fluid
like a gas like air or a liquid like water or oil. The device
expanding the expandable contact sections may be a linear activator
driven by electrical, piezoelectric, pneumatic or hydraulic means,
or a form of an expandable polymer such as an electrostatically
driven polymer actuation material
[0058] The aid tool (1) would comprise the devices needed to
perform the action of inflation or expansion and deflation or
relaxation as well known in the art, such as a compressor, a fluid
reservoir containing the fluid to inflate the sections (6), fluid
communication means to connect e.g. the reservoir and the
inflatable sections (6), valves, vents, flow restrictors etc. In
one embodiment the media is air sucked to the inflatable sections
(6) from the externals.
[0059] The grippers (2) may being operated by drivers, such as for
example electrical, electrostatic, magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic,
mechanical or string means, such as by for example actuators of any
kind as known in the art. These drivers may be controlled by
pressing the activation switches (5) at the fingers at a
predetermined force.
[0060] The expansion and relaxation of the inflatable or expandable
contact sections (6) may be operated by pneumatics, strings,
hydraulics, piezo motors, electrical and/or magnetic methods.
[0061] The inflatable or expandable contact sections (6) may be
introduced as balloon-shaped or bladder like elements enclosed
within deepenings in the grippers (2) and having at least part of
the surface comprising a high friction material, the part of the
surface to get in contact with objects (4). When the aid tool (1)
is activated, to inflate or expand the sections (6) the internals
of the balloon-shaped or bladder like elements then are filled with
a media under predetermined pressures. Alternatively to the
balloon-shape the deepenings may just have a cover of a
substantially flexible material and with an external surface of a
high friction material. When a media of a predetermined pressure is
filled into the deepening the covers then bulges out from the
surface of the grippers (2) to get in contact with the object
(4).
[0062] In one advanced version the aid tool (1) further comprises
means to sense the pressure of the inflatable or expandable contact
sections (6) on the object (4), where this may be in connection
with the needed pressure to squeeze media to the internals of the
inflatable sections (6). When part of the surfaces of the
inflatable sections gets in contact with the object (4) these parts
are prevented from further extension/inflation, and thus adds to
the pressure needed to squeeze further media into their internals.
Thus by defining a maximum of this pressure, it is possible to
regulate the pressure of the grippers (2) and inflatable sections
(6) on the object (4).
[0063] Thus the inflatable sections (6) may optionally be filled at
an adjustable predetermined pressure being adjusted according to
the need of the individual user and/or be adjusted according to the
actual object (4), for example according to how delicate and heavy
the object is (4).
[0064] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a further generalized concept
of the present invention, where the aid tool (1) is coupled (8) to
mounting means (7) optionally shaped as an armlet fitting tightly
at a body part of the user. The coupler (8) is shown having an
optional ring part (9) for the thumb to help make a stable
attachment of the aid tool (1) to the hand.
[0065] The mounting means (7) may comprise fastening means to
attach the mounting means (7) firmly to the body part of the user.
This may be any as known in the arts such as a buckle or bask,
optionally also including straps, bandage or the like to be wrapped
firmly around the body part.
[0066] In an even more advanced version the mounting means (7)
and/or the fastening means may be formed of a shrinkable or
expandable material, such as one changing the length due to an
electrical stimulus etc., for example a electrostrictive polymer,
electroactive polymers or some familiar technology. Alternative the
fastening means operates by pneumatics, strings, hydraulics, piezo
motors, electrical and/or magnetic methods.
[0067] FIGS. 6A and 6B shows a embodiment of the present invention,
where the mounting means (7) further comprises first coupling means
(10) to be coupled to second coupling means (11) forming part of,
or at least being fixed to, the coupler (8) of the tool (1), and
releasing means (12) to release and detach the first (10) coupling
from the second (11) coupling. The releasing means would have to be
substantially easy and simple to activate due to the limited
movement ability of the user.
[0068] To ensure a quick attaching and detaching of the tool (1),
the coupling of the first (10) and second coupling (11) means are
in one preferred embodiment based on a biased clutch system, where
different biased clutches or catches may be introduced, such as a
spring clutch, a diaphragm spring and/or a magnetic spring clutch
etc., any as known in the arts. The term `catch` in the following
will be used in general also including clutch, pawl etc.
[0069] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates the basic principle where the
first coupling (10) has a catch (13) being biased by biasing member
(14) for example a spring, biasing the catch (13) towards a first
position. A holding mechanism (15) is in a releasable manner able
to hold the catch (13) in a second position, being a position where
the catch (13) locks into a notch (16) of the second coupling (10).
The catch (13) is forced from the first position to the second
position during coupling of the first coupling (10) to the second
coupling (11) by a driver (17), and the holding mechanism (15)
holds the catch (13) in the second position. The driver may be
activated by an activator (18) during coupling, where the activator
(18) could be a switch being squeezed when the first coupler (10)
is connected to the second coupler (11). The driver may be an
actuator and is optionally a pneumatic, hydraulic, piezo,
electroactive, electrostrictive, electrical and/or magnetic
actuator.
[0070] When the holding mechanism (15) is released by activation of
the release mechanism (12) the biasing member (14) forces the catch
(13) to the first position, thus releasing the first (10) from the
second (11) coupling.
[0071] The alternative operation would also apply to the present
invention, where the biasing member (13) instead would bias the
catch (13) towards the second position being the locking position
when released by activating the activator (18), the driver (17)
then forcing the catch (13) to the first position when the release
mechanism (12) is activated. The holding mechanism (15) then would
hold the catch (13) in the first position until released by the
activator (18).
[0072] It is to be noted, that biasing members according to this
invention in general may be any known in the art, such as like a
spring, a polymer body, by pneumatic, strings, hydraulics, piezo
motors, electrical, magnetic etc.
[0073] The first coupling (10) in the illustration is equipped with
a shape (19) matching a second notch (20) of the second coupling
(20).
[0074] The holding mechanisms (15) may be purely mechanically or
electrically driven, such as by having a magnetic spring loaded
catch or clutch (13) and a magnetic holding (15) mechanism being
released when a circuit is short circuited or disconnected by
activating the releasing means (12). Alternatively is and/or
operated by pneumatics, strings, hydraulics, piezo motors etc.
[0075] FIG. 6A shows the system where the first coupling (10) is
connected to the second coupling (12) and FIG. 6B shows the system
when they have been coupled, where the catch (13) is pushed in a
longitudinal direction into the notch (16) by a driving mechanism
(17), and where this movement simultaneously pushes the shape (19)
to the second notch (20), thereby firmly fixing the second coupling
(10) to the second coupling (11) when the holding mechanism (15)
holds the catch (13).
[0076] The aid tool (1) and/or mounting means (7) may comprise
energy storing means to deliver the needed energy for example to
drive the driver (17) of the biased clutch system or to operate the
aid tool (1). The energy may be stored to be transferred as
mechanical (for example as energy stored in a spring) or electrical
energy (for example as energy stored in a battery).
[0077] The energy storing means may be an exchangeable device being
prefilled with energy to be exchanged when exhausted, or may be
rechargeable and being recharged during e.g. operation of the tool
(1) or during coupling/decoupling of the tool (1) to and from the
mounting means (7).
[0078] One main aspect of the present invention is to ensure that
the mounting means is adapted to fit in a firm, stable, but also
comfortable manner to the body part and at the same time form a
stable platform for the tool (1) during handling. Therefore at
least a part of the mounting means (7) comprises a substantially
rigid shaped material being held firmly to the body part. This
could be a substantially rigid sheet or body having at least one
surface shaped to match the outer shape of the body part. This
rigid sheet or body then comprises the first coupling (10) and is
firmly held to the body part by the mounting means (7).
[0079] FIGS. 7A and 7B shows an alternative embodiment of a first
(10) and second (11) coupler, where the catch (13) forms a rotating
movement into the notch (16). The illustrated notches (16)
comprises each two sections (13a, 13b) and the corresponding
notches (16) of the second coupling (11) comprises inlets (21)
directing the catch (13), and especially the end section (13b),
into the notches (16). The first catching section (13a) is then
held firmly into this position by a holding mechanism thus forming
a firm coupling.
[0080] This embodiment has the advantage, that the system would
need no special driving mechanism (17), the shape of the inlets
(21) directing the catch (13b) into notch (16) in combination with
the users themselves, would operate as driving mechanism.
[0081] FIG. 7B shows this embodiment when the two couplings (10)
and (11) are coupled.
[0082] Though many of the embodiments shows couplings (10) and (11)
having a planar surface, this often would not be the case, often
they would be shaped in a manner practical to the surface of the
body part whereto the mounting means is attached.
[0083] FIG. 8 shows an alternative coupling where catches (13) are
squeezed into notches (16), where in a related scissor like
embodiment the catches (13) operates in a scissor like manner to
grab into the notches (16) when squeezed by the user. Again the
user operates as the driver (17).
[0084] FIG. 9 shows even an alternative coupling, where one or more
catches (13) as the inflatable sections (6) is an inflatable
balloon or bladder shape to be inserted into notches. When filled
with a substantially incompressible media under pressure, the
pressure of the media ensures the catch(es) (13) fills the notches
(16) forming a stable coupling. This embodiment is especially
relevant due to the system in relation to the aid tool (1) already
may include means to inflate such a balloon or bladder like catch
(13). The holding and release mechanism then is related to the
pressure, to maintain or release the pressure and media within the
catch (13). To ease coupling the catch (13) preferably would be
filled at some lesser pressure during coupling.
[0085] In an alternative not illustrated embodiment, a magnetic
spring clutch as for example found in air conditioning compressors
is introduced with a set of coils wound in a circular fashion. The
system then further comprises a flat surface having the same
purpose as a flywheel. This whole unit rotates around for example
the compressor driven by a belt. A driveshaft protrudes through the
centre of the flat surface and attached hereto is a round disc.
This disc acts like a clutch in a car. This clutch disc is in very
close proximity to the flat bearing surface and held away by the
use of metallic springs on the forward side of the clutch disc.
When power is applied to the compressor clutch, it causes an
electromagnetic field in the coils behind the clutch disc. This
magnetic field attracts the clutch disc to the flat surface of the
bearing like a magnet picking up a nail. The magnetic force
overcomes the resistance of the springs, and the clutch locks up
solid to the flat surface of the bearing and turns the
compressor.
[0086] FIG. 10 illustrates a further important aspect of the
present system utilizing the introduction of easy coupling of the
tool (1) to and from mounting means (7) by first (10) and second
(11) coupling elements. By equipping other tools (22) with a second
coupling (11), any imaginable tool (22) may easily be attached to
the mounting means (22), such as, but not limited to, a knife as
illustrated. The user would therefore not need to hold the tool by
the hand, but only handle the tool by using the arm and/or other
body parts.
[0087] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the same device where
the mounting means (7) does not fully encircle the arm as such, but
rather spirals on the body part. This is an embodiment especially
suited for systems where the tool (1, 30) is permanently coupled to
the mounting means (7), these thus being one single device to be
exchanged when a new tool (1, 30) is required.
[0088] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment where the first
coupling means (10) includes straps (23) to be tied around a part
of the tool (1, 22), being the second coupling means (11) itself.
The straps (23) then may be tightened in any known manner, such as
by introducing buckles, the straps (23) then operating as belts, or
by introducing tightening means, either a mechanical or electrical
tool, to tighten the straps (23) around the tool, such as by
wrapping it at a spindle in the mounting means (7), either
mechanically or electrically by a small motor. The straps (23) may
alternatively be some material changing the length due to an
electrical stimulus etc., for example an electrostrictive polymer,
electroactive polymer or some familiar technology. The tightening
means then may include means to register when the tightening has
reached some predetermined resistance, for example measured by a
motor torque, current or voltage, numbers of turns or any other
manner indicating that the tool (1, 23) is tightened enough to the
mounting means (7).
[0089] It should be emphasized that any of the above coupling
embodiments would naturally also be suitable for replacing the aid
tool (1) with any other tool (22).
[0090] Different strategies may be introduced in relation to the
mounting of the mounting means (7). Either the mounting means (7)
and the tool forms one single device to be exchanged according to
need, or the mounting means (7) are more or less permanently fixed
to a body part, the tools (1, 22) being exchanged according to
need, using first (10) and second (11) couplers.
[0091] The mounting means (7) may be such they are to be attached
to the body part by the user, perhaps to be detached when not
needed for example during sleep, or by for example specialists to
be attached to the body part more permanently.
[0092] The mounting means (7) may be attached to the body part in a
base station, for example to ensure the mounting means (7) to be
fixed firmly and comfortable to the body part for secure handling
of the tools. In the same manner the mounting means (7) may have to
be detached in a base station. The base station may be such that it
is being operated by specialists for example at a hospital, or may
be at the home of the person, where the person is able to operate
the base station by themselves.
[0093] For some tools (1, 22) it may of safety reason be an
advantage that the tool (1, 22) automatically is released when for
example applied to a certain amount of torque or force in general.
This for example is well known for ski bindings, where a similar
coupling mechanism in the present invention may be introduced as
the first and second coupling means.
[0094] FIG. 13A illustrates a preferred set up of the aid tool (1)
according to the present invention where one of three grippers (2)
are associated with the thumb, this being positioned parallel to
the two other grippers (2) in a symmetric manner. This ensures a
good and symmetric grip in many circumstances.
[0095] However, sometimes a grip is required/preferred involving
only the thumb and one of the other fingers, usually the
forefinger. Therefore in a special embodiment of the present
invention, at least one of the grippers (2) (preferable but not
exclusive) is able to change position, such as by a parallel shift
to be positioned directly opposite to another gripper (2), as also
illustrated in FIG. 13B. Alternatively or additionally, at least
one of the grippers (2) is able to move with the associated finger
(preferable the thumb) such that it may rotate at it fixing point
to the main body (100) of the aid tool (1) at least to a degree
where it can extend with at least a part of it being directly
opposite to another of the grippers (2), with at least one gripper
being positioned with an angle different from 0 degrees relative to
this opposite gripper (2), as also illustrated in FIG. 13C.
[0096] When e.g. activation switch (5) is activated the grippers
(2) will lock unidirectionally into these positions such as it has
been described previously.
[0097] The mounting means (7) may be equipped with inflatable bags
internally in a manner, where, when the bags are filled with some
media at some pressure, then the bags squeezes to the body part
whereto the mounting means (7) are to be fixed. The more media
filled into the bags, the more tightly the mounting means (7) will
be fixed to the body part.
[0098] FIG. 14 illustrates one non-limiting embodiment of the aid
tool (1) according to the present invention.
[0099] The figure shows the aid tool (1) with the grippers (2)
being coupled (8) to the mounting means (7), and where the coupling
(8) comprises two flexible joints (101) where they respectively
gives an up-and-down and a side-to-side movement, or rotation, of
the aid tool (1) in relation to the mounting means (7). These
flexible joints (101) however are adapted to lock in their rotation
when the aid tool (1) is activated, thus `freezing` the relative
positions at least substantially into their relative positions at
the time of activation.
[0100] At least one of the grippers (2) is driven by the wire (102)
pulling the grippers (2), and where the wire (102) is connected to
a rack (103), where the rack (103) again is being operated by a
pinion-system (104) in a manner where the teeth of the rack and
connected pinion is shaped such that the connected pinion may
prevent the rack from movement in the direction to loosen the grip
of the grippers (2) when the system as activated, but does not
prevent it to move in the direction to fasten the grip (this being
another example of the principle of unidirectional tightening
explained earlier).
[0101] A craftsman will recognise how to make the teeth of rack
(103) and pinion (104) to achieve this, or any other manner where a
similar effect may be achieved for example by having the pinion
(104) locking in rotation in one but not the opposite direction, by
motor control, by actuator control etc. Further the illustrated
embodiment comprises an electric motor (105) to drive e.g. the
pinion system (104). The present invention is not limited to the
exact manner this is achieved, but to the important aspect, that
even though the grippers (2) have been locked by activation of the
system, this is only to be understood as locking in the loosening
direction, not in the tightening direction of the grippers (2). The
persons using the aid tools (1) may themselves fasten the grip by
tightening the grippers (2) with their own fingers, the system
preventing the grip to be loosened again even though the person
loosen the grip of the fingers, at least until the system is
deactivated again.
[0102] In one preferred embodiment the system operates such that
after activation the grip of the grippers (2) will be tightened
slightly more than it was at the time of activation, in order to
tighten the grip slightly more. How much the grippers (2) further
will tighten the grip may depend on several factors, like being
pre-defined, depending on some activation of the user of the aid
tool (2) optionally operated by the second hand and/or depending on
a strain gauge of one or more of the grippers (2) adapted to
measure the tightening force, where e.g. one or more of these may
be used by and algorithm to calculate the further tightening
grip.
[0103] In one embodiment the locking mechanism of the flexible
joints (101) is also driven by wires as (102) and may in one
embodiment comprise a latch (106) driven by the wires, where the
latch comprises a number of `freezing` positions according to the
actual position of the aid tool (1) to the mounting means (7) when
activated. This may constitute a pin being pushed into the nearest
of a number of teeth of a rack-like structure (107) as illustrated
in FIG. 15, where the rack-like structure (107) are attached to one
`side` of the joint (101) and the pin to the other `side`, thus
when activated the pin locks into the nearest position of the rack
like structure at activation, thus freezing it into this position.
Though this is the illustrated embodiment any other systems as they
will be well known to a craftsman will also apply to the present
invention.
[0104] FIG. 16 illustrates a further embodiment that might be
incorporated into the system. In many cases the hand needs to hold
onto an object to be involved in a rotating, often a screwing,
movement, such as when screwing the lid on and off a glass of jam.
To get a firm grip onto such objects often requires an even more
firm grip than when just holding onto an object. Therefore the
grippers (2) may comprise rotation contact sections (108) being
squeezed to press on the object (4) with a force depending on the
rotation, such as the illustrated example, where the rotation
contact sections (108) by friction in the contact to a object (4),
are moved against a spring element (109) adapted to squeeze the
rotation contact sections (108) against the object (4). Such
systems are well established e.g. for oil filters, and any
embodiment as it will be known by a craftsman will apply to the
present invention.
[0105] In summary, the operation of the aid tool (1) according to
the main embodiment is: [0106] 1. The person using the aid tool (1)
positions it to form a loose grab on an object (4) [0107] 2. When
the aid tool (1) is in position an activation switch (5) is
activated [0108] 3. The locking of the grippers (2) and the
flexible joints (101), the grippers (2) being locked
unidirectional. [0109] 4. A hold of the object (4) is
established.
[0110] Although the invention above has been described in
connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be
evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications
are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *